Hanging's Too Good for This One
That's a rather familiar line from America's westerns of a few decades back. My preference that Geert Wilders not be killed isn't based on any sympathy I have for him, or his views. I value human life. And, in this case, I see no reason why Geert Wilders life should be any more pleasant than necessary.The producer of Fitna, that rabidly anti-Islamic film, will face charges "for inciting religious hatred in speeches and a film he made about Islam last year," if the plans of Amsterdam's prosecutor go through.
I'm not holding my breath: Dutch authorities have decided not to prosecute Geert Wilders before, and may do so again.
Just the same, I think that a good drag through court might, possibly, do the fellow some good. Or not. He does seem to have sunk rather deep into hatred.
Death Threats and Geert Wilders
Dutch authorities have, it seems, been taking a little extra care to make sure that their Geert Wilders stays alive. There have been cautious reports of death threats against him in the news from time to time, and Theo Van Gogh's murder gave weight to the idea that when people of a particular persuasion say 'death to...', their threat should be taken seriously.Fitna Protests a High Point for Global Islam
With exceptions, Muslims around the world listened to Al Arabiya News Channel and other voices which urged restraint and good sense.Malay Muslims, for example, called for a boycott of Dutch products. Whether or not one approves of boycotts, I think its arguable that boycotting is a more civil way of expressing disapproval, than cutting of somebody's head.
Fitna: A Truly Bad Movie
Last year, researching Fitna, I tried to find someone with a good word to say about the movie (aside from Wilders, his followers, and those who voted for him).I did, finally, find one reviewer who liked a few seconds of the film: a visual trick in the ending credits. Aside from that, though, I got the impression that dedicated patrons of cinema might have been willing to charge Geert Wilders with making a painfully bad movie.
In short, Fitna was a bomb.
Related Posts:
- "'By Jove, I Think They've Got it!' Muslims Urged to Boycott, not Bomb: The Fitna Follies Continue "
(March 30, 2008) - "Fitna Gone Again: Someone had a Chat With the Host"
(March 29, 2008) - "Freedom of Speech: It's Protected in America"
(March 27, 2008) - "Fitna Fizzles: Online Today, No Fires"
(March 27, 2008) - "Muslims and "Fitna" - an Appeal from Al Arabiya News Channel"
(March 24, 2008) - "Freedom of Speech for "Fitna" and Hezbollah, and a Prediction"
(March 23, 2008)- About that prediction? I was wrong, and very pleased that I was.
- "Dutch politician faces charges over anti-Islam film"
CNN (January 21, 2009) - "Islam film Dutch MP to be charged"
BBC (January 21, 2009) - "Dutch critic of Islam launches anti-Koran film"
Reuters (March 27, 2008) - "Afghans chant death to Danish, Dutch in protest"
Reuters (Mar 21, 2008) - "Danish Police Say Muhammad-Cartoons Death Plot Foiled (Update2) "
Bloomberg (February 12, 2008)
7 comments:
Hello
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Geert Wilders is no racist. He is simply against out-of-control immigration; and against immigrants who won't assimilate; and some who beat Gays and rape Dutch women for not being covered up.
Muslims are not a 'race', they are followers of a religion and its Sharia Law.
Most Muslims aren't even Arabs, which by the way, is also not a 'Race'.
Which their duty is, according to their Koran, to spread Sharia law over the whole Earth. It might take 100-200 years, if they succeed.
Is that the kind of world you want for your great-grand children's great-grand children? A Taliban Planet? I bet not.
Muslims are the biggest victims of Islam. Wilders is NOT against Muslims, he is against Islamic Fundamentalism.
You should read the Koran, but be careful, for the Koran prohibits non-Muslims from reading it.
I wonder why.
This is BIG, this is REAL BIG! SPREAD THE WORD to the world everyone! The EU Mandarins have crossed the line! If this goes to court, how much more of the public will become aware of this tyranny?
All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. If there is no freedom of speech, then there can be no real freedom.
The Christians and Jews don’t riot when somebody makes fun of Christ or Jews. People must learn to be civilized, and held to account when they are not. Muslims included.
