PC plod and the health police
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 
You can tell it's the silly season when - not for the first time - I get asked to comment on the story that an IT technician had refused to fix a woman's computer because, when he took the back off, it was (allegedly) covered in nicotine.
The story originally appeared in the local paper last week. This afternoon I was whisked off to the Millbank studios in Westminster to be interviewed for Granada's evening news. What could I say, apart from the fact that I have never EVER heard of such a complaint before, and it cannot be coincidence that this has happened within weeks of the smoking ban being introduced.
Now that the authorities have declared war on smokers, no doubt other, similarly ludicrous, complaints will become commonplace. I am thinking, in particular, of neighbours who will claim that smoke from next door is seeping into their homes through walls and floorboards. Barworkers might even refuse to work in a pub - simply because the walls are stained with nicotine.
Full story HERE.
Reader Comments (6)
What did this person think would happen to him if he touched a 'nicotine-stained' computer? Instant death?
This is what happens when the country is run by morons, the media is complicit in peddling their moronic messages, and the plebs who believe every word they're fed add their own moronic twist to the tale.
My great grandparents and their siblings grew up surrounded by and inhaling nicotine and London smog, my grandparents and their siblings grew up surrounded by and inhaling nicotine and London smog, my parents grew up surrounded by and inhaling nicotine and (in their younger years) London smog.
Not one of them died of a 'smoking-related-disease' - and my grandparents and great grandparents lived into their 80's and 90's.
But apparently touching a 'nicotine stain' will kill you.
I seriously want the world to stop right now so that I can get off. I simply CANNOT bear what is happening to our culture with this total destruction of intelligent thought and rational behaviour.
If the human population should survive (and I doubt they will, because we'll reach the point where humans are scared to touch each other, let alone procreate - Christ, has anyone done a risk assessment on giving birth? Surely that is so dangerous it should be illegal!) - then I imagine this period in history will go down as the 'Age of Disproportionate Response' - aka - the time when people became truly barmy.
If I could give the people of this country one message it is this. Living a life where you're scared of your own shadow will kill your spirit, and that is the worst kind of death.
Here, here, Struggling Spirit - excellent comment and I can't agree more.
It is about time people put their brains back into gear and remembered that innoculations work by giving a controlled dose of the disease in order for the body to build up its immune system. If we are no longer being exposed to different things and try to live in a more sterile environment, then we are all far more likely to die younger because our bodies will not be able to cope with anything 'alien'. You are far safer to smoke than live in a sterilised world.
Lyn
The NHS are quick enough to spout the dangers of smoking but very slow on the uptake of dealing with other dangers. In Glan Clwyd Hospital in North Wales they now expect £250Million from the Assembly Government to change the fire protect materials they had built into it. As we know, Asbestos was claimed in the 60's as a source of cancer but this hospital was built in the 70's. No grants were made available by HMG for house owners to have this material removed from their homes.
All houses were built with this material particularly in kitchens as a fire retardant. Is it any wonder that these Morons in power are shifting the blame onto smoking. All the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke are also found in a glass of water but in water, the ingredients are 200 times the amount. The NHS, HMG and the Medical Personnel have been pushing the idea that by giving up smoking you will live longer.They would hardly do this if it were true. They know that Asbestos is still the main cause of the illnesses that they now claim as smoking related. It is about time these Morons told the truth.
Struggling Spirit -
Three HUGE 'Bravos' to you, Sir !!!
If I'd come out with that sort of 'health and safety' crap at work thirty years ago, I'd have had my arse kicked right down the street.
How HAVE we become such Nation of Whingers and Nancies ?
NO disrespect to our Lady Contributors (some of our best and strongest), but is it possible that the Feminisation of Society has gone just a little TOO far ? My Mum certainly thinks so: but, then, she was a member of a whole generation that managed to smoke its way through the Blitz with little apparent ill effect - provided you could avoid the bombs!
Now, there's a thought: would Today's air-raid shelters have to be open on three sides, I wonder ?
I just dunno, sometimes.............
I will say once again there is no choice for antone these days
Martin, if this is a symptom of the feminisation of society, I don't think it's from women like me! However, I do take your point to a degree. It's all part of this stifling political correctness which is killing the joy and spontaniety of our society. The sort where towns and companies no longer put up Christmas decorations or hold Bonfire parties because of "health and safety" reasons. ANYTHING that could be construed as even slightly detrimental to safety is being banned. Children playing conkers or climbing trees, playing, rough-housing, etc. I recently read an article about a school which was banning children from play-fighting, or even TOUCHING during lessons! (I kid you not). This dreadful and insidious situation just gets worse and worse. Then, on the other hand, people cannot go and have a smoke and a drink together. In some circumstances, they cannot even smoke in their own car or home. I think our country is getting sicker. People, and children in particular, are being wrapped in cotton wool (or should I say, being stifled). I agree with Struggling Spirit. He should know that many people sympathise and agree with him -in fact I think I will become "Miss Struggling Spirit!"