Faithful readers will recall that Savage had been invited by the Cambridge Union Society to participate in a debate entitled, "This House Believes that Political Correctness is Sane and Necessary." Savage was going to take the opposition's point.

Savage's appearance was prompted by his being banned in May from entering the country. That sterling move was made by former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, prompting a massive Savage pity party and a lawsuit, (Oh, and endless and shameless begging on Savage's part for money for his "legal defense fund." This from a man who reportedly makes $10 million a year.)

But apparently, things have changed. According to the venerable World Net Daily, Savage's producer received an email this week, canceling his appearance.

The cancellation was confirmed by a columnist for the London Telegraph.

The Union cited legal and financial reasons for the move; WND took it at that and did not pursue the point. Which, of course, plays right into Savage's "world against me" mindset.

What doesn't British Prime Minister Gordon Brown want me to say? Savage mused to WND.com. Perhaps Brown is afraid that Savage will blow the lid off of why he was banned. Hmmm.

Well, probably not.

According to the Telegraph article, the main reason is that the Union could not afford the 5,000 British Pound cost for the technology. Apparently, the Union anted to do it through a low-cost Internet program called Skype, but Savage wanted high-tech equipment.

According to an email the Telegraph reporter received from the Union's president-elect:

We proposed to Dr Savage that he speak by videophone (/Skype), but his team demanded higher spec equipment than we were able to provide and were not willing to negotiate or contribute to the costs.

The £5000 plus that this event would have cost us - following their demands - was not an expense we could justify.

So i t's not so much pressure from the British government, but pressure from Savage himself that scuttled his big chance.

The Telegraph suggested that Savage be the bigger man and pay for the technology, and I agree. It's only about $8,000. C'mon Savage, you throw $50,000 around like it's Monopoly money, you can afford it.

Don't hold your breath.

Keep the faith.