A shockwave went through The Netherlands this afternoon when it was 
announced that Pim Fortuyn (54), one of the most controversial of our 
politicians, was shot dead as he left a radio studio.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/05/06/fortuyn.shooting/index.html

Now, he was a right-wing extremist so I do not consider his death a big 
loss, but it is shocking that something like this happens in a country as 
liberal and tolerant as The Netherlands. Over here, no matter what your 
views are, we allow you to be heard. If you get enough people behind you to 
form a politicial party, we even give you free time on public radio and TV 
to spread your message.

Murder is not the Dutch way of dealing with the extreme right in this 
country; most of us thoroughly dislike them, but we prefer to shoot holes 
in their arguments, not in their politicians.

This is a very sad day for democracy...   :-(


Jeroen

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