Fitna producer charged with hate crimes
posted at 12:00 pm on January 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Europe strikes another blow against free speech and takes another step towards dhimmitude. Not only has a Dutch court decided that the film Fitna goes beyond acceptable political speech, they have also decided that producer-lawmaker Geert Wilders went beyond the protections afforded elected officials. Wilders will face hate-crimes charges for insulting Muslims with comparisons between radical Islamists and the Nazis, among other arguments:
A Dutch court has ordered prosecutors to put a right-wing politician on trial for making anti-Islamic statements.
Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders made a controversial film last year equating Islam with violence and has likened the Koran to Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
“In a democratic system, hate speech is considered so serious that it is in the general interest to… draw a clear line,” the court in Amsterdam said.
Mr Wilders said the judgement was an “attack on the freedom of expression”.
The sensitivity of Nazi comparisons seems rather ironic, since Wilders included in the film Muslim protestors who held signs saying, “God Bless Hitler”. Does the Dutch court believe that criticism of that impulse among Islamists — certainly not an isolated impulse — amounts to a hate crime? When exactly can people criticize the protests of others?
Freedom of speech, in a democratic system or any other, requires tolerance by the populace of unpopular ideas and criticisms. Popular speech requires no protection. Imposing limits on what can and cannot be criticized and opposed through rhetoric and peaceful assembly ends freedom and starts totalitarianism. If Wilders cannot criticize Islam openly and freely without the government requiring permission, then the government can declare all dissent illegal through “hate crimes” legislation based on the whim of the government in question. It won’t be long before the ruling class in Holland discover that they can protect their own status through such prosecution and attack dissent accordingly.
Whether or not one agrees with the thrust of Fitna, the impulse to silence Wilders represents an affront to freedom. Let the Muslims counter with their own arguments and use their own freedom of speech to prove Wilders wrong. Silencing Wilders in this manner strongly suggests that they cannot do so and need to apply force to silence Wilders instead. Fortunately, the Dutch seem willing to provide that force for the Muslims.
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It’s a madhouse, a madhouse!
- George Taylor (Charlton Heston)
MB4 on January 21, 2009 at 2:08 PM
“Hate crimes” legislation is itself a hate crime against freedom of speech, the First Amendment, liberty, America’s war dead, the founding fathers and America.
MB4 on January 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Talking about erratic and hypocritcial, the Erratic Andrew Sullivan!
Don’t make fun of Muslims. If you do you must be a Christianist!
Mr. Joe on January 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Are you sure about that Ed? I ask because The BBC article you linked to put it this way (emphasis mine):
Illusion is reality. Reality is illusion.Buy Danish on January 21, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I’m glad we live in America, for now.
We need to make the most anti-Islamic film ever and dedicate it to Geert Wilders.
The film will be about a drunk Mohammed who rapes a herd of pigs and bathes in their blood afterward. Allah comes up from hell (horns, pitchfork and all) to throw some shoes at him as punishment.
Just a start…
Grafted on January 21, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Paved with good intentions.
Johan Klaus on January 21, 2009 at 3:06 PM
You just wait..
Our pastor said a while ago
before the election
“you think you will escape the oncomming tribulation”
You are WRONG
“It will come here for it has too”
There are powerful forces at work doing all they can
to
CRUSH the Bible
CRUSH christianity
and then silence the church..
Here ya go.. i am just waiting for pelozie, reid, shummer, todd, kennedy, kerry, nurtha and every liberal in congress to pass a new hate crimes law and send it to obamas waiting pen..
It is comming here very soon..
Do not be surprised when obams
New GESTAPO wearing green shirts and an obama pin on their lapel
Come to your home and arrest you and haul you off to prision for the CRIME of beliving what the Bible says..
Its comming folks
Get your asses ready.
jcila on January 21, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I am seriously now considering if this cult of OBAMA
is the beginning of the antichrists rule in concert with Islams takeover of europe..
This has gone way beyong politics..
They actually believe that obama can save them !!!!!!!
Only the God of Israel can do that..
I dont care if obama arrests me.. he is not the messia
he is nothing. but an empty suit..
jcila on January 21, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Time for a one-way ticket to the US for Mr. Wilders. Apply for asylum before it goes insane here.
smellthecoffee on January 21, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Great. Just great. Show a montage of Muslims speaking, Muslims protesting, Muslims doing what they do best, which is cutting off heads and preaching death to infidels, and Mr. Wilders is accused of a hate crime?
The Dutch are finished. Just like the French and the Brits.
CarolynM on January 21, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Jihad Watch has more posts up about this including this one:
Dutch court decided to prosecute Wilders over Fitna after complaints from nine people
JW quotes CNN:
INC on January 21, 2009 at 5:19 PM
In a dhimmi system, free speech is considered so trivial, that….
Tzetzes on January 21, 2009 at 5:50 PM
That’s what the 2nd amendment is for (and if you don’t believe me, brush up on Jefferson).
Praise God and pass the ammo.
Chaz706 on January 21, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Yea i realize that
but do you also realize how desperatly democrats are passing laws to makeit illegal to own a firearm
unless you have your doctors permission?
