Dutch make Nazi comparisons taboo

A public lecture by cultural historian Thomas von der Dunk has been cancelled at the request of right-wing populist Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV). Von der Dunk had intended to draw parallels between the PVV and National Socialism in Germany. But such comparisons are becoming taboo as a result, complains the Internet portal joop.nl: "True, the PVV is not violent, but it is surrounded by an aura of intimidation, hatred and intolerance. For some reason even saying that is taboo. ... The PVV, for its part, never stops playing the Nazi card. Wilders speaks of Islamic fascism and [PVV ideologue] Bosma wants voters to believe the Nazis were socialists. The PVV ladles out Second World War comparisons in every debate it gets involved in. Must we allow the party to monopolise such comparisons by making it taboo for the party's critics to draw their own comparisons? ... Anyone who thinks confrontation can and should be avoided is wrong. Suppressing the debate will only lead to frustration."

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