The US did this all the time in Syria and Afghanistan. In Syria, ISIS took over oil fields which the organization then shipped to Turkey for sale. The people weren't the target, the trucks were. Because they were being used for a military purpose-the funding of ISIS, that made them valid military targets. And completely legal.

In Afghanistan, the US bombed narcotics production facilities which were used to fund Taliban operations. The people operating the facilities were civilians.

Again, valid military targets, and legal IAW with international humanitarian law.

"No court found them guilty."

I know when I was doing the thing, every target was reviewed by multiple JAG's, intelligence professionals, Ops professionals, and others, before finally being blessed off on by a senior general. And again, it's not the people. It's the boat. The boat is the target.

"But if they vote MAGA, they are voting against the Constitution and in favor of adulation of an autocrat."

Maybe, but if we circle back to the DSA platform, isn't that way worse? Constitutionally?

"Explain how Capitalism, as currently practiced here, makes any sense for them. The greedy bastards have done more to sell Socialism than Bernie on any number of soapboxes could."

Explain what would be better. There is no circumstance where a USan just gets to write poetry or ski or whatever, and get paid a lot to do it. Unless they are able to monetize those skills.

And if you think that a USan moving to Norway or Finland would be able to do that there, you're wrong. While those countries would probably happily allow them to work as an ordinary resident, they would not be citizens. And likely never would be. I can't say for sure, but I don't think an OR cab driver or Barista would be better off in the US or a Scandinavian country.

"You should realize that. You're living in Europe, where poor people are better off than poor people in America."

Then why do Europeans move to the US?

"Because most are too stupid to understand the higher taxes would provide them and all Americans with a better life."

"Better life" is a subjective concept. Is your life better if you have healthcare and people get free college, even if it means you can't afford the new iPhone or a vacation?

"Were not tough and manly enough? Sounds like you're parroting Hegseth."

Feel free to go there and find out. In fact, I would encourage you to do so. It's not for me, but maybe you're a real man.

Just don't do it alone. You might die.

"But see, thing is... it's not all about you, it's about ALL the People of the country, not just you."

It's about the kollectiv?

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I don't think the poor and middle class in the US would be willing to accept higher taxes, and I'm confident the chattering progressive class would never ask them to.

#181

As someone who spends a LOT of time in Norway...they are a different breed. They start their mornings with a morning swim in the Ocean, even in the Arctic. Even in winter. That Viking apple has not fallen far from the Viking apple tree.

I would encourage anyone interested to visit Norway, but I don't think your average US progressive would want anything to do with Norway, even if Norway were to sponsor them.

"Anyone with a brain would take an increase in their taxes if it meant a BIGGER DECREASE in their medical, childcare, and education expenseses, with better results."

What if it didn't result in a bigger decrease?

What if it was just an increase?

I'm not arguing your logic, but a tax increase for me to provide things I already provide for myself would just be a tax increase.

"Well, then you're just an idiot. Plenty of southerners from those areas would be happy to kick your dumb ass just for fun. You don't consider Charlotte (home of NASCAR) or Richmond (capital of the Confederacy) or Atlanta (GWIW) the South? Or Nashville? GFY."

Yeah...I got more snow in Charlotte than I ever did here in DEU. And the ski areas were closer there. Although to be fair, they did recently open up a ski area in Northeast Alabama.

"Your only idea of the South is swamps. Sucks for you. Again, like Speaks, what happened to you in the South?"

What happened to me? Nothing? I flew bombers out of Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA for years. There is nothing wrong with it, but unless you have a ski boat, which we did, outdoor activities weren't really a thing. And having grown up in Idaho, I always thought the Louisiana state motto of "Sportsman's Paradise" was ridiculous. No Elk, Moose, or big game. No trout or salmon. Ducks, but you can get duck anywhere. And that's true across the south. Arkansas has some interesting cold-water lakes where you can catch a Rainbow Trout, but that's about it.

