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Political show - Donner forced to resign

European Union

I discussed with Neil the resignation of two Dutch ministers over a report on immigrant deaths in a prison fire at Schiphol airport a year ago. And he makes it very reasonable to believe it's all for show.

Donner actually disagrees with most of the report and said most policy decisions that led to the disaster were made by his predecessors. So basically, he takes the fall even though he clearly sees no clear blame.

Neil Stevens: see, it's all for show
Neil Stevens: the style of resignation trumps the substance of fixing the problem
Neil Stevens: how many people will now think "Oh, THAT old problem?  Well, that minister resigned, right?"

Our zillionth round of elections in a few years time (the CDA/VVD/D66 cabinet already fell earlier this year, we're a parliamentary banana monarchy) are November 22nd.

Balkenende III

European Union

We Dutch have a new parliament: Balkenende III. It is basically the same as the old CDA/VVD coalition, except that the majority is now provided by filler parties such are the LPF and Christian splinter groups, instead of filler party D66. Rita Verdonk is still member and as such D66 has already announced they might put down another motion of distrust tomorrow. Or at least would definitely vote in favour of any such motion issued by another party.

Wouldn't that be something? Formation in five days (thanks Ruud), disbanded in two. At that rate we could already have Balkenende XXII on election day (November 22) and establish a complete lack of international credibility no later than this weekend.

Back to normal

European Union

And in the end, nothing really happened after all. Hirsi Ali will probably get/keep citizenship and Verdonk will not fall, nor will the parliament. The only significant change is that Verdonk will most likely not lead the VVD for the upcoming elections. Winners last night: PvdA, Mark Rutte.

VVD joins D66 on heresy

European Union

With both van Aartsen and Verdonk coming out for protecting freedom of speech, VVD has now pretty much joined D66 in the opinion that old laws on heresy should be striken, rather than given new life.

There is not much honor in the iconoclasm of 16th century Holland, but prosecuting heretic words is not a good idea either. It's a shame the left turned the debate on terror acts into one of boundaries of free speech, and I'm glad the two parties currently an option for me are standing up for it.

Update: okay, can't blame the left this time: PvdA, SP and Groen Links are with us on this and want the law striken. It's just the CDA and some religious splinter fractions who like to limit freedom of speech. All I have to say now: fuck them, their God, and when I'm done with Mary, she ain't no virgin anymore. Just because I can.

© Copyright 1995-2008 Robert John Kaper. All rights reserved.

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