Reading this type of story makes me want to cry. This is how freedom of speech dies.

Posted by: dewke at March 31, 2008 11:20 AM

The cowards and appeasers makes me sick. I mean I have heard many derogatory and insulting stuff on other religions, but on Mohammed and Islam the West and European have already become submissive to the will of Allah and Muslims. Muslims know exactly what to do just threaten and get all the aid from the Americans, get aid from the Europeans continue to bomb and kill infidels, slaughter and persecute minorities and women. Create and spread the hatred of Jews, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists. Try every means to get weapons of mass destruction so that it can inflict the most casualties on the free people.

We need to vote out our spineless leaders out of office before they cause grave damage to our liberties and freedoms.

Posted by: savsiv at March 31, 2008 11:22 AM

The cowards!

Hey, stupids, you don't calm down a ravenous wolf by tossing him a piece of meat; you have to kill him.

Geert Wilders is trying to save your necks by exposing what the Muslim Mafia is doing; and instead of thanking him, you throw him to the Muslim Mafia.

I guess it's either that, or pay protection money (the jizya).

Posted by: PersonOfTheBook at March 31, 2008 11:31 AM

What an absolutely gutless display of appeasement. If there was something in the film that was offensive it would be one thing, but joining the dots of islams facism should be applauded not stifled.

I feel sorry for the Dutch who bravely fought the Nazis. Your Grandchildren do you a disservice.

Posted by: Abu_Lahab at March 31, 2008 11:39 AM

There is a misunderstanding. The film was not just a provocation to Moslems. It was also a provocation to the supine authorities in Europe and, finally, one has broken loose and is prepared to stop using ‘behind the scenes’ bully-boy tactics in favour of an open court. This is just what is needed!

They don’t stand a chance of a successful prosecution and his acquittal will infuriate the enemy even more. Should Wilders, by some corruption of logic, be found ‘guilty’ the free world we will have a living martyr.

Either way a prosecution would be a very, very stupid gesture.

Posted by: Peterborough at March 31, 2008 11:47 AM

We should write to Dutch embassies and consulates in our countries of residence and/or citizenship to express our concern over the way that Geert Wilders is being treated by the Dutch government and judicial system.

Maybe a few demonstrations in his support might help?

Posted by: margheri at March 31, 2008 11:52 AM

They're just trying to save face with their new overloads whom they have CHOSEN. The onus is on the MAJORITY of citizens to soon make a new choice regarding politicians. Therein lies the primary challenge:galvanizing the public and offsetting da'wa.

Posted by: We need G.C. Scott at March 31, 2008 11:57 AM

Dutchmen & women must unite!! It is only your voice that matters in this issue - voices from somewhere else would likely be dismissed. It's time for you to ORGANIZE and demonstrate - literally - your disgust with your government!!! It's time for the opposing side to be heard, not just here on JW, but also in the Dutch media! And quite possibly the only way for that to happen is to PROTEST....LOUDLY...and in PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: mepeteart at March 31, 2008 12:02 PM

Can you tell I'm a child of the 60's? ;-) Hey, it worked then, it will work now...

Posted by: mepeteart at March 31, 2008 12:04 PM

At this point I feel embarrassed to be of a Dutch heritage on my mothers side. She has been telling me all her life how proud the Dutch People are of their traditions;---what happened??.

Posted by: Mackie at March 31, 2008 12:10 PM

"Maxime Verhagen told ambassadors from 26 Muslim that he was happy with the relatively calm reaction he had witnessed since the short film was posted on sites Thursday by Dutch MP Geert Wilders, adding that the film in no way reflected the religious views of the Dutch government."

It's comforting to know we have this kind of moral and political leadership in the West.

Verhagen could have just as well told the Muslim Ambassadors that he was grateful to Muslims for not releasing a wave of terror in the Netherlands, but, if they had, it would have been perfectly understandable and justified.

A real leader would have read off a list of crimes against justics and freedom Muslim countries are guilty of, and told them to go back and straighten out their own societies before complaining to the Netherlands about films and cartoons.

God! do we need leadership in the West.

Posted by: rational at March 31, 2008 12:11 PM

mepeteart: I would disagree with your statement that the voices of the non-Dutch would probably be dismissed. After all, the voices of those who participated in barbaric demonstrations against the Danish cartoons, or against Geert Wilders certainly haven't been dismissed. Why should ours?

(I should also mention that I'm a citizen of an EU country-I'm particularly concerned that this situation will reverberate throughout Europe.)

--Margheri, child of the 80's ;)

Posted by: margheri at March 31, 2008 12:14 PM

Margheri - I don't mean to say that voices attached to live bodies at a real demonstration wouldn't be heard, whatever their home country might be. I meant letters, emails, etc. from countries far away probably wouldn't make much difference to the Dutch leaders...they're only interested in saving their skins at this point. Well, make that more difficult - make them have to save their skins from their enraged constituency. Make them have to make a choice between the right to freedom of speech and suppression of freedom of speech. And make them make that choice on the world stage, for all to see and hear. Only in that way will the rest of the world see what is coming our way - and soon.

