Sail Amsterdam.

The war on terror has gained a new dimension now that Sail Amsterdam is coming near 8-17-05. Statements have been given by the authorities that the event could be a target of a new terrorist attack. Sail is a manifestaton of sailing ships from around the world in the Amsterdam harbour, quite near a replica of an old VOC ship. This ship was built by the initiative of the same City Council which decided to expand the Anne Frank house into a more general minorities museum at the time.
The VOC was one of the first multinationals on earth in the 17th century, and the ship is seen by many as a symbol of colonialism, and even contemporary capitalism and globalization.
To be able to build the Anne Frank Museum many student apartments had to be torn down, which caused some controversy. The maire of that time was also known to be unfriendly to the squatters movement. In this context the museum was seen as hypocritical by some.The decision to build it anyway was made in the 1990's, shortly before an El Al plane crashed in a living area in South East Amsterdam where many minorities live.
This accident is still seen by some as a precedent of the New York so called 9-11 attacks, as it has possibly inspired a group of alienated Arab men in the West to imitate such a catastrophe.
All people imitate to some degree.

In cafes around Amsterdam speculations go round if Amsterdam will become as famous as London or Madrid now in getting a bomb attack. Yesterday morning there was loud thunder in the air, and someone on the fleemarket asked: "Have they already begun?"

Our reporter has been to the south of The Netherlands, Zeeland, meanwhile, and wrote the area has commercialized considerably.
In a beach house with a view over the sea, he used to visit so often, this year, for the first time there was a large quantity of parasols on the terrace. They were installed because the beaches have become oriented to receive more so families than loud teenagers. Big bungalow parks were built in the area to the same effect, and to also promote so called norms and values. The parasols were also associated with the war on terror. They give a sense of protection, one of the waitresses had said. The unique view over the sea was totally gone however.
Our correspondent sat next to a couple, the male of which touched the leg of his girlfirend or wife with his foot. She had commented: "No, not now Jan; tonight,.. on the couch." This report was given, as if pertaining to the Euro or even globalization in general. We are still trying to coorectly interpret this message from our reporter.
There are various applications.