End of a nation? ‘Get ready for the break-up of Belgium’

[Modbert]

End of a nation? ‘Get ready for the break-up of Belgium’ | Raw Story

BRUSSELS — A top Belgian politician warned the country's citizens on Sunday to "get ready for the break-up of Belgium," as King Albert II seeks to relaunch knife-edge coalition talks.

Leading francophone Socialist Laurette Onkelinx, considered a potential successor to party chief Elio Di Rupo, who gave up on negotiations with separatist Flemish leaders on Friday, gave her prognosis in a newspaper interview.

Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union until the end of the year, adding a further layer to the pressure on the sovereign, has not been able to point to a stable government since June 2007.

The stark comments from Onkelinx followed those of another leading francophone Socialist, Philippe Moureaux, who has said Belgium was on the verge of a "progressive organization of separation."

Thoughts USMB?

 

[Charles_Main]

Why don't you post your thoughts for a change?

 

[California Girl]

Why don't you post your thoughts for a change?

Isn't that interesting - that's exactly what I thought.

 

[Madeline]

I have heard of this, Modbert but I'm not sure what the problem is or why it matters. Is it a language thingie? French vs. English, like Quebec?

 

[ConHog]

Why don't you post your thoughts for a change?

He's waiting on his email from the white house detailing what he should think.

 

[California Girl]

I have heard of this, Modbert but I'm not sure what the problem is or why it matters. Is it a language thingie? French vs. English, like Quebec?

Dutch.... they speak Dutch.... and French.

 

[Madeline]

O fuck me, I shoulda known that.

*Embarrassed look*

 

[Avatar4321]

It's a natural part of political life. Nations break up. Nations are created. The idea that everything is supposed to stay the same is some myth perpetrated by people who are afraid of change.

The United States isn't immune to the laws of nature. We may not be breaking up next week, but the idea that we are "too big to fail" is exactly that: A myth.

The question is will we be awake for it all and have our say in what happens, or will we pretend everything is fine and wake up to find a completely different nation.

 

[Modbert]

Why don't you post your thoughts for a change?

I share articles that I believe are worth reading without interjecting my opinion sometimes into the main post as to not take away from the article itself.

I understand people such as yourself, CG, and ConHog have a problem with me, but no need to derail the thread. Thanks.

 

[Missourian]

I don't follow the news in Belgium so without some context I can really comment on their internal affairs but if you're referring to the break-up of Belgium, it happens.

Fortunately, our ideological divisions are not also geographic, otherwise we would likely be facing a similar dilemma.

 

[Samson]

Thoughts USMB?

I appreciate the many levels of Irony:

1. Belgium State Motto: "Strength through Unity"

2. Belgium is host to the European Union's Headquarters.

 

[Big Black Dog]

What will be come of our Belgium waffles? How will we order them in the future down at the IHOP?

 

[Samson]

What will be come of our Belgium waffles? How will we order them in the future down at the IHOP?

Yeah, Phlegm Waffles don't sound very appetising

 

[Modbert]

I appreciate the many levels of Irony:

1. Belgium State Motto: "Strength through Unity"

2. Belgium is host to the European Union's Headquarters.

Probably doesn't help matters that they haven't had a stable government since 2007 or so.

 

[Samson]

I appreciate the many levels of Irony:

1. Belgium State Motto: "Strength through Unity"

2. Belgium is host to the European Union's Headquarters.

Probably doesn't help matters that they haven't had a stable government since 2007 or so.

Also, the fact that the country is known as The Battle Ground of Europe, probably is disadventageous.

 

[Avatar4321]

Why don't you post your thoughts for a change?

I share articles that I believe are worth reading without interjecting my opinion sometimes into the main post as to not take away from the article itself.

I understand people such as yourself, CG, and ConHog have a problem with me, but no need to derail the thread. Thanks.

Well, why not post your opinions now that everyone has had time to look over the article.

I dont think it's possible to take away from the article by sharing your thoughts on it.

 

[saveliberty]

First, their leaders need to all go on vacations.

Then they need to make a movie showing how two nonassimilating cultures lead to a nations break up. Finally, show the foreign made film to leftist elites in the US and point out Mexicans are doing the same thing to us.

 

[Modbert]

Well, why not post your opinions now that everyone has had time to look over the article.

I dont think it's possible to take away from the article by sharing your thoughts on it.

Because often when people post their opinions in the OP, people focus on that then the article itself. It quickly becomes a flame war, I try to avoid those.

As for this situation, they have been fighting about this for years however the current situation because of how it stands and the tone of even the Pro-Beligum leaders suggest to me that there might be a break-up in the near future.

 

[Samson]

Well, why not post your opinions now that everyone has had time to look over the article.

I dont think it's possible to take away from the article by sharing your thoughts on it.

Because often when people post their opinions in the OP, people focus on that then the article itself. It quickly becomes a flame war, I try to avoid those.

As for this situation, they have been fighting about this for years however the current situation because of how it stands and the tone of even the Pro-Beligum leaders suggest to me that there might be a break-up in the near future.

Would it make you feel better if I said I couldn't give a flyin' fuck about your thoughts on this subject?

 

[Baruch Menachem]

It was cobbled together badly as a result of the Congress of Vienna, and never really has worked well. It has been on the verge of breaking apart for nearly 200 years now.


Since it is made up of two groups who really don't like each other much, I doubt it will last another 200 years. But who knows.

If it does fall apart, I hope it goes like Czechoslovakia rather than Yugoslavia. But if folks don't like each other, they shouldn't be obliged to live together