Guus Bosman

This morning I was in the tram to the U.S. consulate when I heard somebody saying on his cellphone that Theo van Gogh was shot.

I have always been so proud of the Netherlands. Tolerance, freedom of speech and an atmosphere of open discussion are things I greatly value in my country. This horrible murder indicates, I fear, a definitive change in the Dutch climate. I feel terribly sorry for Van Gogh and his family.

Theo van Gogh was a Dutch filmmaker and critic. He was always trying to shock people with his columns, movies and remarks. I often strongly disagreed with him, but he was very involved and his viewpoints came from a good heart. It's outrageous that he's dead.