Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

The primary goal of this site is to provide mature, meaningful discussion about the Vancouver Canucks. However, we all need a break some time so this forum is basically for anything off-topic, off the wall, or to just get something off your chest! This forum is named after poster Creeper, who passed away in July of 2011 and was a long time member of the Canucks message board community.

Moderator: Referees

User avatar
Per
MVP
MVP
Posts: 4065
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Per »

Mëds wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2025 8:41 am So, essentially, should someone get through customs and into, say, Italy, they could then head up to Germany via Switzerland or Austria, and then tour through Belgium, France, and then down into Spain with little to no difficulty?
Yup. Well, almost. Travelling between countries in the EU is pretty much like travelling between states in the US or provinces in Canada.
You would probably have to show your passport entering and leaving Switzerland though, as they are not a member.

This is the border between the Netherlands and Belgium:
Image

This shopping mall, Rajala, on an artificial island in the Torne river, which marks the border between Sweden and Finland, has Swedish stores in one half of the building and Finnish stores in the other half, which adds a whole new meaning to border trade. Quite convenient also as both countries have a government monopoly on alcohol sales, and here you can stroll between the Swedish Systembolaget and the Finnish Alko to compare prices. Apparently you get a better deal on wines in Sweden but on beer in Finland.
Image

The cities of Haparanda (Sweden) and Tornio (Finland) used to be the same city, straddling the river, until Rusdia annexed Finland in 1809. Now that both Finland and Sweden are in the EU they have merged the public transport companies, so that busses visit both sides of the river, and also passed local bylaws that allow those living in either city to have their kids attend school on whichever side they prefer, so you could be living in a neighbourhood on the Swedish side but have your kids attend school on the Finnish side or vice versa. They wanted to have a joint city council, but as Swedish and Finnish election laws differ too much, that wasn’t possible. So instead they sort it through a number of joint committees.

And after the bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen was built, a lot of Danes have bought houses and condos in southern Sweden. It is only a half hour commute across the bridge, and house prices are crazy in Copenhagen. Likewise, a lot of people from Malmö work in Copenhagen. As it is the Danish capital, there are a lot of well paid jobs there, but living in Sweden is cheaper, so they do the sane commute.
Image

We have a lot of crossborder cooperation with Norway as well, even though they are not part of the EU, they are part of the Schengen area, so there should be no restriction on travel. Since they aren’t within the customs union they may ask if you have something to declare though, but they should not ask for passports.

Typical border crossing between Sweden and Norway: https://youtu.be/m54Qi1fA9YY?si=Ul6NddWjx3nCIbxg
(Most of our border goes through a forested mountain range with very few people living there)
Whatever you do, always give 100 %!
Except when donating blood.
User avatar
Strangelove
Moderator & MVP
Moderator & MVP
Posts: 15909
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:13 pm
Location: Someday

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Strangelove »

https://findoutnow.co.uk/blog/voting-in ... -feb-2025/

Hmmm, the Reform UK (Brexit Party) is getting stronger.

Good, good...
____
Try to focus on someday.
User avatar
Per
MVP
MVP
Posts: 4065
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Per »

Europe could let out a collective sigh of relief as the German election results came in.

The extremists on both sides gained votes, but with both the Liberal FPD and the culturally conservative far left Sarah Wagenknecht Party falling below the 5% threshold, the conservative CDU and The Social Democrats have enough votes between them to secure a majority in the Bundestag parliament, without having to add a third party (most likely the Green Party).

The position of Bundeskansler will shift from Scholtz (SPD) to März (CDU) as the Social Democrats lost a lot of voters while the conservatives gained almost as many.

With Trump abandoning Ukraine and his European allies and instead backing the evil axis of Russia/North Korea/Iran, it has become increasingly important that the European nations stick together and increase their support to the Ukrainian fight to remain a free and sovereign nation.

If either of the extreme pro-Russian parties on either side of the spectrum had gained influence over the government, Germany could have become the weak link. Instead März is likely to increase their support for Ukraine and start sending the Taurus missiles that Scholz was hesitant to agree too, as he feared losing votes to the old communist party on the left.

With März at the helm Germany will become a stronger voice in Europe and European support for Ukraine will remain firm and unequivocal.

Long term the threat of AfD or die Linke coming to power remains. Both parties, one with ties to the nazis and the other to communism, gained both votes and seats and are especially strong among younger voters. AfD got 19.5%, die Linke 8.5% and SWB 4.7%, so almost one third of the electorate voted for what could be considered anti-democratic forces. That is food for thought.
Whatever you do, always give 100 %!
Except when donating blood.
User avatar
Per
MVP
MVP
Posts: 4065
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Per »

In the midst of all the turmoil and despair going on in international politics, here are finally some good news:

Kurdish imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan calls on the PKK to lay down their arms and disband!

https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/28/wha ... for-turkey

The PKK have been fighting for a Kurdish homeland for Turkey's Kurds, who make up roughly 20% of the population, since 1984.
Öcalan now states that back then there was no democratic road to improving their lives, but now there is, so they should try to engage in politics instead of rebellion.

