Breaking: Ayaan Hirsi Ali emigrating to U.S.?
posted at 8:47 am on May 15, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Sugiero tips me to this Robert Spencer post quoting Bruce Bawer. Not five minutes before, I got an e-mail from a reader pointing me to this article in Dutch, which mentions AEI. I’m working on confirming it with them right now.
Let me be the first to say: score.
Update: Expatica confirms!
Update: Here’s AHA’s blog. Keep your eye on it for an official announcement. And here’s our Vent from last week on women warriors.
Update: Many thanks to reader Jan J. for this translation of the Dutch article. Note the line about Brookings.
AHA to Washington per September 1
VVD MP AHA will start working for the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington. She’ll announce this tomorrow in The Hague. Last week AHA reached an agreement with the State Dept. about her security.
Originally she planned to leave for the US on May 1, next year. But since she has to leave her house in The Hague per Aug 27, she requested AEI to be able to start on Sep 1.
Over the last couple of months AHA conducted negotiations w/ two other think tanks, Johns Hopkins U (’too poor’) and the Brookings Institution (’didn’t fully agree with my views’).
AHA will finish her book Shortcut to Enlightenment in the US. For a long time, she felt that her presence in the Netherlands ‘was counterproductive’. She told De Volkskrant: “I do more damage then good. My message is being distorted”.
Update: Goldstein: “Today is a good day for America.” Mike Hendrix: “Welcome to freedom, ma’am.”
Update: Sugiero sends along a reaction round-up from Expatica that’s predictable down to the molecular level. My favorite, of course:
The Contact Organisation for Muslims and Government (CMO) indicated on Monday it was not sorry that Ayaan Hirsi Ali is going to American to work. Her strong attacks on Islam have caused “a lot of damage”, CMO secretary Nasr Joemman said. “I celebrate that she is leaving the Netherlands,” Joemman said. “I hope that by her departure we can move forward with building a harmonious society.”
There’s a nice scare quote about the homo-hatin’ dissent-crushing neocon ogres of AEI tucked away at the end, too.
Update: Just received an e-mail from someone who seems to think I’m unaware of Hirsi Ali’s lies on her Dutch asylum application. I’m not.
Update: MEMRI has a new report on women reformists of the Arab world.
Update: Slate rounds up blog reaction to the news. The Times, meanwhile, has a quote:
“I was planning to move to the U.S. when my mandate ended next year,” Hirsi Ali said Monday. “But now it’s time to become a private citizen again.” Being driven from her home, and now being under official investigation, “has made me bring my plans forward.”
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For a long time, she felt that her presence in the Netherlands ‘was counterproductive’. She told De Volkskrant: “I do more damage then good. My message is being distorted”.”
It is great to have her here, but it is terrible that the situation in the Netherlands is such that she feels that her presence there is “counterproductive”.
EFG on May 15, 2006 at 9:36 AM
Bravo to AEI for recruiting AHA. Alas, the Dutch are now dhimmis.
chsw
chsw on May 15, 2006 at 9:36 AM
“VVD MP AHA will start working for the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington.”
I still think she should go straight to the US Senate.
Carvin Guitar Man on May 15, 2006 at 9:48 AM
Boo-ya! Take that, dhimmis! I’m sure the Dutch will fell so much better now that someone who fudged their immigration application is leaving. Perhaps this will spur them to consider the cost of their immigration policies.
Ayaan, welcome to America! Bravo to the American Enterprise Institute.
What fabulous news.
Pablo on May 15, 2006 at 9:59 AM
We can all hope she, in her new life on these shores, will be doing “a job Americans do not want to do”, such as poking holes in pompous airbags who winge about trivial impacts on civil liberties but ignore theocratic assassinations.
Lamonte Thomas on May 15, 2006 at 10:00 AM
Amen, Lamonte. I’d pay good money to watch a Hirsi Ali v. Juan Cole cage match.
Pablo on May 15, 2006 at 10:03 AM
Given that NL now needs to protect many other dignitaries anyway, it is outrageous that they seem to be casting her out, but our gain. I know she’ll be working at the think tank, but any chance she’ll return to politics to, say, run against Jim Moran in the VA 8th Congressional District? Please?
raybury on May 15, 2006 at 10:23 AM
“Let me be the first to say: score.”
Yes, we scored all right. We scored when the Jews fled Europe ahead of the Nazi atrocities. The influx of some of the greatest minds of the 20th century.
We scored when Eastern Europeans fled the Soviet regime.
We scored, but what a sad commentary about the state of affairs overseas.
Welcome home, Hirsi.
EFG on May 15, 2006 at 10:24 AM
I hope she didn’t cut in front of others wanting to immigrate, and work in America. That wouldn’t be fair, would it? Although, I suppose she will be doing a job many Americans won’t do–speak out against the viscious brutality suffered by women at the hands of Islamists.
