I’m not usually political on this blog, but the appearance of the BNP’s Nick Griffen on Question Time and the subsequent domination of the media by this fascist’s agenda has me absolutely fuming.
I don’t pay my licence fee for fascists and their followers to come onto political shows on one of the UKs great institutions and spout their hate-filled racist drivel.
Let’s recap some of the BNP’s policies (words in italics are my own comments).
· The forced deportation of 2,000,000 people (or 1 in 30) from the UK. Let’s not forget these will be British passport holders or working here with valid visas. These people will be stripped of their assets including homes and cars on the basis of skin colour.
· Millions of other Brits “of foreign descent” will be “encouraged” to return to their “country of origin.” Exactly what form this “encouragement” will take, I can only shudder to think.
I could keep going with a whole list of thing that these evil fuckers want to do, but I won’t because this post will get too long and I think you get the point already.
And yet, we have so many people who think that the BNP should be given a voice. I had to walk out of the ICU coffee room on Friday because I was so mad with one of the consultants who thought it was right that the BNP should be on Question Time. Fellow bloggers such as The Jobbing Doctor think it’s OK for people to say stuff like “Islam is wicked,” and “There’s no such thing as a Black Englishman” on national television. People who defend the BNP’s right to hate speech seem to have no regard for the targets of the BNP’s vitriol. They have no regard for their fellow citizens, instead they prefer to stand behind the right of the racists even though the very things the racists are saying would deny rights to some of their fellow countrymen based on skin colour.
Why do people in the country find it so hard to say “No.”?
I don’t pay my licence fee for fascists and their followers to come onto political shows on one of the UKs great institutions and spout their hate-filled racist drivel.
Let’s recap some of the BNP’s policies (words in italics are my own comments).
· The forced deportation of 2,000,000 people (or 1 in 30) from the UK. Let’s not forget these will be British passport holders or working here with valid visas. These people will be stripped of their assets including homes and cars on the basis of skin colour.
· Millions of other Brits “of foreign descent” will be “encouraged” to return to their “country of origin.” Exactly what form this “encouragement” will take, I can only shudder to think.
I could keep going with a whole list of thing that these evil fuckers want to do, but I won’t because this post will get too long and I think you get the point already.
And yet, we have so many people who think that the BNP should be given a voice. I had to walk out of the ICU coffee room on Friday because I was so mad with one of the consultants who thought it was right that the BNP should be on Question Time. Fellow bloggers such as The Jobbing Doctor think it’s OK for people to say stuff like “Islam is wicked,” and “There’s no such thing as a Black Englishman” on national television. People who defend the BNP’s right to hate speech seem to have no regard for the targets of the BNP’s vitriol. They have no regard for their fellow citizens, instead they prefer to stand behind the right of the racists even though the very things the racists are saying would deny rights to some of their fellow countrymen based on skin colour.
Why do people in the country find it so hard to say “No.”?
What happened to the British backbone? Why can’t we stand up to these evil people and say, “This is WRONG. You are WRONG. What you are saying is WRONG and we shall have no part of it.”?
This whole episode is deeply shaming on us as a nation and a lot of people need to take a good look at themselves and be honest about what their values really are.
Fuck the BNP.
Thinking about this is getting me angry again, so I’m going to leave you with the words of a Mr Richard Reynish whose letter was published in The Guardian on Friday.
"As Britain debates the BNP’s appearance on Question Time, it would be a good idea to learn from developments elsewhere, before it’s too late. Here in Denmark, where I have lived for 30 years, we have witnessed the systemic hijacking of a progressive and tolerant culture by the far right dressed in “respectable” sheep’s clothing. In 10 years, Denmark has been transformed into a country where racism is in the mainstream.
This whole episode is deeply shaming on us as a nation and a lot of people need to take a good look at themselves and be honest about what their values really are.
Fuck the BNP.
Thinking about this is getting me angry again, so I’m going to leave you with the words of a Mr Richard Reynish whose letter was published in The Guardian on Friday.
