Comments on: Isn’t it time we all stopped pretending to be offended?

By: digitaltoast

digitaltoast — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:36:28 +0000

The whole effing point of the story it isn't that the Tree has a TPO on it when it was sold, it doesn't say so in the book. You're saying that, and someone else is saying something different. So, I've ordered the book – it's going to take 5-9 days. I'll post my findings either way.

By: digitaltoast

digitaltoast — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:34:44 +0000

You lack imaginationI don't think “imagination” helps here – sticking to facts would make the whole thing a lot easier. Which is why I'm getting a copy of the book…. (see next comment)

By: digitaltoast

digitaltoast — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:36:28 +0000

By: digitaltoast

digitaltoast — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:34:44 +0000

You lack imaginationI don't think “imagination” helps here – sticking to facts would make the whole thing a lot easier. Which is why I'm getting a copy of the book…. (see next comment)

By: The Englishman

The Englishman — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:53:07 +0000

I take no responsibility for other commentators but as the original blogger I think you miss the whole effing point of the story it isn't that the Tree has a TPO on it when it was sold, it doesn't say so in the book. I also wonder why if the previous owner believes the tree belongs to everyone he didn't donate it to the community rather than sell it?
The outrage isn't about enforcing TPOs or other restrictions it is in the title “Trees belong to Everyone”, even trees with TPOs don't, they belong to someone or some organisation which has rights and responsibilities and that is what mildly annoyed me. If I try and stop my children picking flowers out of someone's garden what if they say “Flowers belong to everyone”?
Oh and don't you think the Mayor is a bit sinister sweeping up in her shiny black car, laying down the law and ending up in possession of the house?

By: Rob Fisher

Rob Fisher — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:31:27 +0000

"wade through a mound of socialist nonsense"

People complaining about socialist values being taught to children is somehow "a mound of socialist nonsense"? What are you on about?

"Kids play in tree in bloke’s garden, tree has TPO (tree preservation order), then house gets sold"

Wrong wrong wrong! The TPO was *after* the house was sold.

"the idea that someone takes offense that his kid’s school gives him a book which teaches about laws" -- it does no such thing and that isn't what they took exception to, You're being deliberately misrepresenting the blog post and the comments.

"It’s a book from 1998 - the world hasn’t ended since it was first published. Aren’t there more important things - like the economy being trashed because no-one running banks seems to have a clue?!"

You lack imagination. Haven't you noticed that pretty much everyone is a socialist these days? Could education have something to do with it? Could it have something to do with the economy? Try harder.

By: Rob Fisher

Rob Fisher — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:23:22 +0000

“a tree with a legal device in place before the new owner purchases the property” — not correct, sorry, it was done *after* the purchase. And this isn't about taking offense, it's about what values are taught to children.

Otherwise a good list. Personally I'm only offended by people telling me what to do under the threat of violence, which is mostly just the government.