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[thompson]

Since random paramilitaries is a fairly low bar so far as ethical standards are concerned, I think it is fair to say most professional militaries are much, much better. You could argue they also have greater responsibility I suppose, but then you're really comparing them with an idealised version of themselves rather than paramilitary forces. So, both are problematic, but one is an order of magnitude or so better than the other for all practical purposes.

[scriver]

In my mind the problem is less that people were joining a foreign military or militia or whatever (which is nothing new, see the Spanish Civil war for a famous example, hell, even Lord Byron died while fighting for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire). The problem is what ISIS stands for and what they did.

[ChairmanPoo]

In my mind the problem is less that people were joining a foreign military or militia or whatever (which is nothing new, see the Spanish Civil war for a famous example, hell, even Lord Byron died while fighting for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire). The problem is what ISIS stands for and what they did.

QFT

[Culise]

The Swiss are not part of the EU

Hence why I mentioned it's technically not EU news, though it is related to the topic that was at hand.

But yes, as far as I can tell, the Swiss constitutional amendment in question makes no provision for allied powers or terrorists, just foreign militaries in general; my jest on banning Swiss mercenaries does have truth behind it.  It doesn't matter if the Swiss citizen served in ISIS or YPG, or given the example in that news story, the French Foreign Legion. 

Well, that's not perfectly accurate, either.  If you fought for a proscribed group like ISIS, according to the article, you'd be punished even worse: a potential maximum of 20 years in prison instead of 3 years.

[ChairmanPoo]

Well, IIRC the FFL at least gets you French citizenship.  So the real question is whether you're willing to stop being Swiss.

On the other hand myreply was more for smj:  I dont see the Swiss in a Pan European army for the same reason Idont see Norway:  they're not actually part of the EU

[Kagus]

So, in other Norwegian mining news... Seems some other mining operation has appealed to develop a rutile mine in Førde, which would then dump its waste into the nearby fjord (this is a different fjord from the last one, just to be clear). So they sent in an application to the government to get the requisite mining and dumping permits, which is currently being worked on even though technically we're still not allowing anyone to dump into the ocean. Except for the ones that we do allow to dump into the ocean.

The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature (Naturvernforbundet) asked for a copy of the application, so that they could see just what kind of dumping operation was being organized and then scale their outrage accordingly.

Spoiler: This was the (low-res) result (click to show/hide)

So, yeah. "As per the wishes of Nordic Mining Inc., the Norwegian Directorate of Mining has decided that certain key details of the mining operation should be classified". This apparently includes such minutiae as: How much expected waste is to be moved and deposited, how fine the waste mass will be upon dumping, method of harvesting the ore, and what routines for subterranean operation will be. Plus just about everything else beyond "digging will be involved. A fjord will also be involved".

The full copy of the application that the Conservation Society received apparently held over a hundred pages that were 100% redacted. They've launched an official complaint, saying that this is honestly kind of ridiculous.


All I have to say is that I, for one, welcome the establishment of a Norwegian branch of the SCP Foundation.

[ChairmanPoo]

Maybe they are using shoggoths for mining?

[Il Palazzo]

Or maybe they're planning to dig too deep?

[Digital Hellhound]

I much prefer the explanation of 'the Norwegian government is actually covering up Things Man Was Not Meant To Know' over the one of 'the Norwegian government is corrupt, greedy and a puppet of mining corporations'. If you're going to be short-sighted and evil, at least do it in an interesting way!

[TD1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47533164

Juncker added: "Let us speak crystal clear about the choice - it is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all."

So "it's this deal or brexit or brexit might not happen." You could have added the "or brexit" bit, rather than imply it, my good friend! (Mistyped as "food friend," kinda want to keep it).

The Eleventh Hour justification has been swept in. Now to see if MPs believe their constituents will buy it.

[hector13]

It looks like they’ll be negotiating the changes to the backstop while they’re negotiating the future relationship, from my interpretation of the legalese at bedtime.

That’s not much of an assurance, legally binding or otherwise.

[smjjames]

They could also extend the Brexit date. However, the only problem with getting an extension, other than Brexiteers going berserk, is that Juncker is saying that they don't have any more chances if it's voted down. Which I think may mean that if it's voted down, that's the end of negotiations, not completely sure.

Besides, it took them THIS long to agree to a small change, what groundbreaking thing are they going to figure out in the next three to six months? These MPs also do have a good point in that an extension for Brexit would hurt businesses who are already preparing for a Brexit crash out on the 29th.

[hector13]

Brexit will hurt business full-stop, May’s deal, no deal, or otherwise.

[smjjames]

Their point is more that it would be an unneccesary disruption to businesses who are already preparing for Brexit on the 29th.

[ChairmanPoo]

The UK is also making an unilateral statement to the effect that they might leave the backstop if unhappy.

Which... was already a thing? I mean they probably could do that already, just as they can now. The problem is the fallout.