A Political Thread

[Groundhog]

Only heard of Plaid Cymru the other day, which says it all really. Not a hope in heaven of them being independent any time soon. They use Estonia as an example of thriving small independent countries (about half the size of Wales), but Wales would be worth about 10 quid if they left the U.K. The English would probably take their motorway with them as a final two fingers, and then they'd be back to riding donkeys down what used to be the M4.

 

[McTallshort]

Only heard of Plaid Cymru the other day, which says it all really. Not a hope in heaven of them being independent any time soon. They use Estonia as an example of thriving small independent countries (about half the size of Wales), but Wales would be worth about 10 quid if they left the U.K. The English would probably take their motorway with them as a final two fingers, and then they'd be back to riding donkeys down what used to be the M4.

Yeah that's the same Estonia where most of its best and brightest have left to work in Western Europe and they are having to spend a fortune on defence because Russia want to invade.

 

[Groundhog]

Yeah that's the same Estonia where most of its best and brightest have left to work in Western Europe and they are having to spend a fortune on defence because Russia want to invade.

Well they've had a net positive migration for the first time since independence recently (can't speak for the brain drain though, I have no idea), and have one of the top ranked education systems in the world, and they're doing well compared to neighbors with regards to growth and national debt, but yeah they have a lot to fear from Russia, but it bears mentioning that NATO membership (whose spending requirements they've only just met) will certainly help and the UK have just deployed troops there. Chances are a lot of countries will be pushed to up their NATO spending in the years to come anyway. The Baltic countries certainly won't complain if they do I'd imagine.

 

[McTallshort]

Well they've had a net positive migration for the first time since independence recently (can't speak for the brain drain though, I have no idea), and have one of the top ranked education systems in the world, and they're doing well compared to neighbors with regards to growth and national debt, but yeah they have a lot to fear from Russia, but it bears mentioning that NATO membership (whose spending requirements they've only just met) will certainly help and the UK have just deployed troops there. Chances are a lot of countries will be pushed to up their NATO spending in the years to come anyway. The Baltic countries certainly won't complain if they do I'd imagine.

Im guessing much of the migration would be from the Ukraine which is still in the middle of civil war which everyone seems to have forgotten about. They have a high education standard as do most Eastern European countries, not that it does them much good when after getting said education most kids go to the UK or Germany to become order pickers perhaps Brexit might have a positive effect regards that brain drain.

I would expect the Baltic countries and Poland to stick to their NATO targets, off the top of my head Germany are the worst at fulfilling their commitment but I could be wrong.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Martin McGuinness died this morning, a highly intelligent man who was a greatly helped his oppressed community before hindering it in the late 80's and 90's. Impossible to admire a murderer and dangerous to do so as well considering NI's current uncertain future.

RIP

 

[Car]

I would expect the Baltic countries and Poland to stick to their NATO targets, off the top of my head Germany are the worst at fulfilling their commitment but I could be wrong.

Nope, not even close to that:
http://www.dw.com/en/how-does-germany-contribute-to-nato/a-38033967

 

[Groundhog]

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. No peace without McGuinness. Became a true statesman and voice of reason in the north.

 

[McTallshort]

Nope, not even close to that:
http://www.dw.com/en/how-does-germany-contribute-to-nato/a-38033967

Given Germany is the richest country with the largest industrial output in Europe it should be pulling its weight more.

As for McGuinness, he was a product of his time who was a very divisive figure but in some ways a necessary evil to address the balance in NI

 

[McTallshort]

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. No peace without McGuinness. Became a true statesman and voice of reason in the north.

No Birmingham pub bombings either

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No Birmingham pub bombings either

My Grandad was on his way to one of the pubs that went up but, luckily, didn't arrive before they did.

Good times, ay

 

[Car]

Given Germany is the richest country with the largest industrial output in Europe it should be pulling its weight more.

Not very likely to happen with the general anti-military attitude here.

 

[McTallshort]

Not very likely to happen with the general anti-military attitude here.

Need to leave then.

 

[Car]

Need to leave then.

Nope, we won't have to.

 

[McTallshort]

Nope, we won't have to.

Oh that's right you will have the European army, bet Putin is shaking in his boots.

 

[Car]

Oh that's right you will have the European army, bet Putin is shaking in his boots.

Apart from the Left, no-one is wanting to leave NATO and the 2% isn't a requirement anyway. The European army is a 60-year old pipe-dream, nothing more.

For the record, I'm not saying we shouldn't do more, but I'm saying it's not very likely. At least not enough to reach those 2%. IIRC, we do want to spend more, though.

 

[McTallshort]

Apart from the Left, no-one is wanting to leave NATO and the 2% isn't a requirement anyway. The European army is a 60-year old pipe-dream, nothing more.

For the record, I'm not saying we shouldn't do more, but I'm saying it's not very likely. At least not enough to reach those 2%. IIRC, we do want to spend more, though.

Give everyone else in NATO a load of nice shiny Leopards 2A7's and all will be forgotten.

 

[Car]

Give everyone else in NATO a load of nice shiny Leopards 2A7's and all will be forgotten.

You'd better hope they work, though.

 

[McTallshort]

You'd better hope they work, though.

They will, their German

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

So in one of my econ classes we studied some literature in multinational defence spending. Essentially the country that cares the most is going to cover the costs for their allies. So Germany really doesn't need to spend any money. But again, will we continue to be their allies.

Fair almost never happens.

 

[McTallshort]

Attack in Westminster, stabbing and vehicle driven into people.