Jeremy Clarkson

[Limehouse]

There's far too much paranoia about causing offence these days. Clarkson was clearly joking. Some people found his remarks offensive. OK but so what?

If I make a derogatory remark about, say, the church - some people will no doubt find what I say offensive. That's fine. They have a perfect right to feel offended. But I also have a perfect right to say what I believe even if I know it will cause offence.

Best wishes,
Steve.

I can't see how Clarkson could have been joking. Where's the joke? Perhaps Clarkson does not realise that in some countries, trade unionists really have been shot in fornt of their families.

I am struggling to understand why someone would want to cause offence to others. If you wish to say things you know will cause offence, then of course you have the right to do so, but others have the right to challenge you. Clarkson has been challenged and instead of being a man about it, he has to retreat to the defence of 'only joking' as if that makes it more acceptable.

[Steven Russell]

There's far too much paranoia about causing offence these days. Clarkson was clearly joking. Some people found his remarks offensive. OK but so what?

If I make a derogatory remark about, say, the church - some people will no doubt find what I say offensive. That's fine. They have a perfect right to feel offended. But I also have a perfect right to say what I believe even if I know it will cause offence.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Magpie]

He says what he thinks and doesn't care about modern sensitivity, .

Hi Adam.

The problem is (at least in this case) is that there's a world of difference between considering what you have to say to have a higher priority than the offense it may cause; and going out of your way say things that you know will offend people. Often these days the goal seems to be to cause offense, with the "just saying what I think" a mere fig-leaf of justification.

In saying that "striking public sector workers should be shot in front of their families'", there's really only two possibilities:

1) He really does think this: in which case he's a sociopath.
2) He doesn't really think this: in which case he's just an arsehole (and what's more he's intending to be an arsehole)

[Limehouse]

I like Clarkson and wish there was more like him. He says what he thinks and doesn't care about modern sensitivity, aside from being a very humorous individual and host of a fantastic show. Anybody who thinks that his comments were meant to be taken as genuine in this case is very much mistaken, I can tell that and i've not even seen the incident in question.

Cheers,
Adam.

Hello Adam,

I seriously believe that, although Clarkson claims to have been joking, there was an underlying intention to stick the boot in. However, even if he WAS joking, it was an insensitive remark to make. But, as you say, Clarkson cares nothing for sensitivity.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that Mr Clarkson appears to contribute little to society for the money he is paid and is therefore hardly in a position to criticise others, joking or not.

[Adam Went]

I like Clarkson and wish there was more like him. He says what he thinks and doesn't care about modern sensitivity, aside from being a very humorous individual and host of a fantastic show. Anybody who thinks that his comments were meant to be taken as genuine in this case is very much mistaken, I can tell that and i've not even seen the incident in question.

Cheers,
Adam.

[The Wednesday]

Useful ? hmm thats a tough one.I suppose he makes the rest of us look normal.
The only thing he does to earn his no doubt inflated BBC wage is to drive like a 16 year old and make himself look a prat every time he speaks. Its what happens when you have a mouth that big and a brain the size of a pea.
I'm guessing he has another of his infantile DVDs out for Christmas and is in dire need of publicity.

I hate the bloke. However, he mind find it funny that a Jack the Ripper site is having a go at him. People with an interest in a serial killer, in his perview, will be ridiculed as swivelling anally retentive geeks! He on the other hand is a tory, Chipping Norton fuelled guzzling t**t.

Up the Owls

[brummie]

Useful ? hmm thats a tough one.I suppose he makes the rest of us look normal.
The only thing he does to earn his no doubt inflated BBC wage is to drive like a 16 year old and make himself look a prat every time he speaks. Its what happens when you have a mouth that big and a brain the size of a pea.
I'm guessing he has another of his infantile DVDs out for Christmas and is in dire need of publicity.

[Limehouse]

On a BBC programme broadcast during family viewing time, Mr Clarkson announced that striking public sector workers 'should be shot in front of their families'

Obviously, Mr Clarkson is entitled to his opinion, but his commetnts do prompt me to ask the question:

what useful purpose does Mr Clarkson serve?