European Union, Schengen, Disconnect, Risk of Populism

[Contrarian]

According to a strong theory coming from political analysts in Romania and Bulgaria, the European Union might do a deflection on the Schengen access and just allow it by "air". 

Behind this decision, the factor might be that the powers in Western Europe want to keep the 2 countries as a "buffer" zone, in terms of immigration coming from other areas. 

Ok, so let me bring up some points, I welcome anyone to disagree with me: 

- Romania and Bulgaria were the good student in class while Hungary and Poland created issues for the European Union block. 
- The European Union decision will look like a punishment for the good students in class. So Hungary, Poland can smoke in the hallway and the good students need to stay in class. Ok.
- Putin's sabotage is not only towards the Ukrainians. He wants to hit in my view power grids so Ukrainians flee in Europe to seek shelter. Romania and Bulgaria, especially the first were also the good students receiving and will still receive refugees as that is the correct thing to do during the war. Is not the fault of the Ukrainian people. 
- Economy is bad already in those regions, this winter -> this will intensity and now enters on the stage the far right. 
-  In Romania, a former street football hooligan started a movement with the usual nationalistic tendencies. His tactic is simple, he travels the country and targets the villages, people that do not have access to that much information, plays some local music, talks about foreigners disrespecting Romanians, EU sceptic, etc, etc. Propaganda 101. But guess what? Politics is not your idealism, is what you can do to win and take advantage also about mistakes on the other side. 
- If the European Union decides soon to bar entry to Schengen, the messages from the populists in Eastern Europe will become stronger. You add in the pot the economic insecurity. Does the European Union want a Orban in Romania, Bulgaria? Or is this some sort of punishment because Romania put America first and not old Europe first? 
- These are theories, I hope the powers that be at EU allow access to these 2 countries to the Schengen. Reward the good students in class, especially after this war. Loyalty needs to be rewarded, or else people will look somewhere else and that is a risk for democracy.

The decision should be in a few days. 

Edited November 28, 2022 by Contrarian

[Contrarian]

Good News: 

Ardalan Shekarabi, the spokesman of the Swedish Social Democrats, said that his party would not oppose Romania's entry into the Schengen area, after they had voted in the Swedish Parliament against joining.

My understanding now that Austria and the Netherlands are still in doubt. Delegations went to Austria to try to negotiate. The Austrians have raised the immigration concern. The Netherlands well, I am not sure, it appears they have a fragile alliance there and 1 fraction is holding up. 

The Foreign Minister of Croatia which are also waiting -> "We expect a favorable decision regarding Schengen entry and we support a similar decision for Romania." No comments were made about Bulgaria from what I read.

[Nationalist]

Who cares anymore? Europe has already doomed itself. In about a generation, it'll just be a multicultural landmass. The "flavour" of Europe will be gone.

[Contrarian]

15 minutes ago, Nationalist said:

Who cares anymore? Europe has already doomed itself. In about a generation, it'll just be a multicultural landmass. The "flavour" of Europe will be gone.

I want to tell you a story once witnessed in the public transit and it gets to show you how you might be wrong.

Have high attention to detail, I remember almost everything. 

- Sitting down. 3 people come in. Mom and 2 young girls. All 3 were wearing the hijab. 
- At one point the mom says something in a different language. One girl pulls out a smart phone and says in a perfect English: "Mom this is what I learnt today in school and proceeds to talk about geography while showing the concept on the smartphone". 
- The other girl joins the conversation also in English, I don't remember what exactly she said because at that time my focus was at the man across from them, it was a local man, which I think was so amazed at the scene as he could not stop starring with a positive look. 

Bottom line -> change, one sees it how they see the world. I am not denying there are issues with mass immigration, but choosing only to see the negative is how right wing populists that you listen to make their money. Fear mongering 101. 

Also in Europe they need people to work. Who's fault is it in Europe people don't make kids? Oh yah, let me guess -> that is a conspiracy. 

Edited November 29, 2022 by Contrarian

[Nationalist]

9 minutes ago, Contrarian said:

I want to tell you a story once witnessed in the public transit and it gets to show you how you might be wrong.

Have high attention to detail, I remember almost everything. 

- Sitting down. 3 people come in. Mom and 2 young girls. All 3 were wearing the hijab. 
- At one point the mom says something in a different language. One girl pulls out a smart phone and says in a perfect English: "Mom this is what I learnt today in school and proceeds to talk about geography while showing the concept on the smartphone". 
- The other girl joins the conversation also in English, I don't remember what exactly she said because at that time my focus was at the man across from them, it was a local man, which I think was so amazed at the scene as he could not stop starring with a positive look. 

