You asked a question, I’m in the obligation of answering it.

I am aware that what I am about to write is going to make ne sound, to say the least, a bit paranoid but it is how I opted to navigate in the current computer crazed world, where personal convenience is a default argument.

I distrust anything I can’t have a certain degree of control over. I don’t use cloud services (it’s someone else’s computer, not mine), I don’t use Google Maps, Android Auto, Speech Recognition, backup services, etc. I also kneecap as far as I am capable to the convenience services in my phone and when I manage to get a phone I can load with a non-Google OS, I will. I do without and I am happy as it is.

Regarding passwords, I do not use password managers. At best, I’ll use my browser to store a few and even then only if its low risk accesses. The rest I commit to memory and paper. It doesn’t slow or hinder my daily life, I’m a functional member of society and deal daily with people that would consider me unbalanced if I told them the extensions I go to in order to preserve a small amount of my privacy.

I don’t evangelize. If it works for others, good for them. I does not for me.

You trust credencials to Google?

Oh goody! Let us sit and watch as they seed the soil with death in waiting for uninvolved civilians for the next 50 years.

We do not want Texas running amok on its own.

Because real dogs refuse the job.

You remember what the brits chose the last time they had the opportunity to do so?

Oh no… he’s off to try and sell bleach washed chicken again to the brits.

If memory serves me well, Yugos were made in former Yugoslavia and were known for being extremely cheap and dangerous for everyone in and around them. Am I correct?

But this makes me scratch my head.

American manufacturers exist in Europe today and regardless of not being a fan the cars sell, regardless the constant attempts to introduce pure US models, like the F series.

Ford may be the most widespread manufacturer but I’ve seen a few Dodge, Chevrolet (but GM officially pulled from the market after a 3 years run, stating it wasn’t willing to remain in a market where a minimum 25% of market share wasn’t attainable; competition sucks, apparently!), JEEP and Chrysler.

What is stopping these brands to import back the technology being used here, on their european models, back to the home country? It’s already owned here!

I remember reading an article on a joint project between GM and FIAT to develop a new and shared platform. After X number of years and a gross amount of money invested, GM drops the project, FIAT finishes it and starts building an entire new generation of cars, still being built today.

Why put time, money and effort into a project to just drop it? Having a shared platform, capable of being used to assemble vehicles on both sides of the ocean makes sense.

Is that a pancake on the kitten?

You guys have it the worst, lately.

I’m not a person of belief but by their own lore, they have fell in disgrace again, by their own actions.

Wow. Amazing. How the tables have turned.

Surveilled and shat on… Talk about adding insult to injury.

I would like to agree with you but… I’ve been shit on, stared at (which includes judging looks), screamed at, had food and small items stolen (shiny things, like nails, screws and washers), my house casually invaded as the door was open, my work appraised (yard work) and taunted as nests were being built.

Nah…

They are very real.

No.

Here, volunteering for military service already implies becoming part of whatever branch the candidate applies to. It isn’t a trial experience. Some will be integrated into the permanent ranks, others will serve a few years under contract and then relieved of duty.

Current voluntary system, to the extent of my knowledge, is open for all portuguese citizens, of legal age, regardless of gender. Level of education can be a factor taken into consideration for career and entry rank.

The system is voluntary only, as in those interested have to actively request entry and go through the selection process.

Civilian service, like firefighter duty, was an option for conscience objectors, that refused service, either by religious, philosophical or moral reasons, but no longer exists as the state ceased drafting/mandatory military service.

When a portuguese enters the military is solely by their own willing choice and that makes sure we fight for a cause.

And then there is that sort of event.

Yes. And no.

I went through some degree of what today is called bullying and never took to defend myself because of a castrating father and severe insecurity. This also impacted my overall school success.

But knowing what I know today, doing what needed to be done to defend myself, I would quickly be labelled as a menace.

In a dire situation, I have serious doubts common would not volunteer or simply take up arms to defend those dear to them.

But we are not speaking about defending family, friends and home here: this is war preparation. And the overall general feeling is that war is undesirable.

That will be a severe shot in the foot.

Professional, volunteer, military forces are a better solution. This only implies governments need to create conditions for people to want to join and the possibility to handle guns and use them against other human beings should be the bottom of an 100 items list, along patriotism and duty fulfilling towards national interest.

The last two plus an intriguing “character development” statement figured in a report for the reintroduction of mandatory military service in my country (Portugal), written by a civilian comitee, headed and divulged by a woman in her very early 30’s. Severe public backlash followed, which was met by very thinly veiled proto fascist rethoric from the same spokesperson.

Mandatory military service is a de facto control and pressure tool over the population. Never again. Anywhere. Governments exist to serve the country and the people, not to make use of it.