"Good Morning America" reporter Nick Watt smeared Dutch filmmaker Geert Wilders as a racist on Saturday's edition of the ABC program. Watt, who interviewed the director over his new movie about radical Islam's incompatibility with Dutch culture, sneered, "You believe the Western Judeo Christian culture is superior. You believe immigration should be stopped. I mean, you're a racist, no?"
Wilders is under fire from Islamic protests in much of the Middle East and has been criticized by the Netherlands prime minister. GMA co-host Kate Snow seemed skeptical as well. Speaking of Wilders's movie, she derided, "So, is this hate speech or free speech?" Snow failed to explain how, exactly "hate speech" is not also free speech. At one point, after Wilders touted the superiority of western culture, Watt incredulously replied, "What do you mean, better?" Leaving no doubt as to what his opinion is, Watt closed the segment by asserting, "Wilders calls this freedom of speech. Others call it fanning the flames."
A transcript of the March 29 segment, which aired at 7:16am, follows:
7:01am tease
KATE SNOW: Also this morning we'll tell you about a controversial new film, it criticizes the Koran. A Dutch director attacking Islam's holiest book and says Muslims should change their ideology. The film has ignited real protests around the world. So, is this hate speech or free speech? We'll talk to the filmmaker himself."
7:16am
SNOW: David, now to the furor over a film. Earlier this month there were protests in Pakistan and Europe in anticipation off a film that criticizes the Koran, Islam's holiest book. The director defends his short movie and spoke to ABC's Nick Watt at the Hague.
ABC GRAPHIC: FANNING THE FLAMES: FILMMAKER DEFENDS ANTI-ISLAM MOVIE
NICK WATT : The 17-minute movie shows terrorist attacks and quotes lines from the Koran. 'Where ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks and fight them until there is no dissension.'
GEERT WILDERS (FILMMAKER): The Koran is not an old book somewhere in the shelves where nobody is looking at it. But, this is indeed often the base of a lot terrible things happening throughout the world.
WATT: Wilders wants Holland to ban all Muslim immigration and he wants Muslims to change their ideology, which he likens to Nazism.
WILDERS: I believe that our culture is far better than the Islamic culture.
WATT: What do you mean, better?
WILDERS: Well, we have a separation of church and state. We treat women equally.
WATT: Last night, the website hosting Wilders' movie took it down. They explained, following serious threats to our staff. In Holland and across Europe there is anger. Many Muslims do feel insulted, but so far no violence. There have been demonstrations in Pakistan and elsewhere. Anticipating trouble, the Dutch prime minister condemned the movie.
JAN PETER BALKENENDE (DUTCH PRIME MINISTER): We believe it serves no purpose other than to cause offense.
WATT: This is what happened when a Danish newspaper printed cartoons of the prophet Mohammad in 2005, violent protests around the world, more than 100 people were killed.
ABDOU BOUZERDA (ARAB EUROPEAN LEAGUE): I think that this political message is even worse than the cartoons, which were drawn in Denmark.
WATT: You believe the Western Judeo Christian culture is superior. You believe immigration should be stopped. I mean, you're a racist, no?
WILDERS: No, I'm nothing. Once again, I am not a racist because I have nothing against any race.
WATT: For now, Dutch Muslim leaders are urging debate and restraint. And if things turn nasty--
WILDERS: If unfortunately it would happen, of course the people who use this violence and use this non-democratic means can be the only ones held responsible.
WATT: Wilders calls this freedom of speech. Others call it fanning the flames. For "Good Morning America," Nick Watt, ABC News, the Hague.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Good Morning Useful Idiots
April 3, 2008 - 17:37 ET by acumenPoor Nick Watts - - If only he could have found just one video showing Muslim imams preaching love to all humanity, peace on earth, tolerance for everyone, and a condemnation of Islamic terrorism he really could have stuck it to "racist" Geert Wilders. But sadly...
Wilders video is still up on Utube, now you need to be a member
April 3, 2008 - 18:10 ET by upcountrywater, that usally means the video will have a short life.
10 minutes long over a million views. Lots of MEMRI clips.
SO quoting the koran is racist, nice try; now go bash a Christian you creep.
<gaia/love>SAVVVE The Whales N' Earth; conserve N' recycle !
IranianUranium<sleep>New/Infrastructure/repair?/ROFLMAO
The "isms"
April 3, 2008 - 18:33 ET by iveseenitallThe "isms" are really taking hold around the world. In our election we get a two-fer. We can relish in all the racism and sexism we can find. But, sadly, there's another "ism" also rearing its ugly head again--Communism. (see Obama and Clinton).
