johnnybangkok

I don't think all drugs should be legalised but I do think they should be decriminalised (there is a difference) as they did to great success in Portugal. By decriminalising drugs you push the emphasis to rehabilitation and make it a medical issue NOT a criminal one. I am all for that. And for all those out there who are not familiar with what Portigal has done - https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/05/portugals-radical-drugs-policy-is-working-why-hasnt-the-world-copied-it

I was. I asked you. And please, no one is buying this 'neutral' nonsense you are so desperately trying to sell.

Another Trump fan with original thinking https://www.foxnews.com/video/6335606544112. Do any of you have anything other than what Fox and Hannity tells you?

I have been seeing a lot of Trump fans and right wingers using this 'weaponizing of the justice system for political gains' quote recently. I wonder where they have got it from? https://www.foxnews.com/video/6335606544112 Any chance of having an original, all your own thoughts on the matter?

We all got there at the beginning. It was just you that struggled.

I was watching a Netflix documentary last night called 'How to become a Tyrant'. It featured all the usual suspects Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Sadam Hussein, The Kim Dynasty etc but what was of particular interest was the "tyrant Playbook' that all of these men followed to get to where they were. There were so many common traits it was really remarkable; find something in common with the disinfranchised masses and use that to get them to support you - beat a nationalistic drum that only true patriots will follow - find a common enemy and demonise them - malign the free media and then control it yourself - re-invent history to reflect better on yourself - question the law and then take charge of it yourself. Remind you of anyone?

No need to write “iMO”. We know it’s an opinion because like all Trump apologists, it certainly isn’t a fact.

I stand corrected. It’s hard to keep up with all his shenanigans

So what exactly do you think is “outrageous?” The fact he paid off a porn star with campaign funds or tried to illegally reverse the 2020 election (and still to this day maintains it was all corrupt despite not producing a shred of evidence) or that he kept and refused to return top secret documents? Which one of these allegations don’t you think he did and do you have any facts to back up your assertions or is it just your “feelings” like most Trump apologists?

So let’s talk about what he has been found guilty of. He defrauded his own charity and the past and possible future POTUS (who might be allowed to run the country), is not allowed to even run a charity. He was convicted of sexual abuse. The Trump Organization was found guilty on multiple charges of criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records connected to a 15-year scheme to defraud tax authorities by failing to report and pay taxes. A federal court fined him $25 million as a settlement with students who said they were duped by Donald Trump and his now-defunct Trump University. I could go on but this is the man you are defending here with the “but, but he’s innocent until proven guilty”. The man has form and if you don’t think he did it even half the things he is accused of then you really need to stop drinking the koolaid.

I think you’ve got what I’m trying to say completely wrong. I’m saying prosecutors and those who oppose Trump DO have facts, but Trump apologists don’t.

Talking of whataboutisms

When I see the Trump apologists on here it reminds me of a quote I saw recently:- 'A fact is information minus emotion. An opinion is information plus experience. Ignorance is an opinion lacking information. And stupidity is an opinion that ignores a fact'. Anonymous poster on FB. Time and time again, Trump apologists are presented with facts but in reply it's all 'weaponization of the justice system' and 'due to their personal political view rather than whether he is guilty or not' without providing a single fact to back up the assertions. It really is a boring debate when one side deals in facts and all the other side deals in is Fox talking points, whataboutisms, deflection and emotion. If you think Trump is being wronged then how about coming up with some facts so we can debate something other than your 'feelings'.

Don't disagree and I think this must be a real kick in the teeth for any old style red-shirts but my point is this time, it's the very people who they fought for in the past, stabbing them in the back. And if their own people start protesting this then that's just an ideal opportunity for the military to roll out the tanks.......again! They need to be patient and keep their disgust to themselves. Real change will only come through Move Foreward (or whatever they will be called at the time) and the likes and I believe this unholy alliance will not go unpunished come the next election.

I'm not sure why you think the Thai people don't 'fight for change'? In 2010 they fought and 80 civilians and 6 soldiers died in that exchange. This is very different though as the very party they fought for all those years ago is now the party cosying up to those that initiated all the coups. This WILL come back to haunt them though as Move Forward are now ideally placed in opposition and will surely romp the next election (if they are allowed to run of course). P.S. Great article! Summed it up perfectly

It certainly does but as richard_smith above has mentioned, if you go around life looking for negatives, you will most certainly find them. Personally I think you're negativity problem is just the symtom of a bigger underlying problem and I say this with all sincerity and I hope you take it in the constructive manner it is offered, but I think you need to talk to a professional. We have all experienced the things you talk about but most of us don't take it to heart the way you do. You could be experiencing some major/minor psycological problems and I don't think it would do you any harm to talk it all through with a professional rather than keep coming on a forum such as AN, looking for support.

I beg to differ. They have fought MANY times for democracy only to be ruthlessly crushed by the military. I was here in 2010 when it all kicked off and I saw running battles in the street. Over 80 civilians and 6 soldiers died in that 'fight' so don't think they haven't tried.

You can try improving your personality and stop judging a whole nation by the actions of only a few. Oh, and while you're at it, you might want to expand your circle of 'friends'. Whoever you are hanging out with do not seem to be the best representation of Thailand.

Is anyone really surprised about this? I have an office full of Thais who told me this was going to happen YESTERDAY! Now I'm either employing an awful lot of fortune tellers or this is the worst kept secret in Thailand.

I'm not really sure why you are even in Thailand. All your posts are VERY negative towards Thais.

What a nonsense statement. It's absolutely right of Biden to use 'the LGBQ issue as a political tool' when the GOP is so blatantly making it one of their main election points. The GOP (and only the GOP) are trying to ban drag queens and censor books that have even the smallest reference to LGBTQ. They are banning school discussions on sexual orientation and are trying to ban Pride Flags from government buildings. They are putting restrictions on gay and transgender rights and in many cases, many GOP congressmen/senators are now openly opposing same-sex marriage. Biden 'using the LGBQ issue as a political tool' is entirely because of the GOP taking an extreme stance in it's continued effort to make identity politics in America the ONLY issue that voters should care about. They don't really care about LGBTQ rights one way or another though, they do howver care that it seems such a hot button issue for many of their supporters.

That's been his common sentiment throughout this thread. A fluffy, pearl clutching version of 'she was asking for it'.

And talking about victim blaming.................

'Not to victim blame' - then predictably continues to victim blame.

This has EVERYTHING to do with the GOP. Why do you think it’s headline news?