http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/dutch/ en-us Sat, 5 Dec 2009 23:51:43 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401234/posts AMSTERDAM -- With the Copenhagen summit starting Monday, chances remain uncertain for a historic breakthrough in the fight to prevent climate change, but the Netherlands is leading a fight of a different kind: How to live with global warming. As sea levels swell and storms intensify, the Dutch are spending billions of euros on "floating communities" that can rise with surging flood waters, on cavernous garages that double as urban floodplains and on re-engineering parts of a coastline as long as North Carolina's. The government is engaging in "selective relocation" of farmers from flood-prone areas, and expanding rivers and canals... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401234/posts#comment Sat, 5 Dec 2009 23:51:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374146/posts Kinderen voor Kinderen (Children for Children), the children's choir of public broadcaster VARA, has composed a song in which Islam is praised... In the song, 'Allah Akbar' is chorused 27 times. "The Dutch are in this way humiliated," declares PVV MP Martin Bosma. "The multi-culturalists have no shame any more. The multicultural faith is at death's door in society, but on subsidised public television, it is still alive and kicking." On Tuesday evening, the choir sung its 2009 CD on TV, among which was the Islam song. According to Bosma, the slogan 'Allah Akbar,' which forms the refrain, is "a... Netherlands Info Services http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374146/posts#comment Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:16:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2362546/posts   On my most recent visit to Amsterdam for the World Congress of Families (WCF), I was once again struck by the remarkable façade of peaceful, tolerant prosperity the Dutch maintain. Although its famous openness to lust and license is ever more apparent, Amsterdam's charm remains in its tidy homes, shops, museums, and beautiful (though empty) churches.   The simple fact, however, is that this beacon of liberalism worldwide is rotting from the inside out and must increasingly rely on deception to keep up appearances as a nation of tolerance, peace, and prosperity.   That was made nowhere more... ic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2362546/posts#comment Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:20:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2357043/posts MPs voted by a large majority to pull Dutch troops out of Afghanistan as planned in August 2010 during a debate on Tuesday night. The motion, drawn up by Labour and ChristenUnie from the ruling coalition, was not supported by the biggest coalition party, the Christian Democrats. Labour introduced the motion following hints from CDA foreign affairs minister Maxime Verhagen last week that the Netherlands may stay after the planned withdrawal date. According to the Volkskrant, Verhagen is furious at his coalition partner parties' action. The US and Australia are keen to keep the Dutch involved in the southern province... Dutch News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2357043/posts#comment Wed, 7 Oct 2009 21:09:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347512/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Dutch Firm and Two Officers Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Export Aircraft Components and Other Goods to Iran A Dutch aviation services company, its director and sales manager pleaded guilty today in the District of Columbia to federal charges related to a conspiracy to illegally export aircraft components and other items from the United States to entities in Iran via the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus. The announcement was made by David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Channing D. Phillips, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; and... US DOJ.gov/opa - Press Release http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347512/posts#comment Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:20:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2334147/posts A 26-year-old commando has become the 20th Dutch soldier to die in Afghanistan since the Dutch mission began in 2006. Corporal Keven van der Rijdt was killed in a gun battle with suspected Taliban fighters. A number of them were also killed, the defence ministry said. Van der Rijdt is the first member of the elite commando corps to be killed in Afghanistan. Dutch News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2334147/posts#comment Mon, 7 Sep 2009 20:48:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2333792/posts Dutch prosecutors said Wednesday they would charge an Arab-oriented cultural group under hate speech laws for publishing a cartoon that suggests that the death of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust is a fabrication. The public prosecutor's office in Utrecht in the Netherlands said the cartoon insults Jews as a group and is therefore an illegal form of discrimination. T Advertisement he chairman of the Dutch arm of the Arab European League says it published the cartoon on its website to highlight a double standard in freedom of speech rules in which anti-Muslim cartoons are permitted but anti-Jewish cartoons are... Haaretz http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2333792/posts#comment Mon, 7 Sep 2009 09:30:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2333191/posts (IsraelNN.com) Virulent anti-Semitic content thrives on a Dutch social media website used by nearly half of the entire population of Holland, according to a report released Thursday. Yet, many of the online instigators appear to be Dutch-speaking Arabs. Many of the online instigators appear to be Dutch-speaking Arabs. The report, produced by investigators from Yad VaShem, the Dutch-language Israel Facts Monitorgroup and the Network on Anti-Semitism based in the Netherlands, was provided to all the political parties in the Netherlands, as well as to members of the Dutch government. As the Internet is becoming an increasingly important and influential facet... Israel National News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2333191/posts#comment Sun, 6 Sep 2009 04:17:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2313095/posts By JB Thank you to Matt Engelmann for translating this report from the Dutch newspaper: NRC HANDELSBLAD MEXICAN VIRUS IS ORDINARY FLU ==================== BILTHOVEN, 7 Aug. — From now on, the Mexican flu will be treated by the authorities as an ordinary flu. Patients will no longer receive the antiviral drug Tamiflu as standard treatment. These policies were announced this morning by the [Dutch] National Institute for Public Health and the Environment [R.I.V.M.]