[helene_t]

This weekend's top storry was that Hirsi Ali is back in the Netherlands. She loves working for the American Enterprise Institute, but the Dutch government won't pay for her security anymore. Sounds strange - could that be the whole story ir is there more to it? A Dutch journalist went to DC to get some background info.

One AEI employee said he asked Hirsi Ali out for dinner in the near future and since she hasn't cancelled yet, he expects her back soon. Another said the same, refering to a theater appointment.

If AEI couldn't pay for her security? "Typical for the soft European attitude towards terrorists. If you pay for security for everyone who once received a hatred e-mail, you're putting yourself in the defense position. We Americans don't defend ourself against terrorists. We attack terrorists". If you want protection, you just buy a gun for yourself. Slight problem: Hirsi Ali lives in DC where guns are illegal.

They thought she was just back in NL for a few days to arrange a lawsuit against the Dutch government to force them to pay.

Femke Halsema, leader of the Green Left Party, took initiative to a parlament discussion about the issue. She wants to force the government to pay for Hirsi Ali's protection.

This reminds me of a joke about three men, an American, an Englishman and a Dane, who died in a plane crash. They went to St. Peter's gate to get access to Heaven.

"Entry fee is USD 400, sir". The American handed his credit card to St. Peter, signed the bill, went through the gate and waited for his two friends.

"Entry fee is GBP 300, sir". The Englishman wrote a cheque and went through the gate.

The Dane spent half an hour talking to St. Peter and several of his clerks. They made several phonecalls. Finally he went through the gate as well and joined his friends.

"What was the problem?" the Englishman asked.
"They had to find out whether it was the county or the city council that had to pay".