Miami Bob

Grateful the U.S. elected a President capable of getting the U.S. economy back on track after it was damaged so much by the Cheney administration.

I got a pay raise last week, and probably another next week

Thank you Mr. President!.

" back on track"! Oh my lord, what US economy are you talking about? Surely you don't believe all the fake numbers the administration puts out like unemployment 5.5 %. It's almost like Obummer has done everything in his power to destroy the US economy, the American culture and the country as a sovereign state. The rebounds that have occurred since 2008, like housing in some areas, had nothing to do with Obama policies. But maybe I shouldn't be so hard on him because he is just the latest face man for the global banker/corporate power structure, admittedly a smooth talking one that sucked a lot of people in at the beginning. But even some hard gore Obama zombies are waking up now and his approval rating is down almost as low as Bush before he left office. I do agree with you about Cheney in the sense that he should be on trial for high treason and crimes against humanity for his part in 911 and the subsequent wars he made a fortune off and loss of freedoms around the world since then.

That's tragic, but sadly all too common in Thailand.

I know it looks like fun, and a convenient way to get around, but people who have barely/never ridden a bike before could not choose a worse place than Thailand to learn.

Throw in some beers, shorts and flip flops, plastic bucket helmets (maybe) and sandy corners...and bad things can happen.

Good luck kid.

Exactly, but I would add not used to driving on the left side of the road, looking around trying to figure out where they are going with street signs they can't read and two 90 kilo falangs on one little motorbike weaving down the road dragging their feet going around a corner for balance and looking like their going to fall over at any time. I hear Vietnam might be an even worse place to learn.

Where was the cops car parked....half way out in the lane with no flashers or any other lights on like we all know that Thai's do constantly? I haven't seen anything about that. Maybe that's why there is no prosecution, maybe the cops know it was just as much his fault. Just a thought.

The USA was founded by scared individuals who have carried on this silly notion to the detriment of the nation. Watch the South Park version of the making of America.

Its only a cartoon but very incisive

The USA was founded by exceptional men who took on the armed forces of the greatest military power since the fall of the Roman Empire which had a very long history of continuous victories on the battlefield and high seas. With a little help from France they prevailed despite the very poor odds of doing so. I know the Brits ( whom I respect and admire) like to gamble. In 1776 I am confident they wouldn't have given the Americans much of a chance to win; yet they somehow managed to do so. These were truely courageous and remarkable individuals that even inspired European intellectuals and idealists like La Fayette with their noble cause. They were obsessed with the idea of giving the new American citizens a government that would protect their natural rights and freedom and limited their own power in government. I have read enough about this era to give your cartoon a pass.

Dam Merzik, is that you in the photo!? I'm comin to Pattaya!! Ok enough of this threat. Time to eat.

The right to protect your life - even using lethal force - is a basic human right. I know you feel that some people's lives are more worthy than others, but the American constitution and ideals of "all men created equal" say otherwise.

Um, now you are just making sh!t up.

Well I did not write the constitution or more correctly the bill of rights as chuckd pointed out. But I really don't see the point in arguing about guns because it is a slam dunk argument.

If guns did not serve a legitimate purpose in the protection of human life, then please explain why Police have guns. Please explain why banks and airports and Politicians and rich folk are protected by guards carrying guns?

In every country, everyone in positions of power - even in Australia that bastion of anti gun hysteria - are protected by guns. What you are saying is the elite are allowed priveledges in terms of personal security that the average person is not entitled to.

I was in LA during the 1992 riots and the limousine liberals in Beverley Hills had a small army of coppers to protect themseves. Nice to have the cash to have this I guess? The gangbangers got nowhere near BH however; as even in times of peace they are given very close attention. Liberals don't hesiitate to racially profile on their turf. The rest of us were left pretty much on our own as the LAPD essentially stood down for a few days. On one occaision a car load of menacing thugs drove by our home very slowly to case the place out. My weapons became visible and they decided to move on. Fortunately I didn't have to shoot. Only the strong survive.

I live in Krabi, just going to Phuket for the 4th party. I'm going to try to talk my Thai wife into applying for a permit to buy a 12 gauge pump. It looks like there could be a big 'correction" coming in the world economy in the not to distant future and there could be lots desperate people in every country. Just the sight and sound of a pump racking will send most folks running for a softer target and thus the least likely weapon you would actually have to fire. Similar to what you just described happened to you in LA.

I've got a good idea. Give everyone in the US a gun. Make it mandatory to own a gun and join the NRA. No problems then. They wouldn't be called massacres then - just an everyday event.

When I first saw that 38 people were killed in a shooting I didn't think Tunisia I thought USA - again.

