<div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=========================================================================<br>L O W L A N D S - L - 12 March 2008 - Volume 01<br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">
<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">-------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Please set the encoding mode to Unicode (UTF-8).</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">
<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">If viewing this in a web browser, please click on</span><br style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">the html toggle at the bottom of the archived page.</span><br>
=========================================================================<br></div><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">From: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><span class="EP8xU" style="color: rgb(200, 137, 0);">orville crane</span> <span class="lDACoc"><<a href="mailto:manbythewater@hotmail.com">manbythewater@hotmail.com</a>></span></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Subject: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe">LL-L "LL-L news" 2008.03.11 (02) [E]<br><br></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Feliciteren! Ik ben blij dat je (ook voor ons) een dergelijke eer ontvangen hebt!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
man bij het water</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">----------</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">From: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><span class="EP8xU" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 96);">Andrys Onsman</span> <span class="lDACoc"><<a href="mailto:Andrys.Onsman@calt.monash.edu.au">Andrys.Onsman@calt.monash.edu.au</a>></span></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Subject: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe">LL-L "LL-L news" 2008.03.11 (02) [E]<br><br>
</span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">From; Andrys Onsman</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
re: News</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Dear Ron</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
WooooHooooo!!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Nothing more than you deserve! Congratulations; wear it proudly.</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Best wishes</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<font style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" color="#888888">Andrys<br><br>----------<br><br></font><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">From: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><span class="EP8xU" style="color: rgb(0, 131, 145);">Diederik Masure</span> <span class="lDACoc"><<a href="mailto:didimasure@hotmail.com">didimasure@hotmail.com</a>></span></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Subject: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe">LL-L "LL-L news" 2008.03.11 (02) [E]<br><br></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Gratz, Ron! </span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">One sidemark, whereas the letter says that "more and more peoples
have been growing aware of their cultural identities, and they express
their uniqueness by speaking their original languages", of course we
all know that the Flemish government uniformly propagates the Northern
Dutch standard language and does everything to surpress local varieties
as much as possible, as f.eks. a few days/weeks ago when minister
Keulen forbade representants in the "gemeenteraad" (muncipality
council?) in Voeren to speak their local Rheinlandish dialect in
council meetings, where the use of Voerens/Rheinlandish was inspired by
an attempt to avoid choosing sides between Flemish and Walloon in the
political "hetze" of lately. And quite often you hear about studies
finding out that teachers still use too much dialect in schools, and
consecutive directives from official instances that education should
happen in standard dutch and standard dutch only. </span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Of course I kind of understand that they want to have a unified
language and such, but I just think it's a little bit
bullshit/hypocritical to claim that they're happy about people using
indigenous languages more and more(, as long as it doesn't happen in
their backyard)... </span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Diederik</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">----------</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">From: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><span class="EP8xU" style="color: rgb(0, 104, 28);">Luc Hellinckx</span> <span class="lDACoc"><<a href="mailto:luc.hellinckx@gmail.com">luc.hellinckx@gmail.com</a>></span><span class="lDACoc"></span></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Subject: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe">LL-L "LL-L news"</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><br>
</span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Beste Ron,</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
You wrote:</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<blockquote style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" type="cite">I
had the honor and pleasure of being Roger's guest last night at a
reception given by the Belgian Trade Mission to Seattle and Vancouver.
Heading the delegation was Philippe, Duke of Brabant and Heir Apparent
to the Belgian Throne, as well as relevant Flemish and Walloon cabinet
ministers. <br>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Wow!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
My sincere congratulations, for the medal that you received: No doubt,
you really deserve it.</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Guess the reception was probably a great opportunity to advocate the
Lowlands? So nice that Roger managed to get you inside, hats off to him
too.</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
My school is located approximately a 100 m away from the King's palace
and garden in Laken, but I haven't had the opportunity yet to talk to
him or any of his relatives. Maybe I should just kick a ball in his
backyard, then ring his bell and ask him if I can pick it up? <span> :-D </span></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Anyway, guess we're all very proud of you!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Kind greetings,</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><font style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" color="#888888">
<br>
Luc Hellinckx<br>
</font><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
PS: Bear in mind that our dynasty belongs to the house of
Sachsen-Coburg...is that the right Sachsen? <span>
;-) <br><br>----------<br><br></span>From: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><span class="EP8xU" style="color: rgb(0, 104, 28);">Maria Elsie Zinsser</span> <span class="lDACoc"><<a href="mailto:ezinsser@icon.co.za">ezinsser@icon.co.za</a>></span></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
Subject: </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe">LL-L "LL-L news" 2008.03.11 (02) [E]<br><br></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Ron,</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">How lovely, this news, and of course die buitebeen the most worthy recipient!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Hartlik geluk!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Elsie </span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="HcCDpe"><br></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">----------</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">From: R. F. Hahn <<a href="mailto:sassisch@yahoo.com">sassisch@yahoo.com</a>></span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Subject: LL-L news</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks, "guys," "dudes," etc.,</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">But, as I said, it's for all of us. I'm not just saying this to be polite or diplomatic. Think about it! Could I have done any of this without you, at least without those of you that have been participating day-to-day and/or in special projects? It doesn't matter how "great" one's idea is, and it doesn't really matter either how many people jump through the hoops of being on the band wagon. What matters is that people "get it" and in that spirit keep it going and make it </span><u style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">everyone's</u><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> thing and shape and color it communally. In that regard we have been blessed for 13 years now. Since my name is not on the medal (English: <a href="http://lowlands-l.net/rfhahn/special/medal.htm">http://lowlands-l.net/rfhahn/special/medal.htm</a>, German: <a href="http://lowlands-l.net/rfhahn/special/medaille.htm">http://lowlands-l.net/rfhahn/special/medaille.htm</a>), I make it all Lowlanders' medal, and that just in time for our anniversary, will also say so at our anniversary site (<a href="http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/">http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/</a>). So there!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Luc, I'm afraid we're talking about fake Saxons. They aren't even from the area of today's fake Saxony but from Bavaria and Thuringia!</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Diederik, I agree that many things still need to be fixed and that there is still a lot of nice-sounding hot air flying around. But with the years I have learned that it is most effective to generate good-will and capitalize on it, thereby getting as many people as possible to listen to you, as opposed to making people lose face and thereby turning them into enemies that will never listen to you with an open mind. Even the largest avalanche begins with a tiny fluff of snow, to use a Highlands metaphor.</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes, Belgium is an enigma, even to Belgians, when it comes to internal politics. Never mind the seemingly intractable language policy situation (that prevents recognition of languages such as Walloon, Picard and Limburgish), and never mind the current political </span><i style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">shlamazl</i><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">, things are happening in Belgium, often surprisingly so. That, to me, is a good sign. Belgium seems to defy conventional logic in its seeming contradictions, and that not necessarily in a "negative" sense. Ethnic divide, political stalemate, monarchy, and dominant Roman Catholicism are by most considered sure signs of conservatism. But then little Belgium shocks the world by being at the cutting edge of social reform, such as putting its money where its mouth is with regard to consistent gender equality or "gender blindness," with the result of abandoning the firstborn-male inheritance of aristocratic titles and being among the very first countries that truly reformed marriage laws to allow same-sex marriages (rather than the usual half-baked "unions" of other countries). I am not advocating anything here, am merely trying to illustrate what I said about the seeming contradictions in Belgium. </span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Regards,</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Reinhard/Ron</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">