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Thursday, September 29, 2005
Compulsory reading |
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It's an old one, but this is by far one of the best articles dealing with European hypocrisy towards America.
'Hertsgaard illustrates Americans’ ignorance of world geography by telling us about a Spaniard who was asked at a wedding in Tennessee if Spain was in Mexico. I once told such stories as well (in fact, I began my professional writing career with a fretful op-ed about the lack of general knowledge that I, then a doctoral candidate in English, found among my undergraduate students); then I moved to Europe and met people like the sixtyish Norwegian author and psychologist who, at the annual dinner of a Norwegian authors’ society, told me she’d been to San Francisco but never to California.'
Just the other day, a well-educated acquintance of mine complained of an American who didn't know that The Hague, our political 'capital', wasn't the real capital of the Netherlands. Of course, she fell mute when I asked her about the capitals of Rhode Island, New York and Florida. (Providence, Albany and Tallahassee.)
Point in case: the average citizen of any country is probably not that well versed in geography. I've done fairly well in school, but when I bought my first car for 500 euros a few years back, I then spent 1300 euros on a navigation system because I usually can't find my own bedroom without a map. (I live in a 40 square metres apartment, so it's not the size that matters, in this case, at least.) And using such clichés only serves to estrange two proud continents (no offense, Canada) that would be better off working together.
My sincere apologies to Dr. Phil for that last sentence.
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14:26 |
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Amsterdam city council discriminates against the poor |
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Yes, the headline is somewhat sensationalist, but it is true. The Amsterdam city council has decided it's a good idea to further limit the number of cars in the city. People should drop off their cars in big parking garages near the ring road and then spend about half an hour getting to their homes. If they can get into those parking garages, because the ring road is usually jammed. I predict a lot of agression and a lot more stalled traffic, wasting a lot more gas whilst working to create an er... 'cleaner' atmosphere.
Now here's the discriminatory part. They also want to limit the distribution of parking permits. 'Dirty' cars won't get one anymore. Now, this won't affect people like me with a relatively new and clean vehicle (I drive 22-24 kilometres to the litre at 100 km/h highways, depending on wind conditions). Hell, even if it does, I've got the resources to trade it in for a cleaner one. Wat it will do, however, is further decrease the mobility of those with lower incomes, thus also decreasing their ability to get better paid jobs which often require the possession of a car, especially for those with limited education.
Of course, they'll try to rally support for their plans by making this about Big Bad SUV's (I hate those too, although their owners do already pay an obscene amount of BPM and road tax) and Those Nasty Filthy Rich Spoiling The World For Our Children - but anyone driving a 1988 Volkswagen without the money for a decent set of soot filters (the danger of so-called 'fine dust' is still highly dubious at best, despite vehement claims of environmental organizations to the contrary) can pretty much look forward to a daily tram transit to a huge garage 5 clicks from his house.
If you, like me, think this is a ludicrous and discriminatory idea, send your concerns to:
Dienst Milieu en Bouwtoezicht,
t.a.v. Harry van Bergen
Weesperplein 4
Postbus 922
1000 AX Amsterdam
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8:45 |
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Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Democracy as a universal value |
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George emailed me this article written by Amartya Sen, former Master of Trinity College at Cambridge University. Although six years old, it fits in nicely with today's not entirely superficial appearance of Francis Fukuyama on Dutch television. (The website of Dutch PBS incorrectly portrays Fukuyama as the 'resident ideologue' of the Bush administration, which is bollocks: Fukuyama voted for Kerry and opposed the war against Iraq.)
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16:03 |
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Saturday, September 24, 2005
Dutch lefties are better bloggers |
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My take on the issue here.
(Note: I don't consider myself to be right-wing in the Dutch political spectrum. Over here, right-wing parties, generally considered to be the VVD and the CDA, are social conservatives. I, however, am a liberal (in the original sense).)
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18:49 |
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What I've been up to |
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Working my behind off, as the colloquialism goes. Teaching a BA course, following an MA course, and running one's own company leave little time for anything else. Fortunately, my teachers (and colleagues) are wonderful people: the kind of phlegmatic, inquisitive, open-minded fellows you'd hope to find at every university (if only).
The rest of the university is, of course, a bureaucratic mess. I've been working there for a month and still don't have a contract, so at the moment I survive on food stamps (just kidding). Ender, my cat, is having a hard time making the transition. He's used to me being at home almost all the time. Now, I'm suddenly gone four days a week. He ate the flowers I got as a present for completing the Dam to Dam run.
That's right, I completed the 10 mile run last Sunday. My time was 1.28.02, which is better than I'd expected, but not as good as I'd hoped. The fact that the first 5 kilometres took me more time than the last 5 indicates it was rather busy: about 30,000 people participated. Add to that the fact that some of the streets we had to go through were quite narrow, and you can imagine there were a few bottlenecks en route.
Anyway, here's some pictures from my Garmin running watch:
That's it for now. I may post a rant about the Dutch healthcare system later this weekend, as a survey amongst expats living here generally disprove of Dutch GP's (and rightfully so), but then again, I may not. I've exceeded several deadlines and I will try to do some catching up this weekend.
