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16 Nov 2008 04:18
16/11 Bizarre renters' party run by landlord
'Bizarre renters' party run by landlord' 16 November 2008 - The Socialist Water Board Association (SWV) claims to defend the interests of renters, but its party leader Wiljo van Bennekum is a landlord, warns the Speculation Research Collective (SPOK). Others have called the party 'bizarre'. Elections for the District Water Boards have started. The SWV claims to defend the interests of renters and to have the support of 'members' of renters' organisations. "Well, well, one imagines the red flag flying", SPOK comments. "However, Wiljo van Bennekum isn't a renters' friend at all, as far as we know. Wiljo frequently clashes with renters ... his own renters. Huh? Yes, Wiljo is a landlord!" SPOK is not the first to question the SWV. Last month, weblog GeenCommentaar ranked the SWV among the 'bizarre' participants in the election because its party leader "seems to be a real estate agent (not exactly a profession one usually associates with socialism)". Speaking of socialism: the Socialist Party warns that the SWV's name may sound similar to its own, but that there is no connection between the two. One of the candidates on the SWV list is David Parijs from Amstelveen, a medical student at the University of Amsterdam. Asked what kind of party he represents, he told Amstelveens Weekblad: "I don't really know much about that".
"A girl friend said they needed people for the party and for the election and I said yes". Asked about his ideas on regional issues: "I haven't thought about that yet".
The SWV could not be reached for comment since the party's website contains no contact information.
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15 Nov 2008 08:03
15/11 No panic at Dam Platz
No panic at Dam Platz 15 November 2008 - Is Amsterdam affected by the financial crisis? Not from a Spanish perspective. Spain suffers from the effects of a real estate crisis, declining consumption and rising unemployment. One Lans, who lives at a twenty minutes' bicycle ride from Dam Platz (sic), is concerned about his employer's investments in Spain. By comparison, Amsterdam is doing well, writes David Peris-Mencheta Nadal in the Barcelona newspaper la Vanguardia. "Dutch shops are crowded, tourists keep coming - although it seems that the Spanish don't travel as much these days - and, above all, there is nothing close to the feared 'panic' [...] The average Dutchman is so quiet and confident as to become apathetic". The latter point is - sort of - substantiated by the example of one of Lans' room mates, who says he is depressed because the Dutch social system allows him to do 'practically nothing' all day. La Vanguardia. Photo: Rallito X -
14 Nov 2008 02:29
14/11 Van Thijn had NOlympics infiltrated
Van Thijn had NOlympics infiltrated 14 November 2008 - In the 1980s, then mayor Ed van Thijn had the police infiltrate an action group that successfully protested against Amsterdam's bid for the 1992 Olympics, he told the TV programme Andere Tijden. Next week, the Dutch Olympic Committee will decide on preparations to bid for the 2028 Games. In the 1980s, Amsterdam tried to compete with Barcelona for the 1992 Games. Spokesperson Marijn de Koning was sceptic at first, "but gradually, you started to believe in it, since you're working on it on a daily basis". An action group called NOlympics, headed by Saar Boerlage, thought the Games would only cause problems for Amsterdam. In order to convince members of the IOC that Amsterdam was not a suitable location, they sent them photos of riots and of syringes lying on the streets. They also staged loud protests at places where IOC members met: first at the Amstel Hotel, and later in Lausanne, just before the decision was to be made. Pro-Amsterdam lobbyists were indignant at the protests. Given its anti-Apartheid image and the multicultural feel of the Albert Cuyp market, Amsterdam was counting on the votes of African IOC members. However, some of them reportedly were more interested in a Mercedes or an education for their kids. Nevertheless, the pro-Amsterdam lobby was convinced that Amsterdam was a serious candidate. They were shocked when only five out of eighty-five IOC members voted in favour of Amsterdam. Andere Tijden (in Dutch). Image: early protest against the 2028 bid, Amsterdam Marathon, 19 October 2008. Photo Indymedia -
13 Nov 2008 14:26
12/11 Irritation over PvdA using poverty relief for PR
Irritation over PvdA using poverty relief for PR 11 November 2008 - After the national PvdA suggested local branches to give the poor 50 euro as a way to promote the party, city council member Emre Ünver (PvdA) proposed a motion to that effect. Coalition party GroenLinks and opposition party SP are sceptic. Earlier this year, the national government decided to make 50 million euro available for municipalities in order to give the poor a 50 euro year-end bonus. In Amsterdam, over 75,000 households qualify, according to an estimate by the Stimulansz consultancy. Today, newspaper AD revealed that State Secretary Ahmed Aboutaleb and a number of MPs, all PvdA members, sent local party branches an e-mail: "You can promote this initiative locally as a PvdA initiative. In this way, the success will reflect on your local branch". And so they did. Dozens of local newspapers have reported PvdA initiatives to give the poor a 50 euro bonus, duly noting that PvdA MPs Hans Spekman and Paul Tang had made this possible. In Amsterdam, the PvdA announced the bonus proposal at its website, also crediting Spekman and Tang, but local media seem to have ignored it.
