Anyone here know Belgian politics?

Abdul Alhazred · 9th September 2007, 09:23 AM

See this: http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2433

Does this article represent a politically important point of view within Belgium?

Or just an oddity, as it might be the Southern Nationalism in the USA?

Beerina · 10th September 2007, 07:47 AM

I was living in the Netherlands about 17 years ago. A comedian on the BBC made a joke something along the lines of "Every year, an amount of rainforest the size of Belgium is destroyed. Instead, why don't we destroy Belgium?" It got an enormous laugh. My American sensibilities were a bit winced, though. I asked a guy I worked with, who was Belgian. He laughed when he heard the joke, too, and basically described how even the Belgians weren't all that fond of their two-piece country.

Moreover, I think the balance of power, i.e. wealth, has shifted. Once it was the south, and in more recent decades, the north, thanks to all the shipping via Antwerp, maybe the biggest port in Europe, and industry. That, too, is causing rubbing as the French side doesn't like what's more or less the new country bumpkin, provincial status, to say nothing of net tax flows downward.

Childlike Empress · 10th September 2007, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Abdul Alhazred

See this: http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2433

Does this article represent a politically important point of view within Belgium?

Or just an oddity, as it might be the Southern Nationalism in the USA?

The Vlaams Belang is currently the strongest party in the Flemish Parliament with 30 of 124 seats. Its main goal is an independent Flanders. Beside that, it's a far right party with a strong islamophobic element. Additionally there are several Neonazi groups who are ready to use violence to reach their goals and fuel the conflicts between the different parts of the country and the ethnicities in it. In late 2006, Bloed, Bodem, Eer en Trouw were busted:

Originally Posted by wikipedia

The group rose to public prominence in September 2006, after 17 members, including 11 soldiers, were arrested under the December 2003 anti-terrorist laws and laws against racism, anti-semitism and negationism. According to Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx and Interior Minister Patrick Dewael, the suspects were preparing terrorist attacks in order to "destabilize" Belgium. [...]

Flemish TV channel VTM claimed (citing justice sources) that the group was preparing to assassinate Filip Dewinter, an important figure of the far right Vlaams Belang party, in a false flag attack that would have been blamed on the Islamist movement. Taking advantage of the ensuing confusion, the group would then murder Dyab Abou Jahjah, leader of the Arab European League. Belgian justice authories denied these claims.

So yes, the view described in the (factual accurate) article is not a fringe one, although the author might exaggerate the problems and pretents the secession of Flanders is nearly a done deal, which it isn't.

dudalb · 10th September 2007, 01:31 PM

THe Spirit of Leon DeGrille lives.
I always understood this goes back to the aftermath of the 30 Years War when Calvinist Holland was given the Heavily Catholic Spanish Netherlands...what is now Belgium.. as their reward for supporting the winning (Anti-Hapsberg)side.

9th September 2007, 09:23 AM	#1
Abdul Alhazred Yes, that one. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,475	Anyone here know Belgian politics? See this: http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2433 Does this article represent a politically important point of view within Belgium? Or just an oddity, as it might be the Southern Nationalism in the USA?
	__________________ The lack of a rational explanation is not evidence for an irrational explanation.

10th September 2007, 07:47 AM	#2
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	I was living in the Netherlands about 17 years ago. A comedian on the BBC made a joke something along the lines of "Every year, an amount of rainforest the size of Belgium is destroyed. Instead, why don't we destroy Belgium?" It got an enormous laugh. My American sensibilities were a bit winced, though. I asked a guy I worked with, who was Belgian. He laughed when he heard the joke, too, and basically described how even the Belgians weren't all that fond of their two-piece country. Moreover, I think the balance of power, i.e. wealth, has shifted. Once it was the south, and in more recent decades, the north, thanks to all the shipping via Antwerp, maybe the biggest port in Europe, and industry. That, too, is causing rubbing as the French side doesn't like what's more or less the new country bumpkin, provincial status, to say nothing of net tax flows downward.
	__________________ "Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales *now!* More, cheaper, better games, right? Right?

10th September 2007, 10:23 AM	#3
Childlike Empress Ewige Blumenkraft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ivory Tower Posts: 7,833	Originally Posted by Abdul Alhazred See this: http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2433 Does this article represent a politically important point of view within Belgium? Or just an oddity, as it might be the Southern Nationalism in the USA? The Vlaams Belang is currently the strongest party in the Flemish Parliament with 30 of 124 seats. Its main goal is an independent Flanders. Beside that, it's a far right party with a strong islamophobic element. Additionally there are several Neonazi groups who are ready to use violence to reach their goals and fuel the conflicts between the different parts of the country and the ethnicities in it. In late 2006, Bloed, Bodem, Eer en Trouw were busted: Originally Posted by wikipedia The group rose to public prominence in September 2006, after 17 members, including 11 soldiers, were arrested under the December 2003 anti-terrorist laws and laws against racism, anti-semitism and negationism. According to Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx and Interior Minister Patrick Dewael, the suspects were preparing terrorist attacks in order to "destabilize" Belgium. [...] Flemish TV channel VTM claimed (citing justice sources) that the group was preparing to assassinate Filip Dewinter, an important figure of the far right Vlaams Belang party, in a false flag attack that would have been blamed on the Islamist movement. Taking advantage of the ensuing confusion, the group would then murder Dyab Abou Jahjah, leader of the Arab European League. Belgian justice authories denied these claims. So yes, the view described in the (factual accurate) article is not a fringe one, although the author might exaggerate the problems and pretents the secession of Flanders is nearly a done deal, which it isn't.

10th September 2007, 01:31 PM	#4
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,782	THe Spirit of Leon DeGrille lives. I always understood this goes back to the aftermath of the 30 Years War when Calvinist Holland was given the Heavily Catholic Spanish Netherlands...what is now Belgium.. as their reward for supporting the winning (Anti-Hapsberg)side.