Michael Savage may not have the influence of a Limbaugh or Hannity, but Savage is still one of the leading right-wing radio hosts in America. As such, Michael Savage has the expected enemies from the other side of the aisle, and even some from his side. Now, Michael Savage can add Britain itself to his list of enemies, as they don’t want him anywhere near their land. Even if Savage wanted to come to England, he is banned from doing so by Britain’s Home Office.
Home Office Secretary Jacqui Smith put Savage and 15 other high profile names on a ban in October, with the news just getting out today. According to this list, the danger of letting Savage into England is on a equal par with letting a select few skinheads, Nazis and terrorists into the country.
Michael Savage was put on this list before Obama took office, so his crowd can’t be blamed for this specific incident. However, right-wing blogs and commentators have long feared that Obama and his people will eventually try to shut down right-wing talk radio and bar them from making their opinions heard.
They now have the opening to say that Britain banning Michael Savage will just be a preview of what’s to come in an Obama administration.
The Britain Home Office’s specific reason for banning Savage is that he is “seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence.” Left-wingers often say that and more about the likes of Savage and Limbaugh every other week.
The issue Savage is accused of “fostering hatred” over is likely illegal immigration. Opinions against illegal immigrants are more likely to be considered hate speech in London, and in some circles in America.
Most recently, Savage accused illegal immigrants of being the carriers of the swine flu. Rep. Steve Israel from New York has attacked Savage over this argument, and refused to accept Savage’s invitation to debate because of his “dangerous, hateful lies.”
Lest anyone accuse Britain of singling out white conservative men in this list, there are plenty of foreign names accused of terrorist ties among these 16 barred names. There is a white religious preacher who is also banned, but far fewer people are likely to be upset or surprised that London banned him.
The other most high profile name on this list is Fred Phelps, of the infamous and widely hated Westboro Baptist Church. Phelps and his daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, were banned for their infamous “God Hates Fags” protests at pretty much every high profile funeral in America.
Since it is far more uneasy to defend Phelps’ free-speech rights in London, the outrage at this report will likely have to be centered on Savage’s inclusion.
Sources
Guardian- “The Home Office list of people banned from the UK” www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/05/list-of-people-banned-from-uk
Newsday- “Rep. Steve Israel’s Savage fight” weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2009/05/steve_israels_savage_fight.html
Prison Planet- “Talk Show Host Banned From UK For Political Opinions” www.prisonplanet.com/talk-show-host-banned-from-uk-for-political-opinions.html
