tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post4173514208049947755..comments2024-03-26T20:19:35.180-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: Not Exactly As They AppearOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-46302773515914462872017-03-17T17:34:24.408-04:002017-03-17T17:34:24.408-04:00It's a lesson that has been repeated before, P...It's a lesson that has been repeated before, Pam. Countries which are the seats of enlightenment and tolerance can be ruined by the small minded and mean spirited.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-72219323192611415702017-03-17T11:48:03.835-04:002017-03-17T11:48:03.835-04:00I lived and worked in Amsterdam between 1969 and 1...I lived and worked in Amsterdam between 1969 and 1971. My friend and I had hitchhiked through Europe and were planning to stay for about 6 months. When we landed in Amsterdam it didn't take me long to fall in love with Holland. I told my friend, I wasn't going back to Canada and lived in Amsterdam for close to 2yrs.<br /><br />At that time Holland was one of the most progressive welcoming countries in the world.There was no talk of adhering to Dutch Values, doing away with dual citizenship, or singing the Dutch national anthem in school.In it's attitude toward social democracy and giving rights to all people was very sophisticated. These included rights for prostitutes and gays that did not exist in many other countries. Marijuana was also legal.As a side issue the Dutch government would assign a child each year to tend to the grave of a Canadian soldier. There were 8000 Canadian soldiers who died liberating Holland. The Dutch have never forgotten.<br /><br />Looking at how rightwing Holland has become I find very sad. It does not even seem like the same country I once knew. Tom Walkom, once again, as per his usual analysis is spot on. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07842215982128591742noreply@blogger.com