Samui Bodoh

So, Boris is trying to figure out a way to sell out the people of NI. What a surprise...

If a British PM was willing to screw over their own people so badly and create a British border in the Irish sea, then a deal could have been reached a long time ago. Why not just grant independence to Northern Ireland and allow for unification?

Erin go Bragh!

Master negotiator indeed...

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thousands flee, hundreds reported dead in Turkish attack on U.S.-allied Kurds in Syria

This is heart-breaking. Truly heart-breaking

This is one of the most loathsome, disgusting actions ever perpetrated by a country on a people, and it'll blacken the American name for generations.

Further, I would bet my left arm that upon investigation, this 'decision' by Trump will somehow be wrapped up in his ownership of a property/hotel in Turkey; we have seen time and again that he acts to protect/enhance his wealth above any or all principle, sense of patriotism or shred of humanity and/or decency. 

I have said it before and mean it 1,000 times stronger now;

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

Let this nightmare end soon...

Once again a story announcing the policy, but lacking concrete, specific detail.

And with only a few weeks until implementation...

it would be nice to see a clear-cut explanation of precisely how the policy will be implemented, where/when the insurance will be checked, what are the details for using the O-A visa for longer than one year, etc.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The ministry's Department of Health Service Support will create information and application websites, linked to other organisations' in order to provide a one-stop service for tourists. 

 

The department will provide all relevant information on line, such as terms, conditions, qualifications, and the benefits of health insurance.

Great!

When will these sites be operational exactly? The day before it comes into effect?

I have no problem with requiring tourists/long-stayers requiring insurance; it is simply a good idea. However, it needs to be easy, effective and clear. It is none of those things yet.

This is a betrayal that will live in infamy; who the hell in the Middle East (or elsewhere) will trust the Americans again?

I can't shake the feeling that Trump's betrayal of the Kurds is directly related to the property/hotel that he owns in Turkey, and I hope that he rots in hell for what he has done.

Every American on the planet should be bowing their heads in shame at this.

Respectfully, you seem to looking outward instead of looking in.

I don't 'check all the boxes'; I could lose a few pounds, I usually wear cargo shorts, only my mother thinks that I am handsome, and I am... er... ah... a bit weird. That said, I find it very easy to date Thai women, I get (on an irregular basis) women who I think are out of my league, and I almost always have a laugh with the 7-11 girls.

In my experience, a smile and some good humour are all that is needed here.

It is hard to discern any reasonable insight into your character from a post or two, but i'll do it regardless; you are the problem and you need to relax and not be too serious (sorry).

It is that easy.

Chill.

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Hospitals have to treat them because of human rights reasons, but when we ask them to pay us back, they can’t,” Sathit said.

“These costs become burdensome for the public health ministry, so we pushed for the insurance policy.”

I do not have a problem requiring visitors to have health insurance; it is simply a good idea.

However, the quote above leaves me speechless. Are there any valid figures to show a lack of repayment? Especially by long-stayers? Generally all I hear about are tourists, not long-term stayers, who don't have insurance and end up with a 'Go fund me' page.

Add a few Baht tax to all plane tickets/landings, use the money to aid foreigners hurt in the Kingdom, and problem solved.

It doesn't need to occur like this, and thus makes me wonder what else is at play...

The solution is easy; allow Northern Ireland to reunite with the rest of Ireland.

Erin go Bragh!

Truly one of the giants of Rock and Roll in particular and music in general; there isn't a drummer alive today who does not owe him a debt.

Thanks for the music.

R.I.P.

A fascinating issue, and one that will resonate/reverberate for a long time. And, a likely future classic ethics question.

What is more important; allowing governments to monitor citizen's communications to prevent crime and/or exploitation OR not allowing governments to monitor citizen's communications to prevent the onset of oppressive government(s) and tyranny?

Or, put another way... do you want individual freedom and protection from your government OR do you trust your government enough to believe that they won't misuse this power?

I am unsure at the moment which side I fall on, but my initial reaction is to NOT allow government(s) to monitor Internet communication. I am confident in my native country's integrity and values to feel comfortable allowing for monitoring, but how comfortable am I allowing the Thai government free reign over all my communications? Or the Chinese government? Would you be okay allowing the Thai government free reign on your accounts when the next coup occurs?

And, BTW, once a government gets this power, it will be used (governments ALWAYS use the powers given/taken) and NEVER EVER given up; something else to think on...

This is one of those issues which doesn't seem to have a correct answer. That said, my initial reaction is allowing for encryption, even if it means some kiddy-fiddlers will benefit and/or some crimes will occur.

Freedom has a price.

What say you, my TVF friends?

PS it is probably already too late, but an interesting intellectual problem for a Saturday morning.

51 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

But in a new tactic, the White House plans to argue that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi must have the full House vote to formally approve an impeachment inquiry, a source familiar with the effort said.

