I was privileged to attend a luncheon Monday, 4/30/12, in Manhattan, marking the release of Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders' "Marked for Death." This courageous, profoundly important book was assessed at length in an excellent formal review by Jerry Gordon, and my own essay-review as well. Below is the address Mr. Wilders delivered:  Dear friends, I am happy to be in New York again, even though in my country today it is Queen's day, a national  celebration. This is why I am wearing my orange tie. Thank you, Nina, for organizing this event and giving me the opportunity to address all of you. It is always good to be among friends. It is an honor to be here in the presence of so many people who care for the preservation of freedom in our civilization. It is great to be in America, the beacon of liberty, the land of the free, the land where people are still allowed to speak freely. I know what I am talking about. I was acquitted after a legal ordeal that lasted almost 3...(Read Full Post)