While there were many stupid comments about the strike yesterday, the most appalling came from TV raconteur Jeremy Clarkson on the One Show on BBC one last night:
Clarkson stated that:
“I would have them all shot; I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. How dare they go on strike when they’ve got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?”
After over 4700 complaints, the BBC has apologised and Jeremy Clarkson has said that he said that he didn’t mean these remarks to be taken seriously and "apologised" if he has caused offense. But really, is an apology sufficient and one so half-hearted? This man actually called for striking workers to be shot in front of their families. The laughter in the background and the smiling and nodding talking heads are shocking. Year after year, we have listened to this man’s sexism and his elitism and now he jokes about shooting public workers in front of their families.
The Assistant General Secretary of UNISON (the largest public sector worker union), Karen Jennings said that his statements were an “incitement to hatred” and that legal action was being considered by the union (http://www.bbc.co.uk/...); the union is considering reporting him to police for his comments (http://www.bbc.co.uk/...). She also said that he should be sacked for his comments (http://www.bbc.co.uk/...).
The additional disgusting point is the government’s response to this, with the Pensions Minister Stephen Webb arguing that he should apologise and “people get on with their lives.” David Cameron said that this was “a silly thing to say … I’m sure that he didn’t mean it (http://www.bbc.co.uk/...). If you are expecting something useful from Ed Milliband, do not bother. He said:
"Jeremy Clarkson should apologise for those comments. He obviously does not understand the lives of the people who were going out on strike yesterday (http://www.bbc.co.uk/...)."
Is an apology enough? I do not think so … while incitement for racial hatred and incitement for religious hatred exist in law, incitement to class hatred and violence does not ... maybe I am lacking a sense of humour, but I do have a sense of history and this was not funny!
While I admit to a personal fantasy of making him spend the rest of his miserable life cleaning bedpans and wiping people's bottoms on wages given to unskilled public sector workers that is simply a dream. At the least, a boycott of Mr. Clarkson Show “Top Gear” would be appropriate. However, I think that is not sufficient. Since he is on a BBC salary (which taxpayers are paying), I do not think that it is appropriate that I contribute to his salary, and I am sure that I am not alone in this belief; let another channel that is not publicly funded pay his wages. I am certain that another channel would be willing to pay this thug’s salary. This does not violate his freedom of speech. But at least it will not be coming from my taxes; so I am with UNISON, sack him!
h/t to hazzcon, here is the BBC complaint link: https:/www.bbc.co.uk...
h/t to Marigold for an easier link (even I had trouble with the other one and I am in the UK:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...