OF MIDGETS,  DWARFS AND ACADEMIC FLIES IN THE OINTMENT

The word 'seething' would sum up how I feel as I write these notes.  Seething, because part of our history is once again being consigned to history books - books that will certainly be burned if minorities are allowed to overwhelm majority views and opinions with their childish indoctrinations.

The pub-owning group Greene King has once again crumbled in the face of minority pressure.  There is a pub in Abingdon, Oxfordshire which opened in 1974 as the 'Magic Midget'.  The name was in honour of a racing car of the same name, produced in the town by MG, then owned by British Leyland.  The MG Midget had long been considered an iconic British sports car.  The pub was renamed 'The Midget' in 2002.  The intervening years have witnessed the passing of majority rule by a succession of 'minority causes' putting the fear of shame into any individual or business that doesn't toe the W*** line.

A female by the name of Dr. Erin Pritchard, who is a senior lecturer in Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University started a petition in order to rid the public house of its 'Dwarfist' links!  She said: 'I have dwarfism and like many people find the word offensive.  I doubt anyone would tolerate a pub with a name containing an equally derogatory slur against another group of disabled people or an ethnic minority'.  This is the same woman, by the way who forced Marks and Spencer to change the name of 'Midget Gems' for the same reason. The upshot of her being offended and presumably the one thousand supporters that signed her petition, is that Greene King, the gutless owners of the pub, have caved in and have renamed it again as 'The Roaring Raindrop'.  I read that this latest change refers to MG's last record-breaking car built at Abingdon.  Very few people, other than MG aficionados, will be aware of the new name and its part in the company's history, whilst millions will remember the MG Midget!  Did anyone, either driving or spotting an MG Midget automatically think of a dwarf, thus sniggering or guffawing in a schoolboy manner as they made an association between a car and part of a circus act?  

You can just imagine how much fun this woman must be!  She may have a doctorate, but I suggest she applies to the Open University for  courses in the following subjects:-  'Common Sense',     'Perspective and Proportion',  'Humour' - if that is still an allowable attribute - and 'Getting Out More'!  People like her and the one thousand petitioners are worrying examples of what is happening throughout our country.  The minority rule and there is little opposition as no-one wants bad publicity.  Zoe Bowley,  who is Greene King's Managing Director, said that the company thought 'long and hard' about changing the name,  As always, they conceded and history is consigned to memory.  People such as the sad Dr. Pritchard are a danger to society at large.  They  never see the bigger picture, so entrenched. embittered and driven are their views, so ungracious and ungiving their mentality.  

I have just taken my metaphorical file marked 'Wastes of Space in British Society' and added Dr. Pritchard's name.  She joins the ranks of Lord Longford, Peter Hain,  Peter Tatchell and the Blairs,  amongst many others of dubious worth.  It is is such a pity that people like her spoil everyday wordage.  They turn it into a cause celebre and contribute in no small measure in making  the world a much more miserable place through power garnered due to their physical appearance.  So, another group of people I shall not be looking too kindly upon in the future - miserable ticks!

My problem going forward, when espying an MG car, is managing NOT to think of dwarfs, elves, sprites, hobgoblins, pixies, leprechauns, imps, gnomes, fairies, nymphs or gremlins. Do hope I haven't missed out anyone of 'limited stature'?  After all,  I like to think of myself as 'Inclusive'...