My Life on this planet.

The German elections are over. The coalition of socialists, liberals and greens lost the election, and thus their government leader Chancellor Olaf Scholz will likely be replaced by CDU leader Friedrich Merz , a politician turned banker turned politician again who said during the elections that there will be a turn away from an economy based on climate actions, just when climate actions remain important, certainly now that the USA pulled out of the Paris climate agreement and wants to drill more gas and oil to use.  FB 20/02/2025 This becomes reality: economy and growth before climate measures. Also in Germany, and as it is Europe's leading country, this will become policies throughout Europe. Yes, the more it becomes clear climate change will cost billions of euros, the less we do while we'll speak about more growth. Capitalism, its own doom as growth is its only way forward. Still, there are now more urgent matters as Russia invaded a European country. And while more ...

Freedom of speech in the USA is becoming increasingly difficult—unless, of course, you speak the language of the president. You can insult others freely, but if you speak as, for example, climate activists who highlight that scientists' warnings are becoming reality, you are silenced. Drilling for more oil is prioritized over acknowledging climate change. And when California burns, it must be the Democrats' fault—not the severe droughts of past years. Now, Europe is painted as a threat—unless it aligns with the American president. Many Christian conservatives see Russia as "Gog" in biblical prophecy but believe the real enemy is Europe. The USA still harbors resentment over American lives lost fighting fascism in Europe. Ironically, many of the same people who despise Europe now embrace Hitler’s ideological policies: anti-LGBTQ, anti-left, racism, and religious supremacy. This rhetoric mirrors that of Brexit campaigners. Remember how Ann Widdecombe once spoke about th...

Haiti, an example why developing countries became failed states. Why is Haiti such a disaster as a country? Who saw the movie about General Toussaint Louverture who led Haiti to independence knows a lot of the answer; the Guardian article summarises it and goes further . In short, inspired by the French Revolution, black slaves of Haiti revolted against their French owners who refused that slaves in colonies can fight for the same ideals of "liberty, equality and fraternity" as the French themselves against the aristocratic and religious elite in France. In the end, Mr Louverture hoped to negotiate peace with Napoleon but, who refused to meet him so Mr Louverture died imprisoned far from his country. Ironically, Napoleon also died imprisoned far from his country.  Cover of the 2-part movie Toussaint Louverture But, after Haiti's independence, the French managed to force Haitians to pay enormous amounts of money plus interest as condition for France to recognise Haiti...

How do banks come up with it? Now Danish bank decided to pay negative interests on mortgages , meaning they agree to give you money to buy a house and you pay back less than what they gave you. Sounds logic for companies that must make profits? I don't think so. Indeed, the article mentions that "In reality, the Jyske mortgage borrower in Denmark is likely to end up paying back a little more than they borrowed, as there are still fees and charges to pay to compensate the bank for arranging the deal, even when the nominal rate is negative." Thus, although they say you pay back less, costs to belong to the bank increase and likely for everyone. In addition, while today people can get a tax reductions when they buy a house/flat, as now banks pay some of the mortgage, this may be seen as an additional income and thus I question whether people will have to pay more taxes and this way reduce countries deficits? Costs at banks Banks claim they need to take such...

As a result of increased immigration into Europe, certain Europeans are starting to show their real face. On the one hand, European countries and the EU are urging Turkey to open its borders so more Syrian migrants can enter Turkey to escape war but on the other hand, Europe is doing everything possible to close its own borders, even threatening own member states such as Greece with removal from the Schengen zone if the country is unable to keep the refugees (= people who escape war) out of Europe. If Greece is removed, Europe will achieve what it fears, i.e. that the immigration crisis may result in the end of the Schengen zone while already individual EU countries decided to close their borders to prevent migrants from entering their territory. Some countries don’t even seem to be able to accept that Greece, one of the poorest countries in Europe, isn't able to close its border (without using violence). Still, although Europe forced heavy austerity on Greece, it is amazing t...