Multiculturalism:
Germany's cowardly self-censorship of a Mozart opera over potential
offense to Islamists is a new capitulation to this implacable minority.
But it's not the first. Across Europe, intimidation is the norm.
The murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, Muslim riots in France
and the violence in the wake of Danish cartoons depicting the prophet
Muhammad are the best-known examples of Islamist intimidation tactics
aimed at Europe. Sadly, European officials' vision of a multicultural
society has led them to appease the Islamofascist bullies. Here's a
snapshot of recent instances of radical Islamists' intimidation and
bullying:
• The Netherlands: Elected leaders critical of radical
Islam, such as lawmaker Geert Wilders, Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen,
ex-lawmaker Hirsi Ali and alderman Ahmed Aboutaleb, now must have
bodyguards after Islamist threats. Wilders told the Washington Post of
seeing Islamist videos calling for his beheading.
• U.K.: Government workers in West Midlands were told to
remove or cover all pig-related items, including a tissue box depicting
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, after a Muslim took offense. An official
called it "tolerance of people's beliefs." Meanwhile, a Bristol man had
to remove a "porking yard" sign at his pub under a local court's
"Anti-Social Behavior Order" for offending Muslims.
• Spain: Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero showed up at a
socialist youth assembly in a "Palestinian scarf," which the Wiesenthal
Center called a militant rather than religious symbol.
• France: Police denied anti-Semitism was the motive in the
kidnap-murder of a young Jewish man by a Muslim immigrant who demanded
the victim's family raise a ransom from a synagogue.
• Norway: Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store apologized for
Danish cartoons depicting Muhammad. "I fully understand that these
cartoons are giving offense worldwide," he said.
• Belgium: Islamic youths rioted for three nights, burning
cars and trashing shops, in a bid to intimidate Belgian voters who
favor what the press calls "anti-immigrant" and "Islamophobic"
candidates in municipal elections Oct. 8.
• Germany: The EU ordered Oktoberfest barmaids serving beer
to stop wearing traditional low-cut blouses with dirndls, as a sunburn
protection measure. Outraged locals said it was a bid to appease Muslim
sensibilities. The order was later rescinded.
• Norway: Norwegians must mount proof of their own innocence
if Muslim immigrants accuse them of discrimination in any form,
including speech, according to a new Discrimination Act.
• Sweden: A man was attacked and nearly killed by Muslim
immigrants in Malmo for wearing the Swedish national flag, which
features a cross, on his clothes during a World Cup match. Police said
his regalia "provoked some emotions."