Torchlight: Netherlands: Hypocrisy Alert, Balkenende Says Dutch Should Show Backbone

This nonsense comes to us from Radio Netherlands;

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende believes the Netherlands can emerge from the recession more strongly if its people show "backbone. Writing in the financial daily, Het Financieele Dagblad, Mr Balkenende says that when faced with adversity the Dutch fight back harder and that that pays dividends.

However, he also writes that estimates for the future of the country's economy are less stable than normal. He says that based on predictions made by the Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, people should not conclude that the country will only have to endure the effects of the financial crisis for one year.

Here are just a few of the instances where Mr. Balkenende showed "backbone" in times of difficulty. I think it is disgusting that such a man would have the balls to come out and tell Dutch people to show backbone when he has been so famous for being found wanting in that very department.

“The Dutch government has taken notice of Mr Jami’s film, in which he expresses his personal opinions about Islam. The Netherlands has a tradition of freedom of religion and belief as well as a tradition of freedom of expression. We also have a tradition of respect, tolerance and responsibility. Offending other people is not in keeping with these traditions. Conversely, free and unrestricted debate and respectful treatment do reflect these traditions. In this light, the government regrets the fact that Mr Jami’s film deeply offends the feelings of many Muslims.”

“Reports in the foreign media have given rise to concern in the Dutch government about the image of the Netherlands that has emerged in some other countries. Islam occupies a fully respected place in the Netherlands. The Dutch government highly values the good relations that exist, both in the Netherlands and abroad, between Muslims and people of other faiths and beliefs.”

And more of the same could be found here back in March over the film "Fitna".

PARIS, March 6, 2008 - French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday voiced his solidarity with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who fears a Muslim backlash over a film criticising Islam made by a far-right Dutch MP.
Sarkozy assured Balkenende of his "support" over lunch at the Elysee Palace, saying he was "highly aware of the question of Islam's place in European societies, and French society in particular," a presidential spokesman said.

Balkenende stressed once again that he was in "total disagreement" with the film's author Geert Wilders, warning it could spark protests similar to those unleashed by the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in Denmark.
"Obviously, we need to be careful of what is happening in other countries," he said.

The backbone in Dutch society is not nearly as brittle as you claim Mr. Balkenende; you sir are the obvious candidate in need of a spine.

Torchlight

acta non verba
Nobody consulted us in the sale of our lands and the destruction of our culture. As our leaders have betrayed and failed us, the time for conscientious observation has passed. The battle has already spilled into the streets and we now stand on the brink. If you be for Europe, western Judeo-Christian values, and the survival of your culture, then stand and be heard!

Quotes

THOMAS JEFFERSON
To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, 'the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, and the fruits acquired by it.
WINSTON CHURCHILL
Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom; socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.
RONALDUS MAGNUS
How do you tell a Communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an Anti-communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
AYN RAND
Socialism is the doctrine that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that his life and his work do not belong to him, but belong to society, that the only justification of his existence is his service to society, and that society may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good.
KARL VON CLAUSEWITZ
"Given the same amount of intelligence, timidity will do a thousand times more damage than audacity."

June 2010