By John Derbyshire
Geert Wilders had his first day in court in Amsterdam today [Monday, October 4th] (they are six hours ahead of EST), where he faces five charges of “inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims and insulting their religion” in his short movie Fitna.
The opening of the trial, expected to last a month in Amsterdam, followed a successful weekend for the maverick Dutch politician, with his influence over a new rightwing government confirmed and a campaign speech in Germany aimed at establishing a trans-national European movement against Muslim immigration.
Proceedings were derailed after the judge made a sneering comment about WildersÂ’s rhetorical style:
Wilders then asserted his right to remain silent for the rest of the trial, prompting a comment from the presiding judge, Jan Moors, which was challenged by WildersÂ’s lawyer.
Moors said Wilders was known for making bold statements but avoiding discussions, adding: “It appears you’re doing so again.”
I thought the right to silence was pretty well established in the court proceedings of civilized nations, and it is news to me that judicial proceedings have “discussions” as one of their purposes. The Euro-establishment is out to get Wilders, though, and they’re not going to be fussy about methods. If they don’t take this man down, their whole worldview is imperilled.
Conservative/libertarian blogger Randall Parker has suggested a blog bomb on Wilders’ behalf. That is, he suggests that on this coming Thursday, October 7, “all bloggers who support a basic right to free speech ought to write posts protesting the prosecution of Geert Wilders.”
Trial resumed today as the court ruled that the challenged judge did not need to be removed, as his question was merely poorly framed rather than displaying bias.
The court listened to letters of complaint from Muslims claiming that Geert Wilders' statements on Islam have created in them a fear of harassment, having poisoned the atmosphere. | No apparent mention that as a result of Muslim attitudes toward him, Geert Wilders has a well-justified fear of being murdered, and his justified need for security has cut him off from all possibility of living a normal life, as others in his circle and with similar opinions have either fled Holland or been murdered by Muslims. Perhaps that will come later in the trial. |
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