Originally Posted by Meccy (Post 649475)

You all should be thankful that in this country we have such people as Jeremy Clarkson who, in the current culture of obsessive political correctness, say exactly what they think. Some might say that his comments were a little tactless. But, If you try hard enough, you can be offended by anything. People say and print offensive things all the time but we all have the choice to disregard them. It is all too easy to break out the flaming torches and to call for a witch-hunt.

We are losing basic freedoms at an astonishing rate in this country. We are even listed by Amnesty International because we do not have the right of free speech. The right to free speech should be an absolute right.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 649508)

All well and good, but as stated earlier Mr. Clarkson had a terrible tantrum when the Daily Mirror published a photograph of Clarkson kissing his female producer.

Piers Morgan probably saw it as a joke, though Clarkson didn't seem to get it, for some reason.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, or at least have a skin thicker than tissue paper, if they do.;)

Originally Posted by Meccy (Post 649519)

Clarkson has a thick skin and can surely take criticism. I have read Morgan's memoires of his days at "The Mirror" and it is plain that a personal grudge against Clarkson was his reason for publishing. Surely not an honourable thing to do when in a position to influence so many.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 649508)

All well and good, but as stated earlier Mr. Clarkson had a terrible tantrum when the Daily Mirror published a photograph of Clarkson kissing his female producer.

Piers Morgan probably saw it as a joke, though Clarkson didn't seem to get it, for some reason.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, or at least have a skin thicker than tissue paper, if they do.;)

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 649510)

Think I must agree Rindi, people find things very funny until they are the butt of the jokes then some how it doesn't seem quite as funny, like with anything if you give it you've got to be able to take it.

Originally Posted by jambutty (Post 649533)

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 649535)

...and yet you've made comic reference to other people's disabilities.:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Meccy (Post 649475)

We are losing basic freedoms at an astonishing rate in this country. We are even listed by Amnesty International because we do not have the right of free speech. The right to free speech should be an absolute right.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Originally Posted by jambutty (Post 649563)

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 649572)

'Funnily' enough I really can't be bothered searching right now.

I do remember one time MargaretR chastised you for it though, and she mentioned incontinence in her reply, if that rings any bells for you.

Originally Posted by Meccy (Post 649589)

Gayle,

I have every sympathy for your view on decency but I would ask this question. Where do you draw the line? One mans opinion on what is decent is not necessarily another's.

Freedom of speech should be absolute. You imply that is for political issues. We now have laws in this country that restrict public comments on race and religion. In theory I can be brought before the law if I were to publish a view which, in someone's opinion contravened these laws. Even if I considered myself wholly justified in making that view. Here is the crux of the matter though. The moment we allow others to determine which opinions are legal and which are not we are a short road to tyranny.

Some might have opinions which we find abhorrent. It is the measure of us as an informed democracy how we disregard them.