You may find this hard to believe, but the world isn’t completely insane. A Dutch court acquited populist politician Geert Wilders on Thursday. He had been accused of inciting hatred of Muslims by telling the truth.
Reuters has the report:
The case was seen by some as a test of free speech in a country which has a long tradition of tolerance and blunt talk, but where opposition to immigration, particularly from Muslim or predominantly Muslim countries, is on the rise.
Instantly recognizable by his mane of dyed blond hair, Wilders, 47, is one of the most outspoken critics of Islam and immigration in the Netherlands.
His Freedom Party is now the third-largest in parliament, a measure of support for its anti-immigrant stance, and is the minority government’s chief ally. But many of Wilders’ comments — such as likening Islam to Nazism — are socially divisive.
Really nice impartial work, Reuters. You didn’t even attempt to disguise your editorializing by saying, “Some people say his comments are socially divisive.” You went straight to they are socially divisive.
Unfortunately, the Wilders case isn’t an isolated incident. Australian newspaper columnist, blogger and TV star Andrew Bolt is currently being tried under his nation’s Racial Discrimination Act.
His offense? Suggesting in a series of columns that some light or white-skinned Aussies who identify themselves as aboriginal may have motives that are less than pure. The overly-sensitive “aboriginal” plaintiffs say they were offended, insulted, humiliated or intimidated by Bolt’s articles.
One day at a time. Wilders today, Bolt tomorrow.
Source: Reuters
This post was last modified on January 26, 2021
View Comments (56)
Crikey, mate! I thought your biggest shame was that your boomerang won't come back.
You can ride a kangaroo, make kinkaju stew, but you waved that thing all over the place, practiced til you were blue in the face, but your boomerang won't come back!
You know what the aborigines call a boomerang that won't come back, don't you?
That's right. A stick.
European is just a term for the first mongrel breed, so disconnected from anything of substance they cling to any nation they can to ignore their racial makeup, I come from the first modern humans in the world while the europeans were cave men eating raw meat, grunting for a language, and treating animals like their wife. The only way europeans advanced in the world was by stealing knowldge and land because they are incapable of creating anything of subtance on their own. I do have european blood as well, but I would claim all other heritage I have before accepting blood from the stealer's of the world. European heritage is my biggest shame
Well, get a knife, and let that shameful European blood out.
Your racism and hatred show you to be every bit the kind of person you pretend to detest.
Assimilation is genocide, to alienate people because they are different is to alienate humanity for what it is, do you lot want everyone the same just like hitler, take a good look at your selfs
These people have at least 1 drop of Aboriginal blood so they are Australians, If you dont have Aboriginal blood your NOT Australian, just the truth. If you dont like this country you can go back to the mother land. Im Aboriginal and im offended you all calim to be Australian, show me the evidence, so many liars you give me hope that my people will one day own our country again, please continue to lie and decive, to sook and complain, please continue to stop evolving, your leaders are teaching you lot how to be stagnant and my people are slowly getting back what was STOLEN. so smart your blind, ignorance is bliss and is just one of many fatal flaws that will backfire, all this oppression and you still cant stop us, a reflection of the weak, spoilt nature of the (had it to easy) Aussie condition, We now know you weak lot can never stop us. 2% and we will win. bunch of spoilt brats that have no reason to be bitter exept the spoilt brat syndrome. Aboriginals feel sorry for you lot, so bitter, sooking all the time, like to see you need to put effort in, lazy bunch
If the English hadn't grabbed it, the Chinese would have
Look at the photos of the so-called victims..The only one that looks like she may be Aboriginal would be the somewhat plump lady in the bottom row, the one with glasses....It must be world wide that you can sue anyone for anything..Can I sue Olivia for annoying me and taking up important blog space?
In a landmark turnabout, one of the cornerstones of contemporary liberalism is being rejected by one of the fountainheads of liberalism. The politically correct doctrine of multiculturalism is heading for decline, as Holland, one of the most socially liberal societies on earth, is reversing its former policy of multiculturalism. Soeren Kern, writing for Hudson New York, covers an important story that has gotten almost no notice from the American media, which wishes to pretend that multiculturalism works just fine:
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Now, this is funny. I clicked on the link, and a bunch of far right wingers are cheering for the Netherlands' insistence that immigrants embrace Dutch culture and the Dutch language.
Apparently it's never occurred to any of them that American culture (read: rampant commercialism) and the English language are also foreign influences that erode Dutch culture. But, hey, that doesn't count as "multiculturalism," right? ;)
You ingnorant hag, you compare American commercialism and the use of English, which must be welcomed there for it to prosper to subhuman muzzy animals screeming that they will take over Europe and the rest of the world and force islam on us all or we will die. Were you raised in an ant farm? Your a freaking idiot wasting space with your copy and paste method of debate. Move to Somalia or Yemen with your moronic ideas, your muzzy friends will welcome you to a beheading party.
