"Only in NL: a collection of the weirdest stories" Netherlands Travelogue by Pavlik_NL

Netherlands Travel Guide: 39,848 reviews and 83,234 photos

"Hotel Jail" * * * *

25th of November 2003, Tilburg
"After a few months of experimenting the new plans of the governement in putting two prisoners on one cel has been adjusted. During the period it seemed that some items had to be changed as they formed a discomfort to the inmates. The open toilet in the room is going to be screened of with a little wall, so more privacy is granted to the one who has to go. Another point of dispute was the fact that there was only one televisionset in each cel and the prisoners sometimes had different tastes in program-wishes. Now there will be two sets in each cel with headphones, so they don;t disturb eachother while watching TV. Furthermore there was a couple of jailbirds that had a little to much fun being locked in one room. They fell for one another and have been split up again.

Dutch soldier under arrest for shooting plunderer

Strange kind of justice is there in the world

Today a court case has started against a Dutch soldier that serves in the peace-corps in Iraq. The charge is "murder"! He shot - deliberately and from a distance - an Iraqi man, part of a group that was plundering a small storehouse. Main point of accusation is the fact that his own life was never in danger. His trail will be held behind closed doors, but some prison time at least hangs over his head. This is again so typically Dutch, as I just wonder how many American military have been accused of this kind of silly charges? What was the number of civilians killed in the bombing of Bagdad at the start of the war? Herewith I still remember the opposition that the international approved court in The Hague got, if it was about judging an American military person for possible war crimes. The US even presented an invasion plan on the beaches if a US-soldier anyway would be trailed here! Don't get me wrong, as I found it necessary that Saddam Hussein should be removed from power. It's just this measuring in two different ways and this strange way of "justice" that makes me a bit sick. I feel ashamed to be a inhabitant of the so called "free" West.
<a href="http://www.parool.nl/artikelen/NIE/1073113850029.html">Artikel (NL)</a>

Sticking to the letters of the (tax) words

Help ... what's next?!?!?

Taxes, who doesn't hate them? Well, the Dutch actually shouldn't hate their tax system as it is (like many other things) rewarding those that do effort. The tax pressure in the Netherlands is relatively high. One has to reckon with an average tax pressure of 37%, which means actually that of everything you earn, one has to pay more then one third to the state as some kind of tax. People that get a lot can even pay upto 72% (but that's only fair in my opinion, as they anyway are left with more then enough).
In The Netherlands however it's the sport to fill in your tax papers as it is the way to get a certain part of the paid tax back. Special or regular costs in housing, healthcare, study etc. etc. are tax deductable, as well as extra costs that relate to your profession. But ... this was taken very litteraly in this morning new-flash in which a robber that got caught and is in prison, filling in his papers for tax deductions over 2004, gave up the costs for buying the gun, as professional costs! The tax department, correct as always, allowed this.

Page Updated Jan 24, 2005
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Comments (13)

Helenbb Dec 21, 2007 at 5:56 AM Report Abuse

Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!!!! i just learned :))
iandsmith Nov 2, 2006 at 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Who needs and encyclopedia when you can turn to your pages.
VeronicaG Dec 20, 2005 at 1:29 PM Report Abuse

Amazing place...the Netherlands. I enjoyed your commentary.
Waalewiener Sep 22, 2004 at 1:53 PM Report Abuse

It is an amazing page Paul absolutely amazing that you covered almost everything ,at least everything I could think of I felt I was back in school learning about Nederland , Would you give Irina & Ilja a BIG hug from Lori & Hans please Paul
MissyWQ Feb 13, 2004 at 6:30 PM Report Abuse

God bless Ilja in this new unrestfull century, may he always be happy and appreciate his precious parents.
patrikske Aug 5, 2003 at 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Erg leuke Netherlands page met prachtige travelogues !
aka123 Jun 10, 2003 at 8:05 PM Report Abuse

great colored Travelouge
marka13 Mar 4, 2003 at 2:12 PM Report Abuse

Good info! Nice photos! Where the tulips are? Beside the windmills? :)
jaw-yueh Jul 16, 2002 at 10:36 PM Report Abuse

nice psge!"Holland"is a beautifyl country!
yen_2 Apr 2, 2002 at 5:53 AM Report Abuse

Lovely Holand!!!Had a great time here too;-)