zaphod reborn

Did they test for yaba?  That's the drug of choice for the van drivers.

Does anybody have information about the application window for 2017?  I have been checking since July, and every time I call, they tell me to check back next month.  I called last week, and they told me to check back on 1 December.  I realize they use political events as an excuse to not open the application process, but, now that the Royal mourning period has ended, I see nothing that should prevent them from opening the process.  Also, I am concerned they will use the elections next year as an excuse not to open applications for 2018.  I hope someone has some useful information so that I can plan preparation of my portfolio.  Some of the documents will expire if I prepare them too early.

Although the judge used Manafort's attorney's out of court statements to justify the pretrial publicity ban, that ban is really directed at Trump and his ridiculous tweeting addiction.  If Trump weighs in on this case, the judge will point out that he is a potential witness and is included in the gag order.

1 hour ago, Morch said:

 

I'm not into making up stuff, if that's what you meant. What Kushner "probably" sought, you have no idea of, let along announcing it to be "private financing". That there is any "laundered money" involved is yet another thing aired without much support. Not a Trump supporter by a long-shot. Quite the contrary.

The media is already connecting the dots.  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trumps-attorney-represented-saudi-billionaire-prince-arrested-on-saturday_us_5a00acb3e4b04cdbeb354d59?ncid=edlinkushpmg00000313

2 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Al-Waleed is among those who were arrested. There were earlier reports (if not necessarily confirmed) as to which banks were selected by Saudi Arabia, and Citi apparently didn't make the cut. Again, not exactly sure what you're on about. A causal connection seems rather dubious. 

 

You can't read between the lines, so I'm not sure why you are even commenting here.  Jared probably sought private financing, because Trump specifically said he wanted Aramco listed on the NYSE and not the London exchange.  The problem is that the banks are balking at the NYSE listing, because of sanctions issues.  Trump's SOP is using laundered money to finance these kinds of operations.  Maybe if you removed your Trump-tinted goggles, you could connect the dots.

4 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Sorry, don't see any clear reference to a refused business deal, and not familiar with the Trump announcement mentioned. The arrested prince did buy some property from Trump during the 90's, but don't see how that relates to what was posted. 

Your research skills are quite novice.  Let me give you a hand.  Google Saudi Aramco IPO.  If it goes through, the IPO will be the largest in history.  Perhaps Trump was asking Aleweed to push Citibank to underwrite the IPO?  

11 hours ago, Morch said:

 

What business deal was refused? On the other hand, one of them did say some "nasty" things about Trump once. So there.

You'd have to ask Jared about that, but it might have something to do with Trump's announcement that Alaweed should roll over his Citibank profits into Trump branded properties and hotels.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5055653/Saudi-crown-prince-arrests-ally-Kushner.html  https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/saudi-arabia-detains-famed-billionaire-amid-investment-push/2017/11/05/d9e552e2-c228-11e7-9922-4151f5ca6168_story.html?utm_term=.094402325121

Obviously Trump called in a favor from the future King when these affluent elites refused his business deal.  Trump's "presidency" is nothing more than a get rich scheme enabled by Putin.

15 hours ago, mikebike said:

So he either lied on the background check, or he slipped through the cracks caused by vagaries between military and civilian language and terminology.   Or both. 

CNN is reporting that DOD failed to enter his conviction into the NICS database.  There was a two-count serious domestic violence conviction involving firearms and life-threatening injuries to his child.  He served 1 year in the stockade for the conviction, and that was after a plea deal.  This guy never should have had access to guns.  Bottom line is that Trump is wrong and this is about guns.  There needs to be review of existing gun laws to close loopholes and enforcement lapses.  

1 hour ago, mikebike said:

He received a "bad conduct" discharge for assaulting his wife n kids, NOT a dishonorable discharge. He was still allowed to buy gun(s).

Nope, he could not legally buy guns, as reported by several news agencies.  The discharge was due to a violent crime which prohibits him from buying firearms.  A BCD only preserves vested pension rights, but grants no other benefits withheld by a dishonorable discharge.  Brady Act NICS disqualifier:

"Domestic Violence

• The potential buyer is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner;
• Has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence."

http://graphics.wsj.com/gun-check-explainer/

Wow!  Fake land deeds in Thailand?  Say it ain't so.  It's amazing what you can get from the Land Department in exchange for a brown envelope.

1 hour ago, hansnl said:

That's a strong one.

Blaming the PM for the stupidity of the skipper not obliging to the safety rules.