Melba Toast on May 15, 2006 at 10:24 AM
She thinks her message is being distorted there? Wait til she gets here. She doesn’t even know what distortion is until she gets it from our own MSM.
Ron_S on May 15, 2006 at 10:25 AM
Europe sure know how to export brains and import welfare-drains. Thank you for your efforts of explaining democracy and equality to forgetful and ungrateful Europeans, Ayaan. You will be missed.
xyan on May 15, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Wow, is America really the last safe haven? That’s scary to think about.
rightallthetime on May 15, 2006 at 10:37 AM
“I’m sure the Dutch will fell so much better now that someone who fudged their immigration application is leaving.”
Actually, they are. You won’t believe the venom that readers of conservative news magazines are spouting, triggered by the announcement of AHA leaving.
The disdain, the disgust, and the hatred towards her is simply immense.
Though not fully comparable, I’m now starting to understand how it was possible that so many Dutch Jews were betrayed during WW2.
The Dutch are a sick people.
Kim Hartveld on May 15, 2006 at 11:05 AM
So….Can I stop buying Dutch now?
dung.
Moose Dung on May 15, 2006 at 11:14 AM
For sure, the dhimmis’ loss is our gain. Now, let’s get AHA and Dr Sultan in one room, and put THAT on TV. Whaddaya say, Hannity?
Kid from Brooklyn on May 15, 2006 at 11:31 AM
Unfortunately for us, if she wants to be in politics here she has quite a wait for the Senate:
“Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution sets forth three qualifications for senators: each senator must be at least thirty years old, must have been a citizen of the United States for at least the past nine years, and must be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state he represents.”
A little bit less for the House:
“Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution sets forth three qualifications for representatives: each representative must be at least twenty-five years old, must have been a citizen of the United States for at least the past seven years, and must be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state he represents.”
From Wikipedia.
ScottG on May 15, 2006 at 11:40 AM
I’m sure that she will be busy, speaking before college students and faculty that openly despise Christians and John McCain, yet don’t have the least bit of worry about having members of the Taliban as students. /sarcasm
You know the ones I mean: the people who wince at referring to terrorists as evil, but have no qualms about using the word in reference to conservatives.
Paul Atreides on May 15, 2006 at 11:40 AM
So….Can I stop buying Dutch now?
MD, buy Danish, not Dutch.
Pablo on May 15, 2006 at 11:48 AM
One of my heroes in history is Michael De Ruyter. He was a man who would rather be at home with his wife and kids as was thought soft because of it by his foes but outnumbered and outgunned he managed to defeat the combined navies of England and France to save the Dutch from subjugation.
I quote from the book “Broadsides & Boarders” 1957 by Marvin Albert page 155:
I’ll leave it to you to read the history of the battle of solebay and others, but the bottom line is this: the Dutch no longer remember their own history and are willing to be subjugated rather than resist. Ruyther, Tromp, Van Tromp, Heemskerck, De La Marck, De Witt and the rest of fought to make the Dutch free and keep them free would be shocked to see this. I would be but unfortunately I no longer am.
I am very much afraid that a horrible war for survival will soon be upon us and my sons will end up having to fight to save a Europe that is unwilling to save itself.
Perhaps if we actively recruited European men into the Nato forces to defend themselves rather than allowing them to count on us thing might have been different, but that’s crying over spilt milk. This war will be ours, the other great powers will let us fight it in the hope of surplanting us and the lesser powers are unwilling. It will be ours and ours alone.
Boy that stinks.
petertheslow on May 15, 2006 at 11:50 AM
I am very much afraid that a horrible war for survival will soon be upon us and my sons will end up having to fight to save a Europe that is unwilling to save itself.
While, at the same time, having to save ourselves from what is allowed to stay in this country.
Paul Atreides on May 15, 2006 at 11:57 AM
I just visited her website listed above and posted on it. Some of the comments were disturbing in their vitriol. But many of them sounded the same theme: She will be safe in the last, best hope for the world: the USA. How we are vilified but how we rise eternal in the most important thing of all:HOPE. She is going to turn a few heads here, open a few more minds and drive CAIR absolutely NUTS! I cant WAIT! Welcome to American Ayaan Hirsi Ali…WELCOME HOME!
labwrs on May 15, 2006 at 12:01 PM
This is great news! She will contribute to the awakening of America
iSEE on May 15, 2006 at 12:13 PM
“Unfortunately for us, if she wants to be in politics here she has quite a wait for the Senate.”
Details! Details!
Carvin Guitar Man on May 15, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Wonderful news. Maybe she can help America see the light. The Dutch are way too far down the road to Dhimmiville.