Here are some stats that may surprise you and the gun grabbers probably won't want to believe.

If you go to the official FBI website you will find that according to their own stats from 1992 until 2012 violent crime in the USA has declined by 49%. It has continued to decline and is over 50% now. One analyst believes it is now down by 61% since 1992.

Gun ownership has increased by about 400% since Obama took office.

The US states that have the highest gun ownership per capita have the lowest crime rates.

Switzerland has the lowest crime rate in Europe accept for Monaco which isn't really a country. Every man is required to serve in the military and is then required to take his full auto military machine gun home with him. They even have sold surplus ammo to civilians to keep in practice. It's part of the national defense strategy. I have confirmed this with several Swiss including a guy who rents from me. Who is going to break into a house if they know the owner has a machine gun? Point being, it's the mental health of the society that matters, not how many guns exist.

Although I haven't done any research to confirm this, I heard a very established talk show host say the other day that statistically Britain is actually a more violent society than the US is. Yes I know, more people die from gunshots in the US, but they are talking about violence in general.

OK, enough.

Good post. A few additional points;

The violent crime rate is starting to go up in Switzerland now and immigration from Africa and the ME is responsible for this. Still Switzerland is a great example of why citizens having weapons is a good idea. In contrast; countries with highly restrictive gun control laws ( like Brazil and Mexico) have some of the highest violent crime rates in the world.

Merzik,

Didn't know that about the immigration to Switzerland, thanks. Haven't been there for decades. If your in Phuket there is a 4th party on Saturday night at the "Stoned Crab" bar on Sai Luan. Owner also has a bar in N. Dakota. Great all you can eat American food buffet. I'll be there.

Bob

Another Bush, another Dunce!

Did you live in Florida under Jeb Bush's governorship? Why do you say he is a dunce...as compared to what current leader? Name it, Boy.

Floridian who actually experienced JEB! Very simply 'JEB' on election signs. Get used to it folks, he will be the next president and just might be able to repair all the 'dunce' acts from Oboy.

Although I admittedly have no information to back this up I have to wonder if Jeb truly wants to be president or if it's just " OK Jeb, your turn to do your thing for the family". That's what Donald Trump suggested in an interview yesterday. Unless I discover skeletons in Trumps closest that could be used to compromise him [ like Hilary] I'm thinking Trump might actually be the best choice to try to undue some of the damage done to the country by previous administrations. He's a proven business man [ not a "community organizer" - ha ] and an excellent negotiator. And he has his own money [ 9 billion net ] thus far less likely to be owned by special interests or indirect donations from other countries [ like Hilary ] . But many would not vote for Trump because they don't like his hair style but will vote for Hilary because she is a women. What a world! Cheers.

My personal opinion (which I know EVERYONE has been waiting to hear! 555) is that people the world over are tired of cookie-cutter politicians. If Trump's personality wasn't so abrasive, he'd have a chance. If he wins the election, the U.S. will become the pariah of the planet. He has great ideas, his delivery is just unacceptable on a global scale. Remind you of anyone else currently leading a nation in a manner of a bull in a china shop?

Senator Bernie Sanders is the Democrat's answer to Trump, and while the Senator has remained steadfast to his sincere and admirable positions, he doesn't really have that "presidential look." It's a damn shame, I think he would really turn things around. He gets it, he speaks truth and has a growing number of followers, he's just up against the Hilldog war machine.

My prediction: Hillary will win the office, flounder around her first term, just like Arnold did as governor of California, and Senator Elizabeth Warren will oust Hilldog from a second term. THAT woman has more balls and integrity than anyone else I know, as well as the intelligence and humility to know she could never beat Hilldog - until the U.S. gets a taste of what it's REALLY like to have Clinton version 2.0 at the helm.

Well said. Yes, I suspect that witch may win unless people wake up which is unlikely. She will play the gender card for all it's worth just like the race card. Your referring to Putin. Yes the Don can be very abrasive. He has a tough demeanor. Some may see that as what the country needs in a leader now. But yes the rest of the world might be freaked out by that. How much would the Don give in to the global banks and multi-national corps - hard to say. Tough job but at least he might try instead of being a total puppet. I just think the US needs a really good proven business person that can really negotiate

and it doesn't get any better than Trump in that respect. We shall see.

I've got a good idea. Give everyone in the US a gun. Make it mandatory to own a gun and join the NRA. No problems then. They wouldn't be called massacres then - just an everyday event.

When I first saw that 38 people were killed in a shooting I didn't think Tunisia I thought USA - again.

