High Noon with George Hook.

jobbridge4life · 15-09-2017 05:43PM

DeadHand wrote: »

She hasn't openly betrayed him but she has failed him as a friend in not supporting him publically.

She could have accepted his apology and vouched for Hook the man as Pat Kenny did while at the same time condemning his clumsy comments. Kenny was a far better, braver friend to Hook than Dr. Kelly despite the fact that, in terms of their respective media careers, Ciara owes Hook a hell of a lot more than Pat does.

As it is, Ciara has wilfully profited from George's wrongful suspension. Unless she did so with Hook's blessing she has betrayed her friend.

At best she has abandoned Hook in his time of need- at worst she betrayed him.

What a profoundly misinformed comment, that it has been liked by so many of your fellow travelers gives an indication of the nature of yer comments.

Ciara Kelly has publicly defended him, she appeared on his first broadcast back and thanked him for his apology, she has labelled the efforts to have him held accountable as amounting to an attempt to 'destroy' him.

Mr E · 15-09-2017 05:45PM

Someone had to fill in today. They couldn't have had two hours of dead air. :rolleyes:

Vorenus400 · 15-09-2017 05:46PM

Five Green Bottles wrote: »

Yeats has adopted the same line as Pat Kenny, "it's absolutely unacceptable what George had said but he's a good guy" it's now the newstalk party line. It's not right what George said but it's not altogether wrong either. George being older school genuinely believe people have to take responsibility for the position they put them selves in. If you are out in the city any city there will be bad people, sick people and dangerous people. Minimising risk is knowing who you are with. other people known who you with and it's not putting your life and safety in the hands of someone you don't know nor are you in anyway familiar with. When you look into most things there is a responsibility of everyone if at least not to protect themselves from danger not to contribute to the putting themselves at risk or in danger. For that alone he's probably right even if his delivery of it wasn't best worded.

Thats not really what Yates said. He heavily emphasised how wrong george was and that no one in newstalk agreed with his ideas in any way. At the end he said that George was a friend and he got his start on the show.

yates spoke at lenght about how female friendly newstalk is. he is protecting newstalk rather than defending Hook.

They will be discussing it after 6 again

Five Green Bottles · 15-09-2017 05:46PM

I think he meant that the rape victim shouldn't have been there. Rather than to imply that she should share the part of the blame. He also mentioned that the unfortunate rape victim didn't know anything including the sexual health etc of the man, and questioned from the beginning her decision to be have left the venue that they met in without known anything about the man.
I don't believe he aimed to blame the horrible actions of the perpetrators on the victim

jobbridge4life · 15-09-2017 05:49PM

Calhoun wrote: »

If i could thank a post twice i would, the shame in this situation is that any really prospect of a mature discussion is gone. RTE and otherstations are going to be on their guard going forward.

The chance of a mature discussion ended when George Hook, of his own volition, and with reference to an actual, specific rape case, asked (really implying) whether the victim shared some of the blame.

That is not a mature statement. It is a gross and dangerous comment, that has negatively affected his employer who, as is their right, have decided to suspend him.

Calhoun wrote: »

I don't know if this was a win for the radical left/always offended or if it was an own goal. The best thing you can ever do is let unpopular opinions come to the surface because you can debunk them with fact and make the people look stupid. Not having that opportunity actually builds opposition against the ones that are seen to be shutting down the discussion.

Which is why trickle down economics is dead, which is why Trump was soundly defeated, which is why we don't have a growing problem with fascists. Right...

Calhoun wrote: »

The fact that one of our TD's made a member of the Iona institute seem credible and more connected with people on the ground in Ireland is a scary prospect.

I don't think David Quinn's aggressive, hysterical screaming at a TD made him look in any way well.

maxwell smart · 15-09-2017 05:51PM

jobbridge4life wrote: »

Donald Trump did not win the popular vote, in fact he lost it by several million votes. The largest factor in that odious cretin occupying the White House is the arcane electoral college system.

The great irony of your comment is that you bemoan 'social media driven outrage' while claiming that the vast majority of people are so outraged they might vote for a Donald Trump type, a man known for his perpetually outraged social media presence. Also hilarious that you made this comment on a form of social media, in a thread predominantly filled with people hysterically claiming the suspension of a radio presenter signifies the end of society as we know it.

