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.
Here is the letter: Savage letter
Jonathan Turley
You left out a few family members…the sheep, sister, the dog, cousins, cows, aunts, horses…the list can go on and on…
Intellibronc,
I’m sorry, but I’m a precision user of the English language. I don’t speak fluent Imbecile so I couldn’t make heads nor tails of your gibberish other than you seem to be mad about “Dr.” Savage being made to look like the putz he is by presenting a list of verifiable facts to contradict the bloviating of his uniformed opinion. Come back when you can make a cogent comment or when your parents quit locking you in the closet to keep you from molesting pets and small farm animals. Whichever comes first.
@Intellibronc, I have succeeded in life nicely thanks I just don’t go around telling everyone how terrible things are. And I’m not accepting people’s hard earned money for a defense fund. So you think the president directly controls gas prices, I guess you have to blame someone. Keep listening to Weiner complain about how the government is screwing us as he tells you about terrible life.
@laughing in TX, it’s ok that you’ve never succeeded, this once was a free country. What’s scarily comical is that the ‘media’ has yet to ask the tough questions that need to be asked. Oh and why is diesel so expensive, go ask your puppet in chief, this is by design tool.
hey buddha, your ‘list’ of quotes proves nothing other than the fact that someone in the ‘media’ has the spine to state the facts. So you agree with illegal immigration destroying school systems, rampant promulgation of radical islam, corrupt senators on the take, pharmaceuticals running the dhc and epa, socialism in our gov’t and an imposter occupying our White House? Just another tool of the globalists is what you’ve shown yourself to be. I hear iran and venezuela are looking for stenographers; you seem to fit the bill perfectly.
I listen to this clown just for laughs. I like the callers who start their call with Dr. Savage (hint: he doesn’t exist) you know your in for a real kiss-ass call. To all you Wiener lovers do you listen closely when he screams and yells about the government and the state of America while telling you about his multiple houses, and yachts. Keep sending in your dollars for the Weiner defense fund the cost of diesel is getting outrageous.
It’s a wonderful thing the internet. You can now listen to what Michael Savage has to say rather than accept the rubbish that a former disgraced Home Secretary had to say about him when she instigated the ban.
Sure, his language is robust and he has some daft ideas about some issues….but much of what he has to say, particularly about radical islam is spot on.
I contrast what I have heard from the man himself with the ghastly islamofascists who threaten my life. Mr Savage has never threatened me.
Looking back at the BBC news at the time the ban was introduced, it is clear that he was included as a token white American amongst the cesspit of radical muslims who threaten death to all non-muslims. Yet another example of BBC bias and cynical New Labour manipulation.
This country is going to the dogs!
“He (referring to the weiner guy) deserves Fox’s abandonment.”
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Actually, he deserves the abandonment of the whole human race. There may be people out there who are more hateful, but they are few and far between, thank goodness.
Michael continuingly blasts Fox News for not sticking up for him, or at least not even reporting this UK news. Why would Fox News support anyone who mocks/degrades some of their own commentators (i.e. O’Reilly-leprechaun; Hannity-wallbanger; Glenn Beck-hemorrhoid;). MIchael spits puke on fellow conservatives with whom he disagrees. He deserves Fox’s abandonment.
Buddha,
Savage–an entertainer? Only to those who enjoy listening to the racist, sexist, and homophobic rants of this hatemonger.
Boo Hoo little mikey weiner cant go to england, would mikey like some treif cheese with his whine?
james,
And I’m sorry you’re so ignorant that you think an entertainer is an oracle. If you don’t like that I have the same 1st Amendment rights as “Dr.” Savage – including the right to be critical of him and his stupidity – then I suggest you take it up with the Founding Fathers.
Buddha Is Laughing you sure have alot of anger, rage, and hate inside that you project onto others. Sorry you are so unhappy in life!
I don’t care whether you like or hate what M.S. expresses on his radio show or in any interview.
Minds like his need to prevail – and here is why:
– individualistic, critical thinking ability
– a love for literature and literary context
– an understanding of the human condition (in the tradition of
the great writers)
– a sharp sense of humor (sometimes disturbingly so)
– independence from the influence of media moguls
– an unwavering conviction of not seeing the world in black &
white
– speaking honestly truth to power (be that left or right)
Rather would I accept being insulted by Savage(s) on a daily basis, than to live in a dumbed-down media landscape of tapioca opinions that pander to the lowest common denomenator.
Read Aldous Huxley’s “Brave new world” and you’ll know why his existence is so important!!!
Savage conceals his Jewish ancestry. Even Bill O’Reilly thinks he is a Christian:
O’REILLY: Now you’re not a churchgoing guy. That was another thing that caught my ear as I was riding around.
SAVAGE: Not at all.
O’REILLY: You don’t go to church. You’re not a real strong God guy. So why are you so…
SAVAGE: Wait, wait. No, no. Bill — Bill — Bill, I’m a very strong God-believing man. I just don’t go to houses of worship, except maybe once or twice a year, because whether you — well, whether people accept it or not, I am in touch with God all day long.
O’REILLY: All right. That’s fine. That’s your belief.
SAVAGE: I talk to God.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,97475,00.html
What irony After reading a portion of Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – I pop on to Micheal Savages’ website and see him being banned again from England.In Atlas Shrugged, page 809, they fire a news broadcaster because his guest wanted to tell the truth about what government actions would mean to every person left in the country and the government pulled them off the air….. permanently.
Zeena
1, May 25, 2011 at 11:42 pm
One wonders why London is called Londonistan.
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i’m guessing bigots
O S
after they kept refering to weiner as dr. i had to look that one up too. somehow i doubt nutritional ethnomedicine is taught at many schools outside of california.
i think the radio show would get along just fine if they used michaels real name.
The Weiner Nation, sounds about right.
The banning of Mr. Savage shows that Sharia Law is reigning in England (and in Europe for this matter).This is the English version of the Islamic Blasphemy Law. If you say anything offensive to Islam, you are punished, even if what you say is the truth.In Islam you are murdered, in England and in Europe you are sued or forbidden entry to the country.
England did the same with Gert Wilders,who was barred from entering the country.
In France, the government went after Brigitte Bardot, sued her, and threatened to put her in jail for offending Islam.
However English Blasphemy Law does not apply to militant Muslims who offend and threaten the Queen and England( and all the countries in Europe). Muslims are allowed to swear violence against the democratic and christian nations, and are protected under freedom of speech. Anjem Choudary just threatened Obama, and got away with it. One wonders why London is called Londonistan.
Mr. Savage, Gert Wilders, Brigitte Bardot to name a few, are all courageous citizens who are trying to worn the West to the dangers of Islamic invasion and imposition of Sharia Law.