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10:03 |
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Saturday, September 17, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
And so it begins (6) |
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India buys diesel subs, but the most interesting part is somewhat further on:
In a joint declaration, the sides also said they would "work towards the conclusion of an agreement on bilateral co-operation in the nuclear field".
It hasn't been widely reported (other than in the indispensable Economist) that India is on its way to become a de facto recognized nuclear power (recognized by the West, that is - Pakistan might beg to differ). Of course, a navy is not something India needs for its western borders, but nuclear subs are useful when it comes to dealing with countries that it is separated from by huge mountain ranges.
(That wasn't too cryptic, now was it?)
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8:56 |
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Sunday, September 11, 2005
War fries |
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On September 11, 2001, I was in a laboratory, attending a biotechnology course for journalists. DNA analysis was slightly more complicated at the time than it is now, and as a result I didn't notice my cell phone buzzing. When I got out of the building at just before 5 PM Central European Time, or 11 AM Eastern Standard Time, I finally glanced at the text messages I'd received.
"What do you know about those small planes that crashed in New York?" They were from a friend of mine. She was someone who once had admitted to feeling stoned after I'd cooked us some pasta - and no, I didn't add some Dutch 'fine kitchen herbs' - so I didn't pay much attention.
When I got to Delft Central Station, my train was delayed. I went to get some fries.
The man behind the counter, with what in PC terms is called "a Southern European accent", was beaming. He asked whether I'd like some "war fries".
War fries are a common Dutch snack; it's the somewhat grisly name for fries that have been sprinkled with onions and soaked in both ketchup and satay sauce. The result is as tasty as it looks gruesome: hence the name.
Suggesting to a customer to order it, however, is quite uncommon. Dutch food sellers are not known for being excessively customer-oriented. And smiling while offering such an advice is outright extraordinary.
Finally I glanced up to the tv screen behind him, to see the North tower of the World Trade Center collapse in agonizing replay. Carnage rerun. In horror, I realised why the man was smiling.
The World Trade Center I had slept in only a few months before. The World Trade Center where I met someone I held dear. The World Trade Center that I got to see on a clear March night from the snow-covered roof of a SoHo lopht.
That World Trade Center was gone.
I decided to skip the fries.
(Thanks to George for making the Dutch Eagle and American Lion flags.)
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0:00 |
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Saturday, September 10, 2005
What a week |
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Find some new pictures of my fellow MA students here.
Off to bed now. Got to finish reading the proofs of my new book tomorrow, as well as prepare two 3,000 word stories this weekend and read about 200 pages of stuff on rhetorical and argumentation theory, as well as mass communication studies.
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2:12 |
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Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Why I've been so quiet |
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It's the opening of the semester at Leiden University and that means full-time attendance. This leaves very little room for normal wastes of time, such as blogging, kicking the cat and buying decent food. Especially when you're trying to run a business on the side and have to proofread your book. From next week onwards, things may very well return to some kind of normalcy as the regular class schedule kicks in.
Meanwhile, here are some of my fellow students.
Yes, I'm in there somewhere. /me is the guy who desperately needs a haircut and some sleep. The fact that my complexion seems normal is due to two successive Photoshop treatments.
Never let it be said again that technology is a corrupting influence.
Even though Leiden University saw fit to bestow the following unforgettable (and unforgivable) email address upon me: a.j.j.dasselaar.2.SPAMMERSGOTOHELL@umail.leidenuniv.nl, and no, I didn't make the number 2 up.
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21:38 |
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Sunday, September 4, 2005
Saturday, September 3, 2005
Comments are off, for the moment |
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A very persistent trackback spammer who apparently uses a botnet keeps on bugging me. Since I can't disable trackbacks completely (except by editing every single article), I have to block all IPs. If someone has a better solution, please contact me by email.
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11:15 |
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Dutch help underway to the USA |
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• The Dutch navy dispatches the Hr.Ms. Van Amstel. The Dutch government hasn't waited for a request to be made, but deployed the vessel anyway, as it will take 4 to 5 days to get there from Curaçao.
• Other help has been offered: water management experts, dike engineers, disaster identification teams, systems that can create potable water, F-16 aircraft as well as a defense diving platoon.
• The US Army Corps of Civil Engineers has called for the help of the water management experts of the Technische Universiteit (Technical University) Delft. The latter suggest a New Orleans version of the Delta Works in this newspaper article. One of the Delft experts proposes building an American version of the Oosterscheldekering, which is something we're really proud of around here. Basically it's a dam which doesn't destroy wildlife in river deltas behind it. The Oosterscheldekering is a partially computer-controlled contraption which closes itself automatically during storms, so the environment in the delta behind the Oosterscheldekering remains largely unaffected under normal weather circumstances. Although it's not a cheap solution, there are some important wetlands in the Dutch province of Zeeland. (Yes, I'm a capitalist who thinks proper nature management is a good idea. So sue me.) I believe similar concerns may apply to New Orleans. Hey, as they say: God created the world, we created the Netherlands.
