by Reinout van Wagtendonk*
27-02-2009
Controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders is in the United States this week for a showing of his anti-Islam film Fitna. His visit hasn't attracted the publicity he received when he was banned from entering Britain recently, but Mr Wilders hasn't gone completely un-noticed in the US media.
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Geert Wilders on CNN
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Conservative Republican Senator Jon Kyl invited Mr Wilders to Washington. Mr Kyl represents the State of Arizona and illegal Mexican immigrants are a priority for him. But he also warns against Muslim extremists and believes Mr Wilders can contribute to the debate and should not be silenced.
Representative Keith Ellison from Minnesota - the first and only Muslim member of Congress - protested against the showing of Fitna in a Senate room. Not because it's a freedom of speech issue, he says, but because "it is inappropriate to use the United States Capitol as a venue for the condemnation of an entire religion."
Muted reactions
Political reaction to the visit has been muted but Mr Wilders did make a number of television appearances, where he repeated his usual anti-Islam themes.
Speaking on Fox for instance;
"Of course it would be ridiculous to say that all Muslims are terrorists, this is nonsense, but unfortunately most of the terrorists in the world today are Muslims. And the ideology of Islam, and I truly believe that, is a threat to our free society." He also told Fox he wants to prepare a European "First Amendment", like that in the US constitution, protecting the right to free speech.
"Fear-mongering"
The Fox interviewers were non-confrontational, but CNN interviewer Jim Clancey was harder on his guest, saying he thought Fitna was fear-mongering and reminiscent of the kind of propaganda used to provoke violence in Nazi Germany or Rwanda. Mr Wilders denied the accusation of course, but was left briefly floundering for words.
The leading newspapers - The New York Times, The Washington Post - barely mention Wilders in America. Several American bloggers praise him as a persecuted freedom fighter and Wilders links those expressions of support to his own website. The visit to Washington will end with a press conference and a reception, reception hosted by, among others, the website Jihad Watch. There is no admission charge, but donations to the politician's legal defense fund are appreciated.
Tags:
Fitna,
freedom of speech,
Geert Wilders,
Islam
Steve,
16-03-2009
- USA
Wilders was invited to metro Boston where he spoke to hundreds of people. His visit, what he had to say, and the warm reception he received was reported in the Boston media. Note: He was invited to make his presentation and show his film here. Radio Netherlands does not even refer to his visit to our region. New England is more receptive to free speech than is old England. We also have a Constitution that has freedom of speech at the top of the list of our freedoms as Americans. The Hague Court and the EU court will never be accepted by Americans - our second Amendment allows us to have guns to protect ourselves from EU appeasers and the results of their wimpy policies toward jihadists.
sandra,
03-03-2009
- Nederlands
Again, Proof that RNW is not being honest on it's reporting! Here is a news report and video, proving that five hundred people of the republican party showed up to see Geert Wilders film on Fitna and speech. Geert Wilders was a success! http://europenews.dk/en/node/20549
sandra,
03-03-2009
- Nederlands
Steve, I guess you don't google or read the news often, because Geert Wilders was front page news on quite a few news articles in the USA, not only here in Holland. Geert Wilders also won over a a few more prominent gop members to his cause. He won a free speech award last year in the USA, and this year he won another free speech award in Italy. And you say he is only noticed in Holland? Where have you been steve?
George Kay,
03-03-2009
- U.S.A.
Here in California ,fortunately, people were not waiting anxiously, in line, to see Wilders.
Let him crow on his own dunghill.
Max,
02-03-2009
- USA
I can't believe that you would attack Islam for being violent and bloodthirsty when Christianity has been terrible throughout history as well. Crusades or the Inquisition ring any bells? Completely ridiculous to say that any religion (other than Buddhism maybe) is peaceful throughout their whole history. Here's an interesting take on the Wilders situation from different world news organizations, http://www.newsy.com/videos/free_speech_or_hate_speech/
Thomas,
02-03-2009
- USA
Jan Italy:
This is only natural reaction to the neo-Marxist "Multiculturalist" assault on our freedom of speech, freedom to live in our country as we see fit without being assaulted by Islamist or Leftist tugs.