"As Britain debates the BNP’s appearance on Question Time, it would be a good idea to learn from developments elsewhere, before it’s too late. Here in Denmark, where I have lived for 30 years, we have witnessed the systemic hijacking of a progressive and tolerant culture by the far right dressed in “respectable” sheep’s clothing. In 10 years, Denmark has been transformed into a country where racism is in the mainstream.
Free speech has protected hate speech, and opponents of censorship have consistently defended the rights of unscrupulous populists and incendiarists. When the media take this line, a very wicked circle is started: the inflammatory accusations of racists become self-fulfilling prophecies, as minorities are increasingly marginalised and excluded. Mainstream political parties, attempting to win back voters from the far right, make an endless series of concessions, attempting in vain to demonstrate understanding of the concerns of voters tempted by simple xenophobic policies. But the far right will always have a more extreme policy, and a new provocative proposal, which keeps them permanently centre stage in the media.
The “debate” about immigration – in reality a platform for populist racism – dominates politics, poisons serious dialogue an guarantees one thing: racist dominance of the media and the political agenda. "
Richard Reynish
Copenhagen, Denmark.
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30 comments:
The big issue here though is the right to free speech. It doesn't matter what the person is preaching, the beliefs and ethics of our society are such that everyone has a right to say what they think.
If it wasn't for free speech, women wouldn't have the vote, and nor would blacks. We need free speech for our society to exist. Unfortunatley, that necessitates that we allow *everyone* to air their views.
I don't agree with the racism, but he and his party have a right to state their views
I think that the BNP have a right to air their views, and I think that we as the British public have a right to tell them all the many ways in which they are wrong.
I do *not* think that the BBC *had* to allow the BNP to appear on Question Time (there is a difference between the right to free speech and the compulsion to pay for someone else to exercise that right), but in many ways I'm glad they did. If a political party with views and morals as disgusting as those of the BNP has to appear on our ballots, then I want them to be forced to state and defend those views out loud and in public. It makes them a lot easier to fight.
And I say that as someone who was referred to by Nick Griffin on Thursday night as 'creepy'.
So why not allow the Abu Hamzas and the Abu Qatadas of this world their 'right' to free speech too?!
BTW, I want them silenced and jailed to pay for the harm they did to the societies they lived in! Because innocent and law abiding citizens around the world died, either here in Britain or abroad, even from their own countries of origin, as a 'direct' result of their venemous preech! Because we allowed 'free' speech to those had no idea of the meaning of the word! ... Same goes for Griffin and his BNP racist thugs who caused and still cause agony to those innocent people they target without 'right'!
Then again, had Griffin lived in the era of Hitler, he would have been a target for extermination himself! Because he is not physically the 'perfect' white supremist Hitler was after! Isn't this an irony?! Doesn't this on it's own educate those who follow Griffin's dripple that they too would be targeted once Griffin and his like finish with those of 'colour'?!
Dear Michael,
Simply because I express anxieties about the denying of a legitimate party like the BNP the opportunity to take part in democracy does not make me an apologist for their views.
I was merely expressing disquiet about the banning of their voice on the media.
Nick Griffin is a bumbling idiot who has been exposed as a proto-fascist, and I will argue long and hard to rebut all the nasty, racist, populist crap that they spout (the other MEP in the BNP is, if anything, worse).
It is a difficult issue in a democratic society, but I don't think you meant to imply that I support Griffin and his ilk.
I categorically don't.
JD.
I feel that the BNP should be allowed to air their views. Give them enough rope to hang themselves (within reason).
People will often decide on who to vote for on a few key issues. If they are only told the policies as regarding to these issues then they could inadvertantly vote for a facist party. Publicity informs the public who may have voted
But there is a difference between holding extreme views and incitement to murder and racial hatred. Forcing the BNP to declare their views in public means that they have to stay on the right side of the law but enables right-thinking people to be appalled by their policies and fight them with adequate knowledge of what they are. A campaign of whispers where the BNP targets only vulnerable people to join their party will not serve our society (or those vulnerable people).
Yeah - what Mrs MRPharmS said!!
Don't rely on their own publicity to inform the [gullible] public.