• Dutch residents who want to help out the non-government funded relief organizations can donate to Rode Kruis giro 19800. (I prefer AmeriCares.)
• The guy that sticks his finger in dikes has been banned from travelling to the USA because he's apparently on a terrorism watch list. Sorry, couldn't resist.
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9:36 |
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Friday, September 2, 2005
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Dutch Red Cross starts fund raiser for hurricane victims |
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And good for them!
Earlier today, the Dutch government offered the American government assistance in the form of expertise.
Also earlier today, I made a pledge for a national fund raiser. (If only all my wishes were granted this quickly.)
The American government obviously isn't prepared to tackle the current disaster on its own, which is why the relief organizations operating in the affected area need our help. Those organizations are virtually entirely dependent on charity. Some of them even refuse government grants to maintain their independence. However, many Dutch don't have credit cards and are thus unable to donate directly to the American Red Cross if they want to.
To my great relief, the Dutch Red Cross now has offered a solution to this problem. Those of you who want to chip in, can now transfer your contribution to giro 19800.
A few commercials during unsold commercial slots bringing the account number under the attention of a larger audience wouldn't hurt, but hey, it's progress.
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23:12 |
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Dutch government offers aid |
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Earlier today, fellow Dutchman Bart offered the following questions regarding the Katrina disaster:
• Where are the Dutch marines from Aruba?
• Where are the Dutch "water management" engineers?
• Why aren't there planes on the way with special equipment and pumps?
• Where is the Dutch field hospital? (public health is going to be a huge problem)
To which I can answer that the Netherlands has offered a dike inspection team which is on standby for immediate departure to the USA.
Je maintiendrai! Now, where's the:
• Humanitarian aid?
• Dutch navy armada? We have a *huge* hospital ship.
• Statement of secretary Ben Bot of Foreign Affairs, in which he offers his sympathies to the American people in their hour of need?
And where's the Red Cross with a national fund raiser?
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10:12 |
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Pray |
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I abandoned my Christian faith on the age of 19. Reading Thomas Aquinas ('Faith cannot contradict reason'), and to a lesser extent René Descartes, played an integral part in that process, which is all the more ironic since they both remained Christians until their respective deaths (although Descartes may have done that more to please those around him).
Nevertheless, I still understand the power of prayer, or meditation if you like. And I was reminded of that when I saw an episode from the series Babylon 5, in which station commander Jeffrey Sinclair has to introduce the concept of 'Earth religion' to a host of alien races.
So he guides the representatives of said races to a room where there's a line of people. And Sinclair starts to introduce them all:
'This is Mr. Harris. He's an atheist. Father Frisanti, a Roman Catholic. Mr. Hayakawa, a Zen Buddhist. Mr. Rashid, a Muslim. Mr. Rosenthal, an Orthodox Jew. Running Elk, of the Oglala Sioux faith. Father Papapolous, a Greek Orthodox. Ojijiko, of the Ebo tribe. Ochukiak, a Utic Eskimo. Sawa, of the Jivaro tribe. Ms. N'fuma, a Bantu. Ms. Chang, a Taoist. Mr. Blacksmith, an Aborigine. Ms. Yamamoto, a Shinto. Ms. Nigel, a Maori. Mr. Go, a Hindu...'
And his voice fades out as Sinclair continues to introduce more and more people, and more and more perspectives on God, to the baffled representatives.
Whenever I see that scene, I feel closer to whatever God is than I ever did when I still went to church.
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0:31 |
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A certain continent seems to be missing in this disaster map |
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Yes, according to the Dutch Red Cross, disasters happen all over the world, except in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
Could be they're just lazy updating their maps, but if that's true, the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs is suffering from the same tardiness. Their press release section contains a lot of stuff about outfitting the Palestinian security forces with new kit, but nothing about helping out the victims of Katrina.
To be fair, the Dutch Red Cross does mention the disaster - but you have to scroll down on their homepage. There's no call for donations either, something that isn't omitted from the most recent article on their website, which is about the former Green Party leader kicking of a campaign to raise funds for combating the famine in Niger. I agree, that's important too. But why make a choice? What's so hard about adding the 'please donate' line to the Katrina article as well?
Thanks guys, for making me feel proud to be Dutch. It's a good thing America stopped giving us Marshall Aid in 1952, a year before the dikes in Zeeland broke. Otherwise, I might feel cheap or something.
Well, the good thing about a government is that you can do as you please with the money they didn't take from you. So I've decided to donate directly to the hurricane victims in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. May I kindly encourage my fellow Dutchies to do the same.
I chose a small organization as I'm very skeptical of huge charities such as the Red Cross. And any other sort of large organization, for that matter. Also, the added advantage of this outfit is that they accept smaller amounts. Plus, you can pay through PayPal.
Maybe America doesn't need our help, but the government could at least have offered it. As far as I know, they haven't. Both my father and I are ferocious news consumers. Neither of us heard any official making a statement of the kind, which is bad, or even heard a journalist pop the question, which, I'm sad to say, doesn't surprise me in the least.
Rest assured that the ministry of Foreign Affairs will have an angry citizen calling tomorrow.
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0:13 |
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