Raider of the lost Ark

What I find so funny is that much about the Brexit was supposedly about the NHS. I wonder if people have really thought this through. Especially with that "really great" trade deal with the U.S. that will come soon (well, I guess that's "soon" the way Madonna understands it). Do people realize that the U.S. will most definately demand the opening of the U.K. Health market to U.S. companies, which will most likely be the last step to bring down the NHS. Conservatives for years have cut the budget of the NHS to create the impression of ineffectivity and a lack of care. All of this was supposed to open the system to private insurances etc. The trade deal will be the moment those attempts will come full circle. Do people remember TTIP? That deal that was negotiated behind closed doors between the EU and the U.S. Negotiations were so secret that not even members of the national parliaments were granted information about the content. When someone leaked parts of it, all hell broke loose because of chlorine chicken, dismanteling workers rights, environmental rights etc., dubious courts to rule over cases where U.S. companies sue European countries over damages they allegedly have to suffer because those parliaments, as the representive of the people, dare to introduce or change certain laws. A democratic act that may cost countries billions of dollars in damages. Let's just say, TTIP was very much in favor of the U.S. Trump claims it was bad for the U.S. and that's why he called it off. The truth is, the deal was off the moment those documents saw the light of day. Now imagine what the U.S. will demand from the U.K., which is obviously in much weaker position than the EU.

It's so funny to watch the English TV channels, including BBC World, which appears to have become a propaganda tool for the current government. Maybe it has always been, but much of their current political reports are far from award winning. And considering the audience they are catering to are foreigners, it's borderline embarassing and laughable at times. Especially their reporting on the Brexit. All the reporting is like watching the twilight zone. All these politicians still pretending the EU is highly dependable on the the UK market, while the UK doesn't really need the EU at all. Hence the Brexit. All statistcs, all projections say otherwise. Someone, I don't remember who it was, said, that when it eomes to economics there are always several opinions and forecasts. But in regards to Brexit everyone from scholars to Business leaders says the same. That is downright scary. Even more scary that people still do not listen. They should not say, they have not been warned.

As someone not from the U.S., I have the Feeling that the attitude in Europe towards those mass Shootings ín the U.S. has changed. Back in the past, there were discussions (of Course, it is very very vey hard to find anyone who understands the Obsession with guns in the U.S. and the lack of Control.) and People were sorry for the victims. With those recent Shootings it seems like an "okay, another one. what's new?". People do not care anymore. And quite frankly, why should they if the U.S. do not really care and get the issue solved. But it's not only with this issue. It's also with military operations. Most of Europe (well, not the UK of Course) no longer joins the U.S. military. Example: Iran - street of Hormuz. They have all learned their lesson and Trump with his lies about military spending and the lies about the U.S. army protecting Europe has burned so many bridges that the U.S. is so isolated like they have never been before. Obama had a hard time rebuilding trust after Bush jr. and his illegal invasion in Iraq. I feel sorry for any democrat president that comes after Trump. The amount of shit he or she needs to clean up is so huge, it's a Herculian task and requires something that U.S. politics is not really familar with: humility.

I have a hard time to understand what personal damage he has suffered that is worth 74.000? False advertising is one thing and certainly not okay, although I would like to believe that Belgian Chocolate is more a type of chocolate, not neccessarily the place where it is produced. Do people sue about French Fries, French Toast, Blackwood Cherry Cake. And if this is really about false advertising then this is case for Costumer Rights Groups. On the other hand, when it comes to chocolate in the U.S. they need to sue left and right for even calling most of what is produced there as chocolate.

Watching it on TV. It looks absolutely horrible. Must be devastating for France and Parisians in particular. Just sad. The fire is moving forward so fast, it has almost reached the front facade.

What kind of nonsense is that? And that Lakisha statement? Seriously? EVERYONE would use simpler words talking to someone named Lakisha. Is that even real name or just a character on Mad TV?

While this is certainly a good thing, it has been said that this is most definately not a cure. Keep in mind, those bone-marrow transplantations were meant to treat cancer, not HIV. It appears that in both cases, the patients were "cured", the bone-marrow came from HIV resistent donors. I would like to believe that HIV resistance is a rarity so donations on large scale are rather unlikely. Furthermore it is not known how this procedure would work with HIV infected but otherwise healthy patients. We may not find out anyway since a bone-marrow transplantation is a highly agressive, to a certain point life threathening procedure. That's why it is often used with very ill patients only, as a last ditch effort. That said, it may be a new (?) approach to find a cure wich hopefully comes sooner than later.