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Upcountrywater, thanks for
April 3, 2008 - 20:41 ET by jdhawkUpcountrywater, thanks for the link.
jdhawk, you are welcome ;-)
April 3, 2008 - 23:33 ET by upcountrywatermemri #650
<gaia/love>SAVVVE The Whales N' Earth; conserve N' recycle !
IranianUranium<sleep>New/Infrastructure/repair?/ROFLMAO
The Coming of
April 3, 2008 - 18:28 ET by alamojbThe Coming of EUrabia:
http://www.analyst-network.com/article.php?art_id=1520
The poison of Multiculturalism has made people so that if the "Borg" of Star Trek were to show up saying "resistance is futile, you will be assimilated", half the Western World would call those of us who resisted "Bigots" and "xenophobes"
So Watts thinks that
April 3, 2008 - 18:48 ET by Darth DutchSo Watts thinks that "Muslim" is a race??? He must if he is calling Wilders a racist for producing a film critical of Islam supportive of the Judeo-Christian theology.
Boy, for a guy named "Watts", he's pretty dim...
Darth Dutch
Boy, for a guy named "Watts", he's pretty dim...
April 4, 2008 - 03:01 ET by Army Bratdim as in Dhimmi...
I love it when the Muslim apologists accuse someone who simply reveals a truth about Islam, of being racist.
What "race" is "Muslim" anyway?
Twits...morons. These Dhimmis won't admit there's a problem til they see their own blood flow.
Happy Trails...
C'mon everybody - IT IS HATE SPEECH!!!!!
April 3, 2008 - 19:02 ET by kdizzydazeI mean just listen to what all the Imams and Muslim leaders are saying in the movie. If what they are saying isn't hate speech, then I don't know what is.
It only figures that this "journalist" would be so dim as to call this movie (much of which are direct quotes from the Koran and speeches taken directly from Imams themselves) hate speech.
Geert Wilders is my hero right now.
Hate speech
April 3, 2008 - 19:08 ET by kdizzydazeMy head is spinning so much that I can't even write a coherent thought. You all know what I mean by my previous post. Watts is whacked out. His anger should be focused on the people in the movie and what they espouse to their people.
"Bush is Hitler, Bush
April 3, 2008 - 19:35 ET by Jerry"Bush is Hitler, Bush sucks, Chimpy McHitler"..... free speech.
Crucifix in a jar of urine, Elephant dung Virgin Mary..... free speech.
"God dxxx America, US of KKK-A, whites infected blacks with Aids".... free speech
Burning the flag and spitting on our troops.... free speech.
Any belittlement of Christians.... free speech.
Telling the truth about Islam.... racism, fanning the flames.
Telling the truth about a Democrat.... swift-boating.
If you didn't see it with your own eyes, you'd never believe that such twisted thinking was possible.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
"You believe the Western
April 3, 2008 - 20:21 ET by R D Helm"You believe the Western Judeo Christian culture is superior. You
believe immigration should be stopped. I mean, you're a racist, no?
Well, I am a Christian, I believe that Western Judeo Christian culture is superior to that of a horde of 7th-Century murderous barbarians, and I am opposed to illegal immigrants flooding my country.
So, according to Nick Watts, I must be a racist.
Whatever.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Hey RD, the best way to
April 3, 2008 - 20:37 ET by JerryHey RD, the best way to determine which culture is superior is to ask someone who has experienced both cultures first hand.
How about Nick Byrd? Oh that's right. He had his head hacked off as he begged for mercy while his captors serenaded him with a chorus of "allah akbars".
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Jerry, I think you mean
April 3, 2008 - 20:42 ET by fitzfongJerry,
I think you mean Nick Berg. Doesn't make the point any less valid, though.
Fitz, I don't understand...
April 3, 2008 - 21:15 ET by JerryFitz, I don't understand... I never get a name wrong. As Gomer Simpson would say .... Doh!
Ahh the Simpsons... Gomer, Madge, Burt, and Lizzy... Gotta love em. And NewsDusters too!
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Jerry,
April 3, 2008 - 22:29 ET by R D HelmLOL.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Jerry, As my favorite
April 3, 2008 - 23:39 ET by fitzfongJerry,
As my favorite Sampsons character Milton would say...ha ha!
:-)
What Watt can't do in a
April 3, 2008 - 20:31 ET by jdhawkWhat Watt can't do in a Muslim country:
Can't be a citizen.
Can't vote - that is if it is even permitted in the first place.
Can't openly worship his own religion.