This is going on right now in several states
all courtesy of the liberal WAKJOB Demigogs..
jcila on January 21, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Muslims cannot stand anyone daring to question their so called faith
Apparently allah (poor stupid one) is so afraid of criticism
that he now demands protection from the UN and liberals..
Now remeber folks the koran is AGAINST everyting liberals so love like
Gays
lesbians
drugs
music
movies
pictures
newspapers
But the liberals in their sheer derangement
are willing to cut their own throats
as long as they take us with them..
Sorry i refuse to bow down to
liberals
obama
muslims
wakos..
SO put that into your koran light it and smoke it..
jcila on January 21, 2009 at 8:02 PM
So that was the only reason they didn’t proceed originally? The guy almost makes it sound like they were shopping this thing around… disgraceful.
RD on January 21, 2009 at 8:54 PM
+1
500+ years of tolerance in Holland, tossed overboard…
RD on January 21, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Yeah, his statement does sound that way.
INC on January 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Go to Jihad Watch and sign the petition threatening a boycott of all Dutch products.
Disturb the Universe on January 21, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Were these Muslim protestors prosecuted for hate crimes?
Of course not.
Disturb the Universe on January 21, 2009 at 9:47 PM
The lunatic left compared Bush to Hitler. Can we prosecute them for hate crimes?
Disturb the Universe on January 21, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I don’t even know what to say about this stuff, anymore. It’s just gone so far beyond anything reasonable. The cowardice and stupidity on display is absolutely historic – and that includes our situation in the US. Cowardice and stupidity in power. Very, very dangerous.
progressoverpeace on January 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Wern’t the Europeans , specially the Dutch marketing themselves as the most tolerant ppl in the world?
Or is their tolerance only when muslims kill cartoonists on streets?
It scares me that Obama wants to change USA to Europe, and he is so beholden to the islamic terrorists .
If liberals in Hollywood have any soul, they will voice their outrage and have Wilders move to USA for good.
We have plenty of our own pot in here, we do not need to prop up the Dutch regime with our tourists.
I’d really like to see what Micheal Moore and Steven Speilberg have to say about it
macncheez on January 21, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I wonder what Ayan Hirsi Ali is saying right now?
tmq on January 21, 2009 at 10:11 PM
ah the low countries…home of all the drugs and prostitutes you can take…just don’t insult Allah with his own words.
We have already witnessed this in Europe in the 1940’s and are seeing it again.
cobrakai99 on January 21, 2009 at 10:12 PM
last then = than….need to preview.
cobrakai99 on January 21, 2009 at 10:14 PM
That’s a very fitting quote.
Wilders has stood up and said what needs to be said.
INC on January 21, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Liberals are traitors to western civilization. In France center-right candidate Nicholas Sarkozy won the election because people thought he’d do something about the muslims rampaging in their cities. Instead that moron talks about how great Arab civilization is and that arabic is France’s second national language. Meanwhile the muslims are terrorizing the citizens, destroying tens of thousands of cars and rioting on a nightly basis.
I’ve been quite clued up on Islam since 9/11 but never expected the disease to progress so rapidly. Nor did I ever in my wildest dreams imagine that liberals (apart from a small fringe) would not only be so blind and ignorant of Islam but working wholeheartedly alongside muslims and advancing their agenda. I expected the majority of westerners to finally wake up and realize Islam is dangerous and that we’d be working to eliminate it from our midst. I guess things will only get much worse before they get better (if they ever do).
Liberals need to be educated but until they wise up, they should also be seen as the enemy. Much as they see Conservatives in the war they waged to win the election and put this wretched muslim-sympathizer in power.
We can make all this disappear if our population has the wits to boot out the socialists and return power back to the right-wing in the next election. Of course we also need to choose brilliant candidates like Geert Wilders and not posers and sellouts like Sarkozy or John McCain. It looks like its going to be a very difficult 4 years for our side, I’m sure we’re going to see much more cowardice and capitulation from our leaders.
I wouldn’t be surprised if muslims start forming Islamic parties to try and gain power in Europe and eventually start Islamifying certain countries. There are European cities that are already majority muslim and the citizens are rightly paralyzed with fear while their stupid and cowardly leaders turn a blind eye to the blatantly obvious Islamic colonization of the West.
Really with some mass education all of this could’ve been avoided, but our education system, media and elites have totally failed us. It looks like we’re going to lose our freedom and then be forced to win it back the hard way, with a great deal of bloodshed and warfare against Islamists and their dhimmi supporters in the years to come. It’d be a good idea for all of us to start buying up guns and forming mass movements to fight the Islamic takeover of our nations. Liberals and muslims can go fuck themselves, I will never submit.
thinkagain on January 21, 2009 at 11:53 PM
So let’s get this straight. It’s OK for assorted Muslims and leftists to hold massive demonstrations the purpose of which is to demonize Israel and Israelis, comparing them to Nazis and spewing what basically amounts to antisemitic hate speech (well documented on YouTube for anyone who wants to see) – and these stupid European neosocialists don’t even consider pressing charges. But make a movie which exposes the hatred of Muslims – which shows Muslims engaging in hate speech themselves – and your head is on the chopping block?
