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  4. Apple/Ireland update: make that $14.5 billion worth of $henanigans

Apple/Ireland update: make that $14.5 billion worth of $henanigans

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  • W W Balboos GHB

    Typical EU Bullshit: Ireland made the deal and (much as I hate apple) that deal was made by a sovereign nation. If there's a fine to pay it's Ireland's problem. Or - put it in terms of the way things are - in the EU, a business contract means what they want it to mean when they want it to mean it unless they change their minds. Were I Apple, I'd start closing all EU operations as soon as possible - let them find jobs working for someone else. Ditto for Micro$haft and anyone else who made a deal with a government and now realize it isn't worth the toilet paper it's written on.

    Ravings en masse^

    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

    L Offline
    L Offline
    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #20

    W∴ Balboos wrote:

    Were I Apple, I'd start closing all EU operations as soon as possible

    I hope I live to see that day :)

    Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)

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    • W W Balboos GHB

      digimanus wrote:

      Apple has it in Ireland

      Yeah - I saw the article - and who gave them that rate. It wasn't the US Government. It was the Irish government. Do they run their own country or not? Can they make legal decision about how their nations is to be run . . . or not. If not, then stop calling the EU members separate countries. They're states or provinces of the EU and they should all drop their individual UN memberships (for example) as, like US states, they're not sovereign entities.

      Ravings en masse^

      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

      H Offline
      H Offline
      Herman T Instance
      wrote on last edited by
      #21

      In the end it is unfair to other US Companies that do not even get close to that %

      In Word you can only store 2 bytes. That is why I use Writer.

      W 1 Reply Last reply
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      • H Herman T Instance

        In the end it is unfair to other US Companies that do not even get close to that %

        In Word you can only store 2 bytes. That is why I use Writer.

        W Offline
        W Offline
        W Balboos GHB
        wrote on last edited by
        #22

        Well - yes - in a way you're right. It's not fairness to US companies that the EU is concerned with. It's punishing the success of US companies that are foolish enough to do business in the EU. Also, grabbing $14 Billion will go a long way towards paying for the refugee crisis whilst they try to find an excuse to fine another US company.

        Ravings en masse^

        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

        H 1 Reply Last reply
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        • W W Balboos GHB

          Well - yes - in a way you're right. It's not fairness to US companies that the EU is concerned with. It's punishing the success of US companies that are foolish enough to do business in the EU. Also, grabbing $14 Billion will go a long way towards paying for the refugee crisis whilst they try to find an excuse to fine another US company.

          Ravings en masse^

          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

          H Offline
          H Offline
          Herman T Instance
          wrote on last edited by
          #23

          Apple made over $250 Billion dollars profit in the EU. And all the Irish employees of Apple is not even 20% of all european Apple workers. Apple Benefits with over $2.5M per Irish Employee with barely paying taxes. Furthermore Apple collects all there EU sells in Ireland and their they pay taxes not in other EU countries. So the deal with Ireland has effect on the total EU. That is why the announcement was made today. If there is ever gonna be a payment depends on the future. Not only Apple but also Ireland is appealing.

          In Word you can only store 2 bytes. That is why I use Writer.

          W 1 Reply Last reply
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          • H Herman T Instance

            Apple made over $250 Billion dollars profit in the EU. And all the Irish employees of Apple is not even 20% of all european Apple workers. Apple Benefits with over $2.5M per Irish Employee with barely paying taxes. Furthermore Apple collects all there EU sells in Ireland and their they pay taxes not in other EU countries. So the deal with Ireland has effect on the total EU. That is why the announcement was made today. If there is ever gonna be a payment depends on the future. Not only Apple but also Ireland is appealing.

            In Word you can only store 2 bytes. That is why I use Writer.

            W Offline
            W Offline
            W Balboos GHB
            wrote on last edited by
            #24

            So - who's idea in the Irish Government was it to make this deal? Why did they make it? Ireland clearly wasn't thinking about the rest of the EU so I'd suspect there was something in it for them. Perhaps, instead of adding up how much various places didn't get - add up how much they did get. Perhaps the answer lies there. Did Apple break any laws or was it Ireland - or perhaps greedy folk on the other side of the channel.