Here are some stats that may surprise you and the gun grabbers probably won't want to believe.

If you go to the official FBI website you will find that according to their own stats from 1992 until 2012 violent crime in the USA has declined by 49%. It has continued to decline and is over 50% now. One analyst believes it is now down by 61% since 1992.

Gun ownership has increased by about 400% since Obama took office.

The US states that have the highest gun ownership per capita have the lowest crime rates.

Switzerland has the lowest crime rate in Europe accept for Monaco which isn't really a country. Every man is required to serve in the military and is then required to take his full auto military machine gun home with him. They even have sold surplus ammo to civilians to keep in practice. It's part of the national defense strategy. I have confirmed this with several Swiss including a guy who rents from me. Who is going to break into a house if they know the owner has a machine gun? Point being, it's the mental health of the society that matters, not how many guns exist.

Although I haven't done any research to confirm this, I heard a very established talk show host say the other day that statistically Britain is actually a more violent society than the US is. Yes I know, more people die from gunshots in the US, but they are talking about violence in general.

OK, enough.

And there are some economists who link the decline in violent crimes with Roe vs. Wade. Their position is that when women had greater access to abortions, less children grew up in situations where their parents were unprepared to raise them which resulted in lower crime rates.

But, you've "heard" things so . . . that's good enough for me.

No need for sarcasm. I said " Although I haven't done any research to confirm this", I didn't state it as an absolute fact.

Yes the Roe VS Wade position may have resulted in the lower crime rate. There were probably many factors. One factor I know of is the end of the crack cocaine epidemic that ravaged the in the inner cities in the 80's.

I've got a good idea. Give everyone in the US a gun. Make it mandatory to own a gun and join the NRA. No problems then. They wouldn't be called massacres then - just an everyday event.

When I first saw that 38 people were killed in a shooting I didn't think Tunisia I thought USA - again.

Here are some stats that may surprise you and the gun grabbers probably won't want to believe.

If you go to the official FBI website you will find that according to their own stats from 1992 until 2012 violent crime in the USA has declined by 49%. It has continued to decline and is over 50% now. One analyst believes it is now down by 61% since 1992.

Gun ownership has increased by about 400% since Obama took office.

The US states that have the highest gun ownership per capita have the lowest crime rates.

Switzerland has the lowest crime rate in Europe accept for Monaco which isn't really a country. Every man is required to serve in the military and is then required to take his full auto military machine gun home with him. They even have sold surplus ammo to civilians to keep in practice. It's part of the national defense strategy. I have confirmed this with several Swiss including a guy who rents from me. Who is going to break into a house if they know the owner has a machine gun? Point being, it's the mental health of the society that matters, not how many guns exist.

Although I haven't done any research to confirm this, I heard a very established talk show host say the other day that statistically Britain is actually a more violent society than the US is. Yes I know, more people die from gunshots in the US, but they are talking about violence in general.

OK, enough.

Another Bush, another Dunce!

Did you live in Florida under Jeb Bush's governorship? Why do you say he is a dunce...as compared to what current leader? Name it, Boy.

Floridian who actually experienced JEB! Very simply 'JEB' on election signs. Get used to it folks, he will be the next president and just might be able to repair all the 'dunce' acts from Oboy.

No one sees that the USA is ruled like Europe 150 years ago in monarchies? Just the faces change sometimes to give the people the feeling they could change something. And well they can change minor things, but not the general direction the country is going......There is no chance that anyone other can be president.

Yes, I see that, been learning about it for years. But I like to think there is still hope.

The big elephant in the room that most candidates and the mainstream media will not talk about is that most all of these nutcase shooters are on SRI drugs [ basically anti-depressants ] that say right on the insert that they can make you violent and even more so when coming off the drugs. A ridiculous number of Americans are on those drugs. The drug companies make billions off those drugs and the mainstream media gets lot's of advertising money from them.

And then there are the documented links between several of the shooters in recent decades like the unibomber and Sirhan - Sirhan who had connections to MK Ultra which is the division of the CIA that does mind control research. But that sounds to much like conspiracy theory talk so I won't go there.

Miami; you are so right. JEB made concealed carry laws easier so decent law abiding folk could protect themselves... e.g. Miami. He also sorted out the Castle Domaine laws so that people could protect themselves without restrictions when someone was trying to kill them. Maybe JEB can help control the current violence killing all nationalities-ISIS. Go Gators.

Go Hurricanes! [ I'm an alumni ] I had a concealed carry permit that I really needed for my business. Nooo, no ...not drugs. ha!

Another Bush, another Dunce!

Did you live in Florida under Jeb Bush's governorship? Why do you say he is a dunce...as compared to what current leader? Name it, Boy.