Brad on May 15, 2006 at 12:18 PM
The Jihadis may have hit us hard on 9/11 but as time goes by, as we are already seeing, Islamic Fascism is becoming more and more Europe’s problem.
One of the fundamental goals of Islamic Fascism is that Islam itself must spread. Sure they hit us on 9/11 – but does anyone think for a moment that they think they’ll be able to immigrate to America in large numbers now? Not a chance. The North American continent is lost to them now.
So where will Islam spread? Into Europe that’s where. And how will it spread? By what we are seeing already – a combination of terrorism (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Russia) and a birth rate that often quadruples anything the native Europeans can match.
Their purpose in 9/11 was to scare us away from defending the borders of Western Civilization in the Old World. Europe is on the fast track to an UGLY wake up call in the next few decades.
Looks like Ayaan wants to watch from this side of the pond.
venmax on May 15, 2006 at 12:22 PM
The sad thing is I was hopeful that Holland would be one of the few bastions of common sense to hold out amidst the swamp Europe is becoming. Oh well, works out well for America at least.
Beck on May 15, 2006 at 12:23 PM
She needs to be leading her adopted country not being a researcher at yet another conservative think tank. This will be known as the fatal blow to Dutch Jewry and Dutch society as we know it
Defector01 on May 15, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Carvin Guitar Man,
She has to be a citizen for nine years before election to the senate and seven years to the house. That’s what I meant. She can’t just run after coming here. You’ll have to wait for a while.
ScottG on May 15, 2006 at 12:33 PM
Of course, if she was a Me…uh, forget it….
ScottG on May 15, 2006 at 12:35 PM
She is a legal immigrant I am happy to welcome to the USA. I would like to see her get involved in politics when the time is right.
RepJ on May 15, 2006 at 12:51 PM
I would like to buy her a drink and welcome her to the home of the brave. How long do you think it will be before Michelle interviews her?
see-dubya on May 15, 2006 at 1:14 PM
Funny you should ask, See-Dub. We’re going to try to get something hooked up by phone soon.
Allahpundit on May 15, 2006 at 1:18 PM
ScottG:
I know she can’t run for nine years. My point was to compare her qualifications, courage and wisdom to some of the Senate’s current occupants.
Carvin Guitar Man on May 15, 2006 at 2:14 PM
Besides, it would be fun to watch the howling moonbat chorus…
Carvin Guitar Man on May 15, 2006 at 2:16 PM
Good.
If W is gonna lighten the burden to become a citizen, then let AHA be the first to take advantage.
Iblis on May 15, 2006 at 2:22 PM
I think it would be really interesting to see if there are any numbers (read a probable lack of them) on how many other people have been expelled for similarly lying.
America1st on May 15, 2006 at 2:51 PM
Sorry, Iblis, AHA would need to show disregard for our laws first.
Kid from Brooklyn on May 15, 2006 at 3:11 PM
It is a freaking shame that my fellow countrymen forced Ayaan to leave. She was one of the firsts who was willing to start the debate about integration, or better said; the lack of it.
Michael Galien on May 15, 2006 at 3:24 PM
Ayaan,
Welcome to America. We value brave people. Europe is lost.
If you are ever on FNC at 10:00pm, tell the host that you’ve never heard of Joran Van der Sloot.
dinasour on May 15, 2006 at 3:28 PM
“There’s only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other cultures…and the Dutch!”……… Nigel Powers
ecamorg on May 15, 2006 at 5:07 PM
Will she be doing the jobs that Americans will not do?
gary on May 15, 2006 at 5:37 PM
It is sad that hardly anyone in the Netherlands realises how shameful it is that some of their MP’s have 24 hours protection. Are moved around. In that respect, yes Europe is lost.
But not all is well with Hirsch Ali. The US is now attempting to curtail the flood of illegal immigrants and according to Dutch law and precent, Hirsch Ali is illegal there it seems. At least some hard questions must be answered.
But it’s not that sad for Holland that she had to leave. Few in America know that Holland has a 100% school voucher program. For everyone. Dutch Christians have fought for this program at the end of the 19th century, culminating in full equality for every school in 1920.
Hirsch Ali wanted everyone to be state schooled. Hundreds of thousands of Christians would have to send their kids to state schools to be educated. Her intention was to abolish the school voucher program, because of the few, 40-odd or so, muslim schools. I think US conservatives will not find themselves to be very happy with all her positions.
Berend de Boer on May 15, 2006 at 8:59 PM
YES! We’ll take her! She’ll probably be a Democrat, but what the heck, we need some good ones in the opposition party just in case they win. WELCOME TO AMERICA MS. ALI! We love you! Please come to Florida and run for Govenor! You can stay with me, no charge! AND I work for the airlines, we have a saying at my Company: “Marry ME, fly for FREE!”