Question them (hard) and publicly, and allow people to make their own choices....
Funny that those who want to allow racists freedom of speech are the ones who will never experience what it i like to be on the recieving end of that 'freedom'! Especially that those same people would call those who speak the same way about them 'terrorists', take that same 'freedom' away and lock them up!
Double standards! And that's NOT funny! Because you who support the BNPs freedom of speech should realise that by allowing those thugs a voice, you also create breeding grounds for the radicalism of some of those on the recieving end! A vicious circle!
Negativity breeds negativity! Equal in proportion but in the opposite direction!
And by any measure, Incitement to hatred is NOT freedom of speech, because 'free' carries lots and lots of responsibilities with it. First and foremost, to respect other people's 'human rights', which the BNP by virtue of their mission don't! That's why they are EVIL that should never be allowed to take hold if we are to strive for a community, a country and a world built on peace and LOVE and aiming for harmony and prosperity for all ... and future generations too!
Peace! :-)
I've not yet considered voting BNP, but thanks for persuading me to vote BNP next time - and to consider and question the tolerance and commitment of the medical staff should I ever have to put my life in their hands.
Don't say your post doesn't affect your commitment to your work. Based on the bile in it, I simply don't believe you.
To the member of the BNP whose comment I deleted. What your party wants to do is create apartheid right here in the UK. I think that this is digusting. You have no respect or regard for your fellow man. I will not let you voice your dirge on my blog.
On the Road. This isn’t about free speech. Freedom of Speech and Incitment to Hatred are two very different thing. Anyway, the BNP have been in the press loads. In the last week, you couldn’t open a newspaper without seeing Nick Griffen’s face. This is about letting a man spout racist views on a respected political platform that you and I pay for. You think this is justified, I think you should perhaps consider the feeling of Britain’s ethnic minorities. What about their rights? Our soldiers are dying fighting against extremism in foreign lands, (I didn’t see the BBC broadcasting Al Queda’s messages, and rightly so) yet people seem incapable of saying “no” to extremism when it rears its evil head right here in our own back yard.
Skefnet. As you’ve observed the BNP have been on the news and on other shows so it’s not like they’ve been at all censored. The point is that they were given a platform on one of the leading politics shows on this country’s national broadcaster. This is wrong.
Sam – you make good points, at least some people can see the wood from the trees and see what this is really about.
Jobbing Doctor – I used your post simply because yours is one of the few blogs I read regularly and your post was the first I came across that expressed the (admittedly common) point of view that everything that is said is OK, no matter how inflammatory or hate-filled it may be (as long as it doesn’t affect me personally, of course). I disagree with your standpoint on this issue.
I wasn’t accusing you of being a BNP supporter (although you used their rosette to illustrate your point), but can you not see that, as Mr Reynish elequently pointed out in my post above, that this is the thin end of the wedge and that the BNP won’t stop until they have created apartheid in the UK? Look up some of their policies if you don’t believe me.
Also, I would question your statement that they are a “legitimate party.” Wasn’t it only a few weeks ago that their consititution was declared illegal on the grounds that it banned non-white people from joining? They were forced to change it. Effectively, when they won their seats, they were an illegal party. Does that say anything to you? Do you still think they should have been on Question Time?
Mrs MRPharmS – In some ways I agree with you, but the BNP have been spouting their hate filled vile for YEARS. I don’t think that hatred should be on our airwaves, no matter which form it takes. As for the BNP staying on the right side of the law – well, let me introduce you to some of the people who you think should have be on our airwaves.
Sam – Funny that those who want to allow racists freedom of speech are the ones who will never experience what it i like to be on the recieving end of that 'freedom'!
You cut to the bone and expose the elephant in the room that people who think the BNP should have a voice always conveniently ignore. People defend the right of others to preach hatred as long as they are not the targets of it. How many of those that defend the BNP being on the BBC would also defend the broadcast of Osama Bin Laden's messages of hatred? Not many? I thought not. Opinions about "free speech" change rapidly don't they?
