George Bernard Shaw observed that the ordinary Britisher imagines that God is an Englishman. I am not sure I believe this, although it is obvious that God is not an American - an American would not have enough patience for the eternal nature of the job.
As it happens, some proof for the contention of the Englishness of the Almighty comes today in news from London.
According to the Associated Press, Britain today published its first list of people barred from entering the country for allegedly fostering extremism or hatred.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she decided to publish the names of 16 people who have been banned by the government since October so others could better understand what sort of behavior Britain was not prepared to tolerate.
So here's the evidence of divine wisdom at work:
The talk-radio host, Michael Savage, who broadcasts from San Francisco and has called the Muslim holy book, the Quran, a "book of hate," is on the list. Savage also has enraged parents of children with autism by saying in most cases it's "a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out."
The list also includes Americans Stephen "Don" Black, founder of a Florida-based white supremacist Web site, and anti-gay preacher Fred Phelps Sr., who leads a church in Topeka, Kansas. The British government previously acknowledged that Phelps was banned.
His daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, also has been barred from the U.K, the AP reports. The pair have picketed the funerals of AIDS victims and claimed the deaths of U.S. soldiers are a punishment for tolerance of homosexuality.
To read that these clowns have been barred from one of the most tolerant countries in the world is beautiful. I hear a heavenly chorus: Serves them right! Serves them right!
Posted
May 05 2009, 05:50 PM
by
Reg Henry