Europe loses a warrior

How many immigrants are there in the Netherlands, or anywhere else in Europe for that matter, who told lies so that they could claim asylum?  If the Dutch want to start deporting such people,  why choose someone who has done more to defend Dutch values than most people who were born in the country?

Ayaan Hirsi Ali's move from the Netherlands to the USA is bad news.   Working for an American think-tank, she will become just another academic commentator.  As a Dutch MP, she was in the front-line of Europe's war against creeping Islamisation.  I fear that Hans Wiegel  may be right -  we will hear a lot less from Ayaan once she moves across the Atlantic.  He is wrong to say that she is no loss, though.  The Dutch have made a big mistake in hounding her out of the country.  It is not just their loss,  it is a blow for all of Europe.

I'm sure America will take her to its heart but for people like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the real battle is here in Europe.  She will be sorely missed.

Comments

[Alison]

I knew it. I thought this was all a little bit ODD. For a start she picks the run up the an election in which to embarrass the standing favourite candidate Verdonk. Prior to this her asylum status was public information but, y'know, keep it under your hat as Verdonk had done. After the documentary where she lingers over this info and reemphasises it, its out there and a MUST for Verdonk, whose hard line on immigration and asylum is her political mandate, to address. I couldnt understand why Ali was doing this. Know i know. MOOOONEYYYYY. The Dutch didnt hound her out. Ive just off the phone to a good friend of mine in Holland who as much as confirned my flippin suspicions 'pr stunt' for cash she called it. She picked the WRONG moment to make a fuss. There cant be any other explanation, though im willing to listen if only to resestablish my faith in humanity and in patricular modern feminists. Anyone? If im right what a fucking bitch and good riddance.

[Alison]

Did that come off as angry, ahem, cos im frigging fuming me! I forgot to point out the link to her budding film career and the US. This all stinks. I look forward to hearing her extreme liberal policies on the burqa, gays and euthanasia being put forward by a conservative think tank i really do. Of course her films will get muted also since the US doesnt believe in free speech.

[Steve]

Yes, you do sound a bit annoyed.

Can you blame her for wanting to throw in the towel and get out?

I think it will be her undoing but it's her choice.

[ccs178 (Chris)]

Wow. Bitter much, Alison?

[alison]

Yeah i guess im annoyed and disappointed. (Par for the modern feminist course/cause). Someone died believing she was trying to make a difference. When have think tanks in the US made a difference. It was the book tour that set me thinking so i guess ive had too much time to think about this.

[Serf]

If she did lie to get into The Netherlands, at least she took advantage of the culture she found there. Unlike many who once they are in try to destroy it.

[DFH]

Peaktalk: "The tone of the documentary called 'Saint Ayaan' made by the VARA – which is a left-of-center public broadcaster affiliated with both the Labour Party and organized labour – clearly underlines its intent: to take down Hirsi Ali."

Leon De Winter: "Something unbelievable is unfolding in Holland in the last 48 hours: despite the fact that the so-called ‘revelations’ VARA aired are widely available on the internet for years – just Google the fascinating New York Times Magazine piece written by Christopher Caldwell – Ayaan-hating extremists from the left to the right have bonded and are now trying to hang her in public.
A part of the public loves it. It is always great to see a prominent person being hanged. She was admired by many, but at the same time people were afraid that Ayaan’s ideas were provoking the Islamists.
Ayaan was considered a firebrand, and these ‘revelations’ are now being used by the multiculturalists and politicians with all kinds of objectives (for instance: to hurt the liberal party that is now in a huge upswing in the polls) in order to silence her, hurt her reputation, kill her character.
They seem to be succeeding."

Yes they do, don't they?

[G. Tingey]

She won't get on in the USA.
She is most emphatically NOT a chritian, and is, therfore, evil in their eyes.
Even though shesays that islam stinks (which it does)

This is vey sad.

[Alison]

Im waiting for an update from Holland but I understand Rita was under intense pressure in Parliament last night and faced a HUGE backlash.

Rita has staked her reputation on taking a very very hard line on immigration and asylum which 'is what we need badly in Holland'. The designs are on Rita aswell so the left can get their way. There is a question as to why Ali would put herself in the position of being interviewed by a left wing affiliated broadcaster at a time when Rita had made huge bones about a recent contentious asylum case in which she faced huge left wing opposition.

I hope Rita saves face also. Ali's reputation will stay in tact when she goes to the US as the victim in all this (dont get me wrong I admire her greatly but I cant help thinking she is an opportunist).

I agree with G Tingey that she doesnt stand to make half as much impact with the muslim women she is trying to influence by aligning herself with 'The Great Satan' and neither will her very liberal Dutch opinions on euthanasia cut it with the Christian Right.

[James G]

G. Tingey,
I think you will find that, despite being bible-thumping knuckle-dragging Christians, most Americans are pretty open-minded about tolerance for other people's belief systems, probably more open-minded than many so-called liberals here in Europe.

She will get along just fine over there, and be celebrated in certain right-wing circles, most likely among those of a Christian angle, as well.

[Expat]

Europe didn't deserve her - they are probably glad to see the back of her because she wound up the people they are most afraid of. Who are now even more empowered by their latest victory. Expect more bombs on the underground/Metro/UBahn.

[Alison]

Let me get this straight Expat - Europe doesnt deserve someone they gave a platform to. Verdonk herself a firebrand on much needed immigration regulations who takes a tough stand on the creeping islamisation Steve is talking about - is being castigated. What is it that the blogosphere actually wants. If you cant see the political posturing thats going on here on a number of levels but revert to the Europe is doomed mentality at any given opportunity then precisely WHO is giving succour to and empowering the fanatics?

Rastaman temporarily here, a brief stop in my travels, to be continued after the 22nd or so.

The real thread of this, to me, is an apparent misconception about the US that seems to be pretty universal in Europe, at least from reading all the above comments. You all seem to be mostly concerned about how Ali will be received in the States and most of you think she will kind of lose status in one way or another because we are all so Christian over here, or Liberal, or Right Wing.
There is a real disparity between what most actual citizens {the illegals don't count} think and what our government says, re: Bush's record low approval rating for any President. The average person here thinks we should get out of Iraq and never have gone in, in the first place. Iran should be stomped on instead along with the rest of the Oily Arabs and to hell with gas prices, Islam itself is generally seen as the real threat now, euthanasia {the right to die} is mostly approved of. The Christian Right is losing its audience here, it has gone too far and even Christians know that we must maintain a separation of Church and State if we wish to remain a free country.
So Ali will be received for the person she is and the things she says and does, same as anyone else. If she stands up and speaks truth, she'll be applauded. Otherwise, booed and ignored.

[Rastaman]

Forgot to sign in.....

[Wolfie]

Rastaman said : "If she stands up and speaks truth, she'll be applauded. Otherwise, booed and ignored."

- Then it will be the latter I hope. This woman is a crook, fantasist and a fraud.

[Steve]

Fraud she has admitted. But crook and fantasist? Where's your evidence Wolfie?

[Wolfie]

I'll put my hand up this time, I forgot where I saw the evidence so I can't provide it this time around, sorry - bit busy with work at the moment.