Michael's Dispatches

Netherlands: Why I Chose the Gun

10 Comments

02 September 2012

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There are elements within the Netherlands that wish to dismantle the Dutch Army.  The Dutch military, as General Petraeus once told me, “Punches above its weight class.”  And it is true.  They perform well in Afghanistan and are a valued friend, and military ally.

That some people wish to dismantle the Dutch Army indicates that they are not sensitive to the realities we live with.  The Netherlands is a serious country.  It leaves a footprint where it walks.  The Netherlands should keep a strong military to guard the foot that makes that valuable and positive influence.  This is serious business.

Those who wish to dismantle the Dutch Army should listen to this wise man.

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  • This commment is unpublished.
    Heath · 7 years ago
    To the Netherlands, keep both civilian & military gun ownership because someday you are going to be fighting islamic terrorists in Europe. To the politicians of Netherlands, knock it off & remember what the Nazis did could happen again with the islamic terrorists. Keep the Netherlands heavily armed to the teeth and nobody will mess with you. 8)
    • This commment is unpublished.
      okiquit · 7 years ago
      ... because being "heavily armed to the teeth" was soooo helpful on 9/11.
      • This commment is unpublished.
        Oscar · 7 years ago
        [quote name="okiquit"]... because being "heavily armed to the teeth" was soooo helpful on 9/11.[/quote]

        Apparently, the fact escapes you that the only people armed on the aircraft on 9/11 were the terrorists.
        • This commment is unpublished.
          Rickvid in Seattle · 7 years ago
          The "obvious" is a deep mystery to some.
      • This commment is unpublished.
        Sun Tzu · 7 years ago
        For the Obomination Twit Collective :eek:

        Probably thinks he or she or he/she or she/he can talk the Talibong and the Al Queeraiders into sitting down to smoke a bowl and talk Kumbyah gibberish until the Talibong and the Al Queeraiders fall under their spell of peace, love and tolerance :-x Good luck on that one, make out your Will before you try same and make sure said Will specifies where you want your body parts sent :-?

        Idiots like okiquit is one of the reasons we have such a screwed up state of being right now in the good old USSA :-?

        Mainly because it and it's ilk keep voting for liberal liars, welfare frauds and morally bankrupt politicians the like of which have bankrupted our country and are trying to turn us into just another third world shite hole :sad:

        Not my watch jerkoff 8)
        • This commment is unpublished.
          Zhuge Liang · 7 years ago
          Yeah, you're a bunch of cousin-humping rednecks and your eyes are always too close together or too far apart. The ONLY difference between you Christian farm animals and Muslim terrorists is WHITE POWER, and those who believe in that Nazi garbage like you.

          And given how anti-science you people are, all you would do with a firearm on board an aircraft is depressurize it and rip everyones lungs out.

          Look, either you murder the rest of the Human race, or you shut down the empire. You're starting to run out of options.
          Jesus, we have white supremacists building arsenals in NEW YORK STATE ready to kill us all as Race Traitors, so your kind is of more of a threat to us at this point.
          • This commment is unpublished.
            Sun Tzu · 7 years ago
            [quote name="Zhuge Liang"]Yeah, you're a bunch of cousin-humping rednecks and your eyes are always too close together or too far apart. The ONLY difference between you Christian farm animals and Muslim terrorists is WHITE POWER, and those who believe in that Nazi garbage like you."

            This biggest idiot on the plant with the smallest Liang has just identified itself right here. This is an indoctrinated fool from the class of idiocy 101 and is a perfect example of what I described above.

            "And given how anti-science you people are, all you would do with a firearm on board an aircraft is depressurize it and rip everyones lungs out."

            This retard would not know science if you hit it up side the head with same. It doesn't realize that armed passengers are on aircraft everyday called "Air Marshals"

            "Look, either you murder the rest of the Human race, or you shut down the empire. You're starting to run out of options.
            Jesus, we have white supremacists building arsenals in NEW YORK STATE ready to kill us all as Race Traitors, so your kind is of more of a threat to us at this point.[/quote]

            This last statement is proof of how good the brainwashing of these retards is in our university systems and the libtard media. This is what you get these days for years of an expensive so called " higher education', idiots, dolts, morons, nincompoops and jackasses by the truck load!

            Hey Tiny Liang, if you don't like it here, maybe you'd feel better off living in Cuba with all your commie buddies that have it all figured out so well!!
        • This commment is unpublished.
          Ted Bryson · 7 years ago
          Kind of crude, but I like your intent. Stay on the message & keep the faith!



