Varg Vikernes

But don”€™t take my word for it. Listen to what the man has to say for himself. Then ask yourself how legitimate you think the claims that he’s trying to incite violence against Muslims are. Whether or not Muslims in France”€”recently designated as the terrorism capital of Europe“€”need protection from anyone (least of all from a Varg Vikernes) is an entirely separate question. 

I”€™m not trying to sell you on Varg Vikernes. I don”€™t think I”€™d want him as a dinner guest (the wife is iffy on convicted murderers), though I might want to trade letters or even grab a pint. The point here is that a man who has committed murder and destroyed priceless cultural artifacts belonging, at the very least, to the Norwegian people, is being put on trial for …

Thought crimes. 

Indeed, when someone wants to tear Vikernes down, they rarely talk about things he’s done that are objectively harmful crimes. They talk about his beliefs, which are apparently more troublesome than his actions. Murder and mayhem (pun intended, black metal fans) are apparently infractions that pale in comparison to bad thoughts and impolitic statements.

There is literally no greater crime in Europe right now than thought crime. Even with an ascendant right on the Continent, be careful what you think and even more careful what you say.