NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7898972.stm?lss

A father and daughter from a US church which preaches hatred of homosexuals have been banned from entering the UK.

Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper from the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) had urged protests against a play being put on in Hampshire.

Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke is staging The Laramie Project, a play about a man killed for being gay.

Ms Phelps-Roper told BBC News Online the decision would "bring great wrath upon your heads".

She warned other members of the church, who are not as well known to the authorities, will be trying to get into the UK to protest.

"There are members of WBC that are not named Phelps," she added.

We have a different take on free speech here in the UK than in the US - personally I am glad that we are not allowing these people into the country.

We have a different take on free speech here in the UK than in the US
Aye. Happy days.

I wonder if they've registered godhatesengland.com yet.


No, they haven't. Quick, someone get it and make it redirect to godlovesengland.com

awww cmon you guys could take them for a while. you went to IRAQ for us, for god's sake. you can do this one little thing more.

PLEEEEEEEZE!

awww cmon you guys could take them for a while. you went to IRAQ for us, for god's sake. you can do this one little thing more.

PLEEEEEEEZE!
There are certain limits to how much we love freedom :tongue:

awww cmon you guys could take them for a while. you went to IRAQ for us, for god's sake. you can do this one little thing more.

PLEEEEEEEZE!

There's Iraq and there's the Phelpseses.

awww cmon you guys could take them for a while. you went to IRAQ for us, for god's sake. you can do this one little thing more.

PLEEEEEEEZE!

We fell for that with Madonna, it is not going to happen again.

Why do they feel the need to come to another country to bitch and whine?

"There are members of WBC that are not named Phelps," she added.

Now that is the real news of the whole thing.

Now that is the real news of the whole thing.

Well, at least one is a Phelps-Roper.

I don't approve of this, personally. I'm pretty stringent on my support for free speech. That said, I will voice my general disapproval of the WBC, which seems to be the only issue that NSG agrees on.

yay!

I don't approve of this, personally. I'm pretty stringent on my support for free speech.
Yeah here in the UK you can say what you like about the institutions of government, but if you start insulting general groups of people, we tell you to fuck right off. Which is about the right level of free speech, in my opinion.

Why do they feel the need to come to another country to bitch and whine?
Because GOD LOVES THEM AND TOLD THEM THAT HE, THE ALMIGHTY, HATES EVERYONE ELSE!!!!!

Yeah here in the UK you can say what you like about the institutions of government, but if you start insulting general groups of people, we tell you to fuck right off. Which is about the right level of free speech, in my opinion.

That explains Abu Qatada

We fell for that with Madonna, it is not going to happen again.
and thank you so much for that one too. it was a great relief to have her over there for a few years.

i wonder if she's gone back to her american accent yet.

No! Too soon! You're supposed to wait until they're on the plane, and then ban them, and give every other country a chance to ban them as well while they're gone. Then we experience a weapons malfunction and reduce them to so much flotsam.

That explains Abu Qatada
Exactly.
and thank you so much for that one too. it was a great relief to have her over there for a few years.

i wonder if she's gone back to her american accent yet.
I hope so -_-
No! Too soon! You're supposed to wait until they're on the plane, and then ban them, and give every other country a chance to ban them as well while they're gone. Then we experience a weapons malfunction and reduce them to so much flotsam.
Would rather just have them die old and unloved than make them martyrs. See also Mugabe.

Exactly.

I hope so -_-

Would rather just have them die old and unloved than make them martyrs. See also Mugabe.

I dunno how good they'd be as martyrs, provided that the "If you keep this shit up in their absence, we will put you in a plane and explode it, too" message carries.

No! Too soon! You're supposed to wait until they're on the plane, and then ban them, and give every other country a chance to ban them as well while they're gone. Then we experience a weapons malfunction and reduce them to so much flotsam.
I don't wish them dead. I wish them to be on world-wide ignore. Seriously, if every media outlet in the world had the balls to just say no to even alluding to the hateful shit they spew, the world would be a better place.

