DISQUS

Taz · 1 year ago

I heard rumors that Belgium doesn't even exist! It's an elaborate hoax fired by France to convince the world that French is a regional language.

Since I've never personally visited Belgium, I'm inclined to believe that rumor!

mathewi · 1 year ago

That's an interesting theory, Taz :-) I have visited Belgium,
however, and can tell you that it does in fact exist -- and the
waffles are fantastic. They invented French fries as well,
apparently, so they've got that going for them.

Mark · 1 year ago

Why would the newspaper put their articles online if they didn't want them linked to?

mathewi · 1 year ago

That's an excellent question, Mark. You would have to ask Copiepresse
that one. My suspicion is that they *do* want them linked to -- they
just want Google to pay them for the privilege of doing so.

ChrisG - Art Director · 1 year ago

Yes. And don't discount the delusions of a dying medium (newsprint) from trying to litigate their way back to profits.

jeffreyb · 1 year ago

If I understand your post correctly, you are implying that the inane actions of a single company in French speaking Belgium marks the entire country as ignoring reality and possibly being a bit stupid? Is that not rather naive?

Agreed, Copiepresse, is acting in a difficult to understand way. One suspects this is the result of a non-savvy senior manager who is out of touch with the on-line world. But this is one medium sized company!

And no one would deny that Belgium has problems by the sackful: a language divide that splits a country, that is smaller than most US states, into two highly antagonistic sides; a wonky tax system; and a bureaucracy that has borrowed far too much nonsense from the French.

But, the Belgians did not judge all Americans by Enron or Worldcom. And they are trying desperately hard not to judge you and your fellow Americans by your president.

By way of apology for slandering Belgium, I might normally insist you buy me a beer and beg forgiveness. But face it, your American beer simply doesn't compare to the hundreds of yummy varieties here!

mathewi · 1 year ago

Thanks, Jeffrey. I was trying to make light of the headline with my
compliments to Belgium for its waffles etc. It was meant to be
humorous, although that attempt appears to have failed :-)

In any case, I feel compelled to point out that I am not American but
Canadian -- and therefore am quite used to people ignoring and/or
misrepresenting my country in various ways (igloos, Mounties, etc.).
Thanks for the comment.