In Western countries, anything relate to house maintenance. Since inflation is posed to increase far more in services like plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc., it is good to known the basics. It is really not that complicated and the tools required can be justified just by no calling a professional even the first time. Now, do not cheap out in doing a good work, you may no realize it now, but it pays to do so. There is so much content online on how to do something it is really easy nowadays… and you partner will admire you like you never though possible!

America is in a very bad situation in current freedoms and, worse yet, the trajectory is wrong-headed too. However, Europe is in no shape or form in any better situation. The erosion of liberties is really appalling in both side of the Atlantic.

Now, the question is if Americans have given up. Mostly do, specially since it has become clear that millions of voices can be silence with just a resourceful lobby. However, the lack of social net in the US, if a crisis like 2008 ensures again, Americans will demand changes like never before. I see more possibility of real change in the US than in Europe if both are affected by a similar recession.

One little fact not known by non-Americans is that In the United States, immigration officers are granted full authority to operate without any warrant within a 100-mile zone from any U.S. border… they can enter in the homes of 2/3 of Americans (200 million) without any explanation!! And now in masks and without visible IDs… It is going to be fun!

Thanks for the info and all references you do in Lemmy. I don´t consider myself with a similar ideology as you, but indeed I am learning lots of info from your posts.

I was aware of the atrocities and agreement violations, but not that perspective that colonials wanted to get free from any agreements the British did with the natives… Is that a common knowledge in the academia, disputed or a minority one? It is not to discredit it at all the idea, just to genuinely know its status at university level?

You know “Poland, the Baltic states or Finland” are not representative of Europe, don´t you? They represent 11% of the EU and 7% in Europe. As someone that witnessed the rise of irrational nationalism in the Balkans, I am fed up with political parties (with the aid of foreign entities) using media to polarize their population against the “monster neighbor” that just want o ‘rape your woman’… it is sickening whether in Warsaw, Moscow, Kyiv, Delhi or Tel Avid.

But even in Poland, is there a risk of confrontation with Russia in a foreign land and the overwhelmingly majority of young in Poland will flee overnight. The noise is there, but few actually believe that Russia wants to roll tanks in Warsaw. Russia made clear for a decade already that their only drive is no NATO inference in Ukraine and that is it and made several fierce statements continuously, last one being a letter 2 months to NATO before the invasion. Russia did not even wanted Dombas region, those Russian speakers would be far more utilized within a democratic Ukraine since any constitutional change would require their approval so the facto maintaining Ukraine constitutional neutral. After the coup that disfranchised millions of residents in the East of Ukraine… the Moscow equation changed.

Countries like Baltic countries, Germany, Scandinavians and France (their leaders at least) are probably wondering if to simmer the drums till next US election, go all in themselves or change course with the head high. Europeans, rightly so, are not buying it and will not join any armed group even if constricted… and those leaders know it… so the dillenma is either to wait or how to get out. With Trump back, I was hoping, European leaders, in their highly antagonism to Trump, would reverse course, at least with Gaza… but not so… if Trump, does indeed reverse course… my gosh… The EU will be insignificant and a pariah in the global stage for decades to come.

As someone who publicly predicted Trump’s wins in both 2016 and 2024 (I live in the most representative county there is!) I can tell you Americans are fed up with war expenditures abroad (even they do benefit the US in the short run!). Specially with the Ukrainian so, even if a Democrat would win in 2028, he/she would not pull off tens of billions on aid to any country… that, it is going likely to be a heavy issue in next elections and even demand a commitment no for massive aid packagers. I think they will even include Israel in the restrictions.

There are some, and well know by the West in other to appease some EU region that cannot easily accommodate for the sanctions. Do you really, really, think is would it, in any shape or form, even noticeably by Moscow? Their economy is much faster growing with respect the EU and far more diversified in customers than 4 yrs ago (they need now to do it also in types of exported goods). Fr sure, Russia would like to normalize relations with the West, but if you give Moscow the choice of 5Billions trade in the West for the cost of 1Billion from Asia, he will chose to maintain the Asian one without any further thought.

It is so pathetic… I thought Russia was in maximum sanctions for 2 yrs already! These “leaders” do know better though, they just generate these acts with the hope something will get posted on their heavily subsidized media (it has been a decade since any publication can survive without being subsidized).