Also, as a member of an EU country, your job might be to travel to The Netherlands, if at all possible, to participate in demonstrations. And also to make your displeasure known to your leaders who are following the herd of sheep that USED to be leaders, for condemning this film.

And rest assured, this situation WILL reverberate throughout Europe...it's up to Europeans to decide HOW it will reverberate.

Posted by: mepeteart at March 31, 2008 12:34 PM

This would be an excellent change for Mr. Wilders to show case more than he had time in Fitna. This guy may get more votes next election. This may backfire against the Dutch-Dihmmis.

Posted by: calatrava at March 31, 2008 12:39 PM

I have never in my life seen so many politicians and Governments get involved in the condemnation of a film, and a short one at that.

Logic demands that one would think that out of fairness and equality that there would be a proportional response when a "anti christian" film is produced.

Of course Fitna is not Anti Muslim, it just points out embarrassing truths about the Koran.

I wonder if fear has anything to do with the Wests condemnation of the film? I guess that nowadays to get what you want in this world the best avenue to take is to threaten, destroy and kill.

Posted by: havekoranwilltravel at March 31, 2008 12:49 PM

The more I think about it, maybe we should have a full blowin,and public court hearing for all to to see. Yes, let us lay out all the evidence on the table and not allow a kangaroo to enter into those chambers that should be holding up the rights of freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. Defenders of these freedoms should stand square and come to the aid of a man who was willing to expose Islam for what it is by simply showing Muslims being Muslims. Let us really see what our politicians are made of, let us see who will come forward and defend a man who dared to pose the truth about fundamental Islam.

Posted by: Mackie at March 31, 2008 12:50 PM

What a pity that the millions of Islamic killers blighting our world today aren't faced with this same sort of opposition that Wilders and his courageous ilk are facing in their own homelands at the hands of their own people.

Appeasement is certainly bad enough, but today we are seeing something even worse: we are seeing nations turning against their own people to the point where they will actually show favoritism towards Islamic terrorists over internal dissent against Islam's penetration of their country. Out of pure, irrational fear (but which cannot save them from Islam's acts of terrorism regardless)people all over the world are turning against their own people as we see here has happened to Wilders.

Enough of this already. Islam through the Kuran teaches Muslims to commit first degree murder against "unbelieving" unIslamic targets on a virtually limitless basis. We thus are all in danger from Islam at one level or another. This is what the world NEEDS to know to save itself from destruction by Islamic terror. This is what "FITNA" is trying to say to us. This is what the world needs to learn in order to deal with Islamic terrorism intelligently.

Persons such as Geert Wilders should be honored and not denigrated by governments and political organizations and/or polically powerful elitists that fear Islam to the point where they will say and do anything to placate it.

Posted by: pythagoras at March 31, 2008 1:01 PM

I think Geert Wilders is, was, very aware of the potential that the Dutch government would attempt to prosecute him...and I think he will take the challenge and run with it....he would be given an opportunity to show how the Dutch government are cowaring to the Muslims, and how they're restricting freedoms at the command of the Mohammadans....and I think people are sick of the Mohammadans.

Geerts will not back down and I think he's a remarkable person.

Go Geerts !

Posted by: Sneakyzionistcrusader at March 31, 2008 1:01 PM

These threats to sue Wilders, well they make me sick to the core. Cowards. The lot of them. And once they have traded their last piece of silver, and outlived their ‘Useful_Idiotness’, it will be THEIR heads rolling on the islamic chopping block as 'Dutch Law' is replaced by 'Sharia Law'.

Posted by: Infidel419 at March 31, 2008 1:09 PM

Remember how bravely the Dutch resisted the Spanish in 1570? How the Boers resisted the British in South Africa?

What a sad state of affairs in the Netherlands today. Out of the ashes of this dhimmitude have risen Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Geert Wilders. Bravo to the heirs of 1570!

Posted by: tanstaafl at March 31, 2008 1:10 PM

"adding that the film in no way reflected the religious views of the Dutch government."

Well, I should HOPE not! They reflect the views of the Islamists, which is the whole point.

Posted by: Dina at March 31, 2008 1:54 PM

Remember appeasement and Chamberlain in 1938 as he stepped off the plane waving a piece of paper? Peace for our time...

"...the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine (waves paper to the crowd - receiving loud cheers and "Hear Hears"). Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you ...".

Later that day he stood outside Number 10 Downing Street and again read from the document and concluded:

'"My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Chamberlain

The date may have changed but history repeats with another ideology in the wings. The desire for peace at all cost blinds to the real dangers.

Posted by: James at March 31, 2008 2:43 PM

Remember appeasement and Chamberlain in 1938 as he stepped off the plane waving a piece of paper? Peace for our time...

