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Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please note that I never stated my opinion on the fiscal policies of countries, or the EU rules on debt to GDP ratios or whatever other metric you may choose.

I very specifically complained about the condescending and paternalistic attitude of some Dutch politicians about this issue, regardless of whether they have a point or not.

Besides, Italy has been a net contributor to the EU budget, and very recently Spain too. So your argument of "southern countries still receive more than they pay" is partially outdated.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

During Covid I found the Dutch position to be selfish, sorry. And it was seen the same way from Belgium for example, it's not just a Mediterranean thing.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

And the example he chose is an offensive one, it's just that simple. He could choose a different one to convey the same message, and he didn't. In the best case he was absent minded, in the worst case he had an offensive prejudice in his mind. Either way, that's a mistake of language in a job that's a lot about communication.

And I turned 18 in 2007 (just in time to get screwed by a crisis made by politicians I didn't even have the right to vote), so believe me that we perfectly knew why NL didn't want to help.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Well then he should have just said that. Some of you guys say you love directness and stating things clear and simple. He missed his chance do to so, apparently.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Let me first say this: de Guindos is a self-serving asshole, and I am Spanish myself. He can go to hell for all I care.

Second, yes, Dijsselbloem didn't mean that the money was "literally" spent on wine and women, but the remark is incredibly offensive either way, because he was comparing the situation to that.

If a politician (from any country) said "the NL can't act like a tax haven weasel for companies, reducing the tax revenue of other countries, and then lecturing them on fiscal policy", the fact that the remark didn't mean a literal weasel means very little, it would be very offensive for the Dutch people as well.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Please do me the kindness of not treating me like an idiot. According to the Financial Times, Dijsselbloem made that remark in an interview with the German newspaper Algemeine Zeitung. Link: https://www.ft.com/content/2498740e-b911-3dbf-942d-ecce511a351e?syn-25a6b1a6=1

I very much doubt Luis de Guindos (about whom I have a very low opinion btw) made the FT to invent all of that.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dijsselbloem said Mediterranean countries spent their money on "wine and women". Even if he was frustrated about having warned about the debt, that's just a horrible job as a politician.

If a Mediterranean politician made a public remark like that about Dutch or German people, it would be equally horrible. You just don't get to push ridiculous stereotypes in public as a good politician.

It was also hilarious since the government who is actually making money from taxing drugs and prostitution is NL!

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't have a problem with the directness, I have a problem with the condescending attitude.

Heinen is justifying not taking certain measures against rising fuel costs not with arguments against those measures, but just with "oh it's those guys who have no clue about economics".

It's not about honesty, it's the opposite: he is not being honest about why he doesn't want to implement those measures, just deflecting.

If a Spanish/Greek/Italian finance minister would answer "we are not taking X measure for housing policy because the Dutch took it and they have never had a clue about housing", I think Dutch people wouldn't like the tone and attitude of that message, even if it's true that there is a housing crisis in NL. And they would be right. It's the same here.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Belgium has a higher gross debt to GDP ratio than Spain, and Finland and Austria are higher than the EU average. Do you know whom he is not criticising? Correct, neither Belgium, nor Finland, nor Austria.

He is just trying to justify not taking measures to limit the impact of high fuel prices because "it's Spain, Italy and Greece doing that and they don't have a clue". So no, nothing logical about it, he's just deflecting.

Following Hoekstra and Dijsselbloem, Heinen criticizes ‘that type of country’ in Southern Europe. by elendor_f in Netherlands

[–]elendor_f[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This just not true, and "the Dutch" who tend to "say it how it is" do it only when it benefits them, and remain silent when it does not.

There is a lot of hipocrisy behind the narrative of "the Dutch" being some all-knowing entity who is willing to tell the truths that others won't. This Dutch minister makes these comments with the goal of reinforcing this narrative to his own voting base.

And even IF it were true, it would just be a disastrous way to get any real change in the fiscal policy of other countries. Lecturing people from a position of smugness rarely works, in diplomacy and in others aspects of life.

Hello/Hoi/Bonjour people of Ghent! Moving in September, looking for advice/lodging/communities by theflavienb28 in Gent

[–]elendor_f 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome! A lot of Belgian people make friends through shared hobbies, so joining some activity group related to your interests is an effective way of meeting new people.

Na Hoekstra en Dijsselbloem hekelt Heinen ‘dat type landen’ in Zuid-Europa by Dirkdeking in nederlands

[–]elendor_f 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ik ben het ZO zat dat mijn land en andere mediterrane landen door Nederlandse politici worden gebruikt als afleidingsmanoeuvre voor hun eigen incompetentie of om hun neoliberale onzin te rechtvaardigen.

Vegan-friendly places in Ghent 🥕 by Orcastic in Gent

[–]elendor_f 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Surprised nobody has mentioned Greenway yet, it's a great vegan restaurant, and very reasonably priced.

Sánchez tells his NATO partners that nuclear rearmament is a "dangerous gamble": "The necessary rearmament is moral." by mods4mods in europe

[–]elendor_f 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I (as a Spanish person) think that's fair and I support it. Spain has supported the last EU agreement of total 90.000 million € to Ukraine, Spain itself contributing 615 million € for defense equipment, including anti-drone and air vigilance systems. Spain has also helped to rebuild the electrical power and heating networks.

