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Welcome to the Jacoby Consulting Group blog.
You will immediately notice that this blog covers a wide range of themes - in fact, whatever takes my fancy or whatever I feel strongly about that is current or topical. Although themes may relate to business, corporate or organisational issues (i.e. the core talents of JCG), they also cover issues on which JCG also feels warranted to comment, such as social issues, my books, other peoples' books and so on. You need to know that comments are moderated - not to stifle disagreement - but rather to eliminate obnoxious or incendiary comments. If a reader wishes to pursue any specific theme in more detail, specifically in relation to corporate, business or organisational issues, or in relation to my books, then the reader is invited to send an off-line email with a request. A prompt response is promised. I hope you enjoy this blog - sometimes informed, sometimes amused and sometimes empassioned. Welcome and enjoy.
JJJ

15 February 2013


Geert Wilders

Many in the media and others are quite ready to demonise Geert Wilders as 'hateful and intolerant'. To me he appears no more 'hateful and intolerant' than the people who he is accused of being 'hateful and intolerant' about.

Just look at what is going on in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Certainly no Nirvana of Tolerance in those places.

I'm not suggesting that one attitude justifies the other but let's get real here - Wilders is clearly reacting to the capitulation  of his country (and the rest of Europe) and countrymen to a foreign culture. I don't just mean foreign as 'not from here' but foreign in terms of 'strangeneness' of what his countrymen are accustomed to. He is justifiably concerned about his country's living reality, and fearful of what is in store in the years ahead.

I have been a liberal all my life - but being liberal doesn't mean that just because someone else wants to do things to you or your environment, that you have to let them. Liberal thought and tolerance cuts both ways - it's very ecumenical to be tolerant and loving to  all - including new migrants with their distinctive cultures. But what happens when the 'loving' is only one-way and the people you are tolerant of are not reciprocating the tolerance.

Do you say "Oh well - doesn't matter" or do you attempt to protect what is your intrinsic makeup and character?

That's your choice of course, but I suspect that there are millions more people in Europe who share the feelings and concerns of Wilders but are too intimdated or fearful to say anything.

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