Where are the militant secularists? (or where are the heirs to Pim Fortuyn)

[jaguar]

I agree it's a platform that attracts far-right elements but the argument is not a far-right one at all and that alone is not a reason for it not to be pursued. Pim himself made that much clear.

If we have widespread cultural acceptance of homosexuality, enshrined in law, why can't we say fundamentalist muslims are bigots and should be barred from this country? Possibly more to the point, why don't we say that? If that level of nuance is too much for today's political climate we truly are screwed.

I had a rather viscous debate with a friend about anti-white racism inside the black community in London recently which ended in an impasse and the more I think about it, all these issues come back to the same question: How on earth is tolerating intolerance in the name of multiculturalism & diversity going to create a cohesive society? and if we accept that it is not, why do these double standards exist?

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by jaguar

...why can't we say fundamentalist muslims are bigots and should be barred from this country?

Because it makes you look really un-cool. The left is very concerned that they look "cool"-they are not so concerned with the rights of ordinary people not to be terrorized by their neighbors. The placards those sweeties in the English news pix were holding up called for murder--beheadings I believe it was. The left is ok with that. Just don't call them un-hip. On the other hand, a cartoon, NOT calling for murder but giving mohammed bomb-shaped head gear...well, THAT is just uncalled for and insensitive and the monsters who printed that cartoon? well, they deserve what they get.

See how that works?