tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post5339014843432220003..comments2024-02-23T11:23:45.971-05:00Comments on Lost Motorcyclist: Sven Kramer, Dutch Gold Medal Speedskater vs. NBCLost Motorcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-73475374401127614762010-03-01T08:52:35.924-05:002010-03-01T08:52:35.924-05:00I have as much respect for the Dutch as I have lac...I have as much respect for the Dutch as I have lack of respect for television sports interviewers.<br /><br />Admittedly, I don't spend much time watching sports interviews, but what little I have seen has been pretty thin gruel. If I hear, 'How do you feel?' from one more interviewer, I'll hurl.<br /><br />Kramer, evidently, is arguably the most famous athlete in Holland, and hence entitled to his dismissive comment to that interviewer.<br /><br />Despite the fact that the Dutch did deport me (for working illegally) I have a lot of respect for their practical attitudes, including their pragmatic 'common sense' approach to issues which seem to cause North Americans so much anguish: cannabis, pornography, prostitution, &c.<br /><br />Holland, of course, has its own demons to wrestle with, not the least of which is the issue of its Muslim population - much of which is a legacy of its colonial period ('Dutch' East Indies) as well as labour shortages in the 1970s.<br /><br />Faced with a decision (made out of 'political correctness') by the administration at a technical academy in The Hague to discontinue the traditional practice of erecting a Christmas tree (a practice most likely predating Christianity), <a href="http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-students-defy-political-correctness" rel="nofollow">students responded</a> with, '<b>Are you stupid?!</b>'Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.com