Marxism, your creed is the extremist philosophy: you leftists murdered upward 100 million people and still wanting to take over the world or whatever left of it?
With the help of the Islamofascists?
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Regina Baak --Toussaint-Zannet,
02-03-2009
- USA
Ja Ja Ja Hooray for Geert!!!!!!
Jan,
01-03-2009
- Italy
what an odd moment!! Polls showes Greet is heading ….. are we going to see Greeti ‘Nijad’ in dutch power …... will extreme idealogies invade all the world ???,even the “ developed world” !!! what a pity..
David Berridge,
01-03-2009
- Canada
Guess what Thomas, the 9/11 hichjackers took their flight training in the the US!! When a record level of air traffic was rerouted into Canada, the Americans didn't mind being helped out by our air traffic controllers and flight authorities, then having to be billeted with various Canadian families with whom they have since made life-long friends. This isn't about the political left or right, this is about democratic values versus sick paranoid hate as you exhibited in your Russian skinhead commentary.
Hiram,
28-02-2009
- USA
"panicked and paranoid"...The numerous, terrorist acts commited by Islam's followers gainst innocent humans like the ones who died in the bombing attacks in such places as Mumbai, London, New York City, Madrid and numerous other cities around the world are solid and sound facts of an Islamic war against non-Muslim countries. As to Wilders and his stance against Islam, he is neither paranoid nor panicked by the Islamic terrorists. He is aware of the consquences for failing to respond accordingly to a religion that is bent on destroying anyone or nation who are non-Believers of Islam. The terrorists acts committed in the name of Islam are the modi operandi of Islam. The modi operandi terrorists acts taking place around the world are the habits of the Jihadists. What Wilders is showing the world are the modi operandi of the terrorists. Failure to respond to any modi operandi of any criminal would be gross miscarriage of justice. Thank you Mr. Wilders for speaking out but you are speaking to a world that is doomed to more terrorism.
Thomas,
28-02-2009
- USA
David Berridge in Canada: You Canadians are the most paranoid idiots on our continent with your infamous "Human Right Commission" - a bizarre extrajudicial legal system reminiscent of Torquemada's Inquisition. Please have the decency to speak in your name only and let Americans out of your leftist mantra. The Patriot Act is in place only to save our country from your beloved Islamist terrorists.
Sandra,
28-02-2009
- nederlands
I am still seeing a lot of USA news on Geert Wilders visit, and mostly positive. Only one negative and some Muslim Americans complaining, but of course they complain here too. So this RNW report that geert wilders was hardly noticed was not true at all. I can give some news articles, but I think showing you a few gives you the point that people in USA listen to geert Wilders and he does get more then just blogging support.
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/02/27/europes_most_controversial_politician_comes_to_dc
and this
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/550023.aspx
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/02/27/mr-wilders-comes-to-washington
http://townhall.com/columnists/DianaWest/2009/02/26/dutchman_flies_islamization_into_world_spotlight
http://townhall.com/columnists/DianaWest/2009/02/26/dutchman_flies_islamization_into_world_spotlight
jkrapp,
28-02-2009
-
Yes, listen to the radical it is not my fault, I have heard all the retorical, and it does not make sense, give me a brake, slow down and take a break. I like to live and watch the rest. Give everyone a Chance, if they fail. Tell them.
Mitch,
28-02-2009
-
The article above is classic left-wing naivity. Rings of Chamberlain and every other appeaser whose own fear of confronting evil lead him to deny its existence. When the West finally prevails over Islam, Geet Wilders will go down in history as a modern day Churchill.
David Berridge,
28-02-2009
- Canada
Wilders will not not find the US as panicked or paranoid as is Western Europe. Americans still have faith in the viability of their democracy and constitution, unlike the Netherlands, where Wilders and his ilk are attempting to challenge the status quo for their own design. The Americans won't be taken in by this kind of theatre. When Wilders was barred from the UK he was saved much embarasment from the lack of change he effected, opposite to his intentions. In the US, he will have to live up to a lacklustre effort to the chagrin of his supporters.
