Geert Wilders’ Witness List Cut Down To Three In Medieval Amsterdam Trial
The fix is in at the Amsterdam Criminal Court. Today, the Judges hearing the Inciting to Hatred trial (read that: No more political free speech in the Netherlands – ever) of Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders slashed the number of witnesses he may call to testify in his defense from 18 to three. It’s all right out of the Dark Ages. It’s 632 A.D. again in the Netherlands.
No, I did not make a mistake there with the math. It’s really three. Wilders faces tens of thousands of dollars in fines and two years in prison if he is convicted – of insulting Islam. His 15-minute movie “Fitna” demonstrates the connection between bellicose Koranic verse and acts of violence against Infidels by Muslims. The Court has decided it does not need to hear from any experts on Islam, such as Robert Spencer.
There will be no fair trial in Amsterdam this week.
The darkness of the shadow of Sharia (Muslim law) is descending further over Europe with each passing day. You can read the list of original and surviving witnesses at Gates of Vienna here:
“The Would-Be Witnesses
by Baron Bodissey
Below is the translated text of a slide show from De Volkskrant. Follow the link to view the images.
Each of the witnesses that Geert Wilders planned to call in his trial is briefly profiled here. Many thanks to our Flemish correspondent VH for the translation:
The 18 people Geert Wilders and Bram Moszkovicz wanted to call as witnesses
Dr. Wafa Sultan
Wafa Sultan became famous when she criticized Muslims in an interview on the Iranian channel Al Jazeera because they treat non-Muslims differently from Muslims. Her latest book is called “A God Who Hates: The Courageous Woman Who Inflamed the Muslim World Speaks Out Against the Evils of Radical Islam”. The court has approved the request by Wilders to call Wafa Sultan as witness…”
Even if you have never been involved in a criminal prosecution wherein your very freedom is at risk, I want you to now imagine that you and your attorney have prepared a defense that includes a list of witnesses that will provide a mountain of exculpatory evidence. Then, imagine that the Court summarily and arbitrarily decides that it will not listen to nearly ninety percent of your case.
This will not even resemble a trial, ladies and gentlemen. It does resemble something from the Middle Ages, a medieval persecution of one man who refuses to be silenced by the greatest threat to basic human freedoms faced by The Western World thus-far in history – Islam.
Geert Wilders’ fate, be it freedom or prison, will eventually be ours in this World War between radical Islam and the West.
Trackbacks and Pingbacks
- How Do You Say “Kangaroo Court” in Dutch? :: International Free Press Society
- Update- Geert Wilders – Freedom of speech VS Sharia (Islamic law) « Politics, Religion, and Family
- Geert Wilders on trial, Feb. 3rd – part two « Defend Geert Wilders
- How Do You Say “Kangaroo Court” in Dutch? | National Policy Institute
- Dutch Government Will Tender Resignation Over Afghanistan Debate – New Elections In March – Is Geert Wilders In As PM? | NewsReal Blog
- When Fox News Might as Well Be MSNBC: Special Report Trashes Geert Wilders | NewsReal Blog
Should have left Amsterdam to the Nazis
You are right. I lived there for a few years and most of the natives didn't like Americans. When asked about WWII and who helped save them, they reply that the English saved them from the Nazis, not the Americans. Are they confused or not?
Barbara, it WAS the British mostly that liberated The Netherlands. Read a concise history of WW2………
Actually, Canadians liberated the Netherlands from the German occupation. Hardly any Americans. Those who are buried in southern Limburg mostly died on Belgian soil.
I recently re-read the beautiful and inspiring book "The Hiding Place" written by Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family were practicing Christians at the time of WWII and built a secret room in their home to hide Jew's from the murderous Nazi's. Almost all her family were caught and sent to concentration camps. Corrie and her sister were together in a camp and shortly before their release her sister died. She tells in detail of the horrors they endured and the way God protected them and used them to give comfort to the other woman there. Corrie then spent the remainder of her life speaking of the evils she saw and about God's love for her and other's. One day she came face to face with one of her worst tormentors. She chose to forgive him and gave him her blessing.
