Spring Break
Free speech threatened in United Kingdom
Ian Bezek
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: Opinion
As a columnist, I, more than most, appreciate the right to free speech in America. Despite my criticism of our nation, I am still eternally grateful to live here. What my fellow columnists and I say on the Collegian's opinion page on a weekly basis would constitute a prosecutable offense in many, if not most, other countries of the world.
I was reminded of just how precious our freedoms are this week when Britain, normally a tolerant nation, decided to greatly infringe upon the rights of certain controversial people.
The British government decided last week to create a list of people that were banned from entering their country. There were quite a few predictable persons banned such as Russian skinheads, extremist Muslim clerics and terrorist sympathizers.
However, one name stood out. Michael Weiner, more commonly known by his pen name Michael Savage, was included on the list of people banned from entering the nation of Britain.
For those unfamiliar with Savage, he is a right-wing commentator, radio host and best-selling author whose political views and style are reminiscent of a more educated Rush Limbaugh.
Savage has said a lot of things that I disagree with over the years; his view of the Muslim community is just plain primitive.
That said, is he any kind of threat to Britain? Clearly not. Despite being exposed to 20 years of often polarizing and frequently unpleasant views, America's social fabric has not collapsed despite a surge in the popularity of talk radio.
Savage has never advocated violence on his show, nor has he ever urged anyone to illegally act upon his lead. While he has said a lot of extreme things that have offended many people including myself, he has not done anything illegal.
He has received a broad range of support from commentators of all stripes across our nation. Despite Savage's unwavering commitment to opposing gay rights and his fierce devotion to shutting the border with Mexico, even liberal groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have come to his defense after Britain's outrageous action.
I was reminded of just how precious our freedoms are this week when Britain, normally a tolerant nation, decided to greatly infringe upon the rights of certain controversial people.
The British government decided last week to create a list of people that were banned from entering their country. There were quite a few predictable persons banned such as Russian skinheads, extremist Muslim clerics and terrorist sympathizers.
However, one name stood out. Michael Weiner, more commonly known by his pen name Michael Savage, was included on the list of people banned from entering the nation of Britain.
For those unfamiliar with Savage, he is a right-wing commentator, radio host and best-selling author whose political views and style are reminiscent of a more educated Rush Limbaugh.
Savage has said a lot of things that I disagree with over the years; his view of the Muslim community is just plain primitive.
That said, is he any kind of threat to Britain? Clearly not. Despite being exposed to 20 years of often polarizing and frequently unpleasant views, America's social fabric has not collapsed despite a surge in the popularity of talk radio.
Savage has never advocated violence on his show, nor has he ever urged anyone to illegally act upon his lead. While he has said a lot of extreme things that have offended many people including myself, he has not done anything illegal.
He has received a broad range of support from commentators of all stripes across our nation. Despite Savage's unwavering commitment to opposing gay rights and his fierce devotion to shutting the border with Mexico, even liberal groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have come to his defense after Britain's outrageous action.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sol Goode
posted 5/13/09 @ 11:02 AM MST
It's good to see that Ian's time skipping class are spent listening to talk radio. That's just cool.
Labour are socialists. The liberal party in the UK would be. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 5/14/09 @ 12:46 PM MST
Your a genius because you know who Sayyid Qutb is... wow! Im sure your "history lesson" came from nowhere else than CNN, "God's Warriors." Wow you are so smart because you watch tv. (Continued…)
G. Retriever
posted 5/14/09 @ 3:53 PM MST
The marketplace of ideas has always had security guards and closing hours. They are known as "time, place, and manner restrictions." They have long been held to be acceptable under the First Amendment. (Continued…)
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