The US election news was somewhat overshadowed today by a brutal murder of a well-known and controversial film maker, Theo van Gogh. He was shot and stabbed in broad daylight this morning.

Politically motivated violence has been a hot topic since the murder of Pim Fortuyn (a prominent and controversial politician) a few years ago. That event prompted a massive outing of emotion that now gets awoken any time a prominent figure in Dutch society dies (through murder or just natural death). In many ways the emotions are not so much geared towards the victim and/or dead person but are more of a selfish way to show how ‘involved’ and ‘caring’ people think they are. Nobody really gives a shit about these people until they’re dead, at which point suddenly the dead person is a hero of our nation. Today’s event prompted a protest on the Dam. I went there not because I support the cause but because I wanted to take some photos. In that, I succeeded.

Theo van Gogh used a tool, and that tool consisted of his words and extreme opinions. He used it to rile up people and prompt discussion. It’s sad that a voice like that, which is sorely needed in any modern society, has now been muted. He was, however, not a hero. I wish people would remember that.