I believe these 46 seconds will be remembered for decades to come.
@randahl I hope you are right, but Europe needs to step up as if it isn't. Our freedom is too precious to leave up to the MAGA cult in US Congress.
@mok0 @randahl Or any cult in the US. Wouldn't it be great if a coalition of sane European countries could protect themselves without US' help?
I think they can easily do it if they have the political will. Why look to the US to foot the bill here? Poland is properly motivated, of course; wouldn't Germany like to see Poland remain strong and independent of Russia? Maybe they should, you know, do a bit more about that to help them?
Same with the Houthis: their Suez-route blockade actually helps US industry. Why is the US taking the lead? One reason, perhaps, is to burnish our credentials as the world's police. But US electorate seems to more and more not want that role: does Europe want us to have that role? China?
I mean, don't get me wrong, I believe these are righteous causes, I'm just not sure why we're the ones paying for them while Europe continues to spend <2% GDP on defense.
You want to stop fascism? <2% maybe isn't the way to do that.
@ech @randahl Denmark has sent a frigate to join the US and UK Navy against the Houthis in the Black Sea. One reason Denmark is doing this is because of Mærsk, one of the worlds largest shipping companies. However, Mærsk only pays a minimum of taxes in Denmark, their ships are flagged under foreign flags and the crews are foreign crews who don't demand much pay or pensions.. I think we should let Mærsk pay for their own protection, or sail around Africa, and call our frigate home to protect us.