# Prince Philip - was that necessary, Cecil? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [November 7, 2000, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111 "2000-11-07T14:19:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/21 "2000-11-17T22:06:33Z")
I’m on your side on this one, 'Sprix. There’s a thin line between satire and tacit endorsement sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![bungie\_us](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bungie\_us](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bungie_us)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2000, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/22 "2000-11-17T23:19:46Z")
> [@](#): > > Once again, please - I already mentioned that I know Cecil’s sense of humor is both low-brow and high-brow (appealling to the masses, as he so skillfully does), so yes, I’m sure he’s made other bad jokes. Why did I comment on it? Because I read it. Have I read every one of Cecil’s columns? Alas, no. Did I happen to take special notice because I happen to be part of the group that could have been inadvertently disparaged? Of course. Seems to me that one of Cecil’s strengths is his willingness to “disparage” everyone. No one is safe. I’ve caught myself a few times over the years with the "Hey, wait a minute – " reaction, only to step back a realize that if I can laugh when he’s poking at someone else, I can laugh when I’m part of the target group too. Or not laugh, if the joke isn’t funny. (Yes, that’s right. I’m a paragon of reason and magnanimity.) You seem like a nice person, 'prix, so I don’t wanna sound like I’m dissing you. It just seems to me like you might wanna chill a little. This isn’t some entrenched bigot – it’s Cecil. He makes fun of **everybody.** If he gives you a pass, then I’m going to have to ask for a pass for inbred rednecks such as myself. Suddenly everybody wants a pass. Then where will we be? Of course, if the joke ain’t _funny…_ ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/23 "2000-11-20T14:44:06Z")
Indeed, I didn’t think it _was_ funny, and, in addition, I didn’t think it was warranted - I found it forced, which isn’t like **Cec**. I also know he’s not a bigot, nor did I ever call him such. And I’m not even asking for a “pass” - I just am calling him on what I consider to be an inappropriate, unfunny remark, and he can take it or leave it as he sees fit. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/24 "2000-11-21T17:05:35Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Esprix:_ > > Have I read every one of Cecil’s columns? Alas, no. \ \ ---
**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/25 "2000-11-22T00:35:23Z")
as much as I disagree with a certain recently banned member, I gotta say, **Esprix** and **Eve** , take a chill. Humor is humor, and hopefully everyone will be equally made fun of (not offended, there’s a difference). Yes, he made a joke at the LGBiTrTr’s expense. It’s still a well-crafted joke. Unneccesary? Sure, but all jokes really are. Uncalled for? Maybe, but what is called for? Hurtful? Only if you have a very thin skin. I for one thought it was funny. If you want to take offense, do it. But remember, you are the active party in that. I doubt Cecil wrote the joke to piss y’all (and myself included) off. jb ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/26 "2000-11-22T14:29:26Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **jb\_farley** _ > > It’s still a well-crafted joke. “Well-crafted?” Hardly - rather purile and forced, if you ask me. But humor is in the eye of the beholder - YMMV. > [@](#): > > Hurtful? Only if you have a very thin skin. I am fully aware that it was not **Cecil** ’s intent to offend, and indeed I am not offended; I just thought it was inappropriate and unfunny. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/27 "2000-11-22T15:16:48Z")
Actually, I was referring back to this column: [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000908.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000908.html) Which was inaccurate, mean-spirited and revealed that in some (dare I say, many?) cases, our Fearless Leader doesn’t know shit from Shinola. Or much care which is shit and which is Shinola, as long as he can get off a few wiseass remarks. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/28 "2000-11-22T15:36:10Z")
Well, at least he had some fairly reliable statistics available. Oy. I suppose we can count on **Cecil** for being a stomper of ignorance, but not of sensitivity. C’est la vie. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![bungie\_us](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bungie\_us](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bungie_us)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/29 "2000-11-22T16:51:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*Actually, I was referring back to this column: > > [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000908.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000908.html) > > Which was inaccurate, mean-spirited and revealed that in some (dare I say, many?) cases, our Fearless Leader doesn’t know shit from Shinola. Or much care which is shit and which is Shinola, as long as he can get off a few wiseass remarks. \*\* Well, I dunno. I asked a good lady friend of mine who just so happens to have once been a male to read the the offending article, and she laughed. Happened to be her first encounter with Cecil. She also commented “Well, sure, it’s pretty icky surgery, and sure, there’s a certain convenience to being a pointer rather than a setter, but I wouldn’t go back to being a boy just to be able to write my name in the snow.” As for the accuracy of the non-waggish comment portion of the column, she didn’t see any gross inaccuracies, though she admitted she’s neither a doctor nor a researcher – just a woman who happened to be very inconveniently born with outdoor plumbing. Thank god for modern medicine, she said. It seems to me that of all the many types of people there are in the world, at least two of them are people who look for a chance to laugh and people who look for a chance to be offended. Personally, I enjoy life more when I laugh – especially at myself. But, as Esprix said, C’est la vie. ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/30 "2000-11-22T17:10:11Z")
