Thomas M
@tmeilveis.bsky.social
As an Irish person, it makes me grateful for our Celtic Tiger baby boom (a record high of 77k births in 2010); Ireland & Sweden are the only 2 European countries in the OECD that will have a significant increase in their working age populations in the coming decades (excluding tiny Lux & Iceland).
August 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
As an Irish person, it makes me grateful for our Celtic Tiger baby boom (a record high of 77k births in 2010); Ireland & Sweden are the only 2 European countries in the OECD that will have a significant increase in their working age populations in the coming decades (excluding tiny Lux & Iceland).
No mention of the crippling reparations Finland had to pay the USSR after WW2 & the 10% of the country's territory lost after that war.
This is a typical self-exalting third-world mentality; expecting Western countries to be grateful for cheap natural resources that they could have gotten elsewhere.
This is a typical self-exalting third-world mentality; expecting Western countries to be grateful for cheap natural resources that they could have gotten elsewhere.
August 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
No mention of the crippling reparations Finland had to pay the USSR after WW2 & the 10% of the country's territory lost after that war.
This is a typical self-exalting third-world mentality; expecting Western countries to be grateful for cheap natural resources that they could have gotten elsewhere.
This is a typical self-exalting third-world mentality; expecting Western countries to be grateful for cheap natural resources that they could have gotten elsewhere.
(3/3)
Worse still, the ignoramus invoked the non-existent "Irish American vote" during his T Carlson interview. No such vote exists as Irish Americans stopped voting as a bloc from the 1930s on;more of them assimilated into society & New Deal federal funding undermined traditional political machines
Worse still, the ignoramus invoked the non-existent "Irish American vote" during his T Carlson interview. No such vote exists as Irish Americans stopped voting as a bloc from the 1930s on;more of them assimilated into society & New Deal federal funding undermined traditional political machines
July 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
(3/3)
Worse still, the ignoramus invoked the non-existent "Irish American vote" during his T Carlson interview. No such vote exists as Irish Americans stopped voting as a bloc from the 1930s on;more of them assimilated into society & New Deal federal funding undermined traditional political machines
Worse still, the ignoramus invoked the non-existent "Irish American vote" during his T Carlson interview. No such vote exists as Irish Americans stopped voting as a bloc from the 1930s on;more of them assimilated into society & New Deal federal funding undermined traditional political machines
(2)
His begging bowl routine at the White House on Mar 17 was immensely cringe-inducing.
I'd thought that we'd matured as a nation since Albert Reynolds secured the IR£8bn in EU funds in Dec 1992; he was lauded as a hero for pulling off a successful begging bowl routine at the European Council.
His begging bowl routine at the White House on Mar 17 was immensely cringe-inducing.
I'd thought that we'd matured as a nation since Albert Reynolds secured the IR£8bn in EU funds in Dec 1992; he was lauded as a hero for pulling off a successful begging bowl routine at the European Council.
July 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
(2)
His begging bowl routine at the White House on Mar 17 was immensely cringe-inducing.
I'd thought that we'd matured as a nation since Albert Reynolds secured the IR£8bn in EU funds in Dec 1992; he was lauded as a hero for pulling off a successful begging bowl routine at the European Council.
His begging bowl routine at the White House on Mar 17 was immensely cringe-inducing.
I'd thought that we'd matured as a nation since Albert Reynolds secured the IR£8bn in EU funds in Dec 1992; he was lauded as a hero for pulling off a successful begging bowl routine at the European Council.
(1/3)
The Americans love it of course because he perfectly embodies the mid-19th century "Fighting Irish" stereotype; the ignorant, ill-educated & irrational Irishman.
He seems to be too thick to realize that this is a significant reason for his popularity stateside.
The Americans love it of course because he perfectly embodies the mid-19th century "Fighting Irish" stereotype; the ignorant, ill-educated & irrational Irishman.
He seems to be too thick to realize that this is a significant reason for his popularity stateside.
July 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
(1/3)
The Americans love it of course because he perfectly embodies the mid-19th century "Fighting Irish" stereotype; the ignorant, ill-educated & irrational Irishman.
He seems to be too thick to realize that this is a significant reason for his popularity stateside.
The Americans love it of course because he perfectly embodies the mid-19th century "Fighting Irish" stereotype; the ignorant, ill-educated & irrational Irishman.
He seems to be too thick to realize that this is a significant reason for his popularity stateside.
(3/3)
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
July 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
(3/3)
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
(2)
We've put up with this crap from Brits for decades now; first EU CAP, structural & cohesion funds & now that we're a net contributor, the British right-wing media have shifted their focus to our low-tax economic policy & BEPS profit-shifting.
