Samui Bodoh

"...U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday said he did not see specific evidence from intelligence officials that Iran was planning to attack four U.S. embassies, an assertion made by President Donald Trump in justifying the killing of Iran's top general..."

 

It is all happening again, just like 2001-2003. And, the REALLY sad thing is that if you look at FOX "News", it is even the same people making false claims.

 

US officials and the President claiming, without solid evidence, that a country in the Middle East is doing extraordinary things and that military intervention is required.

 

How long will it be until Trump goes on TV to claim that Iran has WMD? The State of the Union speech in early February? When is the "debate" at the UN where Pompeo sits at the Security Council and lies his ass off?

 

How long will it be until US officials argue that "Preemption" is required?

 

I foolishly believed GWB back then; I do not and will not believe Trump now, barring incontrovertible evidence. Sorry USA, your credibility got used up last time and the goodwill you had has evaporated.

 

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

 

 

 

Whether or not a society has the Death Penalty is up to it; I am personally against it.

 

However, if you have the Death Penalty, you must have three things;

 

There must be honest, or at minimum relatively honest, capable and intelligent police officers and/or detectives.

 

There must be highly trained, capable support staff at all levels of any criminal proceeding. These include adequate clerks to maintain evidence, highly qualified Coroners/Pathologists, highly qualified investigators and/or technicians for evidence collection, Crime Scene Investigators, Court Reporters, Bailiffs, etc etc, etc.

 

There must be a respected, highly qualified Judiciary filled with some of the proverbial 'Best and Brightest' that a country has to offer.

 

A question to all; Does Thailand meet these three simple tests that I have outlined above? Does Thailand have honest, good cops? Does Thailand have well-qualified support staff at every level of the Justice system? Does Thailand have well-qualified, independent and trustworthy judges?

 

If the answer is 'No' to any of my questions above, then the Death Penalty should not be used here.

 

The Death Penalty should not be used here.

 

Period.

 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Taiwanese re-elected President Tsai Ing-wen by a landslide on Saturday in a stern rebuke that could fuel further tension with China, which has tried military threats and economic inducements to get the island to accept its rule.

It is really nice to see a people choose, with a loud united voice through a peaceful and fair election, that they want to be Democratic and free. And kudos for her opponent in immediately accepting the result with grace.

 

I look around the world and see some pretty ugly regimes that came to power through dubious means (yes, you Prayut) and others who were elected and then morphed into unpleasant governments (Philippines, Turkey, etc).

 

Taiwan/Taiwanese people are a symbol of what is possible, good and right. And, a clear contrast to all others who cheat what should be a relatively easy and wide-spread process; asking citizens to weigh in on how they want to be governed and by who is truly a civilized thing.

 

Congratulations to Ms. Tsai and the Taiwanese people.

 

Well done.

 

 

 

An interesting read as always, and...

 

A breathless tale of the BJ's rapid rise and fall; you must be spent...

 

I have to confess; I have never understood TVF's fascination with Big Joke. All I ever saw was a credit-hogging, glory-seeking, media-worshiping, spotlight-stealing civil servant in a brown suit. 

 

Did crime drop while he was in charge? Not that I know of.

 

Were the police less... er... ahem... 'tea-drinking' during his time? Not that I know of.

 

Did Immigration improve under his tenure? Not that I know of.

 

Were any major crimes solved while he was in charge? Not that I know of.

 

Were tourists safer while he was the boss? Not that I know of.

 

Did anything improve during his tenure? Nothing that I could reasonably credit to him or his actions.

 

All I saw was a guy from a wealthy family rapidly rise, by... er... ahem... ah... means unknown, to the top levels of the police bureaucracy. A police force sometimes labeled 'Asia's Biggest Gang'.

 

Sorry, but unless there is something that I am missing, this whole story could be labeled;

 

"Unknown Things Happened To Some Guy, With A Few Gun Shots Added"

 

 

8 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Let me take your points seriatim:

 

1. The US killed a leading Iranian general (while NOT in a state of war). The US Killed a terrorits who has waged war on the USA resulting in the death and maiming of Americans and civilians in an acto of self defense to prevent further major terrorist instances.

 

2. Iran decided to end any sort or restrictions on their nuclear program (restrictions that were working): Whether they were working is a matter of debate. We abandoned that farce anyway regardless of what they say.

 

3. Iraq votes to toss out American troops, GREATLY enhancing Iranian influence in that country. Fine in my book, let them kill each other instead of US. But we arent going anywhere for a while.

 

4. A protest movement against the 'Mullahs' inside Iran, which was growing, has been stopped in its tracks;  Wont be long before that starts up again. Especially as the money dries up even more.

