Sunday, 18. October 2009, 07:58:35
politics, het natuurlijk tracé, ring, people
...
Hurray!
Today, we celebrate democracy.
People from this district, and some surrounding districts, are called to cast their vote in a referendum, concerning the Natural Trace(
Het Natuurlijke Tracé ), a multi-billion euro construction, that is supposed to deal with most traffic problems and designed to finally close the Ring.
As I wrote
before, the outcome won't be considered too serious.
Anyway, according to studies, a bridge would be better than a large tunnel in terms of safety as well as for the environment.
The pictures show a not too bad construction, the main question remains: "How long will it actually take and what will be the final cost?"
Great visionaries of the sixties have completely overlooked ( ignored ) this traffic problem at the time and now a lot of inhabited areas will be turned into building yards and construction places.
All well that ends well.
Sunday, 27. September 2009, 10:49:10
politics, life
Deputy mayor Marc Van Peel taught us that a referendum is not binding.
The outcome is merely to be taken in consideration.
How stupid could I have been.
We live in a democrazy.
What purpose or power should be granted to the people's voice.
To bridge or not to bridge.
Sunday, 27. September 2009, 10:31:48
politics, life
Time for a change, so I am putting here, as a primer, for sale 30.528km2 of land.
Situated south from the Netherlands, bordering on the North Sea in the West.
Facilities included, such as power plants and electricity, run from Paris and banking infrastructure, run from Holland.
All modern comfort and contemporary recreation and entertainment, including real flesh royalty, political intrigues and corruption and laws set for ready exploitation of 11 million inhabitants.
Price is negotiable.
Friday, 7. August 2009, 11:28:04
politics, life
Barely one year after the crisis hit the banking sector, and they managed to survive only with government funding, often several billions,
BNP Paribas announced that they put aside one billion euro bonus money.
This money would be used to reward "outstanding" employees.
BNP Paribas has taken over Fortis, another bank that managed to survive, the same way, and one of their policies was to persuade customers to make risky investments.
Apart from the uncovered losses that those clients suffered, now, after being funded with money of non-clients alike, they are going to pull the same stunt, over again.
What did they learn?
What did we learn?
Things like this make me think of an iconoclasm.
Up till now, not a single word from our representatives.
Thursday, 16. July 2009, 07:29:54
politics, life
One advantage of staying home during the week is that I was able to follow some activity ( there actually was some! ) in the Flemish Parliament.
I noted some interesting newcomers and some maiden speeches.
Joris Van Hauthem, parliamentary groups leader for Vlaams Belang, an ultra right nationalistic party, made some strong interventions when the discussion of Flander's image in the rest of the world was started.
Lode Vereeck, a doctor in Economy and parliamentary group leader of LDD is probably very aware of what he's talking about, but his maiden speech was poor.
The topics were interesting, but he definitely needs some training and coaching as a speaker.
Since it was his first speech, he could have expected to be countered and tested by the ancient members.
His colleague and fraction member
Peter Reekman fired strong and well founded remarks towards the Flemish Government. He probably would make a better speaker than the professor.
Good to see some new blood in the house. I think they can actually make some difference.
And if not, these guys don't seem to be willing to be shut up.
Below is a picture of the Flemish Parliament.
Note the glass roof that promises transparency.
A political promise, but nevertheless ...
WIDGETIZE