German defense giant Rheinmetall may take over VW factory to make tanks

There might be a reshuffle in geopolitics. Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela, are traditionally allies of Russia and opponents of the US. Something will have to change, I believe.

We might see Armenia align with the US and aforementioned countries, if Turkey stays aligned with Europe. Which will likely be the case, I believe.

China is the wildcard here. I can see them align with either camp.

I think Australia won't have to choose. They might stay somewhat neutral.

Yep, that's my guess for Cold War II as well.

Canada is tilting hard towards the EU right now, and there's arguments circulating that we could actually *directly join* despite the geographics of the country. I have no idea if that will come close to working out, but I do hope the Pacific democracies will join us in sphering with them.

US + Russia Vs China Vs EU

Australia meanwhile has to choose their alliance based on Economic ties (China), Military ties (US) or Ideological ties (EU).

Thought it was going to be Russia?

They make no secret out of that, where things get dicey is the role of the Porsche/Piëch clan which ate itself back into the company. That's also where the "close German factories" drive is coming from, they want their dividends so they don't have to sell stock to cover some credit or the other.

Volkswagen is much less upfront about it. Lotta talk about the fun "people's car" but not the slave labor making Nazi vehicles.

>As a German defence company, we feel a special responsibility to contribute to the culture of remembrance and commemoration in the context of the Second World War. We have thoroughly examined and documented our role and our transgressions during the Nazi era.

German philosopher Hans-Georg Moeller: Guilt Pride: A German Vanity Project Conquering the World

I do, and I've adjusted for that. I know Americans and I know how they are about their nationalism.

You do realize that the bad is amplified on social media, right?

>Okay, sure. So what?

So the statement given was false. And state forcing is completely different from social pressure in ethical terms.

So many stories Americans have written on here and Reddit contradict that.

Either way, socially forced is not the country itself forcing it.

Okay, sure. So what?

There isn't real costs. It's not socially basically required.

Either way, socially forced is not the country itself forcing it.

Not necessarily. It does prove that it legally should be optional.

...the fact that there was a successful case proves that it is in fact optional.

K

Pedantic? It's pedantic to call someone out on a lie? Bulllllshit. I was a kid. There was no issue when I didn't do it.

No, it is not "essentially being forced".

You're being pedantic. The original point is referring to how indoctrinating the pledge of allegiance can be. If you're being made to do something since you're a very young kid and risk being scolded when you don't do it: you're essentially being forced.

The fact that there was a high profile case might indicate that it’s not as trivially optional as you make it seem.

Ok, you see how that's not forcing though. A teacher is not the literal country

You do realize fixing the water supply doesn't address the health issues caused from lead exposure automatically, Right? The water supply may be better comparatively. But the issues that it causes in Flint, Michigan are far from resolved.

Legally, schools and teachers can't force a student to perform the pledge of allegiance. But it's also taught so early in school that most students don't even question it as something to do.

Anectdotally: I was regularly performing the pledge of allegiance (literally said every morning of school) since kindergarten in the US. Also anecdotally: I've literally seen a teacher scold student(s) for not performing the pledge of allegiance. The latter case may not be as common; but the former definitely is common in the US.

Legally it's not required, socially it basically is, and there's real costs to going against that.

So, you're *technically* right, maybe. It's still not normal for a democracy.

>You do understand that right?

They probably don't. Same type of person that brings up Flint MI even though they've addressed the issue

Relavant WKYK

>The US is very nationalistic (How many countries force their children to pledge alliance to the flag daily

The usa doesn't force the children... You do understand that right? There's actually been a very high profile case over it

I’m an American, but given the last decade, that’s precisely how I feel. Infuriating to watch my country sleepwalk into fascism.

Nobody should be surprised. The Nazi's ideas of eugenics were born in America. In 1939 the second-largest Nazi party was in America. A lot of Americans at the time thought we should be fighting for the other side.

I think this is one of those “disappointed but not surprised” situations for many of us.

There was a Nazi rally at Madison Square Gardens. The US is very nationalistic (How many countries force their children to pledge alliance to the flag daily?) and that can easily become a problem.


And Israel doing the genocide.

Who would have thought it was the yanks drinking the fascist koolaid this time around.


The link in the article to Rheinmetall's history page is particularly interesting. They tell it straight like it was.

Link

History never repeats, but it rhymes.

Well, that's only fair. They get to be on in the Allies this time around. We (the US) are going to have to work with ... wait, Italy already dumped us. So, Japan? Can we bring back Imperial Japan for our side?

The denizens of Muskyland will be pointing and shouting about Nazi's if VW plants start making armaments.

Electric tanks? Hybrids maybe?