MrMuddle

Here's my nomination : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Membership allows a country to bring to the world that which it cherishes most - the wealth of its culture, the resonance of its dreams for mutual understanding," Bokova said, underlining that the Palestinian people, as all peoples, must be able to preserve their culture and heritage.

Unlike Mr. Bokova, I do not wish to see the culture of jihad and prejudice preserved, nor do I believe it is a heritage to be proud of. In respect to the resonance for mutual understanding, there is no resonance since there is no stated goal for mutual understanding: It is the arab way or no way.

If UNESCO was assisting in the development of great thinkers or artists or scientists, I could understand, but there do not appear to be any in the PLA territories. Sorry, if that is harsh, but if anyone can name a brilliant scientist that changed the world for the better to come out of that region, excluding the Israelis, in the past 100 years, please let me know.

Actually I'd seriously be interested in what Palestinian culture is being funded by UNESCO, I would assume Bethlehem would be a priority with it's famous church of the Nativity, though this shows considerable chutzpah considering Christians have been leaving in droves. In 1950 Bethlehem was 80% Christian, now it is less than 15% I think UNESCO should ask why, 'mutual understanding' indeed.

As always, there are two sides to every story, here's what the BBC has to say:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9667000/9667737.stm

There are still shepherds in Bethlehem 2000 years on from the nativity but as our West Bank correspondent Jon Donnison reports, Jewish settlement expansion there has made the life of the shepherd increasingly limited.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16325524

Once predominantly Christian, two-thirds of Bethlehem's 50,000 residents are now Muslim.

Some say the economic restrictions imposed by Israel are the main reason behind the exodus of Christians from the West Bank; others cite persecution by militant Muslims.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is attending the celebrations.

He said: "I wish for the Palestinian people that next year will be the year of implementing peace in the occupied Palestinian lands."

Let’s hope his wish comes true.

More "facts", from the same article

"Abdelhadi Amrani, another lawyer who worked for the killer but is not related, said he had grown up in foster homes after being orphaned as a child."

"Commenting on Amrani's background, Ms Amrani said: 'He did not feel at all Moroccan. He did not speak a word of Arabic, and was not Muslim. What he said is that he felt like a Belgian."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073578/Nordine-Amrani-Inside-home-crazed-Liege-killer-launched-Belgium-grenade-attack.html#ixzz1ghOumpLS

Note to Mods, sorry to use two quotes, I thought it was necessary to explain why both the lawyer, and the gunman have the same surname.

I guess he couldn't read the writing on the rocket launcher then. If you take the lawyer at his word then his client had a strange way of identifying with the Belgian culture, if that's what he identified himself as.

If you believe his lawyer and his family, he was the sunray that lightened up their house.

His family ? Perhaps in your prejudice you didn't see this :

Abdelhadi Amrani, another lawyer who worked for the killer but is not related, said he had grown up in foster homes after being orphaned as a child.

‘I remember a man deeply marked by the loss of his parents,’ said Ms Amrani. ‘He lost his father and mother very early.

Since the events that caused this extremely tragic story to come into the news, there is still no evidence, (except in the minds of the heavily prejudiced), that this was anything to do with religion, or an act of terrorism. In fact, if we look at the background to the tragedy, the perpetrator, was an out & out criminal, who had previous convictions for rape, possession of a large array of weapons, drug dealing, and was being investigated for sexual assault. But NONE for anything to do with terrorism. It is also obvious that this man should not have been released early from a previous sentence, and that he should have been under supervision because of his mental health, whether he was in prison or not. Please stop trying to turn this tragic event into yet another anti-Islamic tirade, let the victims of this tragedy rest in peace.

This lady is right when she says "Language classes must focus on content relevant to learners' daily lives. The content must be practical,"

Over 10 years ago, my nephews and nieces had English text books (printed in Mexico !), that told a story of a postman walking through a village delivering letters, in the snow (!). We had to explain that this was normal in England, before starting to work on the actual content of the story. This theme recurred throughout the book, in that generally we had to explain what the story was about, before tackling the words and phrases used.

There have been all sorts of excuses used by governments here, to attempt to justify the poor use of English, the most famous probably being the one about not wanting to confuse people that Thailand had once been colonised, when it hadn't. (!!)