We've put up with this crap from Brits for decades now; first EU CAP, structural & cohesion funds & now that we're a net contributor, the British right-wing media have shifted their focus to our low-tax economic policy & BEPS profit-shifting.
July 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
(2)
We've put up with this crap from Brits for decades now; first EU CAP, structural & cohesion funds & now that we're a net contributor, the British right-wing media have shifted their focus to our low-tax economic policy & BEPS profit-shifting.
We've put up with this crap from Brits for decades now; first EU CAP, structural & cohesion funds & now that we're a net contributor, the British right-wing media have shifted their focus to our low-tax economic policy & BEPS profit-shifting.
(1/3)
It's always the same attitude with many Brits & little has changed. It goes like this;
Irish people are incapable of creating wealth on their own. Therefore if wealth exists in Ireland, there must be a scam involved.
It's always the same attitude with many Brits & little has changed. It goes like this;
Irish people are incapable of creating wealth on their own. Therefore if wealth exists in Ireland, there must be a scam involved.
July 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
(1/3)
It's always the same attitude with many Brits & little has changed. It goes like this;
Irish people are incapable of creating wealth on their own. Therefore if wealth exists in Ireland, there must be a scam involved.
It's always the same attitude with many Brits & little has changed. It goes like this;
Irish people are incapable of creating wealth on their own. Therefore if wealth exists in Ireland, there must be a scam involved.
(4/4)
The prime ministers of the Netherlands & Denmark wouldn't tolerate her bull*hit for five seconds; the Dutch and the Danes have a notoriously direct communication style.
They would put Mary Lou in her place pretty damn quick and rightly so.
The prime ministers of the Netherlands & Denmark wouldn't tolerate her bull*hit for five seconds; the Dutch and the Danes have a notoriously direct communication style.
They would put Mary Lou in her place pretty damn quick and rightly so.
July 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
(4/4)
The prime ministers of the Netherlands & Denmark wouldn't tolerate her bull*hit for five seconds; the Dutch and the Danes have a notoriously direct communication style.
They would put Mary Lou in her place pretty damn quick and rightly so.
The prime ministers of the Netherlands & Denmark wouldn't tolerate her bull*hit for five seconds; the Dutch and the Danes have a notoriously direct communication style.
They would put Mary Lou in her place pretty damn quick and rightly so.
(3)
I dread the prospect of a SF taoiseach or president of Ireland; the enormous international reputational damage to Ireland would be incalculable.
Just imagine Mary Lou at European Council meetings in Brussels droning on about Irish neutrality and Israel/Palestine.
I dread the prospect of a SF taoiseach or president of Ireland; the enormous international reputational damage to Ireland would be incalculable.
Just imagine Mary Lou at European Council meetings in Brussels droning on about Irish neutrality and Israel/Palestine.
July 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
(3)
I dread the prospect of a SF taoiseach or president of Ireland; the enormous international reputational damage to Ireland would be incalculable.
Just imagine Mary Lou at European Council meetings in Brussels droning on about Irish neutrality and Israel/Palestine.
I dread the prospect of a SF taoiseach or president of Ireland; the enormous international reputational damage to Ireland would be incalculable.
Just imagine Mary Lou at European Council meetings in Brussels droning on about Irish neutrality and Israel/Palestine.
(2)
SF/IRA are little better than children; they don't understand consequences & refuse to accept responsibility for the enormous damage their terrorist campaign caused to so many innocent people, as well as to community relations in NI
SF/IRA are little better than children; they don't understand consequences & refuse to accept responsibility for the enormous damage their terrorist campaign caused to so many innocent people, as well as to community relations in NI
July 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
(2)
SF/IRA are little better than children; they don't understand consequences & refuse to accept responsibility for the enormous damage their terrorist campaign caused to so many innocent people, as well as to community relations in NI
SF/IRA are little better than children; they don't understand consequences & refuse to accept responsibility for the enormous damage their terrorist campaign caused to so many innocent people, as well as to community relations in NI
(1/4)
Sadly, SF/IRA have always exploited the latent tribalism & Anglophobia in Irish society (it's still very much alive) to advance their agenda.
It combines naked, primitive & atavistic tribal hatred with ultra-woke progressive virtue-signalling & economically illiterate populist policies.
Sadly, SF/IRA have always exploited the latent tribalism & Anglophobia in Irish society (it's still very much alive) to advance their agenda.
It combines naked, primitive & atavistic tribal hatred with ultra-woke progressive virtue-signalling & economically illiterate populist policies.
