From a cynical realpolitik perspective, Japan is investing, so to speak, on Asian countries so that if a war with China breaks out, Japan would have allies when the time comes.

Although, as far as I know, Cambodia is a nominal ally of China because of the huge Chinese investments.

I remember in school doing statistics and probability. There was a question to calculate the probability and chances of winning a bet, and we got a near zero answer. I then asked my teacher if that means the person is actually going to lose. She confirmed yes, and warned us that this is why you have to be careful with gambling and being in debt as a result, and being involved with loans sharks who prey on those with gambling problems.

I’ve personally witnessed what gambling does to a person and their loved ones so I despise it. A lot of the gambling are rigged and so you are more likely to lose.

I tell people that if they’re going to gamble, do the ones with more likelihood of success. Poker is rarely rigged, if ever, because it is based on pure psychology of the players. Investing and stock trading has a more established science, despite the occasional stock manipulation. Although, if one invests in more reputable companies with long term growth and only put in the amount of money the person is willing to lose, hardly anybody goes bankrupt with investing.

Yea, just in time. Although I think the EU and Ukraine saw this coming and have been preparing before Trump 2.0. Fair dues to the Biden administration as well, they passed law for US to make it hard to quit NATO because of potential Trump’s return at the time. Everyone Trump proofed themselves.

Athens, Georgia

My European brain just confused the fuck out of me.

I think there was an Iranian official working in their censorship board, who sent explicit messages to a young Iranian man telling him he wants to fuck him so hard.

Not only, buying £70 of a broken game om initial release.

The fascists learned from the Communist International and emulating it. The mistake of the fascists in the past was the excessive tribalist mentality. The Axis never really coordinated but instead make alliances of convenience depending on the heat of the moment.

“Just don’t think about it”.

-religious people, unironically

I hope that Magyar follows post-far right Poland on dismantling the far right loyalist media and judges.

To be fair, we have the GDPR in Europe, which puts people at ease. However, this could be weakened or rid of entirely in order for the EU to become more “competitive” some day. Even the climate change goals of the EU has already been weakened so that we could catch up to the AI race. As sad as it is, it’s just the realpolitik influencing decisions.

Also, the theme of unforeseen consequences of individualism and elitism have on a person is spot on for Lucas. Yeah, individualism can be good, especially as someone who came from a collectivist culture where conformity is being upheld, but I have to admit it killed community. It’s one reason for the male loneliness epidemic, which is the low key theme of Star War prequels and how Anakin became Darth Vader. This is alongside with toxic masculinity on keeping a stiff upper lip, and not being attached to emotions including love. The blind rationality of elites dismisses emotion, even though the latter is just as real as facts. Corruption also drives populism and the yearning for dictators. George Lucas presented these interesting ideas and themes, but have done so in such an awkward way on the prequels. I think the amazing action scenes are what lifted and saved the prequel series rather than the heavy themes.

I’d say it helps that Hungary being in the EU probably limited Orban going full dictator. The EU had been chastising Hungary. Withholding EU funds hurts Hungary quite a bit. This is a reason why the far right hates the EU and looking to dismantle it, with the help of their American friends.

Wait until Le Pen or Bardella comes into power and remake the deal with American tech oligarchs, undoing Macron’s push for strategic autonomy. As long as the right in France isn’t killed, any attempt of decoupling will only be coupled back to US, because fascists have internationalise their ideas and coordination.

But still…don’t people inform themselves strongly before even thinking of emigrating? Even if one lives in a shithole and wants change?

You’d be surprised.

I’m not kidding when I say that my cousin wasn’t aware of the immigration crackdown in the US before migrating there with his then partner. My cousin was a sailor and probably either missed plenty of international news, or only focuses on our home country’s news, because of his constant travelling.

Does that mean Joe Rogan is Abella Anderson in disguise?

Trump: Yeah, that’s the point.

If democracy is by the people, of the people, for the people-- does that mean people are pedophiles?

I’m not American, but I’m doing my part!

Has been since forever. Remember when NYT ran an article that Hitler was a changed man after being imprisoned?