MORE SPINE IN NATO THAN HERE - AT 3:25 P.M. ET: 

BRUSSELS (AP) -- A Dane who infuriated Muslims by speaking out in favor of freedom of speech during an uproar over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad and who sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan is emerging as the frontrunner to be NATO's next secretary-general.

Europeans and Americans are forging a broad consensus over tapping Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is likely to be named at NATO's upcoming summit in April, according to two NATO officials who spoke on condition anonymity because negotiations are ongoing.

One obstacle to his candidacy: Opposition by Turkey, a key strategic player in the alliance and its only predominantly Muslim member.

COMMENT:  Turkey is expected to go along eventually.  It's good to see NATO standing up for free speech, and for a defender of free speech.  Compare please with the general run of leftist politicians and "multiculturalists" who populate the intellectual landscape, in Europe and here.

March 24, 2009