What point is being served by prosecuting Nick Griffin? All it seems to be doing is giving him publicity and creating sympathy for him.
Freedom of speech is about tolerating views you disagree with. As Voltaire said 'I may hate what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it'.
Your cheap shot trying to suggest I am a fascist is ridiculous. Trying to suppress the racist views of the BNP won't make them go away. When people hear their views they are mostly disgusted. We have to win the argument against the racists not drive them underground.
Racism is endemic in this country and it is the scandalous Mail, Sun, Express, Telegraph headlines and Tory propaganda on immigration and asylum that fuel the BNP.
These cartoons are different. There is nothing here that Steve Bell hasn't done to politicians or other religions on a daily basis in the Guardian. They criticise religion's absurdity not any group of people.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Evelyn Beatrice Hall writing as S.G. Tallentyre in 1906 (Commonly attributed to Voltaire of whom Hall wrote a biography).
Well done on publishing this and taking your stand, alongside Mr Griffin of the BNP, for freedom of speech in this country!
ReplyDeleteWhat point is being served by prosecuting Nick Griffin? All it seems to be doing is giving him publicity and creating sympathy for him.
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech is about tolerating views you disagree with. As Voltaire said 'I may hate what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it'.
Your cheap shot trying to suggest I am a fascist is ridiculous. Trying to suppress the racist views of the BNP won't make them go away. When people hear their views they are mostly disgusted. We have to win the argument against the racists not drive them underground.
Racism is endemic in this country and it is the scandalous Mail, Sun, Express, Telegraph headlines and Tory propaganda on immigration and asylum that fuel the BNP.
These cartoons are different. There is nothing here that Steve Bell hasn't done to politicians or other religions on a daily basis in the Guardian. They criticise religion's absurdity not any group of people.
Voltaire didn't say that.
ReplyDelete"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Evelyn Beatrice Hall writing as S.G. Tallentyre in 1906 (Commonly attributed to Voltaire of whom Hall wrote a biography).
ReplyDeleteWell to be exact Voltaire said;
ReplyDelete'Monsieur l'abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.'
Letter to M. le Riche, February 6, 1770