Deputies take Bailiff to task over his joke
Thursday 23rd December 2010, 1:00PM GMT.
Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland at the lunch where he amused businessmen but upset some deputies. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 1071308)
A JOKE by the Bailiff about the brainpower of politicians has been branded inappropriate, unfortunate and disrespectful by a number of deputies.
Sir Geoffrey Rowland entertained members of the Chamber of Commerce at its monthly lunch on Monday with a light-hearted speech in which he told a number of jokes.
One was at the expense of politicians. He relayed a comment that had been made to him by a tax adviser when he first left private practice to take up the role of HM Comptroller about 18 years ago.
‘I asked if there was a single thing in Guernsey that was not taxed. He said the brainpower of politicians. He said if they did tax it, they would have to give a rebate,’ Sir Geoffrey said.
There was a mixed reaction to the joke yesterday among more than 20 deputies spoken to by the Guernsey Press.
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The truth hurts?
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lighten up guys its Christmas!!
Plus the truth hurts even when the rest of of can laugh at it.
You are grown ups so get over it and leave the Bailiff alone.
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Let’s not blow this out of proportion.
There’s a difference between a good natured joke and personal abuse.
If the Bailiff had stood up in the House and called the deputies a bunch of useless numbskulls I would understand their annoyance.
He didn’t though – this was a light hearted remark made at a dinner where the Bailiff recounted a story from 18 years ago! How many current Deputies were in power then?
Besides, the ability to not take yourself too seriously is a good thing.
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being just a little bit sensitive?
it’s a joke, ffs.
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A joke is only funny when there is an element of truth in it!!
Love it!
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excluding a literal pun can anyone tell me a joke that does not poke fun at a social or racial, minority or someones misfortune
I once read a book called stranger in a strange land where a human was brought up by aliens and he could not understand humour because in truth although people may laugh in the cold light of day there is nothing funny about jokes
they are often stero typical generalities taken at someones expense
I like a laugh and find most jokes amusing just like everyone else, but sadly there will be some that will always takes offense i suppose its because they are hurt or offended by such jokes however I digress
Sir Geoffrey Rowland is in a public position and should be more careful however funny it is to poke fun at our Political figures past and present as our Deputy Chief minister found to his cost with his last public joke
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Bet Bernie laughed though. He loves a good joke……
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…all is fair in love & war…and here is one for the Bailiff…”What is the difference between a dead deer and a dead lawyer lying on the highway?”
Answer: There are usually skid marks in front of the deer. Olé
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Truth + Pain = Humour
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Oh dear… 20 plus deputies with no sense of humour.. You would think that by now they would know what a big JOKE they all are..Good old Geoffrey. Hats off to you.
Here’s a quickie.
A Deputy went to his doctor with a head ache and was sent to have a scan and the result was … he had a suspected brain
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I always thought 0 x 20% = 0
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Dear oh dear oh dear!
Of course as has been said -the truth sometimes hurts, but in this case the truth was there,
I suggest that those who were/are annoyed have a good look in a mirror(Looking glass) not the newspaper.
If they do that. they’ll see what a joke really is.
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Wasn’t Carla around to jump up and squawk “not P C” thereby making sure everyone heard this slightly risque joke, as she did once before?
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Chris, to be fair, the article does not say that 20 Deputies threw their toys out of their pram. It says that there was a “mixed reaction” among more than 20 Deputies who were spoken to.
Knowing the way the GP generates stories, that mixed reaction could consist of a single Deputy being mildly unamused.
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At the end of the day we all know the bailiff is right the states of Guernsey are a shambles.
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Apparently the Chief Minister has given orders to his senior staff that if anything important ever happens he is to woken up immediately – even if he is in a Policy Council meeting
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Ray, he he
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A little mild humour : no racism, nor anything else which might be regarded as offensive.
This is one Deputy who is certainly not so insecure as to feel personally offended by the Bailiff’s gentle dig at the intellectual capacities of our Bailiwick’s elected representatives. Nor do I believe that our democratic system is compromised.
Merry Christmas all.
