Thomas the Tank Engine and political correctness

First part is a previous blog post, second part is addendum

I grew up watching Thomas the Tank Engine, especially when it was on PBS as Shining Time Station. I cannot understand people when they take fictional characters and stories and say they are racist, sexist, and anti-environmentalist. Did they experience a gloomy childhood where there was no joy in their lives due to their overbearing parents? Do they criticize everything that people take enjoyment? Apparently these trains are too conservative for liberals to enjoy!!!

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/22/thomas-the-tank-engine-children-parents

Rebuttal of this PC nonsense:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/383541/defense-thomas-tank-engine-charles-c-w-cooke

Political correctness is an attempt by many to keep people from saying anything. We are told that certain words, actions, and/or phrases are offensive to a minority group. It is patently absurd that people need "safe spaces" to prevent themselves from hearing offensive speech. Instead of debating and arguing, many college students of the liberal persuasion want to muzzle others from speaking other viewpoints.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/opinion/sunday/judith-shulevitz-hiding-from-scary-ideas.html?_r=0

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-08-19/students-fight-back-against-political-correctness-rise-cultural-libertarianism