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2006-12-15 Europe

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Posted by .com 2006-12-15 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 One of the better examples of irresponsible journalism I've ever heard of...

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2006-12-15 00:17|| 2006-12-15 00:17|| Front Page Top

#2 What will happen next? Will we see the emergence of Wallooney suicide bombers blowing themselves up in Flemish breweries? Flemish death squads ethnically cleansing towns and districts of all French speakers? Marshall law? Cheese shops and cafes boarded up? Frantic negotiations at, er, the Hague.
Ahh the folly of tribalism. You can have centuries of mostly peaceful and prosperous co-existence, but there is always some grievance just below the surface that will bubble up to split people apart and spark violence and war. Can America remain immune forever?

Posted by Monsieur Moonbat 2006-12-15 01:24|| 2006-12-15 01:24|| Front Page Top

#3 Immune? Us? Lol. We've had quite a few "family squabbles", thanks. We had one little kerfuffle that resulted in over a million casualties. Got kinda nasty for a coupla years. More will come, no doubt.

Posted by .com 2006-12-15 01:37|| 2006-12-15 01:37|| Front Page Top

#4 That's no fair! I submitted this hours ago!
(*Unhappy face*)

Posted by Free Radical">Free Radical 2006-12-15 01:42|| 2006-12-15 01:42|| Front Page Top

#5 Gosh. And you want what, compensation?

Listen -- and this is for everyone who posts articles: no one is out to get you or one-up you or anyone else. If you do it right, it's there. If it's worthy, and formatted half-way decently, it gets published - if not, and it's worthy, it gets cleaned up. Sheesh. Had this already existed in the pen, mine would've been flagged as a Dupe... happens to me regularly, in fact. But not on this one. I'm sure you're right and you don't make mistakes, but...

Posted by .com 2006-12-15 01:56|| 2006-12-15 01:56|| Front Page Top

#6 Marshall law?

Better talk to Matt Dillon about that!

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2006-12-15 03:41|| 2006-12-15 03:41|| Front Page Top

#7 Sorry .com... I seriously apologize.

Posted by Free Radical">Free Radical 2006-12-15 04:12|| 2006-12-15 04:12|| Front Page Top

#8 No problem, FR - I just wanted you to know it wasn't there. I didn't know what you were talking about and wanted you (and others) to know how it works. I dunno where your post went - I didn't see it or touch it. Peace.

Posted by .com 2006-12-15 04:52|| 2006-12-15 04:52|| Front Page Top

#9 The Flemish peasants no longer contend with toiling to support their Francophone betters in the appropriate style?

Posted by gromgoru 2006-12-15 06:57|| 2006-12-15 06:57|| Front Page Top

#10 There has been the odd bit of violence related to these concerns over the years. Just Phlegms and Loons having a bit of fun. Think French and Germans without the humor or the food.

Posted by Chuck Simmins">Chuck Simmins 2006-12-15 08:48|| http://northshorejournal.org]">[http://northshorejournal.org] 2006-12-15 08:48|| Front Page Top

#11 Coming up next: New UN Secretary General Moves UN HQ to Somalia...

Posted by tu3031 2006-12-15 08:50|| 2006-12-15 08:50|| Front Page Top

#12 If only, tu...If only!

Posted by BA 2006-12-15 09:16|| 2006-12-15 09:16|| Front Page Top

#13 FR and .com; it was there, but .com got there first, so I deleted FR's post in the queue. That happens frequently late at night: if three people post the same article we keep the first and dump the other two (without notice). If one of the articles is suitably adorned and decorated with superior snark we'll keep that one instead.

During the day it's easy (or should be) to check to see if we have the article already posted before doing one yourself; but at night there's really no way for a non-mod to know. I don't think we're going to fix that one anytime soon.

Sorry!

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2006-12-15 10:21|| 2006-12-15 10:21|| Front Page Top

#14 Think French and Germans without the humor or the food.

I have to disagree with the last bit, Chuck. Food in Belgium is far, far superior. Not necessarily their traditional recipes, but these are people who regularly murder meat inspectors who'd otherwise keep them from feeding tenderizing hormones to the veal and beef animals. One of the best wine shops I know in the world in terms of selection and the knowledge of the staff (granted, my experience is limited, but even so) was in my neighborhood chain grocery store; the very best roast beef I've ever tasted was made there, too. Restaurants in France and Germany don't begin to compare, whether at a neighborhood bistro or a 5-star extravaganza, either in terms of food prep or portion size -- where the Belgians rival American restaurants. And at least in the Brussels area, where we were, the sheer variety of cuisines on offer makes the Friday dinner date almost a matter of closing one's eyes and poking a finger in the telephone book -- unlike France, where mostly what you get is French food, more or less well prepared (not that I dislike French cooking, but sometimes one wants a change that isn't Chinese or Italian).