I dunno how good they'd be as martyrs, provided that the "If you keep this shit up in their absence, we will put you in a plane and explode it, too" message carries.
Meh. Can't expect arse-kicking to work against cults of personality. It's why the Mahdi army wasn't ever defeated by the US in Iraq.

I don't wish them dead. I wish them to be on world-wide ignore. Seriously, if every media outlet in the world had the balls to just say no to even alluding to the hateful shit they spew, the world would be a better place.

Okay, fine. They don't die in the crash, and instead swim ashore to a deserted island with multiple hidden cameras, which was planned as the location for the next Survivor. People can then tune in on Wednesdays for another hilarious episode of "pHELPs".

GOD damn you UK. we were going to let them go to your country then refuse to let them back in the US. Your policies are beginning to ruin our plans for dumping crap into England we don't want.

The real danger here has nothing to do with public order or hate speech. The risk is that the US won't take them back. And then we'd be stuck with them.

Incidentally America, the Phelpseseseseses have already decided that they'll never come to Ireland. Apparently we have some law or other that would land them in jail for hurling abuse at gays. So don't try and unload them on us. Try Pakistan.

I don't approve of this, personally. I'm pretty stringent on my support for free speech. That said, I will voice my general disapproval of the WBC, which seems to be the only issue that NSG agrees on.

I can understand your point of view, but I think it's sadly inevitable that free speech has to have some restrictions placed on it. Otherwise the "But it's free speech!" excuse will be used to justify all kinds of unpleasant behaviour. Not just WBC-style idiocy, but also malicious lies, false advertising, even things like child pornography.

Hmmm, not sure if I'm in favour of this.

Couldn't the Phelps' have been potentially prosecuted for Incitement to Violence or Breach of the Peace/Public Nuisance?

Lawyers?

The real danger here has nothing to do with public order or hate speech. The risk is that the US won't take them back. And then we'd be stuck with them.

Yeah, and some human rights bullshit from the EU would prevent you from deporting them anywhere.

Hmmm, not sure if I'm in favour of this.

Couldn't the Phelps' have been potentially prosecuted for Incitement to Violence or Breach of the Peace/Public Nuisance?

Lawyers?

Letting them into England and then putting them in jail would be good......

Seriously, if every media outlet in the world had the balls to just say no to even alluding to the hateful shit they spew, the world would be a better place.

Their ridiculous antics are news. Sorry - that's just the way it is. That's why they keep cropping up on this forum, even though no-one here seems to agree with them, or even care about what they think.

I don't approve of this, personally. I'm pretty stringent on my support for free speech.
It's a bit different when we're talking about wether or not to let someone in. A sovereign country has the right to bar the entry of whoever they want for whatever reason they want or no reason at all. If we want to keep someone out we should be able to do so and we shouldn't have to justify ourselves to anyone.

Hmmm, not sure if I'm in favour of this.

Couldn't the Phelps' have been potentially prosecuted for Incitement to Violence or Breach of the Peace/Public Nuisance?

Lawyers?
Aye but it would cost quite a bit of money to keep them in jail, as opposed to letting them kick about in the US moaning there.

Hmmm, not sure if I'm in favour of this.

Couldn't the Phelps' have been potentially prosecuted for Incitement to Violence or Breach of the Peace/Public Nuisance?

Lawyers?
Have they ever denied the Holocaust, perchance? I could send them an invite. <<

America should propose an exchange with Iran. They give Iran the Phelpses and in exchange Iran can do whatever it wants with them. Excluding of course, sending them back to American. :D

Have they ever denied the Holocaust, perchance? I could send them an invite. <<

I doubt they would. Maybe saying Hitler had the right idea about including the gays in it.

Aye but it would cost quite a bit of money to keep them in jail, as opposed to letting them kick about in the US moaning there.
Point well made.

Have they ever denied the Holocaust, perchance? I could send them an invite. <<
Ach, but that's a silly law.

It's a bit different when we're talking about wether or not to let someone in. A sovereign country has the right to bar the entry of whoever they want for whatever reason they want or no reason at all. If we want to keep someone out we should be able to do so and we shouldn't have to justify ourselves to anyone.

