It's not just the Dutch and Germans who owe these guys thanks, we Irish do too, as our moronic government tried to bring in very similar e-voting machines to our shores also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_voting_in_Ireland

Sticking it to the man, making a great political statement & protecting democracy, educating the less-technically literate, utilising their technical skills for the greater good... Mr. Gonggrijp, I would buy a hat so I could take it off to you, sir.

At least in Europe the CEOs of electronic voting machine manufacturers aren't top campaign contributors for those on the ballot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diebold#Controversy

This is perhaps one of the most profound explanations I have ever read of what a hacker is and does. It describes how everything you may learn about technology is going to impact your's and everyone else's life in the coming years.

I like the point he made about politics. With electronic voting, technology has infiltrated the roots of democracy. It's high time we started taking Computer Aptitude tests for our high officials, perhaps make a Computer Security department in every countries Defense mechanism (this is much more important now that cyber attacks by different countries are coming to the surface.)

The other more subtle message is about leadership. His notion of If you don't like the news; go make some of your own is perhaps the most inspiring leadership quote I have ever read. His description of how every skill (hacker or not) is important in organizing such a campaign.

PS: Slightly off topic, if you wanna know what the other end of the spectrum for this type of an essay will be, try out what I was watching exactly before I read this -->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkLtXfsPqVQ