Ayaan Hirsi Ali And Holland

I was surprised to read this today from Tigerhawk writing on the Ayaan Hirsi Ali controversy:

The Dutch are, once again, turning on their own rather than resisting the threat in their midst. I've always like the Dutch as individuals and Holland as a destination, but it is not a country with which to share a foxhole:

I might agree, politically speaking, with Tigerhawk's sentiments. But I'd also suggest there might be a better way to frame ones rhetoric. We shouldn't forget that out of all the world's countries, including some other notable alleged allies of the US, Holland is one of the few we actually did share foxholes with in Iraq. And I believe we still do in Afghanistan.

The Netherlands will send an extra 1,400 troops to southern Afghanistan, after parliament ended six months of wrangling to approve the deployment.

The Dutch military mission to Iraq ended on 7 March 2005. The 1,100-strong military mission was part of the Iraq Stabilization Force (SFIR) and was stationed in the province of Al-Muthanna in southern Iraq.

The first Dutch contingent of 300 troops left for Iraq on 10 July 2003. The mission helped to restore security and stability in Iraq and contributed to humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. It also helped enable the Iraqi people to govern themselves as soon as possible.

Certainly we can take on a countries politics without using a form of insult that actually doesn't apply. Unlike too many others, Holland did side with the US when it mattered by putting their own boots upon the ground.

Comments

[mrskrass]

Exactly Dan! Thanks for pointing this out!

It's nice to read a piece about this matter that is not one-sided for a change!