griffin on question time, will you be watching?

[LilMissHissyFit]

I know it wont influence me to vote for him and his parties disgusting policies but I believe in his right to free speech and do actually agree with the Beebs reasons for allowing the BNP onto the programme. Every time Ive heard them on the radio/Tv they end up looking like asshats when questioned closely about their policies/politics anyway
Should make or entertaining viewing if he falls on his ass when challenged

 

[London_Calling]

The BNP have always been there (in one guise or another) and they will always be there. The blame for their current popularity lays entirely with the mainstream political parties in general and New Labour in particular for effectively abandoning the white, working class a decade ago. So many now feel they have no where else to go other than to register a protest vote.

If the mainstream actually addressed immigration and economic migration instead of lying and vascillating then the BBC wouldn't be in the position they are of defending putting an elected MEP on QT.

 

[Azrael]

The blame for their current popularity lays entirely with the mainstream political parties in general and New Labour in particular for effectively abandoning the white, working class a decade ago.

They also abandoned Asian people in divided ex-industrial towns and black people in sink estates. Along with every other ethnicity in similar circumstances. It's not about ethnicity, which is why a non-bigoted party that addressed the issues that the elite have handed to Mr Griffin would swiftly wipe the floor with the misfits, racial bigots and louts in the BNP.

 

[trevhagl]

is stopping the free speech of someone who would silence the free speech of most of us, wrong?

 

[Azrael]

Correct, it is wrong, or you no longer have free speech. Criminalising an activity doesn't end it. You can't stop free speech: just drive it into dark corners where it's most dangerous. I want Mr Griffin's poisonous views confronted openly.

Like Louis Brandeis said, "Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. Electric light, the most efficient policeman."

 

[Metal Malcolm]

Not watching as i'm seeing Modeselektor tonight, but will check on iplayer when I get in. he's standing for MP in Thurrock where I grew up, so i'm very interested to see where it goes.

 

[invisibleplanet]

Yes, but I normally watch Question Time (QT) anyway.

My parents, who don't watch QT anymore are going to watch tonight, so they can laugh at Griffin from the comfort of their armchairs.

No platforming Griffin has unfortunately denied many the chance to laugh openly at Griffin's loony view of Britain.

 

[goldenecitrone]

Yep, I can't really not watch it. I might throw eggs at the telly though.

Eggs aren't enough to vent my true anger. I've brought some dog poop home with me just for Mr.Griffin.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

much as i don't want him on there i won't be able to stop myself watching it

Me neither. It'll be interesting to see the crowd reactions.

 

[madzone]

It's on past my bedtime and I only got about 4 hrs sleep last night but I will be doing my best to watch it.

 

[Sasaferrato]

I was watching the protests on the news earlier, I suddenly wondered who were the fascists?

 

[Orang Utan]

I was watching the protests on the news earlier, I suddenly wondered who were the fascists?

stupid man

 

[Flashman]

Going to miss it as the telly has been commandeered by gamers

But I'll watch it on the QT site when it's up.

 

[Azrael]

stupid man

Cliches become cliches from being stated often. Doesn't make them untrue.

No, the protesters aren't as bad as Mr Griffin. That would be glib and unfair. But they do want him silenced for having wrong opinions. Which is where fascism starts. If by fascism you mean one-party authoritarian government, and not what George Orwell noticed 60 odd years ago: "The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies 'something not desirable'."

I think his opinions are wrong and sinister as well. But I don't think I have the right to silence him because of it. Nor do I think it'd work. By contrast, fashionable opinion says the best way to deal with dangerous views is to ban them. I want no part of that. However noble the intent, that's how political oppression gets going.

 

[audiotech]

I was watching the protests on the news earlier, I suddenly wondered who were the fascists?

If they aren't hoisted aloft like Mussolini and chums I'm not interested.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Only gets complicated if you don't actually believe in it, and sacrifice thousands of trees arguing where a line should be drawn, rather than if.

We'll see. For me, it isn't about freedom of speech, but rather how many lies elected representatives are allowed to get away with in public debates. Normally, QT allows a huge number of such lies to pass unchallenged, and I fear that Griffin will be allowed to get away with some tonight. You can't engage with Griffin until you've thoroughly examined his opinions on race. I fear he will be allowed to talk about other matters as if it were valid for him to be allowed to do so.