The God that loved and cared for Corrie Ten Boom is still able to change hearts and lives (I am living proof). I am certainly not prophetic, but God often uses terrible circumstances to wake us up to his love and care. It's not too late for Holland to wake up and turn to a faith where the leader was willing to die for them rather than a faith that requires it's followers to die for Allah (their god).
Thank you, Kris, for your profound thoughts.
Best wishes,
John L. Work
Please get rid of those apostrophes you don't need! They act as speed bumps when I'm trying to read your often interesting thoughts. "Jews" in plural does not have an apostrophe, and neither does "Nazis" or "others".
Has there been a time when so many nations have decided to commit suicide out of political correctness? I hope Kris is right, and the hearts and minds change-and soon!
Well, the Roman Emperor allowed hundreds of thousands of impoverished Goths, who had been put to flight by the Huns, to cross the Danube River and immigrate to the Roman Empire in about 379 A.D. You know what happened in 410 A.D. Other than that, I can't think of a similar situation.
Good question, Shane. Thanks for reading along and do come back again.
JW
If they won't allow a way to settle this peacefully in a court of law, then there are other ways that people will find. Europe is rapidly heading toward another all-out confrontation within its borders.
I searched for a Dutch newspaper on line and found one. The comments are interesting…
It reminds me of the American Left double standard regarding speech: If the Left says it, it's political discourse, if a conservative/Right says it, it's hate speech.
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2010/01/wil...
Good one, JB. I followed your link and will add it to my favorites to get more info on how events unfold over there.
Best wishes and thanks for reading,
JW
Why is it still being called a double standard? The only standard that exists on the Left is COE, comform or else.
It may be time for the people of the Netherlands to elect a new government. This limitation of defense of KW forshadows a Star-Chamber proceeding. There are definitely aspects of Islam that promote violence and terrorism. How can these judges be so blind? Are they such cowards that they are afraid to confront Moslem violence in their own country? The world will see.
The convergence of the marxist-progressive left and the dictatorial, theocratic supremacism of islam. Totalitarians of a feather flock together. But when will the left realize islam will eat them?
"I am Geert Wilders" – we all are.
"But when will the left realize islam will eat them? "
Brilliant, Civilus! I, too have thought this for along time. The World of Islam's bond with the Left is but a temporary arrangment. Islam will not long tolerate the Godless Leftists after the collapse of the Free West. Let us fight the battle so that it does not ultimately come to this.
Best,
JW
Thank you, JW. I am ever slogging forward in the effort to enlighten the unaware about islam, sharia and the end game of jihad: sharia uber alles.
Petition – 18 Legislative Actions:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/citizens-declara...
Call to Action (pdf)
http://civilusdefendus.files.wordpress.com/2009/1...
Liberty vs Sharia (pdf)
http://shariafree.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/lib...
We are it. We are the world-wide awareness campaign. Grocery store lines, School board meetings, Letters to the editor, police department, courts, businesses, news outlets…. As we raise our voices, the deception from islam will rise also, in a frenzy of denunciations and feigned indignation. Soon, that will grow old and ISLAM WILL BE EXPOSED.
In liberty,
CD
"There are definitely aspects of Islam that promote violence and terrorism. "
Indeed there are, Stonefellow. They are Muslim history, the Koran, the Hadithe, and a whole lot of Friday Muslim prayers sermons.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Best wishes,
JW
I'm going to have to get my hash from somewhere else, now
It doesn't matter whether U.S. or British troops actually liberated the Netherlands; America's role in prosecuting the war is clear to everyone. Without our participation in the War, the Germans would still be there as rulers, not just occupiers. They of course don't have to like us because of this — we really didn't do it for them, after all. This case is truly difficult to understand, however. Can they really be blind to what they are doing, or is this simply a strategy to keep Wilders out of power? And if it is a strategy, is the government really so scared that they are willing to debase their political system and culture to achieve their goal? Of course, the PC/multiculti virus might have rendered them insane…….. their version of mad cow or something…..
Hello, Mark. Bat Ye'or wrote a book called "Eurabia". in which she lays out the long history of the developing anti-Semitic alliance between Europe and Islam. If you have the stomach for it, I recommend that you get your hands on "Eurabia" and read it. But I have to warn you it is most depressing and distressing. I've had to take it in pieces, and am still working my way through it.