            Ravings en masse^

            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

            H 1 Reply Last reply
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            • W W Balboos GHB

              So - who's idea in the Irish Government was it to make this deal? Why did they make it? Ireland clearly wasn't thinking about the rest of the EU so I'd suspect there was something in it for them. Perhaps, instead of adding up how much various places didn't get - add up how much they did get. Perhaps the answer lies there. Did Apple break any laws or was it Ireland - or perhaps greedy folk on the other side of the channel.

              Ravings en masse^

              "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

              "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

              H Offline
              H Offline
              Herman T Instance
              wrote on last edited by
              #25

              Quote:

              Did Apple break any laws or was it Ireland - or perhaps greedy folk on the other side of the channel.

              ' That is why I state about the appeals

              In Word you can only store 2 bytes. That is why I use Writer.

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              • W W Balboos GHB

                Typical EU Bullshit: Ireland made the deal and (much as I hate apple) that deal was made by a sovereign nation. If there's a fine to pay it's Ireland's problem. Or - put it in terms of the way things are - in the EU, a business contract means what they want it to mean when they want it to mean it unless they change their minds. Were I Apple, I'd start closing all EU operations as soon as possible - let them find jobs working for someone else. Ditto for Micro$haft and anyone else who made a deal with a government and now realize it isn't worth the toilet paper it's written on.

                Ravings en masse^

                "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                W Offline
                W Offline
                wout de zeeuw
                wrote on last edited by
                #26

                Strongly disagree there. Just because a handful of government suits decide to give away their nation's money doesn't mean that Apple should be getting away with that. The EU is right in drawing the line. Sure nations should be competing with tax rates if they are rooted in efficiency, but this was a bullshit deal.

                Wout

                W 1 Reply Last reply
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                • W wout de zeeuw

                  Strongly disagree there. Just because a handful of government suits decide to give away their nation's money doesn't mean that Apple should be getting away with that. The EU is right in drawing the line. Sure nations should be competing with tax rates if they are rooted in efficiency, but this was a bullshit deal.

                  Wout

                  W Offline
                  W Offline
                  W Balboos GHB
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #27

                  wout de zeeuw wrote:

                  Just because a handful of government suits decide to give away their nation's money

                  Well, as near as I can tell, that's the problem and responsibility of those who put them there. Oh - by the way - did the Irish complain about this? Ooooops (again)?

                  wout de zeeuw wrote:

                  The EU is right in drawing the line.

                  The line they drew is clear - they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in Brussels and hem and haw - and only think of the short term. There's a big world out there looking desperately for investment. The EU's playing with fire - I hope the burn leaves a nice deep scar.

                  Ravings en masse^

                  "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                  "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                  • H Herman T Instance

                    CAn EU Companies get 0.005 Tax rate in US?

                    In Word you can only store 2 bytes. That is why I use Writer.

                    T Offline
                    T Offline
                    TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #28

                    No, they will get a 0% tax rate.

                    #SupportHeForShe Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun

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                    • W W Balboos GHB

                      I wouldn't - I find that any trade agreement the US makes with Europe or Asia is a disaster for the US. Just trade - or make trade war if that's the cover you wish to use to hide a failing culture - but I'm really disgusted with rEUgulations.

                      Ravings en masse^

                      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mario Vernari
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #29

                      Quote:

                      ... I find that any trade agreement the US makes with Europe or Asia is a disaster for the US...

                      Also said as: - As soon US is not more free to do whatever it wants, it begins the pain?

                      W 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • B BillWoodruff

                        Bloomberg: Updated August 30, 2016 10:48 AM GMT: [^]

                        «There is a spectrum, from "clearly desirable behaviour," to "possibly dodgy behavior that still makes some sense," to "clearly undesirable behavior." We try to make the latter into warnings or, better, errors. But stuff that is in the middle category you don’t want to restrict unless there is a clear way to work around it.» Eric Lippert, May 14, 2008

                        W Offline
                        W Offline
                        Wastedtalent
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #30

                        Surely it's a simple as [of course it never is] Ireland has a Corporation tax rate and it should be the same for every company operating out of there. Ireland can [and do] set their own corporation tax rates. The EU are there to enforce it, both because they want to ensure competition is fairer between EU states, and also because as a whole they have a lot more power than maybe Ireland does on it's own. Even if Apple paid the going rate in Ireland, it would still be lower than most of the EU, which is why they based themselves there in the first place.

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                        • W W Balboos GHB

                          wout de zeeuw wrote:

                          Just because a handful of government suits decide to give away their nation's money

                          Well, as near as I can tell, that's the problem and responsibility of those who put them there. Oh - by the way - did the Irish complain about this? Ooooops (again)?