Bottom line -> change, one sees it how they see the world. I am not denying there are issues with mass immigration, but choosing only to see the negative is how right wing populists that you listen to make their money. Fear mongering 101. 

Also in Europe they need people to work. Who's fault is it in Europe people don't make kids? Oh yah, let me guess -> that is a conspiracy. 

Did I say anything about conspiracy? Don't pull that Tweenkie horseshit with me sonny-boy.

What Europe needs...is the end of the EU. Nations are already protesting the EU and its destructive policies. England is out and others will follow. 

But if it makes you feel better...the ones who do leave...Will likely let Germany have all the "refugees". I'm quite sure the German people will love it.

[Michael Hardner]

2 hours ago, Contrarian said:

 Bottom line -> change, one sees it how they see the world. I am not denying there are issues with mass immigration, but choosing only to see the negative is how right wing populists that you listen to make their money. Fear mongering 101. 

 

They don't like change and use terms like 'the flavour of Europe ' 😂

 

Like Corsica, Scotland and Turkey have ever been cohesive.

The very idea of the Nation is a false construct that people take up to fill an existential void IMO 

[Nationalist]

20 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

They don't like change and use terms like 'the flavour of Europe ' 😂

 

Like Corsica, Scotland and Turkey have ever been cohesive.

The very idea of the Nation is a false construct that people take up to fill an existential void IMO 

Says the faux conservative.

Mikey...obviously you have no problem watching well established cultures being eroded. In fact, I sense you figure that's a good idea.

Well...it looks like the different cultures of Europe now disagree and want to remain Italian or English or even German. And this is not surprising to anyone who isn't a globalist acolyte.

You can and will argue against human nature but...messing with nature never seems to work out all that well. My advise...

Don't stand in its way when natural human instinct comes rolling by you.

Edited November 30, 2022 by Nationalist

[Contrarian]

54 minutes ago, Nationalist said:

Says the faux conservative.

Mikey...obviously you have no problem watching well established cultures being eroded. In fact, I sense you figure that's a good idea.

Well...it looks like the different cultures of Europe now disagree and want to remain Italian or English or even German. And this is not surprising to anyone who isn't a globalist acolyte.

You can and will argue against human nature but...messing with nature never seems to work out all that well. My advise...

Don't stand in its way when natural human instinct comes rolling by you.

I have a question for you in regards to this human nature.

Let us imagine a scenario in which people lose their senses and therefore your nationalistic revolution wins.

They make you colonel and give you a uniform. Your first assignment would be to round up "the globalists" from re:politics.

Would you then round up everybody here that you percieve as such: me, Michael, etc, etc in your quest for your "nationalism" ?

I don't think you have it in you, you know reason.

You just play the anger game now.

Edited November 30, 2022 by Contrarian

[Nationalist]

1 hour ago, Contrarian said:

I have a question for you in regards to this human nature.

Let us imagine a scenario in which people lose their senses and therefore your nationalistic revolution wins.

They make you colonel and give you a uniform. Your first assignment would be to round up "the globalists" from re:politics.

Would you then round up everybody here that you percieve as such: me, Michael, etc, etc in your quest for your "nationalism" ?

I don't think you have it in you, you know reason.

You just play the anger game now.

What a dumb question.

First, this would not happen.

Second, I could not do such a thing since I believe in freedom of speech and thought.

You can believe what you like. But when your beliefs begin to cause damage, the actions resulting from your beliefs need to be halted.

Edited November 30, 2022 by Nationalist

[Contrarian]

1 hour ago, Nationalist said:

But when your beliefs begin to cause damage, the actions resulting from your beliefs need to be halted.

Who and how one will determine this when and if "nationalism" takes the reign of power?

Who will set the standards when one's beliefs "cause damage" ?

Are you keeping the Supreme Court?

What are some changes you plan to bring to the status quo?

Edited November 30, 2022 by Contrarian

[Michael Hardner]

3 hours ago, Contrarian said:

..., you know reason.

You just play the anger game now.

They don't know reason, only emotion.

I thought 'flavour of Europe' was a thing and now it's... wait, turn back the clock to before the EU was formed... but maybe after WW2 ?  Try to pin them down on that one and best of luck.  

I'm a Bohemian and therefore loyal to the Holy Roman Empire only...

[Michael Hardner]

32 minutes ago, Contrarian said:

Who and how one will determine this when and if "nationalism" takes the reign of power?

Who will set the standards when one's beliefs "cause damage" ?

Are you keeping the Supreme Court?

What are some changes you plan to bring to the status quo?

It's amazing the degree of faith that you have in this rando...

