Transcription
Mr S.J.Cook
Lower Farm House
Engeland
Amsterdam, March 10, 2002
Dear Stuart,
What a completely peaceful moment on Sunday morning to write you a few thoughts.
First, a note about the punch line of the cartoon. Our new Princess of Argentine origin falls into the category that flies with the Concorde.
The stamp of approval on her immigration application to the Netherlands took less than six weeks.
Political refugees wait an average of two to three years before they receive the decision whether or not they are welcome in the Netherlands.
"Ensure a quick admission procedure, marry a prince!", read a banner on the day our crown prince married.
Today the weather is lovely after last night, when we had enormous storm winds from the English direction. A number of roof tiles fell down and on Sunday there was no one to fix it. Yes, I remember writing OCRs (credit applications) on Sundays if necessary. Yeah, what a good guy I am.
"Is the American president also a good guy?" is my question.
I doubt it. I think he's a megalomaniac. He barely won the presidency and he has a lot to hide. For example, his foul play with ENRON and his war policies hide his mediocrity. I'm afraid of him. All his views are contrary to the minds of reasonable men. So much for him and his evil genius Dick Cheney.
20 Percent of the world's population lives below the poverty line. If you are born into these bad circumstances, life is not a gift. His $48 billion increase in the US defense budget would be better spent easing conditions in these poor societies. Believe me, then the have-nots will not turn to Binsama Binladen to correct the unjust distribution of the world's wealth.
I compare Binladen to Jesus Christ. Both gentlemen mobilize the dissatisfaction of the poorest.
Finally, a note about Prime Minister Tony Blair. He did a great job in black Africa. Doesn't he lack focus on solving today's real problems? If he is a “Real Politician,” should he use his high office to end the war in the Middle East, a former protectorate of the British?
March 11th
Did I mention that we are leaving next Sunday for a 10-day tour to Egypt. We plan to stay in Cairo for a few days and we have booked a four day trip on the Nile river. Besides the blue sky, the main tourist attractions are the cemeteries (pyramids and mastabas) and the dead (mummies). It's all a bit morbid if you ask me. This trip prompted me to learn about Egyptian history from 3000 BC. What amazed me was that the Egyptians had a barter economy for 3,000 years. No coins. And like the US, which is not autarkic in crude oil, Egypt lacked timber, an essential raw material for building boats, its transport vehicles on the Nile River. They imported wood from Middle Eastern countries (Lebanon for instance)
The family chronicle
Vera has informed the board of the foundation that after this year's event she will no longer be available to organize next year's "Open Garden Days" in the center of Amsterdam. To our surprise, the board has decided that the event will not take place next year. It implies that Vera is irreplaceable and I completely agree with this statement.
Floris, our number 1, stayed with us for one night (Saturday/Sunday) in Amsterdam on his way to a 10-day holiday in Cuba with his student friends from his student days.
He said he would rather stay in London than return to Amsterdam when his two-year contract expires. After working as a tax lawyer at Ernest & Young for five years, he would like to tackle the problems on the other side of the E&Y desk. He gets job interviews, but he realizes that employers are in the driver's seat.
Reinoud, (our no. 2) 29 years old, is trying to find work. It's hard to find a good fit. He hasn't graduated yet. He assured us that graduation will take place within a year. And 29 is considered a bit old to start your first job these days.
My solution for him is to find an extremely rich girlfriend and marry her.
I hope you are all well. Love to Ursula. Adriaan DD
