Reposted by Erick Staal
Reposted by Erick Staal
Day 2208 of #Brexit: “The one thing that Donald Trump has done that I deeply appreciate, and he has done it almost single-handedly, is to unify Europe in a profound and consequential way and I applaud Donald Trump for making that happen.” - Gavin Newsom www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Republicans and Democrats unite to condemn Trump’s attacks on allies
US politicians break rank at Munich Security Conference to hit out at ‘destructive’ president and urge Europe to stand up to Trump
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Day 2208 of #Brexit: “The one thing that Donald Trump has done that I deeply appreciate, and he has done it almost single-handedly, is to unify Europe in a profound and consequential way and I applaud Donald Trump for making that happen.” - Gavin Newsom www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Land of the Free becomes more a lie each and every day.
February 17, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Land of the Free becomes more a lie each and every day.
Reposted by Erick Staal
US job creation.
February 17, 2026 at 1:42 AM
US job creation.
Reposted by Erick Staal
The Prime Minister is right, we must curb our dependence on the US and look to our European neighbours for our security. Now, he must take action to ensure closer cooperation, including an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency.
February 16, 2026 at 2:38 PM
The Prime Minister is right, we must curb our dependence on the US and look to our European neighbours for our security. Now, he must take action to ensure closer cooperation, including an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency.
Reposted by Erick Staal
It's almost as if the Swedes don't read Paul Krugman or Wolfgang Münchau. (I'm old enough to remember Anglophone commentators in 2011 giving the euro "another three months at most"... for years and years.)
Why Sweden Is Changing Its Tune on Adopting the Euro
Tighter integration with the EU is starting to look more attractive as a shield against heightened geopolitical instability and the cooling of transatlantic relations under US President Donald Trump.
(https://archive.ph/r0H1M)
Tighter integration with the EU is starting to look more attractive as a shield against heightened geopolitical instability and the cooling of transatlantic relations under US President Donald Trump.
(https://archive.ph/r0H1M)
Why Sweden Is Changing Its Tune on Adopting the Euro
While Sweden is a longstanding member of the European Union, it’s thus far resisted joining the almost three-decade-old common currency. But tighter integration with the EU is starting to look more attractive as a shield against heightened geopolitical instability and the cooling of transatlantic relations under US President Donald Trump.
(https://archive.ph/r0H1M)
www.bloomberg.com
February 16, 2026 at 11:50 AM
It's almost as if the Swedes don't read Paul Krugman or Wolfgang Münchau. (I'm old enough to remember Anglophone commentators in 2011 giving the euro "another three months at most"... for years and years.)
Reposted by Erick Staal
Ja, tot het zgn neoliberale kapitalisme hier een eind aan maakte. Dit wordt te weinig door economen en politicologen geanalyseerd. We hàdden veel beter bestuur dan nu. Kom op, vertel ook deze waarheid, wetenschappers !
February 14, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Ja, tot het zgn neoliberale kapitalisme hier een eind aan maakte. Dit wordt te weinig door economen en politicologen geanalyseerd. We hàdden veel beter bestuur dan nu. Kom op, vertel ook deze waarheid, wetenschappers !
Reposted by Erick Staal
Wat een belachelijk en #misleidend artikel! Wie de moeite neemt de wetenschappelijke publicatie waarnaar verwezen wordt, er op na te lezen, trekt een hele andere conclusie. Uit dat artikel blijkt dat er helemaal geen sprake is van een duidelijke linkse dominantie op de universiteiten!
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In NRC: Linkse dominantie op de universiteit ondergraaft vertrouwen in wetenschap
Linkse dominantie op de universiteit ondergraaft vertrouwen in wetenschap
Universiteiten zijn volgens radicaalrechts bastions van wokeactivisme. In zulke populistische retoriek zit volgens Floris Burgers, Adriaan Duiveman en Lotte Hogeweg een kern van waarheid: de academie is overwegend links.
www.nrc.nl
February 14, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Wat een belachelijk en #misleidend artikel! Wie de moeite neemt de wetenschappelijke publicatie waarnaar verwezen wordt, er op na te lezen, trekt een hele andere conclusie. Uit dat artikel blijkt dat er helemaal geen sprake is van een duidelijke linkse dominantie op de universiteiten!
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Reposted by Erick Staal
Dankzij het boek van deze twee geweldige vrouwen wist ik eindelijk te stoppen met mijn achterlijke zelfvernietiging.
Deze vrouwen verdienen standbeelden. Veel. Heel veel standbeelden.
Deze vrouwen verdienen standbeelden. Veel. Heel veel standbeelden.
