Thursday, 4 October 2012

Now then, now then. 'Ows about that then!

One of the most identifiable 'catchphrases' on the planet, and now the cynical signal that we have a Savile remark showing up.

Hmm.

 JS had a reputation for both little girls and being a vindictive power/control freak. I think there can be little doubt that he is guilty, it's only by what degree. I think it would have made a difference if all of this attention had been focused on the miserable old git while he was still alive. Deconstructing the power structures of a dead man doesn't send a positive signal to those being abused by the living. Illness or just being evil? Doesn't matter, either way these people need to be isolated until either they are 'cured' or rehabilitated, with no 2nd chances. The people they abuse don't get a 2nd chance.

The media seems to be on the verge of a frenzy here as one of its own is being examined under a harsh spotlight. This is nothing new; Barrymore, Gadd (Glitter, boy, I bet he wished he'd come up with a different stage name now), the list goes on, and ever backwards. The career of Roscoe Conklin 'Fatty' Arbuckle was decimated after claims of sexual impropriety were made and he was vilified, even though he was found not-guilty of the murder he was charged with. The difference is that Savile appears to have either had 'connections' with powerful and bad people or he pretended well, either way he was an intimidating and manipulative man.

What will happen? Well, it looks like he's been tried in the court of public opinion and will be forever tarnished; the accusations and suspicions come from too wide and varied sources; TOTP guests, Esther Rantzen, a Nolan sister and more. Yes, attitudes have changed but that means nothing, it was never OK to put children up chimneys and it was never OK to coerce vulnerable people into sexual acts. This might sound like a bandwagon statement, but I don't really care. I never liked Jimmy Savile, I thought he was a piss taking falsity of a man who assuaged his guilt and darker predilections by working for 'good causes' (for which he may have had genuine motivation). That he also used these activities to mitigate and protect himself makes him twice as reprehensible in my eyes.

Strip him of his awards, remove his plaques and either rebury him flat (he doesn't deserve his view of the sea) or cremate him so that his grave doesn't act as a magnet for weirdos.

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