I think this is instructive; notice that there really is no argument in favour the rectitude of his actions, but rather a focus on delay and obfuscation. And, this is the problem; the White House/the Republicans have lost all sense of right and wrong, all sense of ethics and all sense of 'Doing The Right Thing' in favour of power for power's sake

The real villain here is the Republican party. Yes, Trump has done horrible, immoral, illegal things and will continue to do so until his ass is tossed in jail, but that is Trump. It is the Republican party that enables him. And, it is the Republican party that will pay the price long after he is gone.

There are good Republicans; Romney, Sasse, Porter, Burr and more. But, as long as they play along and allow Trump to flout the law and convention, they are as guilty as he is. Further, all those Senators ran on principles of Good Governance, Rule of Law, Free Trade, the Constitution, Limited Government and Executive Power etc, and they are just cowardly allowing Trump to walk all over those things. There is going to be a vote on Trump's impeachment, and that vote is going to define political careers well into the future (had Hillary voted against the Iraq war, she likely would have beaten Obama in 2008).

Be careful Republicans, be very careful. What you do over the next few months is going to affect you for decades to come. And, if you tie your future to Trump, then you'll wear that mark on your forehead like a 'shame' tattoo forever.

I have said it before and will say it again;

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

Keep your distance or get splashed...

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trying to revive his election campaign after the emergence of embarrassing photos, on Wednesday used a televised debate to accuse his main rival of seeking to reopen the debate on abortion.

The purpose of this post is to make Americans feel envious (see below).

First, I will forgo too much comment on the election as I am here and not in Canada to see it happen, but... I still maintain that the Tories aren't going to get a majority (even if they manage a minority, as some believe) due to structural reasons. In order to get a majority, the Tories need to sweep/win big in three regions, then get a scattering of seats from the Maritimes and elsewhere; they are not doing that now. They may sweep the West, but they aren't going to sweep/win big in Ontario or Quebec.

Stay tuned.

As above, the purpose of this post is to make Americans feel envious.

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of a 5-6 week election; yes, it begins AND ends in under two months. Two Months!

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of an election where the issue of abortion is not front and center, but rather (emptily!) threatening to open a discussion on it is. 

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of an election with strict spending limits on campaign financing.

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of people not talking about the second amendment.

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of an election where gay issues aren't terribly important as they have been mostly solved and sorted.

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of an election where gerrymandering is limited (if present at all) so that your vote can actually makes a difference.

Imagine, my fellow North Americans, the sheer joy of the next leader of Canada, whoever that might be, having to stand in the House of Commons and be questioned directly and regularly by the opposition party.

I could go on, but that would be cruel.

Imagine, my American cousins, how much nicer your life would be...

(Er... Sorry. Just reading about Trump and... well... er... ahem)

33 minutes ago, webfact said:

Guy Verhofstadt, head of the European Parliament's Brexit Steering Group, was less convinced.

 

Asked by a reporter if the proposal was a serious attempt to break the deadlock or designed to shift the blame on to Brussels if Britain leaves the EU without a deal, he said: "I think that last point was not so bad."

"I think that last point was not so bad."

Hammer meet the head of the nail.

This looks like nothing more than Boris trying to lay blame on the EU in the upcoming election. And, blame if/when the UK leaves the EU without a deal and sees its economy (and the pound; deepest condolences Thai pensioners) tank.

The saddest part in all this is that the 'leaders' in Parliament, business, etc who are calling for the UK to leave at any cost aren't the ones who are going to suffer. Yes, perhaps their stock portfolios will take a minor hit (although I am sure that they have already hedged for that) and perhaps they won't be able to buy that third country house for a year or two until the UK property crash really sets in, but they will be fine.

No, it'll be the little guy who works in a factory or a shop or is a retiree or a young person searching for an opportunity who is going to pay the price. And, it'll be a heavy price indeed.

It is just sad to see the UK do this to itself.

I have said it before and will say it again;

Never before have I seen a country so utterly determined to shoot itself in the crotch.

I find the two posts above (@EVENKEEL and @Kelsall) to be fascinating, instructive and horrifying.

it is fascinating to me that one could comment on the current situation of the occupant of the White House and not include a word on ethics, values, principles or morals. Has American politics really become an ethical wasteland where the pursuit of power is an end itself, without any need for scruples along the way? I find this most often in the debate around judges, especially Supreme Court judges. It has been my experience that the 'Right' wants judges in order to get a favourable ruling (in their eyes) on abortion. Now, I respect that some people feel very strongly about abortion (even though I respectfully disagree), but does their desire to see the practice outlawed come with any ethics/principles attached? Is it worth running over all other factors just to get what they want? Do the ends justify the means?

It is instructive reading these pages on the US 'Right'. With very few exceptions, all the arguments that I see coming from that side are generally negative, devoid of fact, information and/or debate. Rather, it is a process of identifying someone/something they don't like (a 'Left-wing radical', a 'Feminazi', a 'SJW with pink hair', etc) and then demonizing that person/thing; rarely do I see/read a reasoned argument as to why a course of action is valid or not. Are there not any positive arguments for Trump's policies?