February 6, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Dankzij het boek van deze twee geweldige vrouwen wist ik eindelijk te stoppen met mijn achterlijke zelfvernietiging.
Deze vrouwen verdienen standbeelden. Veel. Heel veel standbeelden.
Deze vrouwen verdienen standbeelden. Veel. Heel veel standbeelden.
Reposted by Erick Staal
🚨🚨" Some leaders have chosen to hunt them down and deport them through operations that are both unlawful and cruel. My government has chosen a different way: a fast and simple path to regularize their immigration status." Spanish PM Pedro #Sanchez on why #migrants are essential for Western society:
February 6, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Erick Staal
Reminder: this is the same outfit that expels and deports people for criticising a foreign government
FT exclusive:
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
February 6, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Reminder: this is the same outfit that expels and deports people for criticising a foreign government
Reposted by Erick Staal
For those who don't know, Luttig was once considered the intellectual heir to Scalia. He was about as conservative a judge as you could find...
Luttig: It doesn’t matter what the Supreme Court does from this point forward. For two years, the Supreme Court has authorized the absolute lawlessness and unconstitutional activity of this president.
February 6, 2026 at 1:32 AM
For those who don't know, Luttig was once considered the intellectual heir to Scalia. He was about as conservative a judge as you could find...
Reposted by Erick Staal
A reminder that those who took for granted that Trump victory would be the end of Ukraine were wrong. Ukraine continues to hold Ru off despite the fact that Trump ended US aid. Ukraine has innovated and developed its military capacity, Europe has stepped up, and Ru is weaker than many assume.
January 31, 2026 at 8:34 PM
A reminder that those who took for granted that Trump victory would be the end of Ukraine were wrong. Ukraine continues to hold Ru off despite the fact that Trump ended US aid. Ukraine has innovated and developed its military capacity, Europe has stepped up, and Ru is weaker than many assume.
Reposted by Erick Staal
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:16 AM
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Reposted by Erick Staal
France to ban officials from using American video conference tools including Zoom and Teams.
France to ban officials from US video tools including Zoom, Teams
The government wants staff to shun Silicon Valley and shift to its home-grown Visio platform instead.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2026 at 8:24 PM
France to ban officials from using American video conference tools including Zoom and Teams.
Reposted by Erick Staal
El Greco"a dramatic and mesmerising View of Toledo. ~1600. I love the threatening clouds, the hills seem about to swallow the town or perhaps slide into the Tajo below. This is one of the earliest examples of a landscape painting though not a true topographical representation.
January 28, 2026 at 6:24 AM
El Greco"a dramatic and mesmerising View of Toledo. ~1600. I love the threatening clouds, the hills seem about to swallow the town or perhaps slide into the Tajo below. This is one of the earliest examples of a landscape painting though not a true topographical representation.
Reposted by Erick Staal
‘We zijn mentaal gekoloniseerd geraakt,’ zegt journalist en schrijver Joris Luyendijk over Europa. Met 500 miljoen inwoners, een enorme economie, eigen scheepsvaartindustrie en topuniversiteiten zouden we alles in huis moeten hebben. Toch blijven we onszelf wijsmaken dat we klein zijn.
January 27, 2026 at 11:24 AM
‘We zijn mentaal gekoloniseerd geraakt,’ zegt journalist en schrijver Joris Luyendijk over Europa. Met 500 miljoen inwoners, een enorme economie, eigen scheepsvaartindustrie en topuniversiteiten zouden we alles in huis moeten hebben. Toch blijven we onszelf wijsmaken dat we klein zijn.
Reposted by Erick Staal
Barbara Kathmann staat op mijn lijstje van top 10 meest waardevolle Kamerleden.
Heel goed van al die kiezers die via NerdVote haar met voorkeursstemmen in de Kamer hebben geloodst. De volgende keer stap ik denk ik ook over van “stem op een vrouw” naar “NerdVote”.
Heel goed van al die kiezers die via NerdVote haar met voorkeursstemmen in de Kamer hebben geloodst. De volgende keer stap ik denk ik ook over van “stem op een vrouw” naar “NerdVote”.
De voorgenomen overname van DigiD door een Amerikaans bedrijf zorgt voor ophef in de Tweede Kamer én daarbuiten. De angst is dat onze privacygevoelige gegevens in Amerikaanse handen komen. Hoe afhankelijk zijn we van DigiD? Kamerlid voor GL-PvdA Barbara Kathmann legt uit:
January 27, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Barbara Kathmann staat op mijn lijstje van top 10 meest waardevolle Kamerleden.