Floridian who actually experienced JEB! Very simply 'JEB' on election signs. Get used to it folks, he will be the next president and just might be able to repair all the 'dunce' acts from Oboy.

Although I admittedly have no information to back this up I have to wonder if Jeb truly wants to be president or if it's just " OK Jeb, your turn to do your thing for the family". That's what Donald Trump suggested in an interview yesterday. Unless I discover skeletons in Trumps closest that could be used to compromise him [ like Hilary] I'm thinking Trump might actually be the best choice to try to undue some of the damage done to the country by previous administrations. He's a proven business man [ not a "community organizer" - ha ] and an excellent negotiator. And he has his own money [ 9 billion net ] thus far less likely to be owned by special interests or indirect donations from other countries [ like Hilary ] . But many would not vote for Trump because they don't like his hair style but will vote for Hilary because she is a women. What a world! Cheers.

You don't actually think the Don is gunna use his own money.If there is a buck to be made,he'll be in on it,after all he is a businessman.

Good point. I'm undecided about the Don, just started listening to his presidential bid yesterday. Maybe I'm just falling for "wishful thinking" like Hilary, Jeb or Barrack supporters do. It's a long way to the election.

Well I'm guessing that this is the final word then. Deep thinker GWB knows all the answers.

Jen not George, Mr deep thinker.

His name is Jeb not Jen - Mr. deep thinker. Sorry, I try not to be sarcastic on these forums but couldn't resist that one!

Didn't take long for this thread to devolve. Better mental health is needed. Turn off the television for one.

Yes, absolutely turn off the luni-box for starters and yes mental health is a huge problem in the states now.

Another Bush, another Dunce!

Did you live in Florida under Jeb Bush's governorship? Why do you say he is a dunce...as compared to what current leader? Name it, Boy.

Floridian who actually experienced JEB! Very simply 'JEB' on election signs. Get used to it folks, he will be the next president and just might be able to repair all the 'dunce' acts from Oboy.

Although I admittedly have no information to back this up I have to wonder if Jeb truly wants to be president or if it's just " OK Jeb, your turn to do your thing for the family". That's what Donald Trump suggested in an interview yesterday. Unless I discover skeletons in Trumps closest that could be used to compromise him [ like Hilary] I'm thinking Trump might actually be the best choice to try to undue some of the damage done to the country by previous administrations. He's a proven business man [ not a "community organizer" - ha ] and an excellent negotiator. And he has his own money [ 9 billion net ] thus far less likely to be owned by special interests or indirect donations from other countries [ like Hilary ] . But many would not vote for Trump because they don't like his hair style but will vote for Hilary because she is a women. What a world! Cheers.

The big elephant in the room that most candidates and the mainstream media will not talk about is that most all of these nutcase shooters are on SRI drugs [ basically anti-depressants ] that say right on the insert that they can make you violent and even more so when coming off the drugs. A ridiculous number of Americans are on those drugs. The drug companies make billions off those drugs and the mainstream media gets lot's of advertising money from them.

And then there are the documented links between several of the shooters in recent decades like the unibomber and Sirhan - Sirhan who had connections to MK Ultra which is the division of the CIA that does mind control research. But that sounds to much like conspiracy theory talk so I won't go there.

Miami Bob just posted the truth- and along with myself- realise that it is almost hopeless for anyone other than the chosen elite to be elected in the United States. In the unlikely event that a person with integrity and not beholden to the wealthy did receive a forum and was able to get their message across- they would be eliminated. America is the land of greed. As much as Thailand operates on the same system- America is the master of it all. Everything is about money. Obama trumpets his health care reform as though it really is reform- absolute nonsense. He caved into every wealthy business person associated with healthcare and created a monstrosity in which the tax man now monitors whether you paid your health care premium and added 10,000 more revenue agents to do it. Guess who pays their salaries. The American people, of course. Ever wonder why a person's' illness should be a way for someone to make money. Healthcare is an inalienable right. Most of Europe has basic healthcare for its citizens. The American government ignored those systems that actually work and are fair and chose a system that rewards insurance companies. This is only one example of the chicanery that the US government hoists on its populace. Again, I am not anti American but to fix a problem , one has to admit it exists. And there are plenty more.

Were your welfare benefits cut off or are you just trying to suck up to your non-American friends?

Sounds like your one of the 9 % of Americans that poles show still approve of the US federal government. Americans have been waking up exponentially for the last 2-3 years but it's understandable that sometimes the truth about your own country can be very hard to accept.