July 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
(1/4)
Sadly, SF/IRA have always exploited the latent tribalism & Anglophobia in Irish society (it's still very much alive) to advance their agenda.
It combines naked, primitive & atavistic tribal hatred with ultra-woke progressive virtue-signalling & economically illiterate populist policies.
Sadly, SF/IRA have always exploited the latent tribalism & Anglophobia in Irish society (it's still very much alive) to advance their agenda.
It combines naked, primitive & atavistic tribal hatred with ultra-woke progressive virtue-signalling & economically illiterate populist policies.
But if Reform & their ilk gain power at WM at some future point, that British flag in Strasbourg may be removed as their desire to withdraw the UK from the ECHR would necessarily require 🇬🇧 to leave the Council of Europe. In that scenario, I can't see the UK ever being granted EU candidate status.
July 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
But if Reform & their ilk gain power at WM at some future point, that British flag in Strasbourg may be removed as their desire to withdraw the UK from the ECHR would necessarily require 🇬🇧 to leave the Council of Europe. In that scenario, I can't see the UK ever being granted EU candidate status.
(5/5)
Because CH is such a desirable place to live & because Europe has amongst the most educated & skilled workforce in the world, CH-EU FoM means CH firms can cherry-pick the best human capital on the continent (makes CH globally competitive).
Sadly, this documentary isn't very Swiss (thorough)!
Because CH is such a desirable place to live & because Europe has amongst the most educated & skilled workforce in the world, CH-EU FoM means CH firms can cherry-pick the best human capital on the continent (makes CH globally competitive).
Sadly, this documentary isn't very Swiss (thorough)!
June 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
(5/5)
Because CH is such a desirable place to live & because Europe has amongst the most educated & skilled workforce in the world, CH-EU FoM means CH firms can cherry-pick the best human capital on the continent (makes CH globally competitive).
Sadly, this documentary isn't very Swiss (thorough)!
Because CH is such a desirable place to live & because Europe has amongst the most educated & skilled workforce in the world, CH-EU FoM means CH firms can cherry-pick the best human capital on the continent (makes CH globally competitive).
Sadly, this documentary isn't very Swiss (thorough)!
(4)
As with all RW populist parties, the UDC want it both ways: free-market economics & investment into CH but no FoM. The UDC MP also falsely claims that CH is the only country in the world that doesn't have full control of its immigration policy (Aus-NZ Trans-Tasman, GCC Gulf states, Mercosur etc)
As with all RW populist parties, the UDC want it both ways: free-market economics & investment into CH but no FoM. The UDC MP also falsely claims that CH is the only country in the world that doesn't have full control of its immigration policy (Aus-NZ Trans-Tasman, GCC Gulf states, Mercosur etc)
June 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
(4)
As with all RW populist parties, the UDC want it both ways: free-market economics & investment into CH but no FoM. The UDC MP also falsely claims that CH is the only country in the world that doesn't have full control of its immigration policy (Aus-NZ Trans-Tasman, GCC Gulf states, Mercosur etc)
As with all RW populist parties, the UDC want it both ways: free-market economics & investment into CH but no FoM. The UDC MP also falsely claims that CH is the only country in the world that doesn't have full control of its immigration policy (Aus-NZ Trans-Tasman, GCC Gulf states, Mercosur etc)
(3)
Nowhere is EU-CH FoM put in the broader context of the 7 EU-CH bilateral agreements on which a guillotine clause applies.
CH benefits hugely from the other 6 agreements (preferential SM access, road & rail transport for non-EU trade etc). A glaring omission from a public service broadcaster!
Nowhere is EU-CH FoM put in the broader context of the 7 EU-CH bilateral agreements on which a guillotine clause applies.
CH benefits hugely from the other 6 agreements (preferential SM access, road & rail transport for non-EU trade etc). A glaring omission from a public service broadcaster!
June 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
(3)
Nowhere is EU-CH FoM put in the broader context of the 7 EU-CH bilateral agreements on which a guillotine clause applies.
CH benefits hugely from the other 6 agreements (preferential SM access, road & rail transport for non-EU trade etc). A glaring omission from a public service broadcaster!
Nowhere is EU-CH FoM put in the broader context of the 7 EU-CH bilateral agreements on which a guillotine clause applies.
CH benefits hugely from the other 6 agreements (preferential SM access, road & rail transport for non-EU trade etc). A glaring omission from a public service broadcaster!
(2)
Furthermore, it seems Swiss people generally don't have a holistic view of their nation's relationship with the EU, if the below documentary on Swiss demographics by RTS is anything to go by.
youtu.be/aFkh4N_222w?...
