Fitna Fallout

Well, Geert Wilders film Fitna (Ordeal) has made quite the splash on Liveleak with nearly 1 million views within the first hour alone. That's pretty impressive.

The reaction and fallout has already begun.

Pakistani officials have formally complained to the Dutch ambassador over the film. It certainly can't be because the Koran is taken out of context or that the words of the terrorists depicted in the film are taken out of context. It is, however, all about silencing a critic of jihad and the Islamists who do not like anyone exposing the truth about what is preached to Muslims around the world.

Similar protests by Iranian and Indonesian have been made. Have any of them actually seen the film or are they simply listening to what their mullahs are reporting?

Dutch officials are seriously concerned about the fallout from the film, despite the fact that Wilders has to be under heavy security from the very kinds of Islamists that he depicts in his film. They've judged that it is more important to kowtow to the Islamist position than to openly discuss what the Islamists think of the rest of the world, their ideological underpinnings and the call by the mullahs to jihad. Volokh notes that Wilders is arguing against a violent and dangerous ideological movement.

Bangladesh has already seen demonstrations against the film. I doubt any of them have actually logged on to see it.

A Dutch Muslim group is looking to sue Wilders under hate crimes laws. Nice. Whatever happened to free speech and freedom of expression? That all goes by the boards because Muslims refuse to allow anyone to express an opinion that might show Muslims in a bad light. It's the slow creep of Islamofascism.

UPDATE:
Meanwhile, Kurt Westergaard and his union are contemplating suing Wilders over the unauthorized use of his cartoon to open the film.

The Danish Union of Journalists said Friday it will sue Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders for copyright infringement for using a Danish cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad in his anti-Quran film.

The union said it will file a lawsuit on behalf of Kurt Westergaard, the cartoonist who made a controversial drawing in 2005 depicting Islam's prophet wearing a turban shaped like a bomb.

"Wilders has the right to make his movie but he has no permission to use my drawing," Westergaard said in a phone interview with Denmark's TV2. Westergaard has been living under police protection since an alleged plot to murder him was uncovered last month.

"This has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It is all about copyright," Westergaard said. "I won't accept my cartoon being taken out of its original context and used in a completely different one."

Wilders definitely needs to get this resolved and it was sloppy work on his part not to get Westergaard's permission to use it.

UPDATE:
NATO is concerned that the film could affect their operations in Afghanistan. That's an interesting concern - the Taliban who are behind the ongoing instability are featured in the film, along with al Qaeda. They don't need any excuses to attack the West or NATO. They've already got their grievances and demands for non-Muslims to submit to Islam. They could, however, add fatwas for Wilders' death.

UPDATE:
The European Union has issued a statement denouncing the film.

Slovenia, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said it supported the Dutch government's position and believes the film does nothing to promote dialogue among religions.

"The European Union and its member states apply the principle of the freedom of speech which is part of our values and traditions. However, it should be exercised in a spirit of respect for religious and other beliefs and convictions," the Slovenian presidency said in a statement.

"Mutual tolerance and respect are universal values we should uphold. We believe that acts, such as the above-mentioned film, serve no other purpose than inflaming hatred."

It's rare to hear them denouncing ongoing terrorism done in the name of Islam by jihadis, whether it is in Afghanistan, Thailand, Philippines, or Israel. Where are the calls for tolerance when the jihadis are busy blowing up schools, businesses, rioting, and otherwise seeking to kill non Muslims and those who are not strict adherents to their brand of Islam?

UPDATE:
Michelle Malkin links. Thanks!

UPDATE:
UN Secretary General Ban condemns the publication. Figures. The same criticism I made of the EU applies here. Where is his condemnation of terrorism done in the name of Islam that happens on a daily basis? He's supposed to be upholding all the tenets of the UN Charter, including the freedom of expression.