I heard this interview and Abbott did NOT 'rubbish' Wilder per se - he spoke out as being personally not in tune with his ideas - and I am profoundly disappointed in Abbott accordingly. But he's a politician and like all of them, last thing they want, especially now, is an "anti-Muslim" label. SO they settle for the safe road of PC.
But for family illness I would have attended the Wilder speech last night. Always better to hear what someone has to say instead of jumping in feet first with a critique of something one didn't hear! But Wilder's brave - recall another anti radical Islam campaigner who made a film about his views was cold-bloodedly knifed to death on the street in Holland, in front of his friend a few years back. She, a former Muslim, now famous, now does the talk circuits also - and has to have bodyguards too. Just can;t bring her name to mind.
See thuggish protestors last night, punching some innocent male attendee to the ground, he in his neat suit and tie. COuld have been killed.
"Funny" how Islam absolutely cannot bear any whisper of criticism without becoming hysterical. Under our so-called "democracy" their Imans have the rights and the freedoms to preach God knows what in their mosques - they are not free to leave their religion - under Sharia law do so on pain of death - their women must inter-marry within that faith - we being unclean and infidels - our women classed "whores" via our dress codes -
and so, under our democracy, Wilders has to creep around to secret locations, with security, under police guard, just to exert HIS right to freedom of speech which is freely extended and tolerated by us with regard to Muslim congregations and followers.
I am familiar with Wilder's views - and perhaps don't agree with all he says. But, as someone famously said - "I may not agree with all that is said, but I defend to the death someone's right to say it!" Words to that effect. Was it Benjamin Franklin?
Wilders is right. We too have to beware - or in 50 years or less, we also will be pressured to be under Sharia Law.
OK to be laid back - and she'll be right". But not when democracy is threatened - and freedom of speech is stifled by the protesting intolerant mobs - as seen last night. No one should be threatened just for excercising their democratic right to attend some venue, having paid for a ticket, and subsequently hear someone give a speech, which they may, or may not, agree with. But at least they have exercised their own democratic right!
Too many people have paid very high prices for trying to be always nice. Conciliatory. Politically correct. Not heeding vast warning signs. As Neville Chamberlain found, pre 1939, when he visited Mr. Hitler, and came back and re-assured England how "nice" he was, and how he had no plans to invade anywhere!
Condemn Wilders if you will - but at least hear what he has to say before you do. For any critic should read the book or see the movie before offering a critique. And now Wilder's been banned from speaking in Perth. Outrageous!
I'm writing to relevant Liberal State Premiers - and Abbott -to protest. For, in such instances - Islam can say what they like - stamp their feet and always get their way via a huge carry-on -but we cannot - Liberal or Labor, if they can't protect our democratic rights - then who will?
