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Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 9:31:59 AM   
Level


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Status: offline 		BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium has sent an unusual memo to its world embassies: If anyone asks whether the country's Dutch- and French-speaking parts are splitting up, say "No." Nearly four months after holding general elections, Belgium's squabbling political parties still have not put a government together thanks to a deadlock over demands for more self-rule in Dutch-speaking Flanders and Francophone Wallonia.

The political stalemate has led to media and public speculation that Belgium might be better off breaking up, prompting Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht to offer "useful talking points" meant to reassure Belgium's political and business partners worldwide.

The key point to make: "Dutch-speaking and Francophone inhabitants have always strived and managed to live together peacefully," the memo says.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-10-07-belgium_N.htm

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 9:41:08 AM   
LadyEllen


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Status: offline 		Would a division make Belgium twice as interesting, or only half as boring, is the main question I feel.

E

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 9:44:36 AM   
KatyLied


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Status: offline 		My roots are in one of the French-speaking provinces.  Although I think it's not pure French but some sort of Belgian version of the language.

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 9:48:41 AM   
Politesub53


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quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

Would a division make Belgium twice as interesting, or only half as boring, is the main question I feel.

E


As if one Brussels isnt enough !

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 10:02:37 AM   
FullCircle


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Status: offline 		Which of the two emerging nations will gain custody of the ever moving EU bureaucracy is what I want to know? Will people move buildings three times a year now instead of two?

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 10:02:39 AM   
NorthernGent


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quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

Would a division make Belgium twice as interesting, or only half as boring, is the main question I feel.

E


I'm normally quite positive about other countries after I've visited; I struggle with Belguim, though.

Bruges is a nice looking city, narrow medieval streets, clean etc, but the people didn't take to kindly to us. We couldn't get a hotel room for love nor money...everywhere we went "sorry sir, no rooms" when there were blatantly rooms free. I got the feeling they weren't keen on the English: pubs, hotels, shops, wherever we went we were given a frosty reception, which is unusual because despite the widely held view that the Europeans don't like the English, I've always been made welcome in Europe (except Belguim).

Brussels: I really didn't enjoy it at all.

The worst thing about Belguim was that we were driving up the motorway on a particular day when it was absolutely pissing it down, so there were quite a few accidents along the way. The Belgians were standing on bridges with video cameras and cameras recording people being cut out of cars with mangled bodies. It was a like a picnic for them. I'm all for cultural understanding, but that's plain wrong!

Should they divide into 2? Who knows and who cares. If they do, we'll have the Dutch speaking bit and begin to rebuild our Empire, the Germans can have the French speaking bit. In fact, why don't we just go the whole hog and chop Europe in half; the West half will be called England, and the Central and Eastern half will be called Germany. Simple.


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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 10:25:51 AM   
susie


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quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

Would a division make Belgium twice as interesting, or only half as boring, is the main question I feel.

E


I'm normally quite positive about other countries after I've visited; I struggle with Belguim, though.

Bruges is a nice looking city, narrow medieval streets, clean etc, but the people didn't take to kindly to us. We couldn't get a hotel room for love nor money...everywhere we went "sorry sir, no rooms" when there were blatantly rooms free. I got the feeling they weren't keen on the English: pubs, hotels, shops, wherever we went we were given a frosty reception, which is unusual because despite the widely held view that the Europeans don't like the English, I've always been made welcome in Europe (except Belguim).

Brussels: I really didn't enjoy it at all.

The worst thing about Belguim was that we were driving up the motorway on a particular day when it was absolutely pissing it down, so there were quite a few accidents along the way. The Belgians were standing on bridges with video cameras and cameras recording people being cut out of cars with mangled bodies. It was a like a picnic for them. I'm all for cultural understanding, but that's plain wrong!

Should they divide into 2? Who knows and who cares. If they do, we'll have the Dutch speaking bit and begin to rebuild our Empire, the Germans can have the French speaking bit. In fact, why don't we just go the whole hog and chop Europe in half; the West half will be called England, and the Central and Eastern half will be called Germany. Simple.



