Dutch Cowardice
NEW YORK POST: How do you say "free speech" in Dutch? Apparently, you don't.

Dutch MP Geert Wilders appeared yesterday in an Amsterdam court to face criminal charges for, essentially, criticizing Islam.

The hate-speech charges stem largely from Wilders' film warning of the Islamization of Europe, which connected verses from the Koran with scenes of Islamist terror.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail.

Actually, he might consider such a sentence a lucky break: In 2004, Islamist assassin Mohammed Bouyeri gunned down Theo Van Gogh, one of the last Dutchmen to make a movie critical of radical Islam.

After the shooting, Bouyeri used a knife to affix a five-page note threatening Jews -- and the West in general -- to Van Gogh's dead body.

Add to that, say, the attempts on the life of Danish "Muhammad cartoonist" Kurt Westergaard and the creeping reach of Sharia law in Britain, and you have ample grounds for a hard look at the impact on Europe's political and cultural fabric of a growing and assertive Muslim population. >>> | Thursday, January 21, 2010

Democrats Fear Every Seat Up for Grabs After Massachusetts Defeat
TIMES ONLINE: Fear and recrimination ricocheted through the Democratic Party today after the loss of a safe Senate seat left Congressmen feeling none of them was secure in the upcoming midterm elections.

Barbara Boxer, a Democratic senator for California, confirmed the sense of alarm spreading through the party. “Every state is now in play,” she told Politico.

Tuesday night’s Massachusetts by-election defeat, in one of the most liberal states in America, stripped President Obama of his 60th, filibuster-proof vote in the US Senate.

Claire McCaskill, senator from Missouri, said: “If there’s anybody in this building that doesn’t tell you they’re more worried about elections today, you absolutely should slap them.”

Mr Obama was scrambling yesterday to save his entire domestic agenda after losing the late Edward Kennedy’s Senate seat, a defeat that dealt a devastating blow to hopes of reforming the US health system.

The loss of an almost sacred Democratic seat, which Mr Kennedy had held for 47 years, was a humiliating upset that showed Mr Obama how the popular mood has turned against his policies and his party, a year to the day after he took office. >>> Tim Reid in Washington and Times Online | Thursday, January 21, 2010

Prozess: Wilders bestreitet Vorwurf der Islam-Hetze
DIE PRESSE: Der niederländische Rechtspopulist Wilders muss sich ab heute wegen Volksverhetzung vor Gericht verantworten. Ihm drohen 16 Monate Gefängnis. Seine Anhänger demonstrieren gegen das Verfahren.

In Amsterdam hat am Mittwoch der Prozess gegen den niederländischen Islam-Gegner Geert Wilders begonnen. Der populäre Politiker ist wegen Volksverhetzung angeklagt. Die Staatsanwaltschaft wirft ihm die Beleidigung von Muslimen und ihrer Religion sowie Aufstachelung zum Hass gegen Anhänger des Islam vor. Es drohen 16 Monate Gefängnis sowie eine Geldstrafe von bis zu 10.000 Euro.

Wilders wies vor Gericht alle Vorwürfe zurück. Seine kritischen Äußerungen über Anhänger des Islam und über den Koran als "faschistische" Anleitung zum Terrorismus seien "ein substanzieller Beitrag zur öffentlichen Debatte" und keineswegs strafbar. >>> Ag. | Mittwoch, 20. Januar 2010

A True American "Moderate" Muslim Beheads Wife

Update on Our Hero in Amsterdam – “Geert Akbar”! Geert Wilders: 'I want Muslim Fanatic to Speak in My Defence'
TIMES ONLINE: Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-Right MP, has demanded that his race hate trial should hear evidence from the fanatic who used the Koran to justify killing the director of an anti-Islamic film.

It marked an incendiary opening to the landmark case that has divided the Netherlands over the limits of freedom. Mr Wilders, 46, who is accused of incitement and discrimination, asked for 18 witnesses to be called in his defence, including Mohammed Bouyeri, the man who stabbed and shot Theo Van Gogh in an Amsterdam street in 2004.

The Van Gogh murder left a deep scar on the national conscience. It helped to change the mood of tolerance of Islam, and boosted Mr Wilders’s popularity.