[Contrarian]

12 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

It's amazing the degree of faith that you have in this rando...

I want to hear the manifesto 😃

[Contrarian]

On 11/28/2022 at 8:25 AM, Contrarian said:

According to a strong theory coming from political analysts in Romania and Bulgaria, the European Union might do a deflection on the Schengen access and just allow it by "air". 

Behind this decision, the factor might be that the powers in Western Europe want to keep the 2 countries as a "buffer" zone, in terms of immigration coming from other areas. 

Ok, so let me bring up some points, I welcome anyone to disagree with me: 

- Romania and Bulgaria were the good student in class while Hungary and Poland created issues for the European Union block. 
- The European Union decision will look like a punishment for the good students in class. So Hungary, Poland can smoke in the hallway and the good students need to stay in class. Ok.
- Putin's sabotage is not only towards the Ukrainians. He wants to hit in my view power grids so Ukrainians flee in Europe to seek shelter. Romania and Bulgaria, especially the first were also the good students receiving and will still receive refugees as that is the correct thing to do during the war. Is not the fault of the Ukrainian people. 
- Economy is bad already in those regions, this winter -> this will intensity and now enters on the stage the far right. 
-  In Romania, a former street football hooligan started a movement with the usual nationalistic tendencies. His tactic is simple, he travels the country and targets the villages, people that do not have access to that much information, plays some local music, talks about foreigners disrespecting Romanians, EU sceptic, etc, etc. Propaganda 101. But guess what? Politics is not your idealism, is what you can do to win and take advantage also about mistakes on the other side. 
- If the European Union decides soon to bar entry to Schengen, the messages from the populists in Eastern Europe will become stronger. You add in the pot the economic insecurity. Does the European Union want a Orban in Romania, Bulgaria? Or is this some sort of punishment because Romania put America first and not old Europe first? 
- These are theories, I hope the powers that be at EU allow access to these 2 countries to the Schengen. Reward the good students in class, especially after this war. Loyalty needs to be rewarded, or else people will look somewhere else and that is a risk for democracy.

The decision should be in a few days. 

as the decision is pending for this, another theory what is going around is that Romania and Bulgaria are counting on the United States to put pressure, politically of course, at the EU to allow access in Schengen -> however I am not sure if this will be a priority for the Biden administration, as the main focus now it seems to get the NATO allies on the same page when it comes to China: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/world/europe/nato-china-biden.html#:~:text=the main story-,NATO Nations Grow More Receptive to U.S. Pleas to Confront,speak of other authoritarian governments.

Decision is pending in a few days. Croatia - Romania - Bulgaria are the 3 countries that are waiting for a decision. 

Edited November 30, 2022 by Contrarian

[Michael Hardner]

16 minutes ago, Contrarian said:

 the main focus now it seems to get the NATO allies on the same page when it comes to China:  

I wonder if the Canadian directive on the lithium mine was the first part of that initiative ?

It would make sense for the US to order us to do something like that first off while it was warming up the European nations to align...

[Nationalist]

5 hours ago, Contrarian said:

Who and how one will determine this when and if "nationalism" takes the reign of power?

Who will set the standards when one's beliefs "cause damage" ?

Are you keeping the Supreme Court?

What are some changes you plan to bring to the status quo?

If a direction is seen to cause hardship for the nation, that would be a bad direction to go in. Nationalism is not the evil monster it appears you believe it to be. There is nothing evil about wanting what's best for one's nation.

Simple...if it causes a recession...its bad. If it causes property damage...its bad. If it justifies violence upon other Americans...its bad.

I don't have the SCOTUS. The nation does as a whole.

The first thing I would do is double the R&D funding for alternate energy and push for more nuclear power plants. Then I would loosen the rope around the neck of the American fossil fuel industry, with the understanding that they have a "limited shelf life" as nuclear and yet undiscovered alternate energy sources get discovered and implemented. I would then address The Swamp. Those in government who think they can abuse their offices for personal gain. That includes Democrats as well as Republicans. I would disconnect the government from the media and make it clear that free speech is NOT NEGOTIABLE! I would finish the wall and put the military along the fence if I had to in order to stem this insane flow of illegals, drugs and abuse. And finally...I would stop cowing to China and turn the tables on them.

[Nationalist]

5 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

They don't know reason, only emotion.

I thought 'flavour of Europe' was a thing and now it's... wait, turn back the clock to before the EU was formed... but maybe after WW2 ?  Try to pin them down on that one and best of luck.  

I'm a Bohemian and therefore loyal to the Holy Roman Empire only...

Don't have the balls to address me directly eh...Mikey?

At least I have principals.

