A helpful Fortuyn quote from fellow-blogger, Joe Katzman. See if you think this makes him a member of the “far-right” as even Drudge described him yesterday:
“Large groups in the community are lagging behind in social and cultural terms. These groups often originate from countries which did not participate in the Judeo-Christian-humanist developments which have been taking place in Europe for centuries. These shortfalls in development are highly regrettable, as they result in a divide in society and form a threat to the functioning of our large cities.
“This must be tackled vigorously, on the one hand by paying extra attention to housing, schools and cultural education for these groups, but on the other by requiring these groups to make a maximum effort themselves. Cultural developments which are diametrically opposed to the desired integration and emancipation, such as arranged marriages, honour revenge and female circumcision, must be fought by means of legislation and public information. Discrimination against women in fundamentalist Islamic circles is particularly unacceptable.
“In a democratic society like ours, all citizens have the same rights and obligations, irrespective of race, gender, beliefs and nature. There is a division of Church and State in the Netherlands, and therefore also of mosque and state. Thanks to the division of powers (the executive, legislative and judiciary powers), citizens can develop themselves in relative freedom. Our hard-fought freedoms are worth protecting against increasing fundamentalism. We must carry out a study into whether the introduction of a social and military service for boys and girls of eighteen years of age or older can contribute to integration.”
I guess in a society in which a New York Times columnist can compare George W. Bush to Le Pen, such exaggerations are to be expected. But that doesn’t make them any truer.
THE EURO-ELITE RESPONDS: This astonishing quote via Reuters tells you much about what the Euro-elites really feel about a political assassination:
Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, referring to Le Pen’s success in France, said the political atmosphere in Europe was “already very delicate.”
“This on top, is of course, very dangerous.”
“Democratic parties have to campaign in a very cautious way, and in a balanced and serene way to try to orientate the debate toward democratic values,” Michel told VRT television.
Yes, this is the continent that gave us fascism. And yes, it could happen again, if political violence is responded to in this craven way.
The Dish 