Technology

Americans in particular seem to assume that issues fall along the same political Dem/Rep divide as in the US.

Yes. As someone who grew in Russia, if I'd talk freely and casually about politics in the way we do here, with Americans IRL nearby, I'd probably be literally lynched regardless of those being majority Democrat or majority Republican minded, and if those Americans were sufficiently inattentive, even by a mixed crowd. Things associated with freedom and dignity and just human treatment of each other here are associated with fascism there, and the other way around. And it's very counterintuitive. And also honestly Americans and continental Europeans (but not Brits) generally feel more like peasants with pitchforks than like Russians, in every political-minded discussion. It really feels that they'd be perfectly fine with everyone disagreeing being relocated six feet under, and the purpose of the discussion is usually to let you atone and ask for mercy. Despite all the stereotypes about Russians, this is not the case here, you might get insults, but not that heavy unwillingness to accept your side's existence.

Though that was 10 years ago, now in the Russian-language space there's much wariness of propaganda and legal problems for speech and so on, so people speak less freely, while a loud minority of bootlickers likely outside Russia repeat some combination of American points, more similar to a Republican set, but at the same time certain they'd be loved by Democrats. It's weird.

On other issues like immigration or racism, they are on a MAGA-level. There is no big controversy because it is widely taken for granted that European nations are ethno-states. This is less so in the former colonial powers Britain and France. But they have their own baggage that gnaws at them from within, just like the history of racial segregation undermines the USA.

What about Spain and Portugal?

Oh really? I always liked Brussels as a typically modern European city: a nice combo of old and new, friendly locals plus it's nice and walkable and has a decent variety of food options, though Bruges has them beat on walkability.

Plus they have a lot of great beer and the mitreillette, what's not to like?

I've definitely been a few places I'd rank lower anyway

FREE THE WAFFLES!

Waffles did nothing wrong :( no collateral victims pls.

This is because of one thing and one thing only: the right wingers.

I'll still eat as many Freedom Waffles as I please.

Classic waffles are way better than those belgium giant ass ridges cant even hold the melted butter and high fructose corn syrup aunt jemima in one bite .

The german king? He have nothing to do with us. We're a monarchy because the brits wanted the germans to stop invading the french or something so she picked one of her cousin

But blocking Anna's Archive, Libgen, OceanofPDF, Z-Library, and the Internet Archive's Open Library is such a terrible way to express that you hate press.

Science and academics should be freely pressed, without the authoritarianism of copyright. If my yuri koma was discussing prion synthesis, one shouldn’t deter me for referencing the journal.

I’m aware of French freedom to be lynched. I’m asking if there are freer nations I can write yuri in, that won't persecute my sapphic heart🧡🤍💜.