Clarkson

Written 3/12/11

The only item of UK news that has found its way into the Australian media is the televised comment of Jeremy Clarkson that public sector workers on strike should be shot in front of their families. Now obviously Clarkson's comments should be condemned, although I doubt whether any progressives in the UK harboured any doubts about Clarkson's political views even before this tirade.

It is interesting to note the difference in the approach of the BBC. Not that long ago Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand were seriously disciplined for some at best comments in "bad taste" on a late night radio show. Yet here is Clarkson on peak time TV offering the feeblest of apologies.

However I think there's a more important aspect to the whole affair. During the summer riots, two young men were imprisoned for more than just a token sentence for posting a message on facebook that they wanted to start a riot in Northwich. However Clarkson goes on national TV and proposes the murder of two million Uk citizens in front of their families and the Prime Minister dismisses it as him as "just being silly". Clarkson says " it was a joke". Strange the two men in Northwich used the " it was a joke" argument in court. It didn't wash with the judiciary, why should Clarkson get preferential treatment ? Unless of course he's a personal friend of Cameron and belongs to the Chipping Norton set.

When the NOTW was exposed for phone tapping, many companies withdrew their advertisements. It would be good if companies now refused to stock Clarkson's books and DVDs. If the BBC won' take the moral high ground, perhaps others should step up.