Yeah, but you let in Abu Q for years, let him spout similar hate and bullshit for years, and only now are getting around to kicking him out - and the EU and some human rights BS may prevent that.

A country should be able to prevent anyone entry, for any reason, and kick out anyone for any reason.

Couldn't the Phelps' have been potentially prosecuted for Incitement to Violence or Breach of the Peace/Public Nuisance?

Lawyers?

Yes, they could. That's the problem - we don't want them. I mean, what have our poor criminals done to deserve being cooped up with that mob?

Their ridiculous antics are news. Sorry - that's just the way it is. That's why they keep cropping up on this forum, even though no-one here seems to agree with them, or even care about what they think.
Old news."GOD HATES FAGS, GAYS DIE!" and "GOD HATES SWEDEN!" and "GOD HATES AMERICA!" It's like a broken record, liberally sprinkled with such gems as "FAG ENABLERS". At least get some new material. Like "GOD HATES BIKINIS! HE WANTS THEM TO BE TAKEN OFF IMMEDIATELY!"

Hear that, fellas?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Katganistan/bottomlessmen2.jpg?t=1235061636

Ach, but that's a silly law.
I have always found it quite appropriate, really.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7898972.stm?lss



We have a different take on free speech here in the UK than in the US - personally I am glad that we are not allowing these people into the country.

maybe i should go see that, its only up the road. glad they're not welcome... they'd only get on the news with their turgid shit views (which they kinda already have... damn.)

Okay, "Fag Enablers" would be a great name for a band.

Like "GOD HATES BIKINIS! HE WANTS THEM TO BE TAKEN OFF IMMEDIATELY!"

Really? Interesting. Suddenly the WBC seem like reasonable facsimiles of people.

maybe i should go see that, its only up the road. glad they're not welcome... they'd only get on the news with their turgid shit views (which they kinda already have... damn.)
It does mean that God is soon to officially hate us, though :D

I'll find a passage as to why - erm -

"Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you." - Leviticus 11:12 (King James version)

I quite like scallops, sorry for bringing this upon us all :(

This is a classic example of what I've been talking about.

Here in the US, and definitely on this forum, if a hate orginization in the US holds a demonstration or shows up in force somewhere you can be assured that an equally numerous or larger group of people condeming their radical and idiotic beliefs will be there quickly. On this forum, you'll see people condemning the Phelps (as rightly they should), and in large numbers.

No strawman here. Just look at the posts in this thread.

Where in the world do you ever see moderate Muslims marching against a gathering of radical Muslims? None that I have ever heard of. Anyone jump up and condemn Abu Qatada in large numbers (Muslims?) When exactly did accountability get replaced with apathy in the human experience?

Old news."GOD HATES FAGS, GAYS DIE!" and "GOD HATES SWEDEN!" and "GOD HATES AMERICA!" It's like a broken record, liberally sprinkled with such gems as "FAG ENABLERS". At least get some new material. Like "GOD HATES BIKINIS! HE WANTS THEM TO BE TAKEN OFF IMMEDIATELY!"

I feel you're missing the point. It's still news because people are still interested. On this occasion, I'm interested because their latest round of assholier-than-thou-ness is of direct relevance to an issue at the very heart of the UK's legal system.

Where in the world do you ever see moderate Muslims marching against a gathering of radical Muslims? None that I have ever heard of. Anyone jump up and condemn Abu Qatada in large numbers (Muslims?) When exactly did accountability get replaced with apathy in the human experience?
I dunno, Abu Qatada generally gets called an arsehole by all the Muslims I know for having no decorum and being generally impolite. Were there more of them in the country, I guess they'd protest.

I feel you're missing the point. It's still news because people are still interested. On this occasion, I'm interested because their latest round of assholier-than-thou-ness is of direct relevance to an issue at the very heart of the UK's legal system.
And that is? Whether God hates everyone they disagree with?

"Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you." - Leviticus 11:12 (King James version)


Going swimming makes me an abomination? Cool.

