van den Anker & Aalsmeer

Alderman Marianne van den Anker of the Leefbaar Rotterdam (LR) party says that forced abortion and contraception would reduce the incidences of child abuse and the "problem" of unwanted children in Holland and its territories

Van den Anker postulates that Antillean teenage mothers, drug addicts and those who are mentally disabled should be forced to have abortions and use contraception if they are having sex, or these poor children may face "unacceptable risk" of "violence, neglect, mistreatment and sexual abuse"

She pointed out that courts would determine when women should be forced to have abortions and also that social workers "can see in 95 percent or even 100 percent of cases whether the child has a chance of growing up with love."

My opinion - because you know i have one - while this proposal will probably not be passed - her points should be noted.. Even the most developed nations are unable to prevent heartbreaking child abuse - so perhaps prevention is a viable method. Besides, I personally think she is trying to provoke her government into reacting to a crisis that needs to be resolved

As for the reputation The Netherlands faces, as an easy & acceptable access to drugs in a world faced with drug addicts - I say, "glass houses"...alcohol is widely available everywhere in a world of prolific alcoholism and drunk drivers...

Personally, I associate The Netherlands with Aalsmeer (the largest flower auction house), windmills, love notes, and vermeer...here's to Holland!