Clarkson, Hammond, and May playing soldiers?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.guardian.c...-on-bbc-top-gear-cost

If Clarkson, Hammond, and May, like playing with Military equipment so much, then perhaps they would be better deployed out in Afghanistan?

Some quotes from the Guardian's article.

/// The MoD insisted that taking part in the BBC show was a valuable way of raising public awareness of the armed forces' work.////

Just think how better aware these 3 overpaid TV stars would be if they saw the armed force's work at the sharp end?

//// Clarkson took on a Challenger tank with a Range Rover and then attempted to avoid sniper fire while testing a Porsche Boxster and Mercedes SLK.////

Think how much better he would have done this trick, if he had been at the wrong end of real sniper's fire?

//// "Showcasing our people and equipment on popular television programmes is an excellent way to raise public awareness about the work of the armed forces and to encourage support for our troops."////

I think we already know what work our brave troops are doing out in Afghanistan, and on the whole they have maximum support from the public, it is the politicians that are questionable.

[anotheoldgit]

It would seem that only tigerlily11 has really understood my question and the implications that go with it..

I expected that the Clarkson fan club would be down on my neck over this, but I also assumed that some would have the intelligence to read further into the issue.

I posted this question when there is a row over the extravagance of the BBC, funded by you the licence payer, the scandal about the MOD's Civil Servants expenses, and the lack of equipment to our troops in Afghanistan.

But eh! when do these important issues matter, when they interfere with our entertainment? comes to

[Quinlad]

The BBC also pours licence-payers' money into Holby and Casualty while the NHS is desperately in need of funds.

[123everton]

Troops need equipment to train with, as I understand it a lot of the equipment travels with the regiment (tanks, artillery etc) so nothing was denied the frontline troops, the boost for morale was immense both for those who got to do it, those who tried and for those in Afghanistan who watched the show.
Armies do not march entirely on their stomachs.
P.S.
Don't diss The Valiant and Warlord comics, I used to love them.

[R1Geezer]

Top Gear and other popular shows make a huge profit rather than using licence payers cash. The show itself, the concept, merchadise etc etc are all sold all over the world, more than enough to coverf TG costs and plenty left for more minority interest shows and other services that do cost money. If they stopped making TG and other stuff that sells the licence fee would go up.

[ummmm]

Isn't it the biggest earning programme?