                          wout de zeeuw wrote:

                          The EU is right in drawing the line.

                          The line they drew is clear - they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in Brussels and hem and haw - and only think of the short term. There's a big world out there looking desperately for investment. The EU's playing with fire - I hope the burn leaves a nice deep scar.

                          Ravings en masse^

                          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                          W Offline
                          W Offline
                          wout de zeeuw
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #31

                          W∴ Balboos wrote:

                          Well, as near as I can tell, that's the problem and responsibility of those who put them there.

                          Except that people didn't vote for this. This kind of bullshit deals is done in back rooms by individuals whilst having some champagne, and people only find out about these deals years later.

                          W∴ Balboos wrote:

                          Oh - by the way - did the Irish complain about this? Ooooops (again)?

                          The Irish did not and still do not have a great position, they are afraid that without these deals the companies won't stay. And this is the problem. These mobster companies are hawking for countries that are desperate for jobs, and that are willing to sign away their lives for it. The EU is doing the right thing in stopping these maffia companies from exploiting the weak point in its armor.

                          W∴ Balboos wrote:

                          The line they drew is clear - they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in Brussels and hem and haw - and only think of the short term.

                          Quite the opposite. The Irish government was doing whatever it wanted, and the EU is saying: no you can't do whatever you want, you can't give one company a big advantage compared to another company. It's not arbitrary, Apple should pay taxes that is in line that what other companies are paying.

                          W∴ Balboos wrote:

                          There's a big world out there looking desperately for investment. The EU's playing with fire - I hope the burn leaves a nice deep scar.

                          Not worried about that. Surely the world needs investment, and paying taxes is part of that. Apple makes great products (but not indispensible). It does not, and should not need unfair advantages to be able to compete. If they need money laundering deals with fantasy constructs like non-existing head quarters[^], let them exploit some other little country. If companies will leave Ireland, that might give some short term transitional issues, but the EU will help them out with this.

                          Wout

                          W 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • W W Balboos GHB

                            wout de zeeuw wrote:

                            Just because a handful of government suits decide to give away their nation's money

                            Well, as near as I can tell, that's the problem and responsibility of those who put them there. Oh - by the way - did the Irish complain about this? Ooooops (again)?

                            wout de zeeuw wrote:

                            The EU is right in drawing the line.

                            The line they drew is clear - they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in Brussels and hem and haw - and only think of the short term. There's a big world out there looking desperately for investment. The EU's playing with fire - I hope the burn leaves a nice deep scar.

                            Ravings en masse^

                            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                            N Offline
                            N Offline
                            Nelek
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #32

                            W∴ Balboos wrote:

                            they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in XXXX and hem and haw - and only think of the short term.

                            That could be applied to the USA as well in many fields of life and business

                            M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

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                            • N Nelek

                              W∴ Balboos wrote:

                              they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in XXXX and hem and haw - and only think of the short term.

                              That could be applied to the USA as well in many fields of life and business

                              M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                              W Offline
                              W Offline
                              W Balboos GHB
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #33

                              Nelek wrote:

                              That could be applied to the USA as well in many fields of life and business

                              That's so generic a pronouncement it actually passes no information. "Could Be Applied" - anything "could be applied" "Many" is an arbitrary amount "Many fields of life and business" - to make sure there's something somewhere it applies to. I'm not saying you're wrong - your statement is so written as to be impossible to be wrong.

                              Ravings en masse^

                              "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                              "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                              N 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • M Mario Vernari

                                Quote:

                                ... I find that any trade agreement the US makes with Europe or Asia is a disaster for the US...

                                Also said as: - As soon US is not more free to do whatever it wants, it begins the pain?

                                W Offline
                                W Offline
                                W Balboos GHB
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #34

                                Mario Vernari wrote:

                                Also said as: - As soon US is not more free to do whatever it wants, it begins the pain?

                                Here's the FIFY: Also said as: - since the US product is so good the EU cannot compete so they fine and take some of the profits anyway* * For example, fining Google because (1) they put paid advertisers ahead of others in the search - even though that has always been their business model and never a secret, and (2) Google has over 90% of the EU search traffic so they're a monopoly. Who's fault is (2)? It's substantially lower in the US (we use Yahoo, Bing, etc.) and the fact that no EU web-search product is worth the time to type in the address-bar is another problem the thieves in Brussels cannot stand for. The EU is taking a cue from an old USA proverb "The power to tax is the power to destroy". In our case, it's a seperation-of-church-and-state thing, but in your case, it's a clue on how to compete in business when you're not good enough to compete.

