Fitna
The GOP Baby and I just finished watching Geert Wilders's film, Fitna (which can be found here at Google...at least for now). I will say three things about the film.
1. It is a well constructed piece of propaganda. By that, I do not mean the pejorative notion of propaganda, that it is false. Rather, it uses facts (in this case video of Muslim atrocities like 9/11 and the beheading of civilians) along with Muslims stating how they want to destroy the West, kill the Jews and so forth, in order to make a political point...namely, that Islam is a threat to the West and not just because of a few violent fanatics. Rather, it is a threat because it leads inevitably towards fanaticism, hatred and strife. One note of criticism: many of the images used are well known, at least to those of us who follow the Islamic threat. This does diminish the impact of the film for people like me...but, you may get different mileage, depending on how aware you have made yourself of the threat over the past few years.
2. It is an emotional film (like all good propaganda). I defy anyone to watch Americans leaping to their deaths from the World Trade Center and not get choked up. I recall that day well, because I was on the Hill. We had to pull together critical material for evacuation, in the event the Capitol campus was hit, and then walk out of the district. In my case, right past the burning Pentagon. That does not compare to what New Yorkers went through (not to mention those who were in the targets or planes) but seeing this helped me remember some of the feelings I had that day. And, these feelings of anger, violation, of seeing barbarians trying to annihilate my civilization, these feelings should never be forgotten or allowed to diminish until the threat is ended.
3. It is, overall, accurate. Yes, it does not show the numerous Muslims who go about their daily business, pay their taxes, obey the laws and, basically, are not an immediate threat. But, if there was anything the 20th century showed us, masses of quiet, respectful, seemingly civilized people can become beasts with little provocation. In the case of Islam, the very religion justifies acts that equal those of Nazis Germany for savagery and inhumanity. In spite of reassurances from political leaders, pundits and academics, how do we know that most Muslims do not agree with the extremists, particularly the notion that Islam will one day supplant Western civilization? That seems more like wishful thinking than anything else. Or, to put it another way, wouldn't it make more sense to take Muslims at their word - that they see us as infidels, women as property, Jews as "pigs and monkeys" and all the rest? I have no desire to live in a Muslim dominated world...or in an America that becomes increasingly isolated and security obsessed because we haven't neutralized the threat.
Of course, our "leaders" are falling over themselves to condemn the film, Wilders and the whole idea that Islam is anything other than a collection of fuzzy bunnies and rainbows. None of this sis a surprise. we've seen it for years and we will see it for some time to come until a new generation of leadership comes to the fore, one that recognizes the threat for what it is, not for what we want it to be.
Oh, and LiveLeek, the site that was originally hosting the video, had to pul it. Here's why;
"Accept one another's cultures?" Is that what getting death threats from Muslims leads one to conclude? I have a hard time faulting LiveLeek...the last thing they want is to die for this movie. But, it is a sad day for freedom of speech. The enemy cannot be allowed to cow us into submission.
However, you can download it from lots of places, in addition to Google.
More later.
(Various related stories: Wired, LA times, Spiegel, AP, Radio Netherlands, Jihad Watch, Reuters, Michelle Malkin, BBC)
1. It is a well constructed piece of propaganda. By that, I do not mean the pejorative notion of propaganda, that it is false. Rather, it uses facts (in this case video of Muslim atrocities like 9/11 and the beheading of civilians) along with Muslims stating how they want to destroy the West, kill the Jews and so forth, in order to make a political point...namely, that Islam is a threat to the West and not just because of a few violent fanatics. Rather, it is a threat because it leads inevitably towards fanaticism, hatred and strife. One note of criticism: many of the images used are well known, at least to those of us who follow the Islamic threat. This does diminish the impact of the film for people like me...but, you may get different mileage, depending on how aware you have made yourself of the threat over the past few years.
2. It is an emotional film (like all good propaganda). I defy anyone to watch Americans leaping to their deaths from the World Trade Center and not get choked up. I recall that day well, because I was on the Hill. We had to pull together critical material for evacuation, in the event the Capitol campus was hit, and then walk out of the district. In my case, right past the burning Pentagon. That does not compare to what New Yorkers went through (not to mention those who were in the targets or planes) but seeing this helped me remember some of the feelings I had that day. And, these feelings of anger, violation, of seeing barbarians trying to annihilate my civilization, these feelings should never be forgotten or allowed to diminish until the threat is ended.
3. It is, overall, accurate. Yes, it does not show the numerous Muslims who go about their daily business, pay their taxes, obey the laws and, basically, are not an immediate threat. But, if there was anything the 20th century showed us, masses of quiet, respectful, seemingly civilized people can become beasts with little provocation. In the case of Islam, the very religion justifies acts that equal those of Nazis Germany for savagery and inhumanity. In spite of reassurances from political leaders, pundits and academics, how do we know that most Muslims do not agree with the extremists, particularly the notion that Islam will one day supplant Western civilization? That seems more like wishful thinking than anything else. Or, to put it another way, wouldn't it make more sense to take Muslims at their word - that they see us as infidels, women as property, Jews as "pigs and monkeys" and all the rest? I have no desire to live in a Muslim dominated world...or in an America that becomes increasingly isolated and security obsessed because we haven't neutralized the threat.
Of course, our "leaders" are falling over themselves to condemn the film, Wilders and the whole idea that Islam is anything other than a collection of fuzzy bunnies and rainbows. None of this sis a surprise. we've seen it for years and we will see it for some time to come until a new generation of leadership comes to the fore, one that recognizes the threat for what it is, not for what we want it to be.
Oh, and LiveLeek, the site that was originally hosting the video, had to pul it. Here's why;
Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, Liveleak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers.
This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to place the safety and well being of our staff above all else. We would like to thank the thousands of people, from all backgrounds and religions, who gave us their support. They realised LiveLeak.com is a vehicle for many opinions and not just for the support of one.
Perhaps there is still hope that this situation may produce a discussion that could benefit and educate all of us as to how we can accept one anothers culture.
We stood for what we believe in, the ability to be heard, but in the end the price was too high.
"Accept one another's cultures?" Is that what getting death threats from Muslims leads one to conclude? I have a hard time faulting LiveLeek...the last thing they want is to die for this movie. But, it is a sad day for freedom of speech. The enemy cannot be allowed to cow us into submission.
However, you can download it from lots of places, in addition to Google.
More later.
(Various related stories: Wired, LA times, Spiegel, AP, Radio Netherlands, Jihad Watch, Reuters, Michelle Malkin, BBC)
Labels: clash of civilizations, europe, fitna, geert wilders, islam, islamists, western civilization
posted by Jeff at 3/28/2008 09:39:00 PM
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