Dutch writer Leon de Winter writes in the New York Times:
"For centuries the Netherlands has been considered the most tolerant and liberal nation in the world. That Netherlands no longer exists."
I don't fully agree with Mr. de Winter's analysis but at least I'm very glad to see a better image of Pim Fortuyn in the International press (finally):
"He was a liberal with respect to personal freedom and a conservative with respect to social norms and values - that is, he was a classic tolerant Dutchman.
Proud to be gay, he protested against the religiously based homophobia openly espoused in the Muslim ghettos. Yet he also emphasized the need for integrating Muslims into larger society and tolerance for their faith. His political incorrectness shocked the press and political establishment, but many among the traditional citizenry recognized Mr. Fortuyn as a kindred spirit. This unconventional gay politician spoke up for the conventional middle-class heterosexual. At the time he was killed by an animal-rights advocate in 2002, he was the front-runner to become prime minister."
