Our BetterMost Community > Chez Tremblay
The ORIGINAL 1000+ Posts Club
MaineWriter:
--- Quote from: belbbmfan on November 08, 2007, 12:35:29 pm ---hey Leslie, it's now 10.30 am in Chicago. How are you doing? :)
--- End quote ---
I am doing fine. We are at our hotel and have wireless, so you know I am a happy camper!
Now I need to find some lunch....
L
belbbmfan:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on November 08, 2007, 02:55:20 pm ---We are at our hotel and have wireless, so you know I am a happy camper!
--- End quote ---
Sure do! :D
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MaineWriter:
--- Quote from: belbbmfan on November 08, 2007, 04:47:08 pm ---Sure do! :D
--- End quote ---
Fabienne...
They had an interesting news story on the radio this morning about Belgium. Apparently you are in a flux (crisis) of government since "failed" elections back in June? And there is some talk about Belgium separating into two countries...a Dutch one and a French one? Your thoughts on this?
L
belbbmfan:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on November 08, 2007, 04:54:59 pm ---Fabienne...
They had an interesting news story on the radio this morning about Belgium. Apparently you are in a flux (crisis) of government since "failed" elections back in June? And there is some talk about Belgium separating into two countries...a Dutch one and a French one? Your thoughts on this?
L
--- End quote ---
hey Leslie,
not to worry, my country still exists! We did have federal elections in June but so far negotiations between the parties to form a coalition government have failed. It all has to do with the way the federal state is organised. The flemish parties think that the balance of power between the flemish (60% of the population with the strongest economy) and the french speaking (40%) part should be changed and be more in favour of the flemish people.
Of course in order to achieve that, the french parties have to agree. They have to be prepared to give up some of their power. Not an easy task to accomplish...
Don't worry, we'll get there, slowly but surely. I heard one commentator on the tv yesterday who said that the only people who aren't concerned by the slow negotiation process are the belgians themselves! LOL
MaineWriter:
They interviewed a bunch of different people. One Flemish person talked about the stronger Flemish economy...very low unemployment and generating money through high tech industries. The French part of the country has 20% unemployment he said.
Then a French person came on and said, "Well, part of the problem is that the Dutch people won't learn to speak French," and I thought, huh? I know you speak French, Fabienne, and you told me your older daughter will start learning it in school this year...a few years before they begin English lessons.
They did talk about the very distinct separation of cultures between the Flemish and French and said that there are very few things that are bilingual...no bilingual universities, for example. Although they did say that Brussels (which is in Flanders, ie, Dutch) is a bilingual city.
Correct me if I am mixing any of this up. It was early in the morning when it came on the news!
L
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