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‘I Have No Regrets’: An Interview with Geert Wilders

Answers from Europe's most persecuted man on the eve of his "hate crimes" show trial.

by
Hege Storhaug

Bio

January 20, 2010 - 12:00 am
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HRS: If you became prime minister of the Netherlands, what would your main political priorities be and why?

Wilders: I would stop the immigration from Muslim countries. Not because I have anything against Muslims — I don’t — but because we have enough Islam in Europe. I would be tougher on the integration of the non-indigenous people. If you do not adhere to our Constitution, laws, and values, and commit crimes you will deported as soon as possible. I would strengthen the freedom of speech in the Netherlands by introducing some kind of Dutch First Amendment of the sort that the U.S.A. has. I would lower taxes in the Netherlands by cutting expenses on integration, contributions to the EU, development programs, and other leftish hobbies, etc. I would spend more money on the elderly and disabled since they are often worse off than the prisoners who are pampered in Dutch prisons.

HRS: A major aspect of Islamist control in Muslim communities is the denial of rights to women in those communities. How would you address this as prime minister? Is it possible for governments to do anything about this?

Wilders: One of the differences between our free Western societies and societies where the Islamic culture is dominant is the equality of men and women. We will not compromise on that one inch. Woman are equal to men, should have the same right to education and freedom and opportunity as men. This is already in all our laws. We have to act on it if we witness any other behavior that is unlawful and we should make examples by punishing and/or extraditing those men who don’t adhere to our laws and the important principle of equality of men and women.

HRS: How should we deal with the results of new research in Denmark which shows that the better integrated Muslims are, the more radicalization there is among them?

Wilders: I don’t believe that, and as a matter of fact am not interested in why people are radicalizing. I am a lawmaker, not a psychiatrist. The left tried to fool us before by saying that the reason of radicalization is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war against Iraq or Afghanistan, the domestic social background of people, etc., etc. We should act against radicals by finally acting in the toughest way against them: Jail them and if possible denaturalize and extradite them. Let people in our societies know: If you adhere to our laws and values you are equal to anybody else and welcome to stay but if you don’t we will jail and extradite you.

HRS: How should authorities deal with organized Islam (mosques, schools, etc.) that is in full collision with human rights? Isn’t this a greater challenge than whether the Koran is available in bookstores? Wouldn’t it make more sense to argue for the prohibition of organized Islam itself, in cases when the organizations in question have clear connections to certain Islamic movements and schools of law?

Wilders: I believe Islam is more an ideology than a religion. As a matter of fact Islam is a totalitarian ideology like Communism and fascism. Therefore Islam is not equal to Christianity or Judaism, but has to be compared to other totalitarian ideologies. I want all Islamic schools in the Netherlands to be closed immediately. Young children should not be brought up and be taught an ideology of hate, submission, and violence. We would help the integration of young Muslim children far more by allowing them into other schools where they can be educated amongst other children. I don’t want any more mosques to be built in the Netherlands either, for the ideology of hate is advocated there, too. And as for reciprocity: Try to build a synagogue or Christian church in Saudi Arabia or Iran. You will be prosecuted and sentenced. We should stay tolerant to the tolerant, but also learn to be intolerant to the intolerant.

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33 Comments, 33 Threads

  1. 1. ic

    It’s a good thing that he is on trial, show trial or not. It gives the people a chance to react against the govt apparatchik’s stupidity. I dare them convict him. There’ll be protests and worse if that should happen. If not, I feel sorry for the Dutch, and thank the lucky stars that I’m an American.

    p.s. neither Mein Kampf nor the Koran nor whatever-manifesto should be banned in a free society.

  2. 2. Terry

    The man is a hero, persecuted for telling the truth. The Leftist collaborators, the multi-culturalist morons, are afraid of losing power as more & more people realize the truth of what Wilders says.

  3. 3. Matthew

    The guy is a bozo. I don’t think he should be persecuted, though – I think he should be widely described as an ass and left to obscurity.