Tony737 on May 15, 2006 at 9:55 PM
Hello Berend de Boer.
I am sure you are right. We will probably not be happy with all of her positions. So far, we only know her one stance. I am sure we will find many things about her that we will disagree with strongly once we get to know her better.
And yet, I think we are still lucky to have her here with us. For all of our differences, I think we share values that are more fundamental then any mere political difference. I think that Ms. Ali is the sort of person who has the strength of her convictions. And in a dark, dangerous world, she is very special.
It is funny. Often times when there are no real threats, we allow our petty differences to get in the way of our relationships. But when push come to shove, and your back is against the wall, our true family reveals itself. I am sure in 50 years, when this Islamic threat has been vanquished, and peace has once again blessed us with its all too temporary presence, we will have the pleasure of expending great passions in support and defense of all of the little different positions myself and Ms. Ali hold.
But now, in a time when lines are being drawn, lines that mean more than just mere political policy positions, but rather lines of life or death, barbarity or civilization, good or evil, you may count me honored to be privileged enough to stand by a woman like her.
She seems to have that touch of duty about her. She reminds me of Isaiah from the Old Testament:
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here I am, Lord. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
Again, welcome home Hirsi. So glad you could join us.
EFG on May 15, 2006 at 10:09 PM
“Update: Dutch Muslim group: good riddance.”
Lol!! Kind of like when the Nazis celebrated Einstein leaving Germany.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor Europa.
venmax on May 15, 2006 at 10:19 PM
BTW…
“I am sure you are right. We will probably not be happy with all of her positions. So far, we only know her one stance.”
Oh HELL man. Anyone who has the common horse-sense to call Islamic Fascism for what it is has my vote. Lord knows she’s 10 times better than the Jello-Spined liberals that inhabit our country (and dominate Europe) because of that one issue alone.
If I woke up tomorrow and the Demon-Rats in this country sounded like she did I’d jack-slap myself with a shovel just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
venmax on May 15, 2006 at 10:24 PM
Hello Venmax.
You said:
“Anyone who has the common horse-sense to call Islamic Fascism for what it is has my vote. Lord knows she’s 10 times better than the Jello-Spined liberals that inhabit our country (and dominate Europe) because of that one issue alone.”
Congratulations Venmax. You have managed to distill the main point of my post down from six overly verbose paragraphs down to two pithy sentences. Or to put it another way, we go from a Sonnet to a Haiku.
Well said, Sir. It is truly the mark of good writing to say more with less. Eloquence in its simplest form.
EFG on May 15, 2006 at 10:55 PM
Another brilliant person leaving Europe for the USA. Welcome to USA Ayaan.
pabo on May 16, 2006 at 1:08 AM
But the US is an evil, imperialist, racist country. Why is a black African woman wanting to come here? I mean, George Bush is President, and everything!
Is she entitled to Affirmative Action now?
She’s joining a conservative think tank. Has Al Sharpton called her an Uncle Tom yet?
I’m glad she’s coming here, though not the circumstances, but does she really know what she’s getting into? On the bright side, with her experience, she can more than handle it, and she’s finally in a country who’s government will actually let her be who she chooses to be. What a concept.
hadsil on May 16, 2006 at 2:02 AM
Please be aware that Integration minister Verdonk sent AHA a letter yesterday, stating that she takes the position that Ayaan ‘never received the Dutch nationality’, and therefore will be stripped of her citizenship and passport, and will be forced to step down as an MP immediately.
Some are pushing for legal procedings against her and fervently hope that she, as a stateless person, will be denied entrance to the US.
Today, at 1:30 pm local time, AHA will make a public announcement.
Kim Hartveld on May 16, 2006 at 4:09 AM
Kim, is that within Verdonk’s power? That is, can she do so unilaterally?
Pablo on May 16, 2006 at 7:09 AM
Well, Pablo, the jury is still out on that one. Some say that you cannot make a person stateless. Others contend that we already do so on a regular basis by sending undocumented asylum seekers back to where they came from. In AHA’s case that could be Germany, Kenia, or Somalia.
Fact is that Verdonk got the personal go ahead from PM Balkenende. Ayaan now has 6 six weeks to appeal the decision, and she just announced that she actually will do so.
Fact also is that AHA just resigned as member of parliament as of today.
Kim Hartveld on May 16, 2006 at 10:24 AM
/sarcasm on/
Looks like the Netherlands has a better ahndle on immigration than we do.
/sarcasm off/
hadsil on May 17, 2006 at 1:51 AM
Who the hell wants to be dutch anyway?
wcarr on May 17, 2006 at 8:43 AM
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