In some cities, the PR stunt met with resistance. In Schouwen-Duiveland, GroenLinks voted against a PvdA motion. "As sympathetic as the proposal may sound, that PvdA motion is unnecessary", party leader Theo de Gelder said, claiming that the poor would have gotten the 50 euro anyway. The alderman did not deny this.
In Amsterdam, the SP voiced similar objections to Ünver's proposal, says council member Carlien Boelhouwer. She says it is ridiculous to locally 'plant a PvdA flag' on the bonus.
Judith Sargentini, party leader of coalition party GroenLinks, calls the PvdA PR stunt 'not very tasteful'. She says the 50 euro bonus amounts to charity and that Aboutaleb should raise the social minimum if he really wants to fight poverty.
Ünver's motion will be put to a vote in December. Despite their criticism, it seems unlikely that GroenLinks and SP will go as far as vote against it.
Image: Aboutaleb in election campaign in Osdorp (photo PvdA Amsterdam)
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10 Nov 2008 13:21
10/11 Spending continues at the P.C. Hooft
Spending continues at the P.C. Hooft 10 November 2008 - The very rich may have suffered losses due to the credit crunch, but in the expensive P.C. Hooftstraat shopping area they keep up appearances, Jort Kelder reports. Academic Robert Kloosterman recently told News from Amsterdam that the impact of the crisis should not be exaggerated, but that CEOs will nevertheless see their bonuses cut. "It will probably be somewhat quieter in and around the P.C. Hooftstraat", he predicted. Reporter Jort Kelder went to the P.C. Hooft to investigate and found that spending continues. Asked how we should deal with the crisis, a passer-by responded: "Just stay calm and spend more money". Tailor Oger Lusink explained that in times like these, the rich want to show that they are doing well. The same has happened in the past: "People would start dressing more exuberantly in times of economic decline". -
08 Nov 2008 12:02
8/11 Why are you feeding those headscarves
8/11 Socialists want to drown rubber duck
8/11 Diemen offended at Palin comparison
Why are you feeding those headscarves 8 November 2008 - Anti-poverty organisations in Amsterdam are fed up with the populist rhetoric of politicians like Ahmed Marcouch and with the false solidarity of the Froger family. Yesterday, the Alliance for a Fair Amsterdam (ARA) held its first conference. One of the speakers was Mirjam Pool, who wrote a book on poverty based on fieldwork in Almelo. "Arriving back in Amsterdam, I always had to take a deep breath to leave the misery behind me", she said. "Its sad to see children growing up in that world, without any opportunities". The people she met with elicited not only compassion, but sometimes irritation and despondency as well. She described a person who always blames others for his problems rather than solving them. "Its difficult to draw the line between helplessness and unwillingness". Paul Scheerder, who runs a food bank frequented mainly by Moroccan families, says he gets comments like 'why are you feeding all those headscarves?' Quite a few people at the ARA conference were annoyed with politicians Ahmed Aboutaleb and Ahmed Marcouch (PvdA). Both of Moroccan descent, they would have tried to surpass right-wing populist Geert Wilders in Moroccan-bashing at another conference on Thursday. Poor families should tell their teenage kids to find a job, rather than go after 'free handouts', Marcouch had said. "Hands have been created to work, not beg". Abdellah Tallal of the ARA pointed out that jobs often do not pay enough to lift families out of poverty. "Here in the Bos en Lommer District, there are many people who have to support their families with a cleaning job paying just 1,100 to 1,200 euro per month", he said.
Tallal was annoyed at the Frogers, a showbizz family who did a reality show in which they lived on social assistance for one month. "Those millionaires are supposed to show us what poverty is. They're saying: what are these people complaining about, we're having a lot of fun".
