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RSSOh, the Delicious Irony… #4 – Why were you protesting about Nick Griffin being on BBC Question Time?
Oct 24
BBC, Media, Politics, The Delicious Irony Series 4 Comments
On Thursday, 8 million people tuned in to watch Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party (BNP), ramble on about some useless twaddle about how Britain needs to remain British. I watched the programme, and thought it was fantastic; the debate was very interesting, and I loved watching Griffin squirm as he couldn’t give an answer to anything respectable.
While some of you may know me as a supporter of the BBC, regardless of my viewpoint, any public organisation has the remit to be as fair, democratic, and neutral as possible – and the BNP is a democratic political party, just like the Tories, the Lib Dems, the Greens, UKIP, SNP, etc. therefore, they should have the same treatment as any other party. Just because their policies are slightly more extreme than most, nearly 2% of the UK population has in the past supported the BNP in some way, and their voice should be heard. That’s as fair as it can be. Any other commercial TV network has the right to tell the BNP to shove off, but the BBC can’t. Even so, I am glad the broadcast went ahead, as I was glad to see what the guy had to say for himself.
So what about all these bloody protesters?
Ok, I understand why they may not want to see him on their TV screens, of which they are paying a small fortune for with the TV licence, but lets not forget – everybody has some political party that wish not to see on the TV – you can only vote for one! Turns out they are protesting that it was the BBC’s decision to let them on, and therefore supporting the party by giving it a much broader viewing audience. Fair enough, but – what exactly is the “broader viewing audience” actually seeing? Oh yes – a public burning session of Nick Griffin and his grummy little party. No wonder that Griffin was complaining yesterday that the audience and the panelists treated him unfairly and rather like a ‘lynch mob’. But surely that’s what the protesters wanted? Seeing Griffin being humiliated like that? Irony perhaps?
You can watch the Question Time debate, while it’s available in the UK, here, on BBC iPlayer.
Oct 24, 2009 @ 19:33:17
Racism begins with our families, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents, people we admire, respect and love.
However, as we grow and mature we come to the realization that what we were told by of family when we were children were slanted lies base on their prejudices. We realize that most people are more alike than different and want the same things, like a home, steady work, a Medicare plan and schools for our children (if you travel you will see this).
We realize that most people are of good hearts and goodwill.
This current climate of blaming others for our woes is not new. We have had this before and we have conquered it .
Remember “Evil flourishes when good men (and women) do nothing”. Raise your voices with those of us who believe we are equal and we can again win this battle.
Oct 26, 2009 @ 12:03:13
Thank you for the response dude, you are absolutely right in your definition of racism.
The problem I have, though, with the BNP is while they deny that they are ‘racist’, the fact of the matter is that if they discriminate a certain minority, religion, race of people, etc., which they do, it is, in my opinion – racist.
And I believe that what they are saying/proposing/preaching has no place in British 21st century politics. As an advocacy group, perhaps – but not a political party. How can they possibly say that you have to be straight, white, and within a certain generation of British heritage, to join the BNP – yet anyone in the country has the freedom to vote for them?
Oct 29, 2009 @ 18:24:11
It does irritate me slightly that all of Britain is getting it’s knickers in a twist over Griffin being allowed on the Beeb, yet it is because ALOT of Britain has voted for the BNP that they are there. It’s like people saying ‘McDonalds shouldn’t exist as everybody thinks their food tastes like crap’… when the fact is that most people like McDonalds, but feel it’s a serious faux pas to admit it in public.
Also – the audience made that particular edition of Question Time crap, because all they did was for Griffin’s jugular. I remember when Question Time dealt with MANY of the issues effecting British politics, not just pampering to the self-indulgant headlines. Aunty did all it could to make the best out of the situation, as did it revel in vilifying Griffin.
Just incase the ‘You Must Be A Racist Because You Don’t Hate The BNP’ group are about… I would like to point out, that I don’t agree with A LOT of what Griffin has to say, nor do I agree with most of the BNP’s ideas, however I do believe we live in a developed country where we all have the right to openly express ourselves. Even idiots.
Oct 30, 2009 @ 20:59:21
Mate, you are absolutely right, and most of what I have been trying to tell friends and people has been summed up in that comment!
I couldn’t really understand why so many people were irritated by him being on the show… after all, 900,000 people have voted for the BNP in the past since they formed… thats what, a good 1 in 70 of us. It sounds like a small proportion… but more people vote for the BNP annually than women get diagnosed breast cancer…
Thanks for your comment, welcomed, as all are!