That's ok I knew what you meant.

btw

I'd just like to conclude by re working an Oscar Wilde quotation that sums up Amsterdamsky to perfection;

"Debate is to be avoided.It is always difficult and often convincing". 

I meant our "Western civilisation".

Thank you. Whoever we are, whatever our backgrounds, we should all refocus on the main objective and the genuine essence of this blog: a sincere love and a real passion for our European culture and values, which are worth defending.

This does not mean that we reject other cultures and values. Simply we don't want to take our pants off in front of barbarian invaders (see what I mean?). We know what we stand for and there will not be any concession to blackmail.  

Thanks for that.Your observations are spot on.

btw

Like yourself, I am neither French nor Jewish.(As if anybody should have to apologize to the Amsterdamsky-types of this world,even if they are).

Thank you guys. From now on, I will take your remark into consideration. This blog is a very interesting and very nice one. It should not be infested by hateful parasites. If some hate Catholics, Jews, and now, apparently, the French, it's their right, but I think they want to hit the wrong targets. First, because they direct their hatred towards individual people/groups and, as result, xenophobia is not very far. Second, because they can't even justify themselves, as you've suggested. Awful.

BTW: I am neither French, nor Jewish.      

Oh, if this could happen, Flanders would be the biggest banking country and the biggest free trade zone in the world.

Add to that a modern airport in the North Sea and the flemish BNP would skyrocket.

Oh, yes please, please.

Got you, Amsterdamsky. Thanks for this. You’ve raised very good points and there are so many things to say here. 10 lines is just insufficient.

However, you’ve attacked the language of a people (and of several peoples), namely French, without any objectivity. I know what you mean about the French and France as a whole and I think that most readers of TBJ will only agree with your points. France never really recovered from the Revolution and after 14 years of Mitterrandism and 12 years of Ch-irak-ism, i.e. 26 long years of stagnation, France is just a mess.

As regards French, it was the language of diplomacy (and still is on rare occasions) and also, more importantly, of contemporary philosophy. Again a language is just a means of communicating ideas, concepts, actions, history, stories, etc. It is neither superior, nor inferior to any other.

It is true that some languages have been more successful than others, but there are many factors other than language to be reckoned with, such as geography/topology, numbers, climate, technology, political regime, religion (a key factor you seem to unwisely dismiss), etc. I mean, you should know all this.           

Norman "But did you know that Wallonia once was the richest region on the continent and was second only to the UK during the Industrial Revolution?
"

And France used to be a great power once apon a time also.  Now they are a quagmire of over reaching government, neo-marxist politics and straight up communism everywhere you go.

Look to 

-CAP which France resists any reform of

-Gutting of the Growth and Stability Pact when it didn't suit them and they stood to be fined.(which really pissed the Dutch off and really showed that the French view the rest of us as merely vassels

-blocking the Bolkenstein services directive and for that matter just about anything that promotes free trade and competition in the EU.

-complete disregard for Schengen and just about every other EU treaty.

The EU doesnt need to die it just needs to kick France out.

To  Amsterdamsky that last post of yours would be seen as a "coup de main",but to the  rest of us it was seen as the "coup de grace".Well done,Sir!

Notwithstanding your offensive tone towards those who love the two main European Cultures - for very different reasons, mind you, let me tell you that your comments do not very often contain any added value for further sane discussion.

A language is a simple means of communication. If you don’t like French, well it’s your choice. But I think that now we’ve understood your message. Anything French or related to France is rubbish. Well, it’s your opinion. Fine. Thanks. Anything else?

But did you know that Wallonia once was the richest region on the continent and was second only to the UK during the Industrial Revolution?

Did you know that Walloon entrepreneurs such as Ernest Solvay, Jean Jadot or even British immigrant and industrialist John Cockerill, who became a staunch Walloon by adoption, enjoyed a solid worldwide reputation in the 19th century?

Did you know that the saxophone was invented by a Walloon – Adolphe Sax? Just like the original internal combustion engine (Etienne Lenoir). Had you ever heard of Louis de Geer, Zenobe Gramme or Pierre Minuit? Of course not. Oooh, crass ignorance.

But ok, Wallonia has changed a lot since the 19th century and like you I hate what has happened and is happening. Without marxism and narrow-minded socialist populists, Wallonia (and Belgium) might have been a lot more different. I don't like Wallonia either, but I hate bad faith even more. End of subject.

And tell us, O Sage, what is your opinion of French Jews who have recently converted from Roman Catholicism?

From Norman "However, it is not only Wallonia that is broke, but also another political entity known as the French Community of Belgium. "

I would expand that to French Community of the World.  Frogs everywhere have a sence of entitlement and as their local self-rule provinces are too unproductive to support this they must rely on hard working non-frogs to pay for everything.  Think EU farm subsidies, Montreal and of course Wallonia.

Well, it's his problem. Let’s not forget that Yves Leterme left his post of Minister-President of
Flanders after the June elections to become the next Belgian Prime Minister. At least, that was the idea. But it’s not my point.

Again, this article very clearly describes the current totally unacceptable situation.
Wallonia is broke and has been living off Flemish subsidies for too long without any reform, the almighty Socialists blocking everything. Now the party seems to be sort of over. At last.

However, it is not only
Wallonia that is broke, but also another political entity known as the French Community of Belgium. Also in the hands of the Socialists, this monstrous basketcase is in charge of Francophone Belgium’s education, culture and healthcare. Francophone Belgium includes both Brussels and
Wallonia. The Community is ALWAYS broke.

How come that its Flemish counterpart with its six million inhabitants is doing a lot better? In terms of quality,
Francophone Belgium’s very expensive, unsustainable, inept and poorly-managed education system has never been able to deliver good results.

 
Any evidence? The OECD’s Pisa Report, which assesses Scientific, Reading and Mathematical Literacy, says it all:
Flanders is standing at the top while the French Community is lagging well behind.

But of course, for the Francophone authorities, who never miss any opportunity to use their noxious Leftist propaganda, it’s the "naughty people" at the OECD who are "guilty" of the Community's poor ranking: "the conservative and ultra-liberal (sic) OECD does not understand what "progressive teaching" is all about, you see".

Future generations are being wasted right now, but the awakening will be terrible.

It would be fantastic if this happened. But what makes you think Flanders would probably join the EFTA? Is this being discussed in the newspapers? I thought Flemish people still had a tremendous respect for the EU? (I'm Flemish myself, but it's difficult to follow what's going on because I live abroad.)