Posted on 11/16/2004 11:30:30 AM PST by knighthawk
Television viewers in the Netherlands have voted the right-wing politician Pim Fortuyn, killed in 2002, the greatest Dutchman of all time.
Mr Fortuyn, who inflamed Dutch society with fierce anti-immigration rhetoric, was shot by an animal rights activist.
He beat the first William of Orange - the 17th-Century founder of the modern Dutch state - into second place.
The vote came amid racial and religious tension after film-maker Theo van Gogh was shot dead by a Muslim extremist.
Before his murder, Pim Fortuyn's right-wing List party was poised to make large gains in the general election of 2002, campaigning on an anti-immigration ticket.
The flamboyant and openly gay Mr Fortuyn also criticised Muslim attitudes to women and homosexuals.
He was shot dead in May 2002 five days before the election. In the wake of the murder, his party soared to second place, but has since split apart.
But many of Pim Fortuyn's policies have been absorbed by mainstream Dutch political parties.
Changing society
Mr Fortuyn's champion in the poll, journalist Yoeri Albrecht, suggested the result reflected current realities in the Netherlands.
"The question is what meaning 'the greatest Dutchman' has for society at this moment," Mr Albrecht said.
"Just look at what has happened in the last 14 days."
Opinion polls after Theo van Gogh's killing suggest that a majority of Dutch people feel threatened by the prospect of high immigration and the further integration of ethnic minorities into society.
Sectarian attacks on mosques, churches and schools have increased in the wake of the killing, further undermining traditional Dutch principles of tolerance.
In the final vote, the decolonising post-war Prime Minister William Drees came third, while Anne Frank, footballer Johann Cruyff and artists Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt were all in the top ten.
In Britain and Germany, similar polls saw Winston Churchill and post-war Chancellor Konrad Adenauer take the titles.
Thanks. I ask because,in the past,I've followed links from European animal rights internet sites to anti Israeli,pro Palestinian sites,etc.
BS! They are fighting the same enemy we are and defeatism is unhelpful.
Yes, thats the political correctness that makes them put up those links I think. But I would not be suprised if the vegies aided the islamic radicals.
As for those who think Fortuyn is bad or anything, he managed, on his own, to turn one of the most political correct, left-leaning countries in the world to a country which supported the war in Iraq with or without approval of the UN and send 1300 marines to Iraq to help out the US. Without him this would have never happened.
how many people voted in this survey?
The total I am not sure about, but Fortuyn got 115.000 votes and Willem van Oranje 111.000.
Damn. When the Dutch 'swing to the right' the go all the way.
Good.
In 10 years, they will be the only country left in Europe that isn't under Sharia law.
And Johan Cruyff?
He was the Michael Jordan of his time. For a small country like Holland to have produced him is something for them to take pride in.
But in this case there was a "recount", right ?
From today, very closely linked to Pim Fortuyn (Madrid bombings)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1281320/posts
What a complete distortion. The Dutch are saying that they don't think it is acceptable to oppress and beat woman as if this is some great religious virtue. The main stream press is part of the problem when they refuse to examine with any honesty the treatment of woman under Islam.
that sounds like a decent number. an opinion poll wouldnt be valid if it was taken at a place like freerepublic.
The Dutch are a series people. They will go to the wall for the their rights to FREEDOM. I think they have now come to grips with the repercusions of unbrideled freedom in a multicultural world. ERGO Fortuyn's realtime status over Rembrandnt and Erasmus. Polder me this?
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