Russia is desperate to move one, Ukraine still in their delusion, but coming to terms with the reality, US wants to move on and the EU (north only) wondering how to maintain the war flame alive for 4 yrs and hope for a new Biden in 4 yrs. It won´t happen, here, in the US, people are increasingly getting tired of the billions spend abroad even in Israel, let alone in Ukraine (even though it most of that aid is in US weapons and services that Ukraine pays with the funds the EU gives). But yes, Macron does care that Russian-speaking in Donesk that for 11yrs have been disposed of all representation, cut from all social services and bombed daily will rejoin Kyiv like nothing happended.

I see your pain. You know better, but from outside to someone that goes frequently to Canada, yes, the Canadian downfall happened in the last 10 years. But I also travel to other countries and no matter what parties rules, all had a similar fate… UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Australia… That tells me one thing, or our democracies are an illusion and nothing changes with the major parties or so there is like a virus in the air that affected the West.

True. I don´t quite see a war popping up though… Pakistani social media is currently laughing at its own military (understandably so) and wishing it crumbles. India will soon see investment fly if this continues. Israel does not want to risk change of leadership in Pakistan and Trump does not care about the area… there is not enough heat for these sparks to inflame the fuel… The only interested parties and Hindu nationalists and the US establishment for weaponry sales and make India closer to US… but again, Israel has this establishment in a tight leash.

True. Apple would need a category on its own, but if i have to choose would place it on “As seen on TV”.

It is fairly private and they quite give a fight about maintaining that status. There are no cases I am aware off they comply to open the system for authorities publicly and if so, they do not claim encryption anymore (as per UK.) Now… the key word is publicly; If I were a zealous top intelligence agency I would not force Apple to break an account for me so to obtain evidence on an individual so I can present it to a judge… for me Apple or Protonmail (or any other popular encrypted service really) would be far more valuable a place where I quietly could obtain intel on tens of thousands of targets and with that find other ways to find evidence if need be. It is a good sacrifice for the sustainability of the scheme.

Of course, this is just a thought and no evidence has been brought up. Apple is a large company and some whistleblower could easily popup if that were the case… yet again, having the right tight team is easy to keep it undercover, specially in a closed sourced software. The fact that the US is eyeing so many encrypted SaaS but Apple, with its omnipresence reach, is almost always left alone is a bit odd.

First thing first, the Pakistani PM does not have any authority and overwhelming of Pakistanis detest him. Pakistan is being rule exclusively by the military after the imprisonment of the leader who undisputedly won the elections, Mr Khan.

Now this conflict puzzles me. I don´t think Trump could care much about the region so probably not behind it. Israel certainly likes the current military rule in Pakistan so probably will use its resources in Washington to stop it… Israel for sure would not allow Imran Khan to take the Pakistani leadership again.

Now, I am sure US arms industry wants conflict in South Asia to compensate the winding down in Ukraine and the US establishment is excited to drive India more dependent in the US’ weaponry for safety and away from China (that has a stake too in Kashmir.)

One possible theory is that Israel thinks it can provide intel to India about Pakistani nuclear weapons and then for its operatives to get rid of Mr Khan before gets the legitimate power back… but I find it too risky…who knows. I don´t think even the Pakistani nuclear weapons are in working condition with the current Pakistani government that US fully vetted before it took power.

Technically speaking is highly contested and you have arguments pro and con, one way an another. They use different technologies so it is hard to compare properly, specially since it depends on the users using it properly.

If the technology is good, it does not matter where it is located. Switzerland, specially since a couple of years, does provide more freedom guarantees than Germany but it is not immune at all, actually, the US had used the Alpine country to do operations due to its attractiveness to dissidents and criminals alike. However, for the overwhelming majority of customers, either option is fine for they privacy and security. Only metadata has been obtained in few instances in both companies and nothing else… at least no that was used in a court of law.

For ultimate targets, if they have to rely on email, that they should not, I would choose Tuta though. These are my reasons.