 

5. An international agreement designed to prevent the development of nukes is essentially destroyed:  It was dead the day Trump took office.

 

6. There inevitably will be an upswing of violence against US troops throughout the Middle East. There is always gonna be violence against US troops until we kill all the bad guys or make their countries conform to norms or just destroy them. Violence and hate is their cultural stock in trade. This situation changes nothing except to show them that if you hurt an American, you are a marked man.

 

7.The fight against 'ISIS' has been put on hold, allowing them to re-group (Remember them?); I doubt the Turks and Russkies will allow that, but the Seals should be able to take care of them if they poke their noses back up out of the sewer.

 

8. The US global reputation is damaged; who would ever make a deal with them again if they don't keep their word: O well, sucks to be us. The folks that dont trust us dont deserve out friendship.

 

There is a new wind blowing through the USA right now and its sort of like this. We are tired of spending time and money on ungrateful countries and useless wars. The new rule is play nice in this world. We have the most powerful military in the world and the best economy and can feed oursleves and produce our energy. We dont need you as much as you need us, so pay your fair share and do what we tell you. Call us a benign dictator then, no mind, but dont hurt any of our boys or we will drop a Ninja Missle on your head while you are on the pooper. And if you really hate us, go play with Russia or China then to see if they are better. 

 

And always keep in mind its not what we do do, but what we can do. Can Thailand stop us from making Buriram the 51st State? Could France stop us from annexing the Cote'D Azur? How many divisions do the Canadians have? Did you ever wonder what the world would look like if American was run by a Xi or Joe the S or Mao or Adolf. Or a Mullah. You'd all be singing the Star Spangled Banner. But that isnt us, we just want to chill and sell you Hollywood, Coke, Mickey Ds and Microsoft.

 

Sometimes the Big Dog has to nip the little dogs to keep them in line

And yet when Americans travel outside their own borders...

 

...they claim that they are Canadian.

 

It says it all.

 

 

Using the law to punish political opponents.

 

Third-world behaviour.

 

What else to say?

 

 

22 minutes ago, ezzra said:

No dialogue no peace with Iran, Iran mindset is very much like of N. Korea that dictate negotiations from a position of strength, intimidations and the looming threats of nuclear armageddon if their demands will not be met, the only safe way to deal with such regim is to bring them to their knees with a economic chokehold until there will be a popular revolt and drive away those fanatic mad mohalla out...

I like the Iranian regime about as much as you do, but let's review the effects of that kind of hard-line policy in the last few weeks.

 

The US killed a leading Iranian general (while NOT in a state of war). In return...

 

• Iran decided to end any sort or restrictions on their nuclear program (restrictions that were working)
• Iraq votes to toss out American troops, GREATLY enhancing Iranian influence in that country.
• A protest movement against the 'Mullahs' inside Iran, which was growing, has been stopped in its tracks
• An international agreement designed to prevent the development of nukes is essentially destroyed
• There inevitably will be an upswing of violence against US troops throughout the Middle East
• The fight against 'ISIS' has been put on hold, allowing them to re-group (Remember them?)
• The US global reputation is damaged; who would ever make a deal with them again if they don't keep their word

What you propose is an endless cycle of violence and inevitable war.

 

No thanks

 

 

8 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The United States imposed more sanctions on Iran on Friday in retaliation for its missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq this week and vowed to tighten the economic screws if Tehran continued "terrorist" acts or pursued a nuclear bomb.

"War is continuation of policy by other means"

Von Clausewitz

 

These actions by the US will not lead to any form of peace; they are punishment for existing and are essentially economic warfare.

 

The purpose of sanctions is to lead to an eventual dialogue and hopefully some sort of peaceful co-existence. The way that the US is acting will inevitably lead to a more conflict and likely some shooting. Or, perhaps someone thinks that the Iranians will wake up one morning and say to themselves "Hey! the US is correct. Let's do exactly what they demand."

 

It is a scary, scary thought that Trump and his acolytes are responsible for preventing a war. It would be a great thing if Trump and his Cabinet members all were forced to enlist their children into the US military; having some sort of personal stake hold might get them to act in a more responsible manner.

 

The world is in serious trouble.

 

 

 

 

It is speculation on my part, but I think that this is the reason that Pelosi decided to hold off sending the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. The case of Bolton's deputy was always going to be decided, one way or another, around this time so I think she decided to wait for a resolution. The courts were never going to say that he had full immunity from testifying (the verdict was going to be 'to what extent he had to'), so this was always going to bring pressure and it has.

