Minister Dijkgraaf, we from bad luck generation don’t get a basic grant

Letter of the day: minister should really take student problems more seriously

Despite the extremely scant compensation proposed for the unlucky generation, Minister Dijkgraaf (Education) claims to take their plight ‘really seriously’ (First, 18/6). But why is this one of his counter-arguments, namely ‘that with these extra investments in higher education we are making a double move towards students: with the basic grant and with the quality of education’? He continues: ‘That is future capital that represents a value that pays off later.’

He thus indicates that he still does not realize that the unlucky generation graduates without ever having had a basic grant and without having benefited from the intended improvement in the quality of education. They therefore do not profit at all from this ‘future capital’.
René MeijerVoorburg

Nitrogen

The same politicians from the same parties who have not taken action against climate change for years now invoke the threat of the consequences for agriculture, employment and tourism.

Pure blackmail.
Gerard HerbersArnhem

Music

After the impressive article on pages 6 to 9 in de Volkskrant (Saturday, 18/6) about a Jewish camp choir that sings Verdi’s Requiem in full in Theresienstadt, deriving support from the content of the Latin text, immediately on page 10 the war diary by Nora Krug about the politically motivated cancellation of concerts in present-day Russia.

The inherent and undeniable significance of music as a binding agent and means of expression to express the deepest feelings of fear and hope for survival could not be more clearly expressed.
Wally de LangBloemendaal

gender

Writer and cultural scientist Mithu Sanyal says that the strict separation between men and women is a Western idea (Magazine, 18/6). The list of non-Western cultures that prove otherwise is endless. For this claim one must actively close one’s eyes and see the exception made the rule or western colonialism everywhere.

This is not investigating the truth but spreading a political worldview. Cultural studies have become training instead of education. This is not only what dissidents are saying, but it is visible from all sides.
Hans Keller HouseUtrecht

Prometheus

There are in de Volkskrant many pages devoted to the unpleasant character of Mai Spijkers and to the culture of fear through which almost no one confronts him. One exception: the late poet and translator Paul van den Hout used Pushkins’ rhyme scheme Yevgeny Onegin, for a key detective mystery. In short, the terminally ill protagonist opts for involuntary euthanasia on the widely hated publisher (‘Pijke Risma’). Finally a rooster crows. The title: A murder party† Issued in-houseof course.
Jelto DrenthGroningen

ABP

The chairman of the Pension Federation (O&D, 17/6) should know that investment returns must be viewed in the long term and that the price decline of the past three months is therefore no argument for stopping indexation again. The average return of the ABP over the past 25 years has been 7.4 percent, and that period also included the dotcom and subprime mortgage crises. Despite this, ABP’s assets increased from approximately 102 billion euros (in 1996) to approximately 500 billion euros today.
Ben AleDelft

gentian blue

Martin Sommer writes ‘who wants to see the gentian blue bloom’ (Opinie, 18/6). I don’t think anyone will ever be able to experience such a thing: the gentian blue is a butterfly that prefers to lay its eggs on the blue gentian. This flower is quite rare and occurs in humid areas in the east of the Netherlands.
R. BohlmeijerBrummen

food security

Stoneware article by Martin Sommer about the relationship between nature and entrepreneurship (Opinie, 18/6). The Netherlands has always been proud of strong and innovative entrepreneurs, except for the farmers: we now simply produce too many harmful substances for such a small country.

We must look for new equilibriums, but certainly not destroy sectors. Therefore also look at food security: eating seasonal fruit and vegetables from your own country. Affordable but at a good price to the farmer, eliminating the need to import food that has traveled a few thousand miles.
John den BestenSouth Beijerland

Ukraine and Korea

Saturday, June 25, it will be 72 years since the Korean War started. Also called ‘the bloodiest war’, ‘the forgotten war’ and certainly also the war that prevented a Third World War. The war between the West and the communists who wanted to conquer the world.

At that time, China was the country that took the lead, sending countless soldiers to the battlefield in Korea, with Russia as a ‘silent partner’ in the background. It was the UN countries that sent troops and, under the leadership of the United States, fought this ‘World War III’ on the land of Korea, and fortunately with success. The Netherlands was not so keen on getting involved in this conflict, but eventually sent volunteers under heavy foreign political pressure.

Now a similar war is being fought on Ukrainian soil. This time with Russia as aggressor and China as silent partner. A war that everyone wants to keep on the territory of the Ukrainians, so that we prevent a Third World War from breaking out. That’s why we’re sending weapons, not soldiers, this time.

A war is raging in Ukraine that affects us too, just as it was 72 years ago in Korea. Look at the difference in lifestyle in North and South Korea and you will understand what it means to your life if you live on the wrong side of the border. The least we can do is admit Ukraine to the European Union.

Pauline Heijkoopdaughter of a Korea veteran, Boskoop