slother

Sorry I quoted the wrong person. I was referring to the testimony of the 1970s police officer as further proof that my analysis of political correctness in this case is correct. Namely:

Staggering. I'm so sorry you had to live through that and I'm glad that your conviction that you are righteous and they are not appears undimmed. Nothing to do with political correctness, then?

So we're laughing at political correctness, whilst also acknowledging that more political correctness (y'know, respecting and treating everyone equally, ensuring that minority voices are heard and respected) would've gone a long way in ensuring these events never happened. In fact, is it possible that the infamously sandal wearing, liberal & wimpy South Yorks police have used "fear of appearing politically incorrect" to deflect the blame from the incompetence and corruption of individuals onto a nebulous leftist cultural paradigm, and is it possible that you're dumb enough to fall for it?

I'm not, it's just that that process should be fairly cut-and-dried: identify, arrest, try, convict and sentence the perpetrators. How to effectively identify, redress and safeguard against future instances of the authorities' failures in this scandal is infinitely more difficult. That's why I finding it more interesting to talk about.

On this charge. Misfeasance in public office (or, more likely, nonfeasance in public office). The report states that everyone who should have known about this knew by 2006. It also states that the veracity of the data was denied and that sanctions were not sought against the perpetrators because it wasn't thought to be worthwhile due to most of the sex acts being consensual, even though the victims were minors. I am struggling to believe that this was caused by incompetence on the part of the authorities and am tending ever more to feeling a conspiracy has taken place, in which silence and inaction was exchanged for power?/votes?/career advancement?/money?/child sex?

There is a problem a small minority of Islamic males. Interestingly, I think, those going off and joining ISIS right now can be described in the same way. I don't dispute that there is a need for some serious house-getting-in-order on the part of those gentlemen and their community. But, we have seen the same abuses as occurred in Rotherham in the great Irish Catholic priest scandal of the 20th century, the BBC light entertainment department of the 1970s and 80s and even within Westminster from some of the nation's most prominent and powerful Establishment figures. And it's pretty much an open secret that wealthy, white paedophiles travel to South East Asia a la a certain disgraced pop star, to commit god-knows-what to god-knows-who. And it's not just paedophilia. Every time a scandal of this scale breaks (and you can normally count on one or two a year, what about Mid Staffs hospital and the care home abuses?) there is a huge number of moderate/good/honest people who did nothing. As such I think the framing of this scandal as a multi-culturalism problem is way off target here. The Rotherham scandal also saw huge, grave failings within both the council and the South Yorkshire police: both of which are predominantly white organisations. Multiculturalism has worked in Britain for thousands of years. Character, not colour, is the problem. I will grant the doubters that Islamic culture is clearly much more patriarchal and I can see that environment being more enabling of child abuse. Much more than that, I simply don't have the knowledge to give you an informed opinion. This is what the report said re: "How did this happen?" The people who should have, failed to even begin to engage with the Asian community. When asked why, they replied that they: a) thought it was a one-off problem [complacent? stupid? lazy?] b) thought they would be called racist [****ing idiots?], c) had been told not to by their managers [lying? breakdown in communication? institutional failure? conspiracy?] It's not due to "political correctness" that these people were not arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law it's because the authorities were f***ing stupid. If a fire-fighter can't put out a blaze because he's so concerned about protecting himself from the heat he's wrapped himself in so many layers of asbestos bandages that he can't move that doesn't mean protecting himself from fire was a stupid idea, it means he's a f***ing idiot. What's especially interesting to me is this notion that people were told not to do things by their managers. And, given the events in the Church, Parliament and the BBC, we shouldn't dismiss the idea of a conspiracy between the police, council leaders and community leaders as crackpot. Power, ambition, status (and money?) are as corrosive to the soul as anything on earth, and it is not hard to imagine that Labour leaders would exchange silence and complicity on this issue for votes, money and the furtherence of their careers. It pains me to write this, because, in a general sense, I'm a Labour supporter. We need to plan our next step as a society with thought, reason and an unbending freight train of justice. But please, put down the pitchforks. That gets us nowhere.

Hi Everyone After about 30 minutes, we have crutches! Don't be suspicious or frightened - people are mostly brilliant. Huge thanks to Jeremy at Meers Cattery in Meersbrook. If anyone needs a cattery, you can rest assured that these people are best!

