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BBC host’s insulting brings shame to Britain 

By Hou Jinliang (People's Daily Online)

15:25, January 12, 2012 Opinions

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Edited and Translated by Han Shasha, People's Daily Online 

People generally hold that Britain is a country of gentlemen. And 2012 London Olympics is seen as a stage to show the country’s new image. Unfortunately, the impression may be destroyed by BBC presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

In his article published on The Sun, Clarkson associated the deaths of 23 Chinese cockle-pickers who drowned in Morecambe Bay in 2004 with synchronized swimming, saying "Chinese women in hats, upside down, in a bit of water", and adding: "You can see that sort of thing on Morecambe Beach. For free." 

Obviously, Clarkson's flippancy shows his inferior quality. The vulnerable Chinese workers were illegally used by some organizations. They were daughters, wives and mothers who had to pick cockles to maintain their lives. They did not bring any harm to society, nor did they steal Clarkson’s job. 

It is shameful that Clarkson joked and mocked them seven years after their death in the country that upholds universal love, worship of God and gentlemen demeanor.

“Top Gear” show, hosted by Clarkson, was called “the most crazy auto show in the world” and its audience rating has ever reached 350 million. However, the rating is dwindling now. Clarkson is also stepping into his senior age. He has been trying to make himself look big at other people's expense. With an annual income of more than 3 million U.S. dollars, Clarkson surely shows his indifference to people who struggle to survive. 

On Nov. 30, 2011, Clarkson said during a TV interview that public sector workers who went on strike should be "executed in front of their families". He also mocked Indian costumes, train, food and history. 

Remarks like these have been repeated many times in Clarkson’s program. These racist jokes could hardly save his fame. Instead, these words bring shadows to Britain and destroy the image of the country because the popular BBC host represents Britain and the British people in others’ eyes.

A person who has no professional ethics and ignore the bottom line of society will finally be abandoned by society.

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