February 26, 2005
IF THE EXPERIMENT IS IMPLODING LEAVE THE LAB:
More Dutch Plan to Emigrate as Muslim Influx Tips Scales (MARLISE SIMONS, 2/27/05, NY Times)
Paul Hiltemann had already noticed a darkening mood in the Netherlands. He runs an agency for people wanting to emigrate and his client list had surged.But he was still taken aback in November when a Dutch filmmaker was shot and his throat was slit, execution style, on an Amsterdam street.
In the weeks that followed, Mr. Hiltemann was inundated by e-mail messages and telephone calls. "There was a big panic," he said, "a flood of people saying they wanted to leave the country."
Leave this stable and prosperous corner of Europe? Leave this land with its generous social benefits and ample salaries, a place of fine schools, museums, sports grounds and bicycle paths, all set in a lively democracy?
The answer, increasingly, is yes. This small nation is a magnet for immigrants, but statistics suggest there is a quickening flight of the white middle class. Dutch people pulling up roots said they felt a general pessimism about their small and crowded country and about the social tensions that had grown along with the waves of newcomers, most of them Muslims."The Dutch are living in a kind of pressure cooker atmosphere," Mr. Hiltemann said.
Why would anyone with a family, or plans for one, and an interest in the future stay in Europe? Posted by Orrin Judd at February 26, 2005 8:57 PM
Thye could stand and fight.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at February 26, 2005 9:53 PMThis is Europe we're talking about, though.
Posted by: Timothy at February 26, 2005 11:19 PMGood riddance.
Posted by: Dutch at February 26, 2005 11:20 PMtoo bad the european political system is so unresponsive to the wishes and needs of the general population. even worse is the widespread passivity of the european voters. they should have a game show there called "family feudal" ...
dutch: is it ? why ?
Posted by: cjm at February 26, 2005 11:42 PMFor current blog info on the Dutch response to terrorism, go to http://dutchreport.blogspot.com .
The Dutch are sending 165 Dutch Special Forces (commandos) to Afghanistan.
Don't count the Dutch out. They now realize the damage that unassimilated Arab immigration to their country is causing.
Posted by: John J. Coupal at February 27, 2005 1:14 AM"museums, sports grounds and bicycle paths"
Well don't forget how enraged even Howard Dean became when his bicycle path was endangered. Destruction of the Christian Religion, political assasination is one thing, but the Dutch will be really, really, really be p*ssed if you mess with the bicycle paths. (and don't forget "generous social benefits")
Posted by: h-man at February 27, 2005 5:40 AMThe Anglosphere, particularly Australia, is probably a major destination for these folks.
When I was in the Hexagone in November, some of my relatives, whom I today call the Finzi-Continis, asked me to look into how they can emigrate to America. I would imagine such scenes are playing throughout the Jewish bourgeoisie of Europe, but it seems now increasingly among the productive Gentile classes as well.
Posted by: Bart at February 27, 2005 6:36 AMHey Dutch -- we have lots and lots of Dutch families in my Canadian town, many first generation. They are Christian, law abiding, successful business owners, have lots of kids and make Canada a much better place.
We'll take them any day.
Posted by: Randall Voth at February 27, 2005 10:02 AMcjm, Randall:
It's not the bycicle lanes or the social benefits they're fleeing from.
Posted by: at February 27, 2005 11:19 AMbart: its interesting how few people immigrate *from* the u.s. ; i know a few do but not many as compared to the numbers leaving other countries. maybe we can maneuver some of our leftist brethren out to holland.
maybe your relatives can claim to be north american indians, when applying to immigrate. evidently you don't need much proof for such claims (just long hair)
Posted by: cjm at February 27, 2005 11:22 AMcjm,
They don't have the look even if they do like hanging out in casinos.
Other than one woman who did emigrate to Australia after Gulf War I, most Lefties can't give up the good life. Other emigres I have met did so for religious reasons. Ex-pats, working overseas but intending to return, don't count.
Posted by: Bart at February 27, 2005 12:05 PM