[Michael Hardner]

19 minutes ago, Nationalist said:

Don't have the balls to address me directly eh...Mikey?

FYI - you're on ignore.  Not to say I never respond to you but I generally don't see your posts unless someone NOT on ignore responds to you.  Cheers.

[Nationalist]

14 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

FYI - you're on ignore.  Not to say I never respond to you but I generally don't see your posts unless someone NOT on ignore responds to you.  Cheers.

FYI...I'm not surprised...

[Contrarian]

2 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

I wonder if the Canadian directive on the lithium mine was the first part of that initiative ?

It would make sense for the US to order us to do something like that first off while it was warming up the European nations to align...

It will be very interesting what will happen tomorrow: 

    European Council president Charles Michel will travel to Beijing for a meeting with Xi Jinping, in a move likely to highlight European divisions on how to engage with China.

Michel, who represents the leaders of the EU’s 27 member states, will visit Beijing on December 1 (tomorrow) to meet Xi and other senior Chinese officials, the first time an EU president has met Xi in China since 2018.

The trip, first reported by the Financial Times, comes at an acutely sensitive time for relations between China and western powers. Ties have been strained by Beijing’s failure to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine, its posture towards Taiwan and its crackdown in Hong Kong.

The article is 6 days old but -> I will add the recent Covid-19 protests. 

https://www.ft.com/content/ec6c4fc7-5fe8-4ec1-8a6c-b923c432c2ae

It seems also some division is emerging between politicians and the intelligence services with the German secret service stating in October: 

The heads of Germany's spy agencies warned of continued "naivety" toward China at a parliamentary hearing. They also advised against handing Beijing too much leverage when it comes to cooperation and infrastructure.

https://www.dw.com/en/china-spying-on-germany-say-intelligence-chiefs/a-63467038

Edited November 30, 2022 by Contrarian

[Contrarian]

Update -> Sources (Via G4Media GoogleTranslate):

Austria remains the only country that for now opposes Romania's accession to Schengen / A positive vote is expected from the Netherlands in parliament, on the government's proposal / The final decision will be taken on December 7.

Edited December 2, 2022 by Contrarian

[Contrarian]

On 11/30/2022 at 5:07 PM, Contrarian said:

It will be very interesting what will happen tomorrow: 

    European Council president Charles Michel will travel to Beijing for a meeting with Xi Jinping, in a move likely to highlight European divisions on how to engage with China.

Michel, who represents the leaders of the EU’s 27 member states, will visit Beijing on December 1 (tomorrow) to meet Xi and other senior Chinese officials, the first time an EU president has met Xi in China since 2018.

The trip, first reported by the Financial Times, comes at an acutely sensitive time for relations between China and western powers. Ties have been strained by Beijing’s failure to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine, its posture towards Taiwan and its crackdown in Hong Kong.

The article is 6 days old but -> I will add the recent Covid-19 protests. 

https://www.ft.com/content/ec6c4fc7-5fe8-4ec1-8a6c-b923c432c2ae

It seems also some division is emerging between politicians and the intelligence services with the German secret service stating in October: 

The heads of Germany's spy agencies warned of continued "naivety" toward China at a parliamentary hearing. They also advised against handing Beijing too much leverage when it comes to cooperation and infrastructure.

https://www.dw.com/en/china-spying-on-germany-say-intelligence-chiefs/a-63467038

First reports are coming out from the meeting mentioned.

Agence France Presse titles:

Xi told EU chief China protesters 'frustrated' after 3 years of Covid.

Interesting, I wonder if Xi wanted this leaked.

In the next couple of days more details will emerge with an analysis.

Edited December 2, 2022 by Contrarian

[Contrarian]

After the good news from the Netherlands and Sweden, a bad one from Austria. The Minister of the Interior, about Schengen: "It makes sense to include Croatia, but not Romania and Bulgaria now."

--> All eyes are on Austria now for the final decision.  

[Contrarian]

On 12/3/2022 at 7:12 AM, Contrarian said:

After the good news from the Netherlands and Sweden, a bad one from Austria. The Minister of the Interior, about Schengen: "It makes sense to include Croatia, but not Romania and Bulgaria now."

--> All eyes are on Austria now for the final decision.  

Austria will decide. I don't understand the kind of logistics the EU works under. The council says yes and now in the event that Austria says no, it means there is no deal?! Apparently there are delegations "negotiating" .

Edited December 5, 2022 by Contrarian

[eyeball]

On 11/29/2022 at 7:09 AM, Michael Hardner said:

The very idea of the Nation is a false construct that people take up to fill an existential void IMO 

Eventually the idea will settle on Planet.  Maybe then the little blue speck will seem a little less...little.