|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/11/10/do1001.xml
Dutch Find the Strength to Take On Their "New Nazis"
(Telegraph-UK)Daniel Johnson - There is no precedent for the ritual slaughter of prominent Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh in broad daylight on the streets of Amsterdam. Van Gogh - distantly related to Holland's most celebrated artist - was shot on his bicycle, another national emblem. As he writhed on the ground, the murderer cut his throat without mercy and left him with two knives protruding from his body: a method that is apparently common in North Africa. A note found pinned to his chest contained death threats against three other public figures. The murder of an artist for the sake of his art shocks secular Europe rather as martyrdom once shocked Christendom. Theo van Gogh is a secular martyr. Not even the most tolerant people on earth can tolerate the Islamists.