The rights of entry for extremists, lunatics and Martha Stewart

[sp1814]

Whilst the Home Office could be applauded for excluding such low lifes as Fred Waldron Phelps Snr, Michael Savage and Abdul Ali Musa, isn't the banning of Martha Stewart and Snopp Dogg a bit of overkill?

Or should we have an open door policy to those whose views we may find abhorrent, be they right wing gay-haters, Islamic hate preachers, US lifestyle gurus or over-the-hill rappers?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8033060.stm

[Kromovaracun]

I think you've hit on a major problem in attempting to draw a line between 'desirables' and 'undesirables'. It's rather arbitrary, and will inevitably be rather ham-fisted (as it's dealing with a large number of people and shift them into categories, it always happens).

I'd personally endorse your latter suggestion. I don't think extremism* or 'undesirable' views is on their own are grounds for being barred entry (unless you have well-established ties with terrorist groups or something - but seeing evidence for that's more an issue of global police co-operation). I don't think the fact that these peoples' presence will cause others upset necessarily warrants govt. action. With the globalised communication that we have, it's pointless to attempt to shelter ourselves from repugnant viewpoints. Best to let them stand up and be cast down again by public scrutiny.

*emphasis on 'on their own'. I'm not saying we should unconditionally allow extremists in the interest of pluralism, obviously if there's evidence they're connected to terrorist groups or fail to meet an allready-established criteria under immigration policy, they shouldn't be allowed in.

[sp1814]

Kromovaracun

Good point about global communications. In the past, governments could 'ban' ideas by blacklisting bokes/pamphlets etc...but with the Internet, that's all over.

Never really thought of that...

[Gromit]

I am guessing that Martha Stewart and Snopp Dogg both have criminal records. It seems like a good place to start when giving overseas visits a visa to come here to exclude anyone with a criminal record

Other considerations for people without a criminal record are whether their visit would cause breaches of the peace or other disruption.

[VHG]

>to exclude anyone with a criminal record

On that basis Nelson Mandella would never be allowed in !!!!

[sp1814]

VHG

And George Bush (three arrests - for theft, disorderly conduct and drink driving).

[rov1200]

Are the residents already here who invited this scum into Britain not equally responsible?

[HillyHugger]

There's a few regulars on here who shouldn't be let back into the country if they do leave !

[ludwig]

I don't see what the big deal is about preventing people from coming here. It's not like we're depriving them of any human rights is it? we're not putting them in prison or torturing them or preventing them from LEAVING the country, or from going anywhere else in the world.
All we're doing is saying , sorry , but we're a bit picky about who we let in here and you don't pass the test on account of the fact that a) you committed a serious crime/ b) Are a bit of a troublemaker (delete as appropriate).

I'm sure Martha Stewart will get over the disappointment in a matter of hours and go on to have a long and happy life.

[Prudentia]

This country will allow the extremists and lunatics in as long as Brown is prime minister, he likes the idea of more of his own kind!

[sp1814]

Prudentia

Errr....but doesn't the story state the exact opposite???

[paraffin]

Sticks and stones etc etc..................

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&page Id=97198

This makes interesting reading, it is regarding the US 'Shock Doc' Michael Savage, the latest on Jacqui Smith's banned list (or is it her list)?