Geert Wilders is a hero spreading the painful truth. He MUST be protected!
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here’s an absurd thought -
your Supreme God knows
Christ was a pedophile
and a raping terrorist
converting slaves by the sword
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absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
weak and insecure is BEST
the best way for religion
KILL those who question it
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absurd thought -
God of the Universe wants
Islam for everyone
submit to glorious life
slavery and servitude
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
outlaw self-defense
exposing violent crimes
shall be deemed hate speech
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
decide to change your race
just simply change religions
your religion is your race
.
All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech there can be no real freedom.
.
Philosophy of Liberty Cartoon
.
Help Halt Terrorism Today!
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USpace
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:)
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USpace,
Thanks for the comment.
It's an interesting mixture.
Geert Wilders may be no racist, and he may have a legitimate case against "out-of-control immigration; and against immigrants who won't assimilate" - but he doesn't seem to be going out of his way to avoid acting like a racist.
I'm aware that followers of Islam are not an ethnic group. Using this blog's search function to pull out references to Indonesia might prove enlightening.
About the Quran: I've got a copy, and discussion with a number of Muslims has directed me to what may be a rather good English translation - better than the one I've got. More accurate, at any rate.
Funny: Many Muslims I am acquainted with don't fit the Geer Wilders vision of 'those people.'
Maybe I'm missing something.
Or, possibly, Geert Wilders is.
racist exposed!!
http://www.videosift.com/video/Fascist-Exposed-Geert-Wilders-on-Radical-Islam
akhter,
I'm surprised: a short comment.
And, just to make sure I've made myself clear: I don't hold Geer Wilders in high esteem, and I think Fitna is interesting from a psychological and historical point of view - but a waste of time and effort otherwise.
As for being a racist? If Geert Wilders isn't 'racist' in a few senses of the word, he's doing a good job of acting the part.
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Thank you Brian, Geert knows most Muslims are peaceful. He's not against them, he's against Sharia Law in the West. It is encroaching. What is happening to him is just one extreme example.
I totally agree, most Muslims are peace loving and willing and wanting to be modern. That’s why most of them have come to the West, for freedom. However, many of the powerful minority of Fundamentalists have followed them. The so-called ‘Radicals’ rule Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and at least 54 other countries. They are trying to eventually rule Europe, and the world as well. No matter how long it takes.
Experts say at least 10-20% of Muslims support Sharia rule. That's 150-300 million. If only 1% of those are willing to be terrorists, well than that's a huge problem.
The radicals always end up ruling the 'moderate' Muslims.
If non-Muslims won't criticize the Islamic Fundamentalists in order to defend their lives and culture, then how can the moderate Muslims be expected to criticize their fellow Muslims.
Wilders can't be "acting like a racist" if he is not talking about a race.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
surrender to jihad
sell out your great grandchildren
so theirs live Taliban life
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
don't tell the truth
evil men will jail you
kill you to protect their lies
.
USpace,
Thanks for clarifying one of your points:
"...If non-Muslims won't criticize the Islamic Fundamentalists in order to defend their lives and culture, then how can the moderate Muslims be expected to criticize their fellow Muslims...."
I believe that much of America's established leadership has become extremely unwilling to criticize non-western, non-Christian (or Judaeo-Christian) groups, cultures, and beliefs. This is a serious problem, when it becomes an unwillingness to criticize dangerous beliefs and practices.
I also believe that many who protest the established order's unwillingness to acknowledge unpleasant realities hurt their own cause, but intemperate attacks on trivial aspects of non-western cultures.
For example, protesting a mosque's alleged efforts to build pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails would be sensible.
Protesting a mosque's membership because they dress funny would not, IMO.
I remember the sixties, when the 'older generation' went ballistic over women wearing pants and men wearing long hair. What I believe were reasonable concerns over drug use and other aspects of America's cultural revolution were, IMO, drowned out by feverish rants over the evils of tie-died T-shirts.
We seem to have the same general story line today, with a different cast.
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