Yeah, but you let in Abu Q for years, let him spout similar hate and bullshit for years, and only now are getting around to kicking him out - and the EU and some human rights BS may prevent that.

A country should be able to prevent anyone entry, for any reason, and kick out anyone for any reason.
I won't argue with that one. I think the way this country fucked about with Abu Qatada is ridiculous. He should have been deported years ago. I beleieve that if this country wants to kick a foreign national out we should be able to do so for whatever reason we like and whatever happens to him in his home country should not enter into the debate. What happens to these people in their home countries should not be our problem. If the human rights laws prevent us from doing this, get rid of them.

I dunno, Abu Qatada generally gets called an arsehole by all the Muslims I know for having no decorum and being generally impolite. Were there more of them in the country, I guess they'd protest.

I think they need to monkey stomp him (and someone needs to monkeystomp the Phelps' for good measure).

I think they need to monkey stomp him (and someone needs to monkeystomp the Phelps' for good measure).
Careful. There may come the day when people decide your views entitle you to a Grade-A monkeystomping.

Going swimming makes me an abomination? Cool.
Yeah, also boats are bad.
I think they need to monkey stomp him (and someone needs to monkeystomp the Phelps' for good measure).
Aye well you've just brought up a very salient counterpoint to yours - anyone can talk the talk, but people rarely take any action.

And that is? Whether God hates everyone they disagree with?

No - the issue of how much freedom we have. That's kind of an important issue at the best of times, but particularly in the last few years.

Intruiging. The outrage when anti-Islam preacher Geert Wilders was denied entry, only a few days ago, was much greater.

Was that because he is a politician in a country the UK has good relations with, because he was invited and then denied entry, because he is European or because more people agree with him/have no problems with "ebil muslem lolz" ?

Or is the outrage just as great and am I just not seeing it.

Intruiging. The outrage when anti-Islam preacher Geert Wilders was denied entry, only a few days ago, was much greater.

Was that because he is a politician in a befriended country, because he was invited and then denied entry or because more people agree with him/have no problems with ëbil muslem lolz" ?
There wasn't any outrage, the guy's a dick.

Careful. There may come the day when people decide your views entitle you to a Grade-A monkeystomping.

They're welcome to try. It's been tried before, and I'm still here, and they're not.

Where in the world do you ever see moderate Muslims marching against a gathering of radical Muslims? None that I have ever heard of. Anyone jump up and condemn Abu Qatada in large numbers (Muslims?) When exactly did accountability get replaced with apathy in the human experience?

You're not reading the news much, are you?

Here (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1928959.cms), here (http://www.freemuslims.org/), here (http://www.mcall.com/topic/orl-pd_pakistan20090206061259,0,4846022.photo?track=rss-topicgallery)... oh, you know what? Just use google yourself, why don't you?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7898972.stm?lss



We have a different take on free speech here in the UK than in the US - personally I am glad that we are not allowing these people into the country.

"There are members of WBC that are not named Phelps," she added.

Lolz. Good shit. And oh so siggable. Shame...

I don't understand, why didn't they let these 'fag haters' in? I thought the British government shared their dislike for cigarettes!

I don't understand, why didn't they let these 'fag haters' in? I thought the British government shared their dislike for cigarettes!

I think that the people of the UKk spent the last 10 years letting in the world's assholes, and giving them cash to live, etc.

Now, after 10 years of insanity, they're finally fed up. They're locking the door, and starting to legally kick some of them out.

You're not reading the news much, are you?

Here (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1928959.cms), here (http://www.freemuslims.org/), here (http://www.mcall.com/topic/orl-pd_pakistan20090206061259,0,4846022.photo?track=rss-topicgallery)... oh, you know what? Just use google yourself, why don't you?

*makes note to steal these links in the future to make the same point*

Were there more of them in the country, I guess they'd protest.

1.5 million not enough then?

1.5 million not enough then?
Not really, no.

Intruiging. The outrage when anti-Islam preacher Geert Wilders was denied entry, only a few days ago, was much greater.

