I have noticed the same in Holland, but recently I have also noticed that the pendle might be swinging back. Some people who have lived in a multi-cultural society for years with much pleasure, are starting to speak up against the somewhat "accepted" racist comments. I hope we can keep the pendle swinging back, away from racism before the next elections. I´d hate to see some idiot populist party gaining too much power.

However, I must also note that racism in Europe is not a "European love affair." It has nothing to do with finding "Europe" superior. The biggest populist in my country (Geert Wilders) finds Europe an idiotic concept, and sees the United States as an example that Holland needs to follow. I have a problem with some Turkish people seeing Europe as a single identity, because that itself seems a bit racist. The "West" is sometimes seen as 1 thing, with 1 mind and 1 opinion. Sometimes Turkish people judge me on what a single person in France or Germany does...

Idiots... a piece of paper? Ozil was BORN in Germany, so he is German. Simple. The German team would be much worse without him. I think it´s great that Ozil is playing for Germany. A lot of people with foreign roots, who are born in Germany don´t feel German at all. It´s also good that the minister is saying out loud that this isn´t good. Sometimes ignoring idiots is not enough. I hope that somehow they can find these nazi´s and drag them into court.

Should we also find out what CoR stands for....? This thread is so vague, I don´t understand its point.

I want that too! Parental leave for Holland please

The poll was held amongst legal experts, the source of the article is here: http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/poll-canada-best-g20-country-to-be-a-woman-india-worst/

It actually says nothing about Turkey besides its position on the ranking.

I think this is the first time in her life that she had to wait at an official event...just standing there, in her full state-outfit. Must have been an interesting experience for her

As I have metioned elsewhere, this is a special year for Turkey and Holland. This year marks the 400 year anniversary of their diplomatic relations. For that reason there have been a lot of official and unofficial visits.

A few months back Gül visited Holland. He was also invited to a special dinner with the Queen of The Netherlands. ...and Gül was late... Seriously. The Queen was standing there, just waiting for him for 15 minutes. In Holland we have a saying "the Turkish 15 minutes," but to take that cultural phenomenon all the way to the queen is a bit rude.. Oh well, the press laughed about it.

And now last week, is was the Queen´s turn to visit Turkey. She would be greeted by Erdogan. It is protocol for Erdogan to arrive first, and the Queen to arrive later... However, Erdogan was LATE! His plane arrived to late in Ankara, which meant the Queen´s plane had to circle around Ankara before she could land after Erdogan...

I have to say, the jokes about Turks always being late now have presidential support The "Turkish 15 minutes" even count for the Queen!

Actually, I wouldn´t want a year materity leave. In Holland it´s a few months, and that´s enough for me. However, I think man should also get more paternity leave, and not just 1 week! That way they get more involved with the kids, and the idea that BOTH parents are responsible for the kids (not only the women) gets more accepted in society. That would take a part of the double burden from the women.

Hm, had the blank post problem again I was already shocked last year to hear that 10% of the Dutch gay youth had thought about suicide (opposed to 5% of straight youth), so hearing that in the US it is around 30% is a disaster. I think hearing about your sexuality in the news every day, as a political topic, doesn´t help these kids. To hear some politician say that he will ban gay marriage, and thus influencing your future and your rights MUST have an effect. The US is supposed to be the land of the free, the land of opportunity. How does equal rights for gay couples not fit in that picture? If people would stop talking about being gay as being an "alternative lifestyle" or a "choice", than perhaps these kids would feel more accepted, and the others bullying these kids would have nothing to bully about.

Right now there are making laws in Holland to teach about gay and straight to young kids in school. It will not be about sexuality, but more about the fact that it IS possible for two men or two women to love eachother. It should be the duty of the parents to teach this, but with the ever changing society this family-teaching is becoming less and less.