So why is this happening?

Erdogan's party AKP has not been able to win the cities in recent elections. Even though they have great support in rural districts, the mayors of all major cities represent opposition parties, and are usually supported by Kurdish voters. In order to hang on to power and to have a shot at winning in the urban districts, putting an end to the Kurdish issue would be helpful. Also, in neighbouring Iraq and Syria Kurdish factions have a de facto hold on large territories. Turkey claims that these areas act as a hiding place and training ground for PKK terrorists, and have occassionally ventured into their neighbours' air space to bomb what they claim are PKK facilities.

By having Öcalan calling for a cease fire and disbanding of the PKK, obviously in return for some political concessions, Turkey can both solve a 40 year old domestic conflict and also settle disputes with their neighbouring countries. The Kurdish issue has also been a source of friction within Nato, as the Kurds in Syria have been supported by most Western nations and have been essential in defeating IS on the ground, while Turkey on more than occassion has been attacking them with fighter jets and bombing them. Turkey has been supporting the new regime in Syria, and the Kurdish group there could now have an easier time joining forces with the new Syrian government, if hostilities with Turkey end.

This also would free up Turkish troops for peace keeping missions in Ukraine.

And the Kurdish issue has been a major stumbling block in Turkey's attempts to join the EU. Now, there are some EU member states (eg France, Poland and Hungary) that have been very vocal in insisting that Turkey should never be accepted into the Union, but they are already a NATO member, and if they also become a close cooperative in helping defend Ukraine, it may improve their chances.
Regardless of this, there are also some 35 criteria (the acquis) that a candidate country must fulfill in order to be accepted as a member, and the treatment of minority groups are in there.
The accession criteria, or Copenhagen criteria (after the European Council in Copenhagen in 1993 which defined them), are the essential conditions all candidate countries must satisfy to become a member state. These are:
  • political criteria: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
  • economic criteria: a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces;
  • administrative and institutional capacity to effectively implement the acquis* and ability to take on the obligations of membership.
The Acquis: https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlarg ... -acquis_en

Erdogan has recently reiterated that Turkey is supporting Ukraine and their rights as a sovereign nation within their internationally recognised borders, and he has also stated that Turkey can never accept that Crimea becomes part of Russia.

So, by bringing out Öcalan, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999, and having him suggest a cease fire and that the PKK should disband, Erdogan is solving several problems at once.

- It improves his chances of being reelected and perhaps winning back some major cities.
- It improves relations with Iraq and Syria.
- It may put an end to the rebellion that has claimed some 40,000 lives since 1984.
- It lets him shift his focus to the Black Sea and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- It improves his relations with the EU.
- It reduces friction within NATO.

:thumbs:
Whatever you do, always give 100 %!
Except when donating blood.
User avatar
Per
MVP
MVP
Posts: 4065
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Per »

Kaja Kallas on trade, the EU, Ukraine, Gaza and the importance of the UN.

https://youtu.be/LfuAAFfyzM0?si=Ae06AxlLT_9Sku7M
Whatever you do, always give 100 %!
Except when donating blood.
User avatar
Megaterio Llamas
MVP
MVP
Posts: 6334
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:23 am

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Megaterio Llamas »

The war in Ukraine could be over next week. It looks like there has been a breakthrough in the talks between Russia and the US:

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1953415357869281408
el rey del mambo
User avatar
Cornuck
Moderator & MVP
Moderator & MVP
Posts: 4489
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:39 am
Location: Everywhere

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Cornuck »

Megaterio Llamas wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:02 am The war in Ukraine could be over next week. It looks like there has been a breakthrough in the talks between Russia and the US:

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1953415357869281408
Not really - https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/rus ... huge-scam/
User avatar
Megaterio Llamas
MVP
MVP
Posts: 6334
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:23 am

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Megaterio Llamas »

Cornuck wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 9:10 am
Megaterio Llamas wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:02 am The war in Ukraine could be over next week. It looks like there has been a breakthrough in the talks between Russia and the US:

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1953415357869281408
Not really - https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/rus ... huge-scam/
I was referring to an actual potential armistice, Cornuck. We're talking about two different things. That journal article refers to a rumored air war truce, which was a media rumor. I provided a link to comments from the Russia head negotiator, Yuri Ushakov.
Alleged details of the proposal by US Presidential Special Envoy Steven Witkoff have emerged, writes the Polish portal Onet:

��Russia and Ukraine will conclude not peace, but a truce;

