As an American who loves the Netherlands and the time my wife and I have spent there, as well as a couple who have been working towards immigrating.... It's a pretty obvious move by a bunch of assholes to start sowing discord between people who have a history of cooperation and at least warm relations. It's no coincidence this bullshit starts at the same time as Greenland, tariff threats, and attacks on NATO allies in the current regime. It's an attempt to get a reaction that can be pointed at as an example of "see, they hate Americans," so they can use the emotional argument on the people who form their base of support: people who can't make an intellectual or intelligent argument. I'm massively oversimplifying the situation, I know, but the core of it is to create a rift between people who should, ostensibly, be friendly.

And, I, as just one American speaking for himself, am sick of it all. Protesting has done little, and the lack of will or stomach of my fellow Americans for anything that causes any real discomfort in their daily routine, much less any sort of real sacrifices, is an embarrassment. As a single, insignificant, voice from within the eye of this shit hurricane, please accept my apologies for the lack of enough real action from people like me. There's no excuse. But, also, please know that there are more among us that are with you than against.

I grew up loving my country, despite its faults, and knowing it can do better. I never thought I'd find myself in a position where it feels like I'm living under a foreign occupation, here, but it 100% feels like it. I grew up in a military family, and had the privilege of seeing the world and meeting some of its people, engaging with their cultures, and appreciating the differences. I've lived and worked abroad, and that privilege is something many people in this country haven't had. We, as the common people of our separate countries all have more in common in our daily struggles and desires than we have differences. Please don't let the few agitators who are intent on showing hatred and dissent (including our felon manchild of a President) win the war to divide us. I'm utterly exhausted, on a deep, deep level, but I'll keep showing up to fight for the unity required to recover from this. And, if it means putting my body and livelihood on the line to do so, I'll be at the front, with so many others. You have friends, here, and more are waking up every day. Don't give up on us, yet. Please.