Free Speech on Trial: What Message Is Being Sent?
by George Igler • April 11, 2016 at 5:00 am
- This miscarriage of justice being orchestrated against Geert Wilders is merely one aspect of the many prosecutions being carried out under laws less about prevention and punishment of actual crimes, and more about criminalizing dissent against the demographic transformation of Europe.
- After terror outrages in the name of Islam, its apologists perform defensive operations that try to render Islamic doctrine immune from scrutiny.
- The eagerness with which social media giants, such as Facebook and Twitter, have imposed a policy of enforced silence -- in concert with Europe's leaders -- is a further irony that will not be lost on future historians.
- If the criminal justice systems of European nations continue to pursue charges against whoever questions or criticizes Islam, what hope is there then for the silent members of the Muslim community who might wish to speak out?
The miscarriage of justice being orchestrated against Dutch MP Geert Wilders is merely one aspect of the many prosecutions being carried out under laws less about prevention and punishment of actual crimes, and more about criminalizing dissent against the demographic transformation of Europe. (Source of Wilders photo: Flickr/Metropolico)
The spread of jihad is irreparably undermining Europe's post-War reputation as a continent of security and peace.
In addition, free speech seems increasingly regarded by mainstream politicians as dangerous and archaic. Diversity of opinion often appears seen as an obstacle to multiculturalism, the objective of which, ironically, is diversity.
These dual trends are set to come to a head in the Netherlands next year, in elections set to follow the conclusion of the trial of Dutch MP Geert Wilders this November. Wilders is the leader the Netherlands' Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, or PVV), which currently tops the country's polls. He faces imprisonment on a charge of hate speech, for saying that the Netherlands could use "fewer Moroccans."
Iran: Ayatollah Khamenei Warns President Rouhani on Economy
by Lawrence A. Franklin • April 11, 2016 at 4:00 am
- Ayatollah Khamenei made clear that he would hold President Rouhani responsible for a failure to produce improvements in Iran's economy. He implied that if Rouhani fails to adopt a "Resistance Economy" approach, it would negatively impact Rouhani's aspirations for a second term.
- Khamenei's warning to conserve foreign-currency windfalls that result from the lifting of sanctions is probably a criticism of Rouhani's recent visit to Europe, where he signed deals to purchase 138 passenger planes.
- Rouhani's management of the economy will be closely monitored by hardliners seeking a return to popularity and the presidency in the 2018 presidential elections.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (left) recently implied that if President Hassan Rouhani fails to adopt a "Resistance Economy" approach, it would negatively impact the President's aspirations for a second term.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last month used the Persian New Year holiday (Nowruz) to deliver his most comprehensive plan for Iran's economy. His address, proclaimed from his hometown of Mashhad, outlined ten principles of the "Resistance Economy."
From this speech, it is clear that Khamenei's plan for Iran's economic recovery is quite different from that of President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet. Moreover, Khamenei threw down the gauntlet that he would hold Rouhani responsible for a failure to produce promised improvements in Iran's economy. Left unsaid but implied was the threat that if Rouhani fails to adopt a "Resistance Economy" approach, it would negatively impact the President's aspirations for a second term.
The title of Khamenei's speech was, "The Year of the Economy of Resistance: Action and Implementation." This is a clear signal to the Rouhani administration as to what path the president should take in managing the economy.
