http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030415-093321-1869r I think it's pretty amazing that a guy who confesses to killing another human being only gets an 18 year sentence, and will probably only serve 11 years. I know Holland has a reputation for being tolerant and everything, but this really shocks me. This killer gets leniency, but where was the leniency when Fortuyn was getting shot in the back of the head? And what does this say politically too? It's OK to shoot someone who is considered conservative? You are somehow justified because you are an animal rights activist? (And even though Holland called Fortuyn "right wing," I think he'd still be more left of the Democrats in the US.) Some of you may be embarassed by things the US government does, but if I were in Holland I'd be feeling pretty embarassed myself right about now.
Maybe if you point to the precedent where somebody who killed a liberal politician got a much higher sentence, there might be more outrage. From what I read, regular murders there get a 12-16 year sentence. Serial murders get life. But then again, its more likely that the global left-wing vegetarian conspiracy which runs the world got his sentence reduced
this is not a regular murder.It was an act of political terrorism.The Dutch have proved they are not serious about defending democracy and western liberal ideas.A single crazed radical has now shown the world that if you disagree with dutch policy or politicians you can commit violence to change it and not be punished.this is a dark day for european democracies.I hope the dutch are proud of what they have sown.