tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post7115579849273754420..comments2024-02-14T22:57:55.638-05:00Comments on The Cross of Laeken: Leopold II and the CongoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post-54029882519050038862011-01-12T05:16:04.324-05:002011-01-12T05:16:04.324-05:00Thank you, Matterhorn.Thank you, Matterhorn.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714569232976515363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post-73288503479589740362011-01-11T20:12:48.807-05:002011-01-11T20:12:48.807-05:00There are some qualities in him I can admire--his ...There are some qualities in him I can admire--his drive and determination and desire for national greatness--but due to his other, as you say, unpleasant traits, which seem to outweigh the positive ones, I find it very hard to admire the man himself.Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18230268418171628594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post-69727249863951933332011-01-11T19:27:59.742-05:002011-01-11T19:27:59.742-05:00I have read this post many times, trying to unders...I have read this post many times, trying to understand Leopold II, whom I always viewed as rather unpleasant (not least for his excesively long nails,as described the the Empress Frederick)In this post, he reminds me very much of Kaiser Wilhelm II - wanting to do the right thing but signing things away to his ministers so easily. It also brings to mind Queen Victoria's many letters to her ministers and generals about the treatment of the Boers, and African and Indian peoples (QV was absolutely firm about respecting the religious and cultural heritage of her Empire and frequently encouraged and ordered her generals to respect others' beliefs). <br /><br />Leopold II, though, remains something of mystery to me. Do you admire him, Matterhorn?Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714569232976515363noreply@blogger.com