Was that because he is a politician in a country the UK has good relations with, because he was invited and then denied entry, because he is European or because more people agree with him/have no problems with "ebil muslem lolz" ?

The latter. It's politically correct to hate and fear Muslims these days. It's not so politically correct to hate gays. It never was about 'freedom of speech' for Wilders, which is why the Phelps are not similarly painted as free-speech martyrs. Very telling, it is.

Now, after 10 years of insanity, they're finally fed up. They're locking the door, and starting to legally kick some of them out.

We're trying to, but the pussies at the EU are whining again.

Not really, no.

So one and a half million Muslims, all concentrated in a few areas, is not enough to protest?

We're trying to, but the pussies at the EU are whining again.
Eh the EU's pretty great.
So one and a half million Muslims, all concentrated in a few areas, is not enough to protest?
No, because taking the day off work to protest some universally unpopular guy is as much of a pointless gesture as protesting was at the start of Iraq war. Coming from someone who was there.

"BOO THIS IS BAD"
"Yeah that's pretty obvious, get back to work -_-"

Eh the EU's pretty great.

Yeah, the whole trade thing's good, and we need to stay in to survive, but I don't like how they can overturn a country's ruling.

No, because taking the day off work to protest some universally unpopular guy is as much of a pointless gesture as protesting was at the start of Iraq war. Coming from someone who was there.

But when there's a BNP rally or whatever, you see anti-fascist and anti-racist groups counter-protesting. As Hotwife said, where are the so called "moderate" Muslims? Where were they after 7/7? 21/7? The Glasgow airport bombings? The cartoon riots?

Hiding in fear of people like Hotwife?

Yeah, the whole trade thing's good, and we need to stay in to survive, but I don't like how they can overturn a country's ruling.
Meh, am not entirely fussed myself.
But when there's a BNP rally or whatever, you see anti-fascist and anti-racist groups counter-protesting. As Hotwife said, where are the so called "moderate" Muslims? Where were they after 7/7? 21/7? The Glasgow airport bombings? The cartoon riots?
At work.

But when there's a BNP rally or whatever, you see anti-fascist and anti-racist groups counter-protesting. As Hotwife said, where are the so called "moderate" Muslims? Where were they after 7/7? 21/7? The Glasgow airport bombings? The cartoon riots?

You know, a Christian recently kidnapped an innocent woman.

Where are the so-called moderate Christians? Where's their protest? Clearly, all Christians are kidnapping-supporters, right?

Incidentally America, the Phelpseseseseses have already decided that they'll never come to Ireland. Apparently we have some law or other that would land them in jail for hurling abuse at gays. So don't try and unload them on us. Try Pakistan.

why not. you could put them on display or something... make some revenue...

The real danger here has nothing to do with public order or hate speech. The risk is that the US won't take them back. And then we'd be stuck with them.
nah, just pass them on to the next country. :tongue:
Intruiging. The outrage when anti-Islam preacher Geert Wilders was denied entry, only a few days ago, was much greater.

Was that because he is a politician in a country the UK has good relations with, because he was invited and then denied entry, because he is European or because more people agree with him/have no problems with "ebil muslem lolz" ?

Or is the outrage just as great and am I just not seeing it.
the outrage is that no one else thought of it first.

Good news America !!! we talked the Netherlands into taking the Phelps's !!!

In exchange Obama(and succeeding presidents) will personally thank and kiss Queen Beatrix(or current monarch) ass every year that a practicing member of the Phelps clan resides in the Netherlands.

I am celebrating.

This is evidence of:

1) UK hates free speech
2) UK hates and persecutes Christians
and
3) UK is run by a bunch of gays


;)

This is evidence of:

1) UK hates free speech
2) UK hates and persecutes Christians
and
3) UK is run by a bunch of gays


;)

put bush back in office we got to save the UK with a regime change.

This is evidence of:

1) UK hates free speech
2) UK hates and persecutes Christians
and
3) UK is run by a bunch of gays


;)

I would rather say the evidence points to...
1) the UK hates the Phelpes!