    I’m all for free speech, but when you pick a fight, don’t bitch because the other guy swings at you.

  4. 4. The Infidel Alliance

    Geert Wilders on trial?? This man should be awarded a medal!!

    The man and men who should be on trial for ‘hate crimes’ is the ‘holy prophet’ of Islam, MUHAMMED, and the clerics that keep his murderous ideology alive.

    Do your research on Muhammed. You will find that far from being a holy man Muhammed was a barbarian murderer, a mutilator, a decapitator, a torturer, an amputator, a slaver, a human trafficker, a looting thief and bandit, a rapist, a sex trafficker, a child rapist, a segregationist, a genocidist and a self proclaimed terrorist.

    Don’t take my word for it – this can all be discovered in Islams ‘holy’ books, the Koran and Ahadith. See for yourself.

    Compare the actions and teachings of MUHAMMED with Jesus, and you will understand the real meaning of ‘anti-Christ’.

    MUHAMMED, the ‘prophet’ of hate.

    MUHAMMED, the ‘prophet’ of terror.

    MUHAMMED, the literal ‘anti-Christ’.

    ~ The Infidel Alliance

  5. 5. Class Clown

    Well, if they convict Wilders, I suspect he will die in prison at the hands of Muslims.

    I think that the Europeans are headed for one of two fates. Mark Steyn and the “Eurabia”-ists predict that they will fall to Islam and sharia. Ralph Peters suggests that they will revive their long dormant monotheism (if not literally becoming religious again, at least re-embracing an decidedly non-multicultural, exclusionary ideology), and violently purge the continent.

    Either scenario sounds plausible to me. However, doesn’t the latter sound familiar?

    The only hope for America may be to succumb to self-hating relativism more slowly, so that Europe’s fate has some chance of shaking us out of our stupor.

    Don’t worry Europe. We’ll save you again. If there is any spark left in us by then.

  6. 6. pelaut

    God bless Geert Wilders.
    But the 2nd Caliphate is already over Europe and coming here soon, only for lack of teachers who taught and citizens that faught.

  7. 7. bill

    When governments decide what speech is acceptable and what speech is not, there is no free speech. Muslims in Europe, especially in the Netherlands, can make all the inflammatory, violence inducing comments they like with impunity. Criticize them for it, and you go to jail. That double standard is corroding the European culture from within. Geert Wilders did not throw the first punch by any twisted standard. He’s the only one with enough huevos to punch back. Courage is much harder than anonymously calling someone a bozo from the safety of your mama’s basement.

  8. 8. Ruebacca

    GW is a hero.

    The Koran is the moral equivalent of mien kampf. How anyone could live through the last 30-40 years and still thinks Islam is anything but hate, intolerance and violence? Wake up. Or do you think adapting the 1st Amendment in the Netherlands is evil and ultra-right wing.

  9. 9. Terry Gain

    Matthew:
    The guy is a bozo. I don’t think he should be persecuted, though – I think he should be widely described as an ass and left to obscurity.

    I’m all for free speech, but when you pick a fight, don’t bitch because the other guy swings at you.

    You are all for free speech except when it offends your uninformed mind. You are the bozo, totally ignorant about Islam. It is a fascist ideology posing as a religion.

  10. 10. Toronto Girl

    The first step the West needs to take is to stop legitimizing Islam by referring to it as a religion. It is not. It is a political philosophy that is still rooted in a 7th century moral mindset. It has not progressed or reformed in the past 13 centuries. I know of no other “religion” that can say that.

  11. 11. mjs

    This man is a brave hero. The fact that he is on trial for free speech remarks is evidence of the erosion of European culture.

  12. 12. Marie Claude

    “Don’t worry Europe. We’ll save you again”

    stop dreaming of the ol good time,

    besides we can look after us, now that Germany behaves

  13. 13. paul_unalaska

    Matthew,

    I recommend visiting Northern Europe before commenting on a subject you, and me are aloof to.

    Now Geert Wilders approach may seem overreaching, I don’t know. I haven’t been to the area.

