This idea that the far right and others with such objectionable rules should be banned from the public sphere then. This is indeed the way to make sure that such views are driven underground. But there’s also more than just the slightest echo of unfortunate events in the past. When much the same was done to those who were left wing. Or offended the mores of those days in some manner. Perhaps by being bourgeois, or Jews. And that’s really not a path we want to go down again, is it?
But this is what is happening to Morrissey. Not that I like the man’s music nor, from what I’ve heard about them, the man’s views. But he’s being denied the opportunity to advertise as a result of those views. Which isn’t, well, no, it’s not, the way things should be done:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Morrissey posters removed from railway stations over far-right views[/perfectpullquote]The posters are advertising his latest album. And the posters aren’t being taken down because he’s not paid for them, or because the album’s crap. But because of his political views:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Posters advertising a new album by indie star Morrissey have been removed from rail stations following a complaint from an angry commuter. Merseyrail ordered the promotional items to be torn down after the passenger raised concerns about the singer’s controversial views. [/perfectpullquote]No, really, that’s it. The singer has expressed support for a legal political party. Therefore he may not advertise in railway stations.
Sure, private property is private property, advertisers have a right to refuse ads. I’ve recently refused ads for contracts for differences to retail investors. On the grounds that it’s an entirely stupid thing for retail investors to do and I’ll not aid in promoting it. But that is still different, no?
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Morrissey has previously expressed support for the far-right For Britain party and earlier this month wore a badge with its logo on during a TV show, but he denies he is a racist.[/perfectpullquote]Morrissey can’t advertise. OK, so let’s run this one again. Jews can’t advertise, rootless cosmopolitans that they are. Zionists maybe? Still OK with this? No? Then we’ve got to get back to that idea that political views don;t determine access to society in general then, don’t we?
It is hard to keep track of the far-right whether that be UKIP, the BNP or the Brexit Party. According to David Lammy Jacob -Rees-Mogg is a Nazi and the BBC should de-platform him. Potentially most confusing.
To ensure some clarity and as a rule of thumb, anything labelled far-right almost certainly isn’t, whilst anyone wanting to ban something very possibly is.
I’d like to bet the far right encompasses a fair few more people than the loony left. The reason this goes on is that the far right are liberal (grown up) and don’t kick up a fuss over every perceived slight.
Eventually this will change as the far right will get pissed off and then the pendulum will swing completely the other way. I look forward to that day and hope it isn’t too far off now.
One passenger complained and the adverts were pulled?
You mean me myself alone can have an advertising campaign closed down by making one complaint?
What happens if more than one person complain that they miss the ads?
Isn’t there a breach of contract here. It’s one thing to not accept an ad, surely it’s another to accept the ad and then not carry it?