Fighting Like Cats And Dogs
When radio folk gather for a BBC meeting you can usually expect things to be civilised. Raised voices are rare and verbal abuse is delivered with such coded eloquence that you can be insulted on a Monday but it will be Friday before it dawns on you.
This week in Glasgow, however, I was chairing our fortnightly Creative Meeting at Pacific Quay and I threw the cat among the pigeons by introducing the vexed subject of pets.
"Forty percent of Scottish households own either a dog or a cat," I announced, while handing out a sheet of statistics "and there's also a smattering of gerbils and so on. So maybe we need a regular spot in the schedule for pet-owners."
Well, there were about a dozen people at the meeting and, until that point, we had been united in a common purpose to do our best for the cause of public service broadcasting.
But then it all kicked off.
The cat-lovers rounded on the dog-owners. The pet-haters formed a breakaway faction. A senior colleague launched into a spiteful diatribe about her son's pet terrapin. Another threatened to tear up the handout saying that he didn't need facts and figures to tell him stuff he already knew. A news journalist said she would welcome any idea that didn't involve more economic gloom. Someone who had been working too hard claimed that cats were just evil and would happily kill us all if they could organise themselves.
Every utterance was greeted with either cheers, boos, gasps or sighs. It was quite exciting really, but we didn't resolve much so I'm throwing the issue over to you.
Do we need more about pets on BBC Radio Scotland? Please discuss calmly.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~38~RS~)
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Lesson learned. Next time pick a safe topic like Religion or Politics.
Actually, I think you have a good idea. And just so your news journalist doesn't feel left out you could include coverage on topics like:
1. For those that don't own a pet and are considering getting one, the cost of owning a pet. This is a very real consideration in these economic times. Underestimating the cost results in poorly treated pets, or abandoned pets.
2. For those that have pets, coverage of free or reduced fee clinics where their pets can receive shots and other medical treatment.
3. Some communities have actually started food banks for pets, so that the pets of people that have lost their jobs, can still be feed.
To people that don't like pets, they view them as a messy, smelly, a waste of time and money, always underfoot nuisance.
People that like pets, see them as the dearest of friends, non-judgmental, loved ones, and certainly members of the family.
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Thanks cvbruce
That's one vote for pets...so far you're in the majority.
Jeff
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Jeff,
Was Bryan Burnett at the meeting?
He keeps threatening to have a cats and dogs theme night, but no sign of it so far.
Perhaps Barbara has pulled rank on him....
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SG
No, but Barbara was at the meeting. Can't remember which side she was on.
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Employ Cesar Millan.
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To quote cvbruce:
To people that don't like pets, they view them as a messy, smelly, a waste of time and money, always underfoot nuisance.
Could not have said it better myself.
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Re: 'Something Funny For Money'
I have attempted to post a comment on this (that?) thread, but to no avail.
No, I wasn't being rude, crude, racist, sexist, sectist, homophobic or silly.
(Just for a change) >8-D
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Bin the idea Jeff, more history please...
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