Just that they had prior knowledge of the Japanese plans and deliberately let it happen. It’s a much weaker theory than this one and 9/11

New York is not a country either. I guess it’s free for the taking then!

This is exactly how I feel too! As a “cloud engineer” (even the titles are pointless) the last thing I want to do is to have anything to do with tech whatsoever, even if I like my job

What are you even mad about? Or are you just trying to be cool and edgy? Russia is an exploitative, genocidal, imperialistic, racist colonial empire whether you like it or not ;)

While it’s so exciting to see idiots simping for Russia. Keep telling yourself they’re not a colonial shit state if you please.

Please do tell me how Russia, as the direct successor state of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union - having exploited, resettled, and genocided millions of people from hundreds of different ethnicities - should NOT be consider a colonial state. You think Slavs are native to Sakhalin or something?

Through conquest and colonial exploits though. That’s like saying Macron is South American because French Guiana exists. Putin was born and raised in St Petersburg; a historically Finnic territory if anything

Russia is a European country at its core controlling a vast portion of Asia through invasion and colonial exploits. France is also located in the Pacific, North America, South America, Africa, but no one would claim that it’s not a European nation.

Don’t you mean ex-girlfriend?

I started using Zorin OS just to get out of Windows. Ngl I work in IT and the last thing I wanna do when I’m off work is to go home and do more tech-related stuff, so I just picked it for ease of use. Happy with it though!

“Whoever knows what is right but doesn’t do it is sinning. So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin”.

Just to quote the Bible that the Republicans love so much

I think this is way too narrow. Following Marx? For sure, you’re right… but if you look at “Liberalism” - which can span anything from “taxes and government are literal hell” to “we support LGBT rights” - and “Conservatism” - which can span anything from Angela Merkel to Trump to follow-my-millenia-old-book-by-the-letter-or-I-will-murder-you - the word “Socialism” in the modern age can definitely contain nuances as well. For instance the main centre-left party in Denmark is called the “Social Democrats” then right to the left of it you have the “Socialist People’s Party” - which is far less revolutionary than it sounds - and then you have a few other parties, including one identifying as “Communist” but which doesn’t even really fight for any kind of revolution or the total elimination of class but recognises the requirement for collaboration and compromising when in power.

It’s not that I don’t understand your argument, or sympathise with prioritising EU products, it’s just quite a far reach to claim that Switzerland is “not a real country”. I’d choose a Swiss company over a Hungarian one - so EU membership isn’t the only determinant.

The way forward, imo, is full EU integration - also for Switzerland - but even with Trump threatning us too this is too far a reach from happening…

So, I’ll welcome products from any European country that generally cares about data protection, neutrality, and a non-American future.

That adds a bit more context to your stance, although it’s quite narrowminded imo.

Europe is filled with tax havens from Monaco to Andorra to Ireland to the Netherlands to Luxembourg, and British overseas territories. It’s not only a Swiss sport to have unfair tax systems. Other current EU members have traditionally been neutral such as Sweden, Finland (although forced), Austria etc…

Then talking about “taxes to the EU community” and mentioning Germany in a reality where German fiscal policies have dictated those of most everyone else - until they now decide it benefits them to change their own - German policies towards Russian energy, Meloni’s flirtation with dictators and fascism, Spanish friendship with China, and increasing anti-EU and anti-Ukraine sentiment in most countries.

Now tell me why I should have a particularly hard stance on Switzerland? Choosing EU companies first is completely fair, but don’t justify it with some holier-than-thou attitude.

All countries are “made up”… modern Italy was fully unified in 1870 and Germany in 1871.

What is a real European country in your opinion?

Well, basically. It doesn’t take more than, say, 8-10% of Dutch voters willing to vote 20 times to secure 12 points for Israel. The remaining people might be in staunch opposition but can’t counter this unless they mobilise behind one particular country - and no regular individual cares about Eurovision that much. Besides, far-right parties in Europe generally get between 20-45% of votes in all countries and these people usually support Israel and are all about identity politics.

That’s how it works in a vote. You have 24 countries. Votes are spread across all of them. It doesn’t require more than maybe 10% of the vote for one country to get 12 points. With some mobilisation by stupid Israel-supporters and targetted ads by Netanyahu and his crime gang, it’s not that urealistic to get max points, even if the last 90% of potential voters hate the regime.

All depends on taste, I guess. I enjoyed this year more and definitely wouldn’t include Bambie Thug in the “good music” category, even if I enjoyed the performance

I also watch it as a 20-odd year old straight man alongside my wife, encouraged by myself. (sexuality added due to common stereotypes). I find it entertaining; most singers this year used their native language and there’s a fine variety of songs with some bangers from otherwise unknown artists, like the Italian representative.

I personally hope Israel will be banned next year and MoroccanOil removed as a sponsor. It grosses me out and I don’t think I’d watch it next year

He is a politician after all