Does anyone here read, and can translate, a * protest sign in DUTCH?

[Up2Late]

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(Reuters is running this picture next to the story below, and I'd love to know what her sign says.)

Bush hails Latvia's freedom

Sat May 7, 2005 07:07 AM ET

By Steve Holland and Patrick McLoughlin

RIGA (Reuters) - President Bush hailed Latvia's young democracy on Saturday in a visit that has revived tensions over Soviet domination of the Baltics and irked Moscow before celebrations of the 1945 victory over the Nazis. Bush held a summit with leaders of the Baltic states -- Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania -- in a show of solidarity with three nations that joined NATO and the European Union in 2004 after shaking off communist rule in 1991. "It's such a joy to come to the country that loves and values freedom," Bush told Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga earlier when she awarded him the "Three-Star Order" -- a cross that is Latvia's highest honor.

Bush and Vike-Freiberga also laid flowers before a 1935 "Freedom Monument," a 50 meter (160 ft) column topped by a bronze statue of a woman that has been a shrine for Latvian independence. The area was cordoned off, with shops shuttered. He was also due to give a speech about democracy at the start of a visit to Europe that has upset Russia before celebrations in Moscow on Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Moscow has bristled at Bush's reference to a five-decade "occupation" of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union after the defeat of Hitler in 1945. The three Baltic states want Moscow to acknowledge that the defeat of the Nazis paved the way for oppressive Soviet rule in eastern Europe even as it meant liberation for millions in the West.

(more at link above)

[Terre]

1. No clue

but somehow I think it's "not nice" <snicker, snicker>

Anyway, that pic is no longer up next to the story. It's * & Laura.

[racaulk]

2. I can't read the sign, but I can read the SOS on her belly!

Nice touch! :applause:

[Marthe48]

3. you could try

http://www.freetranslation.com/

too bad you can't see all the words though

[Red Fox]

4. Pretty sure it says

"Don't let Bush fool you"

[Turbineguy]

5. That's correct

Let you by Bush not for the fool hold.

(English grammar makes it sound so odd)

[Up2Late]

6. Thanks to All of you, I knew we had a few Dutch speakers here

Thanks Red Fox too:pals:

Are you Dutch? If so, could you explain (or point me to a website that does) why there are so many different names for your country, i.e. Holland, The Netherlands, Dutch, etc. :shrug:

[Red Fox]

7. well..

TBH, I was taught that The Netherlands was the official name, and Holland was the name for the 2 provinces, respectively Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland (no need to translate that I think).

Using Holland is a bit easier when you're in a large event screaming for your own country's name, though. It's shorter and more powerful I think, hehe.

This site confirms it, but I'm not sure how accurate it is. It should be pretty accurate though.

http://www.archimon.nl/general/holland.html

Doesn't really matter however one calls it though. A rose, by any other name, would still smell as nice, and we'll still be as every bit as crazy under any other name.

[Paintedlady]

8. If I remember right

There are three countries in the Netherlands. Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg.
If you are from Holland, you are Dutch, (not Hollandish) and you speak Dutch.

[spooky3]

9. Are you confusing it with the Benelux countries?

Holland is the Netherlands.

[Paintedlady]

11. Yes I am!

Confusing things that is. Sorry about that.
My second sentence should be correct though.

[demo dutch]

13. Let me set you all straight about Holland, Benelux and Netherlands

It's all really confusing to most people. The Benelux is an alliance between The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. It was formed before the EU for economical reasons. The country is actually called The Kingdom of "The Netherlands". Before the country of Belgium was formed "Flanders" (the dutch speaking part) belonged to the Netherlands as well. Together is was called "The Low Countries" translated into Dutch it means "the Netherlands" because a lot of it was below sea level.

You're right that "Holland" is a province of the Netherlands. There are actually two provinces called Noord (North) Holland and Zuid (South) Holland. The province of North Holland (where Amsterdam is located) was it's most prominent province during the Golden age, because of the East-India Company.

Yes and the people and the language are called "Dutch". Why it's called Dutch in English is a bit of a mystery but possibly after "Deutsch" which means "German" It possibly came about because the language sounds similar.

[Vickers]

10. I think those comprise the Benelux (eom)

[demo dutch]

12. Up2Late ..the translation is.."Don't be fooled by Bush" ..in Dutch that's

"Laat je door Bush niet voor de gek houden"

That picture has really nothing to do with the article though, since it was taken at the demonstrations in Amsterdam. BTW a lot of great pics of those demonstrations can be seen
at this link. Apparently 8000 demonstrated!

http://www.prikkel.dds.nl/bush/index.htm

[Up2Late]

14. Thanks! Great pictures!

I want one of those "Good Bush/Bad Bush" T-shirts!

[demo dutch]

15. Just found out that the bare belly girls in the pictures holding

up that flyer are from World Population Foundation http://www.wpf.org/home_gb

[Paintedlady]

16. Thanks for the link

And for setting me straight.

Great photos.
Why don't we have demonstrations like this here!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to carry around a sign like that if 8000 other people joined.