CMHomeboy78

The only hope for a conclusion to the never ending conflict in and around Israel is a refusal to participate in it. Let's hope this movement in Cyprus spreads to other countries in the region.

He's in the White House. During his first term that was exactly what he was saying, and to my recollection, he kept his word and didn't start any new wars. His second term has been an unmitigated disaster, The radical Zionists have him by the cojones and he is nothing but their puppet.

OK Eric, if you say so... Actually, you may be right. The last one that I can think of is Pol Pot's Kampuchea. Although present-day North Korea might also qualify in some respects. The real menace now is from what has been termed "Cultural Marxism". That is, the imposition by leftists of their cockamamie ideas on the rest of us.

The same could probably be said for most - if not all - the Communist countries in the world. Exceptions might be countries that are "Communist" in name only, like China where the people are capitalist to the bone.

Starting with the Bay of Pigs "invasion" in 1961, American incursions into Cuba have gone from tragedy to farce. Let them alone. If they want Communism they can have it. Like other countries that have adopted it, they are stewing in their own juice. The real fear has always been that they will make a success out of it and become an example for all of Central and South America.

Let's hope not. If it were, it would be grounds for an immediate beginning of impeachment proceedings.

Maybe a "no-win" for Kingsgate, but a big win for the locals who had the balls to put up a fight. Let's hope it encourages others to arouse the authorities into action regarding the toxic air pollution from wildfires and agricultural burning that takes the joy out of life every year at this time.

Abhisit (Mark) Vejjajiva seems like a fundamentally decent sort in the rogue's gallery of Thai politicians.

Most Thais are proud - and rightly so - of their cultural heritage. However, much of it originally came from outside the country. Classical dance from the Khmers. Musical instruments from Java. Many of their most popular foods from the Malay states, etc., etc. That said, they have created a unique culture out of it all where I have spent my adult life as a graphic artist greatly inspired by it. I also raised a family along the way... I wouldn't have wanted to do it anywhere else.

It has been a long time since I heard of Poste Restante, and even longer since I've used it myself. On the Hippie Trail in the mid-1970s it was just about the only way to get a letter from home. In some countries it actually worked quite well. I remember getting a letter from my Mom at the main P.O. in Tehran... "news about the cat"... it was one of the most welcome letters I've ever received. Omnipresent weirdnesses on the overland trip had left me feeling somewhat homesick.

So true. All they need is palm trees... and Trump will probably supply those soon enough. It's not totally inconceivable that he will annex Greenland. The audacity of this man is mind-boggling.

Taking stickers off of large newly bought appliances has constantly met with resistance from my wife. Your thoughts on why so many Thais want to leave them on indefinitely are probably right. One of those cultural differences that are best left unchallenged. However, I've always stood my ground on this issue, come hell or high water - and both have come at various times in our life together.

Just another day in Chiang Mai. More tourists in town now, so maybe they think it is worth while to cruise around looking for fares instead of sitting in one place.

That train left the station a long time ago.

Your caveat about big cities and tourist areas is spot-on. You forgot to mention the instinctive courtesy so often shown by Thais of all classes.