Which of those words could Gordon Brown object to? All are true and, in the case of the last noun, flattering.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7873624.stm

Oh dear.

The BBC now have another difficult decision.

They may have to sack Jonathan Ross and Jeremy Clarkson following the precedent set by the Carol Thatcher incident.

They have made a rod for their back.

and yes I agree with Clarkson - but it was an insensitive remark to make to the media. Better kept as a personal remark like Carol Thatcher did in private ........er.......if you see what I mean.

Now Clarkson apologises...

this bloody repentance thing reeks of the Catholic church and really offends me.
Stoopids keep trying to get me to apologise for crimes that not only I did not commit but that never happened.
A good trick is both to apologise and to find God. You're then virtually guaranteed forgiveness. Why, the BBC might even start playing Una Paloma Blanca on A list rotation if I found God and said sorry.

Backbone Jeremy; backbone!!!

He's not got a backbone. If he did, why did he wait till he was the other side of the planet before he opened his stupid fat mouth?

I think Clarkson's 'apology' is as sufficiently unapologetic as an apology can get, done basically so that he isn't targetted by Cyclopic Rights pressure group or sacked by the beeb

apart from it being part of Clarkson's "act", and the words a physiclly correct description-the opinion entitled to-the fact that performers are being made to apologise under threat of sacking is becoming a real problem.

Clarkson is an annoying personality(to me) but -that's whay makes TV..personalities you love or loathe.

Small incremental steps towards a creeping fascism.

(and it's pretty bad when I have to end up defending a Thatcher or Clarkson !!)

Ok whether it is true or not is irrelevant. It is still offensive. Calling a disabled person a cripple is offensive but still true. I've always found Clarkson to be a talentless sexist, ugly, loud-mouthed tory-boy pig. Anyone that gets excited about a car having 18 valves has got serious problems. I wouldn't miss him from our screens one bit.

JK - you dont need to "find" God. I think God has already found you.

Interesting piece in the New Scientist this week about "God" and how we are pre-wired to believe in God. Though it does not say that God either does or does not exist.

Apologies should be accepted when they are necessary. Both Carol and Jeremy have done nothing wrong - but have told the truth or spoken what they believe was non offensive - therefore it is the BBC who are at fault.

I would prefer some of your other hits to be A listed than Una Paloma Blanca. Sorry to say that was low on my list of faves of yours. I happen to adore "Everyones Gone to the Moon" - and many others though. and they should be playlisted for being awesome tracks - even if you had been a mass murderer !!!

When did calling a crippled person a cripple become offensive? I am crippled by severe athritis. I walk badly even with a stick. I am a cripple and take no offence at being called such. It's just another word for disabled, although I'm sure that some able bodied people will decide on behalf of the disabled that we must find this word offensive too.

I wouldn't miss Clarkson either, because I never watch him, but if he thinks Gordon Brown is an idiot then he is entitled to say so. Gordon Brown is Scottish and he has use of only one eye. Let's not start banning words. That will lead to burning books, and then who knows what.

Let me say right now I am NOT a fan of either Clarkson or Carol Thatcher. But I defend their right to free speech and to making gaffes.

The fascists are in the process of taking over and it is up to the rest of us to stand up for free speech.

Isn't being called an idiot by Jeremy Clarkson a bit like being called a dog by a spaniel?

BR wrote:
Let me say right now I am NOT a fan of either Clarkson or Carol Thatcher. But I defend their right to free speech and to making gaffes.

The fascists are in the process of taking over and it is up to the rest of us to stand up for free speech.

Same here... have no time for Carol Thatcher and I cannot stand Clarkson at any price BUT they do have the right to free speech and not be gagged by the BBC or anybody else. Therefore they both get my support over these recent flare ups.

I echo Veritas sentiments in that it is strange to find ones self defending two celebrities like these!