Jeremy Clarkson, The One Show & Strikes

[Fnoop]

Hello everyone, long time reader here and just recently joined.

I noticed you don't have a thread discussing the whole Jeremy Clarkson fiasco (perhaps because you are all too sensible to be bothered by it?) so I thought I'd make one.

Does anyone else think the outcry over his comments is ridiculous? I genuinely feel sorry for the people that were 'offended' by it, they must live very shallow lives to get upset over something so trivial.

I think Clarkson is a genius personally, he's one of the best people on TV, and Top Gear is one of the best shows.

Frankly, the scum that are on strike should definitely be ashamed of themselves, the unions will take this country backwards. Having said that, I wouldn't quite go as far as shooting them.

[aidanjt]

Frankly, the scum that are on strike should definitely be ashamed of themselves, the unions will take this country backwards.

The country is already backwards, the strikers are pointing one aspect in which it is. Calling them 'scum' doesn't help anything. They have every right to stand up against the government, and frankly, they're the only ones who are standing up against the government at the moment, everyone else is too busy bending over as far as possible for them and yelling "Yes, Prime Minister!"

But I agree with you that Clarkson is a genius, he always ruffles people's feathers and gets them talking about stuff. He'll do the ritual public apology as required by the BBC, but you know he doesn't really mean neither the comment nor the apology.

[Fnoop]

The country is already backwards, the strikers are pointing one aspect in which it is. Calling them 'scum' doesn't help anything. They have every right to stand up against the government, and frankly, they're the only ones who are standing up against the government at the moment, everyone else is too busy bending over as far as possible for them and yelling "Yes, Prime Minister!"

While you could put that spin on it, you could also say everyone else is too busy actually, you know... working.

[aidanjt]

While you could put that spin on it, you could also say everyone else is too busy actually, you know... working.

Oh, so one must be a good little drone for the state. Anything else is scummery, yes?

[Fnoop]

Oh, so one must be a good little drone for the state. Anything else is scummery, yes?

Not quite, but they're just a bunch of lazy, greedy louts, being 'good little drones' for their unions.

The unions leaders are definitely scum though, no doubt.

[GoNz0]

there is no thread because we waited until all the news programs decided to show the entire interview where he was seen to agree with the strikes until the beeb pointed out you cant take sides, i was a tad shocked but not surprised at the news report until i heard what he said before hand, then realized what a bunch of tits the editors were slating him for a joke.

[aidanjt]

Not quite, but they're just a bunch of lazy, greedy louts, being 'good little drones' for their unions.

So because they're not being drones for the state, they're lazy, greedy louts. You could have just answered with "Yes".

[mycarsavw]

there is no thread because we waited until all the news programs decided to show the entire interview where he was seen to agree with the strikes until the beeb pointed out you cant take sides, i was a tad shocked but not surprised at the news report until i heard what he said before hand, then realized what a bunch of tits the editors were slating him for a joke.

Common sense at last!

Selective editing + ritual feeding to the masses = Daily Mail-esq over reaction, again.

[Biscuit]

Common sense at last!

Selective editing + ritual feeding to the masses = Daily Mail-esq over reaction, again.

Exactly, the whole thing has been a complete load of rubbish.

[Saracen]

Hello everyone, long time reader here and just recently joined.
....

Welcome to the nuthouse.

...

Does anyone else think the outcry over his comments is ridiculous? ....

Somewhat, yes.

I do think the remark about executions was especially bone-headed, even for someone that makes a point of bordering on offensive a lot of the time, but it clearly wasn't meant seriously. It was the usual hyperbole for the same of making either a point or a joke. And the context, which mostly wasn't shown, made that clearer, saying (in paraphrase) ....

"I think the strikes are great ..... the roads were empty and I had no trouble getting a restaurant reservation. On the other hand, as I've got to be impartial .... etc".

The whole thing, clearly, wasn't intended to be taken literally.

What is pathetic is union bosses threatening legal action over it. Given the situation, do they really have nothing better to worry about?


As for strikers being "scum", I wouldn't go along with that. Most are decent people worried about their futures. Having said that, I firmly believe they're badly in the wrong, not least because this issue is the least of the problems facing us all. So I have no sympathy at all with them, but I don't regard them as scum.

[shaithis]

Yeah, I saw it (funnily enough as it was the first time I have ever watched any of the one show)...JC was joking, there were no two ways about it. So, pretty stupid to have an outcry over it.

As for strikers being scum....I think that word is a little harsh but I do think they are selfish .

When so many are unemployed, they should be thankful to have a bleeding job and a pension. Perhaps they could have chosen a time of greater wealth to moan about it and look for amendments. Now that they have inconvenienced so many at a time of national financial insecurity - and lost - I am sure there will be a lot less support for them should they pursue amendments at a later date.

[aidanjt]

When so many are unemployed, they should be thankful to have a bleeding job and a pension. Perhaps they could have chosen a time of greater wealth to moan about it and look for amendments. Now that they have inconvenienced so many at a time of national financial insecurity - and lost - I am sure there will be a lot less support for them should they pursue amendments at a later date.

As long as the government continues to squander money and engage in cronyism, I'd say they are more than justified to moan.

