Wait until Drumpf throws a fit over this, after he himself releasing his own version of the AI Gaza bearded ladies.

So let’s consider an extreme situation, based on this exact premise.

Eventually those same companies migrating to the US will become isolated from the rest of the consumer world (EU and rest of Europe, British Commonwealth, China, Mexico and many more) due to tariffs being applied on the US, if not full trade ban in some cases, and be restricted to US and Russian markets… With underperforming products because the US doesn’t have the independent production capabilities it thinks it does. Ironically funny.

And that’s not even mentioning the internal disadvantages in this whole process, like white supremacy disguised as anti-DEI, having to constantly kiss the ring for a chance at tax exemptions (which are not guaranteed), and selling to a presumably poor consumer base with a few ultra-rich in the mix.

Make it make sense. And make me some popcorn and bring me my 3D glasses, because I sure as hell won’t feel sorry for any company falling for this “huge deal”. 🤷‍♂️

So let’s consider an extreme situation, based on the following premise.

• The US imposes tariffs on the whole world (except its new eastern allies) to make companies come to the US, where they won’t face tariffs.

So I’m lead to think eventually those same companies migrating to the US will become isolated from the rest of the consumer world (EU and rest of Europe, British Commonwealth, China, Mexico and many more) due to tariffs being applied on the US, if not full trade ban in some cases, and be restricted to US and Russian markets… With underperforming products because the US doesn’t have the independent production capabilities it thinks it does. Ironically funny.

And that’s not even mentioning the internal disadvantages in this whole process, like white supremacy disguised as anti-DEI, having to constantly kiss the ring for a chance at tax exemptions (which are not guaranteed), and selling to a presumably poor consumer base with a few ultra-rich in the mix.

Make it make sense. And make me some popcorn and bring me my 3D glasses. 🤷‍♂️

And sadly the over 50 countries now desperately calling the White House to beg negotiate are just inflating and reinforcing the Trump administration’s ego and postponing the inevitable.

Who would have guessed. Said as much in another post this is what happens when you appease to narcissistic bullies. You get further trampled on and they become bolder.

No matter how much it would be better if we all got along well as before. This is the new reality, and even if we hurt right now we’ll come out on top in the long run, better and more self-reliant, while the US becomes isolated from the world.

Hope everyone remembers this when the US falls and comes “kissing out collective asses” for sympathy.

Of course they do. Note that according to them it’s because “everyone gets tariffs, no exceptions”.

Well, except the likes of Russia or North Korea, of course. They seem to escape what even the penguins couldn’t.

Like Trump likes to say so much: FAFO.

Multiple can play that game.

More meat for the meat grinder. And unlike Ukrainians Russia does have a choice to stop the war - all they need to do is stop and leave.

Ukrainians die to protect their homeland against invasion. Russians die for needless oligarchic aspirations of dominion of the elite. It’s not the same thing for either side, as many like to make it seem as if Ukraine has any responsibility in the matter.

Any loss of life on Russia’s side is completely optional, and due to Putin’s whims. Not that it matters to the vultures surrounding Ukraine.

If that simplistic and dismissive view is your take on the whole Ukraine defending their sovereignty against a foreign invader…

Then Doktor Jidanbo prescribes you with less Fox News consumption - as 9/10 dentists say it clouds judgement.

Stopping the ‘meat grinder’ is actually very simple. All that needs to happen is for Russia to stop attacking Ukraine and leave Ukrainian soil. All Russia needs to do is wanting to actually end it, which is the part all the greedy vultures wanting to carve up Ukraine conveniently leave out.

I rather die a proud fighter who fought my oppressors than live in misery while they gleefully take what’s mine, and my loved ones. Capitulating to bullies only leads to more bloodshed. Standing up to them and making them regret their barbaric ways is how you actually stop them.

Take that any way you want, as that’s all I’m gonna say.

Where’s Trump and his “young, brave men”? You know, that speech. The one aimed at Zelensky stating he should just stop the war and stop being desperate by conscripting more people for the defense effort?

Eh, must have left it in the same place he left the “Zelensky is a dictator” comment after he was asked if Putin was also a dictator.

So whataboutism, distorting my words to suit your point and strawmen are your answers. Good to know rather early this conversation isn’t going anywhere, since both of us will always be right and wrong at the same time, according to each other.

