Lady Chatterton wrote: » Unfortunately, after today, I'm expecting George to announce his resignation before the week is out. I'd say he is a broken man after hearing that 20 of his colleagues want him to leave. That level of rejection must be awfully painful. I'm beginning to think that yesterdays' apology has backfired spectacularly on him, he would have been better off if he had clarified his remarks, making it 100% clear that rape is never the victims' fault and that his original intention was merely to encourage people to look out for themselves and their friends on a night out. I would say 85% of what he said was just old fashioned common sense, the stuff that lots of parents would say to their daughters and sons most weekends before they head into town. I'm deeply saddened at the level of bullying and abuse the man is being subjected to, how is this acceptable? Surely, we have reached a point where the bullying and the hatred being expressed is far worse than his clumsy comments? Going back the petition to remove George, I have a feeling that there are quite a few Newstalk presenters who feel very resentful towards George Hook, Ivan Yates and Pat Kenny because of the deals they've managed to negotiate for themselves...and today has a lot to do with opportunism. If you look back over the last few years, Ivan has left and returned to the station and other presenters have been moved out of their positions to accommodate him. George has also been facilitated, Moncrieff's programme has been shortened twice and Healy was shafted from Lunchtime to make way for High Noon. If George is sacked or made resign, it means that instantly a prime time slot becomes available for someone else - Chris, Sarah, Shane??... Moncrieff's programme with probably be extended and Jonathan Healy will more than likely come back to provide holiday cover. So many presenters stand to gain something if George leaves. I just wish he had retired last year and gone out on a high, The Right Hook was a cracking show, it's sad how things have turned out, I wish him well.
Sleeper12 wrote: » I don't really get this at all. Hooks side is that he made a mistake and said something that was wrong. I don't think that's your position at all. Also to posters and people on Twitter, the more you say George was forced to apologise and doesn't mean it the more likely that he will be fired. Management are monitoring social media to see how the apology is going down with the public. If it's not being believed by the public then they will have to take action.
jooksavage wrote: Dude, it's not believed by his superfans on here who, by and large, are taking the stance of "he said nothing wrong to begin with" and "he doesn't mean the apology - he's just has to say it to keep his job"
jooksavage wrote: That's pretty much the tone of his support on Twitter too. His most rabid advocates are making him look as bad as his critics.
DeanAustin wrote: In my opinion, Hook was talking about personal responsibility. I don't believe he was intending to partially blame victims even if that's how what he said reads and sounds.
DeanAustin wrote: If you accept that, and I can see why some won't, then his position was perfectly reasonable if poorly articulated. Society is becoming less and less responsible for their own actions and everything is someone else's fault. That's a general point by the way rather than applicable to rape.
Sleeper12 wrote: » I totally agree with you. The problem is that so many people are denying he made he made a mistake with the wording, saying that he was totally right even though he acknowledged that he made a mistake. I don't believe he deliberately said it but lots of free speech people saying that he did say it deliberately & I don't think they are helping him at all. I think they are looking for a martyr for their cause tbh
Calhoun wrote: Some of the crap coming out now is OTT and blatand publicity grabbing, like your one plugging her gig .before walking off another program.
Deedsie wrote: » It was a stupid thing to say and a horrible thing to think or believe. Ive been a fan of George for a good few years but as a cyclist ill not be upset if he gets **** canned. Sick of him demonising cyclists every week. I obey every rule of the road and stop at every light, never cycle on a footpath. So it will be nice to no longer have to hear him nonsensically roar about "bloody cyclists" Enjoy your retirement George. Careful on the roads chief
Lady Chatterton wrote: » I'd say he is a broken man after hearing that 20 of his colleagues want him to leave.
pauliebdub wrote: » I doubt it, but I suspect that he's not well liked within the station, I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.
redlead wrote: » There's some load of weasels working at newstalk. Effectively asking for a colleague to be sacked just because he said something that you disagree with. There's a serious issue in Irish media now whereby everyone is expected to have the same social view and if you disagree with that then you should be silenced. Hopefully ratings plummet if he's replaced by a Chris Donoghue type (chief weasel).
Maximiliano Weak Guava wrote: » Would Jonathan Healy not be favourite to get the slot at least in the short term?
Faugheen wrote: » He'll be replaced by Sarah McInerney if anyone. Get Hook out, bring a woman in. Two birds, one stone as far as they're concerned.
constitutionus wrote: » the more i think about the 20 letter signatories the more i cant help thinking "who the fuk do they think they are?" its none of their damn business what he says on his show. his fuk ups are between him and management, not a bunch of jumped up prima donnas with wounded sensitivities . that sort of thing is generally reserved for cases of gross misconduct amongst staff. where people who genuinely feel powerless feel the need to group together in order to approach managment. sexual assault , violence, bullying and the like not bleeding witchunts by PC borg units upset by a bloody broadcast expressing an opinion in a half arsed fashion. its probably the most sinister aspect of this affair to come to light so far.
Basal wrote: » This country is gone crazy. Far right Christian Presenters on American talk stations say things every day like homosexuals should be put to death and no-one bats an eyelid
Pinkman wrote: » I expect his resignation tomorrow. I wonder will he do one more show and read it out at the end? The usual faked emotion he does with his voice might actually be real this time. In a way it'll be a shame to see him go. Always entertaining and unique on Irish radio.
Basal wrote: This country is gone crazy. Far right Christian Presenters on American talk stations say things every day like homosexuals should be put to death and no-one bats an eyelid
Sleeper12 wrote: » You aspire to that? I'm all for free speech but not hate speech