why don't you research a little about dutch involvement in world affairs. you'll find that they have a history on intolerance towards minorities which has lasted for hundreds of years.
Gee, why does that exposition sound familiar? Oh, that's right, I wrote it! Next time use quotes and site the source. Then I'll feel more honored...
the dutch recognized the need for THERE personal freedom long before they recognized the WORLDS need for it. But they have recognized both, hence a torrid history of oppression of others to preserve there own.....fortunately not nearly as much now. you can still see it lingering in the dna but its steadily becoming a recessive trait. I'm of dutch heritage myself so don't start attacking me my friends from the mother land!
What's interesting is that I wrote that years ago. And it's been somewhat prophetic: "it seems as long as the Dutch economy prospers, the social unrest and prejudice is minimal." That was written during the boom years of the late 90s. Since then the Dutch economy has taken a big downturn, and likewise social unrest & prejudice have now taken center stage in Holland. In fact Holland has become ever more the police state, with the conservative Balkenende government instituting intrusive, repressive new laws targeting immigration, search & seizure (you can now be stopped anytime & searched in holland), longer incarcerations without charge, and lord knows what else. I wouldn't be surprised if the Dutch don't have some secret detention centers of their own and are now learning how to torture more effectively from the Americans. And as jason points out there is another side to the famed tolerance. We need to remember that the Dutch were big slave traders, and many were Nazi collaborators during WWII, turning in their own countrymen. Hey when the Dutch were fighting the French in the 1800s, the Amsterdamers were supplying the French with whatever they needed! Moral: If there's a profit to be made, there'll be a dutchman there ready to serve you.
agreed........ and while it has negative ramifications such as the ones we have mentioned in this thread, that consumate entreprenuerial (sp?) spirit has always been a constant impressive dutch trait in my eyes!
