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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A reluctant defense of Michael Savage

Before I start, I must admit that I do agree with Michael Savage about one thing: His real last name is bad enough to warrant the use of such a cheesy pseudonym. However, I do find it more than a bit fitting that such an extremist jerk would have the last name "Weiner". And though I would protest most of his views with my dying breath, I wish him the best of luck in his libel suit against UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. He simply is not dangerous enough to warrant that level of sanction. As abhorrent and repugnant as he and his views are, he has never incited, planned, or committed any crimes. None have died or been harmed by or as a result of his words, beyond offended sensibilities, and that is insufficient cause to levy this type of sanction in a free society. I would go so far as to say the same about those Westboro Baptist freaks, though the case for banning them is stronger in that instance. Neither pose any actual danger to the UK, and if they do, the UK is lost anyway, without their input. Though, in a sense, I fear the United Kingdom have lost already, by sacrificing too many of their critical freedoms in the name of "security."

As virulent and nasty as Michael Savage is, he has never called for assassinations, murders, or other crimes, unlike Pat Robertson who is not on their blacklist. Unlike Al Sharpton, his words have not sparked riots that have left businesses in ruins and people dead. Unlike Fred Phelps and his merry band of freaks, he has never picketed, nor has he ever encouraged others to picket, funerals of heroes to further his malign agenda. He is a nasty, vile, and hate-filled individual, and he fills me with a deep loathing. However, given his overall history compared to the others on the UK blacklist, and given the UK's very selective enforcement of that statute, the UK is undeniably wrong in that instance. A free society can survive a person such as Michael Savage far better than it can survive such extreme intrusions and abridgments of free speech. I wish Mr. Weiner the best of luck in his libel suit against Home Secretary Smith, and given the UK's libel laws, I think he has a far better shot at it than he would here.

This song is dedicated to Mr. Weiner himself. I think he would LOVE this artist. Enjoy.