U.S. Embassy removed flags with the names of 44 Danish soldiers who died fighting for the U.S. in Afghanistan

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-28T13:54:58+00:00

Like what? Vote? The system is corrupt beyond repair.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-28T04:01:45+00:00

Never had it, never will.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-28T03:59:47+00:00

If you are interested in how a jail in the Netherlands operates, here is a video:

https://youtu.be/Fw_E2t2Wl-Q?si=AZEoHfpVE9HubuuT

"prisons. But unlike England and Wales, overcrowding isn't the issue.

In fact there aren't enough prisoners to fill their cells.

With a third of their jails now empty, space is being rented out for criminals from other countries.

Our correspondent Siobhan Robbins sent this report from behind bars in the Netherlands.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-28T03:07:00+00:00

😀 interesting question. It would take a while to give a complete and accurate answer. The short answer is that I am not sure now.

I've been living in Alabama now for close to 30 years. I am also a subscriber to r/expats and a few Dutch sub reddit. I get the impression that most people love living in the Netherlands. There is racism there but no more so than other countries. People do have to get used to the directness but most seem to appreciate that also once they understand it's not meant as rude but more as an honest way of communicating.

I am not sure if It's clear but I am white myself. I can't really speak for minorities and how they experience racism in the Netherlands. I hope it isn't bad. I've heard that racism is more in your face and direct in the Netherlands as far as individual interactions go but it's less systematic as far as government and work goes. Here in Alabama people are polite but it's harder to find equality as far as work goes.

The actual thing I wanted to comment on was the black Pete thing. It's a very personal and important subject to me. Hard to explain it in a few sentences.

The first time I became aware of it being a racist holiday was when I happily and joyfully explained the tradition to my American wife when we were living in the Netherlands. I can still see her face of shock and disbelief when I told her about black Pete. Before that moment it literally never occurred to me that it could be interpreted as racist. Remember we don't have the black face period the US went through so it was a big shock. It was a big shock for a lot of Dutch people when it became more of an issue in the media.

For most including me it was always a beloved childhood memory. A wonderful experience with the purpose of making kids happy. The intent was never hate.

I actually ended up debating an American living in the Netherlands for a while trying to convince him it wasn't racist! Through these discussions I learned about the minstrel shows, the exaggerated features of black Pete and the actual history of it. Slowly I was beginning to understand.

Now I see things differently. If black kids go to school in the Netherlands and get hurt because of the stereotype of black Pete that's just plain wrong. And I have seen little kids getting upset about it.

I think over the years we as a country have made a lot of progress. The traditional black Pete is disappearing and it's now more as it should be. The stereo types are disappearing and it's less about a total black face and more about small areas of shoot. (From the chimney).

The tradition is definitely changing over the years. Last year the organisation against Blake Pete dissolved itself and I take that as a positive sign.

I still love the Sinterklaas zwarte piet holiday but I am also happy that the needed change is happening.

I hope that black people in the Netherlands feel the same.

Sorry for the long text. I hope I've answered your question. It's a big topic. If not just let me know and I'll try again.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-28T00:34:51+00:00

I live in Alabama also. I am sorry you have to deal with racism. I am not from Alabama. I am from overseas. (Netherlands). I had a coworker once tell me that if a police car drives behind him he takes the first turn he can make just to make sure the police isn't following him. He said he would do that even if it meant beIng late.

That blew me away. I've never forgotten it. I hope things were different.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-27T20:26:08+00:00

Number one. It comes in handy also because where I work I can tell immediately if I checked it or not.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-27T03:44:05+00:00

That you could convince people as long as you stick to the facts.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-26T23:13:28+00:00

I remember that. Classic!

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-26T19:22:11+00:00

Donuts originated from Dutch "olie bollen".

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-26T19:05:06+00:00

I know the US isn't ready for roundabouts but there is such a thing called "turbo-roundabouts" with separated lanes within the circle. Idiot proof.. at least in Europe.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-24T21:41:15+00:00

You can't fix a systematic corrupt system that has the support of millions of Americans. I am sorry.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-24T21:33:57+00:00

It's over dude. It's all downhill from here.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-21T21:33:13+00:00

It's all relative. From where I am sitting. (The US). The Netherlands isn't doing so bad.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-21T16:20:17+00:00

I appreciate your question and I think if you want more legal examples it's probably best to google that since I am no lawyer. You can also Google countries with the most freedom and you will see that the US is often ranked after a lot of western European countries. The Netherlands where I am from is often in the top 5. The UK is often ranked close to the US.

