Question Time

[liljim]

Anyone in the UK watching this tonight?

Brief background for those who're not familiar with the programme: it's a political show that has a set of panelists, some of whom are politicians, some of whom are celebrities or newspaper columnists etc. There's an audience and they pose topical questions to the panelists.

This evening's panelists include Nick Griffin, head of the BNP, which is a right wing facist and racist party. People are up in arms over his appearance, to the point where some activists have broken into the broadcasting headquarters in protest:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8 321157.stm

People are upset over his appearance for his political beliefs, but more so over the fact that he's being allowed to appear on this show. I say let him go on there and show himself for the twat he is.

Personally, I'm quite looking forward to the show... If you're in the UK and use digital television services, you can press the red button and see a list of comments that stream in throughout it. They almost always make me laugh.

[JustsTrollingAlong]

Isn't everyone but the queen a "fascist" in the nanny state of england?

[Krbyfan1]

Although I'm not in the United Kingdom, this definately looks like something I'd watch for the simple fact that the comments would make me fall out of my couch laughing hysterically.

[DumbassDude]

At 10/22/09 01:33 PM, liljim wrote: This evening's panelists include Nick Griffin, head of the BNP, which is a right wing facist and racist party. People are up in arms over his appearance, to the point where some activists have broken into the broadcasting headquarters in protest:

I am definitely watching it now, sounds really interesting and I can imagine how varied the questions are going to be, and I won't be surprised if all questions are directed at Nick.

[SCUD14]

Jesus people, there's somethign called 'freedom of association'. Stop being brainwashed by the mass media into thinking that all members of the BNP are evil.

For the record, I'm not really a nationalist or a supporter of the BNP.

Let Nick Griffin go on, because stopping someone believing in a political ideal is a fairly fascist attitude. You damn hypocrites.

[citricsquid]

I watch it sometimes, not as a regular viewing but whenever it's on and I happen upon it I'll sit through it. My problem with the show is that the majority of the politicians either point blank avoid the question or the question askers are morons and don't understand a word of what they're saying. I'm not sure if the times I've watched it were rare cases, but I don't watch it regularly for that point, it's impossible not to end up shouting at the TV when they're asking idiotic things.

Although I will watch it tonight for nick griffin, I'd love to see some of the questions and answers he'll give, a couple of people were recently arguing about the BNP at college and I ended up defending the BNP because apparently being racist means you deserve to be hung and beaten. Not that I agree with their ridiculously racist ideas.

[Timmy]

I'm definitely going to watch it, as I live in the UK.

Think I'll view the telly with a spot 'o tea and some biscuits.

Perhaps I'll run to the loo during the commercial breaks. Might even jump on the lift and run down to the pub for a pint.

Chip Chip Cheerio, God save the Queen, and all that.

[yurgenburgen]

Whether anyone agrees with Nick Griffin or not, people should still support his right to free speech. It's just depressing that people still think they can silence those they don't approve of.

[liljim]

At 10/22/09 01:46 PM, Timmy wrote: Perhaps I'll run to the loo during the commercial breaks.

The bbc doesn't run commercial breaks during shows, fool.

[liljim]

At 10/22/09 01:46 PM, yurgenburgen wrote: Whether anyone agrees with Nick Griffin or not, people should still support his right to free speech.

I completely agree. I'm just looking forward to the circus.

[Otto]

I love watching Question Time, when I can, and now I know Nick Griffin's on there, this is a must-see. Thanks for the heads up.

[Calintz]

Not British... How come Newgrounds can't seem to hire any Canadian Staff?

[JustsTrollingAlong]

At 10/22/09 01:39 PM, TheAdd wrote:

At 10/22/09 01:35 PM, JustsTrollingAlong wrote: Isn't everyone but the queen a "fascist" in the nanny state of england?

What an asshole you - you redneck fuck. (that's not aimed at americans btw, just this queer)
N'eway i am repulsed by just hearing the guys name - the racist fucker wants to be the new kkk or something, he's a complete tool.

So you think it's perfectly acceptable for you to stereotype rednecks and be homophobic but simply the sound of someone's name who stereotypes people repulses you?

Are you one of those hypocritical self loathing stupid people that needs the government to take care of you? (that's aimed at all british people who accept the current system of government in britain, not just this idiot that I'm replying to)

[citricsquid]

At 10/22/09 01:48 PM, liljim wrote:

At 10/22/09 01:46 PM, yurgenburgen wrote: Whether anyone agrees with Nick Griffin or not, people should still support his right to free speech.

I completely agree. I'm just looking forward to the circus.

Someone told me that their biggest problem with the bnp was not that they have ridiculously racist views, but that their views cost the tax payers because being a political party costs us. Any idea if this is true? I'm sceptical, I was under the impression that a political party survives off of donations and when they're not "in power" they have no way to take tax payers money, so the bnp existing doesn't directly cost us anything, but eh, not sure. google tells me nothing :(

[Gagsy]

What time is it on?

[gumOnShoe]

I'm slightly familiar with the situation from reading stuff in NG poli, and while I agree the network should carry whatever they want & it would even be interesting to do so, there are some people who shouldn't consistently be given a larger voice than they already have, especially if they represent a hateful minority.

This should be taken care of by the BBC, but as you can see in America with people like Rush, Beck, and Hannity (who aren't nearly as extreme and certainly aren't fascist), a lot of people can have their views distorted by simply listening.

One show, I'd be fine with. But, if he got his own show, I would certainly understand the protests. Either way, I think its right for people against him to protest, so long as they don't violate the law to do so (ie breaking & entering).

Is interesting.

