Arte, autre télévision de qualité… un partenariat franco-allemand de haut-vol, avec un ton intelligent, nous propose ici un tour du monde via les télévisions. (Vidéo en format Real - 9′12 - cliquez sur “extrait du best-off”). Le thème pourrait ici être intitulé “les émissions les plus originales de politique”, ou encore, “les bouffons du XXème siècle”..
Les “droits et liberté de la presse” ; un thème qui mériterait tout un chapitre… un équilibre difficile avec le pouvoir officiel, une conception et protection de liberté que j’estimerai plus d’un point de vue individuel - l’état tentant d’englober l’individu dans des lignes plus grossières, plus anonymes… il est vrai que dans certains cas, le contre-pouvoir de la presse peut être paralysant, dans d’autres, contestataire constructif. Son optique devait toujours suivre cette simple ligne ; “émanciper et développer les esprits“, surtout quand la classe politique dirigeante préfèrerait éviter le débat…
Un journaliste, un vrai clown ? Seulement, quand il ne prend pas le recul qu’il devrait prendre…
just about feelings around the world - I really enjoyed going through this flash presentation even if it is part of a branding action (for the BBC) snapshots of the world - if I had the budget… this makes you dream
BBC, British Broadcast Corporation, where journalists are more independent than maybe the rest of the crowd (proper network of correspondents)… No advertising, and no (direct at least) influence from political parties (even if its sole source of financing is from the U.K. - I know this freedom of speech sounds strange, maybe it is part of the English culture - even though there are channels I wouldn’t trust for a penny) - slightly left wing to some extent (that’s fine with me).
A bit of free advertising for a good television that worths it… for a world tour, don’t hesitate to read these following online newspapers - I am not sure how independent they are, but at least, you’ll be collecting different point of views… don’t hesitate to add your favorite ones, or to comment…
Belgium would be divided in 2/3 different countries? Fine, let it be that way (won’t be anytime soon though).
1. Brussels becomes part of Flanders ? I would hardly accept this idea - even if I speak Flemish, my mother tongue is French. Language Diversity (a concept I care a lot) might be at risk. On the other hand, if Brussels becomes part of Flanders, and if the UN, EU institutions make their job, Flanders might be coerced to become a bilingual entity (Brussels or the poison pill:-). This might be funny to try (but the joke might be for a short while).
2. Brussels becomes the first European state directly ruled by the European Commission? I would hardly accept this idea (being governed by a Greek, or a Swedish, or any other European citizen except a native). On the other hand, not so far ago (175 years ago), we were used to be ruled by Dutch, French, Austrian, Spanish,… during centuries). It would be a pretty big administration for such a small city though
3. Brussels becomes part of Wallonia ? Walloons speak French, we share common media (TV and newspapers). But do I want Brussels to be managed like Charleroi ? Sorry this was easy, but well, the most populated city of Wallonia is not really an example of transparency.
4. “Wallonia-Brussels” becomes part of France ? French speaks French, we share common media (TV and newspapers). But do I want a Sarkozy-Bruni duet as a royal example ? Ok, frankly, I don’t care, but Language Diversity (a concept I care a lot about) might be at risk in this case (I love speaking other languages).
5. Wallonia becomes part of Luxembourg (or maybe Wallonia takes over Luxemburg) ? In Luxembourg, 3 national languages. They are friendly, a bit rough, but friendly, they know how to manage business, and make money… mmmh why not, I’d like to explore this idea. A future country with 4 national languages, good governance, still some royal family… from a cultural point of view, it might be very powerful…
6. Wallonia, like Brussels becomes part of a “European federation entity”, under commandment of the EC. This might get very funny, but could open huge opportunities (an open-air laboratory on how to boost a whole region, a “EU flagship”, where ideas will be directly put into practice). On the other hand, the country is paralyzed by a very complex decision apparel, economy is not flourishing, entrepreneurship is still considered as a strange concept. Tough challenge,… would be these 16 844 km² be ready to become a Multicultural chaos ?
7. The Netherlands become part of Flanders (I know this is a bit cynic) ? Dutch speak a very close language to Flemish. But do you seriously believe Flemish would like to be called “Dutch” (I mean Hollanders being called Flemish?) ? There is after all a deep cultural gap (Flemish are mainly catholics, and Dutch protestants), and anyway The Netherlands will not accept to be called “Flanders”. This could constitute though one of the most powerful economic bloc… since Flanders would leave out Wallonia because of the money…
In the case some hurdles happen (at the “linguistic border”), if things get serious, I sell everything (I have nothing) and will live somewhere else, abroad (making money and surviving is hard enough) - maybe I’ll be entitled to get a US / Australian nationality ? Cool perspective (but please, not Arkansas)… Little Belgium between little Armenia and Little Italy…
I don’t bloody care about the results of my national football team (ok, maybe except woman tennis), but I don’t mind watching a football match - I actually support the Dutch team (thanks to Overmars, so small, so fast).
I usually play low key when mentioning my origins (”born in Brussels”, that’s it, next?). My nationality is not a big deal when exchanging with “foreigners” (funny concept as well btw…).
I don’t know any Belgian folk songs by heart (and actually any songs), even if I enjoy listening at them (like any other songs from any other country). If it is possible to dance on it, I’ll be the first on the floor.