As an American, I find the report by the US government to lack any real validity and simplistic in its analysis. The Thai government should ignore the report and continue to do what it believes is in the best interests of the Thai people. No need to ask for an explanation- the American report is not relevant. The United States needs to get its own house in order It is spending billions listening to the World's phone calls; uses its intelligence service to put innocent people in detention without any right to counsel or courts; attempts to silence those who would protest against this abomination and then try to sell it as 'protection of American citizens.' In addition, America maintains the most costly military apparatus the World has ever seen. All the while, Americans have the highest health care costs in the World, with limited access; declining wages; increased poverty and a general decline in their overall happiness. Politicians continue to lie to the public and line their pockets with ridiculous benefits and salaries. Is there any wonder why no one in the World is listening to the so called 'greatest country in the World'. I am not anti-American, but it is high time to tell the truth. I remember when the United States was a respected and vital part of the World community because it always took the high road and treated both its citizens and the World with respect. Is there no American who can step forward and lead?

" Is there no American who can step forward and lead?"

It may not be possible for an American to step forward and lead because when a real candidate comes along who has integrity and truly wants to do what's best for the American people the whole power structure both left and right backed by the global banking and multi-national corporate elite will use their literal ownership of the media, use the NSA, CIA, IRS or whatever it takes to prevent that candidate from winning. This coming election looks like it will be a choice between two crime families, the Bushes and the Clintons. If you think that last sentence is a crazy statement dig a little deeper. Cheers.

But this is coming from a country which also tramples on the rights of its own citizens, invades other countries on the flimsiest of excuses, detains citizens of other countries without trial and those persons only defenders are appointed by the the US military. Some of those people have been arrested in countries other than the USA and many of them have been awaiting trial for years.

It regularly sends drones to kill people in other countries and worries little if anything about "collateral damage" to that countries citizens.

Civilians in the USA are regularly killed by the police forces within the USA.

It supports freedom of speech but when it comes to Wikileaks it wants to prosecute to the nth degree those people that expose the truth.

It supports dictatorial regimes in some parts of the world.

When you live in a glass house it is not always a good idea to throw stones.

All true, but it's not just foreigners that they can detain without trial. That's part of what the NDAA was about that Obama signed just before midnight on new years 2012 while congress was getting drunk after saying he wouldn't sign it because the public was against it. It gives the feds the right to detain any US citizen indefinitely without trial or representation. Just disappear them. That's called a police state and countries like Britain aren't far behind. How is the US federal government in a moral position to be judging other countries. Amazing!

How was his car parked? Sitting half way out into the lane of a fast moving highway with no flashing lights on at night like we see all the time here?

There should be a daily world report entitled "zombie news" to cover all the mishaps involving people walking around staring into their little matrix box.

As if the United States federal government is in a moral position to be judging other countries illegal activities.

I would replace the "United States Government" with the Human Race, let those who are without sin cast the first stone.

Regardless of our own sins or indiscretions we must speak up and act on this issue.

As an Australian I now have to deal with the strong possibility that my government is paying criminal people smugglers to turn their boats around and not land their human cargo onto Australian shores, The poor and immoral behaviour of the Australian government does not remove my right to voice my opinion on the situation in SE Asia.

Yes of course you have that right to voice your opinion, no argument there. Cheers.

As if the United States federal government is in a moral position to be judging other countries illegal activities.

Just got back from the post office. The clerk said it only applies to packages 2 kilos or more.

A few months ago the Thai PO began requiring a Thai ID # or foreign passport # written on the front of any package going to the country of Israel. These measures and the recent law requiring all Thai sim cards to be registered in a persons name are little incremental moves toward the long term goal of establishing a global wide surveillance state compiling as much information as possible on as many people as possible. Whether or not you think that is a good or bad thing is a great topic of debate for bloks sitting at the bar here in the LOS.

Now your starting to see what I knew all along Unless BOT comes out with new exchange rate along the lines Of say 44 to 1 USD that would in deed give Thailand a shot in it's economic engine that is needed. It would not only create more jobs and investments inflow but exports would double Construction would reboot defaults would halt because of new jobs allowing people who owe money earn and pay it back. The rate I suggested would have to remain in place at least 2 to 3 years then slowly adjust up wards. I would also venture a guess the expats living here would go on a buying spree unseen in Thailand in years Tourism would double if not triple. Crops prices would rise to to demand of feeding all the people coming into Thailand. And the BOT would be thought of as a genius. It boils down to supply and demand, You have the supply you need to create the demand.

Maybe the BIS [ bank of international settlements] in Zurich won't allow the Baht to be devalued right now. Don't underestimate the power of "the central bank of central banks".