[OT] Cr*ppy Belgium

[minipol]

Originally posted by primitive:
It's far better to have one weak enemy you know and can control, then to have enemies you don't know.

Not in alle cases. In the meanwhile he's still funding terrorists. Plus the embargo against Iraq is still in place. Do you really think they would lift the embargo while Saddam is in place?
I think ( you can never be sure, not in this political climate) that after a war, the embargo would be lifted, opening the door for aid to the people of Iraq. If the aid would reach those that really need it is another question.

How would you solve these issues while leaving Saddam in place. I don't think you can.

[minipol]

Originally posted by Krsqk:
Those who knew Americans personally were less likely to hold negative views of the US than those who did not.

Yep, i think this is true. I know people who also like to bash the Americans. I can't stand this because their arguments come from shows like Jerry Springer and are full of stereotypes. Sure, JS is what America thinks
Come on, give me a break. I went to the States twice: once to Boston for my job and once to Las Vegas to get married there. The Last trip was kind of scary because it was only 10 days after the september 11th attack that we flew in from Belgium. My wife and me where uneasy to say the least.
Well, i didn't feel that much different than home.
Only Vegas was much different: it's a desert and we don't have a desert here in Belgium

For my previous job, i was working daily with Americans and i came to appreciate them. Although i must admit that i already liked the States before i met any people from there.

(Edit: changed dessert to desert. ouch )

[ February 12, 2003, 16:02: Message edited by: minipol ]

[Askan Nightbringer]

Originally posted by minipol:

Well, i didn't feel that much different than home.
Only Vegas was much different: it's a dessert and we don't have a dessert here in Belgium

Well now I'm being pedantic, but when I was in Brussels I did have a dessert (after my mussels and Lefe Brune of course). Never saw a desert, but there were plenty of desserts.

As for the topic.... I love Belgium! I wish my country's leader had the testicular fortitude to do what Belgium did, instead of getting scruffed up knees and getting patted on the head alot.
With the American Hegemony at full pace now its only natural for other countries to decide on a policy of political non-cooperation. Nobody can out gun the USA, nobody can touch them economically so the best we can do is not cooperate. It may be futile but its still better than being completely trodden on.

Askan

[damien]

Originally posted by Askan Nightbringer:

With the American Hegemony at full pace now its only natural for other countries to decide on a policy of political non-cooperation. Nobody can out gun the USA, nobody can touch them economically so the best we can do is not cooperate. It may be futile but its still better than being completely trodden on.
Askan

You're not saying that America has become the mega-evil empire are you

And if so, you cant be proposing a campaign of civil disobedience can you?

Personally, I think the best way to deal with America is to ignore it completely. Filter it out of your life completely - stop watching american TV, stop going to american movies, stop listening to american music, and stop eating american food.

[trooper]

Originally posted by Some1:
[QB]If the US would have signed Kyoto,...

You forgot : If the US would stop building and selling antipersonal mines...

But the rest is absolutely true. Why should we support a petrodollar dictature against a islamic military dictature ? And Irakians haven't elected Saddam (perhaps americans haven't elected GB in Florida too , I don't know), so they aren't responsible for that situation.

For me, the live of an irakian is as precious as the life of an american.

If Georges Bush has decided to get rid of SH, why not simply droper parachutists on its palace, or a big heavy laser guided bomb, instead of bombing a whole country ? These guys are paid to risk their live, after all. An other option would be to bribe irakian tribe leaders to rebel against Saddam. I think it would be a cheaper solution than moving the whole US army in the golf. So why does he want to attack ? to control the oil fields and please the corporation that put him in place ? to justify its military budget ? to be elected in 2004 ? I haven't said it, it's up to you to make your opinion.

[minipol]

Originally posted by Askan Nightbringer:
(after my mussels and Lefe Brune of course)

You'll have to come back. We have more than 1000 beers. I personnaly have only tasted about 40 different ones so i have much work to do :-)
Although i haven't tasted "Lefe Brune" yet but i know a beer called "Leffe Bruin"

As for the Belgian politics. Some of our politicians might look strong to the outside world but it's ashame they can't be that resourceful when it comes to internal politics.

Belgium is one of the only countries with 3 governments. 1 flemish, 1 walloon and 1 federal. Or something like that. Too complicated for a normal thinking human being to understand.

Beer, waffels, mussels and chocolate is all we have

[dogscoff]

Beer, waffels, mussels and chocolate is all we have

I'd be happy with just the beer and chocolate.

*Dogscoff books a one-way ticket on the Eurostar...