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Here is an encouraging sign that a large segment of the British population, at least, is no longer willing to allow itself to be bullied and intimidated into silence about radical Islam while radical Muslims operate with relative impunity: "Fifty thousand people have voiced opposition to the BBC's suspension of a popular television show after its host Robert Kilroy-Silk made inflammatory remarks against Arabs, a British tabloid newspaper said." This from Yahoo News, with thanks to LGF.
"As a row over the comments simmered on, the Daily Express said 50,000 had responded in a phone poll to back Kilroy-Silk's reinstatement.
"'Thousands' more had protested to the BBC, added the Express, which accused the public broadcaster of 'gagging' Kilroy-Silk, a former Labour party lawmaker.
"The BBC suspended the veteran host's morning show 'Kilroy', on which guests discuss topical and personal issues, pending an investigation after the presenter lambasted Arabs as 'suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors' in an article published in the Sunday Express on January 4.
"'We're sick and tired of being gagged' was the front-page response of the Daily Express Tuesday, which said there was 'growing anger over what is being seen as a test case for the very principle of freedom of speech in this country.' The rightwing paper claimed the support of Michael Howard, leader of Britain's main opposition Conservative Party. Howard told the Express: 'While it is absolutely wrong to talk about people in categories, I also think that our tradition of free speech is precious and that is something we should never lose sight of.'
"In an editorial, the paper accused the BBC of political correctness. 'The corporation, once synonymous with truth around the world, is guilty of censorship,' it blasted.
"Kilroy-Silk told the paper: 'People are getting sick of debate being stifled while at the same time you have (Islamic) militants on the streets of London shouting "Kill the infidel!"'"
"On Monday, the presenter insisted that he had intended to criticise certain Arab regimes, not Arabs in general. 'If that is the way it was read, that I was smearing all Arabs, then clearly I apologise for that because I didn't intend that,' he said.
But that was not enough to satisfy Iqbal Sacranie, head of the British Muslim Council, which groups 350 Muslim associations. Sacranie said: 'The "regret" that Kilroy is now expressing ... about his breathtakingly racist anti-Arab rant is plainly disingenuous and an obvious attempt to save his well-paid career.'" It is noteworthy that Iqbal Sacranie was able to state this dark opinion of Kilroy-Silk's true feelings and beliefs in the public forum.
Posted by Robert at January 13, 2004 11:50 AM
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PBS is supported by American taxpayers. PBScarries the BBC. PBS pays BBC for carrying its stories -- which is to say, American taxpayers are paying for the Lord Haw-Haws and Tokyo Roses of the BBC, with Director Greg Dyke, and such inimitable voices and personalities as those of Judy Swallow, Lise Doucette, Robin Lustig and others whose pro-Arab and pro-Muslim pandering (and hectoring of American and Israeli spokesmen) have helped earn the BBC pride of place, just after Al Jazeera, among Arab audiences.
Qaere: what can be done to end all U.S. taxpayer subsidies to an organization, the BBC, that is adamantly against the First Amendment, and while it provides a steady dose of anti-American and antisemitic (anti-Israel)stories and interviews --- through lexical choises, through phrasing and intonation, through selection and placement of those interviewed (including, amazingly, such Hamas supporters as Tamimi). There is no need for American taxpayers to fund PBS any longer(Joan Kroc's $200 million legacy is doing that nicely, along with the support it now provides Tariq Ramadan) if Kilroy-Silk is not permitted to state views which, in fact, millions of people agree with and are relieved to hear, despite the vast campaign of disinformation to prevent us from speaking, or hearing, certain almost self-evident truths.
What "race" are the Arabs again?
Posted by: Palandine at January 13, 2004 1:13 PM...but let's see how the lefty papers cover this. no doubt pandering obsequiousness to political correctness. this left-muslim alliance is going to get us in to a lot of hot water here in britain....
Posted by: scott at January 14, 2004 11:13 AM
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