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You gotta laugh really. It is funny because its true, and its funny because its funny. Ask yourself the following questions:
Did Sir Geoffrey insult any one person in particular? Did he make reference to the most powerful man on the planet in an embarrassingly racist context? Were Sir Geoffreys closest advisors squirming in embarrassment next to him as he told it? Did he tell the poor taste joke in front of television cameras so that He and Guernsey could become an International Political joke with unquantifiable economic and political consequences for the future…?
Or did he just tell a quick, amusing, throw away anecdote at a lunch meeting about the intellectual deficiencies in general of the politicians of the Island, which, considering, past failings and the current response seems incredibly accurate?
Context is everything with humour.
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Sean,
What intellectual capacities?
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Is the Guernsey Press turning into the Daily Mail? Manufacturing shock and outrage where none exist?
I heard this “speech”/stand up routine. It was a run of pretty tame jokes, most at the expense of lawyers and even the Bailiff himself. Some gave a sober lunchtime audience a decent laugh.
If you want to get upset that the Bailiff should be willing to act as a stand-up comedian, then I might be prepared to agree. But there really is no need to get upset.
I was shocked that a Press reporter/the GP would find the need, over a couple of days, to repeat most of the jokes and try to whip up some faux outrage. As far as I am aware, nobody at the lunch was outraged, or if they were, they didn’t show it.
The lunch speech had been advertised as a light-hearted tour of his years at the bar anyway.
Channel TV were also present. They haven’t tried to make a song and dance where none exists, as far as I am aware.
Please can all get over it, asap?
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Ever since States members started to get paid for being on the States the standard, and the intelligence, of some new Statesmen(?) began to exhibit a downward trend. Guernsey has been going to the dogs ever since. They are a joke in themselves so why not just take the money and ignore the laughs.
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I suppose that Tucker’s remarks might be considered in the context of a “quiet period” for local news.
Nocon and Brian…. in theory the quality control function for Deputies lies in the hands of those who enter the polling booths. Perhaps voters should afford candidates a more robust challenge on the doorstep, at the hustings or via the electronic media in order to more carefully assess their intellectual capacities.
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Tucker
You have summed it up perfectly.
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Just shows up some deputies (and others) as the miseries that is becoming all too prevalent on this fair isle.
You’re dragging the rest of us down with you!!!
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Sean mCmanus
Roll on island wide voting.Then I can have a chance to pick the other nine tenths of my leaders
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Unfortunately there is element of truth in the Baliff’s joke and in Brian Harpers comment!
Equally unfortunate is the fact that some of Deputies have no sense of humour and need to lighten up and stop taking themselves so seriously.
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I saw in yesterday’s Press that Barry Breahut is quivering with indignation at the Bailiff’s joke….
Perhaps Barry (and all the other deputies that feel offended) should re-read the article as detailed above.
The pertinent paragraph states:
“One was at the expense of politicians. He relayed a comment that had been made to him by a tax adviser when he first left private practice to take up the role of HM Comptroller about 18 years ago.”
Was precious Barry elected to the States 18 years ago?
No, thought not.
If Deputies cannot assimilate information from a report correctly, no wonder we are in such a mess…
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One thing I do believe, is that no previous Bailiff would have made such a joke in public, lighthearted or not !
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Once again demonstrates how the GP is now a tabloid. Shame as it used to be more respected.
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Sean,
You are a typical politician when replying to simply put questions and having a sense of humour.
You use thirty words to say what could be said in two most of those are only added to make yourself sound more grandiose than the other person. If you people spent less time trying to make yourselves sound more intelligent than the voters then the states meetings would be over a lot quicker.
For crying out loud get off your hobby horses and behave like someone who cares for what`s best for Guernsey not best for yourselves.
Just read what you last posted:-”
Perhaps voters should afford candidates a more robust challenge on the doorstep, at the hustings or via the electronic media in order to more carefully assess their intellectual capacities.” and you can see what I mean.
What is the point of asking you straight questions? All you politicians give is long drawn out replies that are just other ways of saying we don`t care what you say we`ll vote for what we think is right,turn our backs, take our money and blow the consequences because we probably leave the States when the going gets tough.