Mr Wilders, whose Party for Freedom came second in the European elections last summer, faces a 70-page charge sheet covering five counts of breaking Dutch law in more than 100 public statements — for example, by likening the Koran to Hitler’s Mein Kampf and calling for an end to the “Islamic invasion”. He could be fined or jailed if convicted.

The alleged offences include Mr Wilders’s film Fitna, which shows images of 9/11 and beheadings interspersed with verses from the Koran. It ends with a clip of the controversial Danish cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad.

At the opening day of the trial the prosecution objected to the request to hear from Bouyeri, and the panel of four judges adjourned until February 3 to consider which witnesses to call. “This case is about more than Mr Wilders,” Bram Moszkowicz, his lawyer, told the court. “It touches us all. It is such an important and principled question that could have far-reaching consequences.”

Mr Moszkowicz argued that the witnesses Mr Wilders wanted to call would prove that what he said was not simply inoffensive but true. He suggested that Bouyeri, a dual Moroccan-Dutch national, would be key to the case because he was a fervent Muslim who carried a Koran during his trial and defended his crime by claiming that Islam permitted violence against unbelievers. >>> David Charter in Amsterdam | Thursday, January 21, 2010

Republicans Take Some Bold Steps to Exit the Dark Ages
THE TELEGRAPH: Senator John McCain has been forced to issue a statement clarifying his position on gay marriage after his wife Cindy and daughter Meghan posed for campaign posters.

Cindy and Meghan McCain, posed for photos endorsing pro-gay marriage forces in California.

Mrs McCain appears with silver duct tape across her mouth and "NOH8" written on one cheek. The photo was posted on Wednesday on the NOH8 campaign's website.

The homosexual rights group opposes Proposition 8 - the ballot measure passed by Californian voters in 2008 which bans same-sex marriage.

Cindy McCain contacted NOH8 and offered to pose for the photo endorsement, the website said.

John McCain's office said in a statement that the Arizona senator an 2008 Republican presidential candidate respects the views of members of his family but remains opposed to gay marriage. John McCain's Wife Cindy Becomes Poster Girl for Same-sex Marriage >>> | Thursday, January 21, 2010

Meghan McCain on Twitter >>>

Pat Condell: Thank God for Andy Choudary

Hate Speech or Free Speech? Geert Wilders on Trial

A Stupid Bitch by Any Other Name – Harriet Harman! Harriet Harman Puts Class at Heart of Election Battle
If this is so, then what the hell has the Labour Party been doing all these years? It's the Labour Party which has reduced this once great nation to scrubberdom! – © Mark

THE GUARDIAN: Labour deputy leader to make inequality a key dividing line with Conservatives

Harriet Harman's speech is designed to put fight against inequality at heart of election campaign. Photograph: The Guardian
Harriet Harman will reopen the politically explosive debate over class tomorrowby insisting that it remains the single biggest factor in determining individual achievement.

In a speech designed to put the fight against inequality at the heart of the general election campaign, the Labour deputy leader will unveil a new "inequality bible" which admits that the government has merely slowed the trend in rising inequality despite more than 12 years in office.

The 420-page report, commissioned by the government, has been written by a panel chaired by Professor John Hills.
In her speech, Harman will say the report, to be published next week, makes uncomfortable reading for Labour, and sets out home truths about the scale of the challenge.

But she will also seek to create dividing lines with the Tories by arguing that the evidence shows socio-economic background, not parental warmth, is the main determinant of an individual's success.

The report's findings are politically sensitive since they may revive accusations – furiously denied by Gordon Brown – that Labour is embarking on a "class war". >>> Patrick Wintour and Amelia Gentleman | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Runaway Girl, 17, Who Converted from Islam to Christianity Will Be Allowed to Live Away from Muslim Parents
MAIL ONLINE: A runaway teenage girl who converted from Islam to Christianity has reached a court settlement that allows her to live away from her Muslim parents.

Rifqa Bary, 17, will stay in a foster home under state custody in Columbus, America, until she turns 18 in August.

Bary's attorney read a statement in Franklin County Juvenile Court, saying that the girl and her parents love and respect each other and will try to resolve their differences through counselling.

Bary ran away in July, saying she feared her father Mohamed would harm or kill her for leaving Islam.

She fled to the Florida home of married pastors Blake and Beverly Lorenz, whom she had contacted on Facebook.

