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Thursday February 23, 2012

What we're talking about

Rodney Hogg's offensive tweet

Posted by: Ben Wise | 26 January, 2012 - 2:55 PM
Rodney Hogg has caused offence on Australia Day

LATEST: Rodney Hogg has now posted a less cryptic apology to the Muslim community for his distasteful tweet, posted on Australia Day morning.

"My sincere apologies to the Muslim community. A stupid tweet by me in very bad taste."

Full background below.

*3AW Drive spoke with Uthman Badar, spokesperson for Hizb Ut-Tahrir about the Muslim reaction to the tweet.  Listen below.*

EARLIER: A tweet posted on from former Australian cricketer Rodney Hogg's Twitter site has created an Australia Day controversy.

Hogg posted the below tweet on Thursday, as people from all walks of life celebrate Australia's national day.

"Just put out my aussie flag for Australia Day but I wasn't sure if it would offend Muslims...So I wrote "Allah is a s--t" on it to make sure."

Hogg's Twitter profile says he works at Melbourne radio station, SEN, and also for CrocMedia, a company owned by Channel 9 personality Craig Hutchison.

Hogg, after receiving a barrage of tweets which both derided and supported his tweet, then posted the following:

"Bad attempted Australian humour, sorry if I offended you."

After posting the apology, Hogg then removed the initial tweet.

3AW's Denis Walter said he was disgusted by the tweet, while one of @3AW693's Twitter followers told us: "I'm not even Muslim and was horrified. The race tension between Muslims and non-Muslims is already high, this from Rodney just refuels the fire."

Mr Hogg was contacted by the 3AW Drive interview to explain his actions but simply repeated his above tweet, according to the program producer.

SELECTED TWITTER FEEDBACK DIRECTED AT RODNEY HOGG:

Aaron @hemara
@RMHogg disgusting comment, not even remotely funny. Your attitudes belong to 1950s White Australia. Grow up dickhead.

Aziza Hassan @Aziza_H
@RMHogg Well done *clap. clap* you have offended both Muslims and Australians with a pathetic attempt as a joke. Sick old man

Eddie Beer @vx255
@RMHogg Some of us still have a sense of humour.

Nishant B @nishubee
@RMHogg how can you find such racist bile humorous?? Plz don't get Australia into ur redneck views..99% ozzies won't find it funny

miinx @miinx
@RMHogg Awesome! Pity you deleted it. If anyone is offended, they should get out of this country. Humour IS the Aus way. Oppression is not.

Nicole Mockler @nicolemockler
@RMHogg Please don't try to categorise that as Australian humour. That's almost as offensive as the initial tweet.

Azrael @4Q2x
.@RMHogg thousands of Australians from all creeds, religions and cultures ? Australia day is for ALL Australians not just redneck yobos.

MΛTTHEW DΛVIS @MaToronto
@RMHogg Yep, you definitely offended me. This is what we get from a former national representative on our nations birthday.

Yasmine Salameh @yasmina87
@rmhogg - What an ignorant and disgusting comment. You should be ASHAMED to call yourself an Australian.

Tim @Thwaitesy3081
@RMHogg I found it humorous,just a little old school and distasteful

Steve @steve_tabz
@RMHogg ur a bigotted old fool and a redneck dope. Redneck dogs like u r part of the problem. Ordinary speaker, ordinary cricketer, lowlife

michael hogan @Kid_Dingo
@rmhogg Not funny. Not even remotely. Not even as far as "Aussie humour" goes. Just appallingly bad, ill-considered, juvenile, and stupid.

Paul @Griffo55
@RMHogg Mate there was nothing wrong with it...those who are offended by that obviously don't get Aussie humor/culture and need to learn it!

DVD @Franks_andBeans
@RMHogg some people need to relax and not be so damn uptight all the time. Laugh people you will live a better and longer life

Alex Quilliam @alex_q_2006
@RMHogg Don't be sorry, it was only a joke for christ's sake. People need to lighten up

Cameron Atfield @CameronAtfield
There's always one. Wonder how long it'll be before @RMHogg is looking at the 'wanted' ads.

PLAY: Uthman Badar, spokesperson for Hizb Ut-Tahrir says Australian Muslims are greatly offended

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Blog comments Your Say

  • All forms of religion and other stupid belief systems and superstitions are far more of a sick joke than Rodney Hogg's tweet. That the clowns who sustain these religions demand respect is something I find deeply offensive.

    The right to say it. Friday 27 January, 2012 - 11:57 AM

  • Perhaps, given the proper context, such a quip might have actually been saying that it is *ridiculous* for people to think Muslims might be offended by the Australian flag, and intended to point out how stupid bigotry is. Perhaps, said in the proper context, it might have been funny (Akmal the comedian might have gotten away with it, for example)

    But without that context, it comes across as just plain mean spirited and offensive.

    Whatever its *intent*, yes, the apology was very much required.

    Yowie9644 Friday 27 January, 2012 - 9:45 AM

  • "Rodneys Hogg's Pathetic Publicity Stunt",,,

    Check out Hoggs Website,its Dead,,the Guy is an Ugly Old Balding Fat As*hole,with a bad SunTan.

    Boo Friday 27 January, 2012 - 1:57 AM

  • I believe that he has made a bad comment and if he is sincere with the apology all Muslims should forgive him, who are we to judge eachother we ain't flawless but on the other hand if he is bluffing with the apology may God "Allah" work his magic/karma & haunt him & make an example from this as God only knows what was intended behind the tweet may God be with ü.

    Goldsworthy Thursday 26 January, 2012 - 11:13 PM

  • No person has the right to be not offended.

    It's not a racist comment, it's an insult directed at an imaginary sky fairy. And only those people looking to be offended will be offended.

    As for respecting their religion: Do you respect the religion of people who strap bombs to themselves and blow up innocent people? I would hope not, but think on this - their belief is no different to anyone elses. Belief is the acceptance of something with no evidence. If you respect one persons belief you should respect all other beliefs. One is just as stupid as the other.

    kav Thursday 26 January, 2012 - 10:24 PM

  • Hoggs are you that stupid? You aren't sorry. Only a racist BOGAN like yourself can find humour in such comments.

    phil Thursday 26 January, 2012 - 9:29 PM

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