That is very hard to asses. I prefer to look it like this, what chances is that you will find a partner (like for marry to) out of 100 or so. I do believe, if given equal chance of interaction, you could find a marrying-material partner every 7 or 8 people. Now, in a world of plenty of choices, biases etc, we shuffle through hundreds of people before settling with one... and, even then, still unhappy with the choice for the people we haven gone through yet in our search. Now, that is for me... Chances is you would choose a different person out of these very same 7 to 8 people. Both chosen persons have the same chance of being equally good persons, as the non chosen ones.

Those that claim it is a "Special Operation" say it to deny the word invasion... of course, is nonsense. That is what I was referring to. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I presume the concern is governments banning apps left and right so a federated repository will be mostly immune from that. But you are right, technologically is not as straight forward.

What surprised me is that F-Droid is avoided by many FOSS enthusiasts (due to signing it themselves so delayed updates and potential tampering). Aurora is great but 100% on Google's merci and Google frequently cuts its winds. Did not know Aptoide was community based... have to check it out.

Oh... there are! I oppose the invasion 100%, like oppose US trying to invade Cuba with the same claims. Now, I accept as an argument that when you have been invaded three times through Ukraine by western powers and each resulted with millions of deaths... you may have a cause to ask for neutrality from Ukraine. Very unfair for the sovereignty of Ukraine, but I understandable from Moscow. Ukraine should have been more pragmatic. Mexico's current leader detests the US leadership, but instead of asking from Russian or Chinese assistance, it tries to keep a neutral yet clear stance tone. Acting like Cuba or Ukraine is just asking for trouble. Finland learned that in the 50s too, the best way to deal with a country that stole 1/3 of your country was to be neutral and it flourished in that premise... to now becoming NATO... good luck flourishing from now on!!! Singapore and Switzerland also learned the benefits of genuinely assuring neutrality to the powerful neighbors.

I agree with many of your premises, but not the main one. People are brainwashed for sure that migrants, jews, muslims, etc are the problem, but they do have grievances that the state does not care for them. Blaming Putin on that perception is silly, he wish he was that powerful. US had for decades massively aired propaganda in all corners of the world, financed NGOs, payed journalists and the results were mixed. Putin does not employ not even a 5% of the US budget into those operations. Farage is a good example, he noticed that the British are not happy, that Brussels was getting more powerful and blamed all in Brussels with memes like curved bananas etc (I know trade and knew Brexit was horrible for both side of the Channel) but I don't blame Putin for Farage or Trump... they both are just opportunistic in a situation those countries fail to deliver. UK and US are both in a worse situation due to these two politicians, but banning them both would have been far worse since the discontent still unaddressed. Blaming in Putin for them both is just ridiculous, he wish he had that power!

It is normal... first Social Media desensitizated all of us... by the masses. It is hard to prove now what is true or false... Even "sensible Governments", left and right are applying techniques that Trump popularized... Look at the EU today! Add that to a fragile real economy (not what you see in the stock market) so everyone is afraid of a bold move and being written into a black list. I used to have a professor in that showed us documents (from FOIA) how, in the 80s, the FBI contacted his employers after his interviews no to hire him because his Communist ideas... Today you would not even get FOIA on that. Imagine now with the technology how a government hostile to you can ruin your life. The best way to survive, put your head down and go as unnoticed as possible.

Thanks for the article! Yes, South America is not free from this. One thing I have learned in my life is that how similar people we are everywhere... only circumstances make us seem different. Long gone are my admiration for Scandinavians! What most South America seems however (specially if a sizeable country), is distant enough from China, US and Russia to be easily dragged along in a conflict... and also their governments are weak enough to implement a global draft for instance.

I hear you! That is why I wanted to go with the definition of Fascism, but you are right. Let me rephrase it; If the world continues the path it is going, countries like Mexico seems to be a great bet to move in if you come with some good financial resources since you can compliment's government security with private methods ones (like a gated community). Mexico will likely be neutral in a global conflict. Likewise, Spain seems good because I don't see Spaniards been dragged by Brussels into any global conflict and if their American bases there get attacked, I see most people just ask to withdraw from NATO before entering in conflict themselves. Morocco, in spite I despise what they do to West Sahara's (in tents for 40 years) and its coziness with Israel, it is quite stable too... If Morocco leadership (and Spanish!) could only see how greatly they could benefit from the current situation if they both acted like Mexico... being neutral and be a beacon for skilled/affluent migrants and investment!

Re to your EDIT: Again, what did you see bad in my comments... wanted European Union no relying much on American corporations, favor impartiality from the FOSS community? What I don't understand from you so much concerned anti_Trump pro-democracy is that if Trump expels me (I am an European Union citizen in the US), and if I had some prominence he would, you will be the first one clapping. You are no so different from the ones you claim to oppose.

Sure... but in my statement with 9 claims you have not disproved a single one... but wasting plenty of time to all of us with "f*ck offs". Of course, it can be coincidental, but something gives me that if you are anti-establishment, odds are you can easily get disfranchised or disappeared in one way or another. What evidence Romania gave for the cancellation of the elections and banning the front runners... Russian interference?? How? with bots in social media really... have you seen any study published on that? Any.. do check?? The only thing I know is Romanians have been always highly skeptical of their government (that comes from the communist times) but since 3 ears ago are of all the latest EU rhetoric (although they benefit greatly from EU) and doubt Russia is responsible of that. Regarding "concern troll"... I disprove all basically all populist politicians, specially Le Pen, but also believe there is always a bit of truth in populism and burring or worse yet, ridiculing it, it is highly counterintuitive; address what they misunderstand. Brexit and Trump happened because of dismissive and insulting comments like yours addressed to people with concerns.