Kiwiken

I would put it in a slightly different Perspective. The Soviet Union, then Russia have been led by weak Leaders namely Gorbachev and Yeltsin. The break up of the Soviet Union and the economic chaos that followed. Rather than being utilised by the West to help Russia emerge as stable and Democratic state in the East was seized upon by Western Capitalist opportunists who attempted to crush the Russian Spirit. Putin sees himself as the champion of Mother Russia as if you look closer is trying to reassert Russia's sphere of influence as it existed in Tsarist times. The USA likes to pin prick and so tries to influence and control states on Russia's borders. This of course causes Russia to respond in an aggressive manner. Much like if Russia was to form an alliance with Mexico or Canada therefore by implication threatening the USA with a land borne threat. I have Russian friends so I listen to their perspective. This I have written is my own. Trying to balance my Western orientated view with how they explain things to me.

There are many times I look with disdain at how the big powers interfere and destabilise states to posture. Sadly we learn little from history.

Was it not Satayana that said "Those who do not learn from the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them"

I would not be surprised if we see some tit for tat shootings happening any time about now.

Oh you mean a retaliatory attack by a messed up Gay Christian on a Muslim Night club. Kay sera sera...............I don't think so.

This Guy was a nut bar and they live in all Societies just seem to surface a bit more in the USA.

Yes trying to create Syria into a new bastion of Democracy like Iraq and Libya. Keep your dirty fingers out of it.

This puts the kabosh on those making the argument you can't stop Islamic terrorism by banning muslim immigrants and the related claim that Mateen was an "American" and so any ban wouldn't have affected him. Mateen didn't consider himself American, as his statements show, and his 911 call wherein he demanded America "stop bombing HIS country [Afganistan]" shows muslims cannot be intergrated into the American mainstream.

42% of American Muslims support the right of gay people to marry. This puts them way ahead of evangelical christians and mormons. I guess those evangelicals and mormons can't be mainstreamed either.

Does the fact that if 42% of Muslims support gay marriage means that 58% of them do not in any way register with you ? That tells me there is a HUGE problem with what Muslims think. There is a huge problem with ANY religion that seeks to impose their religious dogma on others and yet we just ignore it

I don't think for a minute that Trump has all the answers but at least he isn't too scared to talk about it.

We had a Poll here in the UK and it was truly shocking, 52% wanted homosexuality to be made illegal among other things and yet within a week or so it was quietly dropped and never mentioned again.

All we do, as a reporter here said was come up with another catchy tagline. #Lovewins I think it is this time, Hold some candle lit vigils around the world, Come up with a nice logo, Turn various landmarks this time the colour of the rainbow gay flag and change your profile on Facebook to the gay flag etc and apart from that just wait for the next time it happens

I would think if so called western Governments allowed their populations a vote on that issue you may find the division similar. Supporting or downright opposing are too parts of it. I suspect in my Country which legalised it had it been put to public referenda it would only have been slightly more than 50% that would support. For the majority we would accept the vote. But we were never asked. And I find it repugnant that a few Legislators can decide Our moral views of the World without asking us. And I am neither Bigoted or a Muslim. I just believe we should be asked

402 Singapore dollars for steak and two veg. Pretty expensive way to end up the butt of others jokes don,t you think

So all you self righteous crusaders will save the World (USA) from the Muslim Infidels. Are you going to Kill every man woman and child of the Islamic faith to justify your beliefs and superiority over this Night club attack.

I ask you to look up Islam by Country on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_by_country

Then having unleashed your rage explain to me the rest of the World what is the Difference between you and the Nazis or Mao's Cultural revolution, Stalins Purges, The Balkan wars (Yugoslavia).

I will tell you what "Nothing"

I do not question your morals I simply say those who say "Pay back is a Bitch" have none

Plenty on here who ask for a war against Semitic races. Found the book a load of drivel.

Totally unprofessional anywhere regardless of what side you are on. The Pilots should be sacked and their licenses revoked

Never hear a word from "innocent" muslims to condone this tragedy or do anything to stop the terrorism.

