phetphet

The behaviour of current US administration and its supporters reminds me of that old Millwall FC chant: "No one likes us, we don't care." But with India and China now cosying up, Canada's response to Trump's threats, and many other countries turning away from the US and finding alternative markets, they have aided the one thing they really didn't want: The ascendance of China, where Trump is viewed as a good thing for them.. The US doesn't have all the resources it needs, that's why it is after Ukraine's and also Greenland. Even if it re-tools and modernises it's manufacturing bases, which could take years, it will find it difficult to re-enter lost markets. On top of that, it's use of the USD as a weapon of control has caused both the birth of BRICS and the BRICS alternative payment system, and therefore it's likely loss as the international currency. NATO is still there, but Trump's own words show he doesn't think much of its usefulness, and Vance and Hegseth's opinions of their allies are now public. They may still have said allies for now, but the way they are going, not for much longer. The silly little UK might try and stand on the fence, torn between the US and Europe, but IMHO will eventually pick Europe due to Trump's favouring of Russia. No one likes a bully. Let's see what happens on 02/04.

Elon Skum inside your head? No thanks.

Someone who is quackers?

They won't need so many teachers soon. All the kids will be too tired after work. At least in Florida. https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/florida-considers-bill-to-roll-back-child-labor-laws-to-fill-jobs-once-held-by-undocumented-migrants/ar-AA1BNHCH

Rental prices have gone up. My theory, at least here in Samui. This is partially due to demand caused by so many cannabis outlets opening up everywhere. Also by the influx of so many Russians due to the Ukraine war. Many have started businesses to fund their new life here, and to feed or service the needs of their compatriots. Nothing wrong with that, but these two together caused a large demand for properties in a fairly short period of time.

I was thinking the same thing about condensation. Especially here in Thailand with such a humid climate. I suppose a couple of ceiling fans could help circulate the cool air, but as soon as they were turned off the cold air would just sink to the floor and seep out of any gaps under doors, windows etc. So something to consider. It might be nice to lie or sleep on the floor on those hot nights though.

That article is dated Jan 30 2022. I am talking about these massive frauds that DOGE says it has been finding.

Sure there will be some fraud going on, but the question still remains, if it is so bad, why hasn't anyone been charged yet?

Due to one thing or another, I haven't yet claimed my UK State pension as a retiree living in Thailand. I am completing the application forms now. I realise that if I backdate to my 66th birthday in 2024, it will be calculated from then, and I would likely get a lump sum back payment minus any tax based on 2024 pension rates, and will never increase while living in Thailand. I realise that I can also apply for it to kick in from a later date that would increase my payment. Minimum period of nine weeks and multiples of said nine weeks. I read somewhere that gives about 4%/ nine weeks/year. If I apply for my pension to start after end of tax year April 2025 would I be eligible for any proposed pension increase in April? Just trying to figure out most advantageous route. On another note. Are there any advantages/disadvantages for either having pension paid into UK bank account vs Thai bank account? TIA

Trump denies signing the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. Even though his signature is on the decree. And it's not autopen. You would think someone would remember signing something so important. “I don’t know when it was signed ’cause I didn’t sign it. Other people handled it. But Marco Rubio’s done a great job, and he wanted them out, and we go along with that,” Trump told reporters. The White House said later on Friday that Trump wasn’t referring to the invocation, but the original act signed by Adams.

As far as I can gather, Teams charges a monthly subscription for the ability to make phone calls. There is a free version, but itdoesn't have a phone keypad. The good thing about Skype was the ability to keep a small amount of credit there just for the occasional calls when needed. It was great for free video calls to friends and for educational purposes. Obviously not a good business plan for Microsoft. I can now just use FaceTime, Signal or Telegram for free voice and video calls. A lot of those who used Skype for educational video calls will have likely switched to Zoom. i found this webpage that lists some alternatives: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/skype-alternatives/ Also this chart to help decide what might be a good replacement: If it is unreadable, here is the website I took it from. It shows some other alternatives. https://www.kdan.com/blog/skype-alternatives

Can't the police track the guy or get his details through the dating app? Not to make too light of the subject, but maybe Miss Fah has found herself a business opportunity, House cleaning services dressed up as a maid. Obviously without the anal part.

Going around headbutting walls probably didn't help.

The scary part about it is the amount of firearms held by an increasingly divided public.

There was an article about this in the New York Times. Many staff either accepted DOGE's buyout offer or were fired. Now there are severe staff shortages. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ny-times-investigation-exposes-decimation-caused-by-doge-cuts-at-top-secret-nuclear-agency/ar-AA1B4YDT

MMGA. Make Mars Great Again. Donald. Start selling those baseball caps!

Do you really think the US spends all that money for nothing? It gains them power, hegemony. In the case of the defence industry, it enables them to be the biggest seller to NATO. Billions of dollars of sales. Now it is pulling back, and proving to be unpredictable and unreliable, those NATO countries own defence industries will step up their own development and sales. just like the South African and Israeli arms industries did and those sales will disappear. The rest of the world is far from perfect. I know, I am British. You only have to look at the state of my country. I actually agree with some of Trump's policies, but what he is doing, and how he is going about it is absolutely crazy. Destroying friendships and alliances, talking about taking over sovereign countries, tanking the US stock markets, getting China talking about war. ignoring judges and overriding the judiciary to say thee least does not seem a good way to go about things..

Have they been opened and checked by Customs?

Rotisserie Chicken. Or as my daughter used to call it as a 5 year old...Chicken Round. 😁

It's not just the US that provides funds to either find a cure or prevent the spread of these diseases. Many other countries do so as well. In fact it is beholden of most governments to do so to protect their own citizens against future outbreaks, and for the US to stop such aid is to leave it's own citizens at risk of exposure. It only takes one person to bring a disease into a country, and it doesn't have to be an immigrant. Tuberculosis can ruin many young lives, and I certainly wouldn't like to see it take hold again.

It's too hot for hot food, so I made a Peri Peri chicken and pasta salad, with apple and grapes in a low fat mayonnaise.

One can enjoy the same sunset for far cheaper than the Intercontinental from several bars and restaurants in Bangrak. Or from the Big Buddha Temple. Obviously, the Inter is far more luxurious, but pretty much anywhere on the west coast will have great views of the sunset, and this time of year there are some great ones.

It was bound to happen. Unchecked immigration into any country is bound to upset the locals eventually. The strain on public services and the inevitable shortage of housing effects the locals the most.

Reacher Season 3, Prime Target

It's only been a few weeks. Let's give it another month to see what happens.