I have always found it quite appropriate, really.
I have a problem with restricting any speech, no matter how hateful it is.

It's why I'm dubious about not granting the Phelps' access.



We're trying to, but the pussies at the EU are whining again.
Yeah, those pussies.

Trying to prevent detention without trial.

What's the world coming to when you can't just take a man of questionable morals, lock him up without trial and throw away the key!?

Next they'll be telling us the government can't act against rights as guaranteed in the UK constitution... the pussies.

But when there's a BNP rally or whatever, you see anti-fascist and anti-racist groups counter-protesting. As Hotwife said, where are the so called "moderate" Muslims? Where were they after 7/7? 21/7? The Glasgow airport bombings? The cartoon riots?
All over the place. Try using Google. For one, check out what the Muslim Council of Britain have been up to since 2001.

After the Glasgow 'bombings' (driving a car into a door, while on fire, is not a bombing), the Southside of Glasgow ground to a halt as thousands of Muslims came out in a protest against violent Islamic groups.

Yeah here in the UK you can say what you like about the institutions of government, but if you start insulting general groups of people, we tell you to fuck right off. Which is about the right level of free speech, in my opinion.
So free speech doesn't extend to whatever views society deems to be insults to certain groups? Who gets to say what is and what isn't?

Everybody deserves a right to express themselves, no matter how unpopular their message may be. I think this is a very backwards move for the UK government.

Everybody deserves a right to express themselves, no matter how unpopular their message may be. I think this is a very backwards move for the UK government.

And everyone has the right to expel them.
That being said we are retroactively revoking their forefather's citizenship in the US declaring them UK citizens and sending them back there. That is the ruling of SCOTUS in this matter.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7898972.stm?lss



We have a different take on free speech here in the UK than in the US - personally I am glad that we are not allowing these people into the country.

Damn it! They're on to our plan to rid ourselves of the WBC, which admittedly basically consisted of "get them out of the country, then seal the borders.":p

Everybody deserves a right to express themselves
We just prefer they do it where nobody has to listen.

Why do they feel the need to come to another country to bitch and whine?
International lawsuit of course. Big $$$.

The do all this hoping someone will beat the shit out of them so they can sue.

We just prefer they do it where nobody has to listen.

wouldn't that be the UK?

"outsource" the Phelps to India, problem solved

Fear not! Some guy named Mephistopheles insists that Fred Phelps will move to his country in a few years.

Whew. I thought when I saw the title that Michael Phelps was persona non grata, which would have made me sad if he was locked out just because he smoked pot.

I'm generally a supporter of free speech on the grounds that you need to hear arguments in order to draw any truth from them that might enhance your own understanding. But I've seen documentaries on these people, and they don't have any arguments. They just shout, carry ludicrous placards and shout on a loop one of about four slogans. They don't have any purpose but to stir up hate.

Has anyone asked why these people are not on the "Do Not Fly" list?

Sooo...Am I the only one who thought the title meant Michael Phelps was fleeing the country?....


I was scared we wouldnt get swimming medals for a second, lol..

So free speech doesn't extend to whatever views society deems to be insults to certain groups? Who gets to say what is and what isn't?
As I understand it, unless you are advocating violence towards certain groups, or your speech in public is deemed to be an incitement towards violence, you are free, under UK law, to say what you will about anybody.

The major caveat being that you are eligible to be sued for slander (defamation).

Has anyone asked why these people are not on the "Do Not Fly" list?
They're white. Tada!

It does mean that God is soon to officially hate us, though :D

I'll find a passage as to why - erm -

"Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you." - Leviticus 11:12 (King James version)

I quite like scallops, sorry for bringing this upon us all :(

my girlfriend likes mussels. i guess all the gays are going to die now :(

This is a classic example of what I've been talking about.

Here in the US, and definitely on this forum, if a hate orginization in the US holds a demonstration or shows up in force somewhere you can be assured that an equally numerous or larger group of people condeming their radical and idiotic beliefs will be there quickly. On this forum, you'll see people condemning the Phelps (as rightly they should), and in large numbers.

