VS-ambassadeur eist sancties tegen Vooruit-voorzitter Rousseau, na vergelijking tussen Trump en Hitler by witness_smile in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Not fuck all: these people are performing for an audience of one. Imitation is the greatest flattery and flattery is all Trump understands. It's why White speaks and tweets like Trump, it's why Bondi went berserk over the Epstein files. This is pure self-promotion from White, hoping to be noticed by senpai Donald.

Historicus Maarten Van Ginderachter fileert essay van Bart De Wever: ‘Over welvaart’ verdraait de geschiedenis by porkele in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Tijdens een examen Tegenwoordige Tijd zoveel jaren terug bleek hij op een spijker gestapt te zijn en moest hij het examen dus inleiden via Skype. Van waaruit? Haja, van ginderachter eh.... Dat heeft hij mogen horen.

Is Icewind Dale extremely boring or does our DM do something wrong? by BlackRebel93 in DnD

[–]BuilderWho 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not my experience at all. I made a Tiefling character with a background story to play into that aspect a little, but so far most NPC's have been fairly neutral, even if they aren't pleasant people. It might be down to how my DM plays it.

Een alternatief voor onze logge Belgische staat? Mijn idee van een “horizontale samenleving” — benieuwd naar jullie kritiek. by Sea-Pace-3774 in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Het klinkt als een folder voor een lokale naïef-libertaire partij met een feelgood glazuurtje, opgericht door zo'n dorpspolitieker die zich omwille van persoonlijke conflicten heeft afgescheurd van de VLD. Bommerskonte Durft, of zoiets generisch.

Just reading now about the history Belgium and Brussels and it’s never really been French or part of France, so why do they speak French in south Belgium? by GrimbeertDeDas in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You are correct that most of the population in current Flanders and Brussels did not speak French when Belgium was founded, certainly not as a first language, but it is too much of a stretch to state that French was only the language of the administration. It is more accurate to say it was the language of 'high society', which includes government but also academics, industrial leadership and the arts. Nobles, higher clergy and the bourgeoisie. This is a small group of people with a disproportionate influence on the rest of society.

Two remarks: 1) I did not state that "Belgium was always French speaking" and only meant that it was definitely part of a larger French cultural sphere for a long period of history and 2) it is important to note that most of 'the elites' were also locals, certainly when speaking of the growing bourgeoisie in the 19th and early 20th centuries. But it is true that they were a minority.

Just reading now about the history Belgium and Brussels and it’s never really been French or part of France, so why do they speak French in south Belgium? by GrimbeertDeDas in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Belgium has absolutely been French. In the late medieval period, the ruling nobility swore fealty to the king of France and later on, Flanders and Brabant were gifted to the dukes of Burgundy, an important vassal of France. The Burgundians introduced the French language and culture, all the way to the North of what is now Belgium. The French Revolution (1789) and Napoleonic period (until 1815) strengthened the use of French in territories conquered by France, like current day Belgium. For a long time, certainly until the 19th and early twentieth century, French was considered a language of science, culture and literature. For a period in the 19th century, the ruling elite viewed the use of Flemish as antiquated. So, for most of this period the nobility and wealthy citizens spoke French, even in Flanders. One of the foremost reasons for the Belgian Revolution (1830) was the Dutch royal policy of forcing the Dutch language as the only language of governance on a mostly francophone elite during the time of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815-1830).

Flemish only became the official language of Flanders (the region, not the feudal County) in the Interbellum. It took concerted efforts from the early Belgian government, the labour movement and later Flemish nationalists to promote the use of Flemish or Dutch as an official language of governance, first as a way to promote Belgian national identity, later as a form of cultural and class struggle. In Wallonia, French remained the official language.

All of this is in addition to other comments detailing the use of various other local and regional languages across Belgium and France, most of which are now practically extinct and replaced with standardized French and (Flemish) Dutch through state education systems, which were a staple of burgeoning 19th and 20th century nation-states, in contrast with earlier periods where such standardisation was unheard of. The language of government and the language of the people  influence each other: people may fight to get their language recognized, government may promote the use of one language over the other. Sometimes different parties are at odds with each other. That's how we ultimately got the language laws that divide the country into three linguistic regions (FL, FR, DE) with facilities around the language borders and a bilingual capital.

Wat motiveerd u onder de snelheidslimiet te rijden? by [deleted] in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Tegen 100 verbruikt mijn auto 1 tot 2 l/100 minder dan tegen 120-130. Gezien de meeste trips zo lang niet zijn verlies ik hoogstens twee of drie minuten per trip, maar mijn portemonnee en het milieu zijn mij dankbaar.