          [quote name="Sun Tzu"]For the Obomination Twit Collective :eek:

          Probably thinks he or she or he/she or she/he can talk the Talibong and the Al Queeraiders into sitting down to smoke a bowl and talk Kumbyah gibberish until the Talibong and the Al Queeraiders fall under their spell of peace, love and tolerance :-x Good luck on that one, make out your Will before you try same and make sure said Will specifies where you want your body parts sent :-?

          Idiots like okiquit is one of the reasons we have such a screwed up state of being right now in the good old USSA :-?

          Mainly because it and it's ilk keep voting for liberal liars, welfare frauds and morally bankrupt politicians the like of which have bankrupted our country and are trying to turn us into just another third world shite hole :sad:

          Not my watch jerkoff 8)[/quote]
      • This commment is unpublished.
        Leyla · 7 years ago
        [quote name="okiquit"]... because being "heavily armed to the teeth" was soooo helpful on 9/11.[/quote]
        You are comparing apples to oranges. Yet, there you are yapping away, safe while others weren't so fortunate to do the same. You need a reality check!
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Paula Alvelo · 7 years ago
    I watch a lot of TED talks. This was one of my favorites. Thank you.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Stevevd · 7 years ago
    First, thank you Michael for sharing this impressive man's speech.

    However, it sounds like he is arguing for only the state to own and control guns. A "state monopoly on violence" seems to contradict the United States Constitution's proclamation of a right to bear arms.

    I don't understand how his logic about the gun's impact on the reduction of violence and chaos doesn't apply to free individuals.

    Also it's a little Utopian to yearn for a world without violence.

    I understand he is not addressing the 2nd Amendment. But it is impossible for me not to hear him through the lens of a citizen who wants a strong military, and an even stronger citizenry.

    Ultimately, I'm glad for Peter van Uhm and his work for peace. I'm honored to be able to listen to his words. Thanks again for sharing Mr. Yon.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Ross Elder · 7 years ago
    This is a fantastic speach. If half our military leaders were so eloquent and passionate about their service, we would have a better military today.

    Ross
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Mike H · 7 years ago
    [quote name="okiquit"]... because being "heavily armed to the teeth" was soooo helpful on 9/11.[/quote]
    What an ignorant comment. How did the Taliban government who were harboring the terrorists get defeated? Slingshots?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Manchu · 7 years ago
      [/quote]
      How did the Taliban government who were harboring the terrorists get defeated? Slingshots?[/quote]

      "defeated" is a very optimistic statement and in some circles could be a ignorant boast (No offense) . I think the point that was meant to be taken was that no mater how well armed we (USA) or anyone else get there are some vulnerabilities that are very unforeseen but I do not think that is what the cast and point here in the Netherlands.
      The more support from political (Generals included) figures in making a stand for security by force of arms for the people the better....for everyone.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Ted Thomas · 7 years ago
    Watched the whole video- an eloquent appeal for ALL the instruments necessary (including guns) to keep the peace. You could tell from their faces that half the audience were repulsed by the gun. In light of the story about the general's father, that's sad.

    Mr. Yon: on 8/12/2012 your signature changed to include "Chiang Mai". A young (attractive) Thai photographer of that name appears earlier in your posts. Did I miss something? Just wondering...
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Heywood Jablomi · 7 years ago
      Not a person.

      [quote name="Ted Thomas"]Mr. Yon: on 8/12/2012 your signature changed to include "Chiang Mai". A young (attractive) Thai photographer of that name appears earlier in your posts. Did I miss something? Just wondering...[/quote]
      • This commment is unpublished.
        Ted Thomas · 7 years ago
        a more careful search reveals that you are correct.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Ryan Lackey · 7 years ago
    I'd have to ask him about Srebrenica and how that changed the Dutch military.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Sun Tzu · 7 years ago
    General van Uhm is wasting his breath on a bunch of Communist/socialist indocrinated libtards who will never get the concept of projecting and protecting the Constitutional state as tool/weapon of peace :sad:

    The Netherlands has become another bastion of libtardness and Communist/Socialist indoctrination which is spewed out daily by the equally indoctrinated media, which sprang from guess where? If you guessed their education system, then you'd be four square right, just as we have in our own Communist/socialist inculcated education system in the good old USSA :sad:

    I, like the General, choose the gun also for the same reasons;-) But I use the other tools he described also 8)

    How about you
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Kevin · 7 years ago
    This TED talk is one of the best I have heard - and I have passed it to many people. Wise men understand the world from much more diverse perspectives. General Peter van Uhm is a wise and admirable man. I thankful we have men like him leading men and women into difficult situations.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Bruce · 7 years ago
    A wise, intelligent man who's thinking is as stalwart as time is long. He obviously has read history. Unlike most politicians who have a shelf life and no character or moral authority.
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