I wouldn't call him a right wing extremist, if only because he was openly gay (and camp!). He had an in-your-face way of putting things, more than your average Dutch person (ahem), but he did Dutch politics a big favor by shaking things up and speaking out about issues that a lot of people seemed to be secretely thinking. These sentiments can now be dealt with openly, and many people have rediscovered their political roots and will be voting in the upcoming election, which is good for democracy.
There is a serious integration problem in this country and it is time we dealt with it. Ironically, immigrants they have been living here the same way scores of Dutch 'immigrants' are living along the Mediterranean (e.g. in Spain where I grew up) without attempting to learn even the most basic words and customs of their host country. It would take a long academic discussion as to the merits or dismerits, my point is that a lot of folk (including integrated immigrants who feel others should work as hard as they did) are getting worked up about living in extreme close quarters (we're as densely populated as Japan) with such alien cultures. It's sociologically interesting, but also dangerous. Frankly, I think Fortuyn was right about the consensus model having gone too far. And there is something to the notion that extremist islam is "the biggest ideological threat the world is facing today" (dangerous meme anyone?) He did not deserve what happened to him and and I do believe it is a big loss. He was very charming and intelligent, a sociology professor and political writer, and very well liked by most who took the time to listen to him. Not that I'd vote for him or his party, but the way he's been portrayed and treated in the media was definitely skewered. The way the foreign press is now calling him "the Dutch Le Pen" is totally overblown. I am getting married in 10 days time (day after the national election, if it isn't postponed) so I won't be discussing this further, simply don't have the time! Just had to give my 0,02 eurocents. Right now I'm telecommuting at home because I threw my back out last Thursday and am still recuperating. Will *not* be reading much more Brin-L! (am turning this thing off right now. Honest). Ok, better get me some more coffee and get some actual work done. <sigh> Doubt anyone at the office is getting anything done, either. Ticia ',:) ---------- [EMAIL PROTECTED] "J. van Baardwijk" wrote: > > A shockwave went through The Netherlands this afternoon when it was > announced that Pim Fortuyn (54), one of the most controversial of our > politicians, was shot dead as he left a radio studio. > > http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/05/06/fortuyn.shooting/index.html > > Now, he was a right-wing extremist so I do not consider his death a big > loss, but it is shocking that something like this happens in a country as > liberal and tolerant as The Netherlands. Over here, no matter what your > views are, we allow you to be heard. If you get enough people behind you to > form a politicial party, we even give you free time on public radio and TV > to spread your message. > > Murder is not the Dutch way of dealing with the extreme right in this > country; most of us thoroughly dislike them, but we prefer to shoot holes > in their arguments, not in their politicians. > > This is a very sad day for democracy... :-( > > Jeroen > > _________________________________________________________________________ > Wonderful World of Brin-L Website: http://www.Brin-L.com > Tom's Photo Gallery: http://tom.vanbaardwijk.com