> [@](#): > > I suppose we can count on Cecil for being a stomper of ignorance, but not of sensitivity. Bingo!! That was exactly what I wanted to say but couldn’t come up with it in my earlier post. I think the only reason you’re upset with this comment is because it hits close to home. If **Cecil** had been insensitive to some other group, I doubt you’d be too upset about it. I suppose there’s a good reason for that- You took it personally. Had, or if, **Cecil** only went after homosexuals, or was only insenstive to select group of people, I would be much more willing to be critical of him. But, Cec is inconsiderate of everyone, so it’s hard to say that one group alone is being attacked. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2000, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/31 "2000-11-26T17:18:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*Actually, I was referring back to this column: > > [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000908.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000908.html) > > Which was inaccurate, mean-spirited and revealed that in some (dare I say, many?) cases, our Fearless Leader doesn’t know shit from Shinola. Or much care which is shit and which is Shinola, as long as he can get off a few wiseass remarks. \*\* Say, Eve? Was this column edited at some point after it’s original posting? Look - I read the column twice now, and am having a hard time finding the “mean-spirited” or “inaccurate” remarks in there. I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, especially on so important a subject, but I’m curious as to what in particular bothered you about the column you linked. Una ---
**Author:** ![Exion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Exion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exion)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/32 "2000-11-27T19:07:47Z")
A question about Queens elicited a joke about queens… I don’t see the inappropriateness or forcedness of it all. Either way, complaining on the Straight DOpe boards about forces crass humor is ridiculous those are Uncle Cecil’s Middle Names), like complaing that some foreign website isn’t in English. That’s what it’s there for, Jack, and taking offence, or being DISSAPOINTED, and HAVING to tell everybody, really is grossly egocentric. Anyway, Exion ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/33 "2000-11-27T20:16:55Z")
Oh, yes - I’m sure everyone on this board who’s known me for almost a year now can attest that it’s all about me. :rolleyes: Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2000, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/34 "2000-11-28T16:30:35Z")
Eh. I tend to give **Cecil** the benefit of the doubt in cases like this. To paraphrase **Ed Zotti:** “Instead of thinking ‘The old crock is really losing it,’ why not say ‘He’s obviously under a lot of stress. I think I’ll mail him fifty bucks.’” Check’s in the post, **Cece.** The pig’s knuckles, kraut, and Leinenkugel are on ol’ **Ukulele Ike** today! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2000, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/35 "2000-11-28T23:03:44Z")
Eve, I read that article, too. I would be interested if you would explain what you thought was hateful and mean-spirited. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2000, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/36 "2000-11-30T15:55:00Z")
In [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=928029#post928029) **Joe\_Cool** wrote: > [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by Esprix_ > > > > Oh, no, we quite agree - schools should teach facts, not values. However, some people read values into facts - for some, just mentioning homosexuality is… > > What a coincidence that you should say this. Would that be similar to getting your panties all in a twist because Cecil made a thilly queen joke? > > You claim that your only complaint is that the joke wasn’t funny, but strangely enough I’ve seen a number of unfunny jokes, but the only one I’ve seen you complain about is that one. > > You’re right. Some people get all upset whenever homosexuality is mentioned. And you’re it. I didn’t want to hijack the discussion in the other thread and figured a response was more appropriate here. (And as I said over there, there is more than a bit of a difference between teaching children tolerance for gays and lesbians and **Cecil** ’s purile attempt at humor.) As I said in this thread, I’ve rolled my eyes at some of **Cecil** ’s poor jokes in the past (again restating that I haven’t read every single one of his columns), but (a) of course I found it more offensive as I’m part of the group he’s backhandedly jibing; and (b) none of his humor has borderlined offensive (at least to me) before. I don’t feel my comments were as knee-jerk as you feel they were. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2000, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/37 "2000-12-04T17:21:30Z")
Esprix said: > [@](#): > > I found it more offensive as I’m part of the group he’s backhandedly jibing > [@](#): > > and indeed I am not offended; I just thought it was inappropriate and unfunny. So were you or were you not offended? And could you please explain it to me (like I’m a heterosexual six-year-old) why it was offensive? ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2000, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/38 "2000-12-04T17:47:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Mojo** _ > > So were you or were you not offended? When I said: > [@](#): > > I found it more offensive as I’m part of the group he’s backhandedly jibing I was responding to **Joe\_Cool** ’s statement that I found it “more unfunny” than some of his other off-color jokes. I should more accurately have said, “I would find\* it more offensive,” because I’m part of that group. > [@](#): > > And could you please explain it to me (like I’m a heterosexual six-year-old) why it was offensive? It wasn’t, at least not to me, and I’m sorry I didn’t make that clearer. I still found it to be unfunny, inappropriate, and unnecessary. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2000, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/39 "2000-12-04T18:16:56Z")
Okay, letme get my 2 cents in here. I thought Cecil’s comment was a slightly funny way of including just another meaning of the word “queen”. Many of us did not immediately grasp the context of the statement right away, and subtlety as well as brevety are hallmarks of intelligent discourse.A number of gays are clearly identifiable by their manner of speech, and I don’t believe they are ashamed of it. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2000, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111/40 "2000-12-04T22:41:35Z")
Yeah, but that manner of speech is not a lisp. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111.md?page=3)