��It provides for de facto recognition of Russian territorial gains (by postponing this issue for 49 or 99 years);

��Most anti-Russian sanctions are lifted;

��In the long term, there is a return to importing Russian gas and oil;

��There are no guarantees of non-expansion of NATO;

��No one promises to suspend military support for Ukraine

Image

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1953415357869281408
el rey del mambo
User avatar
Megaterio Llamas
MVP
MVP
Posts: 6334
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:23 am

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Megaterio Llamas »

Sounds like the US has offered a Trump-Putin summit meeting, possibly next week.
el rey del mambo
User avatar
Cousin Strawberry
MVP
MVP
Posts: 8176
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:19 pm
Location: in the shed with a fresh packed bowl

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Cousin Strawberry »

Megaterio Llamas wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:07 am Sounds like the US has offered a Trump-Putin summit meeting, possibly next week.
Maybe Vlad and Dirty Donald can share a celebratory vial of polonium 210 to help Make the World Great Again

MWGA!
If you need air...call it in
User avatar
Tciso
MVP
MVP
Posts: 1044
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:44 am

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Tciso »

Cousin Strawberry wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:16 am
Megaterio Llamas wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:07 am Sounds like the US has offered a Trump-Putin summit meeting, possibly next week.
Maybe Vlad and Dirty Donald can share a celebratory vial of polonium 210 to help Make the World Great Again

MWGA!
I am Tciso, and I approve this message.
The Cup is soooooo ours!!!!!!!
User avatar
Blob Mckenzie
MVP
MVP
Posts: 9243
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:34 pm
Location: Oakalla

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Blob Mckenzie »

Next to Trump getting mouth cancer it's probably the best result
“I don’t care what you and some other poster were talking about”
User avatar
Per
MVP
MVP
Posts: 4065
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Per »

Megaterio Llamas wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 9:36 am
Cornuck wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 9:10 am
Megaterio Llamas wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:02 am The war in Ukraine could be over next week. It looks like there has been a breakthrough in the talks between Russia and the US:

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1953415357869281408
Not really - https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/rus ... huge-scam/
I was referring to an actual potential armistice, Cornuck. We're talking about two different things. That journal article refers to a rumored air war truce, which was a media rumor. I provided a link to comments from the Russia head negotiator, Yuri Ushakov.
Alleged details of the proposal by US Presidential Special Envoy Steven Witkoff have emerged, writes the Polish portal Onet:

��Russia and Ukraine will conclude not peace, but a truce;

��It provides for de facto recognition of Russian territorial gains (by postponing this issue for 49 or 99 years);

��Most anti-Russian sanctions are lifted;

��In the long term, there is a return to importing Russian gas and oil;

��There are no guarantees of non-expansion of NATO;

��No one promises to suspend military support for Ukraine
Yeah, this is just Trump agreeing to Putin's terms.

Ukraine maintains that they are not willing to cede any territory, pointing to international law, the UN charter and the Geneva convention that all ban expansion of territory through warfare.

And the EU stands firmly behind Ukraine in this matter. Any territorial gains for russia is almost certainly going to ensure continued attempts by russia to expand by invading neighbours. This is especially important for countries like Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, who have all been victims of russian invasions, and have parts of their traditional territory within russia and/or Belarus.

The eight Nordic/Baltic countries issued a joint statement on this today:
https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/j ... id3115525/

Excerpt:
We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must safeguard the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe. These interests include robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We reaffirm the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

Negotiations can only take place in context of a ceasefire. President Zelenskyy has stated clearly that Ukraine is ready for peace talks in full respect of its sovereignty.

The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace cannot be charted without Ukraine’s voice. No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no decisions on Europe without Europe.

The Nordic–Baltic Eight will remain at Ukraine’s side, united in purpose and resolute in defence of our security.
As I see it the russo-American proposal is a non-starter.

A just peace must respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
All abducted Ukrainian children must be returned to their families.
Those responsible for war crimes should be handed over to the ICC and put on trial.
Ukraine must be given security gurantess that prevent russia from invading again, preferrably Nato membership.

And the EU will never make itself dependent on russian oil or gas again.
That was a stupid mistake. We thought they had changed and wanted to trust them.
It will probably take decades - or a regime change in Moscow - before we try that again.
Whatever you do, always give 100 %!
Except when donating blood.
User avatar
Megaterio Llamas
MVP
MVP
Posts: 6334
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:23 am

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Megaterio Llamas »

Image
el rey del mambo
User avatar
Cousin Strawberry
MVP
MVP
Posts: 8176
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:19 pm
Location: in the shed with a fresh packed bowl

Re: Old World Politics - rising from the ashes

Post by Cousin Strawberry »

Look at the dart board haha
If you need air...call it in
Post Reply