No strawman here. Just look at the posts in this thread.

Where in the world do you ever see moderate Muslims marching against a gathering of radical Muslims? None that I have ever heard of. Anyone jump up and condemn Abu Qatada in large numbers (Muslims?) When exactly did accountability get replaced with apathy in the human experience?

i don't know.... i kinda feel if we ignore them, and nobody gives a toss what they say, maybe they'll just go away and leave us alone. i guess i just have faith that most people in the UK will either a) not care and ignore the guy, b) just see this guy as a fag-hating asshat and not worthy of listening to, or c) not know this is happening anyway.


Eh the EU's pretty great.

No, because taking the day off work to protest some universally unpopular guy is as much of a pointless gesture as protesting was at the start of Iraq war. Coming from someone who was there.

"BOO THIS IS BAD"
"Yeah that's pretty obvious, get back to work -_-"

QFT dude

So free speech doesn't extend to whatever views society deems to be insults to certain groups? I am not so sure hate speech is protected speech.

Who gets to say what is and what isn't?In the US? SCOTUS.

Sooo...Am I the only one who thought the title meant Michael Phelps was fleeing the country?....


It's rather the other way around. All potential medal threats for 2012 are being put on a terrorist watchlist and banned from entering the United Kingdom. Britain to top the medal table!

Whilst we are on the subject, it might be noted that Geert Wilders is an international class 100m hurdler

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7898972.stm?lss



We have a different take on free speech here in the UK than in the US - personally I am glad that we are not allowing these people into the country.

I am too, I think they should be banned from talking period.

"outsource" the Phelps to India, problem solved

no you fool then every time we call customer service we will have to listen to them.

no you fool then every time we call customer service we will have to listen to them.

It would probably go like this.

GnD: Yes, my computer just seized up. Rebooting doesn't help.
Phelps Customer Support: God has frozen your computer because your country does not execute gays! If you do not burn the gays, he will make your computer rise up as the tool of his fiery wrath and rain upon you spam and viruses! Identity theft will plague your life and child porn will fill your HDD you heathen!

It would probably go like this.

GnD: Yes, my computer just seized up. Rebooting doesn't help.
Phelps Customer Support: God has frozen your computer because your country does not execute gays! If you do not burn the gays, he will make your computer rise up as the tool of his fiery wrath and rain upon you spam and viruses! Identity theft will plague your life and child porn will fill your HDD you heathen!

and imagine all that in an Indian English accent.

It would probably go like this.

GnD: Yes, my computer just seized up. Rebooting doesn't help.
Phelps Customer Support: God has frozen your computer because your country does not execute gays! If you do not burn the gays, he will make your computer rise up as the tool of his fiery wrath and rain upon you spam and viruses! Identity theft will plague your life and child porn will fill your HDD you heathen!

and imagine all that in an Indian English accent.

Tech Services would show a quick decrease in costs as people go to local, independent computer shops. Actually, other than the first few months of hassles, this might work.

I wonder if they've registered godhatesengland.com yet.


No, they haven't. Quick, someone get it and make it redirect to godlovesengland.com

naw. Better yet, make it redirect to the lemonparty or goatse.

Who else thought this was going to be about Michael Phelps and his family being denied entry cause of his bong'ing?

Intruiging. The outrage when anti-Islam preacher Geert Wilders was denied entry, only a few days ago, was much greater.

Was that because he is a politician in a country the UK has good relations with, because he was invited and then denied entry, because he is European or because more people agree with him/have no problems with "ebil muslem lolz" ?

Or is the outrage just as great and am I just not seeing it.

there's no outrage here cause no-one likes, nor cares about, the Phelps. They are a seriously fucked-up and nasty family who endears themselves to no-one. Why would anyone want to be associated with that bunch of self-righteous assholes?

Tech Services would show a quick decrease in costs as people go to local, independent computer shops. Actually, other than the first few months of hassles, this might work.

either that or people might actully learn how to fix their own computers.