[SuspiciousPenguin]

At 10/22/09 01:33 PM, liljim wrote: Anyone in the UK watching this tonight?

I should bloddy well think so, this will be something to watch. Pah nick griffin, what a cunt. How can you actually wake up in the morning and think yourself sane if you believe all that shite. Brings a certain scene from 'this is england' to mind.

[Timmy]

At 10/22/09 01:47 PM, liljim wrote:

At 10/22/09 01:46 PM, Timmy wrote: Perhaps I'll run to the loo during the commercial breaks.

The bbc doesn't run commercial breaks during shows, fool.

My cover is blown!

*runs away*

[liljim]

At 10/22/09 01:49 PM, Calintz wrote: Not British... How come Newgrounds can't seem to hire any Canadian Staff?

PsychoGoldfish is Canadian (and now an American Citizen.)

At 10/22/09 01:50 PM, JustsTrollingAlong wrote: that's aimed at all british people who accept the current system of government in britain

Not all of us accept it, but it's a democratic country. I can't do much about who other people vote for, that's their choice. The Nanny State irritates me greatly.

At 10/22/09 01:50 PM, citricsquid wrote: Someone told me that their biggest problem with the bnp was not that they have ridiculously racist views, but that their views cost the tax payers because being a political party costs us. Any idea if this is true?

They have two elected parties in the European Union. All political parties that have been elected, I THINK (but I'm not sure, since I'm not big into politics) receive public funding, including EU candidates:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6 065322.stm

At 10/22/09 01:50 PM, Gagsy wrote: What time is it on?

10:35pm BST

At 10/22/09 01:51 PM, gumOnShoe wrote: Stuff.

The trouble with all of this for the bbc is that it's supposed to remain completely impartial and not get involved in siding with one political party or another. It's a publicly funded service, rather than say, Fox. They're two different ballparks.

So yeah, the bbc is in a no-win situation here really - if they let the guy on the show, there are those who will protest about it, and if they don't, there'll be another group (though I would imagine it'd be a much smaller group) who protest about it.

[Mechabloby]

At 10/22/09 01:33 PM, liljim wrote: Anyone in the UK watching this tonight?

Fuck yes. One of my mates at college told me about Nick Griffin being on it tonight, and I was reminded about the event again this morning on GMTV. I'm quite interested in seeing what will happen - I'll love to see Nick being proven wrong by Labour. Wishful thinking, but it could happen.

[Sheizenhammer]

I'll be more interested in what happens to him after the show (read: after he's made a complete shithead of himself on TV.... again). I might record it, but the best bits will no doubt be on the internet later anyway, thereby letting me sift through all the menial crap and get straight to the funny stuff.

I'll be having a look at those comments, though. Dumb comments always make me laugh.

[Ass-Crumb]

I don't understand what the big fucking deal is.

Sure, if the guy goes on, he'll talk a bunch of shit, but really I'd think only a small percent of people would actually take him seriously. All trying to repress him is doing is giving him more coverage. It's not like people will just watch one show and completely give up on their previous beliefs.

Unless I'm greatly overestimating the British population here.

[citricsquid]

At 10/22/09 02:16 PM, Ass-Crumb wrote: Unless I'm greatly overestimating the British population here.

You are. They'd never get into power but holy fuck racism is a touchy issue here, people are seen to be racist if you don't vocally oppose any racism. If someone says anything slightly offence and you don't scream about them deserving to die you're deemed to be racist. It's really shit, but eh, that's how it goes I guess.

[liljim]

At 10/22/09 02:16 PM, Ass-Crumb wrote: Unless I'm greatly overestimating the British population here.

Well you are and you aren't. There's a bunch of people running around in protest about this, but the main problem is with the media and the coverage they give to this kind of thing. I mean, there were a million protesters over the war in Iraq marching up and down London and they received less news coverage than the couple of hundred people who turned up at the television centre over this matter.

[SuspiciousPenguin]

At the start of the one show (yes i know it sucks, but there was nothing else on) they showed the outside of the bbc center and there must have been about 2 thousand people protesting. Some people managed to get inside and got dragged out.

[Ass-Crumb]

At 10/22/09 02:20 PM, liljim wrote: Well you are and you aren't. There's a bunch of people running around in protest about this, but the main problem is with the media and the coverage they give to this kind of thing. I mean, there were a million protesters over the war in Iraq marching up and down London and they received less news coverage than the couple of hundred people who turned up at the television centre over this matter.

I suppose when you're right you're right, but atleast they weren't dehumanising them like say, Fox news would. But still, they're fucking fanatical, which probably isn't helping their cause.

Also, seems pretty relevant to post this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/polit ics/8321306.stm

It's a video of Nick Griffin arriving to BBC. I guess they got the protesters cleared out because he didn't seem to get much trouble. He also said he was looking forward to a "a fair old political rough and tumble".

[citricsquid]

At 10/22/09 02:46 PM, Ass-Crumb wrote: But still, they're fucking fanatical, which probably isn't helping their cause.

oh god let me find the article that had an interview with one of the younger members, they flat out say they want all blacks out, pretty much, it's dreadful.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_
word/newsid_10000000/newsid_10002000/100 02087.stm

[Freaki-boy92]

i think it's a good thing- as much as I hate the BNP, I love to see nick griffin squirm

[Dogbert581]

Play the Nick Griffin drinking game, every time he says something ignorant/bigoted take a drink

[citricsquid]

At 10/22/09 03:15 PM, Dogbert581 wrote: Play the Nick Griffin drinking game, every time he says something ignorant/bigoted take a drink

please don't encourage such dangerous drinking!