Carol Thatch

pooley Feb 3, 2009 10:16:36

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5645419.ece

Apple don't fall far from the tree does it?
What do we think of this - disgraceful racism by daughter of reactionary old tart?

Private comment that shouldn't have been reported?

BBC covering it's arse on the wake of the RUssel Brand thing?

Would it have been different had it not been a Thatch??

shanshee_allures Feb 3, 2009 10:23:05

Replying to pooley

I can't stand the BBC's puritan clearances right now.
And not to get into a 'is this is this not' racism debacle (FWIW I wouldn't use that term) I'm sure they've heard that sort of thing from her before, so who knows.
Anyway, I'm surprised she ain't eternally confused with this dude

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72492020.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A61DFDF1CCBA7604EE78A0E721FD50B7AE

EDIT: And there's this bit

*Her friends said that she had been referring to the player’s hairstyle and was not making a racist comment.*

Could, just could be true. Unless they decide to disclose the indentity of the tennis player in question so 'we' can judge for ourselves, what's the point?

geoffrey_prime Feb 4, 2009 03:17:37

Replying to pooley

Do a search on eBay for "Golliwog"..as an example...and see how normal folk regard a minstral doll, just as it is, without any sinister racist overtones.
I don't know what Thatcher was getting at, but let's say it was the hair - is this really offensive to be compared to a doll that has "wild hair"?

Jim Tones Feb 4, 2009 10:41:21

Replying to pooley

pooley wrote:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5645419.ece

Apple don't fall far from the tree does it?
What do we think of this - disgraceful racism by daughter of reactionary old tart?

Private comment that shouldn't have been reported?

BBC covering it's arse on the wake of the RUssel Brand thing?

Would it have been different had it not been a Thatch??

Hmmm...it was reported that it was a 'private comment' - apparently Adrian Chiles and Jo Brand took offence - if it was truly offensive to them, then they could have said to her...
"Carol, .....I think/we think you're well out of order..and you are to set an example, you work in the media blah blah blah" etc. and then maybe have explained to her (if she didn't know), why such a term could cause a stir 'outside' or 'on-air' etc. -
But for Chiles and Brand to now drag it from 'the green room', then proceed to set about crucifying her in the full media-show, obtaining 'brownie points' along the way (and what brownie points! - the daughter of Maggie Thatcher!!).
I think it's a cheap shot at galvanising their own chest-puffing-holier-than-thou media profiles.

If it was a camera operator or sound engineer saying it off-air, would they have dragged him/her out into the open? I think not.

Who was the tennis player?
Were they white/black/asian/other?
Will they be able to comment on things?

Or will they be destined for the 'mute room' like Prince Harry's 'friend'?

anthonyqkiernan Feb 5, 2009 01:16:37

Replying to pooley

Disclaimer: She's tainted and hated by her bloodline IMO. And I'm Captain You-can't-punish-the-children-for-the-parents'-crimes

I've been thinking about this a lot. Apparently it was Andrew Murray she was referring to.

Had he dyed his hair red and she'd said "jolly gosh, he looks like a Mick!!!" It would still be as reprihensible. (So, that shoulda got the PC mad squad off my back.)

But, this was a private conversation between workmates. It should have been done with internally: "sorry, we can't have that, you won't be working with us any more". Quietly, behind the scenes. Why do we know about this?

Edit: The news have changed their tune about it being Andrew Murray

necropolist Feb 6, 2009 10:27:28

Replying to pooley

it was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - cousin to Charles N'Zgobia, apparently.

So, the BBC won't let a piss poor presenter use a racist term in a private conversation, but it's perfectly okay to edit pieces to make white working class blokes appear racist - http://www.vimeo.com/3065190

dan_tuesday Feb 6, 2009 16:39:58

Replying to pooley

I think her sacking was totally justafiable, Gollywog is an offensive term and she should have known better than to use it, surely she could've thought of a far more suitible term to use?!

Vybik Jon Feb 10, 2009 18:12:04

Replying to pooley

Serious question - do you think Irish people are thick?