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Date sent: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 15:37:57 -0500 Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Greg Sterling <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Direction of the List To: [log in to unmask] > I would think that being a doctor you'd have more tolerance of quirks > in human behavior. Stay on the list and take life a little less > serious. If you want a good laugh watch MS-NBC or CNN for a couple of > hours. Greg and all, It has nothing to do with laughs and funny things. I appreciate a good joke as much as the next person (even ones which are slightly "off-color"). But "jokes" which "put down" people because of matters over which they have no control (gender, color, age, etc.) are *not* funny and should not be tolerated. We live in a society where people have finally decided not to put up with such things. Certain groups (like the radical feminists) have, IMO, taken this "too far", but, as long as the laws are what they are, we all have to obey. For example, I can't tell a joke in front of my Office Manager (who is 67 years old, has worked for me for 20 years, and is my good friend) because, if she was having a "bad day", and decided that what I had said was offensive, she could haul me up before the Medical Board for sexual harassment. And if she said that it was offensive to her, it would be so considered. A way to "test" whether a joke one is going to tell is acceptable or not is to take the group being made fun of (for example, men) and substitute that group with another "minority" (such as "women", "Jews", African-Americans, etc.). If it sounds discriminatory, then don't tell the joke. Best, Bob ********************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 WWW: http://www.rafink.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] "Ex Tristitia Virtus" *********************************************