. Cases of Mexican flu no longer need to be officially confirmed or reported. All Dutch residents will shortly receive a folder mailed to their homes with information... birdflu666.wordpress.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2313095/posts#comment Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:23:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2290373/posts "The victim only spent a day in Nunukan. He was being forced to give some money to a group of people but refused. Then someone from the group pulled out a knife and had a one-on-one fight with him,'' he said. The police chief said the alleged killer, a man named Basri bin Ismail, had been arrested. Agence France-Presse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2290373/posts#comment Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:01:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272652/posts June 15, 2009, 3:00 p.m. Rethinking the Reagan MystiqueDutch made mistakes, but also provided edifying examples of keen political judgment. By Steven F. Hayward In the New York Times this weekend, John Harwood revisited the debate between conservatives and Republicans over whether it is time to “rethink the Reagan mystique.” Does anyone really think the major media outlets covering this intramural argument really have conservative success in mind?   Now, that’s not to say that the argument isn’t a worthy one or should be suppressed — NRO has hosted some fruitful discussion on the issue. But Americans should approach such... National Review Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272652/posts#comment Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:51:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272349/posts THE HAGUE, 16/06/09 - Prison sentences are in many cases not carried out. The judges that give these sentences do not know this, says conservative (VVD) MP Fred Teeven. In 2005, the government announced that in exceptional cases, criminals with short prison sentences would not have to serve these. They were given electronic house arrest via a GPS ankle-band. The temporary measure was taken because there was a shortage of prison cells. But Teeven has discovered that the policy has become standard, even though there is a cell surplus now. In 2008, Teeven discovered, 2,040 persons were only given house... NIS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272349/posts#comment Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:27:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2264916/posts In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders’ far right Freedom Party (PVV) appears to be the biggest winner of the European Union elections. Early analyses of the results are saying that the PVV, which stood for the first time in EU elections, has won four seats. The Christian Democrats, which remained the biggest party, lost two of its seven seats, and the Labour Party dropped from seven to four seats. The conservative VVD party and D66 both took three seats. The Green Left, Socialist Party and the Christian Union-SGP coalition won two seats each. Radio Netherlands http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2264916/posts#comment Thu, 4 Jun 2009 21:24:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2264246/posts BENSONHURST — History came alive on Liberty Weekend this past Saturday and Sunday with the annual celebration of early Brooklyn history at the 17th century New Utrecht Reformed Church. This year’s events also celebrated the church’s designation as part of the American Revolution Heritage Trail. The new trail placards are posted just behind an iron fence on 18th Avenue at the entrance to the church at 84th Street. One shows an 1890s photo of the church. The other is a map of Brooklyn at the time of the Revolutionary War showcasing historic sites. With the raising of a 13-star “Betsy... Brooklyn Daily Eagle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2264246/posts#comment Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:57:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2262220/posts In November 2008 a Dutch journalist, Joanie de Rijke, was abducted by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. She was held captive, raped repeatedly, and released after six days for a ransom of 100,000 euros ... Wilders said, “is a perfect illustration of the moral decline of our elites. They are so blinded by their own ideology that they turn a blind eye to the truth. Rape? Well, I would put this into perspective, says the leftist journalist: the Taliban are not monsters. Our elites prefer to deny reality rather than face it. One would expect: a woman is being raped and... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2262220/posts#comment Mon, 1 Jun 2009 16:31:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2257324/posts In his elegantly written essay Going Dutch (The New York Times Magazine, April 29), Russell Shorto sounds the praises of the Dutch welfare state. He raves about the ‘kinderbijslag,’ or child benefit, he receives quarterly and the annual check to cover the expenses for his children's schoolbooks. Of course Shorto loves the welfare state. The top income-tax rate of 52 percent for all income above 65,000 dollar doesn't hurt him. As an expatriate Shorto's income tax is reduced by 30 percent for a period of ten years. Other mortals in the Netherlands, however, face a marginal tax rate of over... NRC Handelsblad (Netherlands) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2257324/posts#comment Sun, 24 May 2009 14:34:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241836/posts The 38-year-old unemployed security guard who drove his car at high speed into a crowd watching