Spencer on the Dutch prosecution of Geert Wilders

Robert Spencer writes:

I hope Wilders can come to America, and be granted asylum here. Of course, the new Administration is unlikely to look kindly upon such an appeal.

There’s a liberal response for you! The instant an ally in another country has a problem, call for him to be brought to America as an asylee. Spencer seems to have momentarily forgotten that Wilders is the leading anti-jihad figure in Europe, is in the midst of a great battle there, and vitally needs to remain there and to win.

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Kidist Paulos Asrat writes (January 27):

Spencer’s euphoric “let’s bring Wilders here and save him from his predicament in The Netherlands” does three things:

One, it places America as the saviour of the world. I first noted this modern behavior when the American army in Mogadishu was essentially doing the work of the Somali—going from house to house looking for warlords. The final prize was the American soldier’s corpse dragged around the city, a horrific sight to behold.

Having said this, I don’t know if the countries want to be saved by Americans, other than at times get their dirty work done for them, and then resume “normal” life. I think Iraq is an example of this.

Two, it deceives ordinary Americans into thinking that they are saviors of the world, trying to right all that is wrong, and then debacles like millions of illegals entering the country start to become the reality. The true generosity of the Amerian people is thus manipulated.

Finally, as an offshoot from the second point, there is a selfishness at work here. Aren’t The Netherlands a worthy enough country that they should keep great men like Wilders in their midst? Does every genious have to eventually come to America? I wonder if Spencer’s thoughts were along these lines rather than the first two I outlined.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at January 23, 2009 08:18 PM | Send