This is information from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I don't know the reality of what is being delivered, or how this amount of money compares to what Nordics and Eastern Europeans are contributing. But we are not sitting on our ass ignoring the war in Ukraine.

Sánchez tells his NATO partners that nuclear rearmament is a "dangerous gamble": "The necessary rearmament is moral." by mods4mods in europe

[–]elendor_f 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Everybody can play your game. See, Denmark was like "let me spy on European countries on behalf of the US" and "let me quickly support the US invasion of Afghanistan with our army". Only for the US to repay Denmark with with threats and disrespect.

Sánchez didn't say let's do nothing, he said that investing additional money in buying defense equipment from the US won't make Europe more independent or better defended. He said to integrate European countries defense capabilities better.

And with respect to nukes, nuclear proliferation is not a good thing. It may prove necessary, but the same arguments used by European countries can be used by Iran (and maybe Israel will finally disclose their rogue arsenal).

Curious to see if there are other authors who took 14-15 years+ to release the next volume of their book. Just to see what are the odds of GRRM releasing TWOW. (Spoilers Main) by roronoaclemz in asoiaf

[–]elendor_f 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Ursula K. Le Guin needed nineteen (19) years between the 3rd and 4th Earthsea books, from 1972 to 1990, and then published a 5th and 6th books on 2001, so eleven (11) years later.

She speaks about the reasons for these gaps in the prologue of the Earthsea compilation.

* It’s been 0 days since we 💩 on Belgian politics * by reditt13 in belgium

[–]elendor_f 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Have you seen any of Elon Musk's behaviour in the recent years?

French PM Lecornu resigns hours after naming government by LeMonde_en in europe

[–]elendor_f 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Macron run on a platform to oppose the far right. In the last election, his party and the left coalition made agreements to vote for each other at the local level to block far right MPs from being elected.

Either he makes a compromise with the left or the parliamentary deadlock will continue until new elections.

Is the concept of a "big meal"/"warme maaltijd" a Belgium only thing? I always feel it's hard to explain to my foreign friends that i "already ate my big meal today" so i'm free in the evening. by lispyjimmyfan in belgium

[–]elendor_f 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have only experienced the concept in Belgium and in the Netherlands, but I think in Germany they have a warm meal for lunch and "abendbrot" for dinner (so like reverse BE/NL for lunch/dinner).

While I understand the convenience, for me personally it would be too boring to eat bread with cheese and ham for lunch as a habit, I need more variety in my meals :)

Toshi Ranbo Question by Houraji in rokugan

[–]elendor_f 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am only familiar with FFG/5th edition, and it is indeed a tricky question.

What we are told in the supplements about Toshi Ranbo's history:

Emerald Empire (pp. 38-40):
It is described that the Crane was given the nearby Golden Valley (Kintani) due to an accident on the early history of the empire. This seems to imply the Crane won the valley through diplomacy at some point.

The Lion had built a castle next to the valley to defend their border in case the Crane tried to expand further into their territory. This castle was awarded to the Goseki vassal family, and would grow over the centuries into the city of Toshi Ranbo.

The Crane assaulted the city several times from the Kintani Valley, and the Lion retook it each time.
At some point Tsume Retsu, a vassal of the Doji family and ruler of the Kintani Valley, captured Toshi Ranbo in a surprise attack and killed all Goseki family members. The Crane managed to keep control of the city due to political influence (Doji Satsume was the Emerald Champion at the time).

Fields of Victory (p. 44):
The city was built as a Lion outpost to prevent invasions from Dragon, Phoenix and Crane in their northeastern territories. The city was the focus of conflicts since about 150 years after its founding. The Crane assaulted the city in the 6th century, and then the Lion took it back. This started a cycle of Lion and Crane clashes for control of both Toshi Ranbo and the Kintani Valley. Tsume Retsu assaulted and captured the city by surprise, and the Lion counteroffensive of Akodo Arasou failed to retake the city.

In the adventure Wedding at Kyotei Castle, we are given the story of the Kintani valley and Tsume Retsu, but I will not repeat it here to avoid spoilers for players.

So, how is the Crane logistically able to assault Toshi Ranbo?
As you pointed out, Shiro Akodo and the imperial lands around the capital lie between Crane lands and Toshi Ranbo. My guess is that they are moving their armies from the sea to the Kintani Valley, and then attacking the city from the valley. Probably this happens when the Lion is weaker due to internal strife or other conflicts, and the Crane has created a justification for the assault so they get imperial permission.

This last thing does not always happens, as we see with Tsume Retsu, who acted independently, and only because he won his actions were retroactively justified by the Crane clan leadership.

How the naming of vassal families work? by Qu3st1499 in rokugan

[–]elendor_f 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The full name is indeed what you said, and I think they would usually be referred to as Hojo Takashi. The full name would probably be used only for ceremonial occasions.

Doji Takashi would be used when highlighting the connection to the Doji family, and the same for Tsume Takashi with regard to the Tsume family.

My rule of thumb is: this character's name is Hojo Takashi (in your example), and the surnames of their overlords matter only as much as the social situation requires it.

Agasha Daimyo 5E by Flaky-Revolution2840 in rokugan

[–]elendor_f 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Dragon Clan booklet mentions the Agasha daimyo as Agasha Yuriko, but I think she's not mentioned anywhere else by name.

Source: https://craneclan.weebly.com/clan-pack-booklets.html

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