Quoting grist: "In a recent snowstorm of posts, a member, obviously without the benefit of being a native english speaking person, was denigrated by many of our members. Sure it was easy, sure it was fun, but come now. Officer and Gentelmen? Hmm.. Read the threads."
Hmmm indeed. grist, I don't think you happened to be one of the people this 'innocent' member consistently badgered via AIM. I was and I can tell you that 1) that individual's language and remarks during AIM conversations was much more inflammatory than anything posted here; 2) the member was NOT 'denigrated' for being a non-English speaking individual, but rather for the way they came onto the forum and presumed to contact everyone she could to tell about her torrid affair with an 'IP from VT-9;' 3) before I (yes, I made fun of the person) ever said anything demeaning, this person contacted me via AIM and the language used on their part was worse than an episode of the Osbournes, not to mention I asked about their origins (assuming they weren't native English speaking) and was assured that they were from California and have always been from that state; 4) This person was trying to convince this board that they were highly educated, but they did not have a slight grasp on grammar and syntax, so other members pointed this fact out (albeit in a harsh way).
So, to assume that the posts were a way to discriminate against this member for being a non-native English speaking individual is absolutely ridiculous and/or ignorant. That just goes to promote inaccurate feelings about the military and its personnel. I would say that discrimination most likely does happen, but that it is the exception rather than the rule. Yes, I poked fun at the member you mentioned for poor spelling and grammar and I agree that it was not the most mature thing to do, but it was in no way discrimination against someone with a different ethnic background than my own!
If it sounds like I took offense to your statement, you're absolutely right!
JR