We are starting to learn more about the (so-called) film that caused all the fuss in Islamic countries. I say so-called, because it seems to be impossible to actually see the film. Most people haven’t even watched the 14 minute trailer (and for good reason).
It turns out that the actors who were hired to make the film had no idea they were making an anti-Islam movie. They were told they were making an “Arabian desert adventure movie” starring someone named George who is a “warrior leader”. In fact, most of the attacks against Islam were dubbed over in post-production, and you can clearly tell the actor’s voice changes. Needless to say, the actors involved are very upset and feel taken advantage of by the producer.
And just who made this film? Early reports said it was an Israeli named “Sam Bacile” but there doesn’t seem to be anyone by that name. Instead, it appears to have been made by an Egyptian Christian living in Los Angeles, who is on probation for bank fraud.
The spokesperson for the film is Steve Klein, who is associated with two hate groups. He’s also an insurance agent who was the American Independent Party’s candidate for California state insurance commissioner, but received only 2% of the vote.
But what’s really ironic is that in addition to spewing hate against Muslims, Klein also runs a website mornmoninfo.org that is anti-Mormon. The main part of the site seems to be claiming that Mormons are not Christians. This could become very ironic, because Mitt Romney defended the anti-Muslim film based on the principle of free speech. Would he defend an anti-Mormon website on the same grounds?
8 Comments
Freedom of speech does not protect incitement to riot and reckless endangerment.
What I am afraid the mobs in the Middle East re missing is that this was on YouTube – if people are going to riot every time some idiot puts something stupid on YouTube we’re in trouble.
I’m not sure if this film crosses over the line to “incitement”, but it is certainly in the hate category. Would we put up with this if it were anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda?
That the film and similar incidents of hate should be condemned and protested is one thing but whether people should be killed and public property destroyed over it is a different story.
Jonah has it right. I don’t think we put up with this anti-Muslim film or Nazi propaganda or anti-Christian propaganda for that matter, but it does appear that Middle East mobs are all too willing to turn violent over anti-Muslim sentiment and unwilling to recognize that the folks in the embassy had nothing to do with the film.
I read the definition of “inciting to riot”. Seems to me this fits the definition perfectly. Obviously this moron knew exactly what would happen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot
Thatguy, take your statement and reverse it. We were unwilling to recognize that the folks in Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, but we were all to willing to turn violent against them.
What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think it is the anti-Muslim film itself that they are protesting. It is just the straw that broke the camel’s back (so to speak).
Let me be clear, I’m not condoning their violence. It was stupid and will do more harm to them than to us. Heck, more Libyans died in the attack on the American embassy than Americans (and that’s just counting the Libyans who were defending the embassy). But to say that “Middle East mobs are all too willing to turn violent over anti-Muslim sentiment” is ignorant and intolerant. If the shoe were on the other foot, we’d be dropping nuclear weapons on “towel heads” everywhere.
Just came across an interesting article in the WaPo — “Why is the Arab world so easily offended?”
All of these events coincided with the 9/11 anniversary and were planned well in advance. A signature of Al-Queda and its allies. Iran looks for anything to spark protests and unfortunately killings of innocents. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood President is walking a tightrope if he relaxes even a little bit in stopping the violence. America’s $ support dries up, he’s gone and Egypt goes over to the Dark Side.