Belgian fury over army 'bad breath' jibe

Expatica.com ^ | 02/21/03

[nypokerface]

BRUSSELS — Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahaut has hit out at The Wall Street Journal over an article that said Belgian soldiers could "only fight their own bad breath" and that the army is little more than a way of providing employment.

Flahaut attacked the US newspaper company for what he described as negative reporting.

He conceded the Belgian government helps Belgians to find work, and added that this is something that cannot be said of all US nationals.

He also attacked the reporter, saying: "I see you as a caricature, not worthy to be a journalist."

He added that the vulgarity of the reporter’s claims is matched only by his lack of professionalism.

[nanomid]

Ha ha! tweeeek.

[Paraclete]

Gads, what kind of a mamby-pamby world does this guy live in?

[UncleSamUSA]

Belgian minister: "Pfffttt... pfffttt... we deeply resent your printing the truth about our overweight incompetent military forces. We are insulted. We would take military action against you but none of our guns work and we have a group hug and suntanning session planned for this afternoon. Pfffttt... pfffttt."

[dighton]

Vous pouvez retarder les premiers stades de la gingivite si vous vous brossez les dents, utilisez la soie dentaire et vous rincez la bouche avec LISTERINE tous les jours.  Les études cliniques indiquent que LISTERINE peut réduire la gingivite et la plaque jusqu’à 34% de plus que le brossage et la soie dentaire seuls.  Par surcroît, LISTERINE est le seul rince-bouche vendu sans ordonnance à être reconnu par l’Association dentaire canadienne pour sa capacité à réduire la gingivite. Donc qu’attendez-vous?  Ajoutez  LISTERINE à votre programme d’hygiène buccale quotidien et souriez.

[George W. Bush]

Translaton: The truth hurts. Ow!

[azhenfud]

This Belgian should learn not to gargle with onion soup before accusing others of bad breath....

[Constitution Day]

LOL.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Flahaut attacked the US newspaper company for what he described as negative reporting.

But nothing about the report being inaccurate. Because it isn't.

Belgium, from a military history perspective, has done little but serve as a highway for Germans.

[TroutStalker]

Here's the WSJ article:

>How Europe's Armies Let Their Guard Down ^

[yureikumaTN]

"Methinks he doth protest too much."

[Mamzelle]

LOL--looks like he can't even fight his own bad breath...

[prognostigaator]

No waffling with this Belgian....

[justanotherfreeper]

Belgian Fury? What does that involve, praytell? Do they throw chocolates at you? Burn your wafles? Stamp their feet? Inquiring minds want to know.

[ancient_geezer]

I have already given up french fries. Does this mean I have to give up Belgian Waffles too?

Oh the sacrifices of life.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

ROTFL!! (And I needed a good laugh this morning, too!) But wait a minute, let me get my copy of "Great Triumphs of the Belgian Army" down from the shelf- hmmm, it was right here, can't seem to locate it right now. I'll get back to you on this

[SonOfDakota]

"Them's fightin' words, mister!"

[Billthedrill]

OKOKOK, Mister Minister, I'm sorry I said the Belgian Army can only fight their own bad breath. It isn't so. The Belgian Army can't fight their own bad breath. Glad to clear that up.

[Apollo]

He conceded the Belgian government helps Belgians to find work, and added that this is something that cannot be said of all US nationals.

U.S. unemployment rate: 5.7%

Belgian unemployment rate: 7.7%

Thanks, but no thanks.

[RightOnline]

My French is rusty as all hell and your post STILL made me literally LOL.:)

[witnesstothefall]

Belgium - a nation of wafflers.

[TAP ONLINE]

Now that that we have their attention ask the Belgians about their glorious past and present in the former Belgian Congo. Our treatment of the American Indians(sad as it was) pales to their past and present actions in Africa

[sheik yerbouty]

Flatulence from Flauhaut.

[COBOL2Java]

Belgium and France...

[Gargantua]

Interesting, and even poignant, that this outrage should be expressed by a nation whose sole claim to nationalism (masquerading feebly as originality) is their disgusting habit of undisguised public flatulence.

Farting, belching Belgium hasn't a hygenic leg to stand on.

;-/

[rrrod]

tooooooooooooo funny lol

[AnAmericanMother]

Belgian Fury? What does that involve, praytell? Do they throw chocolates at you? Burn your wafles? Stamp their feet? Inquiring minds want to know.

I'm afraid they just sic the "Manikin-Pis Commandoes" on you.

[Bob]

My father had a small brass ashtray of that statue. It had a swastika(sp?) embossed in the bottom of it. (Thanks for the flashback, it's been years since I had thought about that.)

[eleni121]

ROTFL! Excellent.

[A Navy Vet]

Geeze, they really are Euro-WEENIES. Wah.

[stripes1776]

Belgium and France

That is the best laugh I have had all weak. Only a programmer could have abstracted that relationship with such skill. :)

[Stefan Stackhouse]

If there is one thing that two world wars have proven, it is that Belgium is a road, not a country.

[jiggyboy]

OTOH, giving Brussels sprouts shouldn't be much of a problem.

[jiggyboy]

oops, "giving" should be "giving up"

[mhking]

Belgian waffles' army so bad it can't fight bad breath!

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[PianoMan]

ping

[Constantine XIII]

BWAAAAAAhahahahahahahahaha!

[Mr. Silverback]

WaaaaH!

Note to Belgium: When you ally yourself with the appeasers of brutal dictators, people tend to think you're wimpy. Sorry, but that's the way it goes.

[cynicom]

Easy to tell when some loser gets a burr placed under his saddle.

[TruthFactor]

General Waffle?

Yes.

Your mouthwash ain't makin it.