Talk Host Michael Savage Barred From UK Entry

LAST GASP

Troubled Labour Bars Outsiders With Dissenting Views







Ahead of a crushing defeat at the next general election, Britain's dying Labour Party government has pandered to its politically-correct base by publishing a list of "undesirables" banned from entry into the UK.

Making headlines here in America this morning is the fact that syndicated talk host Michael Savage has made the list, along with Muslim, Jewish and Christian individuals considered by Labour to hold extreme views.

According to the most recent surveys, Labour and highly unpopular Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to be swept from power by Conservatives at the next general election, with projections of a substantial Tory majority, perhaps as high as 132 seats.

Regardless of how one might feel about Savage and his often atypical views (that's not the issue here, so let's take the emotions out of it), there's no known evidence that he's made any attempt to visit Britain or spread his political philosophy there in any way. Many of the others on the list are Islamic extremists clearly bent on promoting terrorism in that country.

Have a few Jews and others (including the kooky Phelps family) been thrown in as some sort of PC balancing act?

Update: Savage has reacted to the move here.


Especially curious is the fact that Home Office Secretary Jacqui Smith hasn't provided any specific information on the move to ban Savage. But the Telegraph suggests it may be related to his questioning of Obama's belief system:

After years of criticism, the tougher exclusions policy is an attempt to take "stronger action against those we suspect of stirring up tensions", the Home Office said. More than five "promoters of hate" are being excluded a month.

However while the strict measures ban extremists from entering Britain, questions are being asked about the continued "threat from within".

Jacqui Smith has faced repeated calls to ban the Hizb ut-Tahrir group, and the successor organisation of al-Muhajiroun, both of which Tony Blair promised to proscribe in 2005.

They insist they are non-violent, however the organisations, which have thrived on university campuses, are accused of providing a gateway to more extremist groups - a claim they deny.

Two months ago The Daily Telegraph disclosed that the Home Office had also failed to shut down a single terrorist website, despite a similar pledge by the former Prime Minister four years ago.

The individuals concerned include animal rights extremists, right to life extremists, homophobe extremists, far right extremists, as well as advocates of hatred and violence in support of their religious beliefs.

Those banned on grounds of their "unacceptable behaviour" include preachers Abdullah Qadri Al Ahdal, Wadgy Mohamed Ghoneim and Yunis Al Astal. All of them are considered to "foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence".

Also excluded is Michael Savage, a right-wing American talk radio host with eight million listeners a week, who describes his own style as "explosive" and liberalism as a "mental disorder"..

He once asked whether President Barack "Madrasah" Obama was a "so-called friendly Muslim'' or one more "radical".

The Home Office said that Mr Savage was "considered to be engaging in unacceptable behaviour by seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence".

Miss Smith, Home Secretary, said: "Coming to the UK is a privilege and I refuse to extend that privilege to individuals who abuse our standards and values to undermine our way of life. Therefore, I will not hesitate to name and shame those who foster extremist views as I want them to know that they are not welcome here.

For the left, this stunt is sure to backfire as it propels Savage into the headlines and sparks a fresh round of curiosity about his show. His ratings could easily double and book sales could be jump-started, particularly as curious Britons wonder what the fuss is all about.

This could be considered a Frankie Goes To Hollywood effect, as their 1984 single "Relax" rocketed to number one after it was banned by the BBC.

Remember that your Radio Equalizer is not necessarily a defender of his viewpoints or behavior and that this site has been criticized by Savage himself during the program. But this move is silly, akin to Janet Napolitano's "right wing" report that similarly proved embarrassing for her office.

In fact that story is back in the news today as it has been revealed that Homeland Security issued and quickly retracted an "extremism dictionary".


Britain certainly has a sovereign right to deny entry to anyone it deems undesirable. But this move should seen for what it really is: a public relations disaster for a dying government.



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