Small time politics (906 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 0.75 on 4 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <erminator.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2003-04-13 15:47:58 EDT
Now before you read any further, realise the following post is about politics in
Holland, and, I'm not a great writer.
In Holland, until two years ago, we used to have a pretty leftwing government. That's to say, 'leftish' political parties ruled the biggest part of our parliament.
This changed though, because two years ago, a balding, gay man named Fortuyn
started talking to the media, and his ideas were hyped by it, and so he became
very famous, very fast.
He had some controversial political ideas, a lot of them pretty right wing.
He wanted to change the outsider's immigration act (how many people from other
countries are allowed to set up kip in Holland), and he said some negative
things about the Islam.
A discussion boomed over the fact if he was racist or not. It didn't last.
Mr. Fortuyn crushed all left wing politicians, who had become quiet and because of
years and years of unchallenged reign. He formed a political party of unknown
people. He named the party "List Fortuyn", and although there were a lot of
others in it, it was obvious he was the only REAL one. The others we're like
luggage, needed to found a political group.
His party was destined for good things. Many people were going to vote, (mostly
white, low educated males btw) on his party, but then he was murdered by a
vegitarian extremist. His motives remain unclear to this day.
Now, the question I ask you, and which is debated at the moment in my country, is:
Should the murdered of Fortuyn get a worse penalty, because with this murder he
silenced the voices of thousands of voters? Should he because it was a
"political" murder? Or should he be judged like every other man who commited a murder??
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
(btw: please keep in mind that in Holland the two extremest penalties are 20
years in jail (which turns into 13,5 years if you behave good), and the second
is jail for life. There is no punishment inbetween.)
(I apologize for my english, I know it lacks at some places.)
User Reviews
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2003-04-13 21:01:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I used to live in Amsterdam and I must say I have incredible amounts of respect for the Dutch people. I loved living there very much, and would gladly return to Amsterdam to live.
What I feel about Pim Fortuyn is that he was speaking on behalf of a lot of people, his policies did seem very extreme, however his reasoning was rather sound. In typical Dutch fashion, it was someone who theoretically shouldn't be leading the political movement he was leading... I love Dutch irony, it's one of the country's leading characteristics, IMHO. Reminds me of the Dutch saying "er is geen pos zo scheef of er past wel een deksel op" (I hope I remembered that correctly, meaning "there is no pot so bent there isn't a lid somewhere that will fit").
Being Dutch you would know that there are many issues with immigration, the lack of assimilation and co-operative living (which the Dutch consider a normal way), particularly with Islamic communities. I think, from my memory of living in Amsterdam, that the Dutch have been very welcoming and warm to the large numbers of Islamic immigrants from Turkey and north Africa, but the way they choose to live, in a cloistered environment.
Irrespective of his politics, the man did spark debate, and so did is assassination. Having said that, he was a Dutch citizen and should be looked at in the eyes of the court as a Dutch citizen, no more no less. The judicial decision should be on the merits of the case, not based on facts that are external, and if his politics were part of the vegetarian murderer's (Dutch irony, again) motives, then they need to be considered.
Submitted by jtber (user info) at 2003-04-13 20:26:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
The way I see it, killing a man is killing a man, no matter who he is. I think the vegitarian should get life in prison. The motives were either he's against right-wing policies, or he was a hitman, and that could be why his motives are unclear, cause if he told, he would get in even more shit. He could see a lesser sentence if he keeps his mouth shut.
JT
Submitted by Kasarius (user info) at 2003-04-13 17:54:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bush is far worse.
As for what his punishment should be, I'm conflicted. I don't think that motive or status should change the sentence, but I can sympathize with the assassin. Fortuyn didn't sound like the greatest guy.
Submitted by DarthAwesome (user info) at 2003-04-13 16:55:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Sounds like a novel. I got an ape for a president who runs around blowing things up, and you got murdering vegetarian extremists. Which is worse?