    Though I do recall in Sweden an Islamic leaning teacher encouraging elementary aged children to wear the hijab ‘for fun’, to ‘blend in with the other children’ this past Fall.

    Of the tens of thousands of terrorist activities carried out against westerners, Western countries (not including the wars in the Middle East mind you) through the decades.. I truly hope you have an ‘Oh duh..’ moment.

  14. 14. Terry Gain

    You don’t have to go anywhere to understand the essence of Islam and the threat it represents to our way of life. You only need to read and think.

    http://chuckhustmyre.blogspot.com/2009/03/right-side-news-picked-up-my-article-on.html

  15. 15. mr

    Hege: what is your point? enticing riots is a crime and that is exactly what he is doing. when you insult someone’s religion you then crossed the line. you play yuo pay…

  16. 16. Dane

    I really can’t support Geert Wilders – he has what I view as the typical European “Free speech for me, but not for thee” attitude that I suspect results from not having the tradition of our centuries under the Bill of Rights.

    Either you allow all speech, even speech you personally find disagreeable, or you don’t have free speech. Either you allow all private practice of religion, even those that you feel are politically unacceptable, or you don’t have freedom of religion.

    While I can sympathize with some of the man’s positions, I don’t think anything good results in enabling ‘fellow travellers’. I wish him the best in court, because it’s painful to read that someone in this day and age in a theoretically civilized country is being put on trial for saying the wrong things; but for the sake of the Netherlands I really hope he doesn’t end up in power there.

  17. 17. Lynn

    A house that can’t weather a storm is a house that will fall. This is the very reason why Islam can’t stand under scrutiny. Taking a critic of Islam to court only emphasizes this, and that is the very reason why so many Muslim countries forbid what they call insulting Islam, but is in reality fear of uncovering it’s teachings and hatred toward other humans, and goal of an worldwide Islamic Caliphate where freedom in speech and religious practice is punished not cherished.

    A belief system that can’t stand up under criticism deserves to crumble, it’s foundation never strong in the first place.

  18. 18. Leatherneck

    Try me too!

    Everytime I call for the Koran to be banned, or Muslims not allowed into this country, my comments get deleted.

    First they came for Geert, than they came for the rest of us. The New World Order types in Europe and America are fools.

    Long live freedom of speech! I profile every Marine Corp day.

  19. 19. Nestor

    And as for reciprocity: Try to build a synagogue or Christian church in Saudi Arabia or Iran. You will be prosecuted and sentenced. We should stay tolerant to the tolerant, but also learn to be intolerant to the intolerant.

    I like this part more, more power to you Mr Geert Wilder may our Christian God will bless you. Am with you all the way.

  20. 20. Class Clown

    Matthew:

    Except that this isn’t a case of the other guy taking a swing at you, is it? It is a case of the full weight of the state coming down on someone for saying something they don’t want to hear.

    Marie Claude:

    read that with a bit more sarcasm. The U.S. is on the same path as Europe, just resisting for a bit longer. A few more years of debt and moral decay like this, and we’re not going to be up to saving anyone.

  21. 21. EdGi

    Convicting Gilders in Holland is a disaster for the left. They are not prosecuting him, they are prosecuting over 50% of the Dutch (and other EU voters) and such a gestapo/inquisition conviction will guarantee Freedom Party victories throughout the EU. The fact that the ruling parties are so committed to subjugating their own people says all there is to know of socialist evil.

  22. 22. Roark

    Go Geert!

  23. 23. KevinButterfield

    There are parameters even for Freedom of Speech, but Geert Wilders has not corrupted them. He is not obscene, or an anarchist, but has made a case for what he thinks true. An extreme resolution, it seems, for an extreme problem. If Islam is not an ideology of war and hate then where is the refutation? Where are the Koran verses that teach living at peace with your neighbor, or to love your enemy?

  24. 24. Right Wing Extremist

    If he is convicted, I wish he could seek asylum in the US for political persecution.

