bangkockney

The Taqiyya argument is the ultimate cop out argument. It basically says, you are wrong, and even if you prove you are right, you are lying, therefore wrong. In other words, this argument does not prove anything against Islam - it baselessly assumes everything against Islam. Like a fixed sporting event, it determines the winner before the game is played. We find this tactic abhorrent in practical life, and any true seeker after truth should find this tactic abhorrent when discussing intellectual matters.

To be a true Muslim, one must take the Quar'an as being the literal word of god. For the benefit or anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to read the full text I refer you simply to the verse of the sword;

"Fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them: seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)."

Gods don't kill people

People with Gods kill people

Another shoddy smear attempt. You claim to have read the Quran. At worst, I call unequivocal BS.

At best, you didn't understand a single word and lack any intelligence to understand context.

Stop cherry-picking and post the whole chapter. Or people in this thread, read the whole of Chapter 9.

There is nothing in the Quran that justifies the complete freedom to kill non-believers.

If this attack had been the other way round, What do you think would be going on in places like Dewsbury and Batley and Bradford?

Exactly Mosha, the cities would be burning, Brits killed by the hundreds.

Defend the indefensible, but any religion that is intolerant of others is more than dangerous.

Muslims are attacked and discriminated against on a regular basis in the UK; yet the violence you hint at doesn't happen.

Muslims being physically attacked and harassed because of their faith

Muslims call for action against hate crimes

>MCB secretary-general Farooq Murad will tell the council's AGM in Birmingham that there must be more monitoring of anti-Muslim crimes in response to incidents including violent assaults, death threats and the desecration of graves. He will also complain that not enough is being done to encourage communities to report crimes to the police.

Nothing on the hate crime figures against Jews, and Muslims are responsible for 50% of those.

http://midnightwatcher.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/uk-shocking-rise-in-hate-crimes-against-jewish-community-in-europe/

It's a good thing the Jews in 30's Germany didn't go around blowing up trains and decapitating people, or they would have got the Nazis really riled.

One word in retort: Palestine.

Some shocking views in this thread, but sadly par for the course.

Those that claim to have read the Quran, and declare it to be nothing but hate and violence, clearly have no grasp of context. The Bible has similarly been misrepresented, for example, in American stories of the confrontation with Indians not just is it legitimate to kill Indians, but you are violating God's law if you do not. The key point being, fundamentalists have distorted both texts.

Further, the Quran explicitly condemns religious aggression and the killing of civilians. And it makes the distinction between jihad legal warfare with the proper rules of engagement and irjaf, or terrorism.

As for what happened, an individual was brutally murdered, with the only public connection with the Forces being some H4H clobber he was wearing.

I will be wearing my T shirt with pride and in defiance - I will not be scared by a couple of nutters nor will I do the extremists' work for them and spew hate myself.

Currently working my way through that thread. Some interesting stuff, but you're right I did skip a lot!

The stand-out thing for me so far is something that wasn't discussed much (instead it formed a short slagging match!): blood work.

Now it's not something I'd consider doing regularly. However, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that it should be part of everyone's annual MOT.

Being able to observe changes in our body's chemistry and take action before any serious symptoms manifest themselves seems like a sensible idea to me.

Thanks again for taking the time to get the link for me.

I'm off to read some more.

I get the basics tested once every 3 months. Lipid profile, kidney and liver function. CBC, HbA1c and estrogen.

I don't get GGT tested, but I would recommend that one for anyone who drinks heavily. Once the liver packs it in, you're done unless you can find a spare one somewhere and have lots of spare cash to have it "inserted". This is the number one biggest risk for drinkers. People just don't appreciate how important the liver is until it malfunctions.

I'll go start of next month. Anything I should consider that may bias the results?

My boy's in preschool. He loves it.

He can write his name in Thai and English and spell and write lots of simple words in English (cat, mat, fat, sat, dad, dog, mum etc etc).

Lots of fun and creative activities geared towards learning Thai script. Lots of physical activity outside, playing and exploring water and sand properties etc.

Some spatial and verbal reasoning too as well as an increase in concentration.

But most importantly, he views all of these activities as fun - there's no stressful 'you must sit down and study' pressure on him.

He's 3 and a half.

Forgot some things:

I'm not spoiling for a fight here. Have only just found this sub-forum, and as you can tell, PT is a passion of mine. It's great to hear others' views too and I genuinely don't believe I'm guilty of offering the worst possible advice imaginable!

