The right to acting "weird" upheld

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The UK Advertising Standards Authority has just requested the withdrawal of a new anti-terror campaign that asked members of the public to rat out their "weird" and suspiciously-behaving neigbours - the script of the advert contains this priceless advice: "The man at the end of the street doesn't talk to his neighbours much, because he likes to keep himself to himself. He pays with cash because he doesn't have a bank card, and he keeps his curtains closed because his house is on a bus route. If you suspect it, report it."

Apparently some listeners thought this "could be offensive to law-abiding citizens, while the rest said it could encourage people to harass or victimise their neighbours and was appealing to people's fear."

(a small victory for common sense, and I guess they will just reword it and continue creating and oppressing stereotypes)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10929203

Time they all woke up to the fact that weird is beautiful. If the gov keeps pushing their garbage, maybe the best thing would be for everybody who is sickened by it to report as many people as they can, so that the authorities will be snowed under with the worthless gobledegook they're asking for.

Good thing they retracted. That really is WAYYYYYY too broad and will have people suspecting each other for no good reason at all.

It is suspicious to buy an airline ticket one way with cash and have no luggage.

It is not suspicious to keep your curtains drawn or not attend the neighborhood block party. (Ok- they didn't put that one in but it's the sort of leap people would make.) It is alarming that they were even suggesting that it is.

Reason has temporarily prevailed. But it is alrming how authorities went from asking people to be on the lookout for things that are possibly actually terrorist actions in progress ("please report any unattended bags") to asking people to be on the lookout for nervous introverts.

Agreed. That proposed law was a ridiculous piece of vigilanteism, and I'm glad the ASA have banned it.

Well, call me a cynic but I still think that while it was retracted it still reflects the general trend....or at least reveals a lack of progress. That proposal sounded about as 1600's witch-hunt-ish as anything. Scary.....and sad. If you don't care to join the mob then the mob will gladly disjoint you....

Well we all know people think like this anyway. Don't know what the purpose of such an advert is, perhaps there are people out there who actually want to increase suffering.

I find that being a reasonably friendly, personable introverted weirdo helps me to be more accepted. If people know you are cool, they mostly won't bother you about your funny ways. It's only if you're an unknown quantity that the fear and witch hunting gets up.

Well phew, I have a bank card. That means I'm not a terrorist, right? Even if I do like dim lighting (curtains shut) and dislike trying to make small talk with people, neighbours included.

I mean honestly, what next, torches and pitchforks issued at your local post office?

Even homeschooling one's children is seen by many as sign of mental illness, and/or cult/sect behaviour, etc. Now that my 11 year old son has started going to school I really do feel 500% safer, as if I am literally less in danger, as if I can relax a little about "appearances" without being reported instantly to the authorities for "aberrant" behaviour.

I'm also glad that they've banned the law.

Just glad I am not in the UK. I like their shows/movies though :/

If they had that sort of BS over here I would prolly be in jail for life simply because I am the crazy introvert anyways, but I like it that way.

In recent years Britain has turned itself into big brother. We are encouraged to inform on everything!

Coincidently I watched V last night.

[quote]Well, call me a cynic but I still think that while it was retracted it still reflects the general trend....or at least reveals a lack of progress. That proposal sounded about as 1600's witch-hunt-ish as anything. Scary.....and sad. If you don't care to join the mob then the mob will gladly disjoint you....[/quote

Human nature is now what it was then.