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brainbomb (295 D)
30 May 17 UTC
Battle in Texas over Sanctuary Cities
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/29/us/texas-lawmaker-scuffle/index.html
15 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
27 May 17 UTC
Is Trump secretly movong left of center?
Just noting that between the promise to send a manned mission to mars which will cost a fortune, and the recent hint that the US may stay tye course with Paris Climate accords; is Trump actually going left?
17 replies
Open
orathaic (1009 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
(+3)
Nothing to see here, move along
https://aheadofthe.news/media-ignores-20-million-muslims-who-march-against-isis/

Millions march against ISIS
3 replies
Open
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
(+4)
You go, girl!
Merkel is finally flexing her considerable muscle.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
(+4)
"All I can say is that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands", said Merkel at a beer tent yesterday. "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days."

About time. It's a modest statement, but we haven't heard anything like it in decades.
diplomat61 (223 D)
29 May 17 UTC
(+3)
I wish that the UK was taking that step alongside the rest of Europe.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
(+1)
We Europeans should be grateful to Trump. Our politicians would never have become this assertive if it wasn't for him. He's really shaking everything up.
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
"said Merkel at a beer tent yesterday."

I love German politics
Jeff Kuta (2066 D)
29 May 17 UTC
(+2)
Unless she was standing on a picnic bench and dancing, it doesn't count.
Octavious (2732 D)
29 May 17 UTC
"About time. It's a modest statement, but we haven't heard anything like it in decades."

Then you've not been listening. Trump's been shouting from the rooftops that that European nations should be more self reliant every day for months. It's finally having something of an impact.
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
just for keeping a good wage market, countries need more job growth and less population growth (and immigration)

what's been happening in Europe is not just a cultural crisis but an economic one as well
Jeff Kuta (2066 D)
29 May 17 UTC
(+2)
Yeah, Trump was part of an alliance which was drawing, then he backstabbed his allies to try for a solo. Nice guy.
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
wait guys, many people are applying this statement to climate change. does anyone know what the full context is? i guess either way the sentiment is still strong
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
It's climate change, yes. Trump doesn't want to sign the Paris Accord, which the EU is very serious about. But more than anything, it's NATO. He is trying to blackmail Europe, and Europe is telling him to go to hell.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
(+1)
@Yanik

"just for keeping a good wage market, countries need more job growth and less population growth (and immigration)"

I wouldn't know about that. Germany has been taking millions and doesn't show any signs of weakening. Maybe your theory is faulty.
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
@zmaj

not the overall economy, they've had positive job growth still but their employment growth is slowing. they're not in trouble though, their natural population growth is quite stagnant

i'm talking about the rest of Europe. Germany is an economic powerhouse
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
it's actually more intricate than even that, you have to look at labor force growth for high and low skill laborers, and the job growth of high or low skill industries, compared to one another.

the problem is south europe and low skill jobs
Octavious (2732 D)
29 May 17 UTC
(+1)
@ Zmaj

Blackmail in what sense? The NATO alliance is based on everybody pitching in to ensure their mutual defence. Many European nations have been exploiting the US's desire to be a global superpower to get superpower level defence at bargain basement prices. After decades of this the US is now insisting that the rest of the alliance honours their agreement, fully aware that we need America a hell of a lot more than America needs us because the European military is a joke.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
@Octavious

What you described is Kipling's famous "white man's burden", only now it's "America's burden." It's hard to protect those stupid Europeans, but somebody's gotta do it, right? Well, wrong. As far as the EU is concerned, America can leave NATO. I don't see Putin or Erdogan conquering Paris and Berlin any time soon.
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
@Zmaj

Ukraine needs help though, that's still going on
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
Ukraine is not in the EU.
ND (879 D)
29 May 17 UTC
Hopefully this week we withdraw from Paris accords.
Octavious (2732 D)
29 May 17 UTC
(+2)
@Zamj

I don't think it's remotely like the white man's burden idea, in all honesty.