You ingnorant hag, you compare American commercialism and the use of English, which must be welcomed there for it to prosper to subhuman muzzy animals screeming that they will take over Europe and the rest of the world and force islam on us all or we will die. Were you raised in an ant farm? Your a freaking idiot wasting space with your copy and paste method of debate. Move to Somalia or Yemen with your moronic ideas, your muzzy friends will welcome you to a beheading party.
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Nothing doing, Mr. I'm-A-Religious-Bigot-And-Proud-Of-It. I happen to like living in a culturally diverse country. But it does take courage and an open mind, neither of which you seem to possess.
I feel rather sorry for some of you far righters. You spend so much time listening to political manipulators whipping you into a frenzy of fear, that you're scared of your own shadows. A century ago, the far righters were terrified of immigrants. 50 years ago, they were terrified of black Americans. 20 years ago, they were terrified of homosexuals. Now they're terrified of Muslims. What WOULD you do if you didn't have a target group to dump all your rage and fear on to?
I don't fear you at all, My Dear Sweet Olivia. I despise you. Two different words, and you can look them up if you like, then you'll understand the difference.
Yea I can't compare myself to a great, brave soldier like you olivia, as I hide afraid of my own shadow. You have to be one of those code pink, uglier than a goat, hags. I don't mind cultural diversity at all and I'm certainly not afraid of muslums or anyone else. I don't like it when those monkeys tell us they are going to take us over and force thier beliefs and laws on us. You haven't heard any of that olivia?
Yea I can’t compare myself to a great, brave soldier like you olivia, as I hide afraid of my own shadow. You have to be one of those code pink, uglier than a goat, hags. I don’t mind cultural diversity at all and I’m certainly not afraid of muslums or anyone else. I don’t like it when those monkeys tell us they are going to take us over and force thier beliefs and laws on us. You haven’t heard any of that olivia?
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Oh, sure, I've heard it----but not from Muslims, other than the violent fringe that so many righties insist are representative of the whole religion. (Fear tactics at work again.)
No, I'm not a member of Code Pink. Boy, you are really chock full of bogus stereotypes, aren't you? You think that any woman who disagrees with you must be an "ugly hag" and affiliated with Code Pink. You refer to Muslims as "monkeys" (as if being a bigot were somehow higher on the evolutionary scale).
And, no, I'm not a soldier, either, nor have I ever thought of myself as particularly "great" or "brave." But at least I have the courage to use my own judgment, and stand up to those who merely parrot caricatures.
"But at lest I have the courage to use my own judgement, and stand up to those who merely parrot caricatures>"
Olivia, speaking truth to power while patting herself on the back.
@ John: Olivia wrote: These are the people who know nothing whatsoever about other cultures, and are proud of it. Who have never studied a foreign language, but are dead certain they know more about it than foreigners who are struggling to master English. Who like to think the whole world is eager to be just like us in every way (even though they spend an awful lot of time bad-mouthing the country and its residents).
These kinds of sweeping generalizations are why I will never respond to Olivia gain. She knows NOTHING about the subject matter posted on this site and her responses are so ill informed and based on a confused and misguided worldview.
That said, I will provide a brief bio: Former army officer, Russian major, lived and studied in the USSR (1983), I am an executive with a German company and worked in middle management for a Japanese company prior to my current job. Have traveled to Europe on business and pleasure at least 12 times. Yet, This dingbat presumes to know me through some bizarrely constructed stereotype no doubt formulated while breathlessly watching MSNBC and reading Kos like a slobbering basset hound.
@ John: Olivia wrote: These are the people who know nothing whatsoever about other cultures, and are proud of it. Who have never studied a foreign language, but are dead certain they know more about it than foreigners who are struggling to master English. Who like to think the whole world is eager to be just like us in every way (even though they spend an awful lot of time bad-mouthing the country and its residents).
These kinds of sweeping generalizations are why I will never respond to Olivia gain. She knows NOTHING about the subject matter posted on this site and her responses are so ill informed and based on a confused and misguided worldview.
That said, I will provide a brief bio: Former army officer, Russian major, lived and studied in the USSR (1983),
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A closet commie, huh? ;)
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I am an executive with a German company and worked in middle management for a Japanese company prior to my current job. Have traveled to Europe on business and pleasure at least 12 times. Yet, This dingbat presumes to know me through some bizarrely constructed stereotype no doubt formulated while breathlessly watching MSNBC and reading Kos like a slobbering basset hound.
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I don't watch TV (don't even have reception in my house) or read Daily Kos, John. What's more, I neither drool nor slobber. Such practices are frowned on in my profession. :)
I'm not sure what you mean when you call yourself a "Russian major." Are you still working on your degree?
In any case, if what you say about yourself is accurate, I can't imagine why you would sound so narrow minded in your comments here. It just doesn't add up. Still, it's quite possible to travel rather extensively, with minimal (or no) direct exposure to foreign cultures. A mind that insists on being snapped shut will remain shut, whether or not there are opportunities around to open it.
