Off Topic Thread 3.0

stephen_n

Buer wrote: »

I don't think he's a sh*t stirrer. I think he's a 76 year old man from a completely different generation and era that has little understanding or awareness of modern social structures. I think he was something more of a sh*t stirrer when it came to rugby punditry but mostly believed what he was saying in that role too.

I would wager that we all know people that are of his generation (and younger) that hold similar views to the ones he has voiced. Some people are simply set in their way and aren't able/willing to adjust as society does. Some of us will be the same when we reach our twilight years.

For that reason, I do feel pity for him. He's someone's husband, father and grandfather. They have to see him absolutely torn apart over comments he made without a second thought that he saw as entirely innocent.

As I said above, I hold Newstalk significantly responsible for him being in a position to make those comments publicly to begin with.

I think he absolutely believed what he said on this occasion, don't know if that makes it worse or better. I don't think he believes a lot of the stuff he spouts though, his show has been built on controversy, it's a kind of forced relevancy.The fact he has always got away with it without censure is Newstalks fault though. As long as the ratings stayed up he could say what he wanted, until sponsors took offence. The old saying if you give someone enough rope.. comes to mind on this one.

Teferi

Hook made a very powerful speech during the marriage referendum in favour of same sex marriage. He's quite liberal, he just spouts nonsense to get a rise out of people. Unfortunately, this time he has awoken the authoritarian left kraken which won't return to its slumber until Hook's head is on a plate.

dregin

This account is SOME craic. Get in before RTE have it shut down: https://twitter.com/rtesecretpro

MJohnston

Teferi wrote: »

Hook made a very powerful speech during the marriage referendum in favour of same sex marriage. He's quite liberal, he just spouts nonsense to get a rise out of people. Unfortunately, this time he has awoken the authoritarian left kraken which won't return to its slumber until Hook's head is on a plate.

Authoritarian left? Sod off with that will you!

Teferi

MJohnston wrote: »

Authoritarian left? Sod off with that will you!

It's an appropriate description so I won't be sodding off anywhere.

MJohnston

Teferi wrote: »

It's an appropriate description so I won't be sodding off anywhere.

Nobody is trodding on Hook's personal freedom to say things that only an utter gobsh!te would say, so it's not authoritarianism.

stephen_n

He said nice things about the gays, he should get a free pass to blame rape victims for being raped. God damn liberals and their vendettas!

Teferi

MJohnston wrote: »

Nobody is trodding on Hook's personal freedom to say things that only an utter gobsh!te would say, so it's not authoritarianism.

This isn't relevant to the fact that it's the usual suspects from the authoritarian left that are calling for his head over this.

irishbucsfan

Teferi wrote: »

It's an appropriate description so I won't be sodding off anywhere.

Haha, is there some group calling for state or legal intervention?

MJohnston

Teferi wrote: »

This isn't relevant to the fact that it's the usual suspects from the authoritarian left that are calling for his head over this.

It's entirely relevant when you're saying its only an "authoritarian left" calling for him to be fired, when it very much isn't.

Teferi

stephen_n wrote: »

He said nice things about the gays, he should get a free pass to blame rape victims for being raped. God damn liberals and their vendettas!

You have gloriously missed the point and misrepresented me completely. Awful stuff.

The point was: I don't think he is as conservative as he is being painted (which I pointed out with the gay marriage speech). I think he spouts nonsense. This time he has crossed the line and got the usual suspects from the authoritarian left on his case.

Buer

MJohnston wrote: »

Authoritarian left? Sod off with that will you!

Found the leftie!

Teferi

MJohnston wrote: »

It's entirely relevant when you're saying its only an "authoritarian left" calling for him to be fired, when it very much isn't.

Point out exactly where I said it's 'only' the authoritarian left that is calling for him to be fired.

thomond2006

Not directed to anyone here, more a general point...

To those that want him "fired", why don't you just not listen? Isn't that enough?

Teferi

Teferi wrote: »

This isn't relevant to the fact that it's the usual suspects from the authoritarian left that are calling for his head over this.

I wouldn't consider myself authoritarian and whilst I'd be liberal I certainly hold some conservative views.

I think he should be fired.

Teferi

thomond2006 wrote: »

Not directed to anyone here, more a general point...

To those that want him "fired", why don't you just not listen? Isn't that enough?

