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 really have to wonder if the person who fired them has himself or herself misused city resources. Almost every government official I know of or have read about has done something, maybe just something trivial. I found an U.S.Government ballpoint pen a few months back that used just before I retired from military service in 1990. Perhaps I should not have said that as it gives Eric Holder opportunity to drop 'saving the country' to nail my hide to the wall.
In comparison to the GSA blowout, what percentage value is actually placed on what they used? One millionth?
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/st...
But I like this video better anyway...
Even though no one was in the pool, they are not there to have fun, they are there to work. They got what they asked for imo.
I wonder how the video came to the attention of the city management? was some other employee surfing you tube on city time using city computers & network bandwidth?
I wonder if there was any relationship to this and that the heavy influx of Chinese immigrants to the San Gabriel Valley replacing the Latin community? Let me see, the El Monte City Council has 4 members with Latin Surnames and one with an (eastern) Indian Surname, Population is 69% Hispanic and roughly 26% Asian, the surrounding more affluent communities seem to have a much higher percentage of Asians, which has been growing at an extremely fast pace. I am curious if this had any relationship to their decision?