LOL

Oh dear....:rolleyes:

jobbridge4life · 15-09-2017 05:54PM

maxwell smart wrote: »

Oh dear....:rolleyes:

Outraged by Outrage, the Outraged vote for the Outrageous.
:rolleyes:

Discodog · 15-09-2017 06:04PM

Surely Hook had to get his rant approved before broadcasting it ?

Say Your Number · 15-09-2017 06:10PM

Given how Newstalk effectively encouraged George to go out and wind people up, it was inevitable he'd stick his foot in his mouth at some point, I understand his sentiment, but its a massively contentious issue, you'd need to have a carefully worded answer ready for, instead of charging in like a blunderbuss.

I thought the stuff on vaccines was far more dangerous and irresponsible, I wouldn't have blamed them if they took him off air after that, before he was suspended I thought he'd struggle to make it to Christmas, looks like the end for him, I thought last year he should have gone out on a high when the Right Hook ended, instead of being forced off the air in disgrace now.

SwD · 15-09-2017 06:17PM

DeadHand wrote: »

Dr. Kelly has about as much charisma on air as a bag of soil and I'm yet to hear her express an original idea.

YES.

jobbridge4life · 15-09-2017 06:17PM

Say Your Number wrote: »

Given how Newstalk effectively encouraged George to go out and wind people up, it was inevitable he'd stick his foot in his mouth at some point, I understand his sentiment, but its a massively contentious issue, you'd need to have a carefully worded answer ready for, instead of charging in like a blunderbuss.

I thought the stuff on vaccines was far more dangerous and irresponsible, I wouldn't have blamed them if they took him off air after that, before he was suspended I thought he'd struggle to make it to Christmas, looks like the end for him, I thought last year he should have gone out on a high when the Right Hook ended, instead of being forced off the air in disgrace now.

A thousand times this.

As I have said plenty of times on this thread I love George. I know he has always danced around the line of provocation, but I liked him and I felt he was generally fair. His has been capable of moments of great radio, and while I often disagreed with him, particularly of late, I felt his heart was in the right place.

The direction Newstalk seems to be taking recently worried me, he was becoming more bombastic, less careful, more tabloid and unfortunately it looks possible that he may have ended his career on a real low point. I think it is terribly sad if it does end this way.

henryporter · 15-09-2017 06:24PM

Discodog wrote: »

Surely Hook had to get his rant approved before broadcasting it ?

It's talk radio - they sit there and spout whatever comes into their heads based on the subject matter that's agreed for the slot and/or whatever responses guests give them*. That's not the same thing as editorialising every word spoken during the show.

* (although not so much in Hooks case - he used to just talk over everyone with the sole premise of inflicting his views and opinions on all)

Discodog · 15-09-2017 06:25PM

jobbridge4life wrote: »

A thousand times this.

As I have said plenty of times on this thread I love George. I know he has always danced around the line of provocation, but I liked him and I felt he was generally fair. His has been capable of moments of great radio, and while I often disagreed with him, particularly of late, I felt his heart was in the right place.

The direction Newstalk seems to be taking recently worried me, he was becoming more bombastic, less careful, more tabloid and unfortunately it looks possible that he may have ended his career on a real low point. I think it is terribly sad if it does end this way.

But was that because Newstalk wanted it ?

Calhoun · 15-09-2017 06:28PM

jobbridge4life wrote: »

The chance of a mature discussion ended when George Hook, of his own volition, and with reference to an actual, specific rape case, asked (really implying) whether the victim shared some of the blame.

That is not a mature statement. It is a gross and dangerous comment, that has negatively affected his employer who, as is their right, have decided to suspend him.

Which is why trickle down economics is dead, which is why Trump was soundly defeated, which is why we don't have a growing problem with fascists. Right...

I don't think David Quinn's aggressive, hysterical screaming at a TD made him look in any way well.

I don't believe from a societal perspective we should shut down discussion or look to ruin a man for making a stupid arse about comment. If his comments were immature and over simplified but you still cannot debate and debunk what he is saying without looking to destroy him then something is wrong.

Exactly all of those things you mentioned above have been contributed to and made worse by the radical left.

David Quinn was aggressive in response to Coppingeer who had spent most of her time talking over him, calling him a rape apologist and imply there was an organized anti-female bias.

As i said i have no love for him but when, you make someone like him sound rational you really got to wonder.

Conservative · 15-09-2017 06:41PM

jobbridge4life wrote: »

Say Your Number wrote: »

Given how Newstalk effectively encouraged George to go out and wind people up, it was inevitable he'd stick his foot in his mouth at some point, I understand his sentiment, but its a massively contentious issue, you'd need to have a carefully worded answer ready for, instead of charging in like a blunderbuss.

