Kyl promotes hate speech on Capitol Hill. (anti Islam)

[Mass]

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/mr-wilders-goes-to-washington/?hp

On Capitol Hill, the events that usually make the news are the ones that take place in front of television cameras, from votes to testimony to speeches. But an event scheduled to take place today behind closed doors, in a cozy chamber of the Capitol known as the L.B.J. Room, is creating some buzz.

At first glance, the event sounds innocent enough: a screening of a short film.

But the film’s content — and the identify of its creator — are raising eyebrows. It is a documentary entitled “Fitna,” by Geert Wilders, a Dutch lawmaker and leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom. Mr. Wilders is best known for his fierce criticism of Islam, which has brought widespread condemnation from Muslim leaders and anti-discrimination groups. Just this year alone, a Dutch court ordered that Mr. Wilders be prosecuted for hate speech, and the British government banned him from entering the country, calling him an “undesirable person.”

The British ban came just as he was planning to screen “Fitna” for conservative lawmakers in London. Mr. Wilders was invited to the Capitol by Senator Jon Kyl, Republican of Arizona, who has been at the center of immigration debates in America.
...

Hopefully, no Democrat will show up.

[ProSense]

1. The Repukes thrive on promoting hate -- their substitute for addressing the issues. Stark contrast

Oddly enough, the screening is taking place on the same day that Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts is holding a hearing on Capitol Hill entitled “Engaging with Muslim Communities around the World.” Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state under President Clinton, is scheduled to share her thoughts at the hearing “on strengthening U.S.-Muslim relations.”

Whether the hearings were scheduled to coincide with the screening, or vice versa, is unclear. A spokesman for Mr. Ellison said the congressman planned to issue a statement this afternoon. Calls to Senator Kyl’s office on Thursday morning were not immediately returned.

Kerry's opening statement at the hearing.

[ProSense]

3. In this time, why would any responsible American try

fan the flames of hate?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. To be fair, I'd show up to see what it was about so I could criticize it. (nt)

[CBR]

4. Netherlands..

I went on a study trip last spring to the Netherlands and this was a hot topic. The majority of the Dutch were disgusted.