English Chess Forum

I was shocked and saddened to read the story pointed out in a recent thread What's this all about then?. I have no intention of discussing this thread, as it not clear yet what the facts of the case are, and it is always possible that a criminal prosecution might arise, which would cause the matter to fall sub judice.

However, it was suggested on that thread that Steve Giddins had something to say on the matter. Those that know me well will be aware that I haven't read anything that the hylobatid has vomited in many months, as I took the simple precaution of modifying the configuration of my router and PCs to prevent them from resolving the address of that particular creature's blogshite. Thinking that he might actually have something useful to say, I reversed the configuration changes.

Sadly, I was confronted with the usual rubbish.

To begin with, the idiot apparently believes that it is no great problem not to provide Muslim children in the care of the ECF with suitable halal food. Again, I don't know the facts of the case. It is reported, rightly or wrongly, though, that the ECF originally gave guarantees to the family before they set out that their dietary needs would be catered for. Not only was this manifestly not done - if the reports are to be believed - but they were even offered pork. I cannot think of any single greater insult to a Muslim than that. I assume that the fool would not dream of offering pork to a Jew, so why he should think the differently of a Muslim, I really cannot understand.

To compound the matter, he then proceeds to find drinking alcohol in the presence of Muslim children a matter of no import. I know a number of Muslims - as I am sure most on this forum do - who although they might not drink alcohol themselves, are happy for their non-Muslim friends and acquaintances to drink whilst they themselves abstain. Naturally such tolerance is what oils civil society. However, that is an entirely different matter from drinking in the presence of children, when their parents have requested one not to.

This post is not an invitation to discuss the facts of that particular case. Carl has made it clear that he does not want that, and his reticence is entirely understandable. The post is a comment on the mindless nature of the Steve Giddins "journalism".

I have reconfigured my router and PCs. In future nothing will induce me to undo that configuration.

The only good thing I got out of joining this forum was finding out about Steve Giddin's chess blog. I'm not interested in saying here any longer. I can stay updated on ECF matters via Steve's blog.

Carl "Old Mother" Hibbard, please can you delete my account?

Giddins merely points out that tolerance should go two ways.

He is correct.

PaulJackson wrote:The only good thing I got out of joining this forum was finding out about Steve Giddin's chess blog. I'm not interested in saying here any longer. I can stay updated on ECF matters via Steve's blog.

Carl "Old Mother" Hibbard, please can you delete my account?

So long then!

Andrew Camp wrote:Giddens merely points out that tolerance should go two ways.

Tolerance does indeed go both ways but, then again, the ECF has a duty of care to families of all faiths and none, and respect for diet is part of that. Would you offer pork to a Muslim or drink in front of children when their parents asked you not to? Particularly when the ECF took it upon itself to respect those sensitivities before setting out? Making grandiose statements about "tolerance" whilst condoning - apparently - intolerant behaviour is rather contradictory.

Again, though, I don't know what happened, only what has been reported. Commentary is on the Gidiot's reaction to it.

I would not of course offer pork or alcohol to a Muslim family.

However, if I was in a bar in a country that allowed alcoholic consumption, I would have no issue about drinking if that is what I wanted to do.

Anyone offended by that has the right to go elsewhere.

I would not drink if 'on duty'.

I would not drink in a country that did not allow it.

Andrew - I agree with your last post, with one proviso. I like a beer on a hot day, but if I was looking after children or coaching them on behalf of the ECF, I would wait until the children were gone, before I slaked my thirst. Unfortunately that isn't what is reported to have occurred, whether that is true, false or a shade in between. Nor sadly is it what Gibbon wrote, which sought to pass such behaviour off as inconsequential.

Agreed. I was merely stating my stance in a given situation. If the truth ever comes out, we will be in a better position to decide upon which side the greater level of intolerance lies.

I should say that I have played Dave Regis once over the board in a county match once, some years ago. He appeared the epitome of friendliness and correct behaviour. I was also a club mate of Thomas Rendle for a couple of years. Again, nothing he ever did or said gave me the slightest reason to believe that he might act as reported. So the reported facts of the case seem a mystery out of the blue.

I just find it incredible that anyone could write that not respecting a family's dietary code or drinking alcohol in front of children when requested not to is a bagatelle.

Obviously none of us know the exact facts regarding the drinking scenario

Drinking whilst coaching any child is unacceptable, but if this was in the hotel bar socialising after coaching had finished I see nothing wrong with this, and as Andrew has mentioned if you are unhappy with this you can easily go elsewhere

But since Carl had locked down the previous thread, I think we should stop commenting on this thread as well

Agreed, Alan. It's a question of knowing what is acceptable and what is not. Blanket statements that boozing in front of children is okay are wrong and could be seen in a rather ugly light. Regardless of that, though, those working on behalf of the ECF should clearly be allowed to unwind when their responsibilities are discharged for the day.

Alan Walton wrote:But since Carl had locked down the previous thread, I think we should stop commenting on this thread as well

Agreed