A poor defense of the truth is detrimental

The title above paraphrases Nietzsche, and appears as a result of a recent article on the BBC, "The rules of speech crime" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8771721.stm).

For, whilst:

> Had the impulsive councillor said something along
> the lines of "you have disregarded your cultural roots",
> she would almost certainly not have been prosecuted.

is true, it not only misses the point but also encourages a dangerous and racist stereotyping, by implying that the two statements are equivalent (the other being "you coconut"). That, in turn, suggests that someone with a certain ethnic background _must_ hold a certain opinion, or _may not_ hold a certain opinion.

This linking between ethnicity and the right to hold an opinion is the sort of racism that needs to be watched out for.

Of course, it was no pretty sight watching (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxMfHGLnLcE) the attractive young lady (surely a better adjective than "impulsive", given that she was reading from a piece of paper clutched in her delicate fingers) sputter on about it all being appalling, disrespectful and shameful, whilst finding time to scratch her belly and use pejorative language. I am very happy that this person has had to answer for her - dare I say it - disgusting behaviour.