You gotta hand it to the Dutch

Despite the recent row over Ayaan Hirsi Ali's citizenship, the Dutch are continuing to break new ground in the annals of freedom and democracy. A judge has ruled that the Brotherly Love, Freedom, and Diversity Party (PNVD) has the right to exist, despite much controversy surrounding the group, which seeks to lower the age of consent from 16 to 12. The three members of the party are known to be pedophiles, although the judge claims they have not committed any crimes.

"Freedom of expression...including the freedom to set up a political party can be seen as the basis for a democratic society," Judge Hofhuis said in the ruling, according to the Associated Press news agency.

"It is the right of the voter to judge the appeal of political parties," he said.

I suppose he has a point, but I can't imagine there will be too much support for a party that wants to legalize child pornography and sex with animals.

The PNVD - which has only three known members - says its aim is to break taboos and fight intolerance.

It says it wants paedophilia to be freely discussed, arguing that a ban just makes children curious.

Yea, whatever. I hardly think a 12-year-old is mature enough to have sex with someone their own age, let alone an adult.

They also want to break the "negative" stigma surrounding paedophilia by getting into parliament.

But the PNVD says it is not just a one-issue party.

It also wants children from the age of 12 to be able to vote. It promotes the legalisation of hard and soft drugs and free train travel for all.

Well, again, I don't think a 12-year-old is mature enough to vote. Does a 12-year-old really care about voting? Free train travel for all isn't such a bad thing, though. I guess true freedom should allow parties like this to exist, but will the people let them prevail? I highly doubt it.