While I was in the US in August visiting my girlfriend, the one theme dominating US news, was president Obama’s healthcare reform plan. As an outsider looking into what goes on in America, I find it strange that people seem to object to something that will help out literally millions of fellow Americans. It seems that everyone says they want to help someone, but not if it costs them any money. Well, folks: there is no such thing as a free lunch. I guess I’m to liberal – or should I say socialistic – to think that I am doing […]
How did he get that job?
Sorry for posting yet another video, but I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. I mean; kudos for president Obama; it seems he has gathered a group of competent people around him in the White House. But I guess Press Secretary Gibbs does not fall into this category. In fact, after seeing this clip I was wondering: “how the heck did he get that job?”. The subject: yesterday a flight mission and photo op, that looked like Air Force One and fighter jets heading toward the New York City skyline, caused a panic in New York. Some buildings even got […]
Two infinite things: the universe and man’s stupidity
The saying goes: “There are two infinite things: the universe and man’s stupidity.” Well, nothing proves better that this saying is absolutely right, than todays news. Even in a week with a plane crash and more news about the financial crisis developing, there is one Dutch politician that is able to dominate the Dutch news: Geert Wilders of the PVV. Why? According to the latest polls, made public today, Wilders right-wing political party would become the biggest political party in the Netherlands if elections would be be held today. Wilders reacted extatic to the news and even sees himself becoming […]
Polonium-210
Dead ex-spy “It is dangerous to be right, when the government is wrong”. A famous quote by French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist Voltaire (1694 – 1778). And still true as Alexander Litvinenko, ex-KGB agent and FSB lieutenant-colonel found out the hard way. Before his death on November 23rd nobody had probably ever heard of something called “polonium-210”. In fact it sounds like something from a bad spy movie. However, the truth seems more bizarre than any scenario from a cheap cloak and dagger novel. Litvinenko left Russia for the UK in 2000 after severly criticising his superiors on crime […]
Et tu, Brute?
Backstabber On March 15, 44 BC, Julius Caesar was stabbed by an angry group of senators, including Marcus Junius Brutus, Caesar’s great friend and senator. Caesar initially resisted his attackers, but when he saw Brutus, he supposedly spoke the words “Et tu, Brute?” (“You too, Brutus?” or: “Even you, Brutus?”) and resigned himself to his fate. People often cite this quotation when they feel they have been betrayed. It is also the quote that comes to my mind when I see what is happening in the Dutch political party called VVD. The VVD (the “Dutch People’s Party for Freedom and […]
“I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.” — Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)
With a new Gulf war on its way in the next 24 hours, I can only think up this quote from this famous British philosopher who also was a know pascifist. Who are we to decide for another person – let alone another country – what is right and what is wrong? Now, we all know Saddan Hoessein is an evil dictator who exploits his own people. However, starting a war is not the solution to the problem, since it will hurt innocent people that have part in anything going on. That the war was coming was obvious: and I […]
The number of the beast
The number of the beast In all the commotion around the upcoming war in the Middle East, people regain new interest in all the biblical and other mystical prophecies that surrounds these global events of epic proportions. Although I consider myself not religious in a biblical sense, I do find these prophecies – or better said: the interpretations of the prophecies – very interesting (one look at my DVD collection will reveal some movies with a very religious theme). So I dug up some interesting things on the net. Let’s start with the bible, King James Edition in English, and […]
Give peace a chance – Point of no return
Give peace a chance – Point of no return At the same time I’m writing this, probably a thousand other people are also filling their Blogs with the same words: Give peace a chance. Although I did not attend any of the so many peace protests that went on yesterday (see: CNN.com – Cities jammed in worldwide protest of war in Iraq – Feb. 15, 2003 and CNN.com – European protesters fill cities – Feb. 15, 2003), I do support the effort to keep peace. Even my girlfriend in the US did attend the peace rally that went on in […]
Clear and present danger?
I watched the RTL4 and NOS news this morning (for those not familiar with these channels: they are Dutch TV-channels) to get a glimpse of the State of The Union, as presented by Pres. Bush last night. Well, what can I say, it couldn’t be more clear: the US is gonna attack Iraq no matter what. They don’t need proof or a smoking gun either: “Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent,” Bush said. “Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike?” What this means (in […]