Explosions at Brussels Airport and metro system - 13 dead so far

Years ago when I was still a young man, maybe 25, I went to Belgium with my uncle who was a jeweler. He went to buy diamonds and I went as his companion because my aunt (his wife) was on another trip with some friends. I had to either sit at the hotel on the days he went to the auction house or go out on the streets by myself. My uncle spoke French pretty good, but I only knew the popular words and that doesn't get one very far. However, I do remember having fun and enjoying the many pastry shops and coffee houses along the streets. It was a beautiful day and I just enjoyed exploring the area around the hotel.
 
oldman said:
Years ago when I was still a young man, maybe 25, I went to Belgium with my uncle who was a jeweler. He went to buy diamonds and I went as his companion because my aunt (his wife) was on another trip with some friends. I had to either sit at the hotel on the days he went to the auction house or go out on the streets by myself. My uncle spoke French pretty good, but I only knew the popular words and that doesn't get one very far. However, I do remember having fun and enjoying the many pastry shops and coffee houses along the streets. It was a beautiful day and I just enjoyed exploring the area around the hotel.
Click to expand...

Do you remember what town were you in? Was it Brussels?

I've only been at the train station in Brussels, and Charlevoix Airport. So have only properly seen Brugge, but there are other areas I'd love to visit.
 
Evil and tragic!

My sister and husband have a second home in Belgium which they visit about twice a month, I am not sure if they are there at present.
 
oohjarwatsit said:
Evil and tragic!

My sister and husband have a second home in Belgium which they visit about twice a month, I am not sure if they are there at present.
Click to expand...

Sums it up. Best Wishes To Your Family!

Death count now 31-36 depending with 100 plus injured depending on reports. Unexploded suicide/bomb vest found at airport. Two explosions about 10-15 seconds apart at airport. One bomber/bomb went off in front of an American Airlines counter and Starbucks. Apparently the bombs were in pre screen/check in areas at airport. Bomb on subway went off as train leaving station.

When they recovered an apparently large weapons stash along with the suspect last week it was pretty obvious they had more planned. The pos captured terrorist decided not to blow himself up leaving a vest at his hideout as well.

RIP. Speedy Recovery To Survivors.
 
When I was in Germany, I visited Belgium...mainly Brussels, and Liege...on several occasions. That is a beautiful country, and it's a shame to see it being torn apart by this Muslim Radicalism. I think the people of Europe are beginning to see the problems with having so many Muslims in their midst, and this Syrian Refugee situation is only going to make things worse, over the long term. Somehow, the Western nations are going to have to come up with a process that allows, and encourages, the sensible Muslims to report on the radicals in their midst. Otherwise, things will only continue to go downhill.
 
Don M. said:
When I was in Germany, I visited Belgium...mainly Brussels, and Liege...on several occasions. That is a beautiful country, and it's a shame to see it being torn apart by this Muslim Radicalism. I think the people of Europe are beginning to see the problems with having so many Muslims in their midst, and this Syrian Refugee situation is only going to make things worse, over the long term. Somehow, the Western nations are going to have to come up with a process that allows, and encourages, the sensible Muslims to report on the radicals in their midst. Otherwise, things will only continue to go downhill.
Click to expand...

I always felt the youth of many European countries not only had a lot of positive energy but seemed more adult as well. I don't see that coming in to Europe today. Part of this goes back to voluntarily deciding not to assimilate. If one wants to come to another country to live year round there should be no reason that entire neighborhood should be made their own. Assimilate, learn the language and customs. I'm hearing reports that many incoming cultures are demanding a place of their own and don't want to see police or want police activity after dark(I heard it wasn't til after Paris that the police could conduct raids at night in these neighborhoods). It's one thing to be polite to visitors but another to let them run run your house.
 
Re assimilation. In many cities, in many countries, including my own, ethnic enclaves are common. Chinatown, little Italy, etc. it is only natural for people to wish to live among others with similar backgrounds. It is a mistake to profile Muslims as

somehow different from other ethnic groups in this fashion. Heck, The IRA was assimilated, but thrived for decades, helped vociferously by those of Irish roots who dwelt across the pond.
 
Underock1 said:
"Allahu Akkbar!" "God is great!" "God is love" Right.
Click to expand...

I'm disappointed. Your signature line says Judge not. And here you are implying that all who say this are terrorists. How many Islamic terrorists are there in the world? How many Muslims? 1.5 billion.
 
Shalimar said:
Re assimilation. In many cities, in many countries, including my own, ethnic enclaves are common. Chinatown, little Italy, etc. it is only natural for people to wish to live among others with similar backgrounds. It is a mistake to profile Muslims as

somehow different from other ethnic groups in this fashion. Heck, The IRA was assimilated, but thrived for decades, helped vociferously by those of Irish roots who dwelt across the pond.
Click to expand...

Shalimar, excellent post, I have lived in South Africa and because of the attitude of the Afrikaners still blaming the English...note I said the English.... for the Boer War we felt we couldn't assimilate only with other English people or English speaking South Africans.

People forget about the IRA and how they not only committed atrocities in their own land but on the mainland as well and then there was NORAID in the US that collected for the IRA and sent them money for weapons etc..................people have very short memories when it comes to terroist activities.

I have just come back from a 4 week holiday in Belgium and I wouldn't hesitate to go again because I have a son, daughter in law and two grandchildren living there.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top