Can't own property.
What Watt can do in a Muslim country:
Can be killed for his religious beliefs even if he was a practicing Muslim
Can live in one of the Muslim countries (on a temporary visa only) - but that would be like living in the 7th century.
Can be the first western jounalist to write honestly of the tyranny, oppression, and human wreckage that is the majority of the citizens that live in Muslim countries. Actually, no. If Watt tried the above he would be beheaded.
Others call it fanning the
April 3, 2008 - 20:40 ET by fitzfongOthers call it fanning the flames.
And these "others" would be whom, exactly? Well then, two can play at that game. Experts say that Nick Watt is a socialist douchebag and an appeaser of Islamofascists. Experts also conclude that Kate Snow is an empty-headed bimbo who wouldn't have a job at ABC News were she not placed there by Howard Wolfson as a vessel with the sole purpose of disseminating propaganda for the Clinton campaign. Who am I to argue? Experts say it, so it must be true.
What's not to like?
April 3, 2008 - 20:41 ET by CobraManAt one point, after Wilders touted the superiority of western culture, Watt incredulously replied, "What do you mean, better?"
Is western culture superior? You Bet! Western culture has brought us radio, television, the Internet, powered flight, submarines, automobiles, heart defibulators, ambulances, antibiotics, mass production, incubators, prolonged life spans, decreased infant mortality rates, the almost total elimination of famines, plagues, and pestilence, etc, etc, etc. In other words, western culture has made many of mankind's ancient dreams a reality and has also given us the leisure time required to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Never before in history has some much been created by so few for so many at so little cost. What other culture can say the same?
Has the MSM bothered
April 3, 2008 - 23:18 ET by wiwfHas the MSM bothered watching Fitna yet? It only shows the truth: That Islam is dangerous. I don't know why they're all up in arms about it! There's more truth in the 15 minutes of Fitna than in the 90 minutes of an Inconvenient Truth. Best of luck to Geert as he no doubt will confront thousands of intolerant closed minded liberals that have been brainwashed by the taquyya-practicing jihadists that refuse to believe that there are people out there that want the entire world under Allah and Sharia Law.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
These folks had better
April 3, 2008 - 23:27 ET by general companyThese folks had better either develop thicker skin or better sense of humor? Good grief
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
I lkie this one.
April 4, 2008 - 02:36 ET by acadia1755http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=W3_qelW5qp4&sdig=1
http://www.friendsof...
I can't wait until one of
April 4, 2008 - 05:20 ET by SlicksterI can't wait until one of these journo-tards get their head cut off, I will dance glee.
You can add Nick Watt to the
April 4, 2008 - 05:37 ET by BobAnthonyYou can add Nick Watt to the growing list of corporate fascist media elites who have just sent their demo tape to Al-Jazeera!
A better close for the segment
April 4, 2008 - 09:05 ET by Mike BrattonAnd I'd love to provide the voiceover:
"Watt calls this insightful reportage. Others call it anti-Christian discrimination."
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport.com
There are Neville Chamberlains all over the place
April 4, 2008 - 11:19 ET by mattm"The beast always hated the same things: Religion; A free press; Intellectual inquiry; Artistic expression; Anything that elevated or empowered the individual.
Anyone who called out the beast were vilified, and considered reactionary, paranoid, warmongers."
- From http://www.inthefaceofevil.com/
There are three forces in human civilization, the force for good, the force for evil, and those who foolishly believe that good can come from compromising with evil.
WATT: This is what
April 4, 2008 - 11:36 ET by deerjerkydaveWATT: This is what happened when a Danish newspaper printed cartoons of the prophet Mohammad in 2005, violent protests around the world, more than 100 people were killed.
Hint from Watt: we can't be critical of radical Islam because they might kill us. This tells me that Watt would rather bow down and convert to Islam and surrender his freedoms than suffer in any way. Freedom isn't free, and the limp wristed wimps like Watt don't have the guts to defend it.
If Islam can't tolerate a little criticism then that should be the red flag, not the criticism.
I love Mr. Watt's
April 4, 2008 - 12:35 ET by oregon_jiimI love Mr. Watt's utter disbelief that anyone could consider Western culture to be superior to that of Islam.
Let's see: womens rights, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, we don't stone rape victims to death, we let you choose your own spouse, we don't mutilate the genitalia a little girls so they can't enjoy sex, we don't have to cover up our women because the men have no self control.
Anyone who thinks that Western culture is not superior to the Islamic world is a stark raving retard.
"an endorsement of communism is an endorsement of slavery"