[TheAnimus]

So because they're not being drones for the state, they're lazy, greedy louts. You could have just answered with "Yes".

No, because you described them as been drones.

Some people take offense when someone who is going to retire earlier than you (public sector retire on average much earlier than us private sector lots) with a pension better than any defined contribution type you will get, are going on strike to FORCE someone to pay. That is the bit that gets me, we have no choice about paying them, we get no micro level say. If I buy a top gear dvd I can't complain that clarkson is a multimillionare, I directly chose to fund his antics. The license fee tax isn't needed for Top Gear because it makes so much money, in fact it probably funds the BBC4 documentary serious on the displaced inuit plehm whilsters in brooklyn.

When you watch the whole charlkson thing, he has praised the strikes as he was able to drive around london with greater ease, and get a booking at a restaurant with less hassle. He was been as satirical with his praise as his critique.

But some news outlets it would seem dislike him and any excuse to take offense
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-sto...5875-23600850/

[dave87]

I lost all sympathy for the unions long ago, but this underlines that decision:

THE UNISON 'SCABS' EMAIL IN FULL

From: XXXXX [mailto:XXXXX@unison.co.uk]
Sent: 01 December 2011 03:02
To: XXXXX
Cc: XXXXX
Subject: Thank you

Dear UNISON member,

I am writing, most importantly, to thank those who participated in the strike action on Wednesday 30 November, which was the largest strike action in many years in this country.
Even the BBC reports (based upon reports from employers) demonstrated that there was widespread disruption across the country on the strike day. As the true picture emerges over the next couple of days we shall see that this strike had an unprecedented impact.

Our public schoolboy Prime Minister tried to say our strike had no impact but wasslapped down by UNISON. Support for the action was not only strong in local government, but also in the National Health Service, where there had not been national industrial action for thirty years.

I am convinced that the strike action in XXXX was the best supported and most effective action in more than 20 years. We had larger picket lines, at more locations, and fewer strike breakers across the workforce as a whole than I have ever known. A full report will be made to the Branch Committee on 13 December.

XXXX College was closed to students, as were the very great majority of schools in the borough. None of the libraries opened and for the first time XXXX was closed and a handful of sorry strike-breakers were directed elsewhere.

Those who struck on Wednesday 30 November can hold our heads high, having rightly taken difficult action in the wider interest to protect our pension scheme. Our General Secretary made precisely this point in his speech today in Birmingham.

Those who picketed, rallied and demonstrated can not only hold our heads high but should be permitted some time to put our feet up!

Everyone who is part of the large majority of our membership who participated in the strike action can feel proud that we did what was right to confront an utterly unjustified attack upon our standard of living now and in retirement. Our action and our sacrifice defended all local government workers.
The ball is now firmly in the court of the Government. If they make a genuinely serious offer (as opposed to a purely cosmetic non-offer for PR purposes) then I have no doubt that there will be serious negotiations.

If, however (as I expect), this Cabinet of millionaires continues to pursue its attack on our pension scheme then we shall need now to prepare for further, longer strike action early in the New Year. It won’t be easy but it may well be necessary and we all need to be prepared.

To the small minority of UNISON members who refused to respect the democratic decision to strike, and went in to work, I say two things.

First, you were wrong. What you did was immoral and unacceptable and you should be ashamed. Whatever reason you thought you had to let your colleagues down it was not a good reason. It will (if you are a decent person) be difficult for you to look into the eyes of colleagues who gave up a day’s pay to defend our pensions, knowing that you were prepared to let them make that sacrifice for you.
It may be unpleasant to be called a “scab” but it is more unpleasant for those of us who take strike action to know that there are a minority who refuse to accept democratic decisions. If you cross a picket line you are a scab. There is no other word for it and it is one of the worst things that can be done.

Secondly, there is still hope for you. Should further strike action be necessary (as I fear and expect) then you will have an opportunity to redeem yourself by taking the right decision next time. Please think carefully about this and never again make the mistake of crossing a picket line.

However, the most important message which I wish to convey in this email is one of thanks to the large majority who stood by our trade union on Wednesday 30 November and who made the necessary sacrifice in the legitimate cause of defending our affordable and reasonable pensions.

To the great majority of our members who took strike action in defence of our pensions I can only say that I am proud to represent you as your Branch Secretary and that I will do all that I can, in that role and as a member of our National Executive, to ensure that UNISON does all that we can to defend the pensions that were fought for by previous generations.

Those of us who took strike action on Wednesday 30 November can know that we kept faith with future generations. We may also find that we have participated in the action which has the possibility to change our country for the better.

Thank you.
Best wishes,
XXXX
[Source: Sky News]

[Fnoop]

As long as the government continues to squander money and engage in cronyism, I'd say they are more than justified to moan.

You're totally missing the point.

They will moan regardless. There is nothing wrong with the system and the government is trying to SAVE money.

You can't have it both ways.

[TheAnimus]

I lost all sympathy for the unions long ago, but this underlines that decision:

I almost missread your comment, that you needed to read a ranting official communication were they encourage bullying to loose sympathy.

I like how they describe the pm as public school educated, as if that makes a lick of difference to the argument. (Also given that they are responsible for the funding of labour more than anyone else iirc, it seems a little bit stupid and hypocritical to say that....).