Several years ago, my wife and I visited Amsterdam. It was on the day that Harry married Meagan—a day that will live in infamy.
During our visit, we walked the streets of Amsterdam to see the shops, taste the foods and get a flavor of the town. At one point we went down a narrow street with interesting local shops on either side. But at some point I asked my wife if she could smell the funny air? We walked a little further and cam across a series of café’s.
No not selling donuts and coffee, but marijuana lounges. As you walked the street you could get high from the second hand smoke. The entrance of these cafes were shrouded in a cloud of smoke. Walk in and you are immediately high.
Starting on January 1, thanks to Newsom and the Democrats, California will have marijuana cafes. If you are cheap, you do not need to buy marijuana just to get high. Just walk in front of the shop and take a deep breathe.
Amsterdam
Posted by Bruce Bialosky, Flashreport, 12/9/24 https://www.flashreport.org/blog/2024/12/09/amsterdam/
Since The Beautiful Wife and I have been to 89 countries and all seven continents, we get asked two questions – where won’t you go and where would you go again. I tell people I will not go to any country where I can get kidnapped. One key place I want to go again and is under discussion for 2027 is Amsterdam. After recent actions we have to seriously consider that decision.
Amsterdam can be a pretty wild city on any occasion. Our first visit coincided with Orange Day. It is a national holiday on April 27th known as King’s Day, but it is particularly celebrated in the capital of the country. It is a wild day of partying. The celebration is typical of a city that has a famous Red Light District offering legal prostitution and drugs. These activities are counterbalanced by the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through the Jewish Quarter.
The Muslim population centered in the largest cities in Holland has been there in growing numbers since the 1960’s. They now constitute an estimated 5% of the population. There has been a growing revolt by the Dutch against strict observance of Islam exemplified in 2019 where face coverings were banned in public transportation, schools, and government buildings. This coincided with similar movements in other European countries that saw an increasing Islamic alienation from the rest of the population. There is a growing recognition that these immigrants are not melding into their new countries and remain isolated from existing culture.
Following on the heels of anti-Semitic attacks across the U.S. and in parts of Europe, there was an attack on Israelis attending a November 7th soccer match in Amsterdam. It was not normal soccer hooliganism. It was not a pro-Palestinian protest. There is no evidence of Israelis doing inappropriate actions like taking down a banner. This was an out and out anti-Semitic attack in one of the most civilized cities in the world.
Five Israelis were hospitalized. There were 62 people arrested. It is worth noting that cities like this have CCTV everywhere. Amsterdam is supposedly one of the safest cities in Europe, but not for Jews. It appears all 62 arrested were held and released without charges despite the CCTV footage and police presence.
Four days after the riots, the mayor’s office released a report by the chief prosecutor and chief of police which said the events were caused by a “toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger about the conflicts in … the Middle East,” and condemned racist violence against minority groups.
Don’t you love it when the “authorities” condemn the violence but do nothing about it?
If this were an isolated incident in a sophisticated, urbane city, we would still be concerned. Yet it happened again two weeks later. On November 22nd in Montreal, one of the world’s supposedly “leading cities,” there was another riot characterized as pro-Palestinian, but really just Jew hatred. Despite the fact that protesters clashed with the police, they smashed the windows of the NATO meeting venue which was the guise for the violence. Despite the other acts and setting cars on fire, a mere three people were arrested. Police were contemplating arresting others after the events. Contemplating? How could there not be hundreds in jail, being held with serious criminal charges?
Be comforted though because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined federal cabinet ministers and other politicians in condemning the “anti-NATO” demonstration in Montreal, calling the protesters’ actions “appalling.”
How do these supposed “authorities” expect to put a stop to these riots when there are no negative consequences to illegal actions?
This happens largely due to open-border immigration policies that have allowed people into these countries that are not really adapting to being citizens and to the local culture. Many of them come from anti-Semitic countries. It is not just the United States suffering this. As you know European countries have been flooded with refugees that are not interested in the values of their new host country. They are also committing violent crimes much like in America and promoting attacks on Jewish citizens.
Some countries have stood up to this. One of the most surprising is Denmark. The country that has made the boldest moves of recent is that bastion of liberalism – Sweden. They have said enough is enough.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated about the recent law change, “The change in law that comes into force today means that citizenship will no longer be handed out lightly. It applies to anyone who is suspected or convicted of a certain crime. This also applies if you pose a threat to Sweden’s security or have a connection to dangerous groups and organisations. The requirements must apply to everyone over the age of 15.” The new citizens must speak Swedish, know the culture, and the residence requirement for citizenship will expand from 5 to 8 years.
Otherwise, if you are moving to Sweden, you will now have to become a Swede. No more migrant communities in their own little enclaves.
Hopefully, The Netherlands will wake up to the fact they have the same challenges and cease importing anti-Semites who have no interest in being part of the Dutch culture. No more soccer riots to embarrass the country and/or deter travelers from visiting.
We will look at whether to return to Amsterdam, but Stockholm is a fine alternative. It is truly a hidden gem if you haven’t been there. Holland — get your act together and protect Jews or we will be taking our money to Stockholm.
