King Willem-Alexander apologized for the Netherlands’ role in the slave trade.
  • interolivary
    2•1 year ago

    I always forget that the Netherlands is a monarchy. It’s such a weird thing to see in the modern age

    • taanegl
      0•1 year ago

      Tbh, coming from a constitutional monarchy myself, where the king and queen are a moral backbone, born and bread diplomats, using their funds to salvage, maintain and protect items of cultural heritage like buildings, furniture, art, etc, giving people hope everytime they speak…

      … I’m glad we’re not just stuck with politicians. Like OMG! Americans whining about monarchies when their oligarchy reminds of the aristocracy in all the wrong ways becomes a facepalm moment.

      Have there been bad monarch’s? Yes. Have there been bad politicians? Yes. Have both partaken in both classic and modern colonisation? You betcha. But sometimes, just sometimes, you want someone born dedicated to your country - and despite how many politicians rub sensually up against the concept of patriotism, you notice real quick who’s just wearing the emperor’s clothes - and in my case it ain’t the king nor queen.

      • interolivary
        5•1 year ago

        I’m Finnish so we’re surrounded by constitutional monarchies, and honestly aristocracies are just not something I’d expect from a modern nation. The idea that only a person with the correct heritage is fit for a national leadership position is frankly nuts, and I don’t think the only option to that is the dumpster fire that is US politics

  • taanegl
    1•1 year ago

    Him staring intently at Japan:

    “China is right around the corner. How about you eat some humble pie with Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines…? Come on now…”

    • @Akasazh@feddit.nl
      2•1 year ago

      I fail to see the connection between your comment and the article. Might be just me, but could you extrapolate?