Veterans Day

Today was veterans day. For veterans it was a great day, but for family members of veterans who are not alive anymore it seemed to be more of a promotional activity of the army, that of a true day of honoring those who risked their lives for peace. Our remembrance day is on may 4th, [...]

freedom day

It’s 65 years ago that our country was liberated from the german oppression. The council had no money to invest in celebrations, so there was nothing organised but something for small children. That’s the signal our town gives to young people! We’ve been front town. The city has been hurt badly. There’s enough money to [...]

remembering the Canadian allies

Today the Queen and her sister and husband took part in the remembrance service at the Canadian warcementery in Groesbeek. Over the years after WW2 Canadian veterans were present, but with a declining number. 6 of the old Canadian men were present this year to remember their comrades, joined by many others. Canadian young people [...]

WW2 stays important

How people behaved during WW2 is still an issue. In my town a new project is set up to research the resistance during WW2. I’m happy with that, as my family played an important role in the resistance, but none of the group has stand up to claim that. Most are dead now. But I [...]

Archeology: interesting

I love archeology. Not the digging in the ground. I leave that to a friend who’s very passionate about that and keeps his brushes in a pretty box, like I would keep my expensive jewelry… if I had any. But I love the knowledge that is created and the enormous boost to phantasy. I’m lucky [...]

Journalism needs to go back to the basics

When I was taught the ins and outs of journalism I was told that the main part of my work would be tracing the facts. My head editor was happy with a student that studied psychology too, because the local university was wellknown for the emphasis on methods of research and a very high level [...]

my birthday is always different

My birthday is always different. Not only because there’s no visit from family, but my own children, and no friends, because that’s the toll I pay for having 4 autistic children. Not only because aging is not my preferred activity. But because there’s an important day in history that’s remembered on the same date. 65 [...]

The Dutch Government, and the attaque on Iraque

Finally the results of the formal investigation of the decisions of the Dutch government about the attack on Iraque are in. Like always members of all parties have thrown themselves on the paperwork and take what fits their vision and forget what they want to ignore. I couldn’t switch on the TV or the radio [...]

Equal pay for men and women

It’s the tenth day of christmas. “10 lords aleaping” referring to the ten commandments. I don’t know if there’s any symbolism, but in 1933 1933 Minnie D. Craig became the first female elected as Speaker of the North Dakota House of Representatives. She was the first female to hold a Speaker position anywhere in the [...]

Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize

Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize according to the committee for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” and creating “a new climate in international politics” The deadline for nominations was februari 1 of this year, and Obama took office not even two weeks before. He must have made a [...]