The ARA, founded in November 2007, is a coalition of organisations of welfare recipients, churches, trade unions and other organisations that fight for justice and equal opportunities. Ideas raised at the conference include introducing a basic income, using the financial rescue funds to fight poverty, re-introducing real student scholarships and raising the poverty issue during election campaigns.
ARA. Image: food bank in Noord (Photo Leefkringhuis / Hilco Koke)
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05 Nov 2008 09:11
5/11 Positive news, but not for AT5
Positive news, but not for AT5 5 November 2008 - 'Inspiring and meaningful events' are underreported in the media, claims the Zinfo website. As an antidote, media including AT5 will report positive news stories next Friday. Ironically, AT5 reporters themselves just learned that they might lose their jobs. Zinfo claims that 83% of the Dutch want the media to report more positive news stories. The website quotes media guru Irene Costera Meijer: "Whenever Balkenende farts it will be broadcast, but people want to be inspired by the news". In order to meet that demand, Zinfo has declared next Friday Positive News Day. Participants in the initiative include national media such as NOS Headlines, Metro, Trouw, 3FM and FunX, as well as a host of regional media, including Amsterdam TV station AT5. Judging by the Zinfo website, we are in for some politically correct news next Friday. Earlier stories at the site include:
* Young unemployed women in de Bijlmer have launched Powerlady Magazine
* Hotels and restaurants hand out packed lunches to homeless people in Amsterdam
* The New York Times has declared Amsterdam the coolest city
* A 'polder' mosque has opened in Slotervaart
* The Amsterdam police have discovered meditation and tai chi
* Amsterdam joins in giving free hugs for world peace
* Date a dog day in the Amsterdamse Bos Meanwhile, things are looking far from positive at AT5. Today, het Parool reports that the station will stop using the services of its 10 to 15 freelance reporters as of Monday and that the jobs of its 80 to 90 regular staff are in danger as well. Director John de Zwart cites disappointing advertising sales as the main cause.Earlier this year, Costera Meijer advised AT5 to focus more on feel-good television and to strengthen the 'I Amsterdam'-feeling. However, innovative plans will now be put on ice, De Zwart told het Parool.
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03 Nov 2008 15:42
3/11 Union protest at Bijenkorf next Friday
Union protest at Bijenkorf next Friday 3 November 2008 - In a unique move, staff of the classy Bijenkorf department store have launched protests against their new owner, private equity fund Lion Capital. Next Friday, union FNV Bondgenoten will be organising a protest at the Amsterdam branch. The company is not used to protesting staff. It hired a private eye to take pictures of staff members participating in a previous action in Groningen, FNV Bondgenoten claims, calling on the management to abort such intimidation tactics. Since the company's parent company Maxeda was bought by Lion Capital, the position of workers has deteriorated, according to the union. "They are forced to show more flexibility, are expected to turn up at any day and time without receiving proper compensation". "For new staff, De Bijenkorf wants to worsen conditions of employment, creating a divide within its own collective agreement". Image: action in Rotterdam. 'Flexible yes, foolish no' (Photo FNV Bondgenoten)
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02 Nov 2008 05:04
2/11 Students' Obamania criticised
Students' Obamania criticised 2 November 2008 - "My students are now handing out leaflets for Obama in America while I can't get them interested in political activities in Europe", Professor of Political Science Jos de Beus of the University of Amsterdam told NRC Handelsblad. "America is still sexy. They acknowledge that global power relations are changing, but they still long for continuity of the existing world order", he added. It remains unclear whether De Beus is referring to the group of political science students from Amsterdam that went on an observer mission to Ohio. In any case, this group seems to suffer from Palinmania more than Obamania. De Beus could not be reached for comment.
Photo Tracy Collins
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01 Nov 2008 12:22
1/11 Zombies shut out of stock exchange
1/11 District Water Board: Voting not important
1/11 Connecting Amsterdammers
Zombie bankers shut out of stock exchange 1 November 2008 - Yesterday, dozens of zombie bankers roamed through the city centre, Indymedia reports. Police shut down the stock exchange to prevent the zombies from entering. G. Kaos of initiator Rebelact: "The zombie is an excellent figure to show that the credit crunch has been caused by a bloodsucking economic order. At the same time, the zombie symbolises the inevitable death of this system. We want an economic order which focuses on human needs rather than fictitious creation of worth". Indymedia
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