Furthermore, it seems Swiss people generally don't have a holistic view of their nation's relationship with the EU, if the below documentary on Swiss demographics by RTS is anything to go by.
youtu.be/aFkh4N_222w?...
Immigration : le grand débat suisse | RTS
YouTube video by RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse
youtu.be
June 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
(2)
Furthermore, it seems Swiss people generally don't have a holistic view of their nation's relationship with the EU, if the below documentary on Swiss demographics by RTS is anything to go by.
youtu.be/aFkh4N_222w?...
Furthermore, it seems Swiss people generally don't have a holistic view of their nation's relationship with the EU, if the below documentary on Swiss demographics by RTS is anything to go by.
youtu.be/aFkh4N_222w?...
(1/5)
We can expect a lot more Swiss-style bickering in the years to come I'm afraid.
The EU-CH Agreement reached last December has yet to be ratified by referendum in the Alpine confederation and the Swiss People's Party (UDC) are deeply opposed to it.
We can expect a lot more Swiss-style bickering in the years to come I'm afraid.
The EU-CH Agreement reached last December has yet to be ratified by referendum in the Alpine confederation and the Swiss People's Party (UDC) are deeply opposed to it.
June 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
(1/5)
We can expect a lot more Swiss-style bickering in the years to come I'm afraid.
The EU-CH Agreement reached last December has yet to be ratified by referendum in the Alpine confederation and the Swiss People's Party (UDC) are deeply opposed to it.
We can expect a lot more Swiss-style bickering in the years to come I'm afraid.
The EU-CH Agreement reached last December has yet to be ratified by referendum in the Alpine confederation and the Swiss People's Party (UDC) are deeply opposed to it.
Reposted by Thomas M
Obviously, the lack of a grand bargain that this strategy implies leaves Swiss-style bickering a more likely possibility
But attempts to move beyond this reset are lively to quickly run into the problems of Europe's strategic holistic view of relations that even CH hasn't fully managed to avoid
10
But attempts to move beyond this reset are lively to quickly run into the problems of Europe's strategic holistic view of relations that even CH hasn't fully managed to avoid
10
June 21, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Obviously, the lack of a grand bargain that this strategy implies leaves Swiss-style bickering a more likely possibility
But attempts to move beyond this reset are lively to quickly run into the problems of Europe's strategic holistic view of relations that even CH hasn't fully managed to avoid
10
But attempts to move beyond this reset are lively to quickly run into the problems of Europe's strategic holistic view of relations that even CH hasn't fully managed to avoid
10
Only slightly lucky! Gib citizens have still lost their right to live, study and work in the EU27, Switzerland, Norway & Iceland.
June 15, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Only slightly lucky! Gib citizens have still lost their right to live, study and work in the EU27, Switzerland, Norway & Iceland.
(2/2)
So Gib will be a bit like the sovereign states of the Vatican, San Marino, Monaco & Andorra; de facto in Schengen but with no airport offering flights to destinations within the Schengen zone.
So Gib will be a bit like the sovereign states of the Vatican, San Marino, Monaco & Andorra; de facto in Schengen but with no airport offering flights to destinations within the Schengen zone.
June 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM
(2/2)
So Gib will be a bit like the sovereign states of the Vatican, San Marino, Monaco & Andorra; de facto in Schengen but with no airport offering flights to destinations within the Schengen zone.
So Gib will be a bit like the sovereign states of the Vatican, San Marino, Monaco & Andorra; de facto in Schengen but with no airport offering flights to destinations within the Schengen zone.
(1/2)
In fact Gib airport only operates flights to the UK so for Gib citizens, their nearest main airport for Schengen destinations is Málaga (~120 km).
Jerez airport is around the same distance but with a much smaller number of flights.
In fact Gib airport only operates flights to the UK so for Gib citizens, their nearest main airport for Schengen destinations is Málaga (~120 km).
Jerez airport is around the same distance but with a much smaller number of flights.
June 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM
(1/2)
In fact Gib airport only operates flights to the UK so for Gib citizens, their nearest main airport for Schengen destinations is Málaga (~120 km).
Jerez airport is around the same distance but with a much smaller number of flights.
In fact Gib airport only operates flights to the UK so for Gib citizens, their nearest main airport for Schengen destinations is Málaga (~120 km).
Jerez airport is around the same distance but with a much smaller number of flights.
Similarly, Galicia, Catalonia & the Basque country are recognized as "historic nationalities" by the Spanish state. But they have no legal standing in an international context.
June 12, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Similarly, Galicia, Catalonia & the Basque country are recognized as "historic nationalities" by the Spanish state. But they have no legal standing in an international context.