Did have a look for the thread you mentioned Tropo, couldn't find it. Any chance of a link? TIA.

Fancy putting a team together to take on something like Tough Mudder? May not be possible as it does involve overseas travel, but a TV fancy-dress team busting a gut over a 10 mile assualt course, raising money for charity would be awesome!

Here's a long thread on the subject, but there's a lot of bitching going on in there so it's not pretty.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/590329-is-being-fat-a-choice-if-there-is-no-underlying-medical-reason/page-2

In actual fact, despite the impression you may have gotten from my posting here, we are on the same page as far as exercise for weight loss is concerned.... but I've softened my approach somewhat. I would never expect anyone to push it as hard as I do in order to lose weight.

Currently working my way through that thread. Some interesting stuff, but you're right I did skip a lot!

The stand-out thing for me so far is something that wasn't discussed much (instead it formed a short slagging match!): blood work.

Now it's not something I'd consider doing regularly. However, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that it should be part of everyone's annual MOT.

Being able to observe changes in our body's chemistry and take action before any serious symptoms manifest themselves seems like a sensible idea to me.

Thanks again for taking the time to get the link for me.

I'm off to read some more.

Forgot some things:

I'm not spoiling for a fight here. Have only just found this sub-forum, and as you can tell, PT is a passion of mine. It's great to hear others' views too and I genuinely don't believe I'm guilty of offering the worst possible advice imaginable!

Did have a look for the thread you mentioned Tropo, couldn't find it. Any chance of a link? TIA.

Fancy putting a team together to take on something like Tough Mudder? May not be possible as it does involve overseas travel, but a TV fancy-dress team busting a gut over a 10 mile assualt course, raising money for charity would be awesome!

Age is but a number. The oldest man who ran in this year's London Marathon is 88. He started running competitively aged 61. He's completed 22 marathons to date. Would have been 23 but he had a heart attack in 2003 so missed that year's event.

My Dad is pushing 60 and runs marathons, (half) Iron Mans etc.

As for me, I'm a runner, it was a bread and butter part of my job. Still run in boots and bergan. Old habits die hard. I enjoy arduous events: Tough Mudder, Tough Guy, marathons, timed distances over 1.5, 3, 5, 10 and 20 miles, with and without weight. Medium distance (7 - 10 miles) fartlec is also awesome.

Haven't developed the needed love for swimming that Iron Man's require, much to the disappointment of my Dad who wants to compete together.

A life goal is to beat the London Marathon weighted run-time currently held by a Royal Marine: 4:01 with 40lbs, that's an epic time. The record for 40lbs over marathon distance is held by a Japanese guy who did it in 3:42. Jaw-dropping stuff.

You guys are into body building - a world I don't claim to know much about - so it's understandable why we are having a culture clash here. What I know is, if you want to run faster, you must practice running faster (e.g max effort intervals). I just hope you guys get some CV in to exercise your body's most important muscle.

It's also interesting to note that when preparing for a marathon, you never cover marathon distance. You must push on race day. Even more so if you're after a PB!

Back to alcohol:

Alcohol on its own isn't very good stuff, granted.

But beer is about 95% "other": water, electrolytes and vitamin B complexes. Hops are a good soporific with anti-bacterial properties (we're talking proper beer here).

The old-fashioned running scene (and fell-running still) was built on beer and pubs rather than dietary supplements with a pub or beer tent at the finish.

Guinness, pint of used to be given to post-natel women in hospital!

My approach to diet and drink is now one of moderation. I'll eat what I want as I recognise what it is that's going into my body and adjust training accordingly. I have no problems ordering a second chocolate fondant (once in a while) because I recognise extra work will have to be put in. Happy balance. I do however try to avoid empty calories, but I do love a Coke and Whopper once in a blue moon. Again, no worries as long as you recognise it for what it is.

Eat regularly, try to eat healthily (don't beat yourself up though, no need to live on pulses, nuts and wild flowers if you'd be unhappy) be physically active, and get the odd treat in when you deserve it to boost morale. I view calorie counting as pointless and depressing.

Regards your average TV user, I'd much prefer they start taking regular, strenuous exercise than tackle their diet first.

Why do some people still believe in god... Same reason, people need to believe because they are too weak !

A British man climbed Everest 18 months after partially crushing 3 vertebrae following a parachuting accident. He's a Christian. Is he too weak?

Your comment is crass.

