wwest5829

Watching, “Band of Brothers”, Part 9 ending with the discovery of the Nazi concentration/death camps. Yes, as a retired Prof. of History, I am well aware of US government knowledge of these developments and the turning away of other immigrants (Jews) fleeing Hitler’s Germany. And of the local Germans saying that they were not aware … The world has since condemned the German nation for allowing this (the larger question for all nations is what responsibility do the citizens have for all actions, not just the most egregious, of their country’s government). While I do not anticipate American concentration camps again (WW II we concentrated Americans of Japanese ancestry) … we all have a responsibility to watch Trump’s/Project 2025 mass roundup of immigrants … no matter how long they have been in the USA. Trump has stated “millions” of “criminal immigrants”. And NO, if they are awaiting hearings on their claim of asylum, they are not criminal immigrants.

Very funny … if sadly ignorant. They are a direct result of threats already made to go after those on the “enemies list”. Both Trump and the J6 “hostages” were indicted by my fellow citizen Grand Juries, then given the right of defense against the charges and found guilty by a separate citizen Trial Juries. I have little doubt that we will see a reaching for Sen. J. McCarthy (R-WIS) type tactics coming to the fore with the incoming administration. These preventative Pardons were, as Gen. Miley expressed, made so that the “enemies” of Trump, et al are not going to face years of emotional and financial cost due to Trump’s having been found to be a Felon by juries of his American citizen peers.

Absolutely true that I was never introduced to the ideas in your post … from age 0-78.

No secret, no underhanded dealings. The history is there for all to see. The decision was made, not without justification, to reject both the Democrats and the traditional Republicans. Unfortunately, reaching the emotional decision to vote for Trump and his Project 2025 ilk does not portend well for any of us.

Happy to be insignificant … and, as an American, out of the USA.

Talk, especially in the documented history is cheap. I await concrete action … and then the results of such actions. We will have to see if his “Bull in the China shop” actions results in pushback, when, from whom …

I suppose I am condemned to having not only studied history but having lived through the times in the USA from the 1950s onward. I remember having studied the segregated US Amed Forces, how Black US Veterans, after fighting in WW I & II, returned to their country only to be denied equally in education, voting rights, property rights, legal rights, etc. Fighting to make the world safe for democracy resulted in a very different reality for US minorities. Today, I am estranged from a USA that is moving to roll back the advances we had made continuing to reach for American ideals. I understand and agree that there is justified frustration/anger within the working middle class (and that this is not limited to my own country). But, having studied history, I fear the move toward an authoritarian right as an answer. The USA was founded on liberal ideas and that is why some of us understand that we can never get closer to the ideals while traveling in the opposite direction. We have moved in this direction previously, I am just not at all certain that we will regain balance before suffering a terrible cost under those currently seeming to hold the potential of no accountability until we are forced to the wall.

“Up to 10 years” … so, up to how things go. Chance of 10 year sentence … none, IMHO. I agree that this could have resulted in a much harsher treatment by family or friends and that there is a difference in public behavior.

I’m thinking those GOP politicians will just do what they always do … flip the script. Blame the Democrats for forcing a cut in welfare because it is a burden on the working middle class taxpayer (completely ignoring the proposed tax cuts favoring the wealthy, military spending or government business subsidies. Seems to work for them …

That is my current thinking on the subject. Plan B would be to move. My Thai Wife? When do we pack. She is game for seeing different countries.

Currently working as Executor named in a foreigner’s Thai Will. Filed paper to be officially Thai Court appointed. Attorney says up to 4 months …

Therein lies a potential conflict for me. As a U.S. citizen, subject to income tax on worldwide income my taxation in the USA is “no tax due” (I am poor by US tax standards). Hmm, but as a Thai year round retiree resident? Thailand says my required income results in taxation because I am not poor (I ignore the DTA here)?

Thanks. Really just wanted to elicit an answer. American, retired, read the Tax Treaty. While I am a year round resident, IMHO will not apply to me. I will await notification from the Embassy of the USA in Bangkok that this will need my attention. Only US Social Security and state government retirement sources of monthly income. My Thai based USA Income Tax preparer advises, “jai yen, yen”.

I have shared my thinking with other Americans concerning male-female relationships here in Thailand after retiring here in 2011. My observation has been that it is like stepping back into a time when I was growing up in the States (1950s). The male is expected to, “bring home the bacon” (supply the financial security). The female role is to take care of the domestic side. Additional observation I have found is that my female partner is pleasantly dedicated to taking care of her man (yes, feel free to observe that this is in her security interest). While every relationship varies according to different considerations/influences … it appears to me, that it is still possible to find a relationship here where the finances are much like the USA of my childhood. We might note the role differences in the working middle class USA where it is necessary economically for both partners to work. IMHO, there has been quite a cost as a result … our “Boomer” history is littered with the resulting conflicts/divorces.

“Thailand’s Secret War: …”