I think there is a genuine fear among those in power, that exposing Thai people to a proper English language based education, will enable them to use the internet more effectively, and lead to social unrest.

I agree with thaicbr's posting, this lady does indeed "get it", and she should be fast-tracked to a position of real power in the education ministry, then maybe this country would have a chance to catch up with neighbouring countries, in the use of English.

Thailand needs to become a military dictatorship until the Thai people become mature enough and educated enough

What a disgusting statement.

Actually there's two in the same posting

"the more I realize the PAD was totally correct."

Thailand deserves better than any of these 'alternatives", red shirts, yellow shirts or the army.

I dont know maybe some of what is being said about who FN targets is true but I would like to say it is not only white people that they are speaking to. My father and mother were both people of color. my father was an immigrant from mexico and I hear a good amount of reporting about illegal immigration, I understand the over all negative opinion towards "wet backs", that image carries on to all mexicans, so should I be like my mother and be a blind democrat? foolishly thinking that being a Democart will make me stronger. I am republican, why because I saw how little my mother and father profited by working for other people. I made the choice to work for myself early in life and by doing that I have had to live on next to nothing many times, worked 90 hr weeks, and been broke more times then i can remember. I never asked the govt for a dime 1x, and never expected the govt to do anything for me and the govt never offered either. Having said this, as soon as I made some money it was the govt who was 1st in line for my money, why? because i had the opportunity to take a risk and make some cash in the American business system. Ok fair enough, but i am not the only person who has the opportunity to earn money, the blacks, gays, bi's, trans, muslims, asians, africans, big, tall, skinny, fat, everyone who wants to make a buck can in america, so why do I need to support any of them with my tax dollars? if the govt is taking my money why do i need to be happy about when they are supporting self proclaimed victims? I would much rather see the money go on military spending which creates jobs then to some pitty pot group of people who demand a "fair share". Yes I like fox news and I like having a news station that promotes the old school beliefs i was raised with i.e. if you want to eat, work.

I wonder on the Fox "news" did they mention that the Wallmart family heirs alone holds the same wealth as THIRTY percent of the ENTIRE American population? These same people have effectively lobbied the government to reduce THEIR taxes and also to change the estate tax laws (which impact the SUPER rich only) in their favor.

I suggest Fox change their name to the One Percent Network because that's the interest they work on 24/7, preserving massive economic equality and making it even worse.

Often Latino Americans vote republican because they can relate to the "family values" (translation: hate the gays) rhetoric of that party. But still it was a strong Latino showing that propelled Obama in 2008 and I trust that will happen again.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you mean "massive economic inequality".

As for the Waltons, (owners of Wallmart), it's high time the US government said "Goodnight" to their greed, once and for all. Whoever would have thought that Johnboy, JimBob, and the rest would grow up to be such capitalist barstewards ?

I found divorce worked for me, I finally made a fortune once I was rid of that big spending, low earning biatch.

Fugitive goes to Embassy, which is classed as the same soil as the country it represents, and is not arrested....why not ?

To answer the OPs statement, what a road of clap.

Well, we now know which airline most Germans will use in the future...

totster

yes, I noticed Germans seem to be big fans...

I hope this Airline doesn't fly to Russia, they'll demand their money back, and then get angry when they are refused!

More "facts", from the same article

"Abdelhadi Amrani, another lawyer who worked for the killer but is not related, said he had grown up in foster homes after being orphaned as a child."

"Commenting on Amrani’s background, Ms Amrani said: ‘He did not feel at all Moroccan. He did not speak a word of Arabic, and was not Muslim. What he said is that he felt like a Belgian."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073578/Nordine-Amrani-Inside-home-crazed-Liege-killer-launched-Belgium-grenade-attack.html#ixzz1ghOumpLS

Note to Mods, sorry to use two quotes, I thought it was necessary to explain why both the lawyer, and the gunman have the same surname.

From "lovetotravel'

"The CIA is pretty darn sharp. Who's to say the "innards" of that drone aren't already toast? When the military does a program, they evaluate every potential risk. I'm sure this was thought of.'

Try googling CIA intelligence failures, there are more than 30 million pages.

This is a useful link http://voices.washin...bloopers_1.html

This lists CIA failures from the 1950s to the present day, they have been spectacularly wrong, on more occasions than not.

