Anger over Jimmy Carrs' War Amputee Joke

[sea_view]

I just think - what are these people thinking at times - very ill placed and thought out - these men and women are out there fighting and he thinks it's funny when they come back severely injured???

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-amputees.html

[Carsmore]

I agree he is way out of order! These brave men and women must have to have a sense of humour to get through the terrible injuries. Did you watch "Wounded"? Was on ITV (?) last month. Was a terrific programme, had me crying my eyes out one minute and laughing hysterically the next. These incredible young men and women deserve respect.

[sea_view]

I did and I feel very proud of those that go out to fight and really am disgusted at anyne who thinks they have the right to dis them.

[TGM]

I agree it was a totally inappropriate and insensitive joke to make. However, I don't actually think it was an attempt to 'dis' or humilate the amputees at all, as he was actually referring to soldier's level of fitness and physical prowess. That said, I still think it was an idiotic thing to say and totally without any thought to the feelings of the amputees and their families.

[ladyt25]

I agree TGM, I don't think it was intended as an insult. Idiotic? I am not actually sure. Yes it's horrible the injuries that some of these men and women have sustained BUT when you join an army and are sent to war (one of the things the army do have to do!) then it's a risk you takes.

Plus, I am quite sure just because these soldiers have lost limbs that they also lose their sense of humour?! Who knows, maybe Carr could have something there. Maybe it's something these soldiers or some of them could work towards. Of course I am never going to fully understand what it's like unless it happened to me but I would like to think I'd be able to laugh at myself and make the most of what I had. After all it's noone's fault it happened is it.

[amymay]

I suspect it was more a comment on the futility of the wars that we are involved in, and a back handed slap at the government. However, it was very bady put - and will have caused widespread offence.

Having watched a programme a few weeks ago which followed two young lads who had suffered the most appalling injuries in Afganistan, I have nothing but admiration for these lads.

The spirit and determination to overcome the most terrible odds that had been thrown at them was truly humbling.

[the watcher]

I suspect, and I could be wrong, that this is very much an in joke amongst the amputees themselves - soldiers are very good at bringing humour to difficult situations. However it has not translated well to the performance environment.

[Nickijem]

[ QUOTE ]
I suspect, and I could be wrong, that this is very much an in joke amongst the amputees themselves - soldiers are very good at bringing humour to difficult situations. However it has not translated well to the performance environment.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you.
I did see a bit on tv not so long ago (can't remember whether it was the news or regional programme) where some of the soldiers who had amputated limbs or other severe disability were actually training for the paralympics. The shot they showed was in a swimming pool. So I can't actually see where the joke is - when it is fact.

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
I suspect, and I could be wrong, that this is very much an in joke amongst the amputees themselves - soldiers are very good at bringing humour to difficult situations. However it has not translated well to the performance environment.

[/ QUOTE ] I think you have summed it up pretty well there. I had the same thought myself about the origins of the 'joke'. However, very foolish for Carr not to realise that it wouldn't be well received as part of his show - surely he must have realised what a furore it would cause? Or perhaps he did, and was working on the basis of there is not such thing as 'bad publicity'!

[MurphysMinder]

My first thought was it was probably the sort of joke the soldiers would make amongst themselves, but from the comments from serving soldiers in the article it would appear it has offended them, so therefore I agree is in poor taste. The programme " Wounded" left me feeling so humble, it was also the catalyst for those of us doing the big HHO dog walk for Help for Heroes, anyone who wants to join in have a look at the posts in the dog section.