Perhaps Mr. Manders is suffering from an acute case of inferiority complex.

Doesn't he know that The Netherlands
can stand on its own without the European Union? Personally I mourned the lose of the guilders, that was a great respectable currency with a lot of flair and pizazz.

That was also the time when Holland was truly Holland with a unique sense of identity. The good old days gone forever with one stroke of the magic wand of those EU bureaucrats!

I'd rather hear people say "proud to be Dutch" than say "proud to be European", it's so hollow it just doesn't sound right. No wonder Princess Maxima have a very hard time recognizing the "Dutchness" of the Dutch.

By Carlos Borjal | October 26, 2007 6:50 PM

I dont know about recognising the "dutchness" of the Dutch People, However I am only just now coming to terms with my Dutch Heritage. my Grandfather is Dutch and left New Zealand nearly 31 years ago. I only just met him for the first time last year.

From what I have seen and learned of the Dutch Culture, Holland is far from losing any sort of identity that it has built up over the years.

I may have been born a kiwi or New Zealander but I always refer to myself as Dutch.

By John Aranui | October 27, 2007 2:05 AM

John Aranui, I second that. I am an American born Dutch and I am proud of it. The Dutch identity will never be lost, shame on anyone that says otherwise.

By Sandra | October 29, 2007 1:50 PM