A post by Maynard
Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders has been outspoken in sounding the warning of the rise of Islamic Fascism and its threat to Europe. See my earlier blog notes here and here.
The question of how to respond has been slowly percolating through the Dutch judicial bureaucracy, which finally decided to prosecute Wilders for making statements that “affect the dignity of Muslims.” (Wilders has called the Koran the “Islamic Mein Kampf” and referred to “fascist Islam.”)
Europe does not have the First Amendment protection Americans enjoy, so it’s generally easier to curtail free speech in Europe. Some of us have been concerned that the proliferation of “hate crime” legislation in America will — if our courts are not properly diligent (and I don’t trust them) — chip away at the First Amendment and be used to enforce politically correct expression under penalty of law. We’re already seeing “speech codes” proliferate at, for example, universities. Is this the wave of the future?
The Wilders trial may become a lightning rod of controversy, as Wilders will probably submit as much evidence as the court will allow showing his statements were true and not libelous. Will the event help bring about greater awareness and concern, or will it merely become a circus radiating much heat and no light? I guess we’ll find out.
Don’t forget anti-racist mathmatics:
http://tinyurl.com/yssb4k
1 + 1 = Bigot
A coming preview of the United Socialist States of Obama?
It’s all about force isn’t it?
….government using force against your own reasonable business practices and your property,
special interest groups using force against your own freedom of conscience and will.
The force can come under color of law or by violent intimidation.
I as an American believe in voluntary action between parties acting in their own best interest in the absence of force. That is the true social harmony which has made us a great nation.
I wish Wilders the best. It is absolutely outrageous. I hope more of us really speak out about this and show how idiotic it is.
It’s also very scary. I wonder when it will start happening here (instead of just on college campuses).