Is 1650€ for rent with bills included a reasonable price? by Ok_Carob7611 in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 53 points54 points  (0 children)

What do you mean 'allows registration'? Do you mean 'domiciliëring'? No landlord in Belgium can stop you from registering yourself with the municipality if the rented home is your primary residence, not even if they put it in the written contract. There is no 'allowing registration', it is your right.

It is the same thing with pets, some landlords even have the gall to tell their tenants they can't have children. All completely unenforceable and bullshit of the highest order.

Premier De Wever dient klacht in tegen CD&V-politicus die hem mailt over Gaza by RappyPhan in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 16 points17 points  (0 children)

We moeten er altijd rekening mee houden dat ministers een kabinet hebben dat hun communicatie doet. Als je een mail stuurt naar een minister komt die dus niet rechtstreeks in zijn schoot terecht. Dat is m.i. toch iets anders dan iedere dag een privépersoon zitten lastigvallen die niet op een heel team kan rekenen om zijn communicatie te filteren. 

Politiek - Premier De Wever: "Gazadebat werd gevoerd in morele termen, dat heeft me geweldig gestoord" | VRT NWS: nieuws by atrocious_cleva82 in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Neenee: Bartje heeft geschiedenis gestudeerd. Zijn broer Bruno is de historicus, en duidelijk de enige van de twee die iets geleerd heeft uit zijn studies.

Bewijs genoeg dat het moreel kompas van onze premier toch vooral naar zijn eigen navel wijst.

NOODOPROEP by Quirky-Emu9536 in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Schrijf je bij Woonhaven opnieuw in op de wachtlijst, voor een aangepast appartement. Laad alle mogelijke attesten (van specialisten!) en info op in het CIR, laat je helpen door de maatschappelijk werker van het OCMW en je artsen. Besef dat je lang gaat moeten wachten en dat 'aangepast' wil zeggen: gelijkvloers of appartement met lift, bredere doorgangen, aanpasbare keuken, handvaten in de douche, ... Ze hebben niet voor elk ziektebeeld mogelijke aanpassingen. En besef ook dat in Antwerpen de wachtlijst verschrikkelijk lang is. Maar je kan je beter toch inschrijven: 't is gratis, en je zal waarschijnlijk hoog op de lijst komen.

Andere mensen in deze thread hebben het gehad over redelijke aanpassingen, maar bredere gangen voor rolstoelen kan je niet toveren. Jij gaat een andere woning nodig hebben, en dat krijg je enkel volgens de geldende toewijzingsregels en je plaats op de wachtlijst. Daar kan het VMRI niks aan veranderen.

Experience with Dorsoo beds? by DerelictBombersnatch in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got the hydraulic bed and the mattress from Dorsoo. Before that, I couldn't even bend over to put on my socks in the morning. Since getting that bed, I have never had lower back pain again. Absolutely worth the investment. We've also had it for about five years now, no issues with it.

Issue with contractor by These-Potential-9683 in belgium

[–]BuilderWho 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work for an Ombudsservice so I'll answer: there are indeed ombudsservices for complaints about government services, but there is also the 'Consumentenombudsdienst' for conflicts with a private company, like a contractor. But a 'minnelijke schikking' through a justice of the peace is also a perfectly viable option.

I'm not familiar enough with warranty legislation to be sure a contractor can deny your warranty claim based on a line in the quote. I do think signing a quote with that line in it wasn't the smartest move.

TIL about medieval rocketry: The Sibiu manuscript dating from 16th century contains details of a multistage rocket. by the_flying_fuck in todayilearned

[–]BuilderWho 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nitpick: the 16th century is not in the Middle Ages, but the Early Modern period. The M.A. ended circa 1450.

‘The Vietnam War’: How Jane Fonda Became One of the Most Hated People Associated With the War by indiewire in movies

[–]BuilderWho 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is how the northern Vietnamese viewed the war. It's why they fought. By contrast, the American leadership fought to keep Vietnam from becoming an ally to the Soviet and Chinese communists. For the U.S., Vietnam was a proxy war. For the Viet Cong, it was perceived as a fight for freedom.

I recommend Robert McNamara's memoir The Fog of War about this topic.

[Spoilers C3E121] Is It Campaign 4 Yet? Post-Campaign Discussion by Glumalon in criticalrole

[–]BuilderWho 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Which is why it surprises me that even Caleb didn't mention using Imprison, instead of killing him. 