After staying with them for two weeks, she was eventually moved into foster care. >>> Mail Foreign Service | Thursday, January 21, 2010

New Dark Age Alert! Geert Wilders' Warning to America

HT: Eleanor >>>

First Day in Wilders Trial
NRC HANDELSBLAD INTERNATIONAL: The trial of the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, began this Wednesday.

The lead judge of the court started off by addressing Geert Wilders, leader of the populist PVV party, directly. The judge said that while the media might have portrayed his case as foregone, his court “would not cast judgment before the last word has been spoken”.

It is quite uncommon for judges to reassure their suspects that they will receive a fair trial. But it seems little in the case against Wilders will be business as usual. On Wednesday morning, hundreds of Wilders’ sympathizers were gathered outside the Amsterdam courtroom where Wilders was on trial for group slander and inciting discrimination and violence. A large number of Wilder’s statements to the media and his anti-Islam film Fitna will be presented as evidence. A comparison Wilders drew between the Koran and Hitler’s Mein Kampf is one of his remarks now under legal scrutiny.

Witnesses to be called

The hearing on Wednesday was formal in nature, establishing a general schedule for the trial. The defence and prosecution will be presenting their cases later this year. The first outlines of the case became clear on Wednesday however. The court will have to decide who can be called as a witness by Thursday. Wilders has said he feels that Islam should be on trial instead of him. In an attempt to prove that Islam provokes evil, he wants to call Theo van Gogh’s murderer, Mohammed B., as a witness. He also hopes to call a number of Dutch scholars who have voiced criticism of Islam in the past. The court might limit or expand the scope of the trial by allowing or barring certain witnesses.

Wednesday’s formal hearing kicked off with a number of preliminary motions in which the defence argued why Wilders should not be tried in the first place. His lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz, named several. He argued that Wilders should not be tried in Amsterdam, but in The Hague, where he lives. Moszkowicz also argued that the scope of the charges against Wilders had been extended unjustly when the public prosecutor chose to try him for inciting hatred against non-western migrant communities and Moroccans. The prosecution had not yet responded when this article was written. Already convicted? >>> Merel Thie | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Dancing in the Street at Victory for ‘Sexiest Man’ Scott Brown
TIMES ONLINE: Scott Brown, a previously obscure state legislator, lawyer and former male model, became the new star of the Republican Party yesterday, with some members suggesting that he should now aim for the White House.

The father of two delivered what he called a “voter bomb” to take the seat held by Edward Kennedy, the Democratic “Lion of the Senate” for 47 years — and by his brother John F. Kennedy before that.

Mr Brown, 50, triumphed in what is viewed as America’s most liberal state, provoking speculation that he could try for the Republican nomination for the presidency. But he told a Boston press conference: “To think about something higher ... I’m just honoured to be in this position.

“If you would have told me growing up — a guy whose mum was on welfare and whose parents had marital problems and I had some issues growing up — that a guy from Wrentham would be standing here and going to Washington, are you kidding me? It’s overwhelming.”

Rapturous supporters saw him as a symbol of Republican resurgence after the crushing defeat in 2008 that put Barack Obama in the White House and gave the Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.

Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential contender, said that it could be a model for elsewhere: “This shows the American people are rejecting the arrogance of ‘Obama-ism’ — the idea that the government knows best.” >>> James Bone in Boston | Thursday, January 21, 2010

L'Assemblée nationale va demander l'interdiction de la burqa en France
Une femme portant le voile intégral, qui dissimule le corps et le visage, à Marseille en juin 2009. Crédits photo : Le Monde
LE MONDE: L'Assemblée nationale va demander officiellement que le port du voile intégral soit "prohibé sur le territoire de la République", selon un projet de proposition de résolution de la mission parlementaire.

L'Assemblée "affirme que le voile intégral est contraire aux valeurs de la République que sont la liberté, la fraternité et la dignité de la personne humaine", et "demande que cette pratique soit prohibée sur le territoire de la République", selon ce texte qui sera finalisé la semaine prochaine, lors de la remise des conclusions de la mission parlementaire sur le port du voile intégral. >>> LeMonde.fr avec AFP | Mercredi 20 Janvier 2010

Burqa : «l'interdiction sera absolue dans les lieux publics»
André Gerin, député maire communiste de Vénissieux. Crédits photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: La mission parlementaire présidée par André Gerin va rendre son rapport le 26 janvier. Elle va demander, dans une proposition de résolution, que le port du voile intégral soit «prohibé sur le territoire de la République».