1. It has a lesser footprint, so less likely intelligence agencies tried to infiltrate it.
2. The people behind are there fro the very beginning and show their faces publicly (Many in Proton too like the CEO, but it is no so transparent with the rest)
3. The people of Tuta are more ideological so it is a barrier for intelligent services to penetrate. Tuta has show however being anti the Russian government (rightly or not), so this point is not valid if you are in that side.
4. Tuta has a very organic and progressive growth. Proton had an explosive growth. Of course, it could been good marketing, but still…
5. Proton still today requires Google’s Push Notification servers, after years and years demanding a solution. Tuta had that solved since long, long ago.
6. Recently a case came in Canada of a intelligent agent using Tuta since “it was infiltrate by intelligence agencies”… After a few hours going through the case, I read it the opposite, he used it because he actually considered it a better choice to cover his crime. He was not that high in the ranks, but I read that the he resumption o these officers.
7. Nothing regarding security, but as a paying customer for both I was “tricked” far less by Tuta. Proton, for instance, does not refund you, only gives you credits. Even 20min after an accidental 2yr renewal I got stuck with them unwillingly. That practice should never be acceptable for a SaaS.

Now, Proton overall, for most is a bit more reliable and full feature and better put together so it is easier to recommend. Think of Proton as the Apple of emails, quite secure and miles away from Gmail, but security wise and ethically, of the two, my bet would be with Tuta.

This ones puzzles me. I don´t think Trump could care much about the region, but Israel certainly likes the current situation in Pakistan so probably will use its resources in Washington to stop it… Israel for sure would not allow the Pakistani beloved Imran Khan to take the lead again.

Now, I am sure US arms industry wants conflict in South Asia to compensate the winding down in Ukraine and the US establishment is excited to drive India more dependent in the US’ weaponry for safety and away from China (that has a stake too in Kashmir.)

One possible theory is that Israel thinks it can provide intel to India about Pakistani nuclear weapons and then for its operatives to get rid of Mr Khan before gets the legitimate power back… but I find it too risky, but who knows. I don´t think even the Pakistani nuclear weapons are in working condition with the current Pakistani government that US fully vetted before it took power.

Wow… I use Aegis exclusively as my authenticator since 2 years ago and completely did not recognize the logo by itself!!! I used Yandex image search and it told me coincarp… Sorry.

Pretty good!! I agree with 95%.

Loved the “As seen on TV” category!

I agree that Tuta is more secure than ProtonMail.

Some are blended like Tor, that should be in Activist if used in secured computer.

Was not aware of the existence of Coincarp (logo by GrapheneOS). Is a crypto price tracker used by Activists? I left crypto a couple of years ago but though Activists just don´t trade much and stick for the long haul and use Monero for purchases.

I completely understand you! Yet, don´t dismiss the good intentions of other, even if misguided, not all of us can be that well informed nor have the time or can allow that level of mental preparation for it. Unfortunately it is true, Israel has calculated to the last calorie how to made the entire population starve but enough not to die in droves… the plan here is to create civil unrest and that they start killing themselves and finally leave.

Since Palestine is not independent, even before the current genocidal policy, Israel was and is solely responsible to maintain the entire population. “The invader must ensure adequate provisions, even if the population is under siege. Requisitioning civilian resources (e.g., food, fuel) is prohibited if it deprives the population of necessities” (GCIV Art. 55) and always permit Humanitarian access (GCIV Art. 59, 143). All good intentions of, mostly Europe, UN and some NGOs, of paying for the food medicines and infrastructure during all these decades to Palestinians made Israel realize there is no civil cost of maintaining the invasion, see it as aid to subsidize Israel! Horrorized and well intended citizens donating to NGOs for Palestine are great in the short term but enabling Israel to continue at the same time too. But, in the current situation, not even in the short term we are helping since it will be all getting rotted at the border.

As pictures like this one start to trickle through, Israel will end up allowing a tiny bit more of food, even all-powerful Israel knows its limits. But let us not kid ourselves, the conditions in Gaza are horrendous and the physical and specially mental damages inflicting in Gazans are intended and calculated to be as severe as possible. It kind of reminds me of how torture has evolved, from being gruesome and visible, but with the advancement of media exposure now it is perfected to leave less impressionable traces but to continued to be equally psychologically ruinous… I can only imagine the tons of research efforts it has been put into this.

I hear you, I am worry too. But again… this is a risk at the European level, not at the Spanish one; in Spain, it simply would not pass today. with a different government, of course, it can… Of all freedoms, this one concerns me the least, simply because it is mostly impossible to enforce for citizens.

Back to the original question though, of the 8 requirements, this one on privacy we could leave as a contentious point. But it is because law, it will affect all EU contenders ( and Switzerland will be pressured to oblige too soon after)