Posted on 05/25/2011 3:28:40 PM PDT by dynachrome
We have been following the ban imposed on conservative radio host Michael Savage by England — barring him from entry into the country. England now appears to have reaffirmed the decision and accuses Savage of promising to retract some of his statements and failing to do so. While I strongly disagree with many of Savage’s statements, I view the ban as part of a disturbing trend limiting free speech in the West and particularly in England.
In the communication below, Treasury Solicitor Michael Atkins tells counsel for Savage that he previously assured the government that Savage would repudiate some of his comments on his website. It also says that Savage promised to appeal the earlier decision and failed to do so.
Savage was informed last July that the Cameron administration would continue the prior ban on his entry into the country unless he repudiated statements made on his broadcasts that were considered a threat to public security. The very notion of ideas being a threat to public safety is the hallmark of censorship and governmental abuse. While then–British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith insisted that it is “important that people understand the sorts of values and sorts of standards that we have here,” he omitted free speech.
The most recent letter is equally disturbing. It puts the burden on Savage to show that his ideas are not a threat to public security — a ridiculous burden when the only way to do so appears to be the repudiation of his beliefs and ideas. England has moved rapidly against free speech guarantees with comparably little protest. There does not even to be much of a national debate despite the fundamental shift on individual rights. We need to support those civil libertarians in England who are fighting this lonely battle — often on behalf of unpopular individuals like Savage.
"The most recent letter is equally disturbing. It puts the burden on Savage to show that his ideas are not a threat to public security — a ridiculous burden when the only way to do so appears to be the repudiation of his beliefs and ideas"
Ping to the article Doc S. was talking about just now.
Well, I guess we’ll just have to keep fighting.
Well, I guess we’ll just have to keep fighting.
Couldn't we have an example or two?
unpopular individuals like Savage.
What is this guy smoking? Savage is at least in the top five in his business, which depends heavily upon popularity.
ML/NJ
James Madison, George Mason, Tom Jefferson...
all very cool white guys who btw...owned slaves...nearly 1000 between them
but sure knew their thing about the right to speak up, etc
Mason btw for race platitude imbibers here...was for stopping importation of African slaves
Unreal.
Crap like this is THE reason I tolerate porn in the USA.
I used to listen to the Michael Savage show on DFW’s KLIF but they’ve dropped him a couple weeks ago, too.
Out of revenge we should send the President to go over and give out crappy gifts and disrespect the Queen by yacking through God Save the Queen
That’ll learn ‘em.
Why anyone would want to visit the UK is beyond me.
I was there 40 years ago. I imagine it has changed a bit!
Poor Doc Mike; he has been belittling O’Reilly, Limbaugh, and Hannity for years, and yet has the gall to complain that they are not coming to his defense in this matter. It’s unbecoming.
Turley’s a weird duck. No doubt an unrepentant liberal, but he’s had more than a few moments of clarity and intellectual honesty.
Kinda like Juan Williams comes out of the fog once in awhile.
I agree. I was last there in 2000 and have no plans to ever go back.
You might say they threw him over a KLIF.....
I remember when England used to allow free speech.
England has not the 1st amendment and I believe the gov’t can censor or prevent news organizations from publishing “sensitive” stuff
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