And Europeans have the goddamn AUDACITY to talk about the moral bankruptcy of America?
Europe is finished. Completely and utterly finished. Antisemitism = OK, legitimate criticism of antisemitism = a crime. Why don’t they just go the whole hog and reanimate Hitler? It’s only a matter of time before someone rises to take his place.
Sharke on January 21, 2009 at 11:57 PM
If you’d like to do something about Geert Wilders impending prosecution for the “hate-crime” of criticizing a war-mongering 7th century death cult, then you can send a message to the Government of the Netherlands and object to this injustice (as I have):
http://www.government.nl/contact
Here’s an accompanying video sent to me by a contact and his message below:
“The Netherlands must realize it is being watched by the world. KEEP GEERT WILDERS FREE. Don’t allow Islam to kill Freedom of Speech in the Netherlands.”
thinkagain on January 22, 2009 at 12:08 AM
error with the link, reposting:
http://www.government.nl/contact
thinkagain on January 22, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Here’s also a petition you can sign in defense of Geert Wilders which has over 10,000 signatures (I’ve signed also), from Atlas Shrugs.
And if you’d like to see an interview Pamela Geller did with Geert Wilders a while ago, go here (its worth watching). Part1, Part2.
thinkagain on January 22, 2009 at 12:22 AM
As someone who is born from an Austrian mother, and whose same mother talk to her cousins in Austria, I can say that there is a general bias against Americans who were born elsewhere in Europe and became Americans. My mother’s cousins insult her to her face because she has became “Americanized” and cares not for dear Austria. This is such bunk. I visited Sankt Gilgun (Saint Gilgen) where my mother grew up in a boarding school and had to walk past a pig slaughterhouse on her way to school during the occupation of Austria. She does not regret becoming an American citizen, yet her family mock her for doing so. Europe is dead, and it should be. That’s why we fought the Revolution against England who is still one of our staunchest allies (at least for now) America is not Europe, it hasn’t been for 230+ years, nor should we ever strive to be like them, except to support them in the GWAT. That’s my 2 cents.
bryan2369 on January 22, 2009 at 2:25 AM
Sorry for ranting, but it needed to be said. Like Homer Simpson said, “It’s time to take out the Euro-trash!”
bryan2369 on January 22, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Just goes to show where the Dutch’s priorities lie when it pertains to prosecuting their citizens… Joran Van Der Sloot runs around freely committing crime after crime while they turn a blind eye… And they’re gonna’ prosecute this guy over this?
Dakotobol on January 22, 2009 at 7:32 AM
It must be getting harder & harder for Allah to remain an atheist.
I’m not a religious person, but I’m pretty sure the Bible has had it’s say on current events.
Prognosis negative.
Dorvillian on January 22, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Got that right. I’d advise anyone interested in taking future holidays in Europe to do it soon. In ten years, I am not sure it will be so pleasant.
pussum207 on January 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Now that you’ve brought it up, what is Hotair’s position on Fitna? The movie itself seems pretty tame to me.
pussum207 on January 22, 2009 at 10:11 AM
They put a couple hundred thousand euros to stop Ayan Hirsi Ali ( they tried to revoke her citizenship ) when she spoke out against Islam. It’s cultural suicide, they’re so in denial when they protect the hooligans and prosecute the ones that only use their free speech to warn us. It’s some kind of battered wife / Stockholm syndrome.
the_nile on January 22, 2009 at 10:46 AM
It does seem pretty outrageous for Wilders to compare a movement dedicated to eliminating the world’s Jews through genocide to, you know…a previous movement dedicated to eliminating the world’s Jews through genocide. What’s he thinking about?
wiz1001 on January 22, 2009 at 11:20 AM
and at what point in time was free speech received in Europe?
AZ_Redneck on January 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Coming soon the America, oh wait, it’s already here.
Don’t forget, Obama DID say, “The First and Second Amendments were obsolete soon after they were ratified.”
nelsonknows on January 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
“The Netherlands must realize it is being watched by the world. KEEP GEERT WILDERS FREE. Don’t allow Islam to kill Freedom of Speech in the Netherlands.”
Rubbish. Most countries would do same.
The US Embassy in the Netherlands rescinded inivitations to right wing politicians to watch the innauguration at the Embassy. This is the same political party which is fighting to protect he rights of Jews in the Netherlands to be free from intimidation by Youths.
davod on January 23, 2009 at 6:03 AM
PS:
Mind you: The irony of the prosecution of Wilders is that the Netherlands Foreign Minister is out today [Yesterday]telling Karzai to get his act together and fight the Taliban. This at the same time at home the government is going to prosecute Wilders, and prostrates itself at the feet of rioting youth (Muslims). The only political party fighting to protect the Jews in Holland is the Vlaams Belang party. A party ostricized for being ultra right wing. They also want a stop to immigration.
davod on January 23, 2009 at 6:05 AM
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