You really don’t know how researches work… they get to be in multiple projects globally, specially when in a university… that us why of their name. Besides, the US is highly sensitive with confidential information and for the most ridiculous things you need “security clearance” that he will never get even the most basic one. Today, most on the spying in not done presentially within the target country, let alone with such a prominent position.

I agree with many of your premises, but not the main one. People are brainwashed for sure that migrants, jews, muslims, etc are the problem, but they do have grievances that the state does not care for them. Blaming Putin on that perception is silly, he wish he was that powerful. US had for decades massively aired propaganda in all corners of the world, financed NGOs, payed journalists and the results were mixed. Putin does not employ not even a 5% of the US budget into those operations. Farage is a good example, he noticed that the British are not happy, that Brussels was getting more powerful and blamed all in Brussels with memes like curved bananas etc (I know trade and knew Brexit was horrible for both side of the Channel) but I don’t blame Putin for Farage or Trump… they both are just opportunistic in a situation those countries fail to deliver. UK and US are both in a worse situation due to these two politicians, but banning them both would have been far worse since the discontent still unaddressed. Blaming in Putin for them both is just ridiculous, he wish he had that power!

I don’t think is that… the EU happily come to “rescue” Uyghurs from Beijing, or Kosovars from Belgrade, or Chechens from Moscow… the pattern I find is always to support Washington DC. For sure, you have much more chances of success by standing with the US (till now at least), but tens and tens of countries… that is not a normal statistical curve! And Corbin’s expulsion doubt US had anything to do with it.

One thing you said lighted my mind though, countries that committed genocide are very into Israel today though… well, no Belgium though… it is complicated I guess, not a normal curve though.

It is normal… first Social Media desensitizated all of us… by the masses. It is hard to prove now what is true or false… Even “sensible Governments”, left and right are applying techniques that Trump popularized… Look at the EU today! Add that to a fragile real economy (not what you see in the stock market) so everyone is afraid of a bold move and being written into a black list. I used to have a professor in that showed us documents (from FOIA) how, in the 80s, the FBI contacted his employers after his interviews no to hire him because his Communist ideas… Today you would not even get FOIA on that. Imagine now with the technology how a government hostile to you can ruin your life. The best way to survive, put your head down and go as unnoticed as possible.

The colonial abuses of 2 centuries ago were not recorded for most to see. Most recently, from blaming Spain for the sinking of the Maine to blame 9/11 on Afghanistan and Iraq the press got away with it, but now sources are so varied it is hard to suppress the reality any longer. True, we are less likely to protest in streets for change (I blame social media), but no one now trust the system and their arguments either. As we won’t protest, we won’t also join any army to fight in a foreign land for any cause. This will eventually corrode the system from within… just wait for a mayor financial crisis.

What puzzles me is not US, the lobbies are very strong and the media gets funded by well know institutions… but why the EU? Why Japan? Why even the UK since financial contribution is capped… how virtually every single one leader is blind or worse? Even calling for an investigation is outrageous for them!!!

Thanks for the article! Yes, South America is not free from this. One thing I have learned in my life is that how similar people we are everywhere… only circumstances make us seem different. Long gone are my admiration for Scandinavians! What most South America seems however (specially if a sizeable country), is distant enough from China, US and Russia to be easily dragged along in a conflict… and also their governments are weak enough to implement a global draft for instance.

Worry less about what Kremlin wants and what million of French now, like millions of Romanians, feel completely disfranchised. I don’t know if Le Pen’s ruling holds any water, (I know Romania’s does not!), but I see corruption cases left and right everywhere but the only candidates that are suspended are the same type… anti-establishment ones with a high degree of making an impact. As I mentioned in other posts, I detest the Le Pens (father and daughter), but not their ability to listen to their voters.

China, for sure, has spies,… who doesn’t. But the overwhelming majority of these cases tend to be non factual. Causes like fearmongering, departmental rivalries, someone wanted a medal, gathering prisoners for exchange, setting example, etc… are usually what is behind this. If I were a Chinese researcher, no matter the area of expertise, I would leave the US… and this is not Trump! This is the current US policy that all sides subscribe to.

Independently of one thinks of the invasion (yes invasion!) of Russia in Ukraine, any potential “peacekeeping” force should not only behave in an exemplary manner but also avoid any appearance of bias, in order to maintain the highest standards of integrity and reputation. Keir Starmer’s army, let alone Macron’s, sorry to say, I think does not fit that… UN or from non belligerent parties is the only option.

100% agree! The EU has opened a pandora’s box by going after elements like Le Pen and Georgescu. That is not the way! Address people’s concerns, penalize huge corporations negative externalities and wrongdoings as it should… banning voices just exacerbates their grievances. I don’t know about Le Pen, just dislike her incendiary immigrant rhetoric wanted to reduce drastically immigration is a valid stance in my mind, although I disagree with, but being anti-[fill_religion_or_color__here] is not). What I know is that the claims posed by Romania does not hold any water… There is no evidence presented to this day of Russian interference… just claims; with that any current government can also ‘claim’ interference and stop a candidate. Bad, bad times in the EU.