You have had a very different experience in Bruges to myself and my family. We have always been shown great kindness and friendship in the city. In fact the people have been so nice that one family that own a restaurant on the main square have become great friends. On my parents wedding anniversary last year they decided to spend a weekend in Bruges. I told the family in the restuarant that my partner and I were coming over to meet with my parents as a surprise. They organised a fantastic evening arranging special flowers and cake for them.

I can honestly say that over the time we have been there we have made more friends than anywhere else we have been.

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 10:33:24 AM   
popeye1250


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Status: offline 		I'm all for it!
I don't know why, but I'm all for it!

NG, maybe the reason was because of drunken English soccer mobs?

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 10:36:50 AM   
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Status: offline 		Or a drunken NG?

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 11:15:34 AM   
philosophy


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Status: offline 		FR......when asked to name 3 famous Belgians, people usually include Hercule Poirot......a fictional Belgian written by an Englishwoman.......

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 11:25:21 AM   
LadyEllen


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From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		I've spent some time in Brugges - my old company had an office there; I have to say they were very friendly people and they all speak English (they pick up the BBC) - which is good, because what they speak is absolutely unintelligible to the ear - though written down I can usually get it. Its also a very beautiful place in the centre, and so many varieties of beer its unbelievable. The only issue I had was the slight smell of backed up drains that pervaded the place - but then, if you live in what was a swamp.....

Brussels, I agree with NG - its awful. The west, out in the Ardennes is beautiful. The southern parts though are reminiscent of the industrial decline one also sees in the old coal mining areas of the UK.

But overall, travelling through Belgium is just boring.

E

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 11:28:06 AM   
seeksfemslave


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quote:

NG
Bruges is a nice looking city, narrow medieval streets, clean etc, but the people didn't take to kindly to us. We couldn't get a hotel room for love nor money...everywhere we went "sorry sir, no rooms" when there were blatantly rooms free.


NG while you are a dodgy social philosopher you have football hooligan written all over you lol
You're welcome

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 11:43:12 AM   
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quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

FR......when asked to name 3 famous Belgians, people usually include Hercule Poirot......a fictional Belgian written by an Englishwoman.......


Shit, I always thought Poirot was French........was he at least a southern Belgian?

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Fake the heat and scratch the itch
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Let go it's harder holding on
One more trip and I'll be gone

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:15:12 PM   
FullCircle


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Status: offline 		I just worked out what FR means. I wasn’t going to say anything but I’m so proud of myself I just had to. I’ve seen it over and over but never asked.

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:20:56 PM   
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quote:

ORIGINAL: FullCircle

I just worked out what FR means. I wasn’t going to say anything but I’m so proud of myself I just had to. I’ve seen it over and over but never asked.


Flat and Round?
 
Fart Randomly?
 
Fear the Reaper?
 
Drats...................

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Fake the heat and scratch the itch
Skinned up knees and salty lips
Let go it's harder holding on
One more trip and I'll be gone

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:23:58 PM   
FullCircle


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Status: offline 		FR…….Well Mr Level I could tell you but now I feel like a member of an elite club that knows what FR means and everyone should come to an understanding of what FR means in their own time.

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:31:50 PM   
Level


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Status: offline 		Oh sure, leave me hanging...........

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Fake the heat and scratch the itch
Skinned up knees and salty lips
Let go it's harder holding on
One more trip and I'll be gone

~~ Stone Temple Pilots

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:44:14 PM   
FullCircle


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Status: offline 		I could be struck off the FR high council for telling an outsider this Mr Level but O’hell your worth it. I believe it stands for ‘Fast Reply’

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:47:24 PM   
popeye1250


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quote:

ORIGINAL: seeksfemslave

quote:

NG
Bruges is a nice looking city, narrow medieval streets, clean etc, but the people didn't take to kindly to us. We couldn't get a hotel room for love nor money...everywhere we went "sorry sir, no rooms" when there were blatantly rooms free.


NG while you are a dodgy social philosopher you have football hooligan written all over you lol
You're welcome


I knew it!
A Fookin Hooligan!"
LOL at "dodgy."

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RE: Should Belgium divide into two nations? - 10/7/2007 12:47:31 PM   
Politesub53


Posts: 14862
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Status: offline 		Not Facetious Responce then ?

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