You must be blaming the PM for the weather, waves, wind also?

I guess you've become accustomed to letting Thai people get away with saying they will take action, and then doing nothing when those words are forgotten.  Last Friday when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his concern after Russian tourists were seriously injured in a speedboat accident near Koh Phi Phi. Gen Prayut’s remarks prompted authorities overseeing tourist safety to seek out a solution.

1 hour ago, canopus1969 said:

What he does not say is how much they are insured for  

Insurance coverage limits aren't the issue.  It's how much value Thailand's insurance and judicial systems put into a lost life.  While the insurers will often cover medical costs, history shows that the system typically puts a tag of under US $5,000 on a life.  The insurance coverage is probably adequate to cover that, and the company directors could be liable for any shortfall, if there is a judicial finding of criminal negligence against the company.

25 minutes ago, petermik said:

Been strong winds and high seas here for the past few days,Pattaya to Hua Hin ferry cancelled.........so why do these people go out in a boat in the first place

Do you expect tourists to be knowledgeable about current maritime conditions?  Responsibility falls squarely on the tour boat company and Prayuth whose maritime safety program was all talk. 

Trump still hasn't accepted the blame for 4 dead in Niger, instead finding fault with the generals.  He has absolutely zero credibility commenting upon or being in any way involved in military matters.

2 hours ago, FreddieRoyle said:

Clutching at straws here, connect the dots??? When I saw Van Jones and Maddow blubbering like kids that had their birthday cake snatched away I knew "the swamp" was going to get desperate trying to pin anything on Trump, but this is so far beyond ridiculous. 1st, Russian interference had zero to do with Trump winning the election, 2nd there is no link whatsoever from Trump to the Russian trolls that with a tiny budget managed to swing the election away from Hillary(who soooo deserved to win, it was her turn yes I know, I know). 

 

 I'm not sure it's a good idea to carry on this hysteria much longer.

The Trumpites hide their heads in the sand like ostriches.

54 minutes ago, FreddieRoyle said:

Just what does the Ukraine's internal politics have to do with alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election? 

Manafort and Gates accepted Russian oligarch money to try to block US aid to Ukraine.  Shortly afterwords, Manafort became Trump's campaign manager.  Connect the dots.  It's another aspect of Russia using US traitors to further Putin's foreign policy. 

This shopping mall was dilapidated.  Better use can be made for this valuable land, even if it is another mall.  However, I can't say the owners showed much foresight in closing before the New Year's shopping season. TIT.

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

How is this fake news?  It's not.  This is about the administration finally complying with orders to begin sanctions. It's not about staffing levels in the administration.

Because Trump doesn't intend to comply with the law.  There won't be any qualified staffers to implement the regulations.  You must still be drinking the Trump kool-aid.  That's ok.  Manafort and Flynn were indicted today and will be arrested on Monday.  The end of Trump has begun.

In the meantime, Trump and Tillerson eliminated the department that is responsible for implementing the sanctions law against Russia.  A 6-man team has been replaced by a single coordinator.  This will pave the way to further delay implementation of sanctions as a payback to Russia for tipping the election to Trump.    http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/26/state-department-scraps-sanctions-office/

Just another example of major news outlets like Reuters pitching fake news stories to make Trump appear presidential, as the announcement of the elimination of the sanctions office was made the same day as Trump's fake news story about him finally complying with the Act.

Test run?  More like a high-speed joyride.  They need to clamp down on these repair shops that allow the mechanics to take customer cars out on the road.  

The increase is relatively small.  However, I think it would be better if the increased revenues went to funding higher pension benefits, as the disability and unemployment benefits are already too generous.  For example, you can claim unemployment following a voluntary resignation.

Manafort:  "I need to get to Trump".  The story of why Manafort was hired by Trump as his campaign manager.

1 hour ago, FreddieRoyle said:

Well here we go again. Liberals will be "russian" to an early grave if this madness keeps up. Just accept it, your candidate ran a terrible campaign and lost the election. If it makes you feel better, you can blame unicorns, global warming or the Russians, but hopefully deep down even the maddest liberal understands the principle of more votes winee election. Russian facebook ads were and are irrelevant(and fictional).

 Just when CNN had called off the hounds and moved onto some other gibberish we get this Russia red herring rearing its rotten head. 

 

 

Congressional hearings are only for show.  The real extent of the scandal will come to light when the indictments against Manafort and Flynn are unsealed by Mueller and they flip on Trump.