Just quoting a Dutch friend who uses this expression quite often. I think I am beginning to understand what it means. Below, a story about no-go zones in Holland and the couched language the authorities use as to how the indigenous Netherlanders should deal with it. Which is to say, do not go in to these areas at any time. Abandon your traditions of riding bikes and, better yet just do not go there. No one is saying its the Muslims causing these problems, but calls have gone out to the mosques to try and get people to stop attacking the Dutch.
VEENENDAAL, 19/03/10 – Mayor Ties Elzenga of Veenendaal has advised his residents to avoid certain areas in the town due to a series of violent muggings. Although he says the ethnic background of the perpetrators is not yet clear, he has already made contact with the Moroccan community.
At least three violent robberies took place last weekend along a bicycle route from the centre to the south of Veenendaal, a small town near Utrecht. The victims were stripped and assaulted. Police are speaking of a new form of violence. “A combination of robbery and brutal humiliation,” said a spokesman.
Mayor Elzenga has advised all residents to avoid the cycle route along which the offences occurred. “Do not go there if you are alone, and especially not in the dark.”
The Christian democrat (CDA) mayor and social workers held talks Wednesday evening with the Moroccan community. “It was agreed that the Imam will pay attention to it in Friday’s prayers,” said the mayor’s spokesman. The local Muslim leader “will call for any information about the muggings to be reported”.
At the same time, Elzenga said it has not yet been established that the perpetrators are Moroccans. “We do not yet know which population group the perpetrators come from, but I do fear the worst.” Veenendaal has for some time had problems with youngsters of Moroccan origin.
A residents’ group says there have been violent muggings for months along the same route. They have written Elzinga a letter: “The negative spiral of theft, violence against fellow-citizens and threats by this group, including Moroccan street youths, evokes seriously unsafe feelings among the indigenous population. We call on the local authority to take forceful and appropriate measures.”
Elzinga says he has personally visited the victims. “I can tell you that it has made a gigantic impression on these people,” the mayor reported. “One man was stripped of his clothing, dragged to the train rails and robbed of his bankcard. Another has a knife-wound which hit a lung, and will have to stay in hospital for some days.”
Especially for those of us who grew up in times where such things were unthinkable, this is simply calling for revenge. What about the rest?
What shoes are good for working in wet conditions?
In the summer I do landscaping cutting grass, and we start early.