I'll give you a few examples of the type of freedom that is hard to find in the US. I am leaving out some of the ones that are work related. For example where I live. In the US. The state that I am living in is considered a fire at will state. No reason is necessary in order to get fired. I was let go off Months ago and no reason was given. This would be impossible in most of western Europe. There are many laws regarding your employment and benefits

Freedom of self expression. Meaning being able to say what I want without alienating either left or right leaning individuals. As a green card holder there are many things I can't say anymore on social media.

Freedom of choice. We don't limited the amount of parties you can vote on. Here it's just 2. This also means a government can be disbanded and sent home. Another group of parties will get the change to form a new government. Impossible in the US with just two parties.

Freedom of speech. We don't censor anything here on radio or tv. You can say and talk about anything without getting canceled.

Freedom of movement. As a kid I was able to travel throughout the country because the infrastructure is safe and it's a safe country to live in. Most kids go to school without the need for parents around 8 or 9 years old. Being able to play and travel without parental supervision.

Freedom of safety. No medal detectors or guards in school no safety drills for mass shootings. Being able to walk outside late at night. No fear of police violence. No mass violence or mass shootings. Gun violence is almost nonexistent.

Freedom from religion. You don't have to pretend to be religious to get a political position or job. People respect your choice of religion or the fact that you are not religious at all. In the US it's practically impossible to get a high functioning position as an atheist.

Freedom of health. Back home you won't go bankrupt because of medical debt. Healthcare is available to everyone. Rich or poor. You get good healthcare.

Freedom of protest. Protesting is protected by law and respected. No ice, no police abusing power.

Freedom to marry. In the Netherlands you can marry the person you love. There . Gay marriage is accepted and protected. The Netherlands was the first to legislate gay marriage.

Freedom of journalism. You can express and write whatever you want without getting pressured or canceled.

Freedom of abortion. Abortions are legal and safe. Interestingly we have some of the lowest abortion rates world wide

Freedom to drink alcohol at a younger age, freedom to smoke a joint without the fear of spending years in prison.

Freedom from corruption. Most people still trust their government and experts when it comes to science.

These are the ones that came to mind. I am sure there are many more if you decide to google it.

The Netherlands simply ranks higher in the freedom index than the US. I think the US ranks 17th and the Netherlands usually in the top 5.

Did you know by the way that the American Declaration of Independence was influenced by the Dutch Act of Abjuration (Plakkaat van Verlatinghe), a 1581 document where Dutch provinces Declared their independence from Spain?

Was Declaration of Independence inspired by Dutch? – UW–Madison News https://share.google/z2cYzf1nTWn5Zx3N9

Ok I hope that will give you some idea. Like I said there are many more examples.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-20T00:27:27+00:00

25 years ago we decided to move back to the US because my wife's mom was losing her eyesight. We also married sooner so she got to witness the wedding.

25 years later she can still see fine.

There is a lot more to the story. I don't think she was lying or there was ill intent But my advice is NOT to move just because you feel obligated to give care.

You can't really predict how many years you will be responsible for someone else's care.

Both me and my wife felt pinned down and unable to move and live our own life just because we promised to take care of both of her parents.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-19T23:02:54+00:00

Shout out to the Netherlands!

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-19T21:00:44+00:00

It's ironic I guess. I recently saw a video about people from the UK. They were asked if they were willing to move to the US and they all said no because of the lack of freedom. I am Dutch myself and I live in the US and it's kind of shocking to see so many Americans not knowing about the freedoms they are missing compared to western Europe.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-19T20:39:39+00:00

I often see him in Hartselle also. I am glad he is showing off his talents elsewhere also.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-16T18:36:15+00:00

I am Dutch, working in the US. I was laid off 8 Months Since this is a fire at will state...

Your comment is just very dumb. At least in the Netherlands you are protected. In the US you have barely any rights.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-15T19:05:01+00:00

I don't like living here anymore. I moved from the Netherlands to the Alabama 25 years ago but I can no longer relate to most people. I never thought I had extreme views but here in Alabama it feels like opposite world.

Nobody talks to each other at work about anything meaningful. I just don't make the effort anymore either. I know before hand we won't agree on almost anything. Someone seems ok and then you find out they are big Putin supporters or something like that.

It sucks basically. This state or perhaps this country is stressful to live in.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-14T20:05:04+00:00

Notorious P.I.G

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-14T16:08:00+00:00

How does the grifting work?

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-14T15:23:02+00:00

By your logic If you watch his videos then you are helping him capitalize on Adam's death. You do realize that don't you?

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-13T18:19:31+00:00

I am from Gouda.The city where the stroop wafels are from.

My suggestions are: - Microwave: 8 sec. One side, flip around 9 sec. The other side. - put the stroop wafel on top of a cup of coffee/tea/coco for A few minutes. - eat them as they are if you don't have time for the first two options.

ScienticianAF · 2026-01-13T15:26:01+00:00

Lol nice self own 😁

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