From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Tue, 2006-09-12 11:24
When the first plane hit [the Twin Towers] I thought “At last!” and fetched a crate of beer. My first reaction was: “The Americans get a taste of their own medicine.”
From the desk of Paul Belien on Mon, 2006-09-11 19:44
Next year gay soldiers of the Dutch Army will participate officially in the national Gay Parade on 30 June in Bergen-op-Zoom. This year uniformed police officers already participated in the parade. Major Peter Kees Hamstra, president of the Stichting Homosexualiteit & Krijgsmacht (Foundation for Homosexuality & the Military), announced last Saturday that in 2007 uniformed army officers will participate too.
From the desk of George Handlery on Mon, 2006-09-11 17:29
Most everything known about Switzerland is distorted. Take ‘Swiss Cheese’. Hardly anyone consumes it locally. The banks operate quite unlike depicted in the flics. Besides the disinformation involving chocolate and watches – neither is an indigenous invention – no one knows much about Switzerland because – by design – everything newsworthy is made to occur beyond the border. Therefore, interesting news from Switzerland is a rarity. However, a rare chance has arisen as on September 24th the Swiss are to vote on two laws approved by parliament last December.
From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Mon, 2006-09-11 10:18
A quote from Karel De Gucht, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, on VRTnieuws, 9 September 2006
The Americans have concealed the truth [about the secret CIA prisons for terror suspects] from their allies and this kind of behaviour is not acceptable in a democracy. The top American civil servant John B. Bellinger admitting that the International Red Cross had been denied access to terror suspects, was also an implicit admission that the secret gaols existed. [I asked] the Polish and Romanian governments for an explanation [why they collaborated with the CIA to set up secret prisons] at a recent meeting of EU Foreign Minister[s]. Moreover, I was the only one of the 25 EU foreign ministers at the meeting to do so.
From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Mon, 2006-09-11 09:49
A quote from Melanie Phillips in The Daily Mail, 7 September 2006
An evangelical Christian campaigner, Stephen Green, was arrested and charged last weekend with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. So what was this behaviour? Merely trying peacefully to hand out leaflets at a gay rally in Cardiff. So what was printed on those leaflets that was so threatening, abusive or insulting that it attracted the full force of the law? Why, none other than the majestic words of the 1611 King James Bible. [...]
From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Mon, 2006-09-11 09:44
If a small island group in Finland with a Swedish speaking minority of 26,000 people is able to get its own internet top level domain name, we should at least give it a try to get it as well.
From the desk of Paul Belien on Mon, 2006-09-11 00:01
Five years ago the world changed. We were still living in Antwerp’s city center at the time and I flew the American flag from the balcony as a token of solidarity. Less than two hours later we thought it wise to take the flag in again, because immigrant youths from around the corner expressed their hostility, pointing out that they regarded flying the stars and stripes as a provocation. While we mourn the victims of 9/11 today, I am certain that in a number of European inner cities and banlieues this anniversary will be celebrated. The Economist recently wrote that referring to Europe as “Eurabia” is an exaggeration, but since 9/11 2001 I know it is a reality.
From the desk of Paul Belien on Sun, 2006-09-10 21:21
The immigrant vote is becoming ever more important in Europe. In many countries foreigners are allowed to vote in local elections (in addition to thousands of immigrants who have been granted citizenship). In last spring’s municipal elections in the Netherlands the immigrant vote tipped the balance clearly in favour of the Left. Indeed, immigrants in Western Europe, who often migrated in order to enjoy generous welfare benefits, are rentseekers who vote in favour of maintaining the welfare systems of the states that invited them in.
From the desk of Filip van Laenen on Sun, 2006-09-10 20:45
I don't want to jump to a Post hoc ergo propter hoc conclusion, but it is a remarkable coincidence: just the day after the publication of my previous article on The Brussels Journal about Microsoft and its support to 0110, its CEO Bruno Segers got sacked. The reason for his sudden departure is not entirely clear, but rumors say there have been problems between him and the Executive Board for some time. Initially there was nobody to replace him, but the company has now announced Jørgen Bardenfleth will take over Segers' task. Now suppose the article (or more correct: the sponsoring) was used as a stick to beat the dog, would that have been a correct handling of the case by Microsoft?
From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Sun, 2006-09-10 13:41
A quote from Gideon Rachman on his blog, 8 September 2006
[O]nly one out of 50 [EU] Commission officials polled had a positive view of George W. Bush. Presumably that individual will now have to be found and sacked.