You are very confident in what Putin won't do considering what he's already done in the Ukraine. Can you imagine a Europe without American support taking action to prevent Russia taking non EU Eastern European nations by force? Can you imagine Europe taking robust action to stop Russia interfering in European elections? Can you imagine Europe investing in a military that could even theoretically challenge Russia? Because I can't.
Hauta (1618 D(S))
29 May 17 UTC
Germany has been so keen on renewable energy so they can reduce threat from Russia embargo of natural gas. Looks like Germany got there before Putin squeezed supplies. Putin invades the near abroad as safety valve for popularity sags. Right now he is popular so threat of escalating military action is low even though *posturing* can be high.
Jeff Kuta (2066 D)
29 May 17 UTC
The problem is that the EU doesn't have a fiscal union, only a monetary one.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
@Octavious

Why should the EU have a military that could challenge Russia? Those are old-fashioned nation-state ideas. The new paradigm is this: we're so rich and we have such strong trade that nobody will touch us because we'd stop trading with them. Very very simple.
JamesYanik (548 D)
29 May 17 UTC
@zmaj

so then only the little guys will get invaded
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
@Yanik

If you mean the weak countries close to the EU, yes. During the wars in Croatia and Bosnia, the EU did jack shit. And I, a Croat, did not think any less of them. Why should they intervene? It's none of their business.
Jeff Kuta (2066 D)
29 May 17 UTC
France still has 300 nukes. Western Europe is safe.
Octavious (2732 D)
29 May 17 UTC
@ Zmaj

The Russian people are far more resilient to economic warfare than Europe is. We have bombarded them with sanctions and Putin has grown in popularity, whilst in Europe politicians are lobbied by powerful business groups demanding we reduce them. Europe is weak, and the levers to weaken it further are obvious. Russia can and is promoting anti-EU groups within the Union. Russia can and is prolonging the refugee crisis that is doing so much to destroy EU unity. Russia can and is taking action to cut the EU off from its allies overseas.

Russia is actively fighting the EU, and Russia is winning. By expanding ever eastwards we stepped into Russia's backyard, and Russia has made it her business to make sure we're not only pushed back, but will never return.
Hauta (1618 D(S))
29 May 17 UTC
@Zmaj, Russians are used to scarcity. Not trading with the rest of Europe is a hardship that they can endure. Russia already signed a big deal with China to sell energy eastward anyway.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
@Octavious @Hauta

I don't get your point. Yeah, Russians are tough. So what?

"Russia can and is prolonging the refugee crisis that is doing so much to destroy EU unity."

How is the refugee crisis destroying EU unity? If under "unity" you mean everyone having the same policy, then we have never had unity.

"Russia can and is taking action to cut the EU off from its allies overseas."

Good riddance, I say.

"Russia is actively fighting the EU, and Russia is winning."

You're inventing stuff. What has the EU fought for and lost?
Hauta (1618 D(S))
29 May 17 UTC
@Zmaj wrote: "we're so rich and we have such strong trade that nobody will touch us because we'd stop trading with them. Very very simple"

We were writing in response to the nonsense you wrote ^
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
It looks like nonsense to you because you're used to the old power games. In practice, it works.
Hauta (1618 D(S))
29 May 17 UTC
Thanks for the circular reasoning thanks...
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
How is that circular? Rather think about your nonsense: "Not trading with the rest of Europe is a hardship that they can endure." Sure, a human being can endure anything. That doesn't mean they're happy about it, does it? "Yes, rubles are worthless because of the sanctions, but the thought that the EU is not getting its way is keeping me warm at night." Say whatever you like, but when you make a country poorer, you're destabilizing it big time, even if that country is Russia.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
29 May 17 UTC
Anyway, it's laughable to attribute Russian stability to "resilience" instead of state-sponsored terror that prevents any popular protest. As laughable as pronouncing a "crisis" in the EU when there have been no upheavals. I mean, come on. The far right hasn't won the elections in a single member state, and there are 28! The only big thing that happened was the UK leaving, and those guys never really believed in the EU anyway.
Hauta (1618 D(S))
29 May 17 UTC
They won in Hungary. Does Poland count too?
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
Sure, if you count conservatives as the far right.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
While I don't like Hungary's Orban at all, I'm not blind to the fact that he's merely an ultra-conservative. Of course, the European left is doing its best to present him as a neo-Nazi. Uninformed people like Hauta will actually fall for that.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
Hauta, look up Jobbik, ok?
Hauta (1618 D(S))
30 May 17 UTC
@Zmaj, I see that you admit that he's an "ultra-conservative." Remember, I was challenging your assertion that none of the 28 nations has been won by the "far right". What the hell is the difference between "far right" and "ultra-conservative"? So, you toasted yourself. Maybe you should become more "uninformed" like me.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
Orban is ultra-conservative, Jobbik is far right. The difference is very important. Check both of them and come back.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
BTW maybe I'm going overboard with the "ultra". Since Hungary is a conservative country in general, I suppose they see him as just conservative. I guess calling him "ultra-conservative" is like calling both Republicans and Democrats right-wing because it's how they're positioned in relation to the European average.
Hauta (1618 D(S))
30 May 17 UTC
I see that Jobbik is in a different and more reprehensible league than Orban's party, and I appreciate the lesson (really), but there's no difference between ultra-conservative and far right, at least here in America. Perhaps what you call the "far right", here in America, we call the "alt-right". If that's the situation, then "what we have here is a failure to communicate"*

