“Jemima, I've done you a disservice. I assumed that the brainstorm example would not be one that you'd come across!!

I think Mastermind should be banned, along with all other intelligence/knowledge based quizzes. They clearly discriminate against people who don't know lots of stuff. Oh, and cooking competitions too, as they discriminate against people like me who can barely boil an egg. While we're at it, professional sport should also be banned. I mean, just think of all the people who aren't very good at football and how they must feel when they see Ronaldo playing.”

“Despite all the interesting debate this story has covered, the fact still remains they are very pretty girls, and despite what a lot of people think whichever one of them wins will then become Miss Lincoln and even possibly go on to become Miss England.
The nicest girl will win, the others will not.
I dont think this contest is really sexist, these girls have chosen it of their own free will, they have not been made to do it.
It is only sexist if that is what you choose to see it as. All i personally see is some very attractive young ladies so good luck to them all.
Oh and one more fact, Grimsby is local.”

“Miss. Marten, I find none of these offensive, possibly except for the flying of a flag, but that's dependent upon the reason for it.

I just find the description and competition to be very specifically for an idealistic type of woman, defined, most probably, by a group of men (possibly) lusting after them.

Strictly a one-off I assure you.

PS You left brainstorm off the list. Being epileptic I find that phrase disgraceful! lol”

“"Yes, you consistently pretend to be one or the other."

The novelty of this has long since worn off, so instead I'll just ask you to prove your allegations.

"The fact is though, you are judging if they are handsome, not if they are attractive. Judging a woman as attractive, I would need the capability of finding the woman attractive, hence my explanation of why I am a lesbian."

There are a whole plethora of attributes that go towards making someone attractive. But let's be honest, this contest is mostly concerned with physical looks. Again, you're clutching at straws.

"Perhaps you should read what people write correctly before forcing your incorrect opinion on them."

How can an opinion be incorrect and where have I forced my opinion on anyone? Perhaps you should read what people have written correctly before making ill-informed accusations.

"Did I mention I was feminist?"

I didn't say you were a feminist, I said you had a feminist agenda, which at least as far as this contest is concerned, you clearly do. Clear enough now?

"Perhaps you should not be so quick to judge people based on your self perspective."

That is indeed a dangerous road to go along. Before I know it, I could end up making baseless accusations about people using multiple accounts on here.

"I never stated that it did. Again, you are misinterpreting me deliberately to serve your own trollish agenda."

Sigh. Here is what you actually said:
"As a PROUD lesbian, I AM more suited to comment upon the attractiveness of women than a straight woman..."
That is you, quite clearly. claiming that your homosexuality makes your opinion more valid. Please, don't insult us all by trying to deny it.

"They have, it's called common sense and decency."

Neither of which are on the statute books and therefore do not exist as legislation. Deal with it.”

“Jemima, just out of interest, do you find the words manhole cover, blackboard, fireman, black coffee or spokesman offensive? Are you most put out when somebody (especially a man) holds a door open for you? Do you think that children should be banned from singing Baa Baa Black Sheep and celebrating Christmas at school? Do you find the flying of the Union Flag or George Cross disagreeable?

I'm just trying to establish if your comments on this story are one-off views, or if you are the kind of person who spends their life waiting to be "offended".

When The Echo runs a story about women being forced at gunpoint to enter beauty contests, then I will join you in a state of righteous indignation. Until then, I'll assume that the competition entrants are doing it of their own free will and wish them all well.”

“Stop looking in the mirror Mr Sneer.

And no, my surname is not Bush. Thankyou for taking such a kind interest in my ancestry.”

“"Swiss Toni and I may both use pseudonyms, but we are at least consistent in our usage of them."
Yes, you consistently pretend to be one or the other.

"As a heterosexual male who isn't so insecure he needs to repeatedly boast about his sexual orientation, I am perfectly qualified to describe other men as handsome or otherwise."
The fact is though, you are judging if they are handsome, not if they are attractive. Judging a woman as attractive, I would need the capability of finding the woman attractive, hence my explanation of why I am a lesbian. Perhaps you should read what people write correctly before forcing your incorrect opinion on them.

"No, you were deliberately misinterpreting the words written to suit your feminist agenda."
Did I mention I was feminist? No. I merely mention the fact that I find this offensive. Perhaps you should not be so quick to judge people based on your self perspective.

"claiming to be homosexual does not make your opinion MORE valid."
I never stated that it did. Again, you are misinterpreting me deliberately to serve your own trollish agenda.

"And until they pass legislation that states you're entitled to go through life without being offended"
They have, it's called common sense and decency

"I'm perfectly entitled to invite you to take your perceived offense and go run up a gum tree with it"
And I'm perfectly entitled to wait until you come down from the tree before I attempt an ascent”

“Who says men can't enter?
If I was a man, I'd enter, in drag or not, it makes no difference, to expose exactly why this contest is sexist, but I'm a heterosexual woman, neither insecure enough to need to verify my achievements via this competition, nor vain or arrogant enough to think I deserve a chance at winning it.
W.Wilkins hit the nail on the head with those misogynist outpourings.
"pretty girls"???? I know plenty of people who are not what you would consider "pretty" or in fact "girls" but are still outstanding people.
I'm sure they know that without having to enter this competition ;-)
Can we throw tomatoes at them if we don't like them like in the old days? Pleeeeeease??!”

“"No Mr Sneer, it IS a county. Trust me on this and spare yourself from further embarassment."

Martin, are you in fact Martin Bush? Your brand of 'white is black' and 'night is day' argument seems horribly familiar...”

“To quote "North East Lincolnshire is a county"...we can all do that Mr Sneer”