Got something to say, but it's not classic related? Here's the place to discuss. Also includes the once ever-so-popular word association thread... (although we've had to start from scratch with it - sorry!)
Classic American vehicles mirror the country of origin. Big and simple! Americans are nice people at heart. Imagine what a World we would live in if they had Putins mentality. They have the fire power and strength to destroy the whole World but don't. Ok they tend to favour or get involved in countries that have oil reserves but we are no different. If Gaza had the Worlds biggest oil reserves then that conflict would be sorted. Saying that we and the Americans are to blame for that. You can't take most of a country off it's people and set up a new country and then wonder why the folks who end up with a strip of basically infertile land get p****d off big time especially when the ones given your country are not satisfied and want more. How would you feel if your Council took most of your garden off you and gave it to your neighbour. The neighbour then builds an extension on what's left of your garden and you throw a 'wobbler'. The Council then comes down on the side of your neighbour. You lob a couple of bricks through your neighbours windows in desperation and the Council give your neighbour a bulldozer to demolish your house. I would have my ass in my hand!
Sorry to have gone off topic but it is the name of the topic.
Top Gear. I know Jezza can be a Knob 'ed but on this I feel sorry for him, even if he may have said it knowing what he was saying. This bloody unknown 'actress' should be told if you want money out of the BBC get a job with them but don't hold your breath!
The annoying thing is that the outspoken Clarkson often says what many of only dare to think! I fear his problem is that he was almost lampooning the bigoted idiots when he started (in much the same way as Alf Garnet used to do). Unfortunately, when playing a character, it is sometimes difficult to stop and you can become the character by accident.
Having said that, Top Gear isn't about cars: that's the excuse for the three schoolboys to play games. If you look back at your school days, you always had the bully that shouted his mouth off, the weasel that sucked up to him and the intelligent one that was the butt of every joke.
Though I did notice that, at long last, they have stopped "accidentally" bumping into James's car/wagon/whatever - that joke wasn't very funny the first time, boring the second time and annoying the 101st time!
tractorman wrote:The annoying thing is that the outspoken Clarkson often says what many of only dare to think! I fear his problem is that he was almost lampooning the bigoted idiots when he started (in much the same way as Alf Garnet used to do). Unfortunately, when playing a character, it is sometimes difficult to stop and you can become the character by accident.
Nail on head. (All of it, not only the quoted part. Apparently Warren Mitchell is still alive and 88 years of age ).
J "Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
I never like watch Top Gear anyway but I am like dismayed by the way our language has been perverted. I think the first word, that I recall being perverted, was "Gay" and way back in the 1970s, I recall an English teacher saying "These days the opposite of gay is normal". Anorak is another stupid perversion; it's a coat for God's sake.
As for these flow chart places, like McTurdalds etc, I don't go in them. I sometimes go into Wetherspoons and roll my eyes at some of the phrases they have clearly been told to use
Rules exist for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.
MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.
GAY was born from "Good As You" banners during the early "Gay Pride" marches (though I don't think the marches were called that at the time). I have to admit that the way words have had their meaning changed is annoying - but OTOH, the kids in the local school now use "Gay" as a way of saying bad/faulty or stupid - "This hammer is gay" when they can't hit a nail properly or "that's gay" if they are asked to do something they don't want to do.
I once rang a company to ask about something and, by the time the person got through the company name, motto, department and her name, she said "and how can I help you?"
tractorman wrote:I once rang a company to ask about something and, by the time the person got through the company name, motto, department and her name, she said "and how can I help you?"
"I've forgotten" was my reply.
I've done that too. Amazing how many of them have a sudden sense of humour breakdown when you do that!
Top Gear. I know Jezza can be a Knob 'ed but on this I feel sorry for him, even if he may have said it knowing what he was saying.
....he's done enough military history documentaries over the years to know exactly what that word meant in that specific context, it's no good the BBC whining that it was scripted. I would imagine it was discussed by the scriptwriters and Clarkson, and put in there specifically to create some sort of 'controversy' as that appears to be the shows selling point these days. It's mild enough to get away with in the UK anyway, but just enough to get somebody somewhere's hackles up......ideal for keeping the show in the public consciousness without anyone actually getting into too much trouble, it's subtle PR really, and It wouldn't surprise me if they didn't put complaints in themselves if nobody else had!
1968 Triumph Vitesse Mk1 2 litre convertible, Junior Miss rusty has a 1989 998cc Mk2 Metro, Mrs Rusty has a modern common rail diesel thing.
It's bad enough being married to an Canadian for the last 13 years ' Alluninum, flashlight, garbage, trunk, hood, dumpster etc, etc - I have always corrected her with the proper English term every time she comes out with 'one of the over the pond' phrases i.e. Her: 'Can you put some GAS in the car' Me: 'My dear lady, you require one to fill the tank of the vehicle with PETROL'
I'm amazed at what people get hung up on and how people take the slightest offence - and can always recall a female customer taking great offence at my Yorkshire term 'Luv' - and going if into some proper frenzy of reporting me to my line manager
Back to the OT poor Clarkson cant do right for doing wrong - maybe because its all wrong and no right
1937 Jowett 8 - Project - in less pieces than the Jupiter
1943 Jowett Stationary Engine
1952 Jowett Jupiter - In lots of peices http://Jowett.org/
1952 Jowett Javelin - Largely original
1973 Rover P6 V8 - Original / 22,000 miles
I never cease to be amazed at how fast some folks can take offence. I had a chap who was a fairly regular customer come into the garage I managed. I knew him him as a customer. I said, " Ok mate." He glared at me and said, " I am NOT your mate now or at any time in the future. I can think of no reason why I should be. You can refer to me as Mr ********." I was somewhat taken aback to say the least. I'm afraid I lost my composure and and shouted "**** off and take that piece of **** that you call a car with you!" He went crimson. I thought he would explode! He then shouted, "I want to speak to the owner I demand an apology!" I said "He's not here but if you come back later and react to him the way you did to me he'll tell you to **** off as well." The guy jumped in his car and shot off the forecourt. A few months later this guy came in for an MOT. It didn't fail but it wasn't for the sake of trying! I'm sure he didn't realise it was the same place. I only spoke as yes, no.
I think I should write a book of funny experiences in a garage.
(All of it, not only the quoted part. Apparently Warren Mitchell is still alive and 88 years of age 
).