"...the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine (waves paper to the crowd - receiving loud cheers and "Hear Hears"). Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you ...".

Later that day he stood outside Number 10 Downing Street and again read from the document and concluded:

'"My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Chamberlain

The date may have changed but history repeats with another ideology in the wings. The desire for peace at all cost blinds to the real dangers.

Posted by: James at March 31, 2008 2:45 PM

We are reminded rather often about applying other Country's Laws when adjudicating our own Constitutional questions. I think it is time the EU considered some of OUR Constitutional Law.

How nice the Press is for covering an Issue such as this while making sure as few people know about it as possible.

The castration of mankind marches ever forward.

Posted by: flowerknife_us at March 31, 2008 2:57 PM

There is a flaw in the Film that really does not help in its distribution. There should have been a question posed at the end. A form of challenge. Like, "where and when will thew "moderate voice of Islam rise to deal with this behavior."

I think it would have opened the door much wider than the symbolic gesture of tearing the Page.

Posted by: flowerknife_us at March 31, 2008 3:05 PM

mepeteart: You're right that the Dutch establishment is just trying to save their skins at this point, and that domestic protests are the only way to really get their attention. I do think, though, that those residing outside of the Netherlands, or outside of Europe, should make their opinions known, as doing something-even something small-is better than doing nothing.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to the Netherlands for any demonstrations, although I wish I could! (I live in the US.) The politicians in my country of nationality haven't said much about the movie, as they are too busy "campaigning" (ie, lying and making false promises) at the moment, not that they would stand up for freedom of expression, anyway. (People are also more focused on some national problems at the present time.) The movie hasn't gotten much press there, beyond a few newspaper articles. In fact, when I mentioned it to my boyfriend on the day that it was released, he hadn't even heard about it.

Posted by: margheri at March 31, 2008 3:16 PM

A Filipino immigrant to the Netherlands views on Fitna:

http://butalidnl.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/fitna-is-an-instrument-for-oppression-and-not-free-speech/

I am particularly disturbed that practically all parties here in the Netherlands seem to uphold Wilder’s freedom to express his views, even despite the extreme negative effects this would have on large groups of people."

He is disturbed that practically all parties uphold Wilder's freedom to express his views? This is frightening. I still do not understand how the immigration of such people into our countries is constructive or useful, either for society as a whole or for individual members of the society.

Posted by: margheri at March 31, 2008 3:23 PM

According to Wilder's film, Europe has a 54,000,000 person army in their midst. I beleive that number is actually an old statistic. What are their numbers now? What will happen when this invasion moves from covert to overt means? Good bye Europe. God help us all then, because Allah will have NO mercy on your ass.
I am glad I was able to live in Europe while it was still free.

Posted by: markar at March 31, 2008 4:31 PM

What would we give for a leader to emerge like John Quincy Adams with his clarity on Islam?

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=F3F5C99B-338A-4BC1-A4B2-585EFE643619

Posted by: Spirit Of 1683 at March 31, 2008 5:19 PM

Make an alliance with the Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians or, stick your rear in the air and bray to Mecca five times a day.

Posted by: Kuffar at March 31, 2008 7:04 PM

spirit of 1683 -

Bostom cites excerpts from John Quincy Adams' articles/ essays to do with Islam.

It's a tantalising sampler - brilliant, hard-hitting stuff - makes one want to read the rest.

What we really need is for all the relevant JQA essays, currently buried in obscurity in the depths of hard-to-get-at libraries, to be 1. published online in their entirety (Gutenberg Project?)

and 2. republished in print form, as a handy, cheap to buy, easy to read booklet, 'Wisdom from the Past', perhaps with forewords and annotations by people like Trifkovic, Bat Yeor, Bostom and Robert Spencer.

Push really heavily the fact that JQA opposed slavery and was an anti-imperialist (supporting, for example, the Greek struggle for freedom, and deploring the betrayal by the 'west' of the Bulgarians and Armenians). That might persuade Afro-Americans and the 'left' to take a look.

Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at March 31, 2008 8:23 PM

A further suggestion, a propos the John Quincy Adams papers on Islam-related topics.

How about someone doing an AUDIO version? So people can download it and listen to it, over and over.

Adams' magnificent, beautifully-crafted early-19th century prose demands to be read aloud with all the intellectual passion, the white heat of moral clarity, with which it burns.

The thing is, every word of it is true.

It deserves to be translated, if it hasn't been already: into Russian, Greek, Bulgarian, Armenian, French, Italian, Spanish.

What the H**L - get Wafa Sultan to translate it into Arabic!

Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at March 31, 2008 8:37 PM

There is a petition being signed to protect him

Posted by: jFp at April 1, 2008 4:24 PM

Exactly what type of legal action?

Great headline, no specifics! What will he be charged with?

Posted by: patagonianplato at April 1, 2008 7:10 PM