Exclusive: French, Germans explore idea of core euro zone

German and French officials have discussed plans for a radical overhaul of the European Union that would involve establishing a more integrated and potentially smaller euro zone, EU sources say.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave some flavor of his thinking during an address to students in the eastern French city of Strasbourg on Tuesday, when he said a two-speed Europe -- the euro zone moving ahead more rapidly than all 27 countries in the EU -- was the only model for the future.

The discussions among senior policymakers in Paris, Berlin and Brussels go further, raising the possibility of one or more countries leaving the euro zone, while the remaining core pushes on toward deeper economic integration, including on tax and fiscal policy.

The Low-land countries (Netherlands and Belgium) were part of the Holy Roman Empire, and when the Hapsburgs split into the Austrian and Spanish, the low-lands were given to Spain

They fought for their independence using French help and the French claimed the southern part (belgium) for their own.

Then in the late 1700s-1800s after the defeat of Napoleon, the south and north low-lands were united in the United Kingdom of the netherlands.

however, the dutch Calvinists discriminated heavily against the Catholic flemish and in 1830 they seceeded and became the country of Belgium (naming themselves after the Celtic tribe that had lived in the netherlands when Caesar invaded -- you know the one he talked about in his commentaries "Gallia jest omnis divisa in partes tres. Unum quarum incolent Belgia, aliam Acquitanie, tertium qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Gallia apelantur") and took a Germanic prince as king...

He said the resentment in the air of Americans was tangible... you just naturally hate anyone that pulls your fat out of the fire.

That would mirror the thoughts of my late father

Belgians, on the other hand, Dad said they loved our guys; took them into their homes, fed them, etc.

Again agreed. - Dad had to crash land his B17 in a field just outside Ghent, Belgium. - They assisted 100% in a wild escape of Dad and his crew in a dash to the channel where they were picked up by a C47 rescue aircraft.

you can zoom in & read his story here:

from the book, 452nd Bombardment Group

What a difference...and Belgians are a mix of both German and French cultures, I believe...go figure, right?

I was in the Ghent area for some time in the 90s & there appears to be a division between the Northern & Southern areas of the country. Where we were, it would not be good to be associated with the French :)

Thank you for posting the wonderful story of your father. God bless him. He looks “salty” as can be in that picture; an All-American airman... the best America had...

I am constantly reminded how many of us are still touched by that generation and what they went through.

To me, they’re giants. My father was, and remains, my greatest hero.

My old man was wounded in a vicious firefight in the Ardennes in January 1945; he was laying on the ground, in the freezing temps and the snow, bleeding from a bunch of shell splinter holes and a bullet wound. Two of his best buddies, both now deceased, dragged him back down the ridge they were trying to assault, and into the woods, out of the line of fire, where medics got him squared away. He would have died out there had his friends not dragged him out of further harm.

I spoke with one of the buddies that had saved my father that day, back in the mid-90s; as my father had passed away when I was a teen, everything I learned about his wounding was from a long search and conversations with his buddies. This fine Airborne gentleman took the time and spoke with me for about three or four hours on the telephone, and told me all that happened to my old man those many long years ago.

He passed away two Christmases ago; a wonderful man, with a wonderful family, who lived a long, full life. I am friends with two of his sons, one of whom is 82nd AB to this day.

Dad NEVER told my mom what happened to him, only that he had been wounded and that was it. He told her “funny” stories only, humorous incidents, etc.

We owe these guys the remembrance of them and their deeds. They were the best and bravest of America, and a remarkable generation of people.

It kills me that they’re leaving us...but it is the way of things.

Our task is that we make damn sure they’re remembered, and that the left doesn’t rewrite that chapter of their lives and their amazing rescue of the World from socialist totalitarianism.

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