Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Following on from the Carol Thatcher thread, it seems Jeremy Clarkson has put his size 12s in it too . At some launch or other in Australia (I think) he referred to Gordon Brown as a "one-eyed Scottish idiot", then changed it to "man". Scottish: fair enough, that's accurate (although he presumably meant it to be insulting). Idiot: I suppose he was using that word for effect and trying to be funny One-eyed: not acceptable IMO. GB lost his eye in a rugby accident as a teenager. Comment on his politics by all means or the way he does his job, but I don't think it's fair to make a personal comment like that. Well, I suppose the big, ugly, loud-mouthed, car-obsessed, badly-dressed moron is entitled to his opinion (and so am I ). (I'm not a fan, can you tell ? I'm not particularly a fan of GB either BTW!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I saw this and wondered what all the fuss was about One-eyed - factual Scottish - factual Idiot - opinion. Jezza likes to be controversial. But that statement really isn't. Gordon Brown is a politician - they are pretty much fair game for flinging insults at. Now if he'd commented on someone like Jade Goody after her sad week in the press I think people would have something to complain about. On the other hand - you calling the GOD that is Clarkson Ugly...... (of course he is but WHY do I find him attractive???) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 shows how much I know, I didn't notice he only had one eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) One-eyed - factual Scottish - factual Idiot - opinion. I expect it depends on tone, and whether there was an intention to insult or offend. I think it unacceptably rude. Having lost the sight in one eye must be quite a disability. If it has become acceptable to poke fun at this type of injury than that is mindboggling. I expect that it is an attempt at a joke which was ill judged and had misfired badly. Jeremy Clarkson appears to think himself untouchable. I expect he has guessed that Gordon Brown probably won't dignify it with a response. Edited to correct three typos. Edited February 6, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Actually I too didn't know GB only had one eye until I read about this. As for the Idiot part - I generally prefer to go with Moron "Gordon is a moron......." I have it as my ringtone and it's not a comment on GB just such a funky tune! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I never knew GB had one eye!?? It's the weird way he twitches his mouth that I can't take my eyes off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 I've just checked my facts on Wikipedia (should've done that before posting!). He is blind in one eye after being kicked in the head in a rugby match. He later had to have surgery on his other eye, which was saved. I always thought he'd lost his eye . Back to the issue, I wonder if people would think it acceptable if Jeremy Clarkson had called David Blunkett a "blind, bearded idiot"? (He wouldn't have used "English" obviously, as that wouldn't count as an insult.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I think, to some extent, it has been taken out of context. I think people are thinking he is blind, so therefore he is an idiot. Which I don't think JC meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I have to admit I just found it funny and agree with Pengy's analysis of it...it's exactly what a bloke said on the PM programme this evening! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Well, I suppose the big, ugly, loud-mouthed, car-obsessed, badly-dressed moron is entitled to his opinion (and so am I ). (I'm not a fan, can you tell ? I'm not a fan either. I have never thought of JC as a particularly nice, kind, empathetic person, so this remark doesn't surprise me in the least. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I didnt know he had one eye either! I also am facinated by the lip sucking in thig he does when he is talking. Its really irritating. Jezza irritates me too though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 shows how much I know, I didn't notice he only had one eye me neither Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Oh well, he's "apologised" so everything's OK now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I once 'met' Clarkson on a slip road to the M6... I wasn't impressed by his manners, intelligence or his driving... Clarkson is a moron! - fits the tune doesn't it? I didn't know about Gordon's one eye or his lip twitching/sucking - been too busy worrying about his policies I suppose and we don't have TV... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Clarkson is a moron! - fits the tune doesn't it? Shame the rest of the lyrics don't though - "just cos he's better looking than me, just cos he's cool and trendy..." Dont think Clarkson EVER met those criteria! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Sorry, but I find Clarkson uber-offensive and think it's time the BBC dropped him. Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I think when someone wants to insult someone else, they pick on their specific characteristics. For example, DH loathes Cilla Black and calls her a ginger weirdo! He doesn't meant to insult ginger people in general though and apologies to any redheads out there. That's what people do though don't they? Pick on a specific characteristic and use it as a stick to beat them with. Better to laugh it off IMO. I'd like to bet he wasn't trying to insult Scottish people, just one specific Scottish person. All the Scottish people I've ever met have been lovely! Anyway, look at him, big lanky effort with a hairstyle that looks like he's been dragged thru a hedge backwards and the fashion sense of chemistry teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 ROFL - I know a few chemistry teachers who would be upset by that last remark! Mind you I also know one ICT teacher who doesn't have half the fashion sense of JC!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 ROFL - I know a few chemistry teachers who would be upset by that last remark! mine always looked like they were straight out of "League of Gentleman"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 It was on the news earlier, that he didn't mean to insult his appearance or background, but JC still thinks he is an idiot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I've met JC at a filming of Top Gear, and though never having been a fan of his, I left thinking he was a thoroughly nice chap. I think he likes to try and cause a reaction, but I don't believe there is any malice behind it (though don't always agree with what he says and how he says it). He and James May have said how they would have recognised the passing of the Hamster should he not have survived his accident "Sadly mourning the loss of Richard Hammond...And now on to the next feature" in a jovial manner - I do think he has a bit of a gallows humour. Not to everyone's taste but I don't for a minute believe he was insulting blind people or Scottish people, he was insulting Gordon Brown and should have thought about it before he spoke. If he'd have just called the chap an idiot, not many people would have given it much thought no matter what political beliefs they hold.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 What worries me more is the idea that we live in a society where you have to watch everything that you say, no matter how factual (scottish, one-eyed) or puerile (idiot). JC should not have apologised but offered to drive the complainers to Afghanistan so that they could be amongst like-minded people. I'm a short, large-bosomed, middle-aged woman and barely a day goes by without someone defining me by one of those three things- but I soldier on without a Prime Minister's salary and freebies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I seriously doubt GB is remotely bothered by any of this politicians are FAIR GAME we live in a democracy and should be proud that we have the right to insult our politicians. Some people are punished just for disagreeing with politicians. Our political system is part of what makes us "Great" - there are few other democratic systems that are as fair and open to all. The US being a prime example of that - you need an AWFUL lot of money to suceed in US politics. For an Englishman to suggest being Scotish is wrong is also fine - the Scots like a good dig at us too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 For an Englishman to suggest being Scotish is wrong is also fine - the Scots like a good dig at us too! Careful Pengy......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
