Topic: Lisbon Treaty

The European Union has triggered an emergency clause to indefinitely freeze €210 billion in Russian Central Bank assets, with the bulk held at Euroclear in Brussels. This move follows pressure from Donald Trump and a desperate need for funds in Ukraine. Legal experts and member states like Belgium expressed concern over the long-term implications of seizing these funds and the potential for Russian retaliation.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of an independent European armed forces, signaling a shift in the long-standing security relationship between Europe and America. This proposal revives debates surrounding the Lisbon Treaty, which critics claim originally promised that a unified European army would never be formed. The discussion suggests that the European Central Bank and other technocratic structures are moving toward centralized military power.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announces an International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in The Hague. The segment links this to Lisbon Treaty protocols regarding the expansion of EU police powers.

The European Union has proposed the "Digital Green Certificate" to facilitate free movement across member states. While the proposal claims vaccination is not a precondition for travel, those without certificates may be subject to mandatory testing and "quarantine/self-isolation," mirroring protocols found in the Lisbon Treaty regarding infectious diseases.

New York State Assembly Bill A416 proposes allowing the removal and detention of individuals deemed a threat to public health. The discussion links this to the EU's Lisbon Treaty protocols and notes that Queensland, Australia, has banned New Year's Eve kissing.

The protocols within the USMCA are compared to the Lisbon Treaty, which serves as the constitutional basis for the European Union. The hosts express skepticism about the long-term benefits of the deal for American workers and revisit the theory of a unified North American currency, the "Amero." They suggest the impeachment process may be a distraction from these significant policy shifts.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak reflect on the 11-year history of the podcast, which began as a way to provide "mental tools" to stay safe from media propaganda. They discuss the evolution of the show from analyzing the Lisbon Treaty to modern political polarization.

Theresa May faces a potential cabinet coup as senior ministers reportedly plot to replace her with David Lidington. Over one million protesters gathered in London for the "Put it to the People" march, organized by the pro-EU group Open Britain, to demand a second referendum. The strategy of repeated voting until a desired outcome is reached is noted as a recurring pattern within European Union political history, similar to the Lisbon Treaty ratifications.

The 2007 Lisbon Treaty and its associated human rights protocols are re-examined, specifically regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement. The treaty allows for the use of lethal force to suppress riots or to prevent the escape of a suspect, which is noted as a departure from traditional human rights standards. These legal structures are cited as a reason for the ongoing skepticism surrounding the European Union and the Brexit movement.

A donation from Chris Bullock prompts a discussion about the defunct HEMA brand from the Netherlands. The hosts joke about starting a new line called "FEMA underwear" manufactured in China, featuring a Faraday cage. They reminisce about the "Lisbon Treaty days" and the failure of various podcasting business experiments.

The European Commission is proposing changes to the Schengen Agreement to allow member states to reintroduce internal border controls for up to three years in "exceptional" security circumstances. Currently, the limit is six months, but terror attacks and the 2015 migrant crisis have pressured the EU to relax its passport-free travel rules. Critics note that the Lisbon Treaty's original intent was to relax external borders rather than restrict internal ones.

The European Union has threatened to trigger Article 7.1 of the Lisbon Treaty against Poland, which would strip the country of its voting rights, over proposed judicial reforms. A "boots on the ground" report from a listener suggests that many Poles support the reforms as a way to purge communist-era holdovers from the judiciary. The hosts frame the EU's reaction as elite interference in sovereign affairs.

President Erdogan of Turkey threatens to open border gates to allow refugees into the EU following a snub from the European Parliament. Meanwhile, reports of a skin disease outbreak in a Bulgarian refugee camp lead to rumors of smallpox. The hosts discuss the legal implications of the Lisbon Treaty regarding contagious diseases.

The hosts argue that the "snarky ridicule" of late-night hosts like Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert has backfired, leading to an "awakening" among some millennials. They call on their producers to help identify and counter these propaganda outlets to prevent further disinformation.

The European Commission's authority to intervene in national tax matters stems from "state aid" provisions within the Lisbon Treaty and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Article 87 outlines specific conditions where state aid is compatible with the common market, such as social aid or disaster relief, but generally prohibits discriminatory tax breaks. Countries like the Netherlands and Ireland are concerned that these competition rules are being used to override sovereign national tax policies.

Speculation arises regarding a potential "do-over" of the Brexit vote, following historical precedents like the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland. A viral online petition for a second referendum is criticized for using unverified clicks rather than physical signatures. Despite the media attention, the referendum is noted as being legally non-binding for the UK government.

PBS NewsHour correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports on the Brexit sentiment in Ipswich, where "Remain" and "Leave" voters clash. The discussion shifts to the Lisbon Treaty and the frustration of UK citizens regarding regulations imposed by bureaucrats in Brussels. An anecdote about an organic pig farmer illustrates how EU rules prevent traditional practices like backyard slaughtering of livestock.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warns that "out is out" regarding the UK's potential exit from the EU. However, a reading of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty reveals a two-year negotiation period and a formal process for a state to rejoin the union if they choose. The hosts argue that Juncker's "stark warning" is propaganda intended to protect banking interests.

The hosts discuss the upcoming Brexit vote, weighing the economic risks against the loss of national sovereignty under the Lisbon Treaty. They express skepticism toward the EU's long-term stability, suggesting that a centralized European army could lead to future conflict.

Health officials in Germany are reporting a resurgence of diseases like scabies and threats of cholera in refugee camps. Under the protocols of the Lisbon Treaty, authorities have the power to arrest and jail individuals with contagious diseases. Meanwhile, the EU is proposing a "rapid response" border force that can be deployed to member states like Greece without their explicit authorization.