I don’t know my national anthem by heart (just the main chorus ; “le roi, la loi, la liberté” (”the king, the law, the freedom”) - ready to sing for freedom though). The English and the French ones sound great.
Even if I’m a French native speaker, I am fluent in two other languages (and basics in 5 others), I like to speak them all, alternatively, during the day. English is the new Lingua Franca, it’s a tool, a commodity. Dutch is a part of myself.
I prefer the taste of Czech beer (”Krusovice cerny” is my favorite), Belgian chocolate is fine, but I wouldn’t kill for it.
they are nice people everywhere (in Belgium and abroad). They are *ssh*les everywhere as well.
Oh, yes, I forgot,… Belgium has a government now where nearly all important political parties who competed during these elections, have gained official responsibilities (15 ministries from left to Flemish secessionist far-right sides - Mexican Army, here we are…)… opposition ? Funny Belgian concept… “concertation”, you mean.
Identity like national I.D. - if your personality were limited to what is written on this piece of plastic, I don’t think I would spend a sincere time with you (I might politely listen at you though).
Believe it or not, but this is my profession of faith as a Belgian. Keeping my eyes opened to other ways of thinking, learning from them, the world is big enough… up to you if you want to be considered as a cattle. In my country, we sell (specific) weapons (and bloody good ones) to (selected) third world countries (it is just for business of course), but we don’t use them at home… not legal for civilians to own one… we can make more money in other ways.
In the case of some hurdles in Belgium (split of the country, demonstrations). I’ll check what’s going on - if things get serious (which would sincerely surprise me), I sell everything (easy, I have nothing) and will live somewhere else, abroad (making money and surviving is hard enough) in a more peace minded country - maybe I’ll be entitled to get an Australian nationality ? Cool perspective… Little Belgium between little Armenia and Little Italy in Sidney… but don’t ask me to shoot on my neighbor because he speaks another language, and because we did not manage to communicate together. It is not because buying a gun is less time consuming, it brings a clever and long-lasting solution… and anyway I can’t really shoot.
Lendemains au Laos, veille d’enterrement de vie de garçon d’un serbe, lourd dde whisky bon marché à Bangkok, endroit glauque, côté mâle serbe au grand complet, c’est peut-être culturel… 6 heures du mat’, 50 Serbes avec leurs drapeaux, Serbes vivant des 4 coins du monde, de l’Afrique du Sud à l’Australie, de la Serbie à la Californie, 50 se retrouvant dans un pays aussi développé que le leur, de la musique serbe imposée dans tous les restaurants (un DJ dans le groupe (un ipod avec des baffles portatifs)), de la danse parfois laotienne, mais surtout serbe, du karaoke la veille du mariage (tout le monde devait chanter ; les champs Elysées pour ma part), une actrice serbe qui dansait magnifiquement, une histoire serbe au Laos, tous derrière l’écran acclamant Stojkovitch après sa victoire, des invités de Chine travaillant à mon sens pour le gouvernement, un autrichien de Shanghai qui a complètement perdu le sens des relations homme-femme, qui a perdu tout sens de fidélité, de respect, qui s’est perdu dans cet univers où les femmes sont toutes plus tentatrices que les autres, un repas pour 1000 personnes assises - Johny Walker Golden label, de la danse, pas mal de tête les lendemains…
le retour vers Roissy, Irak du Sud au Nord, étendue de sable, canicule, Baghdad, pas un nuage, midi, 4 colonnes de fumées noires qui se dissipaient à 10 000 mètres d’altitude, les ais-je bien compté ?
Genève, avec un ami de Paris, environnement Croix-rouge, elles avaient toutes voyagé. Sierra Leone, Bosnie, Darfour, Palestine, Liban, Congo, leurs yeux sans étincelle, malice en disaient long. Je comprends maintenant pourquoi les salaires au CICR sont si élevés. Aller dans les prisons, brandir les conventions internationales, forcer le passage, sans armes, parler avec les prisonniers, tenir des listes, les tortures, les disparus, qui, quoi, lourd - Henri Dunant, bravo, et dire que tu étais un banquier, noyé de fric, que tu voulais voir l’empereur pour lui acheter/ vendre je ne sais quoi, tu as vu l’horreur de l’après Solférino, tu n’as pas supporté, tu as créé ce mouvement, tu es mort dans la pauvreté,… l’humanité te doit une fière chandelle. Ami lecteur, si tu passes par Génève, visite le musée du CICR, ça en vaut la peine.
Toutes des histoires qui méritent d’être creusées un peu plus,… mais dans lesquelles je me sens battre, une folie en quelque sorte, mais qui inspire. Le problème, c’est qu’après il en faut encore plus.
Plus.
Ce sont les mélanges, la mixité qui rend la vie intéressante, en avoir peur ce serait de se réduire à un village de rednecks dans l’Arkansas “you speak another language than English, you don’t like America ? You don’t like Baseball or Basketball, you don’t like America ? You are weird, go away or I’ll beat you…” ; rêve de tout marketeer, une campagne, un maximum d’efficacité… mon lit Ikea, mon scooter japonais, mon envie rebelle de soif multiculturelle (mais je regarderai pas les films d’Arte pour autant… quoique…)
