RE: *DO* we share a civilization?

[Baardwijk, J. van DTO/SLBD/BGM/SVM/SGM]

> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Verzonden: Saturday, July 28, 2001 6:13 PM
> Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Onderwerp: Re: *DO* we share a civilization?

> How do you handle it in the US? Let parents pay the bill themselves?
> Then what do you do with children whose parents can't afford it? Tell
> those kids: "tough luck for you, but it isn't our fault that you
> weren't born into a rich family, so you'll just have to do without even 
> basic education"?
> 
> 
> Jeroen, I have no idea where you get your ideas about the US, but
> they're often rather amusing :-)

Nice to see I still have some entertainment value...   :-)

BTW, the feeling is mutual. Over here in Europe, we find American practices
and ideas quite amusing too. Actually, I think that's why we tolerate you --
for the entertainment value.   :-)

<snip>

> how many languages does the average school in the Netherlands have to 
> deal with among its student body?

Not all that many. Most children of non-Dutch nationality were born here and
therefore speak Dutch. It's mostly the older generations that speak Dutch
badly, or don't speak Dutch at all.


> I'm not sure what gives you the idea that we don't have public
> education here, but let me assure you that such is not the case.

It amazes me over and over again, the talent of some people on this list to
misinterpret what I write. I didn't say that the US doesn't have public
education, I *asked* if the US, like The Netherlands, offers free basic
education for its children.

Also, I didn't say the US tells their poor "tough luck -- no money, no
education". That statement was an extreme example of what a government that
doesn't provide free education *might* say to its poor.


Jeroen

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