Hello folks My girlfriend works for Cancer Research UK and has a two day meeting in London that she (apparently) has to get to. However, unfortunately she badly sprained her ankle this evening whilst playing netball and it is swollen up like an orange. We are doing the ice packs, elevation and compression bandages but if you should happen to be reading this and have a spare(?) pair of crutches lying around that you would be willing to lend us, please get in touch on 07800 585212. I can come and pick them up any time. Her train leaves at 6am(ish) tomorrow. *dramatic music* Thanks for reading, Nick

WHEN: 9am, 29th June 2013 WHERE: DON VALLEY STADIUM WHAT: The Ding Don Chilli Dash is a charity fun run day open to the general public at Don Valley Stadium on Saturday 29th June 2013. Race registration is open now online at dingdash.org.uk, or on the day itself from 9am. The day consists of a choice between the Ding Mile, four laps of the Don Valley Stadium, or the Ding Don Chilli Dash, a 5km fun run around Don Valley Stadium and its grounds. The event is inspired by the story of Jo Orpwood, a Silverdale School pupil who has been fighting three brain tumours since he was 8 years old. Jo's life recovery was saved significantly aided by Neurocare, a local charity that has been raising money to buy life-saving equipment for the neurosciences department of the Royal Hallamshire hospital for over 25 years Jo himself can't wait: "Running is such a great way to stay healthly and it’s a lot of fun too. The chance to raise money for the people at Neurocare as well just means it's guaranteed to be an amazing day." Our event sponsor is equally remarkable. Ding Chilli Sauce is local initiative cooked up by 15 year old Chris Parker, a contemporary of Jo's, who last year devised and bottled the fabulously fiery fundraising elixir in the kitchens of Bents Green School to help Jo raise money for Neurocare. The Ding Don Chilli Dash is led by Rob Creasey, Jo's athletics coach who works with young people across South Yorkshire through education and sport. Emma Douglas, Neurocare Head of Fundraising and PR said: “The Silverdale School pupils and staff have been supporting Neurocare for a couple of years now and this is their biggest event yet. We are so excited to be part of the last public race in the iconic Don Valley Stadium and so grateful that the organising team have chosen to support us. The Ding Don Chilli Dash also marks one of the last opportunities for the general public to step out onto the hallowed surface of Don Valley Stadium, home to countless talented local athletes and of course the crucible of Jessica Ennis' Olympian contribution to the city. It would be great to see Sheffield Forummers and their families take part. The day should all be about fun and fundraising. If you're interested or have any questions, leave a message below and I'll get back to you. And get registered at dingdash.org.uk!

Can I hijack this thread to promote a charity run at Don Valley Stadium on 29th June 2013 to raise money for Neurocare (brain injury equipment for Sheffield hospitals)? There's a 5km run and a 1 mile fun run. For more information visit http://dingdash.weebly.com/ Thanks and get entering! PS. If the Parkrun people want to promote the run more heavily please go ahead or get in touch!

Hello everybody, you may have seen in the paper recently that Double Six Youth Club in Woodseats is experiencing some serious financial blues as a result of various cuts and whatnot. We're all working extra hard to make sure the financial crisis does not swallow up 46 years of support for the young people of Sheffield. I appreciate that everyone is feeling the strain at the moment, but if you are fortunate enough to have a spare penny or two please donate here and spread the word to the deepest darkest recesses of the internet. Thank you. ADMIN: If you're up for it, it would obviously be awesome if this thread could be stickied. If I've broken some rule or otherwise incurred your wrath, please move/delete it and accept my apologies.

The Greedy Greek Deli off Ecclesall Road is absolutely fantastic. Greek food is even better than their political philosophy, cultural legacy and sense of aesthetics.

Look at TripAdvisor too for information about visiting Sheffield. Even as a local it can be quite useful.

I took my girlfriend to Silversmith's Pie Night (Tuesdays). We both thought it was absolutely crap.

There's what looks like a very good butcher just up from Hunters Bar roundabout on the right hand side. I'm not sure anywhere could guarantee cruelty-free slaughter though; I'd have thought once you've killed several of anything you're dead to the sensation and sacrifice sentiment for bigger, faster, better.