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The same happened in The Netherlands with regards to the F35 even though at the time several media outlets already reported that both the Eurofighter or Saab Gr

by wsc981 5y ago

The same happened in The Netherlands with regards to the F35 even though at the time several media outlets already reported that both the Eurofighter or Saab Gripen might be better choices. At the time there was a very popular right-wing politician in The Netherlands (Pim Fortuyn) who was very much not in favor of the F35 purchase. And perhaps if he didn’t get killed by a left-wing activist, he might have chosen for one of the other planes. However, he got killed and his second in command (Mat Herben) took over the party and agreed with the F35 purchase. The Guardian reported that some associates of Pim Fortuyn thought that Mat Herben was an establishment infiltrant: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jun/28/thefarright.politics https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jun/28/thefarright.po...

correcthorse123 5y ago
As a sidenote; Leefbaar Nederland and later Lijst Pim Fortuyn (the political parties he was with) were barely right wing compared to the utter crap we've got now though. Unless openly thinking about the problem of improving the integration process so immigrants have a better chance at a good job and happier lives (as opposed to "welcoming" them with neglect - I'd guess having mostly cheap labor in mind - under the guise of multiculturalism) is right wing. I was a bit too young to understand the political context back then, though in hindsight, AFAIK I think he really meant to help these people as opposed to the hateful unproductive stuff spouted today by PVV and the like, mainly appealing to a part of the voterbase that's into that, and furthering segregation and polarization. I guess openly addressing religious fundamentalism was considered quite right wing at the time though. Specifically the Lagerhuis broadcast with Marcel van Dam comes to mind. (I might be misclassifying him though; I don't recall his actual policy proposals regarding these topics, but the Guardian article claiming he was a fiercely anti-immigration libertarian does not rhyme with my admittedly ill-informed recollection of his politics)

by wsc981 5y ago

correcthorse123 5y ago

As a sidenote; Leefbaar Nederland and later Lijst Pim Fortuyn (the political parties he was with) were barely right wing compared to the utter crap we've got now though. Unless openly thinking about the problem of improving the integration process so immigrants have a better chance at a good job and happier lives (as opposed to "welcoming" them with neglect - I'd guess having mostly cheap labor in mind - under the guise of multiculturalism) is right wing. I was a bit too young to understand the political context back then, though in hindsight, AFAIK I think he really meant to help these people as opposed to the hateful unproductive stuff spouted today by PVV and the like, mainly appealing to a part of the voterbase that's into that, and furthering segregation and polarization. I guess openly addressing religious fundamentalism was considered quite right wing at the time though. Specifically the Lagerhuis broadcast with Marcel van Dam comes to mind. (I might be misclassifying him though; I don't recall his actual policy proposals regarding these topics, but the Guardian article claiming he was a fiercely anti-immigration libertarian does not rhyme with my admittedly ill-informed recollection of his politics)