I think that the truth is, that the CIA is as sharp as one of those plastic spoons that come with a packet of yoghurts.

Perhaps you need to travel some more.

I've traveled a bunch. Probably more than you.

Googled CIA failures: 5.5 million hits

Googled CIA successes: 63 million hits

So whose sharper than a plastic spoon????

So you've got a mobile trailer - how nice.

Don't some of you right wing folks just love to post selected quotes that back up your "knowledgeable" comments.

I googled "CIA intelligence failures"again, (my original suggestion ), and this time got 54 million hits.....whatever have they been up to overnight ??

I tried shaving this morning with a plastic spoon. Didn't cut myself.

Judging by your photo, you've missed quite a lot....ever thought of using a razor ?

"Look officer, someone's cut my strings"

You may get a better response if you ask the Mods to post this either in the Pattaya section, or in the Computer section. Good luck.

yes, they should. But try to tell that to the singleted, beer swilling twunts that make TV the haven for the friendless it is.

"Twunts" - what a good word, a combination of two insults combined into one.

Funny how everybody is still making use of rationality and economics when everybody knows at the same time that none of these notions will be used to take the decision...

You're a sensible chap...............................what on earth are you doing on here?

:cheesy:

I'm glad they didn't bring this in when I was a magistrate. I can't see how allowing this kind of reporting, (especially using Twitter), will not distract the proceedings of the courts.

Rather than get involved in arguments about the race or religion of the perpetrator, (I've read several reports, none of which state race or religion as a factor in this gunmans actions), perhaps it would be better to stick to simple condolences on here, out of respect for those who died or have been injured.

According to the BBC, when the police searched the gunmans house they found a dead cleaning lady, who the gunman shot before he went on the rampage.

Very sad days events in Liege, my condolences to all concerned.

From "lovetotravel'

"The CIA is pretty darn sharp. Who's to say the "innards" of that drone aren't already toast? When the military does a program, they evaluate every potential risk. I'm sure this was thought of.'

Try googling CIA intelligence failures, there are more than 30 million pages.

This is a useful link http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/12/the_cias_biggest_bloopers_1.html

This lists CIA failures from the 1950s to the present day, they have been spectacularly wrong, on more occasions than not.

I think that the truth is, that the CIA is as sharp as one of those plastic spoons that come with a packet of yoghurts.

Perhaps you need to travel some more.

In reality, it is less dangerous in terms of crashing than the local enthusiast taking his remote control plane out for a spin at the local park. And I would hazard a guess that it is far safer than private planes in as far as crashing on a per take-off or landing basis.

Except it weighs around 5 tons fueled and loaded. Much prefer a RC hobbyist plane land on me than that.

+1 & this time it was not the spy/surveillance type drone. It was a Reaper..Previously the Predator.The same type they use to fly in Pakistan & shoots guided bombs & missiles

Size is about same as a fighter jet 36 feet long with 66 foot wingspan & can fly at 300mph & reach up to 50,000 feet.

Was lucky it happened to be an empty payload when it crashed.

And these things are remote controlled ? It must only be a matter of time before one of these things causes an incident with a commercial flight.

Surely the figures are wrong here ? The wall is 25 centimetres long ? So it's the size of a brick ?

It will be interesting to see how this case progresses, if indeed the wall is on Indonesian soil. I can understand the frustration of local residents if it is causing traffic congestion, hardly a way to win 'hearts and minds".

1.5 kg! Impressive.

> noticed a suspicious white substance in her hair.

Does not sound like the most clever attempt in the world.

You should always refuse to be a drug mule unless working with pros.

You should always refuse to be a drug mule, because drugs destroy people's lives, and allow evil drug dealers to control other people, while making an easy living.

In Phetchabun, large house, huge garden, with two ponds - both cleaned weekly, a washing machine that is used 3 times a week, two cars washed weekly, and a jacuzzi bath used several times a week, we have never used more than 200 baht a month, and the lowest figure was 130 baht. We also have over twenty animals, dogs, cats, pigs, etc, that use water for drinking and for cleaning them. The average is just under 160 baht a month. Drinking water ( we don't drink tap water), is 200 baht a month. Compared to the UK, where I was paying 20 pounds a month (961 baht at todays rate), eleven years ago, it's very cheap.