'No' is the short and simple answer. Given that, I would like to say to Mr. 'Ed' Richards, head of OFCOM, thank you, it hasn't been a pleasure, you and your quango are at best a waste of space and at worst a menace, so please be so kind as to get on your bike, or more likely into your chauffeured limo provided by ungrateful taxpayers, and 'foxtrot oscar' to pastures new to see whether you can earn a proper living in the real world, and whilst you're at it please do us all a favour and take those two useless Cocklecarrots, Sir Anthony May and Mr Justice Blair, with you!
That was my equivalent of a John Gaunt-style rant provoked by a ruling in the High Court, from the Cocklecarrots mentioned above, that upheld OFCOM's complaint against Mr. Gaunt two years ago because on live radio - actually my favourite 'TOOORKSPOOORT' - he had engaged in a heated disagreement with some jobsworth on a local council:
The pair had been debating the council's decision to ban smokers from fostering children when Mr Gaunt called Mr Stark a "Nazi", a "health Nazi" and an "ignorant pig".
As a result, Mr. Gaunt lost his job with the radio station and he is seeking redress for what he believes is an infringement of his right to freedom of speech. Of course, the language he used was undoubtedly offensive to some - but not by any means all. OFCOM received, wait for it, an enormous deluge of complaints from, well, er, 57 people, actually. Did Mr. Gaunt's words incite violence towards Councillor 'Snodgrass', or whatever he's called? In the context of an argument over a ban on smokers fostering children, calling him a "nazi" is hardly likely to get Mr. 'Snodgrass' the kick in the pants he so richly deserves. But even if 'Snoddy' and his ultra-sensitive whingers complainers were offended - so what? Back in the day, when the 'Trot-lot' used to escape from their creche and come barging in here calling me all the offensive names under the sun I managed not to cry!
Anyway, I can see this one will run and run all the way to the European Human Rights Court and then we shall see whether they have what it takes. Incidentally, Liberty, an organisation which normally I view with some suspicion, has entered the dispute on the side of Mr. Gaunt and so, with the fingers of my left hand firmly crossed, I salute them!
Seems a bit harsh on pigs but other than that quite accurate.
Posted by: DerekP | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 23:45
Quite right, Derek, I'm rather fond of pigs - and welcome to D&N by the way.
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 14 July 2010 at 08:00