Dutch - what's good about 'em?

[Boris Godunov]

Ask Nevada how legal prostitution is working there. The prostitutes are unionized, for pete's sake.

[Bereta_Eder]

AFAIAC one of the most interesting things about the dutch is their long history of liberalism and respect for private values which has led to their society laws being so libertarian.

[Hueij]

Their certain issues that I wish were simply given to women to decide. The legalization of prostitution and abortion are two of these. Men are not adversely affected to any great degree by either of these issues. However women are. I would respect their vote.

Well, our abortion laws are a direct result of Feminist actions during the late 70's and '80's... And the proces of legalisation of prostitution had some involvement from the Rode Draad (The Red Thread, a sort of prostitute's labour union)...

I have to admit that legalisation had some unforeseen side effects though...

[Ned]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Ask Nevada how legal prostitution is working there. The prostitutes are unionized, for pete's sake.

Boris, It is not legal in LV and Reno. Why?

The issue is not about the treatment of women prostitutes. I know, an everyone knows, that they fare far better when prostitution is legal. But it is illegal because most women do not want it at all.

I just wonder about Holland. Perhaps Oprah could host the women of Holland to discuss this issue.

Ned

[Ned]

Originally posted by Hueij

There are certain issues that I wish were simply given to women to decide. The legalization of prostitution and abortion are two of these. Men are not adversely affected to any great degree by either of these issues. However women are. I would respect their vote.

Well, our abortion laws are a direct result of Feminist actions during the late 70's and '80's... And the proces of legalisation of prostitution had some involvement from the Rode Draad (The Red Thread, a sort of prostitute's labour union)...

I have to admit that legalisation had some unforeseen side effects though...

Hueij, What side effects?

[Hueij]

Ned, since the people who made the most money out of prostitution lost a lot of income they turned to other ways... Luring third world women to Europe with all kind of promises so they ended up in the illegal circuit (modern day slavery) and the influx of Eastern European women because of the same reason or because they are hoping to make a fast buck (and ending in the clutches of the same people...)

All is not well in Paradise...

[Locutus]

Originally posted by Sn00py
I'm not happy to be dutch, but give me reasons why I should be, anything that's actually USEFUL and MORALLY GOOD

Well, I guess the Netherlands is at present (one of) the most tolerant and 'free' countries in the world, with legal and regulated prostitution and drugs use, equal rights for all citizens (gay marriage, etc), religious tolerance (most of the time), legal abortion, etc. And, as mentioned before, with a few exceptions here and there (WWII, slave trade, iconoclasm), it has a tradition of this going back all the way to Roman times. The Netherlands are certainly not a nation of saints but overall we're doing pretty well in this respect, if I may say so myself.

How's that for being useful and morally good?



Edit: typos, grammer

[Ned]

Roman times? Ah, the good old days.

Someone in Holland ought to invite Oprah to do a series, expecially on the adverse consequences, if any, on legalized drugs and prostitution. That would be a really interesting show.

[Tom201]

hm, we could also ask Jerry Springer what he thinks

[alva]

what's good about the dutch?

Pfff, don't get me started please. ::

[Bereta_Eder]

flemish/dutch
lots of jokes from eachother

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by Caligastia


Quite the contrary:



So according to Jesus, smoking weed wont make you unclean.

Provided of course that you don't exhale.

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by Locutus


Well, I guess the Netherlands is at present (one of) the most tolerant and 'free' countries in the world, with legal and regulated prostitution and drugs use, equal rights for all citizens (gay marriage, etc), religious tolerance (most of the time), legal abortion, etc. And, as mentioned before, with a few exceptions here and there (WWII, slave trade, iconoclasm), it has a tradition of this going back all the way to Roman times. The Netherlands are certainly not a nation of saints but overall we're doing pretty well in this respect, if I may say so myself.

How's that for being useful and morally good?



Edit: typos, grammer

They're also now the world's largest producer and exporter of synthetic illegal drugs like Ecstacy, PCP, LSD, and MDA.

[Felch]

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove
They're also now the world's largest producer and exporter of synthetic illegal drugs like Ecstacy, PCP, LSD, and MDA.

The more I learn about them, the more I love them.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove


They're also now the world's largest producer and exporter of synthetic illegal drugs like Ecstacy, PCP, LSD, and MDA.

Oh Oh. This kind of activity breeds a criminal underground. Maybe this is the source of increasing violence in Holland.