Should we take up a collection?

[Traianvs]

Hey sure no problem! It's just that I've never seen a serious discussion about my puny tiny country before without the obvious crap about the insignificance of Belgium and so on...

The case of Belgium is an interesting case of coexistance or the lack of that in modern times.... Depending on whose viewpoint

Separation atm is unlikely. I give Belgium another 20-30 years at least, unless a severe energy crisis (oil shortage etc) occurs. Things can go fast when the **** hits the fan

[Lancer]

Question though. As part of the EU does it matter if Belgium falls to pieces? The pieces still belong to the same hole.

Like North and South Carolina, not the same state, but it doesn't really matter.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Traianvs
It's quite useless to comment on all of this becoose nobodeh except belgians understand the impasse we are currently in. It's so complicated as it is already, and since everyone is always belittling Belgium it's not worth explaingung it ant further. Everyone here'll simply laugh at it and make some silly post like just about everyone has done here thus far. Just stick to your ****ing United States of ****ing up and whatevar

You must understand - this is a Weezie Thread, ie. non-serious zone. It's not fair to condemn the posters in this thread for not taking things seriously...they weren't supposed to.

That said, I have no problem with a serious discussion of the issue. I'll admit I know little of Belgium politics (Federalist system yes?) but am interested in knowing more of your current political impasse.

[Traianvs]

I'd say it does matter a lot for Belgium and Brussels as a city.
For the EU... imagine Flanders, Wallonia, Catalunya, the Basques etc etc separating and joining the EU. It'll be a tough one to manage that I believe. It's pretty hard as it is already with the new eastern European members

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by Wezil


You must understand - this is a Weezie Thread, ie. non-serious zone. It's not fair to condemn the posters in this thread for not taking things seriously...they weren't supposed to.

That said, I have no problem with a serious discussion of the issue. I'll admit I know little of Belgium politics (Federalist system yes?) but am interested in knowing more of your current political impasse.

Np, I was drunk when I made that post so I wasn't really thinking

[Wezil]

Between you and Locotus I've taken some heat over this Belgium stuff.

Belgium threads are toxic it seems.

[Lorizael]

There sure is a lot of cursing in this thread. It's all in very poor taste, I think.

[Wezil]

*blink blink*

[Lorizael]

Ignorant humans. You all should know better than to use that word.

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by Traianvs
I'd say it does matter a lot for Belgium and Brussels as a city.
For the EU... imagine Flanders, Wallonia, Catalunya, the Basques etc etc separating and joining the EU. It'll be a tough one to manage that I believe. It's pretty hard as it is already with the new eastern European members

It might make it easier in some ways, though. It'd be easier to pressure smaller states into going along with EU decisions than it would be to pressure larger states.

For example, I'd imagine that Germany, less powerful in the E.U. if it were shorn of Bavaria. It would lose votes, population, etc. However, Germany would be even more influential in the EU today if Austria were still part of Germany, as it would have a larger population, a larger share of the votes, added economic clout, etc.

[Lancer]

After thousands of years of knocking each other on the head, the euros are finally learning to live together. All they needed was a good example, and a few minor ass kickings, all provided by the good ol USA.

[Elok]

IIRC The Economist suggested that Belgium break up a little over a month ago. I was thinking about starting a thread on the subject for more info from Belgian polytubbies, but then I forgot about it.

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by Elok
IIRC The Economist suggested that Belgium break up a little over a month ago. I was thinking about starting a thread on the subject for more info from Belgian polytubbies, but then I forgot about it.

That only shows that they have not followed the ongoing problems here. A month ago, the rightwing extremists, for example, tricked a bunch of foreign journalists into attending a discussion in the Flemish parliament. All of them thought the parliament would be declaring its intention to separate.

Not, of course.

It might make it easier in some ways, though. It'd be easier to pressure smaller states into going along with EU decisions than it would be to pressure larger states.

For example, I'd imagine that Germany, less powerful in the E.U. if it were shorn of Bavaria. It would lose votes, population, etc. However, Germany would be even more influential in the EU today if Austria were still part of Germany, as it would have a larger population, a larger share of the votes, added economic clout, etc.

You need a few large countries that are willing to take the lead in EU matters. The UK as always is screwing everyone over, while Germany is more in favour of more power for the EU. On the other hand, not having enough counterweight is also a bit dangerous. If every country was as large as Malta or Slovenia, with a few big ones such as France, Germany etc only the latter would have everything to say. That's not good either..

[germanos]

Originally posted by Wycoff

Germany would be even more influential in the EU today if Austria were still part of Germany

When was Austria part of Germany

[DinoDoc]

WWII.