Sorry, we are too late for the World Press Photo, I would have voted for you now.

You look like you're planning a return into the Dutch literary world. Also, for visits to Amsterdam you should perhaps learn to get it on quickly. Afth could be around the next corner.

@Arnon

That's an endearing photo - you look very, very young. It 's making me wonder what the average age is of the soldiers in Irak.
When are you going?
Do you know whether they're able to vote out there and if so, who would they be inclined to vote for - or are soldiers indifferent to politics and simply do as they're told, irrespective of whatever party the instructions come from?

Brave

The good, the bad and the ugly. For what it is worth: I wish you all the luck in the killingfields of Iraq. Your arms seem so bare, naked, and fragile, and, being an author and all, your hands too. Beware of the dog! Handle with care! No trespassing! ( Remember at all times you are part of 'the enemy' in 'their'eyes)

Greetings, Victor

I thought for a while ‘Don’t go, you are a sitting duck’ but when I took a more careful look, I saw the determination in your eyes. Nobody can hold you back, so good luck.

Noa

The average of the soldiers -- I’m not sure, but I would say fairly young. There are 18 and 19 years old there. Military personnel can vote, if the soldiers actually will vote is something I don’t know. In general the voter turnout in the US is I fairly low, I believe it hovers around the 50% for presidential elections, which is compared to many European countries low, but I don’t have the exact numbers so I might be wrong.

Jan T

A sitting duck? Maybe. I hope the US Army will protect me. There are different sorts of survival. I count on a protector.

Yes, and some exercise will help too, you can wear this under a jacket out there in NY. Why not?

Arnon

I'm a little bit overwhelmed by your agressive sexual charisma in that outfit.

Joep,

Third time! lol!!!

hope, you will also take good care of arms and hands. good luck, anyway.

Joep

Check Johan Schokker's comment at the entry of February 10. (Obsessive-compulsive)

Joep II

You can always remined Arnon of his reply to Mieke from the same 'Obbsessive-Compulsive' post.

Neria

A while ago I asked you kindly and respectfully not to comment on this site anymore.
Shortly after I received a few e-mails from you filled with rather grotesque accusations and condemnations. The only excuse for these mails I could come up with is that the sender is mentally not sound.
At least you managed to be silent for a while.
After a few weeks you sent me a mail with the request if I would allow you to inform the readers of this site about the existence of your blog.
I allowed you to do so.
In all fairness I believe the readers of this site are very much aware of your blog. So once again I kindly ask you to refrain from commenting on this site.
If you have any pride left you would take heed of my suggestion.

Arnon

You were not kind and respectful, and now you are dishonest too. I am sure there wasn't any directed manipulation with Sander planting my post retroactively twice (in the wrong chronological order) there, but if anything - you were then the one who wrongly accused me with hallucinating stuff.
By the way, let me remind you that you wrote that for my happiness you're willing to do a lot. Consider antihistamines. This evening I was genuinely amused and my comment had nothing to do with my blog (had I known how to remove the cookie, or whatever it is, It wouldn't automatically appear).
You're a little haunted yourself.

That looks like a prefab bullet hole in the front. Are you sure you bought a new one?
Maybe it's wise to bring the outfit on our trip in April too...

Voter Turnout

Turnout in the 2004 presidential election was the highest since 1968: 60.7 percent of the eligible citizenry.

Voter Turnout in Recent Presidential Elections
Year Eligible to Vote Total Vote% Eligible Voted
2004 201,541,000 122,265,430 60.7
2000 194,285,000 105,399,313 54.3
1996 187,033,000 96,277,634 51.5
1992 179,775,000 104,428,377 58.1

Source: Committee for the Study of the American Electorate.

Sander

I have been told that the equipment is new. Why do you think we are going to need this in April? Is it going to be that bad?

Eddy

Thanks!