wwest5829

From what I understand, Thai banks would issue me only a "secure" charge card. As stated by a reply already given. So, I have maintained my US credit cards which are based on my credit history. I think I could "charge" close to a million baht on the cards.

42 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

What ideals would those GOP ‘idealists’ have? Making corporate America and the rich 1% even richer? Pollute America some more? Increase the defense budget some more? Making life for the poor in America even harder? Cut school budgets some more?
Remember MTG and Lauren Boebert screaming ‘liar, liar’ at president Biden during his state of the union, when he said that Republicans were planning to gut social security and medicare? Everybody was huffing and puffing, feeling all offended and vehemently denying that the GOP would ever do such a thing.
And guess what? Republicans are bringing back their plan to gut social security and medicare. That’s real idealistic. 

Well, they can be “ideals” … you and I would probably agree that they are not positive ideals but ideals by definition need not be positive. Don’t you agree?

And not one comment about how to motivate students and their parents to take school seriously. OK … same challenge faced by teachers the world round. Over my 41 years as an educator I had the cross section of humanity … some self motivated, some outstanding, some lacking self confidence, some fighting anti-education sediment at home, some … well, some incapable of gaining knowledge at the level or time in their life when in my classroom. One of the most challenging and most rewarding careers but it will break your heart if you truly care … and do not look to be financially compensated  for the role you play in society. All that said, no … I cannot definitively speak for this particular teachers motivation.

1 hour ago, freeworld said:

Gee whiz, that is a 34 baht difference.

I have, evidently failed to communicate with you. I received 3300 baht more on this month’s transfer over last month’s transfer for “long term living” in Thailand (one option for those of us living here on retirement Visas). 

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I don't know much about her, but IMO it's an abomination that anyone could spend 3 decades sucking large off the taxpayer to sit in congress, and especially that they did it till age 90. It's not like it's a real job, is it?

 

I'd like a 3 term or 10 years maximum for any politician in any country.

 

The very valid reason is the saying "power corrupts".

While I do rule out term limits out of hand ... The voters can limit terms at every election. Wish all issues had simple answers but they do not. I am not one to state that all serving in positions of public trust are automatically corrupt (that said, I also recognize that the USA systems have been corrupted over time).

34 minutes ago, 300sd said:

Wisdom comes to us when it can no longer do any good.

What was the old Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsh) saying? "We are too soon old and too late smart".

11 minutes ago, poyai111 said:

For the romantics and those who have lived the Thai experience:

"Qando amor non es locura, non es amor.", translation: "when love is not madness, it is not love" - Spanish is such a beautiful language 

Si, si ... es verdad.

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

What does that mean?

I can't see any such qoute 

Probably true ???? 

"I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." - Bob Seger quotes from BrainyQuote.com.

We live and learn. Earlier in our lives we were unaware of what would come into our experiences.

I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then - B. Seeger 

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

IMPOSE

The word you were looking for is "impose"...

Right?

 

Anyway, what was meant by "establishing" a religion, anyway?

 

And why are we even talking about this here?

 

Do you find GOD trustworthy or not?

 

If so, then give a few examples, why don't you...

 

 

To which god do you refer? I addressed the linking of the 1956, “in god we trust” motto that you addressed for historic background.

16 minutes ago, RandolphGB said:

So Thai journalists are just as corrupt as the police, army, government and businesses.

 

 

 

It does make me reflect on this theme being played out in my birth country (USA). You cannot trust any educated person, politician, media, government institution … only listen to the one man fighting for you personally … you know the lead nominee of the minority political party.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

That's what it means to you, but not to those who believe. Half of the world fears death, but those who believe have hope, because we are only here for about 85 years or so, so we know there's a better place waiting for us. Religion isn't required, as it's man made. Many religions don't follow God, so what hope do they receive? To be part of a universe that just happened to be here all along? Christianity makes sense, although some find it hard to believe in some of the Bible's teachings. I do also, but it doesn't matter, because some things could have been interpreted wrong. I'd rather have hope than think nothing will happen when I die, and hope is what makes a lot of people obey God's laws, because if no one did, the world would be in much worse shape. We have to be held accountable for our free will choices.

And the followers of the Isis cult were also promised eternal life for believers. But I respect all having an equal right to believe as they wish. A central tenant of the founding of the USA. I would note that all US “Rights” have restrictions … sorry, if one believes in human sacrifices … nope. And no imposing beliefs on others … a current issue in American society today.

4 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

The Question Is:  If, and only if, you believe in God, do you believe God to be trustworthy?

 

If yes, then why?

If no, then why?

 

IF you do NOT believe in GOD, 

THEN, this TOPIC is NOT for you, …and...

Therefore...

Please do not comment here.

 

Since I DO believe in GOD, I will only comment that...

 

I have not found GOD to be completely trustworthy.

 

However, I assume that your views might differ from mine.

 

In God We Trust, is the phrase like the Greenback?

 

And when you cannot trust the Greenback?...

 

 

 

Can we trust in GOD to always be trustworthy?

 

How has GOD proved Himself to be trustworthy during the past few years, for example?

 

Ever thought about it???

 

 

 

 

Just a bit of the history, “In god We Trust” associated with US currency. It was imposed in 1956 under the Republican Eisenhower Administration. The idea being to counter those communists as Marx had stated that religion is an opiate of the people. For me, “E Pluribus Unum” remains the motto … since the establishment clause firmly states the government of the USA will establish no religious belief on the citizens.

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Not if it's true...

In faring world. Here, defamation is judged as causing damage to someone or some business reputation. At least, that is my understanding.

Just a note on our experience at the end of March. Took the #10 train (newer Chinese car), two interconnected compartments. Overnight train, compartments were fine, bathroom and separate shower stall down the hall. Unfortunately, the care air conditioning was set on refrigerate. Could not sleep. In the morning, they turned off the air and immediate hot and humid.

18 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Grinders, saws, music, loud talkers, loud motorbikes are common here.

Many places that seem nice can unfortunately, easily get spoiled. 

I recall on first retiring here and riding the motorbike. Suddenly, a loud voice speaking in Thai was a my side. Scared the bejabbits out of me! One of those sound trucks which ride around advertising things. Thailand has been the only country where I had experienced this.

1 hour ago, jerrymahoney said:

Maybe read this for now:

 

https://mahanakornpartners.com/the-revenue-department-closes-loopholes-tightening-tax-collection-on-foreign-income/

Thanks, Jerry.

1 minute ago, jerrymahoney said:

I will assume any hard-core results from that meeting will become available elsewhere.

I agree, Jerry. I will stay tuned.

22 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Webinar. 1000 baht for non AMCHAM members.

Thanks but 1000 baht is best spent elsewhere. I am a US economic refugee retired on $2400. USD in a lower cost country as a career U.S. educator.

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

Trump wants chaos. He doesn’t care about the hardships it’s going to be on regular working people he only thinks of one thing himself. He is the worst kind man to be president in the history of America.

Such a great current irony. The working middle class having the same interests being divided between those of us supporting Bernie’s approach and those supporting The Donald. So sad … look to the lifelong histories … which has consistently supported the working middle class?!