The next lot can then take the blame.
Voted by the people for the people? DON`T MAKE ME LAUGH.
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Peter D
Unfortunately Barry Brehaut has an insecurity complex. For good reason too, although he’s clearly in good company.
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By the way, I wouldn`t trust a politician further than the end of the airport runway.
A straight question Sean? Here`s one for you.
Which choices are you going to vote for on (a) the airport runway reconstruction, and (b) the method of waste disposal for the future?
A straight question so give me a straight answer, you`ve all had long enough to consider the alternatives and make a decision.
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I’d liken our Deputies to small fish but that would require them to have a spine.
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nocon – You told Sean McManus that he used thirty words to say what could be said in two.
Pity you didn’t practice what you preached when you wrote your much longer rant, which incidentally only succeeded in exposing you as someone who is happy to dish it out but can’t take it in return.
Sean McManus took the Bailiff’s joke on the chin and laughed it off – perhaps you could learn something from him?
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Scarlet Pimp,
I guess I`m guilty as charged in the words department, well spotted.
However,I am merely an ordinary member of the public, a voter, but I don`t need defenders to speak or answer for me.
Have you noticed there`s been no reply to my simple question? It must be hard for a politician to answer in simple words.
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nocon – at the risk of playing devil’s advocate to Sean McManus yet again (I’m not SMcM in disguise by the way!!) you did post your question at 7pm on Christmas Eve.
Every day since then has been a public holiday. I think it’s fair enough not to expect him to spend them on Your Shout?!
I like a bit of deputy bashing as much as the next aristocratic superhero, but fair’s fair.
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Can we claim he was being racist as he was referring to Channel Islanders ?
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nocon.
Sean did use plain words, its not his fault you do not understand them.
Also, how can he answer a question on how he will vote on motions which have not yet been tabled?
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Scarlet Pimp,
Fair enough, tomorrow it`s back to work day so I`ll look forward to hearing from him then. He`s had enough time to think up a politicians reply.
Steve,
They, The States Members, have been discussing both subjects for months, if not years, so don`t tell me that you think no other member but the committees concerned know the details of the proposals being brought to the debates.
However, if it helps, I will rephrase my question:-
Sean,
What do you believe to be the best options and answers to the island`s waste problem and the airport runway reconstruction proposals, and, would you vote on your decision or, if different to your electorate, vote on their behalf?
Is that more to your liking Steve?
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This joke is so true , I know a member sitting in the states of jersey who was a 2nd rate plumber but could,nt spell toilet .. yet there he is voteing on important matters that affect all our lives , crazy
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OMG Pathetic
To be honest tho, i wouldnt be suprised if no1 took offense and the GP are just stiring.
Nocon – it was quite a civil comment wall before you lost it and ranted off…. there is a way of saying things without sounding accusational. however, i do agree somewhat with some of what you say… i dont see why there is such a lack in decision making skills in the states when thats what they’re paid to do.
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Des,
Are you applying to become a States Member too?
It seems you are on a par in the spelling department, check out your “Could`nt” and “Voteing”. Are you a plumber?
You too could vote on crucial matters that effect everyone.
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Does any one know if the same 20 or so Deputies who complained about the Bailiff’s joke, are the same Deputies who didn’t think Bernard Flouquet’s joke about Barrak Obama was racist and offensive (and supported him in the vote of no confidence)?
I have a sneaking suspicion we will find the same bunch of intellectual Luddites in both camps….
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Nocon, what’s wrong with being a plumber? You’re prejudiced.
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Mr G.
If you read back you`ll find that Des was the one running down plumbers because they couldn`t spell yet became a States Member.
His posting contained two spelling mistakes so using his own analogy I merely asked if he was thinking of becoming a States Member.
Read the content of all the correspondents before you start gobbing off then you can lay blame in the correct quarter.
I happen to think good plumbers are hard to find these days as are any skilled tradesmen because more youngsters are going for the jobs that give them more money for easier work.
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