Once again be careful what you say.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....ial-rape-comment.html

Was this an inappropriate piece of advice, that Eamonn gave out, or are some women groups a little touchy.

It reminds me of the time on Answerbank that I was lampooned by some for innocently saying at least a mother of a baby which had just died, was at least young enough to have another child, in which to somehow take it's place.

I was in no way being insensitive, I was just trying to console someone, since I had experienced a similar personal experience to that of the couples sad loss.

But try telling that to some.

[Zeuhl]

Steady now ......

xxx

[Zeuhl]

<<didn't think he meant his comment in a derogatory way - at least I hope he didn't. >>

OK. I don't know the guy - I met him once and I wouldn't want to give the impression i didn't like him or thought he was a big-headed bore .... but:

Here's a scenario:

"This girl who got raped, Ruth what do i always say when this happens?

(Ruth: o please god not the taxi thing)

why don't they just get a taxi? They're asking for it.

(Researcher: i'm not sure that ...)

Yes, I'll just ask her it'll be fine

(Ruth: it may seem like you're suggesting it was her fault)

It'll be fine, my oirish charm, boyish good looks and fatherly wisdom will be much appreciated

[emmie]

size 10's come to mind, i confess i don't like the man, and the few times i have watched him, feel that he's a bit of a prat.

[naomi24]

I can't see anything wrong with what he said. I'd probably have said the same.

[murraymints]

Don't think he meant anything by it...just words of concern for a young girl from a father...don,t be so touchy you lot....Mwahahaha!

[boxtops]

This is all very fine, but I remember well the story of a woman who got in an unlicensed taxi "to keep safe", and was raped by the driver.

[anotheoldgit]

boxtops

/// This is all very fine, but I remember well the story of a woman who got in an unlicensed taxi "to keep safe", and was raped by the driver. ///

Perhaps that woman would have done better not to get in an unlicensed taxi.

Ups, have I committed an 'Eamonn' here also?

[Kromovaracun]

AOG,

Forgive me if I've misunderstood your exact point in this particular thread, but why do you keep portraying scenarios where things that people say are questioned, challenged or interrogated as some kind of censorship? Regardless of whether Eamonn was right or wrong, I don't see how 'Be Careful What You Say' or equivalent has anything like the bizarre Orwellian overtones you seem to think it does.

[boxtops]

AOG, yes, probably you have (but I can't say I disagree with you) - she thought that any taxi would be better than walking home in the dark.

[ladybirder]

I think it is the kind of fatherly advice a man would give his daughter albeit stating the blindingly obvious.
My daughter walks home at 11-12pm and later from work on many occasions and I must say I hate it and will pick her up whenever I can although she thinks I'm making a fuss about nothing and doesn't bother to let me know half of the time. AND we have a rapist in the area who hasn't been caught yet.
Like ummmm I was attacked by two men late at night. I was a teenager in the 1950's and it isn't something you forget.

[anotheoldgit]

Kromovaracun

/// Forgive me if I've misunderstood your exact point in this particular thread, ///

Sorry if I have not made myself clear, but by you bothering to question my post, ideally illustrates exactly what I mean.

"It is becoming increasingly obvious that certain people have to be very careful what they say".

[Kromovaracun]

Yes.

And I'm questioning why that should necessarily be a bad thing and why you seem to view it as akin to censorship.

[anotheoldgit]

Kromovaracun

/// And I'm questioning why that should necessarily be a bad thing and why ///

Because it is question of some trying to stifle our right of 'free speech'.

[Kromovaracun]

I don't think that's a terribly accurate or useful interpretation of free speech - all the article says is that he's been criticised for it. If I've understood, you seem to be implying that people shouldn't be criticised or challenged over what they say because that threatens their freedom of speech.

That seems profoundly contradictory to me: If Eamonn has the right to say as he pleases, then surely so do his critics? If he has the right to comment on the actions of a rape victim, then why don't his critics have the right to question his comments?

[grffindoor2011]

Definate valid point from Holmes here. My nephew is 13. I know some of his friends male and female are out wandering the streets until all hours. Tell the parents and you get a load of moaning or one comment I had once 'sh.. happens mate'.

If the parents think it is safe and don't care then you can hardly blaim the clueless child.

[andy-hughes]

Eamon Holmes is employed as an interviewer, dealing with a terrible and traumatic situation, and needed to have spoken with a great deal of forethought.

Does he really imagine in his wildest dreams, that this poor woman has not relived this time, and thought about how things could have been different?

Ok, it wasn't quite as bad as saying something like "If you had been sensible and got a taxi - as I am always telling people to, you;d have been safe ...2 - but it was in that area.

If he feels the need to impart such advice, then the time to do it is at the time when he has finished the interview - turns to camera and says "It is always adviseable where possible to take a licensed taxi if you are travelling alone at night, but I know that circumstances don't always allow for that."

That way he is giving advice, while acknowledging that it may not be a viable distance - as in this case - or that people do not have the money to fund late-night taxis.

His timing and wording meant he came accross as a patronising "I know best young lady..." obsserver, not the avuncular father / friendly uncle figure he likes to see himself as.