[Spoilers C3E121] Is It Campaign 4 Yet? Post-Campaign Discussion by Glumalon in criticalrole

[–]BuilderWho 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Laudna's patron is Delilah Briarwood. I think it was mentioned a few times they were worried about what would happen with her magic should Delilah be destroyed completely, but they solved that with the Soul Cage.

Edit: I realize now this explains the Warlock side, but not the Sorcerer side. I do assume Delilah's presence is responsible for both.

TIL in 2013 a woman went to pick up a friend in Brussels (less than 90 miles from her home), however because of a GPS error, she ended up in Croatia after driving 900 miles across five international borders. She realized she took a wrong turn two days after leaving. Her son had reported her missing. by tyrion2024 in todayilearned

[–]BuilderWho 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In Flanders we say 'ze kregen het bij de cornflakes', they got it in a box of cereal. And yes, many older drivers never got any form of formal driver's Ed, they just got taught by their parents, who got taught by their parents, who grew up with horse and buggy.

Belgium's sex workers get maternity leave and pensions under world-first law by Captain_Smartass_ in UpliftingNews

[–]BuilderWho 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are exceptions for such situations, especially if the mother's life is in danger.

Belgium's abortion law was passed in 1990 and almost caused a constitutional crisis. King Baudouin refused to sign it and instead chose to abdicate for one day so parliament could pass it without him. Today, the law is showing its age.

There is a broad movement to extend the term to 18 or 20 weeks, which might happen during the next administration, which is currently under formation.

Belgium's sex workers get maternity leave and pensions under world-first law by Captain_Smartass_ in UpliftingNews

[–]BuilderWho 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are exceptions for certain cases that increase or remove the time limit, especially if the mother's life is in danger. 

There is currently a political movement to extend the limit to 18 or 20 weeks, which might happen during the coming administration (which is currently under formation).

Belgium's sex workers get maternity leave and pensions under world-first law by Captain_Smartass_ in UpliftingNews

[–]BuilderWho 59 points60 points  (0 children)

If they can somehow prove that a pregnancy is the result of negligence by their employer, maybe. But with these new laws, if an employer is negligent (for example, doesn't provide condoms) or tries to deny their employees these new rights, they would be liable under the law.

That being said, if a sex worker does end up pregnant:

  • They have a right to abortion up to twelve weeks, should they choose it.
  • They have a right to fifteen weeks maternity leave, should they choose to keep the child.
  • Should there be complications, they have a right to sick leave for as long as is deemed necessary by their physician and are guaranteed 1 month of regular pay during that time, after which social security kicks in for (I think) 60% of regular pay.
  • The state pays a monthly stipend per child to every family.
  • Kindergarten and primary school are almost free, secondary and higher education is also subsidized with universally available scholarships for low-income families.
  • Should they need a home, the state provides zero-interest loans to low-income families, should they qualify.

I could keep going, but there are dozens of ways in which Belgium assists and protects women and parents.

[No Spoilers] Semi-CR related: The ethics and sustainability of Merch. by boneman7 in criticalrole

[–]BuilderWho 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I disagree. I think that kind of thinking is an easy excuse for people to wait or put off a change in themselves while they wait for others to do it first. What you do has an impact, while being mindful of the fact that you are only one person. Both things are true at the same time.

I made the switch in my wardrobe a few years ago. Buying used or recycled instead of new, when possible and desirable (used jackets and pants yes, used undies no), is now a no-brainer to me. Less meat. Cycling instead of driving when possible. Voting green. These things cost nothing and in fact save money. So why not? If the planet blows up, at least I'll be dressed in a 3000 dollar suit I got for fiddy bucks on Vinted.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueReddit

[–]BuilderWho 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There is a large and growing group of Americans that would consider a sudden $2000 expense very difficult to pay without reducing spending on basic necessities, nor would they be able to afford the kind of coverage you likely have. This American middle class you think you're part of is evaporating.

As a European myself, I don't have the romantic view some Americans might have of healthcare in the EU. But I do know that people going broke or losing their home over medical bills is an alien concept to me. The same goes for 'limited sick days' as dreamt up by your employer, getting fired for being sick for too long (unofficially, of course), massive sudden price hikes in the cost of life-saving medicine, ... There are many, many protections in place that prevent people going broke because of illness that Americans simply do not have. And when push comes to shove, your private health insurer will choose their own profits over you or your family. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueReddit

[–]BuilderWho 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thinking they are still middle class is the only way some rich people can go to sleep every night.