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127 sats \ 3 replies \ @anon 19 Jan
I admit in advance, this is a VERY rude American opinion: its frustrating Europe loves to insult America in public but ultimately still depend on our military, soldiers, and money rather than invest to defend themselves. Without American money, equipment, and soldiers, Europe would be in trouble. Ultimately, everyone would be better off long term if Europe sought an more robust & independent military with its own local supply chains and industrial base.
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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @xz 20 Jan
Ultimately, everyone would be better off long term if Europe sought an more robust & independent military with its own local supply chains and industrial base.
I think this could only be a reality at a national level. Assessing military capabilities in relation to perceived threats is difficult. Sure there's critical defensive capabilities but military campaigns are rarely waged and defended in isolation. The fact that NATO is a thing is not only a factor of wanting protection but also because NATO members share intelligence, and in return receive a furnishing of troops and infrastructure.
Not saying it'd be easy for small, individual nations to counter coordinated attacks, but if the goal is defense, that's shared with the borders of nations next door. A coordinated response. When the likes of Hungary entered into NATO (post Soviet invasion) there's stimulus to a response. Now Hungary has to deal with the same thing again on it's doorstep due to the presence of, and to the expansion.
Don't know if you can agree with that but I see supranational policing as part of the problem here. It's not merely insulting outwardly and depending inwardly.
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Yes, but there is nothing like a european army. The EU as it is now is a fantasy product of some technocrats that are melking the continent
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Understood, but I guess to be blunt that's my kind of my point. Europe being unable or unwilling to develop a cohesive military with a supply chain to match is not America's responsibility.
To be clear, I don't resent Europe. I resent American politicians agreeing to spend endless fiat on far flung military nonsense that doesn't benefit everyday Americans who are forced to pay for this. This is why we bitcoin, defund war.
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And then there's this... "Stockpiles of weapons and ammunition have been drained by the conflict in Ukraine and will take years to replenish at the current rate of production. ... Meanwhile, Russia has tripled its military expenditure to 40 per cent of the entire national budget, while drastically speeding up manufacturing lines. ... We need to be readier across the whole spectrum,” Adml Bauer said. “You have to have a system in place to find more people if it comes to war, whether it does or not. Then you talk mobilisation, reservists or conscription.
“You need to be able to fall back on an industrial base that is able to produce weapons and ammunition fast enough to be able to continue a conflict if you are in it.”
FFS, there is no way anyone can win a war in Europe. Millions would die. Both sides are in danger of giving up on peace and re-enacting the pre WW2 arms race....
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Millions would die Exactly!
I was in Russia and Ukraine some time ago. In Russia, I met many people who don't want war and are actively trying to avoid it. The people I met there have no desire to engage in this conflict. As for so-called 'for free' Ukraine, I assisted a young man in leaving because he, too, did not want to be involved in the war. None of these individuals have any interest in war. There are many people who lack sufficient information about what is truly happening, and a considerable number already need psychological help. They struggle to distinguish between good and bad people, thinking that being born within certain geographical borders makes them inherently bad. They need to seek psychological assistance. It seems like this is just the beginning, but for what purpose? John Lennon's song 'Imagine' reflects a harsh truth. Why don't people understand? Why all these discussions in groups about what is better, when there are no easy decisions? War is detrimental to everyone, and it's perceived as a setback, we lose a lot. All of this is not only happening in Russia and Ukraine but also coming in the EU. The debates among socialists, capitalists, and various groups will lead to failure, and people will face difficult times. It's unfortunate, and no one wants millions of people to die because of borders. I admire the events unfolding in Argentina. Time will tell how effective their leader is and how it will turn out. They have endured bad times for a long period, and tough times create strong people. However, maybe we don't need these difficult times and can take control like Argentina did. Why do we let these people make decisions about money, decisions that affect our brothers and sisters? I don't know, but we must stick together.
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Thank You, well said. As You indirectly point out, the state in general has too much power. Way too much. Argentine could be the beginning of the end of a decade long growth of gov influence. Let's see, let's stack, let's do our part to push back against statism.
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It is all extremely disturbing. Anyone who has any grasp of modern European history should be very concerned, regardless of nationality.
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I believe in building a better world, and one way to do that is with Bitcoin. Let's work together
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21 sats \ 1 reply \ @xz 19 Jan
If their voting rights are stripped, it doesn't say very much for legal processes of the E.U. Hungary leaving or Hungary being asked to leave makes little difference. What purpose does it serve either party, if you have no voice from with a certain bloc.
I'm surprised to learn that the first multiparty elections were only held in 1990. This year marks the 20th anniversary of EU accession and Hungary is not even part of the European Monetary Union. Perhaps it's not in their interest to get involved after having highest inflation figures of all E.U member states.
Look how Switzerland has prospered. Neutrality is key.
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Right. It's important not to be involved in the Euro disaster
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I cannot disagree more! Hungary should be kicked out from the EU instead. It seems like you have gaps in the understanding of democracy.
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Oh god, please... so we disagree, Ok? Accept that they have another opinion. What about that?
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That’s what wrote: I disagree!
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This was noted
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25 sats \ 0 replies \ @fm 20 Jan
Gotta love our democracy
If you vote against the majority you lose your voting power
Genious!! (typo intented)
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