                                Ravings en masse^

                                "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                                D 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • W wout de zeeuw

                                  W∴ Balboos wrote:

                                  Well, as near as I can tell, that's the problem and responsibility of those who put them there.

                                  Except that people didn't vote for this. This kind of bullshit deals is done in back rooms by individuals whilst having some champagne, and people only find out about these deals years later.

                                  W∴ Balboos wrote:

                                  Oh - by the way - did the Irish complain about this? Ooooops (again)?

                                  The Irish did not and still do not have a great position, they are afraid that without these deals the companies won't stay. And this is the problem. These mobster companies are hawking for countries that are desperate for jobs, and that are willing to sign away their lives for it. The EU is doing the right thing in stopping these maffia companies from exploiting the weak point in its armor.

                                  W∴ Balboos wrote:

                                  The line they drew is clear - they can do whatever they want to do whenever we want to do it - because they sit getting fat in Brussels and hem and haw - and only think of the short term.

                                  Quite the opposite. The Irish government was doing whatever it wanted, and the EU is saying: no you can't do whatever you want, you can't give one company a big advantage compared to another company. It's not arbitrary, Apple should pay taxes that is in line that what other companies are paying.

                                  W∴ Balboos wrote:

                                  There's a big world out there looking desperately for investment. The EU's playing with fire - I hope the burn leaves a nice deep scar.

                                  Not worried about that. Surely the world needs investment, and paying taxes is part of that. Apple makes great products (but not indispensible). It does not, and should not need unfair advantages to be able to compete. If they need money laundering deals with fantasy constructs like non-existing head quarters[^], let them exploit some other little country. If companies will leave Ireland, that might give some short term transitional issues, but the EU will help them out with this.

                                  Wout

                                  W Offline
                                  W Offline
                                  W Balboos GHB
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #35

                                  At this point your flailing for ways to excuse the inexcusable and ignoring the reality:

                                  wout de zeeuw wrote:

                                  Except that people didn't vote for this.

                                  - which people? The French did vote to put in the lawmakers for Ireland? The Irish put them in and could vote them out any time they want to. That's how representative government works.

                                  wout de zeeuw wrote:

                                  The Irish did not and still do not have a great position, they are afraid that without these deals the companies won't stay

                                  And so what's your point? With the deals they will - and otherwise they'd probably never have even seen their backside. That's the central point of the whole thing - they needed the development more than they needed the taxes. Their choice, and probably a damn good one.

                                  wout de zeeuw wrote:

                                  Quite the opposite. The Irish government was doing whatever it wanted, and the EU is saying: no you can't do whatever you want,

                                  So Ireland is a vassal state of the 'suits' in Brussels - who'll be filling their fat faces with EU sponsored banquet dinners whilst discussing how to muck up whatever is left? To write laws retroactively is totally immoral - in the US we had the wit to put it in the original constitution. You guys in Europe? Apparently not so much. I guess you prefer the Erdogan model as applied to business. I can hear it all now blaring from the TV on "France 24": How dare you conduct such business in the EU. That will be against the law! You will be prosecuted and punished! for violating EU rules we will write especially for you. Also, we have decided that the new national language of Ireland will henceforth be Esperanto. Now, get us some more wine. The meeting isn't over.

                                  Ravings en masse^

                                  "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                  "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                                  W 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • W W Balboos GHB

                                    Mario Vernari wrote:

                                    Also said as: - As soon US is not more free to do whatever it wants, it begins the pain?

                                    Here's the FIFY: Also said as: - since the US product is so good the EU cannot compete so they fine and take some of the profits anyway* * For example, fining Google because (1) they put paid advertisers ahead of others in the search - even though that has always been their business model and never a secret, and (2) Google has over 90% of the EU search traffic so they're a monopoly. Who's fault is (2)? It's substantially lower in the US (we use Yahoo, Bing, etc.) and the fact that no EU web-search product is worth the time to type in the address-bar is another problem the thieves in Brussels cannot stand for. The EU is taking a cue from an old USA proverb "The power to tax is the power to destroy". In our case, it's a seperation-of-church-and-state thing, but in your case, it's a clue on how to compete in business when you're not good enough to compete.

