Hayduke

I really love the whole idea of a 'no confidence' vote. Wish we had this option in the US.

As has been noted, getting a Thai DL as soon as possible is a very good idea. The process is fairly straightforward and it's a pretty versatile document.

Secondly, if you're really concerned, some states will allow you to renew your US license by mail. I've done this before.

Third, if you feel the need for another form of US ID consider getting a passport card. They're intended for exiting/entering the US via land crossings (i.e. Canada and Mexico) and won't do you much good here. But it is still a US government issued photo ID.

Agreed...poking, fondling and squeezing unwrapped bread is not cool. But apparently some people are such bread freaks they just can't help themselves.

But also bear in mind that these loaves of bread have already been tossed around by a half-dozen or so unwashed people, dropped on the ground/floor a few times and probably nibbled on by a number of assorted cockroaches by the time you pluck it off the shelf.

Do you really want to know...everything...about what you eat?

Yes, obviously if these lunatics obtain nuclear weapons (and a delivery system) we've got a vastly more serious problem on our hands.

But...in the meantime...it does give the BO person a 'terrorism' phrase he's comfortable with.

He's more than okay using the term 'nuclear terrorism'...but adamantly refuses to use the words 'Islamic' and 'terrorism' in the same sentence.

Funny huh?

This whole thing is getting ridiculous.

It seems every time someone expresses an opinion they get hit with a defamation lawsuit. Then they can turn around and file one back. And then...and then...etc, etc.

It's turning into an endless cycle of an endless game...and the country sorely needs a collective reality check (or maybe a 'crackdown'?) on this nonsense.

ps...Charges will be filed on anyone who disagrees.

Saudi Arabia 1960. It was a shithole.

In case you're wondering...it still is.

The establishment has decided to throw young 'Boss' to the wolves to keep the great unwashed from getting too restless. Or if not to the wolves at least to a court appearance, token sentence and general opprobrium.

Your basic premise is probably correct. However it could be more of a...persuasive incentive...for the family to increase the size of the annual pastry box..

A larger box of goodies could certainly help to re-bury the whole thing...especially as they now have the Benz bandit as an offering to the unruly commoners.

Plus it appears the anti corruption people may now want a taste.

Even in these trying times, hopefully security personnel won’t be tempted to subjectively ‘profile’ anyone.

At the (unnamed European) airport:

“So, should we search the military age Arab guy with the Photo shopped Mongolian passport, carrying the ‘Jihad for Dummies’ book and wearing the unusually thick, bulky, heavy looking vest underneath his ‘Death to Infidels’ t-shirt?”

“No, no, no, that would be politically incorrect and could offend his human rights. Then he might feel sad, unloved and not properly integrated into our Utopian society. Remember, we must always be totally impartial and reflect the highest standards of the new world order.”

“Hmm…good point. Then let’s interrogate, strip search, x-ray, and run the 85 year old blind Swede in the wheelchair through that cool new 120 million Euro magnetic anomaly scanner.”

“Excellent suggestion.”

And the hits keep coming.

The talking heads on TV go on and on about how dedicated, sophisticated, clever and supremely organized the terrorists are. Too often they almost trip over each other attempting to compliment and reinforce these malignant nutcases.

They further harp about how panic stricken everyone is, how helpless the authorities are, and how there’s absolutely nothing beyond data base searches that be done about it all. Basically advising the public to embrace the role of ‘victim’ and give these psychopaths exactly what they want. They want to see victims; they want to see herds of sheep.

We can’t go on being purely reactive, endlessly wringing our hands and whining about how terribly we’re being treated. We also need to realize that wondering ‘why?’ singing songs and lighting candles is not going to accomplish anything. Not unless we want to continue being compliant participants in our own destruction.

Since we can’t physically protect all the people and all the potential targets all of the time…the only real solution is to take the war to the terrorists. Wherever they are…with whatever means necessary…to whatever degree necessary…and whatever the cost!

There’s no other option.

What is with Western Union?

It seems the only people who use it are criminals.

Shutting it down would put a huge financial dent in international terrorism, drug dealing, human trafficking and God knows what else?

According to most sources somewhere around 10 per cent of snakes are venomous. And these are generally quite easy to identify. Relatively low number and simple ID matrix. In all fairness to snakes, they’re not a really danger for…most…people.

However, would you accept this low statistical likelihood of being bitten…and willingly adopt an boxful of assorted snakes to take home?

Not likely.

Why? Because it’s obviously a potentially fatal and totally unnecessary risk.