Best,
JW
Like the Russians and the Nazis, the Islamic haters and killers use intimidation to get rid of witnesses and to invent new witnesses. They can't follow the rules of logic because they lack the education needed for intelligent input.
They are simply what they honestly admit. They are interested in hating and killing. They hide behind a pedophile-killer's skirts, call him a prophet, and use all the paragraphs they stole from the old and new testaments to create a magic book given by their god through the killer-pedophile.
No wonder so many criminals turn to this fake "religion" Criminals are attracted to anger and violence.
"No wonder so many criminals turn to this fake "religion" Criminals are attracted to anger and violence."
Indeed, the jails and prisons are recruiting ground for jihadists. I worked for thirteen years in a Colorado sheriff's office. There were regular Muslim Friday prayers. During Ramadan the breakfast schedule for all inmates was moved back to pre-sunrise time, after-sundown sack meals were delivered during Ramadan evenings , and juice was delivered to Muslims in their cells during the Ramadan days.
Good comments and thank you for reading.
JW
They will never be free until they face the truth. Otherwise the descent into a 3rd world hell hole
will continue to advance. The canals will turn red.
Dear Manny,
Perhaps if you could tell me more specifically in what circumstances you were accosted and how you are sure the people who accosted you were supporters of Geert Wilders I can respond. And when you informed your assailants that you are not a Muslim, what happened then? I'm very interested in hearing this story. With what manner of violence were you threatened? What were the comments about your ancestry and morals? Did you go to the Dutch Police? And what was the response of the Police to your complaint?
Best,
JW
Hi JW,
The circumstances of those incidents were all fairly pedestrian: Twice going into neighborhood pubs, once once in a butcher's shop (where, ironically, I was purchasing pork).
How I am sure they were Wilders supporters is simple, in the ensuing argument "Gert zei" was a recurring theme: "Gert said <whatever argument>". Upon hearing I of my nationality the reaction was… disbelief, basically, accusations of lying, progressive falling off of arguments to muttering – basically behaving like an unruly child caught.
As for the nature of the insults and threats – of the coarsest and least imaginative variety (e.g. the virtue and occupation of my mother are not open to impeachment by strangers).
I did not go to the police since no actual violence was done – I managed to defuse those situations before they escalated, but I did have to practice some diplomacy and assertiveness to prevent 'mob mentality' to take over.
I do believe that a successful prosecution of Mr. Wilders will create the precedent from which people practicing hate speech from *both* sides of the of these issues can be brought to trial. Once that happens, people crying "religious (or ethnic) discrimination" will not have a foot to stand on.
Best regards,
Manny
Manny,
Let me see if I understand what happened.
You're alleging that people mistook you for a Muslim and told you you were not welcome in their places of business. When you protested, they accused you of lying about your claimed nationality and origins. Geert Wilders' name came up in the conversations; further, the nature of the conversation changed when you asserted yourself and used some "diplomacy".
You were not threatened with violence, contrary to your first narration, in which you said you were threatened with violence.
Someone insulted your mother. You did not go to the police and file a harassment complaint.
You believe that Geert Wilders should be put into prison because people were rude to you.
No. You're wrong and so is the Dutch government..
JW
I distinctively recall being threatened with violence. "Contrary to my first narration" ? I felt no need to re-state what I had already stated. People beating dead horses do that. Or demagogues. Or both.
Do remember that I have no percentage in your opinion – whatever actions and opinions you and other readers hold have (fortunately) no bearing at all for me. My sole motivation to bringing this subject up with you was to broaden the scope of discussion a bit – I certainly have no desire to live in a religious fundamentalist society of any creed, and I would heartily prefer to have effective, legal action taken against people who practice hate speech and incite their followers to violence to having doomsayers further fanning the flames.