And to make a more on-topic post: I drank like a fish as a soldier. Binge drinking even, coming off tour and getting smashed. Didn't stop me from being trim and fit.

Still drink, still fit.

Tropo,

We clearly have very different backgrounds that have shaped our mindset, and that's something I'll come to later.

I reject your claims that I've offered the worst advice imaginable.

You are conpletley against any kind of benchmarking. You therefore even reject the bleep test, developed by a university as a maximal test of CV fitness. There are also sit-up and press up bleep tests.

Benchmarking through best effort is used by civilian trainers and armed forces the world over. It is an important element of PT. Period. You can't measure progress in any other way. You can't assess fitness standards in any other way.

As to your disparaging description of the average TV user - it's irrelevant because best effort is entirely individual. The best effort of your average user over 1.5 miles might be only a jog for 200m, walking the rest and completing in 28 minutes. That's fine. It allows for a proper and realistic training programme to be developed for that individual.

4 weeks later that same individual tries again and improves his time. Progress is measured and confidence is built.

Regarding the 110% line you seem hung up on. Let me give you some further examples to illustrate what I mean (again read my previous post, it's not about flogging yourself all of the time):

- It's tackling the guy who's taller than you and has legs like tree trunks on the rugby pitch. And doing it again and again.

- It's getting that run in even if it's raining.

- It's not stopping just because of a blister or a toe nail coming loose.

- It's the effort given by people who do the World Marathon Challenge. The people who run long endurance races. The people who climb large peeks.

- It's showing some grit to achieve your aims of weight loss and increased levels of fitness regardless of where you start.

- It's an ethos, a spirit, a mind set.

I've never said to train through an injury. That's pointless, dangerous and I'd of thought obvious. I said resist the urge to quit because developing fitness is hard or you're huffing and puffing and feeling the pinch.

So, on to my background in order to address your stop if exhausted, treat the body gently, never give 100%, and the different mind sets we have.

In my teens I was, to be frank, a fat waste of oxygen. I went on to serve for 10 years as an airbourne infanteer. I gave everything to pass the course and achieve a dream.

I've faced the worst case: patrolling for 8 hours in 50 C, mentally and physically exhausted. A mate gets shot. His life was savable, but he couldn't be medevaced where we were. Exhaustion and treating our bodies gently didn't come into it. We busted our guts, gave our all, everything, and carried him and his gear out.

Why is this possible? Are we Supermen? No, we believed in 110%, 110% of the time. It was expected of everyone.

You'll probably retort this doesn't matter to a civilian. The details don't, the mind set does.

The moral? Anyone can shed pounds and get fit with the right attitude and hard work. But don't be work-shy. It takes commitment and effort.

Just stick to two simple principles and you'll be fine:

Calories in less than calories out.

Be true to yourself and give everything when you exercise. Or as it was beasted into me: 110% effort, 110% of the time.

It's better to pace yourself when you exercise than go all out. Go steady and go for the long haul. Going overboard, especially in the beginning is the number one reason why so many people drop out of an exercise program. It's also very likely to cause injuries. The body needs to be treated gently. It really isn't a machine.

You misunderstand me.

But first, most people drop exercise because they have no discernible goals. What are you aiming to achieve just by ambling along.

Also, the body doesn't have to be treated gently. We are capable of amazing things, but we must learn not to listen to that little voice inside that screams stop.

Best efforts are important in any exercise programme. They allow you to monitor progress. When you do eg max 1 min press ups, you really shouldn't be able to push even one more out upon completion (but bonus points if you try!)

If you want to improve your mile time, you will have to push to achieve it. Best efforts over 1.5 miles etc. Be true to what your best effort is and over the whole distance. Don't let up because it's hard work. This is the point I'm driving at.

It's not about flogging yourself all the time, but doing what you plan to. Don't wimp out on the fartlec programme you've set yourself: sprint on the sprint sections, make sure you really are running fast pace on the relevant sections, don't only do it for 50 seconds if you've set 60. Don't jog longer than you should.

I'm not saying don't have a balanced programme and do everything at the double. I'm saying stick to your goals, push yourself, and complete the set exercises as prescribed.

Just stick to two simple principles and you'll be fine:

Calories in less than calories out.

Be true to yourself and give everything when you exercise. Or as it was beasted into me: 110% effort, 110% of the time.

Burpees are great. But I prefer bastards: a burpee followed by a star jump.

Press-ups, sit-ups, chins and dips. I know you stated no equipment, but arm-only rope climbs are awesome too. Grab a bergan for an additional challenge.