So...why on earth did Belgium consciously and knowingly establish this snake pit in Molenbeek? And...why on earth is the rest of Europe so eager to do the same thing?

It’s illogical at best and insanely suicidal at worst.

Hard to put much dedication, commitment and real effort into building a house...when you know someone is going to come along and dismantle it as soon as you're done.

Always easier to act contrite after the fact than get to approval beforehand.

Pretty much a proven formula.

The timing here is of interest. As soon as DT takes a commanding lead all of these protesters magically appear.

Gee...who might be sponsoring this?

The Democrats seem quite content with a DT candidacy so it wouldn't seem they're behind it.

So it begs the question: Who has the greatest interest in stopping a candidate who is not up to his neck in debt to the Republican ruling class?

Hmmm...tough one.

Picking a woman over a man to prove some stupid point is one of the things that makes <deleted> a really offensive president.

I would almost like to agree with you as this sort of thing is not beyond the BO person....

However, I personally know Lori and have worked with her professionally. She is not a token but an extremely smart, focused and capable officer. She'll do a good job.

So...you're wrong.

The AJ person is probably well intentioned but she also comes across as dramatically self-centered and more than a little sanctimonious.

So she could be on a wonderful goodwill mission to save the world...

But it's also possible she's playing attention whore (again) and/or shopping ("Look Brad, do we have one in that color?") for a new 'trophy' kid.

I certainly hope it's the former.

Odd that their five friends sharing the same room weren't robbed.

The only place Hillary's emails have any relevance is in the minds of far Right Wing fringe Republicans and for people who don't have any real interest in politics. People in the 'real world' understand it is a never ending smear campaign that has no merit.

File it with 'Benghazi' and 'Obama born in Kenya' it is all just foolishness.

Those 100 or so FBI Agents currently investigating Hillary's illegal actions might have a disagreement with your post.

I have a feeling they probably know more about the proper handling of US classified information than you do.

Exactly. Spent years handling classified and it's a zero tolerance business. If any one of us had done what she did...even once...we'd have gone to jail. No question whatsoever.

A crafty plan. Word is, the hordes of people that were planning luxury, high dollar holidays to Senegal are now considering Somalia or Yemen instead.

This is ideed a sad story, but, the headline is so wrong!

Following the same sub-editors trend, I assume my death will be announced as "Fat old grumpy bald Farang found dead"?

Don't be so pessimistic.

How about "Rich, handsome, jai-dee man of great merit attains enlightenment. Entire country praises his achievements and mourns humanity's loss".

That's what I'm going for.

Note: Please...no disrespect intended to the unfortunate lady in the OP. A horrible tragedy; may she and her family find peace.

It’s actually kind of funny….

The Republican Party promises to fix everything, protect the country, save the world and all the other things associated with monumental greatness.

Yet…they can’t even manage their own party.

Maybe they should run someone being investigated by the FBI for violating national security.

No, that's not it. What really p*sses me off is that they seem so freaking determined to hand the election to that loathsome HC life form.

It’s actually sort of funny….

The Republican Party promises to fix everything, protect the country, save the world and all the other things associated with monumental greatness.

Yet…they can’t even manage their own party. Trump has kicked in their door, flash-banged his way into the room and has them all paralyzed with abject terror.

It’s kind of like a corporation that claims to run the most secure and most dependable bank on earth getting taken over in broad daylight..........by one guy.

Wait a minute...These 'immigrants ' have been invited to Germany by Ms. Merkel.

Why is she not arranging for their safe and comfortable journey?

Why is she forcing her guests to endure the unspeakable horrors of overland travel through unsympathetic countries?

Why does she expect the rest of Europe to pay for the party?

She should arrange for welcoming assembly points in Turkey, Greece, and Italy (a trillion or so Euros should get things underway), guarantee to accept everyone who shows up, and provide free air transport (to their city of choice in Germany) for the lot.

She really needs to be more hospitable.

Sounds as if those eligible for attention have already been long identified.

But how many of these evil influences are those who (although perhaps genuine bad guys) are primarily guilty of making the wrong enemies? Or not making the right friends?

If anything actually plays out...a few major targets may be named but it's probably a safe bet that the actual 'lists' will never be made public.

Could possibly be a good opportunity to conduct a sizable political purge within the scope of cooperative inter-agency crime fighting.

'Thai time' is a pretty relative concept. Contrary to the popular myth, if something is important then Thai people are capable of very precise timing.

Put it this way...If someone had a 2 PM bank appointment to pick up a million Baht...would they get 'stuck in traffic'?

Punctuality and the importance attached to the occasion vary proportionally.