Currently the United Kingdom has posted its "least wanted" list. This is a group of individuals the UK belives pose a threat to its' national security and democratic interests. Among these individuals is an American radio host, Michael Savage. Cnn.com states that reason for Savage being on the list is due to him "seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence." However, Savage is striking back and possibly may even present a legal case against the UK.
Savage cites partiotism as his main reason for the things he has previously said, and believes England has no right to attempt to silence him. However, the UK contends that Savage is an extremist and posts and immediate danger. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is adament on keeping Savage on the list and explains, "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," Smith said. "Therefore, I do not hesitate to name and shame those who foster extremist views, as I want them to know that they are not welcome here."
Attourneys in England are salivating over the opportunity to represent Savage and other list memebers in order to "set the record straight and win quite a large settlement." Other members of the list as reported by cnn.com include:
The Rev. Fred Phelps and his daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, for "engaging in unacceptable behavior and fostering hatred." Phelps and his followers at Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, oppose homosexuality. They picket the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq, saying their deaths are God's way of punishing the United States for supporting homosexuals. They have expressed similar views about the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks and Hurricane Katrina.
Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard Don Black, who established the white supremacist Web site Stormfront. The Home Office called it one of the oldest and largest hate group sites.
Erich Gliebe, chairman of the National Alliance, one of the largest neo-Nazi groups in the U.S. The Home Office accused Gliebe of "justifying terrorist violence, provoking others to commit serious crime and fostering racial hatred."
Samir al Quntar, a Lebanese man who spent three decades in prison for killing four Israeli soldiers and a 4-year-old girl in 1979. The Home Office lists al Quntar for "engaging in unacceptable behavior by seeking to foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence" to provoke terrorist acts.
Nasr Javed, a leader of the Kashmiri militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Islamic clerics Abdul Ali Musa, Abdullah Qadri Al Ahdal, Amir Siddique, Yunis Al Astal and Safwat Hijazi.
Wadgy Abd El Hamied Mohamed Ghoneim, whom the Home Office describes as a prolific writer and speaker. The Home Office said he has sought "to foment, justify or glory terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs and to provoke others to commit terrorist acts."
Although it is clear that some of the list members do deserve to be on such a list, it is still unique for the UK to publically name such intentions. Herein lies the problem. Where does national security go to far? Should all nations have such lists or do they only provoke more anger and bigger threats from those who are on them? Only the furture can tell that story. However, regardless of the outcome, Michael Savage contends he will not be silenced. "I'm a patriotic American, and if that's a crime in England, God help us all."
No comments:
Post a Comment