Finally

Someone takes that Kundera drivel apart.

If there's one thing that turns me off on a date, aside from hearing 'My visit to the STD clinic went real well' after having asked about her day, it's yet another 20-something girl/woman having judged 'The unbearable lightness of Kundera being' by its cover (of the anamorphic dvd release).

(Includes a reading list with alternatives.)

20:16

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The Netherlands now officialy nearly crime free

Now that all other crimes in the Netherlands have been solved, MP Geert Wilders has seen fit to offer a reward of 10,000 euros to the person who can help trace the two guys who killed a dog.

Like many fellow citizens, which by no means is meant to exclude holiday makers, holders of residence permits or illegal aliens, I was quite horrified when I heard of this crime. It involved two muggers, who first kicked down an old handicapped lady and then made her watch as they choked her five months old dog to death.

(Sadly, It is not known if the muggers are supportive of the McCain Amendment.)

Seriously, these punks are (pun intended) a bunch of sick puppies. Get them, jail them until they've gotten so old they need a cane to walk, then give them community service for the rest of their lives, scooping up dog shit until they stumble, fall in said excrements and choke to death. I sure as hell won't help them to get up.

There are quite a few Dutch who feel the same way, although they express their sentiments a bit less floridly. And understandably so. Outrage after violence has struck those who can't fend for themselves is very much a sign of a healthy society.

But (there always is one) I get a bit suspicious when MP's start handing out substantial amounts of money for what according to the law is a relatively minor offense, as compared to, say, the gang rape in Rotterdam that took place a while ago, or the assassination of a political activist yesterday night, or the string of mob murders that currently has Amsterdam wondering who'll be shot off his bike next. Or, on the subject of animal welfare, what about the sparrow that was killed with a BB gun when it threatened to disrupt a domino record attempt.

(Sign the condolence register for said sparrow here or here. Yes, we've gone bonkers. Disclaimer: I am not in favor of shooting domino record attempt organizers instead. That would be too merciful. I'm thinking more along the lines of banning them from the airwaves forever, as there's plenty of coma-inducing television already.)

It's not that I want to be overtly cynical, it's that it seems to be nearly impossible to be that when it comes to Mr. Wilders. It couldn't, for example, be the case that Mr. Wilders' generous reward (which initially was only 1,000 euros because cheap publicity comes at a low price - fortunately, an anonymous benefactor upped the amount) is offered solely because Mr. Wilders wants to capitalize on the current public uproar?

Probably not, because it is well known that Mr. Wilders is abhorred by anything that degrades Dutch society, and such political opportunism would constitute precisely that.

17:42

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