Recent posts

#1

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Josquius - Today at 02:54:57 PM

I'm sure I remember eu3 well. Though stands out less than 2 of course

Hoi though I've not been able to enjoy any since 2

#2

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 02:29:06 PM

I liked our EU3 MP games.

#3

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by DGuller - Today at 02:15:00 PM

Is there social housing in the US?

The federal program is Section 8.  Currently 5.3 million people get Section 8.  Basically vouchers to apply to private rental properties.

Unfortunately it only protects poor tenants, not ones that are de facto boycotted due to blotches on their record.  Landlords can still be selective when choosing section 8 applicants.

#4

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Admiral Yi - Today at 02:05:39 PM

Is there social housing in the US?

The federal program is Section 8.  Currently 5.3 million people get Section 8.  Basically vouchers to apply to private rental properties.

#5

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by Norgy - Today at 02:04:26 PM

Yeah, this fall is when I update from my 1660ti. I'll get a RX 9060 XT in the coming weeks.

The cheapest 16gb 9060 in the Canadian market came into stock at my local Canada Computers & I pulled the trigger.

Power Color Reaper @ 490. About 10$ more than MSRP.

I have an RTX 9070 XT from Asus, and I have to say, it is probably the best card I have had ever. It was obviously not cheap, but it is quiet and effortlessly puts out fluid UHD graphics except for one game: Oblivion Remastered. Then it runs a bit too hot. I believe I need to upgrade my CPU rather than the card.
It has a water cooling option, but I am not going there yet. Yet.

#6

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Norgy - Today at 01:58:59 PM

Absolutely no-one has fond memories of neither HoI3 or EUIII, I think. 

#7

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Norgy - Today at 01:57:39 PM

I've finished a couple of grand campaigns in EUIV. I did it more often in EUII. I may have had more time on my hands, or just been more patient.

#8

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by garbon - Today at 01:50:11 PM

I don't think I have since EU2 either. Weird. I usually find the end game just... less interesting. Usually everything is blobbed up, ahistorical, and only kept vaguely in check by me playing time cop and keeping things even in that marginally viable level by taking out the worst blobbers.

Yeah. It is funny because they are always like we don't invest a lot in the end game as no one ever plays it and on the other hand, no one generally plays that as they've never succeeded in preventing endless blobbing.

#9

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 01:34:21 PM

I have to admit, I have never finished an EU game

I used to all the time in EU1 and EU2 but now it is just ridiculous how long it takes to get through a few years. That was my biggest complaint about EU3, the game goes too damn slow. I have thousands of hours of CK2 and I only played to the end date once...when I started in 1337.

And I was not alone either. AARs regularly ran to the end of the game back in the EU1 and EU2 era.

I can't remember the EU I games I played  The main thing I remember is how happy I was that a game like that had been created.

#10

Off the Record / Re: Refractory Gauls, or the F...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 01:29:48 PM

Looks like we have a French Liz Truss.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewn9k0w9rxo

So...finally give people the socialist they voted for?

In addition to Zoups points the big problem here is the budget.

Eurzone budgetary rules were significantly tightened following the Eurozone crisis. Macron's big achievement in his first term was getting France within those rules, plus structural reforms which he hoped would be rewarded by a big leap forward in European integration - it wasn't. The rules were then suspended following covid and extended a bit further because of Ukraine.

The suspension ended in 2024. France's budget is in breach and it's the first big country going through the "excessive deficit procedure" which requires their deficit to be cut to no more than 3% by 2029. And the Commission considers it essential to properly police this given the perception that rules were waived under the Growth and Stability Pact contributed to the Eurozone crisis (as Jean-Claude Juncker put it when asked why budget rules weren't being enforced, "because it's France" ).

With the National Assembly split in three, the budget is the core problem for Macron. Last year they couldn't pass a budget and so there are provisions in the French constitution that basically allow for an emergency automatic extension - I think France already had this for its 2025 budget so might need it again.

In that context it is really difficult for Macron to work with the NPF who reject Macron's pension reforms and want windfall taxes on excess profits plus wealth taxes. I think the RN now also want to abolish Macron's pension reforms (they've previously accepted the reforms but wanted higher rates) and basically want some taxes reduced, others increased plus "DOGE" like audits of finances in the (almost certainly imaginary) search for cuts that can be made. So for Macron and his bloc to work with either of these parties means compromising on one of his big projects but also doesn't necessarily seem to actually present a path to escaping the excessive deficit procedure. There is no way to a majority that will not also involve the humbling of a President by two wings of politics that loath him. And Macron wants to preserve his legacy through a more balanced program of austerity (while increasing defence spending).

I'd add that there is the possibility of ECB intervention if they consider that France's bonds are coming under "unfair" attack by bond markets (spreads are already at the highest since 2012). I think given the context there's no chance at this point of the ECB considering this the sort of situation they should intervene in. Even if the did, intervention comes with strict conditionality - it wouldn't be the Troika but Troika-esque policies.

The parliamentary math and budget situation are both pretty impossible. It's very, very difficult to see a path out, at least until the next Presidential election and the hope of a new President acquiring a legislative majority. And if the EDP is already a bit of a humiliation for the most European leader - and a country like France - none of the alternatives are much better. I've said in the UK thread but I think France and the UK are in a bit of a race for who hits crisis point first.