 

[Azrael]

We'll see. For me, it isn't about freedom of speech, but rather how many lies elected representatives are allowed to get away with in public debates. Normally, QT allows a huge number of such lies to pass unchallenged, and I fear that Griffin will be allowed to get away with some tonight. You can't engage with Griffin until you've thoroughly examined his opinions on race. I fear he will be allowed to talk about other matters as if it were valid for him to be allowed to do so.

That's a fair point. Dishonesty has become endemic in political debate, and poisons the well of opinion. It's this climate that's allowed Mr Griffin to flourish.

Over in P&P it's rumoured that Jack Straw had a copy of a leaflet where Mr Griffin rants about Jewish conspiracies and similar Protocols of the Elders of Zion muck. So he'll probably be challenged. But I imagine they'll be trying to get him prosecuted for "hate speech" in the process, which lets him play the martyr. Doubtless he'll claim he's been slandered.

And when they do slander him for putting over conservative positions on law & order and immigration (positions he couldn't care less about in reality), people will think they're exaggerating the racism.

Win win for Mr Griffin, right now.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

But I imagine they'll be trying to get him prosecuted for "hate speech" in the process, which lets him play the martyr. Doubtless he'll claim he's been slandered.

Well apparently, the BBC will edit out any incitement of race hatred. Surely getting him on national TV and provoking him into incitement of race hatred is the only valid reason to have him on.

 

[tbaldwin]

They also abandoned Asian people in divided ex-industrial towns and black people in sink estates. Along with every other ethnicity in similar circumstances. It's not about ethnicity, which is why a non-bigoted party that addressed the issues that the elite have handed to Mr Griffin would swiftly wipe the floor with the misfits, racial bigots and louts in the BNP.

I think your 100% right on that....But sadly there isnt a party like that.....

 

[Azrael]

Well apparently, the BBC will edit out any incitement of race hatred. Surely getting him on national TV and provoking him into incitement of race hatred is the only valid reason to have him on.

Not if you loathe free speech, and believe that we're so feeble we have to be protected from racial bigotry, in case we're converted on the spot.

I think your 100% right on that....But sadly there isnt a party like that.....

Not until the current two collapse, or undergo coups from people who actually want to disagree.

 

[andy2002]

I'm not watching 1) because I'm at work and 2) because the only time I want to see that piece of shit on my TV is when he's put up against a wall and shot.

 

[purplex]

Would watch it, but i cant im in germany, unless its on bbc world.

 

[Jayen4]

because the only time I want to see that piece of shit on my TV is when he's put up against a wall and shot.

Oh wonderful ! And you're calling him and the BNP ???

 

[andy2002]

Oh wonderful ! And you're calling him and the BNP ???

Facepalm! MEGA LOLZ!

 

[ChocolateTeapot]

If this site is true to form, they will form an action committee to resolve a trying to do about him and as events pass by, and an even more strenouos resolution

 

[john x]

Oh wonderful ! And you're calling him and the BNP ???

You don't think fascists should be shot?

john x

 

[goldenecitrone]

having seen him make mincemeat of paxman before, i don't think some two-bit minister like straw with a load of expenses baggage is going to present much of a threat.

Was Paxman asleep at the time. Or are you just easily impressed. Griffin's a complete tool.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Was Paxman asleep at the time. Or are you just easily impressed. Griffin's a complete tool.

He is, but he's just managed to get all three main parties compete in an anti-immigration wanking contest. In that sense, he won.

 

[Orang Utan]

He is, but he's just managed to get all three main parties compete in an anti-immigration wanking contest. In that sense, he won.

yes indeed. not one person stood up for multi-culturalism. how depressing.

 

[Azrael]

He is, but he's just managed to get all three main parties compete in an anti-immigration wanking contest. In that sense, he won.

That sums it up exactly. Thing is, all three believe in mass immigration from the EU, so they're not even honest. Their idea of "anti-immigration" is to make life horrible for the most vulnerable, namely asylum seekers, to mask their general powerlessness. We can't do anything serious about immigration while we're in the EU, and all of them support it.

If we reasserted our national sovereignty, we could have a fair system that wouldn't need to humiliate anyone. But that's much too sensible to be pursued. Score one for Mr Griffin.