RetroFed
lieven, thisislieven@europe.pub
Instance: europe.pub
Joined: 1 month ago
Posts: 5
Comments: 61
agitation perpétuelle
Posts and Comments by lieven, thisislieven@europe.pub
europe
europeanfederalists
BuyFromEU
EuropeComments by lieven, thisislieven@europe.pub
Hrm…
I may have miscalculated this. Technically we’re still only at step 2 as I proposed it but with the North American and Asian equivalents of UEFA also against it, UEFA on a strike of sorts and people seemingly real mad at Infantino that might be the last step after all.
It’d be real funny if this caused the ouster of Infantino and he won’t even get a third term.
Still, I am not yet 100% convinced it won’t happen, or in some watered down version perhaps.
Well, that’s why I added links…
Sure. It’s genuinely a problematic situation. I’ll include the Washington Post too.
More of a general point: there’s little pan-European media and it isn’t well known. What’s mostly consumed is Anglo-Saxon, either from the US or the UK - neither of which are part of the EU and even the UK media sphere is barely European. They have different agendas, lack the cultural and institutional knowledge and measure the EU and Europe alongside their own standards. It frames the conversation in Europe, directly and indirectly, in a way not beneficial to Europe.
Most Europeans don’t even recognise this is happening, and has for decades, and indiscriminately share things from the US or UK, including the worst of media outlets. It has consequences and plays a key factor in Europeans failing to recognise the US as anything other than an equal and an ally which they most certainly are not (and never truly have been).
The NYT and the WaPo are two of the most established newspapers in the US and considered papers of record, both are probably also the most read US newspapers outside of the US (alongside the WSJ - which is less problematic but leans right and is not as neutral as many Europeans consider it to be). All have a history going back well over a century, and a reputation that goes along with that.
Both have issues with framing. Even if the facts are technically right, the way they are presented can make things seem different than they are. There’s a massive difference in how republicans are represented vs democrats, and more globally the right vs the left. Their difference in coverage of Biden and Trump is an extreme example of this.
WaPo was acquired by Jeff Bezos (Amazon) a few years back and he has editorial influence. One of the most notable things is that he told the opinion writers can only write about personal liberties and free markets. Anything to challenge this is no longer allowed.
Bezos also blocked WaPo from endorsing Kamala Harris in the last US election (whether or not you supported her isn’t the point - the point is that a supposedly editorially independent paper did not get to make its own decisions).
As for the NYT, there are many issues and controversies. To focus on the two big, current, ones: their coverage of the war in Gaza (I’ll let wiki do the explaining) and the incredibly biased writing on transgender people which has caused genuine harm. Alejandra Carabello (clinical instructor at Harvard) has done a tremendous deep dive going back several years.
As a side note: the parody NYT Pitchbot is a nice one to understand their pattern.
There’s so much more but this was already three times longer than I intended to write.
I’ll get off my high horse now.
Do we really need the US perspective on Europe, which by its very definition isn’t neutral and often hostile? Especially the NYT which… well, there’s been a bit of a downfall in quality and neutrality to put it mildly.
Honestly, football isn’t my thing but from the little reporting I saw UEFA (and others) came out swinging against this but the next day the tone was already considerably different.
The single fact that Infantino seems to have widespread support, also in Europe, for a third term to me basically tells the whole story. From the countries that were awarded the tournament in recent history, to the ‘Today I am’ speech, the FIFA Peace Prize, the influence from Trump… somehow that’s acceptable.
FIFA was incredibly corrupt, people got charged and somehow the next guy is even more corrupt.
So yeah, I have little hope.
My guess:
- UEFA says no.
- UEFA says really, really no.
- EU issues warning.
- FIFA says yes.
- UEFA says yes.
- EU says nothing.
Europe[T]he EU budget amounts to roughly 1% of the EU’s combined gross domestic product. Under the current 2021-2027 framework, the legal ceiling on what Brussels can even raise is 1.4% of EU GDP, and actual spending has consistently come in well under that, around 1% to 1.1%. The 2026 annual budget lands at €192.8 billion in commitments — against an EU economy worth somewhere north of €17 trillion.
Now put that next to what most national governments do with their own economies.
Germany’s federal government (excluding the Länder, the regional states that run their own substantial budgets) spent around €495.5 billion in 2025 on a German economy of roughly €4.3-4.4 trillion. That’s about 12% of GDP, from the federal layer alone, before you add a single euro of state or municipal spending. Berlin’s federal government, in other words, spends more than ten times what the EU’s confederal government does. And that’s the “frugal” German federal government we’re talking about, the one whose chancellor stood next to Jetten in Cyprus this spring and said it was time for the EU to “reduce spending.”
Dave Keating recently did a deep dive on the budget and why our leaders need to step up their game rather than slashing the budget of an EU they expect to do ever more with less money.
I struggle to understand why they would create such a gigantic caveat that undermines the entire law unless the goal is to undermine it.
unfuckingbelievable
Any connection is tangential at best and the forces against either are wholly different, and so is the nature of the allegations and everything else that surrounds them.
Either way this is not a thread about Platner, I won’t entertain this further.
I’m not claiming it didn’t happen but an investigation was not conclusive enough to establish this beyond any reasonable doubt. Not quite that overwhelming.
What does seem clear, however, is that these allegations regardless of their veracity seem to have been (ab)used by Israel and the US to get rid of the one person trying to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
What is certainly clear is that no European or EU leader could be bothered to stand up for the ICC and demand indisputable clarity of Khan’s conduct.
The whole thing is muddy and disturbing. I am not saying Khan’s removal wasn’t the right decision, but the way that decision was ultimately made is incredibly problematic and likely will have wider consequences.
First of all, there were multiple issues with Platner beyond the allegations. He also kept changing his story which made him unreliable.
He also was not removed, people called on him to step down but he made the call. He could have refused - it would not have made him friends but it was within his right to remain the candidate.
More importantly, he did not have arrest warrants out for some of the worst people in global politics that are somehow revered by much of the rest of the world. He also did not work for an institution grounded in international law others are seeking to dismantle.
Not quite at the same scale as someone running for US senate, let alone the numbers of the people of Maine vs the people of 125 independent countries.
Let’s not pull Platner into this. Quite a different situation.
True, but with 82 out of 125 voting for his removal it feels fair to say that at least some European countries voted in favour. This being closed-door is problematic in its own right but that’s another story.
My more general point is the utter failure of our leaders to defend the ICC as an institution and stand up for its people (even those without misconduct allegations). Let alone they won’t insist proper procedure is followed. On paper that may have been the case but in reality it appears to have been quite something else.
AsklemmyAssuming both you and your partner ‘read’ as male the world will presume you’re a gay couple. That’s not necessarily true, you’d become a same-sex couple and ‘gay’ is more a way of describing an individual’s sexual orientation. Whether or not that’s yours too is for you to decide.
It’s easy to say you shouldn’t care about how people see and/or label you but we live in a society and people judge and draw conclusions. We are all sensitive to this to at least some extent. There’s no shame in that and I hope your partner can also understand that while they become their true self this also changes your relationship and the way you see yourself. I hope you can talk about this together in honesty and with love.
If you find you’re struggling I would highly recommend you speak to a therapist who knows their stuff or find a support group. You’re not the first one to walk this path and it may prove valuable to connect with others who understand this first hand.
Your partner deserves all the love and support but so do you.
As a side note, I am wholly assuming good intentions here so no worries but using ‘biological’ is not typically seen as a positive phrasing in this context. I would use ‘assigned female at birth’ (AFAB) or ‘identified previously as female’, though I would also check with my partner as they may have their own lingo.
It is infuriating as is but it also is part of the reason why so many people are struggling with the EU currently.
We recognise the good but it just does not live up to its own values and treats equal situations differently - there’s just no defending this and it’s well out of line with the people. Let alone the fact that we continue to fall neatly in line with the US, no matter what harm it does to us.
I think for me as well, if you check the flip side of the G notes I also love that the people show a fair bit of diversity. There’s a figure in a wheelchair (50), some people of colour and two sets of people who could well be same-sex couples (or siblings, or friends - imagine your own adventure, 100/200). None of the other designs have this.
Fun* fact: Politico is the main news source for EU politicians, leaders and eurocrats. While you can make a tepid argument that their news coverage is ok their opinion pieces are biased, not exactly pro-EU and clearly informed by the Anglospheric view of things.
*not really
It seems you have a better grasp of Sanchez but to me he comes across as sincere when it comes to everything EU, and he has been fairly consistent for years. The China thing may be the exception, I know it baffled me when I read about the closer ties Sanchez was seeking.
I wrote it wrong, sort of. I know there have been some verdicts from the courts already but I also meant any verdict that Sanchez may face. As far as I know there’s no active case against him (yet), but then again when both your brother and wife are in hot water…
Sanchez has said he plans to run for re-election in 2027, curious to see if that still holds in a few months.
I was willing to give Sanchez some benefit of the doubt given that most if not all of the allegations came from the far right who have a habit of inventing theories or blowing things well out of proportion.
That may still be true but it seems fair to say that Sanchez et al were up to some very shady stuff. If they’re found guilty by an independent court than that’s that.
It’s extremely disappointing. I can’t really speak to Spanish politics but on the EU level Sanchez has been pretty much the sole voice pushing back against the US and in favour of further integration including a united EU defence force.
Nihilism and misanthropy are weird terms to use here.
Good they took the network down but these are telling misnomers.
This is really good news and part of the verdict may also prove valuable in the fight for privacy rights and against chat control.
Both courts of the CJEU have shown again and again not to fear ruling against nations and EU institutions and by extension move the European project forward unlike the four political institutions (Commission, both Councils and Parliament). They also actually seem to know what they’re talking about.
In the fight against chat control I had partial faith in Parliament until Metsola started torturing the rules and manufactured an outcome last week. I do still have faith in the courts and I think, hope, ultimately that’s where this fight will be won.
This is true, but VDL has pulled an enormous amount of power to herself (not to the Commission - to herself) and when it comes to these matters (the US trade ‘deal’ is another good example) she has a lot of influence even if she operates under a Council mandate. I am not sure how big her influence is in the Council, she’s a member but without voting rights.
Most of our national leaders are letting us down again and again, indeed.
I strongly believe in the ideas and ideals in the EU, I just wish our leaders did as well.
I’m not sure how many more ways VDL et al can find to sell us out to the US - every single time and neither to our benefit nor in good faith. Even strategically and politically this seems like an exceptionally bad move.
It’s absurd how little control we have over our own data even while we have the legislation in place.
Where are the Federalists?
Hi, I’m new here.
Not saying that isn’t the case but do you have any sources that show Palantir is directly involved?
I don’t know where you are in the world but in the EU this should not be legal without explicit consent. Of course that may matter little but in theory there are laws against this.
Nope. When I go to the site or open the app I am first forced to verify my age and when I click the button to enter my birth date it sends me to Persona instead. It’s beyond aggressive and I am fairly certain also illegal under EU law.
There’s a right to delete your data and profile (and have it ‘forgotten’).
When I suddenly had no access I contacted their customer service asking them to check my stuff, recognise I am an adult and reinstate me. Within a few minutes I got a mail that I had to either verify or sod it. When I replied to that that I should at least have access to my own data/profile they didn’t respond. I’ll give it a few days but this is not something I will just accept.
I’m so over having to fight with companies for their refusal to comply with the law or, you know, just exercising basic decency.
Thanks, though depending on where you are across the pond not sure if there’s reason to be jealous. But yes, the EU is going through it at the moment and not sure where things will land eventually.
There are several decent sources but for mainstream media I would recommend the EU section of the Brussels Times and the EU Observer. Dave Keating is one of the best independent journalists who’s not afraid to call things out for what they are. France24 is pretty decent too and free.
I am always happy to talk undies - no need to be sorry.