/sorry, but I've never been able to match the quality of ingredients here. *wistful sigh*

Posted by trailing wife 2006-12-15 11:48|| 2006-12-15 11:48|| Front Page Top

#15 TW: And about my milk tarts? Christmas is coming you know.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-12-15 11:52|| 2006-12-15 11:52|| Front Page Top

#16 Besoeker dear, I could never forget your milk tarts, specially when you're out there somewhere being a hero. But I want them to be fresh for Xmas... And I've got to get through Hanukkah first -- 6 lb worth of grated potates to fried into potato pancakes - and we light the first candle tonight. *sigh* I really shouldn't be playing hookey here, but I had to make sure the world hadn't fallen to pieces during my morning nap.

Posted by trailing wife 2006-12-15 12:01|| 2006-12-15 12:01|| Front Page Top

#17 Whahahaha, thank you kind lady, but no hero here. Too old for that, I'm a simple FOBBIT, stuck in a dusty FOB, getting fat on army chow. The real heros are these 19 and 20 year olds. God bless them all.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-12-15 12:07|| 2006-12-15 12:07|| Front Page Top

#18 an independent Flanders had been declared.

I suppose Ned Flanders having his own cartoon series makes sense in a tv-executive sort of way, but who knew the Belgians were such big fans of The Simpsons.

Posted by SteveS 2006-12-15 12:24|| 2006-12-15 12:24|| Front Page Top

#19 My favorite NHL goalie has Ned Flanders on the back of his helmet. Peter Budaj

Posted by sing Spock4362 2006-12-15 14:15|| 2006-12-15 14:15|| Front Page Top

#20 It appears that Belgium is the land of French ~~tax evaders~~ ex-patriots. This telling line Favored destinations include Switzerland with its tradition of banking secrecy, but also Belgium, in particular for entrepreneurs who have sold their companies and seek to avoid both capital gains and wealth taxes. No wonder the panic.

Posted by Procopius2k 2006-12-15 15:42|| 2006-12-15 15:42|| Front Page Top

#21 FR & .com

I've often had articles I'd posted (usually later in the evening since I work a lot of nights and swing shifts) either disappear or even appear the next day (though usually with my nym as the poster, but sometimes not).

Hey, it's the luck of the draw, guys. Nothin' t' git yerselves upset fer.

Posted by FOTSGreg">FOTSGreg 2006-12-15 18:15|| www.fire-on-the-suns.com]">[www.fire-on-the-suns.com] 2006-12-15 18:15|| Front Page Top

#22 I jes pulls my shift (the overnight segment) and pubs 'em when they shows up, usually with a little clean-up, mebbe adding a graphic, sometimes with an in-line. Then I get manic and delete everything insight! Bwahahahaha. Lol.

Can't we all just be pals? *sniff*

*bloghuhg*

Posted by .com 2006-12-15 18:30|| 2006-12-15 18:30|| Front Page Top

#23 If one of the articles is suitably adorned and decorated with superior snark we'll keep that one instead

well that explains why mine disappear

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-12-15 18:36|| 2006-12-15 18:36|| Front Page Top

#24 Here, .com dear. Sit down by me and have a nice, quiet cup of tea before you become overwrought and have to resort to the fainting couch. ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2006-12-15 20:46|| 2006-12-15 20:46|| Front Page Top

#25 Myns don't faint, tw. We pass out, lol.

Posted by .com 2006-12-15 20:47|| 2006-12-15 20:47|| Front Page Top

#26 To all: I was just whining (when I should have been wine-ing!) and I have NO animosity towards .com or any of the mods.

TW, is the fainting couch preferable to the spanking stool? 8-)

Posted by Free Radical">Free Radical 2006-12-15 23:30|| 2006-12-15 23:30|| Front Page Top

#27 "hoax television broadcast interrupted normal programming to report that the king and queen had fled the country and an independent Flanders had been declared"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. *chuckle* *snort*

Shades of "War of the Worlds."

Best laugh I've had all day.

I think the Flemish should really do it. What are the pseudo-Phroggie Walloons gonna do about it - issues a strongly worded letter?

Protect the poppies. FREE FLANDERS!

:-D

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2006-12-15 23:37|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html] 2006-12-15 23:37|| Front Page Top

23:57 Barbara Skolaut
23:55 Swamp Blondie
23:49 Barbara Skolaut
23:44 RD
23:37 Barbara Skolaut
23:30 Free Radical
22:50 trailing wife
22:46 Old Patriot
22:35 Eric Jablow
22:30 Free Radical
22:25 Zenster
22:23 tu3031
22:18 C-Low
22:16 Thinemp Whimble2412
22:10 Thinemp Whimble2412
22:02 Thinemp Whimble2412
21:59 Glalet Phereger3214
21:45 Zenster
21:34 Anonymoose
21:29 Redneck Jim
21:26 JosephMendiola
21:26 Frank G
21:20 trailing wife
21:20 JosephMendiola