Thank you for the message... It is shocking to wake up and read about what is happening in the Netherlands. It seems like things are getting out of control.
Personally, I think that it is awful that people of both religions are retaliating by starting fires at mosques or churches. Some here might say that this only reflects built-up anger without an outlet, but this is not a good enough excuse. On the other hand, if one lives in a community and knows that there is a building down the street where fanatics are planning and praising attacks against Westerners (including Americans -- I believe some of the plotting for 911 was done in Holland) and the government is doing nothing about it, it wouldn't take much for one to take the situation in one's own hands.
For me, one of the most interesting things is to compare this reaction in the Netherlands to the American reaction after 911. It could be that the Dutch arsonists aren't afraid of punishment in the same way as would happen in the US. Furthermore, it is ironic that European intellectuals want us to believe that European society is more calm and fair but then something like this can set them off in a way that surpasses the American response. I think that this event, combined with Madrid which oddly does not seem to have fully sunken in, may finally force Europe to recognize that it cannot ignore the threat from radical Islam.
Stay safe over there and remember that American is grateful for the Dutch support in the last few years. Also I certainly hope that no one will try to blame this situation on the United States for 'inflaming' Muslims; 911 did that itself.
The antiMuslim arsonists are surely skinheads. The difference between Europe and America is that Europe has a substantial "white power" faction that is much rarer here. Europe hasn't come to grips with issues of white racism and antisemitism.