Back at Reddit’s BuyFromEU community it was a surprisingly recurring topic, more than womenswear I think. I was often left disappointed by the recommendations of others and I do feel for the average heterosexual woman.
About 8 years ago now I became a gym bunny which radically changed both my physical and mental health and as such I joined the undielympics.
Anyway, I included it knowing at least one person would respond to it and I don’t mind being a bit cheeky (pun intended). But it’s something we all need and there are legit great brands in Europe.
Wow. 2(x)ist and C-IN2 are just about legacy labels by now.
I can easily give you a few similar US labels… To be honest, I think it’s less the US vs European mind as it is the straight vs queer mind. ;)
I thought about adding some food stuff as well but most is European for most people anyway. It’s indeed only the heavily processed stuff which I mostly avoid as well.
But food is one of the few constantly recurring things we buy and as such perhaps the biggest thing we can do to support the European economy. If only our bars and restaurants would stop selling US sodas…
Well, the purge seems to be happening. It was sort of weird because I was verified and then I wasn’t and then I was and then I wasn’t. But until this afternoon I could at least access the non-NSFW part of Reddit, even this morning without issue. Suddenly I can’t even access (or delete) my own profile.
My biggest concern is that community falling apart.
But indeed, in general I am wary of these third party providers but Personal especially. It’s not going to happen. As such, the end of Reddit for me. I am a little sad about it but glad I have options of reaching the few people important to me otherwise.
In the end it’s probably for the best but I’d like to have made that decision myself.
Becoming European (again)
This has been 2025 and 2026 so far for me (there’s some questions for you at the end).
Is there anything specifically you’re curious about?
I can’t check (can’t even access my profile) but my memories are still fairly fresh.
Thanks, happy to be here!
Unless I have yet to discover the nefarious nature of Lemmy no one forced you to comment. No one made a ’normal’ post in recent weeks - don’t blame me for that. And I left Reddit because of something new that is happening, and what may have an impact on Lemmy as well as the community at the other place is falling apart.
If you had any idea who I am and how I engage with people and platforms you might have responded differently (perhaps take a look at my replies in this thread). I won’t blame you for not knowing, obviously, but it is on you for making the assumption nonetheless.
I guess you’re the first person I won’t bother further engaging with.
I guess if you focus on just the title and the first few words it seems like a post about Reddit, but it is really about an online community being torn apart by absolutely stupid measures and the people taking the charge there not ensuring it stays together. It is a very large community of Europeans and I do think that’s important to acknowledge.
Admittedly I am somewhat oddly emotional about it as it literally just happened and I lost a community I invested in and care about in a split second. This may have coloured my post a bit.
Luckily I had the foresight ensuring to have other ways of contacting the people most important to me over there.
If you have tips, recommendations, anything - I love to hear it.
I won’t deny the memes can be fun and engaging in their own way. I’ve seen posts beginning with a meme developing into something much more meaningful. Generally though I am a political animal through and through and spend a lot of time ’observing society’. It feels like Lemmy can be a nice fit for me.
It’s my plan to stick around and be an active member, need to find my footing a bit but I am given a welcome I didn’t expect which is encouraging.
Yet, I am in a few European communities I tried to look for one fairly active to create this post and none seem to have a lot of activity in recent weeks. That’s on everybody already here, not the new kid.
To be honest, based on that I am genuinely surprised people are responding to my post. Grateful, but surprised.
I understand the basics of the fediverse and am into it but have yet to get a hang of it myself. It’s a bit annoying there are different standards which don’t communicate with each other.
I have a Eurosky account but that doesn’t work with Mastodon and beyond that I am not quite sure what communicates with what. Admittedly, I have not yet made too much of an effort to look into it. That’s on me.
With Reddit, I understand the saltiness but at the same time - for now the larger community is there and they are no less dedicated Europeans. I’ve genuinely tried to get a move to Lemmy going and if anything I hope that this next step in verification through nefarious third partners might help the effort. Chat control might be another push, as it is used on US platforms while European platforms have declined to use it as well.
You can just call me lieven?
I have no specific links to Belgium but if it’s a nice community I might?