impulse

But here's the deal. Just like Jesse Jackson, I'm a racist when I feel safer encountering a group of white kids after dark. I think differently, and that's racism. But I don't act on it. I do my best to deal with the individual, and trite as is may sound, a lot of my good friends (and roomies) have been black. And people I've worked with and promoted. That's what Equal Opportunity laws are about. They know they can't dictate or control feelings. Just actions. Source: https://quotefancy.com/quote/247823/Jesse-Jackson-There-is-nothing-more-painful-to-me-at-this-stage-in-my-life-than-to-walk

Sure, if they've got the talent, the experience and the smarts. (And didn't plagiarize their work). Lots of excellent black leaders all over in business, gub'ment and academia. But don't hire or promote them over other, more qualified candidates just because they tick a box. That's reverse racism, which is still racism. Edit: Can you imagine the NBA if they required racial quotas and only 12.5% of the players can be black?

That blacks have a statistically higher probability of legal problems isn't racist. It's a documented fact. 12.5% of the population and 33-36% of the arrests. Or do you believe the wokies that try to convince us they're being picked on? https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/revcoa18.pdf

As I see it, Thailand's problem is that there's too many snouts in the trough and not enough left over for real development. Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, the strongest Asian economies were all started down the road to prosperity by a crooked guy who had the strength to control unfettered access to the trough. (Edit: I'd add Japan, too. But I don't think MacArthur was crooked) Made their families immensely wealthy, but their countries, too. Is there anyone alive that could do that for Thailand? Thaksin is the only one I know of, with the stones, the cunning, and the business experience to do it. Whether he will (would?) or not, I have no clue. My stint in Thailand started after he was ousted, and a year or two before Yingluck got couped out the door. I'd hope he would try to leave a favorable legacy in his remaining years.

That's pretty shameful. A group of us back home occasionally go down to the soup kitchen where a few of them volunteer on a weekly basis. We always kick in a lot more than the meal would cost us if we had gone to Denny's around the corner. I wonder if he put out a basket for donations? Maybe with a sign asking for help feeding the needy. Face being as important as it is, I'd hope a lot of the locals would want to be seen kicking in some baht.

So if I decide not to hire any blacks because they statistically have more problems with the law, that's not racism? Judging a person by the color of their skin is racism. Has nothing to do with hate. But I'd still get sued (and rightfully so) for $$$ millions, for racism. If a person chooses (or excludes) a romantic partner based on race, that's racism.

Racism is treating people (or even thinking about them) differently based on some racial trait. You seem to think it's limited to abject hatred. It can be a lot more subtle.

By that line of reasoning, any Thai woman that won't marry (or even date) a foreigner is a narcissist?

I just got a new debit card at K-Bank last month. Went in and asked and it took about 10 minutes. The card doesn't have my name on it, just "Privileged Member". Credit cards? I have no clue. A little more info, I'm American on visa exempt. I got the card to replace one that had expired a couple of years ago when I was a Covid refugee outside of Thailand. They expended some time and energy canceling the last card, which I had cut up soon after it expired. They were a little dismayed that I didn't have it with me, but not a big problem. I don't know what that was about.

Narcissism and racism may be related at some physical level, and may share a few traits, and perhaps causes. But they're nowhere near the same thing.

Nope, hatred based on skin color or ethnicity is a defect. I made no judgment about its desirability. Just that it's a "normal" state and has been for most of history and across most of the world. (Including Thailand) That doesn't mean it's good. Edit: BTW, hatred is a strong word. Most racism is lower key.

When I got back to the USA after many years of living overseas, I was astounded that pretty much every TV ad featured a mixed race or gay couple. Given the low percentage they actually represent in society, I considered it pandering.

You're confusing normal with desirable.

Sure they do. Racists of all stripes. Just like anti-Semitic used to mean you don't like Jews. Today, it's also thrown at anyone who disagrees with any Israeli policy, no matter how harmful to Jewish people. Woke used to be related to race. It's been co-opted by SJW's for every cause. There's another example. Social justice. Just doesn't mean the same thing today.

I'd be a lot more interested in his flight records so we'd know who was on the airplane and the island at the same time as underage girls. Just 'cause the knew the guy, flew on his jet, or spent time on the island doesn't mean they participated (or even necessarily knew about) despicable behavior. Oh, and the CCTV tapes. Because you just know the guy was getting the goods on his guests.

That's what it used to mean. That's been co-opted, part of that "changing the meaning of words".

Gotta wonder how many of those Malaysians walked across the border, did a little shopping and walked back, same day. And did that 52 times, once a week... Not so much tourist money in that.

They may be able to marry, or register a Thai marriage. But she's still on a tourist visa.

Be nice to get home for a few days, but then I imagine it'll be right back to the meat grinder...

What really surprised me is the amount that the fries and drink added. I recall (maybe faulty memory) when you'd pay like $2 for a burger or $2.50-2.75 for a combo. Certainly not 2x. But I also remember Mickey-D double meat hamburgers for $0.99. It was a special, but seemed to last for a long time.

Not to be a downer, or wish this on anyone, but if you are married and you feel it going south on you, are you better off living in Thailand or the USA when the divorce happens? I've heard horror stories of foreign wives (not just Thai) that get involved in support groups whose entire purpose seems to be to pick their husband's bones as clean as possible when they decide it's over. Happened to a couple of guys I knew with Filipino wives. Met them while stationed in the Phils, and to listen to them after the fact, they're convinced the Green Card, citizenship, then a lucrative divorce was the plan all along. Edit: BTW, when I looked at them and then looked at their gorgeous wives, I scratched my head and wondered...

I'd contend that a political survey cannot ever be truly random, just by the fact that some segment of the population won't respond to a survey. They'll hang up. And that segment is probably more likely to be on one side or the other. Some segment of the population doesn't even have a phone, and that segment is probably skewed to one side. Some will lie, and they're probably skewed to one side. And there's probably a lot of skewing factors I'm not even thinking about, and many others that are used deliberately. But it's not about the size of the survey. It's about the randomness. I think they can get it random enough for practical purposes, and account for factors that need to be considered. If they want to. For that, you have to count on the reputation and history of the surveying entity.

My bad. I Googled "Big Mac set", and didn't pay enough attention. Especially dumb because they don't call it a "set" in the USA. It's a meal.

I'm not sure of the accuracy, but here's a scary report. https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/01/02/japan-coast-guard-plane-crash-graphics/72083108007/

Remind me... How many Israelis and Palestinians were killed under Trumps term? How many Russkies and Ukes were dying? What was the nuclear threat level? How many illegals violated US sovereignty the year before he handed over the reins? Would you rather have peace and border security under a narcissist, or war all over the world and millions of illegals costing billions (trillions?) in tax money under a 2 faced lying politician? You can judge a guy based on the words coming out of his mouth, or based on the results. I know which I'd choose.