*from the movie "Cool Hand Luke"
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
Ummm I'm not sure. Anyway, I'll admit it's easy to perceive the Eastern European right as the far right because the memory of Communism is still strong, so both sides tend to use extreme rhetoric which raises eyebrows in Western Europe.
Hellenic Riot (1626 D(G))
30 May 17 UTC
(+1)
Fidesz are a pretty unpleasant bunch, and Orban is very much an Erdogan-in-waiting, but Jobbik are in a league of true scum with Golden Dawn as the only real far right parties to have gained widespread popularity in Europe rather than fringe status. You could possibly stretch to include the Dutch PVV in that group, but they're more like the tier below with Front Nationale, UKIP, Lega Nord, etc. Jobbik and Golden Dawn are truly like something out of the 1930s.
Zmaj (215 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
To me, Golden Dawn always sounded like something out of Conan.
Hellenic Riot (1626 D(G))
30 May 17 UTC
You only need to look at their banner to see they're more like something out of The Man in the High Castle, though. I remember when they first got popular there... truly despicable.
orathaic (1009 D(B))
30 May 17 UTC
I think the EU's largest crisis happened in Greece rather than the UK. When the Greek finance minister laid out (secret) plans to drop the euro and start circulating a mew currency, and the EU managed to force the the minister from power...

That's a pretty big infringement on a member state's democracy... I don't think anything Russia has done comes close.

The EU has become a neo-liberal union. And will drive those policies ahead of national interests, individual rights, and i suspect Russia human rights violations... But we'll see.


46 replies
Ogion (3817 D)
28 May 17 UTC
Another terrorist attack kills two
How many more of these do we need to have before we start deporting these people or locking them up?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/27/portland-double-murder-white-supremacist-muslim-hate-speech
22 replies
Open
Player needed
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=198628&msgCountryID=0&rand=31979#chatboxanchor
3 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
26 May 17 UTC
Should Jared Kushner security clearance be suspended?
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/335243-dnc-suspend-kushner-security-clearance-amid-fbi-scrutiny

The DNC, for political purposes obviously, wants to suspend Jared Kushner's security clearance. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason by Jared secretly met with the CEO from VEB, the Russian state-owned bank.
11 replies
Open
ND (879 D)
26 May 17 UTC
Cryptocurrency discussion
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-bitcoin-the-cryptocurrency-explained-2017-5
26 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
24 May 17 UTC
First advertiser pulls ads from Sean Hannity show
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/cars-leaves-sean-hannity-dust-pulls-advertising-article-1.3193120

Cars.com just pulled their ads from Hannity over the Seth Rich fake news propagated by Hannity even after Fox retracted the story. Corporate censorship of the press? Nope.
72 replies
Open
Hippopankake (80 D)
21 May 17 UTC
James Bond
If James Bond is the worlds most famous spy
Doesn't that make him the worlds worst spy?
17 replies
Open
Valis2501 (2850 D(G))
27 May 17 UTC
(+1)
Need F2F player (Skype?) Right now urgent
Our 7th flaked need a warm body in Boston or someone who can telecon ASAP, PM or email me if available in next 20 minutes
5 replies
Open
JimTheGrey (968 D(S))
27 May 17 UTC
#MootAbides
Weasel Moot XI--the premier tournament of the Windy City Weasels Diplomacy club and past host of two WDCs--will be June 23-25 at the Diversey River Bowl in Chicago.
2 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
26 May 17 UTC
WSJ article about collusion between GOP and Russians
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-alleged-russian-hacker-teamed-up-with-florida-gop-operative-1495724787

