There used to be a time when you were innocent until proven guilty. This concept was called the presumption of innocence. It makes perfect sense that allegations must be proven because how do you prove your innocence? My 2018 blog is even more relevant due to ongoing trials by media. Usually, the old Dutch and English saying applies: where there is smoke, there is...
Power
What defines a SuperPower?
18 Sep, 2023
Until about a year ago, many articles claimed that China would surpass the USA as an (economic) SuperPower. I never believed those articles. China did and does not meet the SuperPower criteria. Today, many articles assume that USA may not be surpassed. I doubt that too. The Roman Empire was - probably - the first global empire. Alternatively, it was a multi-regional...
Hoezo woningnood?
15 Sep, 2023
Voorwoord LO Deze recente opinie uit de Volkskrant getuigt van veel pragmatisme en weinig ideologie. Mijn complimenten aan schrijver Ton van Rietbergen. In 2022 publiceerde diezelfde Volkskrant nog een zwaar ideologisch artikel op een soortgelijk onderwerp: Kent Nederland een huizentekort of een singlesoverschot? Zie ook mijn kritische reactie op dat artikel in mijn...
Ideology vs reality
13 Sep, 2023
There's a Dutch saying that translates like the shore will stop the ship (ie, #16). There's no English equivalent. To some extent, it means that you can only push someone or things so far before they break (eg, source). I was reminded of this saying after reading that the GOP in Alabama ignores court rulings. My blog title has an implicit question: Is reality (eg,...
Analysis: Xi reprimanded by elders at Beidaihe over direction of nation (Nikkei)
11 Sep, 2023
Nikkei Asia title: Analysis: Xi reprimanded by elders at Beidaihe over direction of nation Nikkei subtitle: G20 absence hints at turmoil in Chinese domestic politics By: KATSUJI NAKAZAWA, Nikkei senior staff writerDate: 5 September 2023 "There are signs of turmoil in Chinese domestic politics. On Monday, it was announced that President Xi Jinping will not attend an...
Gaat de combi van GL+PvdA het CDA achterna?
8 Sep, 2023
In 1980 ontstond het CDA als fusiepartij van ARP, CHU en KVP met 49 zetels. Van 1986 tot 1989 kon Ruud Lubbers het CDA nog laten groeien tot 54 zetels. Daarna ging het bergafwaarts. In de huidige TK-2023 peilingen heeft het CDA nog maar 3 tot 6 zetels van die 54 zetels over. In juli 2023, na de val van Rutte-4, ontstond de combinatie van GroenLinks en PvdA met...
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