 

While I am sure that the White House would object to Bolton testifying, I don't see how he could avoid it, both personally and professionally.

 

I don't care for Bolton's political views, but by all accounts he is an extremely smart, competent lawyer and thus he will know that Trump's blanket claim of Presidential immunity/privilege from testimony is nonsense and that even the attempt to claim it is damaging to the US. There is such a thing as Presidential Immunity/privilege from scrutiny and it is a good thing; Presidents do need people around them to give unfettered advice free from later second-guessing by Monday Morning Quarterbacks. However, blanket immunity/privilege for people who are paid by the US government is not a good thing, and more importantly, immunity/privilege cannot be used as cover-up for illegal acts; this is ALREADY an established legal principle.

 

On a more personal level, Bolton has already received a very large advance to write a book. How could he write a tell-all book to make a profit, but not tell Congress the same stuff? It would be immoral and unpatriotic at minimum, and those are accusations that don't fit the man (he is just wrong about stuff. Very, very wrong.).

 

Once Bolton is testifying, the arguments against the others testifying crumble; buckle up, boys and girls, it's gonna get interesting!

 

Finally, I will come back to something I have posted before; the 'Trump Test'. Bolton has to be concerned about his reputation and place in history, and too close association with Trump will ruin that. The test; can anyone name a person who has seen their reputation improve based on their association with Trump? Anyone? A single name? Bolton needs to place himself outside of Trump's splash zone, and testifying is a good way to do it.

 

I have said it before and sadly need to say it again;

 

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

 

Get rid of him now!

 

Oh, on behalf of the rest of humanity. please re-join the Paris Accords. TIA.

 

 

 

"...Police speak out about sex on the beach: Don't post footage - it's damaging to Pattaya's image..."

 

And...

 

@NCC1701A gets embarrassed at all the attention...

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Jane Dough said:

There's been some evolution in the Darwin Award. 

 

It is now broader.....

 

Rooster

Evolution be Damned!

 

On the sixth day, God created the Darwin Awards.

 

On the seventh day, She laughed.

 

 

58 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Learning one's lesson and "The Darwin Award" seem to go cap in hand and a theme is developing on Thaivisa about dumb criminals and those who ought to slice off their manhood as a service to man.

Normally, I like to read Rooster's column on Saturday afternoon; it is a gentle glide into my Saturday evening. However, today I am livid! Outraged!

 

Twice this week I have seen Rooster get the Darwin Awards wrong (twice!!!), and I consider it a slight against gruesome comedy and crime against inappropriate laughter! It is a bloody disgrace. If he were Japanese, that belly-cutting thing mentioned above would be highly appropriate. If he were Canadian, he would be forced to wear a helmet 24/7 to prevent self-harm.

 

The Darwin Awards are NOT for dumb criminals.

 

"The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of the human genome by honoring those who accidentally remove themselves from it in a spectacular manner!" (darwinawards.com/)

 

In case it is not clear, the operative words are "remove themselves from it (the human genome) in a spectacular manner". Or, to put it more simply, you have to die to get an award. And die in the dumbest way possible.

 

The Darwin Awards are for those truly, truly special people; using the name for common stupidity is a disgrace and should never be repeated.

 

 

Will lessons be learned?

 

 

 

50 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Neverminds this premise of whether it will to thwart new attacks or not, Iran has misrad the US and Trump big time and took every chance to belittle and to provoke the ire the US on many occasions with Ayatollah Khamenei ridiculing Trump saying 'there's nothing you can do to us'... well guess what...

"...A senior Trump administration official said the general had been planning imminent attacks on U.S. personnel across the Middle East..."

 

Evidence of an imminent attack? Crystal clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, evidence of an imminent attack?

 

Sorry, Dude. You lost the benefit of the doubt a long time ago.

 

Put up, quickly!

 

 

 

 

"...Choosing to be a vegan for ethical reasons is a "philosophical belief" that warrants protection by law, a tribunal in Britain has ruled in a landmark hearing..."

 

"...It definitely opens up the door for other beliefs to get protected status..."

 

Hmm...

 

Can I claim "Beerism" as my philosophical belief and get free beer at all events?

 

Just askin'

 

PS I am also a "Weed-ist" and a "Hot Young Thai Chick-ist" as a philosophical matter. Can I get those provided as well? You know; in order to be 'Spiritually complete'?

 

 

 

"...The question of whether the military is fit for its main purpose -- national defense -- is moot in the absence of any credible external threats..."

 

This is the most relevant sentence in the article.

