>>1059906People come in all shapes and sizes, some people are federalists whereas others take more separatist views (especially in Flanders, where the leading political party has separatist ideas).
Personally I like the monarchy, our king has no real power and isn't really involved in running the country, but he's got a kind of ambassadorial role of representing Belgium in the world. Of which I think he's doing a very good job, personally.
Aside from that, King Albert I (in whose honour the statue in pic is) was a total badass and definitely a King for everyone. Very unpretentious, regular king and family who was in touch with the plebs (previously unseen). Refused the Germans passage through Belgium to France in WWI even though our armies were greatly outnumbered. He also took personal command of the armies, and sent his son (the crown prince) to the frontlines.
>"During his time on the front, rumors spread on both sides of the lines that the German soldiers never fired upon him out of respect for him being the highest ranked commander in harm's way, while others feared risking punishment by the Kaiser himself, who was his cousin. The king also allowed his 14-year-old son, Prince Leopold, to enlist in the Belgian army as a private and fight in the ranks."He ended up dying in a mountaneering accident when he was out climbing all on his own, as he loved mountain climbing. Very cool King, and the locations from the Western Front are filled to the brim with monuments in his honour.
I do need to replace my bar tape. It's the stock that I've had for about a year now, at least it can't get any dirtier. I'm planning to replace it with black tape anyway