But by all means do carry on – that horse ain't going nowhere
I'm not going to allow you get away with that one. I'll try one more time here.____With what sort of violence were you threatened, sir? If you will be specific, perhaps I can get more insight into your allegations. But to this point your report is devoid of the specific treats to which you were subjected.____In this country it is a crime to threaten someone with violence and I, as a retired law enforcement officer, do advocate enforcing those laws. The crimes fall under harassment or menacing statutes and are punishable by jail. If the threat involves a deadly weapon it is punishable by prison. So, with what were you threatened? ____It is not a crime (yet) in this country to speak freely and thereby insult someone. Exercise of free speech has no guarantee that no one will be offended. In The Netherlands, it apparently is a crime to speak freely, at least for Geert Wilders.____JW
How unfortunate that you have been caught in the crossfire caused by 9/11 – in truth I don't have a response to the mindless thugs that would attack you. But be aware that the time will come when this fight for freedom will go to the streets and you will have no place to hide – ask the jews (who weren't jews) but whose grandmother was according to the Nazi's. Political correctness will not save anyone from the onslaught of islamists. If there are moderate muslims, they are to affraid to speak up, and until they do there will be no end to this conflict.. The only suggestion I can make is that the problem has now becomes yours and you will need to figure out what you need to do to protect yourself. Until the freedoms provided by the west are reinstalled allof us are at great risk..
I do believe that "political correctness" (ie: politicians acting correctly) is part of the solution – if everyone is held to a high standard of civics, then those who stray from it can be dealt with within the confines of due process in the courtroom.
If a country's politicians are the first to break that very country's laws, then I fear the situation will only degenerate.
Both the Netherlands and the US have fairly excellent documents as a constitution – they differ in approach but are similar in spirit – it's the very freedoms enshrined in them that can oppose radicalism and unbridled hatred – yet those who would oppose them must themselves be beyond reproach.
I'm not entirely sure my point of view will be welcome, but allow me to present a certain counterpoint:
I am an expat living and working in Amsterdam for the past 2.5 years – I work hard, pay my taxes, have bought property, am learning the language, etc.
I am of Portuguese origin – european, decidedly not a muslim – h o w e v e r… I am dark haired, and tan easily. This has been enough for in three separate occasions, being accosted by supporters of Mr. Wilders, saying I was not welcome here, threats of violence and general degrading comments about my ancestry and morals accompanied.
If that behavior is not hate speech, unwarranted, baseless, hurtful and illegal… I am not sure what is. Mr. Wilders' would defend that his beef is not against me, but the effects of his efforts and the actions of his supporters put this trial into stark perspective for this 'buitenlander'.
Manny, i understand your plight but the problem with those that think you are Muslim and fear you was not caused by what Wilders said but what Muslim terrorist did. Sometimes we confuse the cause and affect. Had Muslim extremist not caused the death and injury of over 10,000 people on 9/11 you would not be mistaken for a terrorist, a Muslim maybe but not a terrorist. Is that Wilders fault ?, I don't think so…..
I find Mr. Wilder's efforts at the very least counterproductive – after all, any radical muslim pushing his own brand of hate speech, if prosecuted can point to Mr. Wilders and say "If he can say it, why can't I ?" And be right.
Even if the Dutch government was to try and curb muslim extremism under hate speech laws, they would be hampered by such a blatant example of it going unprosecuted.
Geert Wilders is a champion and a hero. What is being done to him in Amsterdam is a disgrace and nauseating. The court seems determined to shut him up to shut the Muslims up. The judges are the kinds of idiots we have often seen in history. The Muslims won't shut up, they will be more vocal than ever. In their perverted minds they will have achieved a victory for 'Islam', a 'victory' which will motivate them to repress more free speech, to make more demands on the cowardly Dutch government, to intimidate all Dutch citizens so that they will not dare to gaze at a Muslim in fear of offending him. The Netherlands will be Islamized with this trial and a man worth more than all the hateful Muslims in Europe will be sacrificed like a lamb to the fictitious and vengeful Allah. His conviction should be a day of mourning as well as a day of infamy.
Yes, Geert is a hero, and his name will be synonymous with freedom in the coming decades, and centuries.
Shouldn't this be entitled: "Modern Amsterdam Trial"; after all, under that awful Medieval Inquisition, Geert would be able to name his political enemies, and thereby exclude them from prosecuting against him–thereby gutting the whole case?
Ah, but that would mean being honest, wouldn't it–and we can't have too much honesty in this matter, now, can we?