LE FIGARO. À titre personnel, êtes-vous favorable à une loi pour interdire le port de la burqa en France ?

André GERIN. Sur le principe, bien sûr. D'ailleurs, au sein de la mission parlementaire, personne n'est opposé à cette idée. Le problème, c'est le contenu de la loi, qui doit être élaborée de façon pluraliste, en prenant le temps nécessaire. J'espère que nous obtiendrons un point de vue partagé par toutes les sensibilités de l'Assemblée nationale.

Que pensez-vous de la proposition de loi portée par Jean-François Copé, qui préconise l'interdiction du voile intégral dans tout l'espace public ?

Sur la méthode, je considère que Jean-François Copé confond vitesse et précipitation et qu'il se comporte comme un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine. Je note que le président du groupe UMP ne faisait pas partie des 58 députés signataires, en majorité UMP, d'une demande de création, en juin 2009, d'une commission d'enquête sur le sujet. Sur le fond, s'il s'agit vraiment d'une contribution, je la mettrai dans le dossier des travaux de la mission parlementaire. Mais le problème de l'espace public, c'est-à-dire la rue, est très délicat. Cela dépasse complètement la question du voile intégral en tant que tel.

Quel pourrait être le cadre d'une loi susceptible de recueillir un consensus ?

Il faut prendre en compte les notions d'ordre public, de dignité de la femme, de relations avec autrui. Pour être efficace, cette loi doit aller dans le sens de la libération des femmes contraintes. Car se couvrir le visage, ce n'est pas un vêtement, c'est un linceul, ce qui signifie la négation de l'identité, de la personnalité. Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec Martine Aubry quand elle dit que cela ne doit pas être une loi de circonstance. Il faut traiter aussi le problème des talibans français, qui obligent ces femmes mineures ou majeures à être voilées. Je désigne par le terme de taliban le mari, le grand frère, la famille, voire le quartier, car il y a une sorte de charia dans certains quartiers. Et le voile intégral, c'est la partie visible de cette marée noire de l'intégrisme fondamentalisme. >>> Propos recueillis par Sophie Huet | Mercredi 20 Janvier 2010

Insanity! Muslim Police in Denial! Muslim Police Say Islam Not to Blame for Terror Attacks
THE TELEGRAPH: Muslim police officers have rebelled openly against the Government’s anti-terrorism strategy, warning that it is an “affront to British values” which threatens to trigger ethnic unrest.

The National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) claimed that ministers were wrong to blame Islam for being the “driver” behind recent terrorist attacks.

Far-Right extremists were a more dangerous threat to national security, it said.

The officers told MPs that Muslims were being “stigmatised” by the Government’s attempts to tackle terrorism, which was adding to “hatred” against entire communities.

In the official intervention, the association said the Government’s anti-terrorism policies could not “continue unchecked”.

The comments, made in a seven-page memorandum to a parliamentary committee investigating extremism, are embarrassing for Gordon Brown.

They indicated that Muslim officers may be reluctant to take part in “hearts and minds” anti-terrorism campaigns.

The organisation, which represents more than 2,000 officers, was previously publicly backed by Mr Brown. The Prime Minister said the association was crucial to bridge the historic divide between Muslims and the police.

There have been growing concerns about the radicalisation of Muslims in Britain. The failed Detroit bombing on Christmas Day was carried out by an al-Qaeda-inspired extremist who had studied in London.

The Daily Telegraph disclosed last week that American intelligence agencies believed that Britain had the greatest number of Islamic extremists of any Western country.

It is thought to be the first time that the Muslim association, which was founded in 2007, has criticised government policy. >>> Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Tariq Ramadan n’est plus interdit d’entrée aux Etats-Unis
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: LEVÉE D'INTERDICTION | L’intellectuel genevois Tariq Ramadan a fait savoir hier qu’il n’était plus interdit d’entrée aux Etats-Unis. L’American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a confirmé dans un communiqué que la secrétaire d’Etat Hillary Clinton avait signé des ordres qui mettent fin à l’interdiction.