Finally, it is horrifying that in the US the level of political discourse has devolved to the point whereby one merely states that he/she is a member of a certain 'tribe' and does not feel a need to put forth any more discussion. Are there not any reasons why Trump supporters like something? Is it good enough to say that a 'SJW' doesn't agree, thus it is good? Are there not any positive arguments for what you want to see?

A TVF member made the point to me the other day that there are many people who like Trump's policies/actions without liking the man, and I said 'okay'. But, on further thought, I don't think it is 'okay'. To me, you cannot separate the message/actions from the messenger and wash your hands of responsibility. Any leader, no matter how evil, does some good things; how can one support all the terrible things, but clap loudly at the good things, and sleep at night? Is there not a moral/ethical view of Trump?

So, back to the news article above. I think all Senators MUST vote when the Articles of Impeachment come from the House of Representatives (and, they will). Senators, especially Republican Senators, you have to state for the record if you still believe in the principles, values, ethics and oaths you have espoused. And remember, your vote will be tattooed (proverbially) on your forehead until the day you die.

Comments?

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

McConnell says he would have to hold Senate impeachment trial

I wouldn't put too much faith in that; he was also obligated to hold hearings for Obama's Supreme Court judge and did not.

The man is a proven liar.

For the sake of the US and the world, I hope that the Republican caucus exerts enough pressure on him to force a vote.

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

"In my mind, it's several weeks," House Judiciary Committee member David Cicilline told reporters last week. "He has already admitted that he contacted a foreign leader and discussed with him ginning up a fake story about one of his political opponents."

I hope that it'll be weeks instead of months because that would be a good thing and a good way to proceed. Trump (stupidly for him) already admitted that he was using US Foreign policy to further his own political ends, and the sooner that the amoral, unethical wad of hair gets the boot, the better for the US and the world.

Is it possible that the Dems are finally getting their act together and acting appropriately and effectively? It appears to be so, but I get worried that they'll find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

I have said it before and I will say it again;

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

Let the long nightmare end!

14 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

 I know a lot a guys on here hate Elon after the cave thing. But I am fascinating with what he is doing and I always enjoy seeing what is next for spacex.

That is a cool freaking rocket. Great stuff

+1

I have been fascinated by the guy for years, and anyone who manages to amass a fortune of over 20 billion dollars is someone to be reckoned with. PayPal and Tesla deserve their own posts, but i'll leave that for another time.

We have already seen successful missions to space, to refuel/restock the Space Station, to create re-usable rockets and to launch his car into orbit (Waaaaaaay Cool!).

Government(s) will always play a role, but if humanity is ever going to reach for the stars, then it is going to be entrepreneurs like Elon who are going to lead the way.

Go Elon Go!

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

Giuliani has emerged as a central figure in a scandal that has now engulfed Trump and left him facing an impeachment inquiry into whether he misused his office for his own political gains.

Trump is going to be impeached (there is a Dem majority in the house), and one of the primary reasons is going to be Rudy.

It is kind of sad to see the decline of Rudy. I am old enough to remember back in the 80's when he was a kick-ass prosecutor tossing mob figures into the Big House. I am old enough to remember the truly superb job that he did as Mayor of NY around 9/11. These days, I see him on TV and think to myself "There is an old, demented vampire who inexplicably and improbably got lost in the booze". 

An open question: how many of you would be happy and confident if Rudy was your lawyer? Anyone? I would not.

it bears thinking about...

13 hours ago, rooster59 said:

we were told that evidence of prostitution had been found in Pattaya. Where Pattaya Plod failed Chonburi Immigration were much more eagle-eyed. They succeeded in locating a Ugandan even though it was dark. Perhaps the clue was that Walking Street meant Street Walkers.

Evidence of prostitution in Pattaya?

No Way! Holy <deleted>!

The next time that you hear someone say that the Thai people aren't too intelligent, tell them the story of how they managed to hide prostitution in Pattaya for all these years!

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Instead the transcript was loaded into a separate electronic system that is otherwise used to store and handle classified information of an especially sensitive nature," the report said. "One White House official described this act as an abuse of this electronic system because the call did not contain anything remotely sensitive from a national security perspective."

And there it is... 

There is a crime, but it is always the cover-up that is the problem and what leads to a fall. 

"...Trump has repeatedly suggested wrongdoing by Biden and his son Hunter but has offered no evidence. There has been no evidence that Biden used his position to help his son, who had worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine..."

And, there is Trump's standard "defense". Say nothing to the facts, but slur and slander another person and claim 'whataboutism'.

The sooner that Trump is tossed out on his ass, the better the off the US will be.

I have said it before and will say it again;

Donald Trump is an ever expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

Let this nightmare end...