u/FloydBeatlesEagles

Brazil votes today, and Lula says the US will try to interfere in favour of Flávio Bolsonaro. Flávio's father, Jair Bolsonaro, was convicted by Brazil's own Supreme Court of leading a plot to hold onto power after losing the 2022 election. (sound familiar?) Many red flags here.

1. The Terrorist designation. PCC and CV are dangerous gangs, and even Lula says so. The real question is who decides how to fight them. The US labeled them terrorist organizations two days after Flávio met with Trump, and Flávio says he asked for it. Lula opposed it. The label brings sanctions risks for Brazilian banks and businesses, and also opens the possibility of US military action (again) on Brazilian soil. Lula's government launched its own $2 billion program in March targeting the gangs' finances and proposed a multilateral task force. Flávio instead lobbied Washington, against his own government's wishes.

2. Tariffs and sanctions tied to Jair Bolsonaro's case, with Eduardo Bolsonaro lobbying for them.

3. Military presence. A US HC-130J, the type used in the Maduro raid (reportedly the same plane), is in Brazil for a "military exercise".

4. RESOURCES. Brazil has about 21 million tonnes of rare earth reserves, second to China's 44 million. The US wants non-Chinese supply. Lula says the processing should happen within Brazil as they'd otherwise pay a premium (importing back the finished goods, keeping the profits abroad). Flavio thinks otherwise.

5. Pix. Brazil's payment system bypasses Visa and Mastercard, and the US has targeted it since it doesn't economically benefit them.

6. History. The US backed the 1964 coup. After Venezuela and Iran, many Brazilians don't trust that door to stay closed.

7. The Amazon. Deforestation rose sharply under Jair Bolsonaro, and critics fear a Flávio government would loosen protections. Scientists warn the Amazon could approach a tipping point, with serious effects on global climate.

Let's hope the people of Brazil vote correctly today - lot hinges on this!

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I’m a single guy, mid 20s, recently hosted my first party - around 10 people, mixed gender, for a few hours. Three different people mentioned that my bathroom didn’t have a bin.

I know some people have bins in their bathrooms, but I don't really see the point? I maybe throw away a toothpaste tube or toilet roll core once a month, and otherwise there’s basically nothing. I just take it out and put it in the main bin.

But when 3 people mentioned it, I started wondering if not having a bathroom bin is actually weird and I’m just oblivious?

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I think the next week or two is going to be a real test of whether the European Union can survive through democratic solidarity.

Spain has taken one of the strongest positions in Europe on Gaza, openly calling it for what it is - a genocide, and pushing back against the US and Israel diplomatically. It's now facing renewed pressure around Ceuta and Melilla.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't take a huge leap to wonder whether geopolitical pressure is being applied through migration (which states have used as leverage in the past). Morocco does have strong ties with the US & Israel. Whether that's what's happening here or not, the EU shouldn't wait until every detail is proven before showing political solidarity with one of its members.

If Europe allows individual countries to be isolated whenever they take an independent foreign policy position, especially when morally correct, then what's the point of the union?

The same people (Elon, etc.) who constantly amplify fear about migration, are happy to exploit every incident to create division (and spread misinformation), even when long-term violent crime trends don't support the narrative that Europe is collapsing. That's exactly how you weaken trust in democratic societies and give rise to fascism.

Whether you agree with Sánchez or not, I think Spain is taking one for the team. If the EU wants to stay united in the long run, now is the time to show it.

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The setting alone felt unreal. Mountains in the background, the beach, the water, thousands of people just chilling with great vibes. It had been overcast most of the day yesterday, then the sun came out almost the exact moment Billy walked on stage and set right after he finished. 22°, a perfect breeze, a sneaky edible, and an absurdly good Italian sandwich from one of the stalls. I don't think I could've accidentally planned a better evening.

I'd never heard of Billy Bragg before. But man... what a performer. It wasn't just the music. Every song came with a story or a perspective that had the crowd hanging onto every word before erupting into applause. He took shots at the Orange guy (especially the 51st state nonsense), talked about the UK & US war crimes in the Middle East, the rise of Fascism, LGBTQ rights, ICE, women's rights, and the Gaza Genocide. What stuck with me most was that he spoke from a place of compassion, not anger.

I'm generally not someone who tears up, but somewhere between the lyrics, the storytelling, the guitar, and the atmosphere... I did. One of those rare evenings where everything just clicked.

I watched Trump's speech tonight where he spent around 25 minutes talking about election integrity and saying he has proof that the 2020 election was stolen and that China was heavily involved. But haven't US intelligence agencies and multiple investigations already concluded that there's no evidence China changed the outcome of the election? Is he just repeating a conspiracy theory and spreading propaganda?

Also, I can't put a pin on it, but I found his speech concerning. I feel Trump and his sycophants along with Elon may try rigging the mid terms. Is there any way they can actually realistically do that?

People keep saying his ideas are too far left to ever win nationally, but I think the opposite.

In just his first six months as mayor, he's already delivered or made tangible progress on campaign promises like rent relief, childcare expansion, housing initiatives, and worker protections, while maintaining solid approval ratings. No politician delivers everything they promise, but he's shown that an ambitious progressive agenda can translate into actual governance rather than just campaign rhetoric.

If he were constitutionally eligible to run in 2028, I genuinely think he'd win comfortably.

Studies generally find that large-scale millionaire and billionaire migration in response to higher taxes is relatively limited. Wealthy people usually have businesses, real estate, professional networks, family ties, communities, and social circles that aren't easy to uproot. The rich also have significant influence over politics, lobbying, and tax policy, helping preserve tax structures that benefit them.

If society is so dependent on a tiny percentage of wealthy people that we can't change tax policy without fearing economic retaliation, aren't we essentially financially hostage to them? Doesn't that suggest a deeper problem with how wealth and economic power are concentrated?

Also, most billionaires' wealth isn't even in salary. It's largely tied up in stocks, businesses, and real estate. So why is the assumption that higher taxes would automatically make staying no longer worthwhile?

What am I missing? Why is this considered such a persuasive argument?

Why is Gavin Newsom leading when he seems to have more questionable stances/experience than someone like AOC on several major issues, such as:

• He nakedly supports billionaires, doesn't support closing any tax loopholes or increasing corporate tax.
• Softer stance on Israel.
• California still hasn't adopted a single-payer healthcare system despite years of Democratic control.
• California continues to struggle with housing affordability & homelessness.

Sure, he has a great social media team that's brilliant at calling out Trump's BS, but...

Edit: Imo he'd just be one of next centrist candidates the Democrats nominate, only to lose.