Clarkson has been slated by a tv Watchdog for referring to a poncey little car as "a bit ginger-beer" i.e queer. A massive 5 (yes, FIVE) people complained about this remark. Personally I think too much has been done already to make everyone tread carefully and watch what they say - enough is enough and I think the nation has gone overboard with it's overprotection of individual groups & minorities. Any normal person can tell the difference between a poisonous comment and an off the cuff light hearted jest. Im sure Clarkson had no intention of offending anyone, and Im also sure the majority of TopGear's gay audience had no problem with it. No wonder Britain as a nation has become such a weakened farce of a country; people are afraid to speak their minds, and as a result are losing their identities and ability to think for themselves. Get a grip, lay off the politically correctness and let us all have the right to so called free-speech.
2007-05-21 02:26:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
It wouldn't suprise me if Jeremy Clarkson DID intend to offend, but so wot?
I thought the comment was a bit weak to garner complaints, let alone to be a news item. This is definately going too far with the PC rubbish.
When you have free speech, you have the right to offend. The two can not be mutually exclusive. You can not avoid offence without curtailing free speech.
The question is, which is more important?
I say, we should err on the side of support for freedom and personal liberties.
2007-05-21 02:32:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, I have been a fan of Top Gear for years and years, but that episode has me wondering whether it deserves my viewing time ever again! I am not a poo pooer killjoy, but, I really do think that the biggest problem with that programme was the fact that they endangered the lives of others. Their cars were not roadworthy, and the way Jeremy Clarkson continued to drive his, with his view severely obstructed around the windscreen and then to continue driving when his windscreen wipers failed to work in a downpour - so badly that he only just avoided collisions with vehicles in the neighbouring lane due to Richard Hammond giving left/right guidance to him over the CB radio, was in my mind, totally irresponsible. I have no problem with Clarkson and co doing stupid things in cars themselves - if they wish to take risks with their own personal safety, that is their prerogative, but to do so in conditions over which they have no control and which also endangers the lives of other people, is at best selfish and at worst irresponsible and dangerous. The incident with the slogans all over the vehicles, and the remarks by JC illustrate just how irresponsible the producers of TG have become in an effort to be entertaining. I accepted long ago that Top Gear is not really a programme about cars, it's more like 'Men Behaving Badly' with cars! However, I enjoyed that, or used to. But if this latest special were something done by one of those Japanese programmes featured on Tarrant on TV, where contestants do totally stupid and potentially dangerous things, we would be astounded that such things could be allowed. Without doubt, had this been filmed on a motorway in this country, the presenters, and possibly the producers would find themselves on several charges for motoring offences.
2016-05-18 22:06:18 · answer #2 · answered by gladys 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it has, everyone knows what they're going to get with Jezza, he's a straight talking Yorkshire bloke who's never been backwards at saying what he thinks.
5 people complained - wow lock him up and throw away the key, you only have to look at the way stuff gets pulled on here, and that generally only takes 1 complaint!
The pc brigade are fast becoming the thought police, they want everyone to go round and be nice to everyone, well tough, the world isn't like that, people are (allegedly) free thinking and just occasionally say or think things that other people don't like.
Life is harsh - the pc brigade should get a helmet.
ps. at the end of the day the TV has an off button, if people think they might be offended - turn the bloody thing off!
2007-05-21 02:31:45 · answer #3 · answered by thecoldvoiceofreason 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not happening just in Britain. It's a worldwide epidemic. The whole concept of politically correct free speech is really Orwellian. It's purpose is not to allow free speech at all, but rather to control it.
Allowing commentary based on content is censorship, plain and simple, regardless of how nobely you try to present it. People have the right to say stupid things, and others also have the right to ignore them. It is in this manner that bad ideas are identified and controlled.
The PC culture tries to turn this self regulating mechanism off by telling people what to think and say. Factual integriity and honest opinions are irrelevant. By their way of thinking, it is entirely inappropriate for someone to speak their mind if it is offensive to anyone else. Truth is relative.
The controlling parameter is how the comment makes someone else feel, with the trick being that only that person can tell you that, and then only after the fact. In this manner fact is sublimated to perception. Very dangerous.
Mock the PC establishment as if your life depends on it...because it does.
2007-05-21 03:00:46 · answer #4 · answered by righteousjohnson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with you. This country has gone totally PC mad! No-one seems to have a sense of humour anymore. Everyone is too scared to even crack a joke about anyone who is not male, white, straight, able bodied and non religious! A landlord of a pub near me called "The Pig" (which has been called this for over 50 years) has just been given an ASBO because a mosque has recently been built opposite and they took offence at his "Porking" (instead of parking) sign directing customers to the car park. Why do minorities (of any shape or form) always seem to kick up a fuss about silly little non important things and eveyone listens and jumps through hoops for them? Its a sad pathetic sign of the times!
2007-05-21 02:36:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right, the PC brigade fuss about words and meanings and thereby create a smokescreen that hides much deeper and more important issues the politicos don't want you to notice (re: health care, education, care of the elderly etc.) Having said that, Clarkson is notorious for going out of his way to be a prat, so this is small beer for him. He's certainly surplus to requirements on this planet!
2007-05-21 02:54:30 · answer #6 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's nonsense. The world is out of control with these PC lunatics. Clarkson is a hero for all anti-PC people out there - long may he offend!
2007-05-21 02:29:14 · answer #7 · answered by Misha-non-penguin 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The stupid thing is, the VAST majority of people agree with you.. it is only the tiniest of tiny minorities of ultra-PC tw*ts who get offended by such trivial stuff, yet it seems we the majority are forever having to pander to their pathetic whining all the time.
Enough!!!
2007-05-21 02:36:04 · answer #8 · answered by Ivor Hugh G.Rection 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe you and your friends should stay in watch EASTENDERS . The plan is that you and 10 , imagine 10 people call and complain and with a bit of luck you could turn on the TV and watch yourself on the news .
2007-05-21 02:34:39 · answer #9 · answered by MR T M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The world has gone mad, YES. You may get sued for this comment, some people may be offended and call a lawyer. Be careful :-)
2007-05-21 02:34:32 · answer #10 · answered by thecharleslloyd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