Geert Wilders - Dutch PM?
The Netherlands: Geert Wilders, a product of collective political misperception in the Netherlands throws shadow on the Dutch concept of tolerance
Recently we read the ten commandments of Mr. Geert Wilders political party PVV, presently leading in Dutch political polls.
"1. Stop cultural relativism. We need an article in our constitutions that lays down that we have a Jewish-Christian and humanism culture. 2. Stop pretending that Islam is a religion. Islam is a totalitarian ideology. In other words, the right to religious freedom should not apply to Islam. 3. Stop mass immigration by people from Muslim countries. We have to end Al-Hijra. 4. Encourage voluntary repatriation. 5. Expel criminal foreigners and criminals with dual nationality, after denationalization, and send them back to their Arab countries. Likewise, expel all those who incite to a ‘violent jihad’. 6. We need an European First Amendment to strengthen free speech. 7. Have every member of a non-Western minority sign a legally binding contract of assimilation. 8. We need a binding pledge of allegiance in all Western countries. 9. Stop the building of new mosques. As long as no churches or synagogues are allowed to be build in countries like Saudi-Arabia we will not allow one more new mosque in our western countries. Close all mosques where incitement to violence is taking place. Close all Islamic schools, for they are fascist institutions and young children should not be educated an ideology of hate and violence. 10. Get rid of the current weak leaders. We have the privilege of living in a democracy. Let’s use that privilege and exchange cowards for heroes. We need more Churchills and less Chamberlains."
Amazing stuff, if we think that this is being proclaimed in 2009 not only by a European politician, but one born in the Netherlands, considered by many in the world as one of the most tolerant and democratic nations on earth. Three of his objectives - 6, 7, 8, also advocated by politicians from other parties, are probably acceptable, but Mr Wilders' desire to eliminate Islam from the shores of Europe and " voluntarily" repatriate Europeans who belong to the Muslim faith, bring to memory some of the saddest moments in European history. When one closely listens to Geert Wilders speaking in public, many of his arguments resemble those published before and during the second world war in Nazi Germany by a weekly tabloid called "Der Stürmer". This publication was a significant part of the Nazi propaganda machinery and was extremely anti-Semitic. Der Stürmer often ran obscene materials and propaganda-like accusations in order to appeal to a larger public of readers, especially those among the lower class. The only difference being that the Nazi's focused on the Jews and Wilders on the Muslims.
If there was an election today some opinion polls put Wilders' PVV as the biggest party in the Netherlands. According to the latest Dutch Maurice de Hond polling bureau figures, the PVV would take 32 seats out of the available 150. The party currently has nine seats in parliament. Labor leader and Government coalition member Wouter Bos (PVDA) on Monday told an audience of students at the Amsterdam's Vrije ( Free) University that his party ruled out any possibility of the PvdA being part of a coalition government with Geert Wilders' anti-Islam PVV. Bos's comments now means that all the left of center parties in the Dutch parliament are united in their unwillingness to form a coalition with Wilders after the next election. The Christian Democrats (CDA), also a member of the Dutch coalition government and the opposition conservative VVD so far have not ruled out an alliance with Wilders. Fortunately "a lot of water will still have to flow under the bridge" before the next scheduled Dutch general elections in May 2011. Right now, however, Geert Wilders, considered by his political opponents as a populist bigot is leading the pack of Dutch politicians. Whatever happens in the 2011 general elections, or maybe even earlier, this trend favoring Geert Wilders also shows that the majority of Dutch citizens really are not as tolerant as some people say they are. The positive side of this controversial debate is that it shows that democracy, freedom of speech and religion are a common right of every EU citizen. No one needs to fear persecution by speaking out on, or expressing an opinion about any issue. That applies to everyone, including Mr. Wilders.
2 comments:
Sad developments in a country that once was a beacon of freedom.
Lets get something straight: tolerance is the act of allowing something, not the act of allowing anything.
The issue here is that a certain minority in Holland has misunderstood this distinction.
Street crime by Morrocan youths is a genuine issue here (I live in Amsterdam) and its getting worse. Today I was talking to a gentleman from Pakistan and another gentleman from Turkey because I had one of my windows vandalised by Morrocan street youths and they have also experienced similar forms of vandalism; it happens all the time, mugging, pickpocketing and its generally the Morrocans that are involved. That fact is also represented by the statistics.
So one part that is fueling Mr Wilders popularity, we have a social situation that has been ongoing for many years, the government has thrown money at it and its getting worse.
So what, exactly, is wrong with using deportation as a deterrent for such criminals ? If you commit crimes 3 times in a row, you are to be deported.
If someone comes to a party at your house and misbehaves, they get thrown out. A society is no different, and if it is why should it be ?
I also agree with the deportation of Imams who incite hatred. Why should they be allowed access to any country and its welfare institutions and then try to tear it down ? Now, there are laws in the UK that allow these people to be imprisoned but this is just a drain on taxpayers money. A simpler better solution is, for these individuals, is to send them home.
Now I do disagree with Mr Wilders on some things, I have never had issue with any other Muslim minorities who seem to be good people. But even Mr Wilders himself has nothing against the people, its the ideology that comes with the Muslim identity, namely Sharia law with its barbaric customs of beheading and mutilating, anti-gay attitude (Morrocan street gangs also beat up gays in Holland), the fact that Burqas make it more difficult for an individual to connect to society and also that it somewhat treats women as objects.
His point is not that cultures can't integrate but they have to do so at a natural pace in order for individuals to assimilate into society and the wholesale import of a whole culture, especially a barbaric one, causes friction. The process needs to be gradual in order for incomers to become accustomed.
I am sure this sounds right leaning but as I said before I have discussed this issue with other ethnic minorities, Turks, Pakistanis, Africans and we all have issues with Morrocans. I am also in an ethnic minority. And you can say what you like but the moment your windows are smashed, your grandmother is mugged, your pocket is picked, gays are bashed in the street, bins are set on fire (I have also seen this) what used to sound like fear mongering becomes a factual description.
The only thing I worry about is indeed that the baby gets thrown out with the bathwater but I, and apparently a growing number here too, see the enforced repatriation of criminals as the best option to bring safety back to our streets.
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