According to this 19th century cartoon, not much.
It can still be used to depict the latest episodes of hollands least popular soap, The Hague politics.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
What's new in Europe ?
According to this 19th century cartoon, not much.
It can still be used to depict the latest episodes of hollands least popular soap, The Hague politics.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Intentions
The new year has started and by now most good intentions have been drowned in reality.
Luckily, I would say, since the road to hell is said to be paved with good intentions.
Some intentions, which would have been absolutely ridiculous and despicable 10 years ago, are now considered very plausible.
One that stands out is the new "Code of Conduct" that was launched by the city of Rotterdam.
It entails that only Dutch should be spoken in the streets
That only Dutch should be spoken in the streets.
Such attitudes are normally encountered in isolated places like the sahara but not in a modern multicultural city.
The other extremely good intention, that will surely lead to unpleasant places, is to put up to 40.000 youngsters in military camps to be educated. To teach them "norms and values".
Norms and values, I am afraid it has all started with that.
After last elections, some years ago, a government was formed that was not elected.
The Prime Minister ( who was not elected) emphasized the importance of "norms and values".
I will not go into highlighting the hypocrisy of his statements.
It just makes me wonder about our values, when it takes military discipline to teach.
Of course I'am taking some risc by publicly stating my doubts.
We are in a state of war ( on terrorism) and i remember our Prime Minister, just before the elections. He was an MP then, and during a public debate he was the first to mimic mr. Bush,
"Those who are not with us, are against us".
Of course we will have plenty of enemies tomorrow when we chase off the millions that are with us today.
Luckily, I would say, since the road to hell is said to be paved with good intentions.
Some intentions, which would have been absolutely ridiculous and despicable 10 years ago, are now considered very plausible.
One that stands out is the new "Code of Conduct" that was launched by the city of Rotterdam.
It entails that only Dutch should be spoken in the streets
That only Dutch should be spoken in the streets.
Such attitudes are normally encountered in isolated places like the sahara but not in a modern multicultural city.
The other extremely good intention, that will surely lead to unpleasant places, is to put up to 40.000 youngsters in military camps to be educated. To teach them "norms and values".
Norms and values, I am afraid it has all started with that.
After last elections, some years ago, a government was formed that was not elected.
The Prime Minister ( who was not elected) emphasized the importance of "norms and values".
I will not go into highlighting the hypocrisy of his statements.
It just makes me wonder about our values, when it takes military discipline to teach.
Of course I'am taking some risc by publicly stating my doubts.
We are in a state of war ( on terrorism) and i remember our Prime Minister, just before the elections. He was an MP then, and during a public debate he was the first to mimic mr. Bush,
"Those who are not with us, are against us".
Of course we will have plenty of enemies tomorrow when we chase off the millions that are with us today.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Spell
I hope it is obvious, this blog is being written in 'english'.
One reason for me to do so is the larger audience that can be reached this way.
A less obvious reason is the fact that "I cannot spell correctly" in my native language.
I have learned to read and write english in school, more than 30 years ago. It is not likely to be perfect, but I think I can manage without a spell-checker.
As far as I know, nothing much has changed since in english grammar and spelling. The same goes for languages like french or italian. ( as far as I know)
Not so for my native language 'dutch'.
In The Netherlands we officially change the way we should write our language every 10 years.
Official means it is a national LAW, and people can go to court over it. One may jump to the conclusion that the dutch are uneasy with their language as it is.
However when it comes to allowing immigrants into our country ( or allowing immigrants to stay) , we are suddenly very self-confident. In 2004 new legislation was created that forces potential immigrants to learn dutch in their country of origin. An impossible task, since there won't be new study-books for learning dutch in every foreign language every 10 years.
Of course this only applies to immigrants from Africa, Asia or Eastern Europe.
Especially immigrants that have english as their native language are reconfirmed in their believe that the whole world should communicate in english.
Regardless of their actual ability to speak english everyone attempts to do so when confronted with an english speaking visitor. Much to the dismay of those who are actually trying to learn dutch.
The next change, due in august 2006, now finally meets some opposition.
Major newspapers have announced they plan to ignore the new rules, because they are unlogical and therefore unpractical (unworkable).
This may also explain why the dutch so much favor the english language above other foreign languages and even above their own,
IT IS SO MUCH MORE LOGICAL.
One reason for me to do so is the larger audience that can be reached this way.
A less obvious reason is the fact that "I cannot spell correctly" in my native language.
I have learned to read and write english in school, more than 30 years ago. It is not likely to be perfect, but I think I can manage without a spell-checker.
As far as I know, nothing much has changed since in english grammar and spelling. The same goes for languages like french or italian. ( as far as I know)
Not so for my native language 'dutch'.
In The Netherlands we officially change the way we should write our language every 10 years.
Official means it is a national LAW, and people can go to court over it. One may jump to the conclusion that the dutch are uneasy with their language as it is.
However when it comes to allowing immigrants into our country ( or allowing immigrants to stay) , we are suddenly very self-confident. In 2004 new legislation was created that forces potential immigrants to learn dutch in their country of origin. An impossible task, since there won't be new study-books for learning dutch in every foreign language every 10 years.
Of course this only applies to immigrants from Africa, Asia or Eastern Europe.
Especially immigrants that have english as their native language are reconfirmed in their believe that the whole world should communicate in english.
Regardless of their actual ability to speak english everyone attempts to do so when confronted with an english speaking visitor. Much to the dismay of those who are actually trying to learn dutch.
The next change, due in august 2006, now finally meets some opposition.
Major newspapers have announced they plan to ignore the new rules, because they are unlogical and therefore unpractical (unworkable).
This may also explain why the dutch so much favor the english language above other foreign languages and even above their own,
IT IS SO MUCH MORE LOGICAL.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Software update
A new version of the software is online since today.
It will be tested for a few more days before it is official.
You can download the new distribution here rotebo2005.zip
It will be tested for a few more days before it is official.
You can download the new distribution here rotebo2005.zip
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Introductie
Hello World,
I have Started this BLog as an easy way to add some interaction to my website, www.rotebo.com
Although the website and the software published there supports a number of languages, I will not open a seperate log for each of them. Visitors are welcome to place comments in english or in there native language, as long as it is dutch, german or french.
I have Started this BLog as an easy way to add some interaction to my website, www.rotebo.com
Although the website and the software published there supports a number of languages, I will not open a seperate log for each of them. Visitors are welcome to place comments in english or in there native language, as long as it is dutch, german or french.
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