I will never understand when someone who is part of a minority (and as a disabled person he is) goes after another minortity. My countries history should teach him a lesson, once your country becomes a totalitarian regime, no minority is safe. You get killed, no matter what. Leaders will think of you as "unworthy living" because you will damage the oh so pure gene pool of the master race. And because they are nice, the call it Euthanasia. This guy is an asshole.

You know when they say "save the best for last". I'm pretty sure, this applies to Don jr. It is still not really clear what happened at that Trump Tower meeting. About Russian adoptions it was not, we know that. I sincerely hope, they have something on Don jr. and it will be fun to watch what his despicable father will do. Throw his son under the bus or pardon him. Anyway, as horrible as his presidency is, there is a glimmer of hope. Once it is over, he will be the most depised president ever. And where will he go? Where will he live? Will he ever be able to go out in public? If he moves back to NYC, I can see him totally shunned everywhere. I doubt anyone will invite him. He will sit in his ugly tower, in his faux Versailles in the sky, alone, isolated. And Milania will be gone, the minute his presidency ends.

I'm afraid, the rest of the world will never really understand that kind of patriotism. Even worse, the tradition of rallying around the flag. But I guess being German makes me especially suspicious about those things. After all, the history of my country shows clearly what happens when patriotism turns into nationalism. Now most Germans are only patriotic when there are championships and Germany is playing a great game. Other than that, no one really cares. The concept itself seems so superficial. The whole "I'm proud to be American (or German)"? While I'm proud of the many achievements of my country in so many fields, I never felt pride for the mere fact that I was born in this particular country. As if I had any choice? Ridiculous. It's the same when people claim the U.S. (or any other country) is "the greatest country ever". Such thing simply does not exist.

We will have to wait and see what happens. But that does not mean Germany is not prepared. I'm pretty sure, preparations started immediately after the Brexit vote. You know, if Germany wants one thing above everything else, it's stability. Of course, Germany will no longer export so much to the UK but I don't think it will be a desaster of epic proportions. Afterall there are certain industrial things where Germany is the sole producer or the producer of the premium product. If people want it, they will pay for it, even if it's more expensive. That's why I always found Trumps threats about higher taxes for German cars laugable. As if someone in the US who can afford an expensive Audi, Mercedes, BMW or Porsche cares about a few thousand dollars more. I also think that Spain should not really worry about their agriculture or tourism. The UK will still buy fruits and vegetables from Spain. Where else are they supposed to get these things? From the US? That will be just as expensive. And keep in mind they don't have trade deals immediately after the Brexit. UK citizens will still travel to Spain. A 2 Hours flight to get in the sun. What's the alternative? UK citizens will end up paying more when the pound crashes but will they stop travelling or buying Spanish fruit and vegetable. I don't think so.

And there are still some British politicians who claim Germany and France will cave in the very last minute "because those countries need the UK". Obviously they still have not understood how it works, that every EU member needs to agree to such deal. It really shows how unprepared the UK really is in case of a hard Brexit. It's frightening.

Fasten your seatbelt, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. But we should stay civilized. Therefore Europe would like to thank you for all the banks, insurances and companies that move their headquarters to Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt because they are no longer able to do business with the EU from the City of London. We would like to thank you for the heavily needed workforce in healthcare and care for the elders by kicking all those Wonderful Polish and Baltic workers out. We would like to thank you for strenghtening European universities and research institutes by sending top people, because staff has no longer access to European research funds at British research hubs. And the list goes on. So much to be thankful for. Be proud of yourselves, you did it all on your own. Of couse, when the shit hits the fan, there will be mass amnesia and all of the UK will claim it's all the evil EUs fault. But that's fine. We are used to this fairytale. By the way, Scotland and Northern Ireland are very welcome in the EU, if they want to join. Wales? Well, I guess they really need to come crawling. They were especially ungrateful considering the EU probably did more for Wales than the British government ever has.

I don't get the whole "democracy" and "people have spoken" argument. What do they think elections are? Every four years people change their minds and vote a new government or parliament. It happens all the time. And what I will never understand is that for such a radical move as the Brexit a simple majority is sufficient. Most countries have huge hurdles when it comes to really important legal matters like changing the constitution or things that affect the majority of the citizens of a country. For those things usually a two third majority is needed and to make it even harder they have a quorum set. Without these hurdles a minority is very well able to change things in a way that they might be negative for certain parts of society or society in general. Exibit A) Brexit.

^^^ This is getting ridiculous. Do they know that this was exactly the way, former communist countries voted for their leaders and how dictatorships still do it today. And people thought George W. Bush ruined the reputation of the United States after the invasion in Iraq.