A wave of sanctimony and hypocrisy threatens to swamp the Dutch parliament.

It was not the first time that Holland's Lower House rose as one to utter their disgust and roundly condemn Geert Wilders, leader of Holland's PVV (Party for Freedom). The subject matter this time was a female Dutch reporter who had been kidnapped in Afghanistan and raped several times by the gang's leader.

Violent rape is a serious crime that warrants the full penalties of the law. There is no argument about this among civilised people. Now what could Geert Wilders say about a case of rape by a Taliban leader that could cause so much outrage in Holland's parliament?  The offending speech in the House is reproduced in its entirety on the PVV website. Unfortunately it is in Dutch which blocks access to many around the world who would find it interesting and instructive. I will make do with a rather literal translation of the first few paragraphs to show the flavour of his intervention.

[Journalist Joanie de Rijke] was raped, but she was not angry. The journalist who went in search of the Taliban in Afghanistan saw her curiosity turned into cruel multiple rapes. But where this would cause others outrage and sadness this journalist was keen to show understanding. She says: "There was also respect for me." And they served her tea and biscuits.

Speaker, I begin with this incident because it is indicative of the moral decay of the elitist class [in Holland]. This class is so blinded by their own ideology that it is ready to turn away from the truth. Rape? Well, I want to bring some nuances into the story, said the left-wing journalist. The Taliban really and truly does not consist of monsters. Better to deny reality than take them for what they are.

Our elitist class, whether it's politicians, journalist, judges, gobblers of subsidies or civil servants, has totally lost the plot. Any feeling whatever for reality has gone. All healthy understanding has been thrown overboard in order to deny reality. Not only does this brutalised journalist suffer from the Stockholm Syndrome, but the whole elitist class in Holland does.

They justify everything. Everything is relativised away. Good and evil, logic and healthy reason - it has become one big grey line - without beginning or end. The one moral measure that they still have is: as long as it does not antagonise Muslims - because they're well and truly against that....(read the rest of the speech)

Members of the Lower House were trampling over each other to grab the microphone and furiously utter condemnation they knew nobody else would have the guts to contradict. It's like talking to a herd of brainless sheep. Watching the Dutch House in action I would not be surprised to hear on occasions a whole lot of baaaing in response Wilders' turn at the microphone.  

http://groenlinks.nl/

Among the most furious was Femke Halsema, leader of the Green-Left party (GroenLinks). Now Femke is somewhat of a standout in the Dutch political scene. She is attractive and articulate (that's her above - cute, isn't she?) and has a personable manner that charms most people. When Femke gets into a tizz - and this was a gigantic tizz -  all that cuteness shines in a most incongruous way. (I once saw Premier Balkenende melt in response to her tongue-lashing.) Elsevier Online said that she reacted as if stung by a wasp - most likely putting that wasp out of action for the rest of the day.

'You know no ethical boundaries!" she shouted sweetly at Wilders, immediately disarming the whole house, 'but it really gets to me that you use this woman's story to justify your own arbitrary opinions. Shame on you!"

 

When I say that Femke is articulate I mean that she is good at verbalising her thoughts on the spur of the moment. This is a talent that many women have - particularly high profile feminists. It is another question entirely whether what is verbalised has any intellectual weight - or is just a lot of appealing froth. Indeed, appealing froth is far more compelling in many cases, particularly when the feminist agenda is being pursued.

Femke is okay in the House. She is talking to friends. She could return to her seat leaving the usual wake of envy and admiration - admiration all on the side of the men, of course. Unfortunately for her, as surveys continually show in Holland, a great chunk of the Dutch electorate is agreeing with Wilders. No amount of Halsemarian cuteness will change that. Further, I suggest the more Femke and those like her use the smear against him, the more supporters he will gain.

But let's get to the heart of it. Just what is arbitrary in what Wilders has said about journalist De Rijde? She has been raped by a member of the world's most psychotic political grouping - people who don't hesitate to hack off the heads of innocent people for political purposes - and she shows sympathy for them. What sane person would not think she has not lost her marbles? Has she never heard of Theo van Gogh? How can you reason with people who entertain such thoughts? Farmers sometimes of necessity have to use an electrical prod for unmanageable herds...

Second, just think what the reaction of the pure-of-heart in the Dutch parliament would be if it had been the leader of a renegade Catholic political group who had raped Ms de Rijde. Understanding there? Don't make me laugh. The Ridder Zaal would be lined end to end with members comatose from an onslaught of sanctimony. On revival Femke would be at the head of the queue urging a bill to lay siege to the Vatican.

I believe like Wilders - and many around the world - that The Netherlands is in deep moral decay. It may even be too late for the electrical cattle prod.

Some of the reports on the internet:

Halsema and Wilders clash
http://www.elsevier.nl/web/10235441/Nieuws/Politiek/Halsema-en-Wilders-ruzin-over-verkrachtingszaak.htm?rss=true

Raped Journlist angry with Geert Wilders
http://www.elsevier.nl/web/10235446/Nieuws/Politiek/Verkrachte-journaliste-boos-op-Geert-Wilders.htm

Premier Balkenende says Wilders outburst shameful, tasteless
http://www.elsevier.nl/web/10235444/Nieuws/Politiek/Balkenende-Uitspraken-Wilders-beschamend-en-smakeloos.htm?rss=true