I want to say something, that I have held off from speaking about publicly, because I wanted to think for a while about what to say
As you know, the world tragically lost @Justadutchguy recently. And I wanted to speak on my experiences with him because I think the world should know about the small piece of Dutch that I knew. People live through memories
From the beginning, We have a Discord server, over the weekends myself and other NAFO would gather, have beers, chat, listen to music, play video games, talk about the war. It’s a place where you could find Dutch, being such a knowledgeable guy he was always involved in the conversation, we would all debate, disagree, agree, laugh and generally all have a break from the stresses of life. I think over time this place became important to Dutch like it had become with so many others, he would turn up early, send invites out via a DM to everyone, then he would sit in his arm chair, normally with some food, and laugh, loud. But no matter what was being discussed, he always had an eye on the news and Ukraine. He would stop any conversation midway and abruptly update us about what was going on, he had a stark contrast, a switch that could flip, the insta serious in which you could see his concern for people thousands of miles away when things happened
Everyone’s friendships progressed over time, and it was time for a NAFO meetup, we decided to meet in Prague, most of the regulars on the server. People flew from all over the world to be there. I remember when I first met Dutch in person, I think the first thing I said to him was “Holy fuck Dutch you are tall”, and he was, like a tree. He had a big beaming smile. Our first conversation was about the campsite he’s stayed in the night before, I guess away from the chaos of the server I noticed that when you spoke to Dutch he really gave you his attention, he listened and he gave his focus and time, that in itself you don’t see very often
The next memory I had that stood out, it was our friends birthday, I had walked out of the room that everyone had gathered in, then I heard this almighty sound, I walked back in the room, and it was Dutch singing happy birthday in Dutch, everyone was crowed around, his arms in the air like he was running an orchestra, it shocked me so much, I think my words were “Holy shit Dutch you can really sing”, he was like a Dutch Oprah singer 😆
After that most days throughout the week, when you woke up, Dutch would be around the kitchen area, he would instantly offer to make me a cup of coffee. We went in an Uber one day with a few of the lads, on the way back to our place, the Ubers exhaust was hanging off, sending sparks flying from behind the car, by the time we got back, Dutch had already formed a bond with the driver, he was then laying on the road on his back, helping the Uber Driver fix his exhaust into place with Chicken wire from his car, covering himself in oil, but still with a massive smile on his face, it was this and other experiences and story’s I was told, that made me realize Dutch was only ever in his element when helping others
Those were just a few stories, due to the chaos in the Discord server there was always a big part of Dutch I never knew, and many others didn’t, most of who Dutch was I learned through @lotta_love43 who as you know was Dutches partner and the love of his life
Dutch was a truly kind hearted person. For the people he respected, he would have went to the ends of the earth for. And as we know now, Dutch sometimes risked his life for people he had never met
Dutch had a place in the most tragic love story I have ever known, but I will remember him for his booming voice, his Chicken wire, his knowledge, his giant smile and the care that he put into this World for the people around him
I won’t say goodbye. Ffrom time to time now, I have a Stroopwaffle, a Dutch snack he lived by, and I make a big cup of Tea to go with it whilst is spare him a moment
Goodnight mate❤️
Delivery for His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Poland, @donaldtusk 🫡🇵🇱🇺🇦, kindly sponsored by @M73591Bettina 🤝.
Your Excellency, it is my pleasure to present you with your very own NAFO Fella!
A small tribute to your steadfast support for Ukraine, your European spirit, and your lifelong love for Lechia Gdańsk. 💚🤍
I hope you enjoy him!
Welcome to the pack! 💛💙
(474.)
The day of horrors isn't over for the Russians yet, as all hell breaks lose at the country's largest oil refinery, a full 2,500km distance from Ukraine.
The Gazpromneftekhim-ONPZ refinery is hit for the 3rd time in 3 weeks.
- 440,000 barrels/day, 22 million metric tons annually.
- Operating since 1955.
The fact that pro-Ukrainian accounts on X are being restricted or silenced is a problem I am experiencing firsthand.
I find it alarming that a platform of this scale could increasingly contribute to the manipulation of public opinion.
It was a historic mistake for the United States to allow one of the world’s most significant media outlets to fall into the hands of an oligarch with a highly questionable political stance. The consequences are grave.
Democracy requires the free formation of opinion—not algorithmic manipulation or the one-sided suppression of voices.
For all those worried about the demise of #NAFO#NAFOFellas that a lot of accounts are being deboosted but also screwed with by the algorithm. By all means its time to double and triple down on the Russians, MAGAs and other fascists. Let's step it up!
Why would we hand Putin the fortress belt he can’t take by force? It’s vital to Ukraine’s defence. 🤷♂️
When Kushner and Witkoff talk about giving up land, they’re talking about leaving Ukrainians to face torture and abuse, they couldn’t give a shit 🇺🇦
Questa piattaforma sta silenziando gli account pro-Ucraina. È un fatto, ed anche io sto avendo questo problema.
Credo che su X sia in atto una gravissima manipolazione dell'opinione pubblica, e questa è una cosa che non si può tollerare.
@pinapic@gualminielisa
1/3
Ukrainian attacks cripple key Russian refineries, cutting oil processing by 30% — Reuters
Over the past week, drone strikes have disrupted operations at nine of Russia’s 35 largest oil refineries.
Good. If Russia wants to make this winter hard for Ukraine, i don't see why we shouldn't do the same to them.
It's a good question--one we've been asking for a decade now--but there needs to be a "and what are we going to do about it?" call to action. We all know. We all wonder why. But acting on it is most important. Tell your new Congress to kick the KGB out of the Oval Office.
🙏 There are moments when silence speaks louder than words..
Ukrainians fall to their knees upon the arrival of their fallen soldiers, heads bowed in a silence imbued with both gratitude and sorrow. This is no mere farewell; it is a gesture of respect that words cannot express.