Television, drug of the nation

unfortunately filming 6 unemployed people pounding the pavements and handing out their CV to anyone who will listen will make for slightly less compelling viewing.

/you'd be forgiven for thinking the timing of this show that just so happened to coincide with cocknose osbourne's announcement of yet more swingeing benefits cuts was almost... planned.

Sure it was a hatchet job but who on the program wasn't scum? It's not that they are benefit cheats / scroungers etc but that they were all lacking in any real intelligence or morals that made me object to supporting them.

fuck off.

You're right that is a bit harsh - there was a guy who had done a stretch and worked out it wasn't where he wanted his life to go.He was going door to door selling things for 50p. A great example of someone who despite being poor still retained character, initiative, intelligence and morality. I am more than happy to see him get given a hand up.

Other than that all scum. Even the good guy, White Dee, thought there was nothing wrong with a bit of nicking if it meant that the nicker made a bit of money and others in the street got some cheap gear. Are you still going to applaud that next time someone duds you on a deal for a few bike bits where you paypal gift them the money and the stuff is shit or doesn't even arrive.

Perhaps instead of your snappy brief witticisms you would like to explain how that differs from the robbing on the program?

morals go out of the window when people get a mortgage, let alone have to scrape a living as best they can

that one that objected to doing dirty massage, i mean come on. how bad could it be right?

^Would I have to massage forruns or the unemployed?

I did not see the programme but you have stated two issues -

(1) Lack of morals. I suspect that they are doing just what the rich do - the best they can for themselves and their family under the current system which involves capitalism, free markets, taxes and benefits. Are you saying that everyone is immoral?

(2) Lack of intelligence. Are you sure that this is not lack of a great upbringing and / or lack of opportunity? If it is simply lack of intelligence what is the solution? IQ test aged 5 with death to all that fail to meet your high standards?

(1) perhaps so but then I would consider those people as amoral

(2) yes I am sure. Compare the chap who set off on the wrong track and went inside. Realised that he didn't like prison, accepted it was his choices that got him there, came out and set off on a different course that was difficult but legal and rewarding for him - even allowed him to make contributions to those who were even worse off. That is intelligence.

Other chap living on benefits but wants money for drugs so pro shoplifter just out of prison with a town centre ASBO. Goes out on the rob in broad daylight mate says don't go down there you'll get nicked, cops everywhere and a film crew but he carries on. WPC suggests he turnaround and leave, kicks off starts some bullshit about having an appointment in the city centre. Cops still compromise and say ok we will walk with you to it. Off they go he finally works out he has made a cock off himself so kicks off and gets nicked. Fucking moron.

In both cases the relative intelligence / lack off has nothing to do with upbringing and education. Even my dog understands his actions will bring rewards or consequences when the comply with / fuck up civilised group behaviour.

death to all that fail

Could be a fabulous new forum motto.

Didn't watch it but the producer was on the radio, sounds like there will be more episodes that show people on benefits in a different light but they stuck this one on first to kick up a fuss and get more viewers. If the programme was shown in 2013 it would have been channel fours highest viewing figures, so it worked.

so it worked.

Unlike those dole scum bastards, kill 'em all, I say.

So anyone is immoral if they do their best to minimise their tax bill, maximise the benefits that they receive and maximise their income within the boundaries of the law? Righto.

I would argue that many very rich people who use extreme but legal tax avoidance measures are immoral, but not ordinary people who try to minimise tax or maximise the benefits they get within the law are fine.

Regarding your second point... yes some people behave like they are scum... but I'd be considerably more interested in hearing a solution. Bashing people on benefits for their moral failings is both easy and pointless. Ensuring that their are fewer people in this position by helping deprived parents bring their kids up properly, extracting kids from hopeless family situations and into an environment where they can thrive (very hard, lots of cash needed), helping ensure greater equality of opportunity in terms of education / activities / trips for all and not just for the parents of the rich, more respect for relatively unskilled but vital jobs, more opportunities for work (I don't blame people for giving up when they have spent years never seeing any evidence of persistance paying off).

In short your response seems to be a heartless, pointless criticism of some of the most vulnerable in society. I find that heartless and pointless.

In a former life I spent years as a social worker (and at the time, before you make some cheap point, was highly regarded by my employers and clients) - some you can help but these days sadly there is a group at the bottom that are pretty much beyond help - there is an intergenerational culture which means they are simply beyond being engaged in any sort of civilized society. To them I find myself completely heartless these days. If they want to live according to their standards, norms and values I say fence them off, sterilise them and leave them to it. Anything else is pointless.

These days I spend a lot of my paid time tracking down directors who hide behind limited companies in order to evade creditors and the crown and taking their money, toys and holiday homes off them.

Yeah, and the gays.

Yeah, and the gays.

steady on Snotty, gay is just a different taste in bedroom antics, no different to a penchant for a beating with birch twigs or watching headgehogs while you shag or always doing it missionary in case god is watching.... it has no bearing whatsoever on morals, intelligence or worthwhile contribution to society.

.

If they want to live according to their standards, norms and values I say fence them off, sterilise them and leave them to it. Anything else is pointless.

i can see why you're no longer employed as a social worker. Fuck me you're a nasty little turd aren't you? again - Fuck off.

steady on Snotty, gay is just a different taste in bedroom antics, no different to a penchant for a beating with birch twigs or watching headgehogs while you shag or always doing it missionary in case god is watching.... it has no bearing whatsoever on morals, intelligence or worthwhile contribution to society.

Well at least the jews then, we don't want them breeding too do we.

I kind of agree with Enigmatics point (maybe not the sterilise bit, etc!!). I think there is a section of society that cannot be helped. These people are unwilling to work for whatever reason. They are content to live of benefits. I think to continue to cut their benefits might hopefully teach their children a better work ethic. Hopefully their children might think, you know what, I've got to get off my arse and work for what I want in this life else I will end up living on the poverty line like my parents.

Tough love and all that.

Fuck me, it's gone all Daily Mail comments section in here again.

No one wants to talk about how amazing Big Brother is this year!

this tv show and its producers have disingenuously exploited vulnerable, desperate people in a cynical attempt to further demonise the unemployed by pandering to the sort of negative stereotypes lapped up by the same fuckwits that allow this government to get away with its ideologically motivated, inhuman treatment of those it deems unworthy.

here's a pro-tip: when you start using words like 'these people' in a pejorative manner, it's time to turn off your fucking computer.

here's a pro-tip.

What is a pro-tip ?

YOUR a pro-tip

#etc

YOUR a pro-tip

#etc

fuck off

#etc

The Bridge series 2...