Biden suggests Brussels, Belgium may be true “capital of the free world”

Even though we refer to Washington, D.C. as the capital of the free world, Vice President Joe Biden suggested Brussels – in Belgium – may well have claim to that title. But would Brussels still exist as a capital for not the allied forces in World War I and World War II?

I’m not one to claim Brussels is not the capital of the free world – it’s not for me to say – but Biden has again proved this administration acts stupidly by traveling abroad and downplaying the role of the United States of America in her defense of the free world.

As a reminder to the vice president, in May of 1940, Germany invaded Belgium and for more than four years was occupied by Hitler’s Nazi Germany. During the winter of 1944/1945, one of the most known battles of World War II took place.

We remember the Battle of the Bulge, where more than 19,000 American servicemen were killed in action and another 75,000 wounded. Another 1,400 British were killed or wounded.

The Battle of the Bulge was the single largest battle fought in World War II. Between 60,000 and 120,000 Germans were killed or wounded, and another  3,000 civilians were killed.

At the time of the German invasion Belgium had a king, yes a king.

Hat tip to Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit.

As you probably know, some American politicians and American journalists refer to Washington, DC as the “capital of the free world.” But it seems to me that this great city, which boasts 1,000 years of history and which serves as the capital of Belgium, the home of the European Union, and the headquarters for NATO, this city has its own legitimate claim to that title.

Update: Ed Morrissey at Hot Air agrees with me, or I with him. And a couple of Free Republic contributors remind us of how Belgium managed the Congo in Africa during Kin Leopold II’s reign, and how Belgium managed Rwanda too. Not very pretty.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

6 Comments

  1. PatRiot on May 24, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    I cringed when Bush the elder spoke of a new world order.  Shrugged it off in disbelief.

    Felt that I was getting paranoid when I found Alex Jones' WWW>prisonplanet.com speaking about it about 2 years ago.

    "They always tell you what they are going to do" says my favorite talk show host, James V.  I guess it is time to fully embrace the end game here.  In the ever optomistic view of the Irish, I say – not only must we secure the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution for us, but for the world.  It just might take a wee bit more time and a bit of stout.



  2. patriot artisan on May 24, 2010 at 6:37 pm

    My father Samuel fought in the Battle of the Bulge and would be shaking his head in disbelief  by Biden's declaration, were he alive to hear it. My father always talked fondly of the Belgian population and of how grateful they were for their liberation. As far as Biden is concerned, you have to take into consideration that this is the guy who, in an interview with Couric, said that Roosevelt got on national television in 1929 to calm Americans after the market collapse. As much of a chooch that this guy is, methinks he is a sinister cat .



  3. Dimsdale on May 24, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    Well, thanks to "Slow Joe", we have an excellent place to put the UN.

     

    That, or somewhere in Antarctica…



  4. Wind on May 25, 2010 at 4:24 am

    Perfect!  Maybe there is room in the Potato Museum in Boitsfort  to house the UN. lol



  5. FigPucker on May 25, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    Once again, Biden proves he knows everything… about nothing.



  6. Erik Blazynski on May 28, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    Free world? is this guy nuts? First of all the EU parliment which is in Brussels was not freely elected. The EU president was not elected by the people and FREE is hardly how I would describe the EU policies. Biden is either completely delusional or does not read/understand the script that is given to him. Someone needs to ask him "In what ways do you feel that Belgium could be considered the capital of the free world?"



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