the Queen’s Day royal procession has died. THE QUEEN – The 38-year-old Dutchman who killed five people and injured 12 during Queen's Day celebrations in Apeldoorn has died. The unemployed security guard drove his car at high speed into a crowd who had gathered for the annual Queen's Day royal procession in the central city of Apeldoorn around noon (1000 GMT). The car missed the royal coach by 15 metres and came to a standstill when it crashed into a well-known monument. Two men... Expatica http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241836/posts#comment Fri, 1 May 2009 07:43:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241107/posts About a half hour ago a car plowed into several spectators watching the Queen of the Netherlands riding by in a "Queen's Day" procession. At least 14 people are said to be wounded. The car drove through the crowd about 15 seconds after the Queen's open air bus went past, and video shows that the Queen's entourage observed what happened. No further information. Will look for hard link . . . Netherlands Television http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241107/posts#comment Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:30:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2241453/posts A park near Amsterdam has unveiled information signs pointing out spots where officials say gay men are known to have sex, so visitors are not taken by surprise. The signs "clearly indicate what is happening in each zone; also those where gay men are known to practice 'cruising'," municipal spokeswoman Manon Koffijberg said. Cruising is a slang word used to describe the act of trawling for casual sex. There had been recent complaints of gay bashing in the Slotervaart area, populated by a large group of immigrants of Muslim origin, with reports of robberies and violence against gay men in... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2241453/posts#comment Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:12:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2240759/posts Dutch people in their 20s are more likely to have a Calvinistic approach to life than any other age group, according to research by Trouw. Calvinism, named after the French religious reformer John Calvin, is associated with a sober, hardworking approach to life and stresses the rule of God in all things. Young people are more conservative than older people, they are more orthodox in their approach to religion and voted for the Calvinist CDA party at the last election, researcher Joke van Saane of Amsterdam's VU university told the paper. 'It is back to basics. Young people feel the... DutchNews.nl http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2240759/posts#comment Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:00:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2227330/posts Revolutionary Guard says 'Dutch project' aims to undermine the government by 'exaggerating the enemies' threats . . . and depicting Iran's current administration as incompetent.' Reporting from Beirut -- The cyber-crimes unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced today that it had uncovered a Dutch-funded plot to use the Internet to undermine the Islamic Republic, Iranian news media reported Saturday. The announcement cited a "Dutch project" to foment discontent to facilitate a "soft overthrow" of the government. "One of the Western countries that has provided the opposition with financial aid in recent years is the Netherlands," said the Revolutionary Guard statement,... LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2227330/posts#comment Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:08:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2227086/posts Four hundred years after the English explorer Henry Hudson discovered 'by chance' what is now known as Manhattan, the Dutch are returning. Henry Hudson was actually trying to find the shortest route to India, but in 2009 the Dutch have a very different mission. They want to protect the island of Manhattan, and the city of New York, from the rising sea water. New York's sea defences need major reconstruction to bring them up to the present-day standards of those in the Netherlands. So Rotterdam City Council, the Arcadis engineering firm and Amsterdam's VU University are going to help improve... Radio Netherlands http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2227086/posts#comment Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:44:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2225912/posts BERLIN -- A Dutch TV jury has found Osama bin Laden not guilty of the Sept. 11 attacks. In the conclusion Wednesday night to the show "Devil's Advocate" on Dutch public broadcaster Nederland 2, the jury of two men and three women, along with the studio audience, ruled there was no proof bin Laden was the mastermind behind the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. Hollywood Reporter http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2225912/posts#comment Thu, 9 Apr 2009 22:39:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2223187/posts <p>AMSTERDAM — Relegated by history to a mostly forgotten footnote, the government and people of the Netherlands proudly stepped forward last week to remind the world that if America begins in New York, then New York began 400 years ago thanks largely to the Dutch.</p> NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2223187/posts#comment Mon, 6 Apr 2009 12:11:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2207910/posts A group of Protestant Christians in the Netherlands is objecting to the emblem of the European Union being placed on car registration plates in their country, saying that the symbol conflicts with their religious convictions - writes Andreas Havinga. The National Foundation for the Preservation of the Political Reformed Principles states that the EU emblem - a circle of 12 golden stars on a blue background - symbolises the veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus, by the Roman Catholic Church. "Most people don't think about it, but the EU symbol was thought up by a Roman Catholic in honour... Ekklesia http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2207910/posts#comment Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:16:33 GMT