L’intellectuel genevois Tariq Ramadan a fait savoir hier qu’il n’était plus interdit d’entrée aux Etats-Unis. L’American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a confirmé dans un communiqué que la secrétaire d’Etat Hillary Clinton avait signé des ordres qui mettent fin à l’interdiction.

L’ACLU, une association américaine de défense des libertés civiles, a défendu la cause de Ramadan, interdit de territoire américain pour liens présumés avec le terrorisme. >>> ats | Mercredi 20 Janvier 2010

Republikanischer Sieg in Massachusetts: Ein Mr. Brown verändert Amerika
ZEIT ONLINE: Der Republikaner Scott Brown erobert den Senatssitz von Ted Kennedy und kippt die Machtverhältnisse in Washington. Für Obama wird das Regieren viel schwerer. Von Josef Joffe

Brown ist ein Allerweltsnamen in Amerika; jetzt klingt er wie "Gottseibeiuns" im Weißen Haus. Dieser Brown, mit Vornamen Scott, hat am Dienstag einen wichtigen Senatssitz in Massachusetts gewonnen und damit die Vorherrschaft der Demokraten in diesem "exklusivsten Club der Welt" gebrochen.

Brown war bis vor ein paar Tagen ein kaum bekannter Staats-Senator im Lande der Kennedys. Jetzt hat er die Machtverhältnisse im Senat, wenn nicht gar in Washington überhaupt umgestülpt – mit der magischen Zahl "41": So viele Senatoren haben die Republikaner nun nach seinem vor zwei Wochen noch für unmöglich gehaltenen Sieg. Damit fehlt den Demokraten just die eine Stimme, die sie brauchen, um einen "Filibuster" der Opposition abzuwürgen. Der Filibuster ist die Dauerrede, die verhindert, dass es zur Abstimmung kommt, die Republikaner können damit nun jedes Gesetz blockieren.

Bislang verfügten die Demokraten mithilfe von zwei Unabhängigen über die notwendige Stimmenzahl von 60 Senatoren. Diese Supermehrheit ist nun dahin.

Aber die Sache hat auch noch eine hochsymbolische Seite. Dieser Brown hat den Sitz des verstorbenen Ted Kennedy erobert, den dieser mehr als ein halbes Jahrhundert innehatte. Der Patriarch des Clans und Bruder von John F. Kennedy war der Großwesir des linken Lagers in der Demokratischen Partei, der Mentor Obamas und praktisch der Erfinder der leidenschaftlich umkämpften Gesundheitsreform, die nun noch weiter verwässert werden wird. >>> Josef Joffe | Mittwoch, 20. Januar 2010

Why Do I Get the Feeling That Keith Olbermann Dislikes Scott Brown?

Saudi 'Sorcerer' Who Raped 100 Sentenced to Death
THE TELEGRAPH: A Saudi man who reportedly raped more than 100 women after posing as a spell-caster to lure them into his clutches has been sentenced to death, Saudi media reported on Wednesday.

The "Qatif sorcerer" was originally sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes, but after more victims came forth the sentence was changed to execution, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported.

The man, whose name was not given, terrified women around the eastern city of Qatif for several years.

He first drew them in by saying he could cast love spells, but then surreptitiously filmed their meeting and used his work for extortion and to rape them, according to Arab News.

Authorities found hidden cameras and some 200 videotapes and 180 computer disks with footage of his victims in his home, Arab News reported.

He may have tricked as many as 350 women, according to Al-Riyadh. >>> | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Qatif Rapist Sentenced to Death
ARABS NEWS: QATIF: A man dubbed the Qatif rapist has been sentenced to death for raping over 100 women and blackmailing many of his victims by recording the attacks on video.

The Qatif General Court passed the death sentence on the man who is accused of luring women saying he could perform black magic. The ruling has been passed to the Supreme Court for ratification.

The court originally sentenced the man to 10 years in jail and 1,000 lashes one year ago. The ruling was, however, appealed by the prosecution, Al-Yaum newspaper reported. It added that the crimes took place four years ago.

The man’s family has objected to the sentence, saying the victims are anonymous and that their names have not been mentioned in the case filed against him. The family says this is not in accordance with the law and that the victims should not be given anonymity. >>> | Wednesday, January 20, 2010