Its dangerous to speak out in the Netherlands

Submitted by Charles (Netherlands), Jan 24, 2010 at 13:13

It is a very sad fact Peter, like Myth already mentioned, that ALL of the political parties in the NL are opposing Mr. Wilders party. the PVV. The Party For Freedom. Even his old party, the old Liberal Party (in the NL 'Liberal' could be compared tot the US Democratic party; the NL did not have anything like Wilders new movement up till now) is not really standing by him really.

Sinds 2002, when Pim Fortuyn stormed in from nowhere and looked like winning the elections big time (landslide-like; with something like 40 to 50 seats to become the biggest party in the parlement*) the political climate has changed radicaly in the NL. Fortuyn was assassinated a few days before the elections by a radical leftist, and his following still managed to get 24 seats without him, but sadly imploded shortly afterwards. In 2004 Wilders got out of his own Liberal party because of disagreements on foreign policy (no against Turkey in the E.U. and stop mass-immigration from muslim countries). Sinds then, his political star shot sky high, because the large following of Fortuyn (and others) saw in him a new voice speaking up against the multi-cultural/politically correct politicians who did not dare to do anything for fear of being called 'racists' and 'bigots' and what have you. Sinds then Wilders has picked up the slack and molded his own party, the PVV, and has sinds been groing and groing. In the 2007 elections he received 9 seats in the parlement and ever since his party is on the move. Right now the polls indicate around 30 seats for his movement, but in reality, its probably around 40 tot 45, because a lot of Dutch are scared of admitting that they are against immigration. It can have serious concequences for your social standing. In the NL there still are dangerous downsides in not beeing politically correct and being patriotic. Anybody publicly against the forces that be in this country have to watch themselves. Don't forget the murder of Fortuyn in 2002. Ever since, a lot spokesmen and women are cautious. It ain't the US, where just about anybody can stand up and start speeching etc. If you must have a comparison, then the McCarthy in the fifties period would be the best example...

And of course, there is the radical-muslim threat also. Film maker Theo van Gogh was butchered in 2004 in the streets of Amsterdam for criticizing islam. He paid with his life.

Anyway, since 2002 the ruling elite in this country have continually tried to supress and/or frustrate any criticism on their multi-cultural dream. It has become a political mantra and anybody trying to break it down can expect to be politically crucified by the elite and/or the press.

Change is coming slow though. Wilders push is relentless however. Ever since things are starting to move, albeit slowly. Anyway, you cant stop hoping for... change, cant you?..

The coming elections (probably this year) will surely trigger big things in this country. The trial on free speech (and islam-critique), what ever the outcome, is a win-win situation for Wilders. The only thing about this trial is that it is a shameful experience for a country calling itself free and democratic.

*) the Dutch parliament counts 150 seats, spread over 11 parties, of which 6 to 7 left(-ish) and the rest center to center-left. Even the Liberal party is a 'confused' party; they should be on the right, but dare not, for fear of being called (dont laugh) 'extremist' of 'far right'. Truely, the NL is a pretty mixed country. Even since WW2 actually. Ever since, anybody declaring himself patriotic of 'right-ish' is prone to better watch out. (The reason for this schizophrenic attitude goes beyond the scope of this blog however..)

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