Copy and paste from the Wall Street Journal, so I didn't have to translate the lot:

The latest twist in the clash between Western values and the Muslim world took place yesterday in the Netherlands, where a court ordered the prosecution of lawmaker and provocateur Geert Wilders for inciting violence. The Dutch MP and leader of the Freedom Party, which opposes Muslim immigration into Holland, will stand trial soon for his harsh criticism of Islam.

Mr. Wilders made world news last year with the short film "Fitna." In the 15-minute video, he juxtaposes Koranic verses calling for jihad with clips of Islamic hate preachers and terror attacks. He has compared the Koran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and urged Muslims to tear out "hate-filled" verses from their scripture. This is a frontal assault on Islam -- but, as Mr. Wilders points out, he's targeting the religion, not its followers. "Fitna," in fact, sparked a refreshing debate between moderate Muslims and non-Muslims in the Netherlands, and beyond.

There are of course limits to free speech, such as calls for violence. But one doesn't need to agree with Mr. Wilders to acknowledge that he hasn't crossed that line. Some Muslims say they are outraged by his statements. But if freedom of speech means anything, it means the freedom of controversial speech. Consensus views need no protection.

This is exactly what Dutch prosecutors said in June when they rejected the complaints against Mr. Wilders. "That comments are hurtful and offensive for a large number of Muslims does not mean that they are punishable," the prosecutors said in a statement. "Freedom of expression fulfills an essential role in public debate in a democratic society. That means that offensive comments can be made in a political debate."

The court yesterday overruled this decision, arguing that the lawmaker should be prosecuted for "inciting hatred and discrimination" and also "for insulting Muslim worshippers because of comparisons between Islam and Nazism." This is no small victory for Islamic regimes seeking to export their censorship laws to wherever Muslims reside. But the successful integration of Muslims in Europe will require that immigrants adapt to Western norms, not vice versa. Limiting the Dutch debate of Islam to standards acceptable in, say, Saudi Arabia, will only shore up support for Mr. Wilders's argument that Muslim immigration is eroding traditional Dutch liberties.

Yes, I read that the other day Maalstroom.  Sad to say that this kind of PC thinking is on a roll in many countrys.  It is a huge mistake to NOT speak out about what is happening.  

I guess it is considered hate speach to speak out about hate speach.  Pretty fucked up!

-P.

Freedom is essential, but where are the limits?

Should people be free to spread lies that the Jews are poisoning wells and behind the international finance collapse?  Where is the dividing line between protected hate-speech and the laws against inciting others to violence??  

monty wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2009 at 10:50am:

Freedom is essential, but where are the limits? Should people be free to spread lies that the Jews are poisoning wells and behind the international finance collapse?  Where is the dividing line between protected hate-speech and the laws against inciting others to violence??

I guess everyone is allowed the freedom to speak what they think when it comes to opinions.  The irony is that the more people oppose them through legal channels or the media, the more you allow their beliefs to spread.

Let idiots speak, and ignore them and only a few get to hear there idiocy.

maalstroom wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2009 at 6:29am:

"Fitna," in fact, sparked a refreshing debate between moderate Muslims and non-Muslims in the Netherlands, and beyond.

monty wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2009 at 10:50am:

Freedom is essential, but where are the limits? Should people be free to spread lies that the Jews are poisoning wells and behind the international finance collapse?  Where is the dividing line between protected hate-speech and the laws against inciting others to violence??

No one is saying such a thing about Jews in Europe, and you cannot even compare the situation now with the Jews back then. For all you know, I am a Jew....I do not discuss religion on a public forum so pm me if you'd like to see what my (ex)religion is, but do not question the problems in Europe from comparing them to yonder.
Is how we Jews behaved the same as this in the 30's?


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Run you fucking cowards?
Fuck me Freddy, who in their right mind would act like that?
An incident? Dare me, I'll smack your face with vids from all around Europe. Yep, things are cozy here.

He was hurtful? Yikes. They insist on our putting up with their most extreme followers.

You'll have a hard time finding someone any more liberal here than me...but I'm with Wilders.

All Europe is in the cross-hairs of this these people at the moment. I just hope things even out a bit soon.

People who use faith as a club are on my "fecal register."

Charlie

INHO that's right up there with Ugandi prosecuting people because they're gay. What a load of crap!!!