Some interesting points Anti-social.

I'm not going to try and go anywhere as deep as you do.

But the forum does tend to self-police itself very well - I've privately "ticked off" one or two on here who have strayed too far.
If you post - you have to be prepared to accept criticism / comment - but not abuse.

On the "vari" phobic point though, I just think there is too much sensitivity around in society today created by the PC brigade.
A wealthy and successful businessman can be called a fat cat and have his snout in the trough.
An individual who yearns for some of the qualities that abounded in society 30+ years ago can be labelled a small minded little Englander.

But take the mickey out of a homosexual, muslim, Irish, Jew and your castigated.

As I was away from home on Wednesday, I tried to find something to watch on the TV in my hotel.
I came across "Taking the Flak" on BBC.
http://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail.asp?id=45274778

It says category Comedy

It should be renamed Taking the Piss!

Not one laugh - it was dreadful - but this is what we deserve as we have run down the varied comic talents we had.

This PC Society has taken away the laughter from society and it's about time people learnt to laugh again, whether they were being laughed at themselves or laughing at others.