I thought the stuff on vaccines was far more dangerous and irresponsible, I wouldn't have blamed them if they took him off air after that, before he was suspended I thought he'd struggle to make it to Christmas, looks like the end for him, I thought last year he should have gone out on a high when the Right Hook ended, instead of being forced off the air in disgrace now.

A thousand times this.

As I have said plenty of times on this thread I love George. I know he has always danced around the line of provocation, but I liked him and I felt he was generally fair. His has been capable of moments of great radio, and while I often disagreed with him, particularly of late, I felt his heart was in the right place.

The direction Newstalk seems to be taking recently worried me, he was becoming more bombastic, less careful, more tabloid and unfortunately it looks possible that he may have ended his career on a real low point. I think it is terribly sad if it does end this way.

I disagreed with many of your posts on this topic but I know you as a regular (and fair) poster on Radio so it is nice to see somebody with a nuanced view of things who isn't just baying for blood.

Ivan pretty much said that the topics at hand are decided by production. As far as I can see via the studio camera (I discovered it a couple of weeks ago so I am not an expert) a lot of what is broadcast is prepared and read.

Is it possible this was cleared for broadcast or would that be left to the presenter?

Del.Monte · 15-09-2017 06:48PM

I thought Ivan's performance tonight was piss poor and if it was his idea of friendship I'm glad that we no longer recognize each other in public.

The Rape of Lucretia · 15-09-2017 06:49PM

Wow. Didnt think that would really happen - had too much faith in common sense prevailing, and the crazies being ignored.
George says nothing wrong, yet gets suspended because some women have a blind spot about rape that makes them unable to understand the English language.
In the end though, I guess its Today FM just being a ruthless money making business that has no interest in journalism, discussion, debate, and expression of views - despite branding themselves as Newstalk. So they are just a calculating machine.

The real villains of this piece are the offense affected women. Feminism set back 30 years.

Sad day for the country. Defacto censorship by the brainless of society so that they dont have to think. Sad day.

Go George, retract that apology now and lets have a real debate.

degsie · 15-09-2017 06:52PM

I guess this thread can be closed now.

DeadHand · 15-09-2017 06:53PM

jobbridge4life wrote: »

There is not a jot of 'hysteria' in my comment, it is a factual statement, George Hook disturbed the working environment, he imperiled the ability of the organisation to function smoothly. His comments lead to 20 Newstalk staff out of 60 signing a letter to management, a third of the employees. It prompted a other presenter to refuse to present her programme. It lead to a walk out and protest during another presenters show. If that is not damaging the working environment I don't really know what would qualify?

Oh, dear, more hysterics.

A petition signed by a firm minority of bullies, opportunists and virtue signallers. A walk out by a solitary radio "personality" (without a discernible personality) with a minuscule listenership who has literally made a career out of victimhood. NT will survive.

Even if it didn't, Hook hardly "imperilled" anyone. Now, had he driven a his car through NT's studio you could reasonably talk about "imperilled".

George has put no one in danger- his mistake (for which he apologised) was a poor use of language which, ironically, seems to be your trouble too.

Conservative · 15-09-2017 06:53PM

Del.Monte wrote: »

I thought Ivan's performance tonight was piss poor and if it was his idea of friendship I'm glad that we no longer recognize each other in public.

Pat said it right (albeit not on air).

George misspoke. I am disappointed Ivan didn't say the same but it's not my livelihood on the line.

Nothing like the the sledge hammer CD took to Hooky on Sunday.

Ol' Donie · 15-09-2017 06:57PM

Conservative wrote: »

Pat said it right (albeit not on air).

George misspoke. I am disappointed Ivan didn't say the same but it's not my livelihood on the line.

Nothing like the the sledge hammer CD took to Hooky on Sunday.

Never ever forget Ivan is an actual politician. The words he speaks may or may not have any relationship with what he actually thinks. Everything is geared towards what he thinks his voters/listeners/boss wants to hear.

chinwag · 15-09-2017 07:01PM

Conservative wrote: »

As far as I can see via the studio camera

I can't view NT live lately

.

I'm getting 'cannot load M3UB: 404 not found'

Vorenus400 · 15-09-2017 07:08PM

Conservative wrote: »

I disagreed with many of your posts on this topic but I know you as a regular (and fair) poster on Radio so it is nice to see somebody with a nuanced view of things who isn't just baying for blood.