One crook or two facing consequences does not excuse all the others that consistently get away. Specially the ones we don’t even know about. She’s just “the one that was caught this time”, with plenty more in line like her waiting for their chance to succeed where she could not. And your willingness to see her “not-reward” as if it was an actual punishment written in the law for her crimes speaks volumes - to the point it makes me wonder what potential role or benefit you’re getting (or hoping to get) from such a system. And before you twist my words to say you’re “not french”, or “not a politician”, know that what I’m saying goes way beyond one person, one position or one nation, so that logic won’t cut it.

Almost makes me think you’re primed to automatically defend scum like her no matter how corrupt she was. Anyways I don’t think this will be a productive discussion for either of us, so forgive me for not participating further.

Cheers.

“Not being president” is not a punishment. Just the absence of a reward for her corruption. If the worst she had was “not being rewarded”, then what stops every other crook from attempting to seize power?

Absence of a reward is not a consequence for breaking the rules. A consequence for breaking the law is the actual punishment, and that also serves as a warning to any other people wanting to do the same.

That’s what’s wrong with the system we currently have, and I’m glad at least she got prison out of it. Leniency is what got us here. There’s got to be actual hard consequences for mocking the system. Rules are only as good as the willingness to apply consequences for breaking them. It’s that simple.

The worst thing in this statement is “could” - “could end her career”.

A system that doesn’t automatically provide real consequences and makes an example of the criminal is a corrupt system in itself. There shouldn’t even be a ‘could’ in a so-called ‘fair and free system’.

And this isn’t just France, by far. Cheers from the Banana Republic known as Portugal, quite the paradise for corrupt politicians.

Good. Still, any real consequences for her? Like prison time? Or will she be granted the usual politician/millionaire+ special treatment and just go on with her merry life minus the extra power?

Reminds me of Portugal’s former PM (Mr. Socrates), a few years ago, and ‘his’ 20M€. Or the convicted felon running the White House currently.

Putin: Hey Krasnov, it’s becoming too obvious. Tone it down a little, I’ll even give you permission to say you are angry at me. Don’t forget papa bear still loves you. 🥰🍆🍒

I guess she could always seek out a position of leadership at the EU, like von der Leyen or Costa.

Supposedly a safe haven for crooked politicians who failed their respective countries before their people had enough of them.

Greetings from Costaland Portugal.

If they before could do it, imagine now with the full US backing by the new fascist administration.

They don’t even have to pretend to be good, they can just do whatever they want because any guardrails that might have been there are now gone.

I want a future of peace worldwide, but we’ll have to suffer a lot more as a species before we reach that point. If we even get there in any kind of future, since there’s no shortage of lunatics with red nuclear buttons spread across the world who rather watch the world burn than give up their power.

Maybe he could take the opportunity, accept Merz’s invitation and stop by Germany. Unless this is a “dictators club only” trip.

*Wink wink

We should ask ourselves why those sanctions are there in the first place, and if looking at Russia today is there any change to their behavior to justify lifting them.

“We are being mean to poor peaceful Russia, as they’re friends who happen to have personally benefitted the current President of the US” is not a valid reason to lift sanctions.

What are you gonna do? Tariff yourself into isolation? While Europe, UK, Canada, Mexico and possibly the rest of the British commonwealth trade and work more together to make up for the loss of the US?

If you think you don’t need us then stop crying about it. Just do it. The free world has called your bluff, so either admit you’re weak and take the loss graciously, or take the consequences of your continued actions (though we already know which option will be chosen).

Bring it on, homeboy. 🖕

Donald Trump is the first US President since World War Two to challenge the role that his country set for itself many decades ago.

Keywords here are “set for itself”, despite what Americans like to say about other countries depending on their leadership.

They conveniently ignore that at the time the US voluntarily took that role Europe was completely torn apart and destroyed, while the US had the luxury of sitting out most of the war with that ‘big, beautiful ocean’ apart, which Trump is so proud of. And no neighbors posing any kind of threat. They helped indirectly at first, sure, but only really jumped in at the end, after the war had made it to US shores through Pearl Harbor.

Let’s not pretend the US hasn’t benefitted massively from its prestigious position, setting its currency as the world trade currency, NATO article 5 post 9/11, lack of proper taxation by Europe on US digital products and services we consume, and the list goes on and on.

The US is absolutely and objectively not a poor victim here. As much as they like to pretend it. They were allowed to prosper because the world chose to follow their desires. And a leader without followers is just a delusional guy in an echo chamber.

You don’t get to crave leadership, protagonism and glory, and at the same time complain about others relying on you. You can’t be both a hero and a victim at once. You don’t get to have it both ways.