And that's what it comes down to. Geography. The restaurants in Louisiana were great. The cost of living was unbeatable. But it lacks everything I want as a person who wants to spend time outdoors. California on the other hand, the geography is great, it's just everything else that sucks. Which is why I will likely wind up in Albania or Italy, which are California, but way better, and at a fraction of the cost. The last house I looked at in Calabria was 80k EUR. About what most of you idiots are going to waste on your next SUV.

"We can't even build efficient, reliable public transport the rest of the world already has - Europe, China, Japan - all have the best in modern, high speed public transportation."

There is no public transportation where you live?

"Of course, the people who live in northern European capitalist social democracies vote themselves the Happiest People in the World year after year after year."

I think most of our progressive friends here would despise those countries. High taxes on the poor and middle class, in addition to a 25% VAT.

I'm not against it, but it does violate that whole "to each according to need, to each according to ability" notion that the USan left cherishes so dearly.

"The Great Smoky Mountains (TN) and the Outer Banks (NC) beckon. If you've never been to either, I'd highly recommend. You'll forget a lot of what you knew about southern climate."

I went to college in Charlotte, so I've been to both. But I don't really consider that area to be part of the south. That's FL/AL/MS/LA...plus maybe sections of a few other states.

If you don't care about outdoor recreation, the south is just fine. If you do like to be outside, avoid it. No mountains, high heat, high humidity...it's kinda gross.

I lived in Louisiana for about eight years total. Not once did I go hiking. Nor did I know anyone who did. Living where I do now, I go almost every weekend.

Yeah, I think the article should have included some language about those being poor who lack job prospects anywhere. It's not like someone from rural Arkansas is going to be better off attempting to move to Los Angeles.

States with highest shares of inbound moves:

1. Arkansas
2. Idaho
3. North Carolina
4. Hawaii
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Tennessee
7. Washington (state)
8. Alabama
9. North Dakota
10. New Hampshire

#10

The quote applies to the Palestinians at least as much as it does to the Israelis. Maybe more so.

"They need small towns, perhaps start on the west and east coast to have small teams, not affiliated with the MLS, but could still be loaned players. Get locals involved in the sport, futsal leagues."

I spend a lot of time in Bodo, Norway. Their local team, Bodo Glimt, plays in a stadium about the size of the one at the middle school I went to in Texas. This year, they beat Manchester City and Inter Milan, before winning the Norwegian Cup in May. Punching WAY above their weight class.

"Is Israel committing the very crimes it seems to be fighting against? At this point, my view results in an answer: yes."

"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."

"I'm old enough to remember when a scheme like this would have had righties frothing at the mouth."

It still does.

It's just that Republicans are no longer "righties." I a few ways, Trump is further left than any president in US history, outside FDR maybe.

So...something happened in 2023 and this lady just now comes out and says she was abused???

Screw his silly, immature political positions, but this is ridiculous.

I suppose if he had kept to raising oysters, she wouldn't have said a word.

"Do you understand that Iran can end western civilization or at a minimum most of the middle east's, including Israel's civilization?"

How on earth would they do that?

Seriously. Walk me through it.

"I've been reading good things about Eastern Europe as cheap, off the beaten path sort of destinations (Albania and Croatia being the two most frequently mentioned), so I'll add that to the list."

Enjoy the whole region. If you're pad in EUR, you're golden.

Your kids will never want to leave. Mine didn't. The oldest just did it for college.

You're a younger dude. You have your whole life ahead of you. You're going to LOVE it.

It's probably also worth mentioning that the Norwegians are crazy bad-asses. They literally start their day with a morning swim. In the Arctic Circle. In the middle of winter.

It's probably why the conquered much of the world.

"Yup. I'm moving to Europe at the end of the month because it's a better deal there for me."

Where to?

I think you're going to like it.

A suggestion, if you have time, check out Albania before the summer ends. Karaburun. Best beaches on this planet.

"And the long, so long, winter nights ..."

Norway is by far the most conservative county I've been to, outside of the Gulf states. Alcohol is expensive and not readily available.

The long winter nights are offset by the long summer days.

The weather is what drives me crazy. If it weren't for the year-round rain and sleet, I might have moved there already.