El Monte Lifeguards Fired for 'Gangnam Style' Parody: Should They Be Reinstated?
SodaHead Music
2012/09/23 19:14:11
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El Monte, California's lifeguards seem to have a great sense of humor. But, apparently, the El Monte government does not. According to The Los Angeles Times, 14 part-time employees recent lost their jobs as El Monte lifeguards because they participated in a music video spoof of South Korean rapper Psy's smash hit "Gangnam Style." Their offense: using city resources without permission to make an "unauthorized video."
The parody titled "Lifeguard Style" is patterned like the original music video, only with male and female lifeguards reenacting it in the pool area. The video has over 1.6 million views to date. Because of the video's viral status, the story of the lifeguards' firing has gone national and global, leading to thousands supporting them on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites.
Even Psy wonders why El Monte officials haven't reinstated the lifeguards, who have a groundswell of support. On Tuesday, when the lifeguards went to plead for their jobs to the City Council, hundreds showed up at the chambers for support. Many have argued that "Lifeguard Style" is a harmless spoof that has actually brought rare attention to El Monte. City officials disagree.
The parody titled "Lifeguard Style" is patterned like the original music video, only with male and female lifeguards reenacting it in the pool area. The video has over 1.6 million views to date. Because of the video's viral status, the story of the lifeguards' firing has gone national and global, leading to thousands supporting them on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites.
Even Psy wonders why El Monte officials haven't reinstated the lifeguards, who have a groundswell of support. On Tuesday, when the lifeguards went to plead for their jobs to the City Council, hundreds showed up at the chambers for support. Many have argued that "Lifeguard Style" is a harmless spoof that has actually brought rare attention to El Monte. City officials disagree.
Read More: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/09/fire...
You can't just put an add out and get 14 trained and qualified candidates to be life guards, it well cost the city $10,000s to replace them
HEEEEEEEEYY SEXY LAAAADY OP, OP, OP, OP... OPPA GANGNAM STYLE! XD
The article linked describes "city resources" as, " namely distinctive red lifeguard swimwear and the city pool itself." If they were doing it when they should have been working, you would think someone would point that out because it would be essential to the story. Wearing their lifeguard swimsuits and using a public location to film a video?
That's not really a big enough offense to be outright fired over. Sure, a slap on the wrist punishment, I could understand, but it's not worth loosing a job over. Especially because the video is in good fun and does not put a bad light on the city nor the facility.
they arent being paid to have fun, make videos, waste city dollars, & chill in the jacuzzi
edit:
drowning at El Monte Aquatic Center in 2006
http://articles.latimes.com/2...
And the girls can bend ;)