Thursday, May 07, 2009

Michael Savage and the banned list

Apparently Jacqui Smith, the alleged Home Secretary has published a list of people who are banned from coming to this country, including Michael Savage, the American "shock jock".

It has to be said that under the provisions of the 1971 Immigration act as originally passed into law does allow the Home Secretary to ban people from this country (though it makes no comment on one so hopeless as Jacqui Smith) on the basis that the Home Secretary feels their presence is not conducive to the public good.

So all's well then?

No.

Firstly its a publicity stunt by the government because it can't get hold of the news agenda, though to be fair it has backfired in spectacular fashion.

Secondly, we have never before felt the need to ban people from coming here who do not appear to have any current plans to come here.

Thirdly, this is not exactly an exhaustive list is it? It does not include, by way of glaring example, Osama Bin Laden, nor Sheik Hassan Nassralla. Nor indeed Avigdor Lieberman.

In short, it is a pointless publicity stunt by the person who wishes she could be Home Secretary, but alas is not now, nor ever was up to the job, Jacqui Smith.

The BBC has this and this on Michael Savage suing.

5 comments:

Bill said...

I am embarrassed for Great Britain, but we in the US also have our share of buffoonish politicians too. I can’t help but wonder if that trait is a requirement for serving in the leadership capacity of home land security.

I’ve had the opportunity to listen to Michael Savage on occasion. Sometimes I agree with him and often times he frustrates me to no end. However, I’ve never heard him say anything that would make him dangerous; controversial, absolutely, but nothing dangerous. It seems to me that Ms. Smith would have much more pressing and important matters to deal with than an American Radio Talk Show Host.

I completely agree with you about this being an attempt to garner publicity. Liberals seem to be all about “symbolism over substance” or at least in the US it seems to be that way.

manwiddicombe said...

Media Agenda .. .. .. now where have I heard that this week? :D

I agree with you on this one, that the whole purpose of releasing 16 names from a list of 100 is to try to control the media agenda but why? What are they trying to divert attention away from? ID cards in Manchester maybe?

As for notable exceptions from the 16 what about Geert Wilders? Surely such a prominent hate peddler would have been re-affirmed as not welcome if the process was genuine?

Anonymous said...

Jacqui Smith is really not doing herself any favours by making Savage a persona non grata in the UK. Quite the opposite: she is empowering this nutcase by making him a media martyr?

Banning people who, apparently, does not directly encourage violence is undemocratic... and dangerous.

fake consultant said...

i'm no fan of savage--in fact, i think he should consider seeking help--but i find it hard to believe that the presence of michael savage on uk soil would incite violence.

and while he may be out of his mind, that shouldn't be a crime.

the "god hates fags" guy and the grand wizard actually do incite violence--but savage seems more like an enabler of hate than a direct advocate of violence...and in the end, free speech means having to tolerate hateful speech.

but here's the bigger question:

a government does this sort of thing when they have something else to report at the same, and they're looking for a distraction.

so, what was the other news?

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