Monday, October 31, 2005
Holland made my Hallowe'en
Gorgeous, delightful... There is nothing like the word witch to draw out the fanatics.
Jax
APPELSCHA, Netherlands - Dutch witches were guaranteed a financial treat when the Leeuwarden District Court reaffirmed their legal right to write off the costs of schooling — including in witchcraft — against their tax bills. Those costs run to thousands of euros.
The case is brewing political fury in the halls of Dutch government where a member of parliament for the ruling Christian Democrats demanded an explanation.
"It's just because the word 'witch' was mentioned that they have woken up," said Margarita Rongen, clad in flowing black velvet robes and wearing a Wiccan talisman. "This write-off has been around for a long time."
The court found that a witch can declare schooling costs if it increases the likelihood of employment.
Lawmaker Pieter Omtzigt was astounded.
"If we spend euro1,000 on a witchcraft class, that's euro1,000 we can't spent elsewhere," Omtzigt said.
When he asked about it in parliament, Junior Finance Minister Joop Wijn wrote, "Under the circumstances, the cost of a course to become a witch qualifies as school fees."