First of all, as usual your premise is wrong. Your accusation that right wingers are motivated by fear is just stupid as it is grossly general. Similar to me saying that all left wingers are motivated by misguided ideas of social justice and a complete lack of understanding of the origin of wealth. The Dutch government recognizes that multiculturalism does not work in their society. It has taken steps to ensure that those that come to The Netherlands do so with the goal of assimilating into that culture. This is nothing new (when in Rome...). It is interesting that this occurred almost at exactly the same time as Wilders's acquittal. Clearly, the Dutch are hardly xenophobic right wingers, so how do you square their policy reversal with your apparent defense of multiculturalism? In other words, does the movement to the political right in Europe mean that they are all wrong and you are right? Or could it be, that multiculturalism is a failed social experiment that has ruinous consequences everywhere it is tried?
First of all, as usual your premise is wrong. Your accusation that right wingers are motivated by fear is just stupid as it is grossly general.
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Nah, every time I look at right wing current events sources, they're trying to scare their readers (or viewers) to death about something. Fear is the product they peddle, and for some reason they always manage to find plenty of customers who are eager to buy it.
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Similar to me saying that all left wingers are motivated by misguided ideas of social justice and a complete lack of understanding of the origin of wealth.
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Not true. I'm well aware where wealth comes from----I'm just not foolish enough to think that toadying to billionaires and billion dollar businesses, in hopes that they'll be so grateful they'll throw a few crumbs our way, makes sound fiscal policy. ;)
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The Dutch government recognizes that multiculturalism does not work in their society. It has taken steps to ensure that those that come to The Netherlands do so with the goal of assimilating into that culture. This is nothing new (when in Rome…).
It is interesting that this occurred almost at exactly the same time as Wilders’s acquittal. Clearly, the Dutch are hardly xenophobic right wingers
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Some are; some aren't. Did you think they all have cookie-cutter political views? Sounds suspiciously like another stereotype.
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, so how do you square their policy reversal with your apparent defense of multiculturalism? In other words, does the movement to the political right in Europe mean that they are all wrong and you are right?
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Since I don't have first hand experience with living in the Netherlands, I really couldn't say. But I think it's rather amusing that you celebrate Dutch citizens for rejecting multiculturalism, when a full 87% of them speak English, and 70% speak German. Obviously, their idea of defending their native culture isn't, as many Americans seem to believe, about sticking up for ignorance and provincialism, or rejecting the ways of other nations.
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that Or could it be, that multiculturalism is a failed social experiment that has ruinous consequences everywhere it is tried?
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Do you really think the U.S. is a failure, Kick? That's a pretty hardnosed attitude. :D
No, you can rumble all you please about muliticulturalism being a "failure," but that's just bravado talking. Beneath it all, you KNOW that your real problem is insecurity. For some reason, there are a lot of Americans out there who have to be constantly validated to feel good about their own culture. These are the people who get angry and suspicious of anyone who asks for a translation (especially in Spanish), in order to make sure they understand what's being said. These are the people who proudly boast that they never leave their own country (as if it's somehow disloyal to the U.S. to appreciate someone else's country). These are the people who know nothing whatsoever about other cultures, and are proud of it. Who have never studied a foreign language, but are dead certain they know more about it than foreigners who are struggling to master English. Who like to think the whole world is eager to be just like us in every way (even though they spend an awful lot of time bad-mouthing the country and its residents).
It's the same old bigotry and xenophobia that have been with us for centuries. Some things never change-----they're just dressed up in new packages by political manipulators.
"Some things never change—–they’re just dressed up in new packages by political manipulators."
And are called useful idiots. You wear the label well.
Any thinking person fully understands what I wrote, which explains why you are at sea with it. Grow up!
John, just what are you trying to tell us here? I'm not sure, but I think you may be holding something back.
I'm saying olivia is an idiot.
This is interesting:
In a landmark turnabout, one of the cornerstones of contemporary liberalism is being rejected by one of the fountainheads of liberalism. The politically correct doctrine of multiculturalism is heading for decline, as Holland, one of the most socially liberal societies on earth, is reversing its former policy of multiculturalism. Soeren Kern, writing for Hudson New York, covers an important story that has gotten almost no notice from the American media, which wishes to pretend that multiculturalism works just fine:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/06/netherlands_abandoning_multiculturalism.html
"I never trust paraphrasings---especially from rabidly political websites wth an ax to grind."
So you have a website.
The trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff didn't turn out as well:
More at the above link.
Does anyone have a link to what Wilders actually said, that caused him to be charged with hate speech?
I never trust paraphrasings----especially from rabidly political websites with an ax to grind.
"Does anyone have a link to what Wilders actually said, that caused him to be charged with hate speech? "
Yes.