 

When a military does not need to focus on external threats, it focuses on 'internal threats', real or perceived, in order to justify its existence. And, when those 'internal threats' aren't seen as sufficient to justify billions spent on the military, it then launches a coup to ensure its continued unfettered and unaccountable access to the national budget.

 

Imagine what a wonderful country Thailand would have become without the parasitic nature of its military; it might have achieved the status that the current crop of Generals would have you believe it has...

 

...and yes, perhaps the Thai language would be spoken somewhere outside the country's borders. And yes, perhaps it would have become a model for others. And yes, the Thai people could have held their heads up high, justifiably.

 

 

 

Hi All

 

Yes, it is New Year's Eve and thus time for those pesky New Year's resolutions. And yes, one of the most popular is quitting smoking.

 

First, in the interest of openness and transparency; I was a smoker for 35 years or so, but I overcame my addiction and have been clean for about 2.5 years.

 

Are you going to try to quit smoking on New Year's Eve? 

 

The reasons for quitting are overwhelming, indisputable and inarguable; it is an addiction that does nothing to help you. It sucks up HUGE amounts of your hard-earned money for no measurable return. Zip. Nada. Nil. Nothing. No return at all. It makes you stink. No, it makes you reek. No, it makes you smell awful. No, it makes you reek AND stink AND smell awful. It is medically proven to cause serious, lasting health damage to you and those around you. It saps your physical abilities with damage to, among other things, your lungs and makes you wheeze like a person 50 years older than your real age. It makes your house stink. It makes members of the opposite sex not want to be with you. It forces you to adjust every activity that you do in order to make time to either smoke or waste time buying more cigarettes. 

 

It is an addiction without value.

 

And, perhaps most importantly, it causes impotence.

 

Yes, smoking turns you into a limp, floppy fella who can't fulfill your function. 

 

Yes, smokers should be nick-named "Droopy".

 

Yes, smokers can't really 'rise to the occasion'.

 

Yes, smokers are erectorally-challenged.

 

Okay, if you are still reading, then perhaps you have made the decision to quit. 

 

Congratulations!

 

I believe that this is the single most important step; in my own case, I never really decided to quit as I didn't think that I could do it, but once I (finally!) made the decision to quit and meant it, everything flowed from that.

 

Can I suggest that you have a read through some of the many threads in this sub-section of the TV Forum? There is a huge amount of good information on techniques, drugs, 'best practices', what 'worked' and what didn't, personal experiences of members, loads of encouragement, and more. 

 

The second to last comment that I will make might sound a bit strange, but... Perhaps it is better to quit on January 2nd or January 3rd or January 10th rather than New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. Odds are if you are a smoker, you'll likely be having a few drinks tonight and that will make things extra hard; things will be hard enough without adding a hangover, etc. Just a thought.

 

So, my fellow quitters-to-be! Pick a date. The night before that date, toss out all cigarettes, wash and put away/hide all ashtrays, get rid of lighters and wake up a non-smoker. You will have some tough days ahead, but if I could quit after 35 years, literally anyone can. 

 

Repeat: if I could quit after 35 years, literally anyone can.

 

My final comment is this; it is worth it. It is really, really worth it. You will feel better, you won't stink/reek, you will save huge amounts of money, and there will be 'More Lead In The Pencil'. It is worth it. It is really worth it.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Happy New Year All!

 

 

An interesting read as always, but three comments just leaped out at me...

 

"...Wider knowledge of the Thai language is still important in appreciating the news and the public should realize how they are manipulated for clicks and how news can be presented as much as an entertainment as an information source these online days..."

 

While I absolutely agree on the need to learn a local language, it is the comment that '{stories] are manipulated for clicks' that brings great sadness. I loved TVF in the past as on a daily basis there were numerous interesting reads on interesting subjects. Nowadays, sensationalism and outrage rule to the detriment of enjoyment and learning. It is unfortunate and leads me to simply close down my computer far, far more often than I used to.

 

"...Thailand really needs to take a long hard look at its defamation laws. They are largely counterproductive protecting the elite, big business and others at the expense of the people...."

 

Forgive me, but this is the most obvious statement that I have ever seen on TVF.

 

"...I hope that this will not lead to a "Singaporean" style 'dumbing down' of the vibrancy that is Thailand all in the name of "progress" and a military sense of order..."

 

Sadly, this has been going on since the coup, and is the reason why I rarely visit Bangkok anymore. As I noted a while back... The Junta has imposed the order of an Army base, but without the charm and/or the ambiance.

 

Sorry for the criticism, but sometimes things need to be said.

 

Happy New Year everyone, and I look forward to Rooster's writings again in the new year.

 

Cheers to one and all!