Ivan pretty much said that the topics at hand are decided by production. As far as I can see via the studio camera (I discovered it a couple of weeks ago so I am not an expert) a lot of what is broadcast is prepared and read.

Is it possible this was cleared for broadcast or would that be left to the presenter?

Ivan said his topics are decided by a producer but other people do their own. Think he mentioned Matt Cooper doing his own topics.

Hook is meant to have a lot of freedom too

Conservative · 15-09-2017 07:09PM

chinwag wrote: »

Conservative wrote: »

As far as I can see via the studio camera

I can't view NT live lately.

I'm getting 'cannot load M3UB: 404 not found'

I think it has been offline since this began.

Vorenus400 · 15-09-2017 07:10PM

Del.Monte wrote: »

I thought Ivan's performance tonight was piss poor and if it was his idea of friendship I'm glad that we no longer recognize each other in public.

Ivan benefits the most from George leaving. He is the main controversialist at Newstalk and wont have to share topics with George

Lt Dan · 15-09-2017 07:12PM

"Dalata said it "cannot support any radio station that allows inappropriate [and] hurtful comments to be made," in a tweet sent from its official account." http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/we-cannot-support-any-radio-station-that-allows-hurtful-comments-to-be-made-clayton-hotel-ends-george-hook-sponsorship-36117390.html

When radio stations produce talk shows that cover current and social affairs and politics, statements and opinions get made. Awkward questions , without any evidence of them being an opinion of the presenter get asked to encourage discussion , (and in this case, the discussion had merit, and it is no surprise that a substantial proportion of listeners and non media people acknowledge that). People will get "offended". People get offended on behalf of others that did not ask for them to speak on their behave. Sometimes you can't control guests and what they say? Eg Tom Dunne Show with ger waun making defamatory comments on air about a well known political leader (He got sent back to the grave yard shift, which might have suited him anyway) How many times have comments that actually outraged the public or offended the public (from the genuine to the ridiculous) been aired on the Late Late Show since it's inception? 1980's on gays, women etc ........... Did the Late Late loose their sponsors immediately?

The likes of Clayton Hotel were more than happy to keep sponsoring the show when other comments were made. If I recall right, they sponsored the Right Hook, and where more than happy that Hook obliged NT to put off retirement to do the day show. I don't understand for the life of me why any business that has issues would ever contemplate sponsoring any current affairs talk show in case stuff like this arises. Small wonder Ivan Yates has not got into trouble yet. Hope their sponsors keep their dial on 106

Tesco pipping up is some laugh, worried about morals, considering they have a court case in the UK over taxes at the moment . I hope they have no plugs on Daily Mail etc

One commentator, did make a valid point however, the business. Despite everything that I said in this post at the end of the day, they pay the bills, NT are never profitable, and they can't be loosing contracts . The sponsors however disingenuous they are (Expiring next month) can contract with who they like when they like

Well, NT can have their sponsors, but, the people who listen to their station (and if by going on the amount that have commented, why are they failing in the ratings?) may walk too, and turn the dial. See how far they go with getting their sponsors then. Looking forward to the SJW's of the station picking up the audiences which they themselves, and not Hook, have lost when they have been given the chance

Calhoun · 15-09-2017 07:22PM

DeadHand wrote: »

Oh, dear, more hysterics.

A petition signed by a firm minority of bullies, opportunists and virtue signallers. A walk out by a solitary radio "personality" (without a discernible personality) with a minuscule listenership who has literally made a career out of victimhood. NT will survive.

Even if it didn't, Hook hardly "imperilled" anyone. Now, had he driven a his car through NT's studio you could reasonably talk about "imperilled".

George has put no one in danger- his mistake (for which he apologised) was a poor use of language which, ironically, seems to be your trouble too.

The fact that this poster uses the example of an anti-irish presenter, who has form in using any perceived slight to her liberal agenda to tell us how **** Ireland is and how we are all a bunch of homophobes really tells you all you need to know to be fair.

Best thing to come out of this was Dil giving up her show, I hope they hold her to it.

Faugheen · 15-09-2017 07:23PM

Lads, this notion that George said nothing wrong is nonsense.

He attributed blame to someone who was raped. Whether he meant to or not isn't the issue. Fact is he did exactly that. Yes, personal responsibility is a thing, but when you're talking about rape you need to make sure you say the right words. You do not say 'is there no blame to the person who puts themselves in danger?'

