On December 16, 2008, I sent the following email to Geert Wilders:

Dear Mr. Wilders,

As I’m sure you’ve heard, I am a US blogger who’s very opposed to allowing the Belgian Vlaams Belang party to be involved in any ‘anti-jihad’ movements. I feel that the inclusion of the VB can only damage the reputation and effectiveness of the effort to stop the global jihad, among the vast majority of people — and especially in the US, where any hint of fascism is political poison.

Let me say I admire your efforts against the spread of extremist Islam, although I may not agree with all your positions — and I’ve had great respect for your policy of keeping your distance from the neo-fascists.

But in addition to the political considerations, I’ve done enough research into the group to convince me that their current pose of moderation is a false front. I believe they truly are fascist in origin and in current intentions. I know that some people disagree with this, but I believe strongly that letting this group participate in anti-jihad efforts would be a very large mistake, from both a moral and a practical perspective.

Given that some recent news reports have said you are considering forming an alliance with them, I hope you’ll reconsider.

Would you like to make a statement on this matter for me to publish at LGF? I’ll publish whatever you write without editing.

Sincerely,

Charles Johnson
littlegreenfootballs.com

I received no answer — and that speaks volumes.

Since I sent this email, Wilders’ public opinions have become even more extreme, to the point where he now advocates stripping Muslims of their right to freedom of religion — and I will no longer support him even to the extent I described in this email.

Today the Netherlands Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that they’re going to proceed with the prosecution of Geert Wilders for inciting hatred and discrimination — and while I continue to believe “hate crime” laws are fundamentally wrong, the charge that Wilders is pandering to bigots and haters is true.