I hear you! That is why I wanted to go with the definition of Fascism, but you are right. Let me rephrase it; If the world continues the path it is going, countries like Mexico seems to be a great bet to move in if you come with some good financial resources since you can compliment’s government security with private methods ones (like a gated community). Mexico will likely be neutral in a global conflict. Likewise, Spain seems good because I don’t see Spaniards been dragged by Brussels into any global conflict and if their American bases there get attacked, I see most people just ask to withdraw from NATO before entering in conflict themselves. Morocco, in spite I despise what they do to West Sahara’s (in tents for 40 years) and its coziness with Israel, it is quite stable too… If Morocco leadership (and Spanish!) could only see how greatly they could benefit from the current situation if they both acted like Mexico… being neutral and be a beacon for skilled/affluent migrants and investment!

I find it pathetic. If politicians wanted to stop these violation they could. If I have a restaurant in town and the antitrust penalties is, by law, a maximum of 10% of my profits… considering a court ruling takes some 5-7 years that is an actual some 2% fine. What incentive is that from me to get rid of all my competition in town!? I would not stop my illegal practices even if fines where 10 times that!!

If we take its actual definition; far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist, countries like Cuba for sure fits the bill. Now Cuba is authoritarian (and normal since they are in permanent and genuine threat from its neighbor) and probably that is not what is in your mind. Latin America is, as many as you pointed out, no ideal… but most countries there at least lacks of a strong government to enforce things (for better or worse) so, in a turbulent world, it is indeed a better bet. I think, for the time being, Spain has proven to be resilient to authoritarianism and even the voters of “extreme” parties are not that extreme themselves! In Latin America, Mexico is proven to have an amazing leadership (today, I consider it the best worldwide) so unlikely to change overnight. Colombia, Chile and Uruguay seems promising too.

Re to your EDIT: Again, what did you see bad in my comments… wanted European Union no relying much on American corporations, favor impartiality from the FOSS community? What I don’t understand from you so much concerned anti_Trump pro-democracy is that if Trump expels me (I am an European Union citizen in the US), and if I had some prominence he would, you will be the first one clapping. You are no so different from the ones you claim to oppose.

Sure… but in my statement with 9 claims you have not disproved a single one… but wasting plenty of time to all of us with “f*ck offs”. Of course, it can be coincidental, but something gives me that if you are anti-establishment, odds are you can easily get disfranchised or disappeared in one way or another. What evidence Romania gave for the cancellation of the elections and banning the front runners… Russian interference?? How? with bots in social media really… have you seen any study published on that? Any… do check?? The only thing I know is Romanians have been always highly skeptical of their government (that comes from the communist times) but since 3 ears ago are of all the latest EU rhetoric (although they benefit greatly from EU) and doubt Russia is responsible of that. Regarding “concern troll”… I disprove all basically all populist politicians, specially Le Pen, but also believe there is always a bit of truth in populism and burring or worse yet, ridiculing it, it is highly counterintuitive; address what they misunderstand. Brexit and Trump happened because of dismissive and insulting comments like yours addressed to people with concerns.

A a troll is a person who posts deliberately offensive or provocative messages online… what was so offensive or provocative? I am new in social media and even posting with my real name. I thought lemmy would be different from what i see in other media… and one of the first comments I get from an observation is “Fuck off”. Don’t worry, I’ll go back to my shell but if you are a genuine person, think that those type of responses is what make the internet so toxic today.

Go on… I don’t like much all these populists/narcissistic/nationalists but first Poland’s Lech Kaczyński dies in a airplane accident, Slovakia’s Robert Fico gets shot, Romania’s election gets cancelled and then the front runner banned, and then the second banned too (have any evidence been published?!). Duterte gets arrested in Manila and sent to the Hague (Philippines is not a ICC signatory)… I remember McAfee and Epstein suicides but miraculously cameras in prisons failed to work… and today in Spain the records from a spy working for the CIA that spied on Assange gets all deleted… while in Spanish top authorities custody! I am not fan of these eccentric people, but you have to give it to them there is something in our “law and order” system that is “odd” to say the least… and us blindly clapping is worrisome.

I see we are not going nowhere here, but I highly appreciate your effort to make me understand your view. Russia and China, let alone Cuba, Venezuela, Iran etc al want to develop an alternative from Android… how is it going? Only China is pulling it off, and after 5 years already and massive investment… just forking sure…

Just as a remark… “cannot legally become closed source”. Do you really think the US is bound by any legality at this point?! And it is not just Trump… any President could scrap off any legality if it need be and lower courts could just complain all the want… Of the 100+ lawsuit cases Trump already has accumulated in 3 months you won’t see much progress… and recently, even the US Supreme Court already gave Presidents “Broad Immunity for Official Acts” and “Absolute Immunity for Core Powers” so good luck for upholding GPL if an administration wants to force software out of it.