You should read 'So you've been publically shamed' by Ron Jonson. You can no longer make a mistake, receive a bit of grief about it and then apologise when you realise you've made a mistake. It's returned to the days of the town stock - you must be shamed into oblivion for the rest of time.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

Not directed to anyone here, more a general point...

To those that want him "fired", why don't you just not listen? Isn't that enough?

Isn't that exactly what people are doing though? Theyre saying they won't listen to news talk unless he's fired? And some employees saying they'll leave?

I haven't seen this authoritarian response so maybe I've missed it, but I don't believe very many people are calling for news talk to be forced to fire him.

Buer

thomond2006 wrote: »

Not directed to anyone here, more a general point...

To those that want him "fired", why don't you just not listen? Isn't that enough?

Well, I would imagine that morally it doesn't sit well with people to have someone nationally broadcasting something along those lines.

To stretch the point, if they're not gay and don't know anyone who is why would someone vote yes in the recent referendum?

Buer

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Isn't that exactly what people are doing though? Theyre saying they won't listen to news talk unless he's fired? And some employees saying they'll leave?

Isn't that essentially forcing them to take action? I'm sure people aren't boycotting without the knowledge that it will prompt a response.

And I think we can be sure that if Newstalk now reinstate him after a period of suspension those people will be highly critical of them for it.

Teferi

Teferi wrote: »

You should read 'So you've been publically shamed' by Ron Jonson. You can no longer make a mistake, receive a bit of grief about it and then apologise when you realise you've made a mistake. It's returned to the days of the town stock - you must be shamed into oblivion for the rest of time.

I think people are more than ready to forget about Hook, it's Newstalk they are asking to take action.

And the only reasons he is being publicly shamed is because he shamed himself in public. A mistake is where he said one thing and meant another. He made a prepared statement he believes in and he apologised for offending people, he didn't retract the sentiment.

I think people just don't think a mainstream radio station should be giving him a pulpit. I doubt anyone on here wants to shame him into anything.

Teferi

Don't kid yourselves lads. The vast majority of the people saying that they are boycotting Newstalk never listened to Newstalk in the first place.

Teferi

Deleted User wrote: »

I think people just don't think a mainstream radio station should be giving him a pulpit. I doubt anyone on here wants to shame him into anything.

No platforming is the stuff of student unions and leads to an awful, awful echo chamber.

Buer

Teferi wrote: »

Don't kid yourselves lads. The vast majority of the people saying that they are boycotting Newstalk never listened to Newstalk in the first place.

I wouldn't disagree with that. There is strong element of the justice brigade descending on the matter. I would say very few have heard the comments still.

Although, I do find Newstalk have been quite left wing in recent times with the exception of Hook although I suspect that will be balanced now with the removal of the pair on drivetime.

Teferi

Teferi wrote: »

Don't kid yourselves lads. The vast majority of the people saying that they are boycotting Newstalk never listened to Newstalk in the first place.

No one cares about them. I said on Saturday, when the guests and sponsors start to walk is when something will happen. They have, it has. Hooks done and he has gotten what he deserved.

Buer

Is Boards having a stroke?

b.gud

I genuinely laughed out loud at this

https://twitter.com/andrewwogas/status/908178046724620288

b.gud

Buer wrote: »

Is Boards having a stroke?

I think so

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Isn't that exactly what people are doing though? Theyre saying they won't listen to news talk unless he's fired? And some employees saying they'll leave?

I haven't seen this authoritarian response so maybe I've missed it, but I don't believe very many people are calling for news talk to be forced to fire him.

I was directing this to a small minority who want him fired and are reveling in the damage to a 'conservative' commentator. It's a tad tasteless (and I'm not comparing this to Hook's comments). It's very 'outrage of the week' kind of stuff.

Buer wrote: »

Well, I would imagine that morally it doesn't sit well with people to have someone nationally broadcasting something along those lines.

To stretch the point, if they're not gay and don't know anyone who is why would someone vote yes in the recent referendum?

Sorry Buer but you've lost me on that analogy.

thomond2006

Boards is having a stroke!

irishbucsfan

Buer wrote: »

Isn't that essentially forcing them to take action? I'm sure people aren't boycotting without the knowledge that it will prompt a response.

And I think we can be sure that if Newstalk now reinstate him after a period of suspension those people will be highly critical of them for it.

Yes. They very much want him to be fired and disagree with the fact he's on the radio.

But that's not authoritarian in itself.

An example of left-wing authoritarianism is the Bert and Ernie cake-baking stuff.