Hollywood, British Celebs Silent on Extreme UK Censorship
Once again artists stand down as core western values come under attack
A decade-old clip of “Mr. Bean” star Rowan Atkinson is going viral.
Again.
Even X overlord Elon Musk shared it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 10, 2024
Why now?
The comic actor stood up for free speech during a 2012 lecture. Twelve years later, social media users hunger for someone, anyone, to defend speech in the wake of alarming headlines coming from across the pond.
MPs want social media companies to ban user accounts accused of inciting violence, and they have criticized these companies for not following such instructions previously. Labour MP Chris Curtis argued that social media bosses need to “step up and deal with vile messages stoking division and egging on violence.” Similarly, Conservative and Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly said it was “unacceptable for [social media companies] to take the profits but not comply with their responsibilities.” Some MPs even want to haul X owner Elon Musk before a Parliamentary committee to explain the platform’s “role in spreading misinformation.”
Arrests can follow. British police sure hope so.
The real reason for the speech clampdown? UK officials are struggling to contain residents’ rage at soaring crime rates and issues related to unchecked immigration. Rather than address the problems they’re scapegoating social media users.
Some misinformation helped fuel recent UK-based riots, but that’s hardly a unique phenomenon. Consider the “hands up, don’t shoot” lie that stoked weeks of “mostly peaceful” protests following the 2014 death of Michael Brown.
Even showing videos of the protests and unrest might seal your fate.
And Americans could be next, even though they live thousands of miles away and have only shared comments from their phones and keyboards.
“We will throw the full force of the law at people. And whether you’re in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told Sky News.
Making matters worse?
The European Union is threatening Musk over his planned interview with former President Donald Trump. Don’t share too much “misinformation,” or Musk could be targeted next.
“With great audience comes greater responsibility,” wrote Thierry Breton, the EU’s commissioner for Internal Market, in a post on X. “As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk.”
Meanwhile, the UK Guardian just uncorked an op-ed calling for Musk’s arrest.
The author of this crappy Guardian piece calling for @elonmusk to be arrested for incitement wrote a whole novel (under pseudonym) wet-dreaming about the assassination of President Trump. https://t.co/Ws47mXqqvi
— Douglas Murray (@DouglasKMurray) August 12, 2024
So what are American celebrities doing about the problem? Oscar nominee Glenn Close attacked the issue immediately, to her credit.
Oh, wait. She’s complaining about Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance’s “cat lady” quip.
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We’ve yet to see a groundswell of outrage from either British or American celebrities. They may be next to none at this point.
Or ever.
Some U.S.-based groups still care deeply about free speech. Take FIRE, which shared its concern over the British clampdown on, where else, X.
“Think before you post” or so says @GOVUK
The UK attempts to stop riots by punishing “hate speech” and “online violence” whatever that means.
Thank goodness for the First Amendment 🇺🇸https://t.co/gD7D37gXAK
— FIRE (@TheFIREorg) August 12, 2024
The ACLU, a group that previously fought for free speech, ignored the matter. The group did share this vital message, though.
If elected as president, Vice President Kamala Harris promises to protect and expand reproductive freedom, including a plan to protect the right to abortion through federal legislation.
We’ll use every tool we have to ensure she keeps this promise.https://t.co/oHTunyASpx
— ACLU (@ACLU) August 6, 2024
Celebrities have been mostly silent on free speech-related issues for some time.
There are exceptions.
- Bill Maher
- John Cleese
- Ricky Gervais
- Judy Gold
- Rob Schneider
- Joe Rogan
Recall that Atkinson’s speech also went viral in 2020. Clearly, we need to hear what he’s saying, and the fact that it’s even more necessary in 2024 speaks to how urgent the fight to defend expression remains.
Editor’s Note: It’s a brutal time to be an independent journalist, but it’s never been more necessary given the sorry state of the corporate press. If you’re enjoying Hollywood in Toto, I hope you’ll consider leaving a coin (or two) in our Tip Jar.
How do you say Fornicate Yourself in British, since they can’t seem to comprehend the simple American phrase.
To the British police:
Come and get me, coppers.
Yes, people SHOULD THINK before they post! First – is it relevant to the issue at hand rather than trying to sell some cheap crap with click bait! Two – is it funny and will make people LAUGH while they THINK? Three – does it provide a SOLUTION to the PROBLEM? Four – does it offend anyone? Well, the fourth one should not really be much of a concern unless you are calling out a SPECIFIC person! BUT, if what you are posting is the TRUTH about that specific person and it is embarrassing to them then POST AWAY and don’t concern yourself with THEIR being offended! The TRUTH sometimes HURTS! The Brits are now trying to appease a danger just as serious as in 1939! If the same people NOW were in charge THEN we wouldn’t be having this conversation since there would not even BE an England! Lessons to be learned by the REST of the world!!
It’s almost like the Bible is real and we are watching Biblical truths unfold in real time. Who is invading these countries (England, France, etc.) and who did God send in to invade Israel when they turned their back on the Lord. Maybe those who have not been lost should turn to the Lord instead of politicians.
God’s chosen people had defied the Lord, built idol temples, and filled their lives with fornication, murder, and adultery. They had desecrated the temple and ignored the Law for generations. God sent prophets to call them to repentance, but they would not listen and often killed those messengers (Luke 11:27–28). The Lord had warned them repeatedly, and, when they refused to listen, He sent judgment in the form of invaders who took them captive and destroyed their cities (2 Kings 24:12–14). The once-great nation had been brought low and lost the blessings God desired to give it.
The European Union is becoming the new Soviet Union, by threatening Elon Musk. And Mark Rowley is the embodiment of evil and hate.
The UK and the EU are now what the degenerate soviets have long dreamed of being.
Not even the once mighty soviet union would have demanded to extradite and charge someone in another country of the heinous crime of exposing them for what they are.
leftism is a cult who would unhesitatingly grind anyone in to dust for simply disagreeing with them.
Thanks to corporations and the media they control, they are working hard to get democrats permanent control of the US. And UK/EU have already fallen into a dystopia controlled by totalitarians. Since Hollywood is not only falling in line but loudly championing all this, I don’t see much hope for this planet. In 20 or so years, it will be a monstrous combo of 1984, Brave New World, & Fahrenheit 451.
Stop giving up hope, you quitter.
I’ve seen too many times when the right wins a few minor victories but then the left swoops in and crushes them. The left has mobilized every major corporation and the media they control, along with Hollywood, even EU against Trump. They will crush the right and we’ll get 4 more years of democrat rule. They will consolidate their candidates, restructure the supreme court, remove our freedoms in the form of “security”. And we’ll be a single party country with a weak republican party left in shambles. Even if Trump had the votes, they will make sure he doesn’t. Last time they had 2000 mules. This time they will be 10000. Am I happy? No, but it’s time to be realistic.
WRONG!! You’re not being a realist, you’re being a quitter! You are the embodiment of a quitter, Reb! We don’t want you hear anymore, quitter!
You are not a realist, you’re a quitter! Your just accepted the left wanting to control us! That’s why I hate you, Reb! You just want us to give up! Giving up is how the left wins!