                                    Ravings en masse^

                                    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    den2k88
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #36

                                    It doesn't matter. Google goes away? K bro, some months of discomfort later and we'll have our version. No Farcebook? VK is already there to stay. No Apple? There are A LOT of EU makers that are struggling against the monopoly of now US-controlled giants, and there still are Sony, Asus, Acer, Huawei ans HTC of the big giants. Fools will still buy US products thus incerasing the volumes of business of Import/Export companies. Services will be EU tailored so it would be more than possible that US companies wouldn't be listed first in the new search engines. And our markets are already expanding Eastwards, slower than they could because the US keeps intervening. The moment when US companies will release their economic grip here will be the moment the US nation will lose the political one. I'm not at all anti US, which is a current trend, but I'm fairly sure we can survive without them. And without their sock puppet in EU too (aka UK).

                                    GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- ++>+++ y+++*      Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X If you think 'goto' is evil, try writing an Assembly program without JMP. -- TNCaver When I was six, there were no ones and zeroes - only zeroes. And not all of them worked. -- Ravi Bhavnani

                                    W 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • D den2k88

                                      It doesn't matter. Google goes away? K bro, some months of discomfort later and we'll have our version. No Farcebook? VK is already there to stay. No Apple? There are A LOT of EU makers that are struggling against the monopoly of now US-controlled giants, and there still are Sony, Asus, Acer, Huawei ans HTC of the big giants. Fools will still buy US products thus incerasing the volumes of business of Import/Export companies. Services will be EU tailored so it would be more than possible that US companies wouldn't be listed first in the new search engines. And our markets are already expanding Eastwards, slower than they could because the US keeps intervening. The moment when US companies will release their economic grip here will be the moment the US nation will lose the political one. I'm not at all anti US, which is a current trend, but I'm fairly sure we can survive without them. And without their sock puppet in EU too (aka UK).

                                      GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- ++>+++ y+++*      Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X If you think 'goto' is evil, try writing an Assembly program without JMP. -- TNCaver When I was six, there were no ones and zeroes - only zeroes. And not all of them worked. -- Ravi Bhavnani

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                                      W Balboos GHB
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #37

                                      If you could beat google you would have. Your statement is totally empty. All the problems of the EU are US caused, such as you not being able to expand eastward. Well - that's so typical of a failed system, find an outsider to blame. Maybe you should build a wall? When it comes to mercenary business practices, it was EU representatives that were in Iran before the Ink dried on the deal to let Iran do whatever it wants to do (the reality, after the built in caveats are included). You just couldn't wait to try and get your hands on that money. As usually, worry about the consequences later. Just bring a trophy back to the rabble that vote for them (just like they're doing know with Apple - how macho of them!). The biggest difference between the US and EU business practices is that you pretend your on the up-and-up, always taking the high road. Even for the immigrants allowed in, the undercurrent on the (European produced) news pointed out that there weren't enough young people and they were being looked at as a (cheap) labor force. Humanitarian? Not so much. Maybe it's time you started to accept that your shit stinks and stop pointing at our bathrooms as though it changes anything.

                                      Ravings en masse^

                                      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                                      • W W Balboos GHB

                                        Typical EU Bullshit: Ireland made the deal and (much as I hate apple) that deal was made by a sovereign nation. If there's a fine to pay it's Ireland's problem. Or - put it in terms of the way things are - in the EU, a business contract means what they want it to mean when they want it to mean it unless they change their minds. Were I Apple, I'd start closing all EU operations as soon as possible - let them find jobs working for someone else. Ditto for Micro$haft and anyone else who made a deal with a government and now realize it isn't worth the toilet paper it's written on.

                                        Ravings en masse^

                                        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                                        Pete OHanlon
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #38

                                        Perhaps this thread should die now - and continue in the Soapbox instead. It's moved well beyond simple commentary into political mudslinging on all sides and there are fora for that here; let's go with the appropriate one.

                                        This space for rent

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                                        • P Pete OHanlon

                                          Perhaps this thread should die now - and continue in the Soapbox instead. It's moved well beyond simple commentary into political mudslinging on all sides and there are fora for that here; let's go with the appropriate one.

                                          This space for rent

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                                          U G Leander
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #39

                                          Totally agree. As everybody seems to know everything here, maybe letting it die would be best.

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