Heel goed van al die kiezers die via NerdVote haar met voorkeursstemmen in de Kamer hebben geloodst. De volgende keer stap ik denk ik ook over van “stem op een vrouw” naar “NerdVote”.
Heel goed van al die kiezers die via NerdVote haar met voorkeursstemmen in de Kamer hebben geloodst. De volgende keer stap ik denk ik ook over van “stem op een vrouw” naar “NerdVote”.
Reposted by Erick Staal
Today, the Council formally adopted the regulation on phasing out Russian imports of both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the EU.
A key milestone in delivering the #REPowerEU objective of ending the EU’s reliance on Russian energy.
Read more here: link.berry.social/press-releas...
A key milestone in delivering the #REPowerEU objective of ending the EU’s reliance on Russian energy.
Read more here: link.berry.social/press-releas...
January 26, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Today, the Council formally adopted the regulation on phasing out Russian imports of both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the EU.
A key milestone in delivering the #REPowerEU objective of ending the EU’s reliance on Russian energy.
Read more here: link.berry.social/press-releas...
A key milestone in delivering the #REPowerEU objective of ending the EU’s reliance on Russian energy.
Read more here: link.berry.social/press-releas...
Reposted by Erick Staal
This is brilliant but two killer lines in it:
“Peace is what the powerful ask for when they don’t want to be interrupted.”
“The scriptures you love weren’t written to keep things calm. They were written to set things right.”
Liberation Theology.
“Peace is what the powerful ask for when they don’t want to be interrupted.”
“The scriptures you love weren’t written to keep things calm. They were written to set things right.”
Liberation Theology.
January 26, 2026 at 8:56 AM
This is brilliant but two killer lines in it:
“Peace is what the powerful ask for when they don’t want to be interrupted.”
“The scriptures you love weren’t written to keep things calm. They were written to set things right.”
Liberation Theology.
“Peace is what the powerful ask for when they don’t want to be interrupted.”
“The scriptures you love weren’t written to keep things calm. They were written to set things right.”
Liberation Theology.
Reposted by Erick Staal
Volkswagen will nur dann erneut in den Vereinigten Staaten investieren, wenn die Zölle sinken. Konzernchef Oliver Blume hält Projekte sonst nicht für finanzierbar. Das gelte auch für das geplante Audi-Werk.
VW-Chef Blume knüpft Investitionen an Entlastung bei Zöllen
Volkswagen will nur dann erneut in den Vereinigten Staaten investieren, wenn die Zölle sinken. Konzernchef Oliver Blume hält Projekte sonst nicht für finanzierbar. Das gelte auch für das geplante Audi-Werk.
www.spiegel.de
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Volkswagen will nur dann erneut in den Vereinigten Staaten investieren, wenn die Zölle sinken. Konzernchef Oliver Blume hält Projekte sonst nicht für finanzierbar. Das gelte auch für das geplante Audi-Werk.
Reposted by Erick Staal
This is insane…
US Dollar share of global reserve currency has fallen to its lowest levels this century.
It’s literally unprecedented.
US Dollar share of global reserve currency has fallen to its lowest levels this century.
It’s literally unprecedented.
January 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
This is insane…
US Dollar share of global reserve currency has fallen to its lowest levels this century.
It’s literally unprecedented.
US Dollar share of global reserve currency has fallen to its lowest levels this century.
It’s literally unprecedented.
Reposted by Erick Staal
Trump’s back to threatening 100% tariffs on Canada this morning, wow I can’t imagine why the Canadians now see the Chinese as a more reliable trade partner
January 24, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Trump’s back to threatening 100% tariffs on Canada this morning, wow I can’t imagine why the Canadians now see the Chinese as a more reliable trade partner
Reposted by Erick Staal
This is so fucking haunting.
January 24, 2026 at 3:11 AM
This is so fucking haunting.
Reposted by Erick Staal
It was impossible to seize Russian tankers until it all of a sudden wasn't.
Yet another proof that when leaders refer to international laws and conventions, as they long did regarding the tankers, it's usually complete nonsense. What matters is political will.
Yet another proof that when leaders refer to international laws and conventions, as they long did regarding the tankers, it's usually complete nonsense. What matters is political will.
January 23, 2026 at 5:31 AM
It was impossible to seize Russian tankers until it all of a sudden wasn't.
Yet another proof that when leaders refer to international laws and conventions, as they long did regarding the tankers, it's usually complete nonsense. What matters is political will.
Yet another proof that when leaders refer to international laws and conventions, as they long did regarding the tankers, it's usually complete nonsense. What matters is political will.