Yeah, I know that the WSJ is not conservative enough for some of y'all, but it is intriguing nonetheless. You know, the way journalists connect dots and shit.
24 replies
Open
ntrung670 (0 DX)
27 May 17 UTC
LIVE
JOIN QUICK!!!
1 reply
Open
lalaland (0 DX)
26 May 17 UTC
One spot left live game
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=199465
0 replies
Open
Jamiet99uk (1307 D)
24 May 17 UTC
(+1)
US intelligence leaks compromise UK terrorism investigation.
After the Manchester bombing, US intelligence has repeatedly leaked confidential information about the UK's investigation. Seems like US officers are taking after Trump.
Could you just fuck off instead please?
27 replies
Open
RLH (132 D)
25 May 17 UTC
FtF Tournaments
Hello webdippers. Some of you know me already, but for those of you who don't, I'm an active FtF player, tournament-goer, and on the board of the North American Diplomacy Federation (NADF), which seeks to encourage FtF play, at both house games and tournaments, throughout North America.
14 replies
Open
MajorMitchell (1605 D)
21 May 17 UTC
(+3)
US politics is now the best & worst "reality show" around today.
It's damaging the credibility and reputation of a once great nation
108 replies
Open
Lex1 (45 D)
20 May 17 UTC
New game
Hey guys I'm going to start a new modern diplomacy game soon. If you want to sign up then please write your username followed by I WANT TO SIGN UP in all caps.
6 replies
Open
Jamiet99uk (1307 D)
21 May 17 UTC
Who would you kill?
I was having a deep and thoughtful conversation with a beautiful friend and, to my slight surprise, they mentioned that they would be happy to assist with the killing and disposal of several individuals we both know.
44 replies
Open
Chaqa (3971 D(B))
25 May 17 UTC
Need replacement for team game
Hey everyone, Team MOAB needs a replacement for Spain in gameID=197073. The only requirements are:
1. Use Google Hangouts
2. Be willing to drop MOAB on enemy
6 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
24 May 17 UTC
Time to end Obama era sanctions on Russia?
Would it be better to let job creating trade flourish rather than hurting both countries economically? Can Russia be our friend?
85 replies
Open
orathaic (1009 D(B))
25 May 17 UTC
The Phillipines
Just because i've been away for a few days, somehow there is no thread about this... One news headline (paraphrased) 'ISIS captures city in Philipines!' Is rather click baity... But goes in to refer to the 'Most Catholic country in south east asia'.
6 replies
Open
Carebear (100 D)
25 May 17 UTC
ODC @ PDET - Assignments Out
The assignments went out 24 hours ago and some of you all have not yet picked up your messages. Please come on over and join your games. :D
3 replies
Open
Refusing to draw in established stalemate
Is there a rule that if stalemate is made and it lasts for 3 years with no changes in a sc count, draw can be forced, or something like that?
3 replies
Open
orathaic (1009 D(B))
25 May 17 UTC
On dna databases
http://www.nature.com/news/china-expands-dna-data-grab-in-troubled-western-region-1.22033

This is what colonial/state oppression looks like. As far as anarchist are concerned they are one and the same, the state oppresses its own people, the colonial empire oppress other peoples. In China they have this lovely grey area...
5 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
23 May 17 UTC
(+1)
Why is Terrorism the only time people feel a visceral response?
I noticed recently there was an incident where a man crashed his car into multiple people injuring many and killing someone. But because it was not terrorism, people did not seem motivated in the same manner against alcoholism as they would have if he were a terrorist. If he had indeed been from any Muslim country at all, and also under the influence of alcohol, one has to wonder if people would just automatically assume it was a terror plot.
91 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
22 May 17 UTC
American reporter arrested for asking questions to Trump HHS Secretary
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/10/business/media/reporter-arrested-tom-price.html

Freedom of the press is an integral part of the 1st amendment. Just wondering how rightwing media handled or ignored this story about Dan Heyman, the reporter that was arrested for asking persistent questions to Tom Price, HHS Secretary.
54 replies
Open
JECE (1322 D)
11 May 17 UTC
(+2)
On how PPSC scoring does not encourage players to throw games
In our recent discussion (threadID=1432961), many mods and fellow pillars of the community claimed that when you have two Great Powers in a game that have between 12 and 16 supply centers, one of these Great Powers has a (D) points-incentive to throw the game. I disagreed and this puzzled my fellow users, but only Lethologica took the bait when I explained my position. Here it is again:
32 replies
Open
Oztra (30 DX)
25 Mar 17 UTC
(+3)
Bump
Because I'm a new pleb, I'm not sure what bump means.
I've been seeing people use it a lot, and am unsure of the context and meaning behind this phrase
133 replies
Open
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