Elections in the Netherlands (again)

(Just to fill in the story, Krekel, and to waste a bit of time...my name is john and I am a guy. But there is a subtle twist to the name of realjohnboy.
I am a redneck, raised in the mountains of Virginia (usa). Albemarle County.
Back in the late 1970's or early 1980's there was a television show called The Walton's. It was created by a writer name Earl Hamner and was based on his growing up in Nelson County, just one county south of me, during the Depression years (1930's). The featured character (and a bit of a heart-throb for teen-aged female viewers) was named Johnboy (his dad was John). It was a pretty syrupy show, but, to his credit, the lead actor went on to have a pretty good career in live theatre.
So I became the realjohnboy. So now you know. Are you sorry you brought it up?)

No I'm not sorry I brought it up, I'm glad I did. If I didn't, would I have known all this you're telling me? I like it.

I've been in Virginia in 2000, by the way, both in West- and, er, the other one. Mostly in Fort Royal(?), I'm not sure about this name, but it was directly north of Shenandoah National Park ... our van broke down there. I've stayed in a Motel 6, it was my first shave in the U.S. (I only shaved once every week back then).


... Good times.

Okay, I'll bite...
What were you doing in Front Royal, in a broken down van, at a Motel 6?
Check out my thread on the Original Writing topic called Gothboy Called Today. It involves travelling and a Motel 6.

Come on, man! A broken down van, a Motel 6! What was I doing? To get my van fixed ... what else would I be doing in Front Royal?

(I'll check it (your post) out, btw)

PS; the best pizza I've ever had was in Front Royal ... plus, the owner of the restaurant (who had a New York-accent) claims he has been in the Netherlands. I didn't believe him though, because he mentioned tulips and windmills.

Are you a starting writer in your country, realjohnboy?

(I've read about Gothboy)

Anyhoo, if you ever want Gothboy to be in Amsterdam, or somewhere near, I'd be pleased to help.

Krekel: I think that we have traipsed around in this thread longer than we should have. Perhaps you and I could move this conversation to the Goth Boy thread so that this one gets back on topic. Thank you; meet you there. -realjohnboy-

I'm like a helicopter ... I need a landing platform. I don't see one in your topic, but you can answer my question about starting writerismologyismology in there ... then I might be able to land.

Hey Krekel, you're from Gelderland somewhere? I noticed there was a bunch of places there that didnt vote, Zutphen and everything 'behind' ... friend of mine lives in Zutphen.

Sorry, nimh, for derailing this thread for a bit. It is back on track.

Oh no sweat. I'm a derailer and digressor par excellence, myself.

Just a random update on current polls!

Here's the average of this week's polls by the Political Barometer and Maurice de Hond's Peil; and how those numbers (of seats, 150 in total) compare with the results of the last national elections, of 2003. Click to enlarge!





From left to right you'll find the Labour Party, the Christian-Democrats, the right-wing liberal VVD, the Socialist Party, the Green Left, the Christian Union and the State Reformed Party (also sternly Christian), Geert Wilders' (post-Fortuynist) Party of Freedom and the List Pim Fortuyn, and the Democrats.

I am wondering if yall have any thoughts on the Italian elections. It appears that Mr Berlosconi (bad spelling. sorry) is in trouble. Italian governments come and go frequently; would this one signify anything re Europe in general?

Not really, in my opinion.

But perhaps the Italians are again against a criminal as prime minister?

Ah that won't hold, Walter.

After all, just looking at the two former superpowers(most especially USA) we've got a Bush and a Poetin to set shining examples. Actually, I'm getting images now of Bush being cast in the GodFather I as Marlon Brando... He'd be a natural...

Big news: Mark Rutte, not Immigration Minister "Iron" Rita Verdonk, has won the leadership "primary" in the rightwing-liberal VVD. More background HERE

Even bigger news than that above:

KABINET TREEDT AF

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende will tender his government's resignation and called for early elections.

He will hand the notice to Queen Beatrix following a row over the Immigration Minister.

According to reports, the coalition government split over Rita Verdonk's handling of questions about a prominent Somali-born lawmaker's citizenship.

It seems Balkenende is fated to preside falling governments...

Flash News! Dutch Government Resigns! Elections In 3 Months!

Yall know what this means, folks? Pretty charts in a variety of colors from Nimh.
Seriously, isn't it likely, nimh and walter, that this is all going to be decided on the issue of immigration.
If you have the time, nimh, please reaquaint us with the players/parties.