Nazi Scum Time

Is the BBC run by complete pillocks? Okay, the answer is plainly 'yes' but further exposition is required. It is presently again contemplating its much vaunted 'impartiality'. The last time the BBC's 'impartiality' got a walk around the park was back in January when, in common with Sky (prop: its would-be nemesis James Murdoch), it refused to carry the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Gaza, complete with a flurry of hand wringing as regards its 'impartiality' - which presumably extends to imapartiality as between the victimisers and the victimised. But I digress.

The BBC has been pondering whether to invite the BNP - or more particularly its gruesome gargoyle (and very poor advert for the excellence of 'indigenous Caucasians' in BNPspeak - see above), of a leader on to Question Time. It's our old friend 'impartiality' again and the BNP is now represented at European Parliament, Greater London Assembly and County Council level, the argument goes. The interests of impartiality require the BNP on Question Time.

Oh yeah?

Ah but - I can hear the cry - what about democracy? However repulsive the BNP may be, it is a registered, lawful political party with an elected presence. But the BNP is in no sense a 'normal' party. It chooses which of its assorted elected members' constituents it sees fit to represent. The choice is of course made on the basis of race. And that is quite apart from the track record for acts of violence and holocaust denial on the part of many of its prominent members. No doubt many of its rank and file members are 'merely' bigots, buffoons and general losers but let there be no doubt as to the nature of its leadership. Nazi scum with a superficial public relations gloss are still nazi scum. So what to do? No doubt whatever the outcome, the BNP will garner huge amounts of publicity. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have already said that they will debate with the BNP. Labour has done its usual jellyfish impersonation. Having previously had a policy not to share a platform with the BNP, they have caved in instantly, with the caveat that no-one should be forced to debate with the BNP. Subject to that, they intend tio put a cabinet minister out.

What to do? I would grudgingly concede that the BNP are entitled to free speech. Up until their freedom of speech impinges on the freedoms of other people. I would not wish for them to be able to claim some spurious martyrdom, No doubt the BBC will put Griffin on Question Time and no doubt there will be riots outside, and possibly inside the TV studio. No doubt the mainstream political parties will put up panelists to share the platform with him.

What should be done, then? Rather like the bishop who told a would-be convert that he was obliged to believe in hell but not that anyone was in it, if the BNP are entitled to free speech then no-one is obliged to listen to them. The remaining three or so members of the Labour Party could start by seeking to reverse the party's spineless capitulation on not sharing a platform with the BNP. It would be nice - if improbable - if other mainstream parties took the same position and refused to share a platform. No doubt some bottom feeders could also be found to turn up but if it was apparent that no-one but the bottom feeders would play ball with the new BBC exercise in 'impartiality' then the exercise would be, and be seen to be, a busted flush.

Unfortunately, this will not happen.

On a more cheerful note, have some more Fleetwood Mac. This is from their 2009 tour - Go Your Own Way - note the video and audio quality.