RuamRudy

On Thursday a new World News topic appeared about some Hollywood nonentity who has posted something Islamaphobic on social media. To date it has garnered 6 comments, the majority supporting her views. I think that is telling in itself. One thing I have noticed is that, in the UK at least, the hard right has quickly resolved its inner dichotomy. In the past, Jews and Muslims were equally reviled by them, however their hatred of Muslims has reached a level where they now pretend that they have always been supportive of Jews. The ultimate irony - a right winger in the UK calling someone antisemitic.

Of course much of the reason that they are 'used to that type of thing' back home is that the west, the Netherlands included, played a significant role in turning their countries into basket cases many years ago, and has done little to improve things since. We are reaping the fruits of our forefathers' actions.

$656k? Not a very ambitious crook then. Of course , the intention of such stories is to discredit the individual but the size of the allegation is so small in relation to the actual graft that goes on in Russia that you have to wonder why suggest such a minute figure. Could it be that they couldn't actually tie him to any corruption so had to settle for a more believable (to masses) figure? Although I am sure that there are very few in Russia who are unaware of the rampant corruption that pollutes every layer of Russian society.

The British don't like her? Don't let the pathetic whining of a traitorous failed chat show host who she once had the good sense to spurn, and for which he has never forgiven her, fool you into thinking she is somehow thought of as her step mother in law was back in the day when her adultery became common knowledge.

A man is ill and possibly dying, but don't let that be a reason not to go wildly off topic and post more of your obsessive bile about his daughter in law.

Best wishes to Charles and the other 1000 or so people across the UK who received a cancer diagnosis yesterday. I hope that they all receive the very best of care and support.

As I stated in my original post...

No, but I have a faint hope that maybe they recognised that most of the contents was of no value to them, and discarded it.

That's the thing although mine was issued in the Netherlands, also yellow, but it's essentially the same thing.

Brian Eno - King's Lead Hat

Willard Grant Conspiracy - The Work Song

You are right - but the first time in my 50 odd years this has happened so I guess I was getting complacent. As Bob Servant would say, I will learn from this...

Silver Jews - Suffering Jukebox

Bill Callahan - Too Many Birds

Lou Reed - Street Hassle

Not COVID but all the many jabs I need to get to survive in the places my company sends my to work in.

I have I idea about the person behind me but the guy in front looked Thai, maybe mid 40s, balding, if I recall correctly, dressed in a smart sweater.

To be honest, I find it quicker than taxis at rush hour. That was the sole reason. And I travel pretty light.

Thank you very much!

I was the victim of a pickpocket duo on the MRT last week. Although feeling very angry with myself and foolish at falling prey to them, I thought I would describe what happened so others might be more aware. Firstly, although I no longer live in Bangkok, I did for a long time in the past and continue to visit regularly. I thought I was clever enough and street smart enough that I knew how to handle myself. Clearly that's not the case. On the day, I had arrived at Suvarnabhumi around 5pm and took the train to Makasan then the MRT to Silom where I changed to the SkyTrain. I had a carry-on suitcase and my backpack slotted over the handles of my case. As the train pulled into Silom I got up and queued behind a few people to get off. The doors opened and we moved to the exit - the guy in front of me paused as he got off the train, looking a bit confused as to which way to go. I stopped abruptly as he had blocked my exit and I recall someone 'bumping' into me from behind. About 30 minutes later when I arrived at my hotel I realised that my travel wallet, which usually holds my passport, was missing from my backpack. I realised what happened - the first guy created the abrupt halt which gave the guy behind a reason to push into me and dip my backpack. Fortunately, for some miraculous reason my passport was in my shirt pocket. Usually I place it in the wallet for safe keeping but this time I simply didn't. Obviously I am very grateful for that. In fact, all they got was about $100 of unpopular currencies (Kazakh tenge, Scottish pounds and Philippines pesos) but, infuriatingly, also my vaccination passport with details of all my vaccinations. I really wish I hadn't lost that. Anyway, we live and learn so I will definitely be more careful and less blasé in the future. And if you are on public transport, keep your variables safe and watch out for the pickpocket tag team. Oh, and if anyone has an email address for MRT lost and found, it would be much appreciated!

I think you are not a million miles away from the point many others hold - let's see Andrew have his day in court. He should have the same scrutiny as any other alleged sex offender.

The vigour of which I was referring was not that of the police, but of the poster to whom I was responding.

Your desperation to categorise this child as a sex worker is concerning. The Sexual Offences Act is clear that she is not a sex worker. It is also clear that the allegations against Andrew are very serious and should be pursued with the same vigour you expect to be shown to Muslim rape gangs, whose behaviours are no less disgusting.

She was paid to sleep with him. You, yourself, even called her a prostitute. The law in England is clear with regards to prostitution. Under 18s cannot willingly participate in it, either as buyers or sellers. The age of consent has zero relevance here, despite your failure to understand that. A dirty old man allegedly paid for sex with a child (as defined in the Sexual Offences Act). He needs to face the full scrutiny of the law.

If the allegations are correct, she was not in a consensual relationship with Andrew, but was procured for her services. UK law stipulates that while prostitution is not illegal, participants must be over 18. The procurement of minors (as she was, in relation to the Sexual Offences Act, for sex is very much illegal in the UK.