If you have a partner to exercise with, try Russian running, great when you don't have much space:

Mark a distance of 20m - 40m, one person at each end. First man sprints one length, when he reaches the second man, he sprints, whilst the first man does bastards. Second man completes sprint, shouts go, starts bastards and first man sprints again, this time doing 2 shuttles. And so on. Increase the shuttles progressively from 1 to 10 and then down to 1 again.

Give it everything you've got, and only stop if you complete the exercise or your heart and lungs explode out your chest.

Warning: this a real balls-out effort but you'll love yourself for it.

We used to do the sprints carrying ammo boxes sometimes too, or the metal boxes that mortar, 81mm rounds came in, filled with rocks. Obviously you can improvise.

I love circuits too, for a complete body workout, but low intensity on knees, ankles etc. Got plenty of exercises for your circuits if you want me to share.

She should have received a Certificate of Application as per European law.

If she doesn't have this, you need to contact the European enquiries contact centre at UKBA on 0845 010 5200.

Edited to add:

Your wife's application is over 6 months old and there's a favourable court judgement in play.

If it were me I'd call the UKBA to check the status of the application and (politely) bring up the judgment and the reason for the decision to be known ASAP.

Failing all that, and if your wife is suffering serious anxiety over it all, consider flying the boy as an unaccompanied minor. He'll be taken care of just fine - the airline will be able to give you all the details.

The problem is you'd end up with some other system to represent tones.

Thai script does a wonderful job already of telling your exactly how words should be pronounced.

It's not PR. It's ILR - Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Friend had something similar - ILR application took 6 months. Lost a flight to Thailand over Christmas/New Year.

I think the OP's wife is a bit knackered without a passport. This is when you think you should have paid the extra and got the "premium" service.

RAZZ

Hence why I asked the OP to clarify his wife's route to settlement.

He talks of his wife's residence card so I believe the above is the route taken.

OP:

I'm pretty sure your wife will have to get an EEA Family Permit in Bangkok to return to the UK. This shouldn't be an issue.

Perhaps you can provide the required background details?

Her immigration status remains the same whilst her application is pending.

Does she have her passport in her possession? Any paperwork relating to the pending application?

What route has she taken to settlement?

UKBA can release a passport for travel and keep the application pending on compassionate grounds. Have you had much luck contacting them?

I wouldn't say that just because groups of languages share an alphabet it makes them easier to learn. On the contrary, there are numerous European languages that are notoriously difficult to learn. Hungarian is one that springs to mind.

I've always performed pretty badly at language learning. But, the script was something that focused my mind and really got me into learning Thai.

So call them then! But that's far too sensible and logical isn't it.

Why can't you have your girlfriend (or yourself) call them to resolve the issue rather than let it fester?

You won't be able to have any future services from them in your name whilst a debt remains.

For those that are interested, not in point scoring but some real facts can look up test standard ISO 3538 and regulation ECE R43. the maximum allowable tint is 70%, after tacking into account a dirty windscreen, perhaps some sandblasting and you are already at 70% so add 60% Tint and!

It's not about point scoring, but applying critical thinking to the argument you've put forward.

All windscreens have a mark at the top which is the level you can come down to with tint, this is an International Design Rule.

Demonstrate your statement to be true.

BangKockney or whatever needs to get with the program!

Let me make this easy for you since you claim expert knowledge in this field.

Link the international design rule that specifies a fixed proportion of windscreen that can be tinted. In other words, show us where a single, global, uniform figure exists in law.

I won't hold my breath.

I went to wikipedia, friend of the ignorant and lazy. I am surprised that it was too much effort for you to do it yourself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_film#Regulations_for_automotive_use

Personally, I was surprised that there was not a European standard, given the amount of international motoring there.

SC

EDIT: As pointed out by the poster below, there is in fact a European regulation for safety glass in vehicles which specifies a minimum of 70% Visible Light Transmission after tinting, weathering etc. However, according to ikipedia, many countries have more stringent standards still.

You'll notice I've already posted info from that entry in this thread already. If it wasn't too much effort to read yourself etc etc.

There is no mention of a fixed proportion of the windscreen that is allowed to be tinted, set by an international design rule, as Davo has repeatedly claimed.

To make it clear: the OP states:

All windscreens have a mark at the top which is the level you can come down to with tint, this is an International Design Rule.

So far no one has satisfied that claim.