Monday, October 4, 2010

Freedom of speech issue

Interesting story out of the Netherlands this morning.
AMSTERDAM — Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders went on trial Monday for alleged hate speech, even as his popularity and influence in the Netherlands are near all time highs.
Prosecutors say Wilders incited hatred against Muslims with remarks comparing Islam to Naziism and by calling for a ban on the Quran. Wilders argues he has a right to freedom of speech and his remarks were within the bounds of the law.

Here are links to a couple stories. This is more about politics than anything. Wilders is gaining a lot of ground in the Netherlands. Even prosecutors are saying that if they win a conviction, they will recommend no penalty. Still, it raises interesting questions about freedom of speech.
Here is one story from Reuters
and here is another, this one from AP

I also ran across some interesting political stories this morning.
One is about elitism.. Just who are the elitists ??
and another about the failure of the two-party political system

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