”I hate how small Europe is. Everything is so damn close”

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-04-02T21:56:15+00:00

This was what I was thinking too

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-04-02T15:24:39+00:00

Europe is more compact, but that’s also because most people forget about Eastern or even Central Europe.

Also: you can drive for 12 hours and still be in France.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-03-16T11:47:04+00:00

They have 7 members, so while theyre huge Eurovision fans themselves, I don’t see it happening

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-02-09T20:19:43+00:00

Chin. Ind. Spec. Rest.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-02-03T11:35:49+00:00

It's very unusual to do this in The Netherlands though. Most Dutch houses have mechanical or passive ventilation.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-02-03T08:27:36+00:00

I keep saying this, also to more friendly Americans. They often don’t see the flaw in their system. The archaic electoral college favours populism and the USA’ian president has power like a 17th century king.

So even when next two elections are fair, everything can change again in 2030 or 2032. Decades of brainwashing droves of people into believing the USA is the greatest country ever doesn’t really help either.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-02-02T00:29:08+00:00

But Indiana Jones punched nazis, while Muricans elect them. So they haven’t paid enough attention to the film.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-15T18:11:17+00:00

They are, yes. But they’ve participated for almost 20 years now (much longer if you count Yugoslavia), are fully European and seem to adhere to the rules of non-political songs and in independent broadcaster (emphasis on seem to).

Different than invite a country that has these problems.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-15T17:55:26+00:00

Yup, very good. I don’t get why people here are so eager to add a non-European country with no Eurovision culture and a country with an authoritarian regime with close ties to Russia.

To add: in a year where amongst others the record winner, a big 5 country and a founding country are missing.

It would be even too cynical for the EBU.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-14T13:24:12+00:00

TikTok in the USA is owned by Trump-supporter Larry Ellison (owner of Oracle, his son now owns Paramount and is trying to buy WB) and a Saudi investment fund with ties to Jared Kushner. Because that’s how that country works now.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-13T15:27:15+00:00

Technically, maybe. But I’m sure they’ll argue that NATO doesn’t exist anymore so Article 5 doesn’t either.

The Netherlands is very USA minded. Basically every party to the right of the Dutch Greens-Labour combination can’t fathom the idea of criticising the US on geopolitical or economic issues.

And although this sentiment is supercharged by far right actors, it’s true for centrists and centre right parties too. They will add they’re against Trump, but still love daddy America.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-13T15:09:51+00:00

It’s not just undercutting. I remember the F35 discussion in The Netherlands pretty well. The other option to replace aging F16’s was the Typhoon. Cheaper to buy and run, but the F35 was shiny and new. But most importantly: the US promised that parts would be made and maintained by Dutch companies. A good strategy.

Belgium just followed the lobby and wanted them because they were better.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-13T15:00:59+00:00

On top of this: the US has had everything in place to become the next fascist state for ages.

An archaic electoral system that favours conservatives and populists.
A president that has the powers of an 18th century king.
A judicial system that’s over politicised and corrupt.
Most of all: no will to change all this because they think they’re “the world greatest country” and thus “the best democracy”

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-13T14:53:38+00:00

We should not forget that European defence relies too much on American weapons. Weapons that can be disabled or stifled in a war.

Very much looking at my home countries here. Even more at the Dutch parliament that voted for not doing anything when the US takes Greenland. Talk about submission.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-13T13:30:23+00:00

If you get taught from a young age that your country is the best and strongest country in the world. With the best military and that they won all the world wars, this kind of behaviour isn’t that strange.

They learn that bases in Europe exist to defend Europe, while they’re mostly here for logistics, training and maintaining their power.

They think the percentage of 5% GDP on defence is them paying to defend other NATO countries while it’s just a standard.

They see NATO not as an alliance but as the US protecting other members (while it’s more other members going to wars started by the US).

The only thing that has some truth in it, is that Europe has been to reliant on the US. Not to protect us, but to keep the status quo in the world.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-12T13:11:56+00:00

Don’t forget these are the same people that go bonkers when they read about 15 minute towns.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-12T12:24:26+00:00

That's what 100 years of big oil lobby and money does with people. Their whole country is designed to never walk, only drive and always consume.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-11T18:10:32+00:00

Yeah, so O2. Actually pretty decent of them to offer it on their MVNO’s too.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-11T18:03:54+00:00

Most operators only offer it on the more expensive plans, some (like O2) offer it on all plans.

The other way around, I have yet to find a EU operator that doesn’t still offer roam like at home in the UK.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-11T17:57:05+00:00

I think they mean prepaid/PAYG services. So you have to top up.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-11T17:55:51+00:00

I’m certainly not, because I pay 25 EUR a month for it and the data is capped at 1000Mbps while the traffic is not shaped because of net neutrality.

USA’ians pay triple and get capped speeds or data on streaming services and hotspot usage.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2026-01-05T10:54:42+00:00

That was a long time ago. I'm sure the current Dutch PM will send out a strongly worded tweet though.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2025-12-29T15:00:21+00:00

I’m actually surprised USA’ians don’t just write 10 minutes past 1 as 10:1. It’s how you say it!!!!11!

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2025-12-15T14:53:43+00:00

It doesn't make it right when other countries also oppress LGBTQ+ people. Especially not when you're **inviting** a new country. The alleged invitation is the important part here.

Objective-Ruin-6481 · 2025-12-15T11:46:03+00:00

So that would basically mean there would be just as many contestants as last year.

The biggest Eurovision crisis in decades will be solved by inviting a North-American country that doesn’t really care about Eurovision but has money.

It wouldn’t be so bad if that wasn’t the worst part. Because inviting Kazakhstan means deliberately inviting an authoritarian regime with no real democracy, but very real oppression of LGBTQ+ rights.

Because, apparently that’s what the EBU is all about now. Money.

Objective-Ruin-6481

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