Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Today's Quote

"This affair is a disgrace for our country and for all of Europe. Voltaire and Erasmus are turning over in their graves."
-Afshin Ellian, Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Leiden.

He's speaking of the recent Dutch decision to strip Ayaan Hirsi Ali of her citizenship, nominally for having lied on her citizenship application years ago, and honestly for having stirred up the local religious fanatics. Holland was, of course, one of the key bastions of free thought during the Enlightenment. Sad to think that's changed.

4 comments:

SecondComingOfBast said...

Is that the woman that worked with Theo Van Gogh?

Rufus said...

Same one. Strange coincidence, huh?

SecondComingOfBast said...

If I remember correctly, she was intent on making another film, a follow up to Van Goghs, which she had initiated. Evidently, the Dutch authorities are wanting to shut her up, they see her as a flame thrower. I think she is a brave lady, and wish her well.

Rufus said...

Yeah, I think she'll be fine. Europeans are pretty pissed about the ruling, so I assume she'll end up in Paris, London, or here.