Especially that those same people would call those who speak the same way about them 'terrorists', take that same 'freedom' away and lock them up!
As we sit here today, our troops are dying abroad in the fight against oppression and yet, oppression is being openly DEFENDED right here on our own land.
And by any measure, Incitement to hatred is NOT freedom of speech, because 'free' carries lots and lots of responsibilities with it. First and foremost, to respect other people's 'human rights', which the BNP by virtue of their mission don't!
Thank you, Sam. You hit the nail on the head. “Freedom of Speech” and incitement to hatred are NOT THE SAME THING.
Andrew Denny – You are a racist who would vote for the BNP. You believe that people like this should be running the country and yet you question MY tolerance and commitment? Let me tell you this, my colleagues and I will treat all people who need our help. If you were seriously injured and were brought to my A&E, would I help you to the best of my ability? Yes, I would. I believe in a fair and equal Britain and will continue to do so no matter what bigots like you may say.
I seem to pretty much agree with you on the huge majority of what you say, and I look forward to seeing if anyone from a Black or Asian ethnic background will join their collection of fascists, racists or scumbags.
It's just that denying these idiots any opportunity to demonstrate what prats they are feels uneasy to me.
But please don't make the assumption that, because I am uneasy about banning them, I am therefore overtly or covertly a supporter.
Not so.
Categorically.
Jobbing Doctor,
I do not think you support the BNP however unless people like you and I stand up to them, then their racist agenda will slowly an inexorably become an acceptable viewpoint and legitimate immigrants to this country will become marginalised and even reviled. Nick Griffen himself has stated that this is his intention, why do you think he wanted to appear on Question Time in the first place?
As said, Freedom of Speech is not the same as Incitement of Hatred.
Let me illustrate with two examples. These are things I’ve witnessed with my own eyes in the last few months.
Scenario A: A politician from the BNP appears on a respected BBC politics show and says “Islam is evil.”
Scenario B: Two youths shout “Fucking P*ki Bitches” at a group of middle-aged asian women across the street.
I think both scenarios are abhorrent. You think that the former scenario is justified on the grounds of “free speech.” Do you also think the latter is justified on the same grounds? If not, why not? What is the difference between the two scenarios? Enlighten me.
I don’t know much about politics so please excuse me if I don’t make sense. England is my home, I wasn’t born here but I have lived here since I was very young. Why take away what I love?
The common british public of today are so passive and stupid, they probably couldn't even pronounce, let alone give you a definition of fascism.
These are the same people that voted Tony Blair in, three times.
A country of brain-dead drones, if only your ancestors could see what you have turned this once roaring lion into.
"Scenario A: A politician from the BNP appears on a respected BBC politics show and says “Islam is evil.”
Scenario B: Two youths shout “Fucking P*ki Bitches” at a group of middle-aged asian women across the street."
Very educational doc! ;-)
"Scenario A: A politician from the BNP appears on a respected BBC politics show and says “Islam is evil.”
Scenario B: Two youths shout “Fucking P*ki Bitches” at a group of middle-aged asian women across the street."
May I ask why you did not mention the demonstration in Luton against returning British soldiers or perhaps the demonstration against Geert Wilders by Muslims as examples of racism? The demonstrators against Geert Wilders specifically demanded "Freedom go to hell"? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8308982.stm
I agree that there is no place for racism in UK but by banning the white British racist and not banning the Muslim racists you give the ordinary man in the street something/someone to blame for all the present ills of the UK.
speaking as Muslim and of Asian stock , I was immensely proud of the British reaction to the BNP. Even the daily mail went on the anti-fascist bangwagon.
It was great that the BNP were finanly exposed both in print and on QT. I doubt anyone with a conscience would now consider them a real alternative to the abysmal performance of late by mainstream politicians (it is due to their failure to address key issues- like immigration - concerning the wider community that lead electral sucess recently by the BNP)
one of the main reasons why I love this country is because of its tolerance , I very much doubt this trait of the "Indegenious population" will change.
speaking as Muslim and of Asian stock , I was immensely proud of the British reaction to the BNP. Even the daily mail went on the anti-fascist bangwagon.