  25. 25. Scrat

    Marie Claude:

    “Don’t worry Europe. We’ll save you again”

    stop dreaming of the ol good time,

    besides we can look after us, now that Germany behaves

    Only if you don’t have collaborators next time around. Oh, and tell your soldiers not to drop their rifles and keep their tanks in first geer.

  26. 26. Nurit Greenger

    This is Churchill Nostalgia …the last Mohegan of Europe. Geert Wilders is a real hero. We want him to become the Netherlands’ next prime minister and then we pray that other European countries will take the same path of leadership and rid Europe of its Islamification

  27. 27. kochevnik

    9. Terry Gain:

    >It is a fascist ideology posing as a religion.

    All major religions are innately fascist. Put all the religious together in a fenced area, and allow only one to exit. Christians are no less a threat with their Hitlers, Himmlers, Castros, Stalins, Poll Potts and their desire to burn all heretics alive.

  28. 28. Doc

    The prosecution of Geert Wilders will be a watershed moment in modern European history. The charges brought against him are serious and there is at least a prima facae case to answer (otherwise it is doubtful the Dutch prosecutors would have proceeded). Because there are three separate charges or breaches of law if you like, there is a corresponding liklihood that he will be convicted of one of them. But this need not be a bad thing. Any conviction will galvanise the present Dutch opposition – not just PVV supporters – like no issue since before WWII. If he is convicted AND incarcerated it will turn him into a European cause celebre like no other. The truth of what he says will resonate across Europe and in its wake the Europeans will find the political will to fight, as Geert has stated, intolerance with intolerance. Commentators have mistakenly labelled the PVV and Wilders are right-wing. Convict him and send him to prison and they will find out very quickly and unequivocally that Wilders and his supporters are overwhelmingly mainstream. This will be no Le Penn – like rightist flash in the pan but the start of a pan-European movement for freedom against the present EU leadership’s political-correctness-gone-mad and against the fascist depredations of the orthodox practice of Islam in Europe.

    Cheers,
    Doc

  29. 29. Alec Saul

    Time to put a flag in the ground

  30. 30. davelnaf

    In Europe (and maybe Canada, too) the evolution of contemporary liberalism into fascism has continued to the point where true freedom of speech is no longer tolerated. You know that liberalism in the US is going in the same direction when the commission that investigated the Ft. Hood atrocity could not bring itself to mention the terrorist Major’s association with radical Islam.

  31. 31. Nick

    kochevnik,

    “All major religions are innately fascist. Put all the religious together in a fenced area, and allow only one to exit. Christians are no less a threat with their Hitlers, Himmlers, Castros, Stalins, Poll Potts and their desire to burn all heretics alive.”

    Except that all these Hitlers, Himmlers, Castros, Stalins, Poll Potts, were not devout christians.

    Christianity has struggled through its evil, oppressive past and modern majority christian countries and societies have become some of the most tolerant and progressive in the world, something that can not be said for muslim countries and societies.

    More Islam for modern majority christian countries and societies will mean a setback to freedom and progress that has evolved through centuries of democratic struggle.

  32. “I’m all for free speech, but when you pick a fight, don’t bitch because the other guy swings at you.”

    Hey jerkoff where the f*** have you been living under all this time a rock? Geert Wilders is picking a fight in response to appeasers and Islamic terrorists like yourself who thought you could achieve your wet dreams of global domination becaus you et al. thought the Westerners didn’t have the spine to deal with people like you. But you’re mad now since somebody has finally taken a stand and called you disgusting criminals for the terrorists you are.

    I know. Payback’s a real bitch isn’t it.

  33. 33. Lu Lu

    Um, people. Geert Wilders is an Atheist of the first order. He’s very open about that. So, if you do believe in the Christian God, in which he denies the existence of, you need to think twice about sending him blessings from the Christian God. Kinda makes no sense and makes your sentiment hypocritical. For in Scripture it says that non-believer will suffer in the fiery anguishes of hell. If you don’t believe that non-Christians aren’t going to Hell, then you need to rethink your relationship with Christ.

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