MovieChat Forums > Panorama (1953) Discussion > Sack John Sweeney - Yes or No?

Sack John Sweeney - Yes or No?

posted 17 years ago by BritCanuck
19 replies | jump to latest

Take your pick, then do a search, plenty more where these came from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlPu6pbv05g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMTbzApHy-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV6gjvlBYU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpnGz9QJRQs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRfMrvpDzj8

The BBC had their own version of the clip online, which actually presented both sides of the controversy. They have since removed it.
http://youtube.com/index?&session=bYwUg46V5mtfGnar32id-AMc6-7dh0BZShWK79_hgKsaRsu3_gCLCS0HEc27AqzAYn56NmwYP1exbWO9Mka1TV3__aXPjdOTDmrTNM6Anzfs4_GWqQ0sMXvT_KgvRPP-TvYzjjUlxMNHKLmDEBskZQA56sYMDbUeoMnYoEk6EVB0jnez-S8U-Q==

"Please let me know if there's some other way we can screw up tonight."
- William Shatner, "Star Trek 6"

[–] Lexx-2 17 years ago

Absolutely not. Taken out of context Sweeney looks mad, but given the horrendous stalking from Tommy Davis and other Scientology wackos, I think it was entirely understandable.

We need more investagative journalism into the Church of Scientology. Absolutely no organisation should ever consider itself above accountability, contrary to what Davis and his cronies believe.

"Oh, I did my thesis on life experience." - Anonymous Harvard Guy, The Simpsons.

[–] Byron_H 17 years ago

Certainly not - sack someone who had their privacy invaded was spied on and had to put up with that guy would be plain stupidity.

[–] TheSolarSailor 17 years ago

While he as a professional journalist should have reacted more reasonably, no way should he be fired. I applaud any who dare face the scientology empire face to face with the intent of exposing it for the scam it really is. The very fact that these jokers bullied the reporter like this says more than ever about them.

* * * *

OK, so what's the speed of dark?

[–] franciscojavier-1 17 years ago

John Sweeney should not be sacked - End of story.
He did nothing more than an investigative report into Scientology (Sorry, but I will not call it the church until it is recognised as a religon. Was he in Tommy Whatisname's face at the end? YES!!
Because he and his camera crew had had their privacy invaded, they had been trailed and spied upon. All of this by an organisation that has nothing to hide? All of this by an organisation that wants to be accepted?
I live in East Grinstead, infact, less than three miles from Saint Hill Manor, L Ron's former home and the centre for Scientology. I have friends who have been and are members of this organisation, so I can speak with a little experience on this, from at least the outside.
Someone needed to do the report that John Sweeney did, and he did a damn good job. I just wonder what muck the "church" will try and dredge up on him now??
I don't fear or hate scientologists, i find some of the things done here in East Grinstead against them to be outrageous, such as when their book shop was vandalised week, after week, after week.
Bottom Line, John Sweeney was reporting, the church pushed, and john Sweeney pushed back like a small balding british journalistic Rambo, who is, in my opinion, the best thing to happen to Panorama in a very long time. It's about time someone had the balls to stand up and tell it like it is

[–] Welsh-girl-at-work 17 years ago

Certainly not. That guy Tommy Davis was a most irritating and condescending git. I should imagine that very few people would have been able to maintain a calm exterior in the circumstances in which John Sweeney found himself.

Anyone notice a striking resemblence between Tommy Davis and pre Top Gun Tom Cruise - Looks and idiotic ranting behaviour?

[–] calvindyson 17 years ago

He should defiantly not be sacked! I'm amazed he managed to keep his cool for so long!

Say Goodnight to the folks Gracie!

[–] TheSolarSailor 17 years ago

Everyone can fall victim to having their buttons pushed, and scientologists like the guy in John Sweeney's face was NOTHING but a button pusher.

* * * *

OK, so what's the speed of dark?

[–] Geppie114 17 years ago

No he should not be sacked personally i think i would have hit Tommy Davis if i'd have been him so i really admire John Sweeney's self restraint!!!

Start the day with a smile , and get it over with!!!

[–] LordSepulchrave 17 years ago

NO, he should not be sacked.

Anyway, I'm American and I really wanted to see the show but I couldn't. Is there anywhere I can watch the entire thing?

Down with Scientology!

"What we need right now is a cultural revolution." - Piebald

[–] Lexx-2 17 years ago

It can be downloaded from the BBC's Panorama website:

www.bbc.co.uk/panorama

"Oh, I did my thesis on life experience." - Anonymous Harvard Guy, The Simpsons.

[–] melodyalice 17 years ago

Of course he shouldn't be sacked! What a rediculous thing to ask! That guy he shouted at was the most annoying, retarded and nasty little bloke, I would have punched the guy long before that. He needs a punch. Little wanker. John Sweeney did a really good job looking into the stupid cult.

[–] franciscojavier-1 17 years ago

"John Sweeney did a really good job looking into the stupid cult."
Sorry, thought you were talking about Tommy and had made a typo on the last word!!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Sashmanash 16 years ago

Sack John Sweeney? HELL NO.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] humanist27 12 years ago

@ OP

Astroturfer!!!

Personally I would've beaten the s**t out of that POS and peed and pooped on him while he was lying there in the gutter.

Stalking is illegal and what these looneys do is just disgusting. I'm really impressed that John could keep his cool for such a long time.

http://www.xenu.net/

[–] MovieKnut 11 years ago

It's easy to take these incidents out of context to support your own agenda.

No way should Sweeney be removed from his position.

You can't palm off a second-rater on me. You gotta remember I was in the pink!

[–] rrandcoyote 9 years ago

NO WAY.

His "outburst" ways more about the evils of this cult than it does about him.

Has he ever gone off on anyone else?

The cult is pure evil.

----------------- Church ||||||||||||| State .