It was great that the BNP were finanly exposed both in print and on QT. I doubt anyone with a conscience would now consider them a real alternative to the abysmal performance of late by mainstream politicians (it is due to their failure to address key issues- like immigration - concerning the wider community that lead electral sucess recently by the BNP)
one of the main reasons why I love this country is because of its tolerance , I very much doubt this trait of the "Indegenious population" will change.
Yes Anonymous 2:41, but are you proud of the Asian response to the items I mentioned?
Grumpy RN
Those examples you gave are equally as disgusting, I agree.
This post was about the BNP because it was THEY, not the asian extremists who were given a platform on the BBC's Question Time. If other extremists were given the same platform as the BNP I'd be equally appalled but I suspect you're trying to hijack this thread and make it about something it's not. It's about the BNP.
You're obviously against extremism coming from asians, as am I. But what about extremism coming from whites? Is that OK? Do you agree with the BNP and their "policies" and think they should be heard on TV? If you do, then say so. If you don't then denounce them. It's simple.
I've made my position clear, what's yours?
sorry "Grumpy RM" I didn't read your comments.
of course I am appalled by the antics of my so called co-religionist.
You have to understand it's a poltical ploy used to drive a wedge between the two communities inorder to get more recruits, as the animosity created by the hightened tension would cause indirectly more muslims into extremism. Fortunately we aren't that gullable and they (extremists) are a tiny minority.
radicalism/ funadamentalism of any sort is an illness!
only in dire social/ economic meltdown do they ever make any inroads in a nation.
Let me make my position clear; the BNP are a loathsome collection of excuses for humanity, their type of thinking is responsible for genocide throughout history -Germany in the 30's, Bosnia in the 90's and all and every other case. In the 1970's these people were wearing bovver boots and braces and were known as skinheads, now they have nice haircuts and suits but the (semi-literate) pronouncements are the same.
I am not trying to hijack the thread, merely trying to point out that if you ban only the BNP from putting over their point of view but leave the Islamists to shout abuse at the British army or the British system you will allow the BNP to gain membership from a population who sees "their" way of life being challenged and threatened with no-one being allowed to say anything in case they are thought racist.
[ Excuse me, made spelling mistakes in deleted comment above, hence deletion]
The extremist muslims ARE being banned Grumpy RN, there is Lord West, a retired First Sea Lord attending to that, to name but one example + the police and other agencies as you know. And as a muslim myself, I want them banned, because when the simple minded follow their teachings, they cause harm to unseuspecting innocent people; not only like yourself, but me and my family too, a fellow muslim - although the Islam I grew up with and know is very different from theirs! The extremists do not defferentiate and can and do target everybody, even people like myself, for not subscribing to the type of twisted religious or political belief they subscribe to - As has happened two years ago in Sharm-El Sheikh - Egypt, when fanatics blew themselves up resulting in a small number of westerners killed and hundreds of Egyptians; including women, childrn and even whole families! I do go to Sharm because of the amazing beach, weather, corals ... etc - and was actually in that same hotel with some members of my family only a few weeks before that incident happened! Freightening stuff!
Negativity only breeds negativity! And good people such as yourself and me too - if you don't mind me saying so - want to live in peace and harmony together. That won't happen unless you AND me and the rest of us stand up and say NO to fanatisism, radicalism, racism ... and all the other negative 'isms', including the BNP as well as radical anybody - together.
Regards :-)
Dear Dr Micheal,
I really enjoy reading your blog :-)
you are an excellent writer, so please do update regulary!
Good for you. As a nation who has interned Asians, I can say that it just takes one moronic idea and a few thousand moronic followers to convince the masses that a miserable, racist idea is a good one. They incite fear and hatred in the hearts of the ignorant and uncultured, and horrible, horrible actions result. Good for you for calling attention and stating your opinion. Even the least political of persons needs to voice their opinion. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."- Burke.
there is a "BIG" race problem - the sooner it kicks off the better !
When the niggers and pakis leave our homeland then there will be no need for the BNP. Britan is for WHITE people!
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