Those are not the right words. You do not attribute 'blame' in any circumstance to a rape victim. This is not me being PC and it's not liberalism, rape and sexual assaults are very sensitive issues and need to be treated as such. A better way to approach it would be to say something like 'a truly horrifying case, awful. If you go out and have a few drinks, please mind yourself and look out for your friends, because there's scumbags out there who do horrible things'.

He didn't, though, he attributed 'blame'.

George Hook apologised because he had something to apologise for. If he didn't have something to apologise, he wouldn't have done so even if Newstalk told him to.

Also, for anyone who keeps saying he did nothing wrong. Stop. Whether you believe it or not, it doesn't help his case by saying he was right in what he said and that he shouldn't have to apologise.

Now, the witch-hunt he's had to endure is awful as well.

However I'm reading so many ill-informed, foaming-at-the-mouth horse**** from so many people in this thread that they're just as bad as what they perceive to be 'the liberal, loony left fascists'.

Ciara Kelly is getting a raw deal here. She took George to task on what he said, just like she took Niamh Horan to task for saying the exact same thing last year. How dare she, right?

She's been called a back-stabber, a chancer and accused of all sorts when those people spouting the crap haven't even been following her

She's been on Twitter jumping to his defence as a man. Saying he should be challenged on what he said, but completely condemned the lynching he's been getting and been full of praise for him as a man and acknowledging that he gave her the platform to get on air.

People are looking for someone to blame for this. George said what he said and he's rightfully being called out on it, just like some people who are calling him out are also saying that silencing him won't do anything about the conversation about consent.

Before anyone starts, with any investigation, he had to be suspended.

I personally don't think sacking him will do anything. It's sweeping the conversation under the rug. Get him out to the RCC, minus the mic, get him to talk to victims, make a donation and to relay his experiences on air. If it changes one person's mind about how we approach this topic then it's a success.

Royal Legend · 15-09-2017 07:27PM

DeadHand wrote: »

Oh, dear, more hysterics.

A petition signed by a firm minority of bullies, opportunists and virtue signallers. A walk out by a solitary radio "personality" (without a discernible personality) with a minuscule listenership who has literally made a career out of victimhood. NT will survive.

Even if it didn't, Hook hardly "imperilled" anyone. Now, had he driven a his car through NT's studio you could reasonably talk about "imperilled".

George has put no one in danger- his mistake (for which he apologised) was a poor use of language which, ironically, seems to be your trouble too.

20 seemingly signed the petition but did not hand it into the management, not sure why, but seemingly its just a document, the walk out was a stunt and it took Dil nearly a week to voice her outrage, most people did not know who Dil is, the only reason I know her name is that the odd time I would be in the car on a saturday evening she is on NT, nearly always turn her off though, I am sure that if she was not outraged as a woman, she would be outraged as a lesbian or outraged as an Italian/Sri Lankan or outraged for her religion whatever that my be

jobbridge4life · 15-09-2017 07:35PM

DeadHand wrote: »

Oh, dear, more hysterics.

A petition signed by a firm minority of bullies, opportunists and virtue signallers. A walk out by a solitary radio "personality" (without a discernible personality) with a minuscule listenership who has literally made a career out of victimhood. NT will survive.

Even if it didn't, Hook hardly "imperilled" anyone. Now, had he driven a his car through NT's studio you could reasonably talk about "imperilled".

George has put no one in danger- his mistake (for which he apologised) was a poor use of language which, ironically, seems to be your trouble too.

I didn't say he imperilled anyone. I said he imperilled the working environment, which it is beyond a doubt that he has. Misrepresenting what I said is not going to work on me I'm afraid.

A full third of your colleagues signing their name to a letter is a massive rebuke. It would be a cause for concern in literally any organisation. It is patent nonsense to suggest otherwise.

Whatever one makes of Dil and her show, the fact that she threatened not to present, and the fact that this was disrupting other shows, is proof positive that he damaged/imperilled/undermined (chose whichever adjective you like) the working environment in Newstalk. They are also now in a dispute with the Irish Times.

As for your comments regarding hysterics, and poor word choice, I'd pay them more mind if you hadn't just a few pages ago impugned the character of Ciara Kelly and demonstrably falsely suggested that she hadn't defended George and had perhaps even stabbed him in the back. But hey, some of us actually care about the accuracy of what we write.

High Noon with George Hook.

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