Apparently Iran is biggest supporter of muslim terrorists. Put a Tesla in every driveway and good riddance to Iran and rest

of Arab countries.

It is high time the west takes the gloves off and cut the snake's head off for good.

Nice view of the World Iran and Afghanistan are not Arab Countries. Neither is Pakistan and Bangladesh whom I assume you lob into the same Basket. Isil is a backward looking bunch of Psychopathic Killers whom would claim any large killings as the work of their fighters. Until proven one must work on the logic it could just be some righteous nut with an axe to grind. Or would you say of some non Muslim person who attacks and kills many in an American Mosque a patriot? Wait until the Authorities give a balanced and authoritative statement before you Nuke the World. Isnt that how we got in this mess in the first place.

I wrote a paragraph and yet several have taken just the first line to criticise me. Why when it is stated you cannot use a part does this happen. To look like I justify uncontrolled dogs when that was never what I said. personally and I have neither the opportunity nor the ability I would exterminate all stray Dogs wandering the streets. In my Country they are impounded and if new homes cannot be found they are usually euthanised within a month or less depending On Local Body Policies.

So why dont you cut up my sentences and make out I want to save and breed the Stray dogs in thailand.

Just another, in the continuing parade of failures, of this administration. One might be led to think the phrase "moving Thailand forward" could include at least the slightest effort to improve traffic safety, and decrease the carnage on the nation's highways. But, alas, it does not. The staggering indifference toward the general population (people who are not rich and influential) continues. How about some driver training programs? If so many police are available for inconvenient road checks, why not for traffic safety?

I am always astonished at the utter lack of highway patrol, on the nation's highways. The only time I see them is after an accident, never before. I do not ever see anyone pulled over for speeding, reckless driving, illegal lane change, DUI, etc.

Unless, and until the government takes responsibility for this horrendous problem, this carnage will continue, and families will continue to be devastated by it.

And it is about time that they start imposing massive fines on the companies that operate public transportation vehicles, when people are killed, if it is due to the driver, or the vehicle. Massive. And perhaps they could imprison the owners of companies with multiple offenses? Men who pocket big profits, and are unwilling to put much of it back into their fleets? They could and should be held responsible, when there is a deficiency within the vehicle. If not them, who?

And where would they get the money to improve traffic Policing and Law enforcement when most of that and other budgets is siphoned into a Military machine which sole purpose is the protection of the State from the Nations biggest threat namely the Thai People.

What about installing tachometers in all public and merchandise transport vehicles? ...and having compulsory or random checks.

I'm guessing you don't know what a tachometer is for?

a device that measures speed

Nope, That's a speedometer!!!

A tachometer measures the revolutions of the engine

There needs to be stricter controls on these mini buses, i.e. compulsory registration as commercial vehicle, annual checks & random checks of vehicle safety & operation, compulsory seat belts, passenger limit. Plus,there driver payment system needs to change, to force speed reductions by drivers. Some years back,was 1 of 12 passengers hurtling along on Bangna Express @ 170k p/h. Told driver to slow just laughed, reported to Police station & nothing occurred.

The Prayut Gov't needs institute program to more strictly control the minibus industry, it's a disgrace. Prayut espouses the principles of caring for Thai people, well, 11 Thai people senselessly lost their lives, so, Khun Prayut prove you care....do something!!

The last thing i would want to wear in an overturned and on fire minibus would be a seatbelt.

Real tough penalties for both drive and company if they are found at fault would save far more lives.

If wore seat belt in overturned vehicle, seat belts ensure all passengers held in place, not dangerously moving around cabin & sustaining/causing life threatening injuries; seat belts do reduce injuries..

In a vehicle crash unsecured passengers cause injuries to themselves & others.

In many countries now, seat belt belts are compulsory on all non commuter buses, etc.

Research verifies seat belts save lives.

Agree, must have tough penalties, but needs a concerted effort not just one element.

In many Countries now seatbelts are compulsory in all vehicles including commuter buses. Time has proven better chance of survival in any rolling vehicle if a seatbelt is worn. Not with standing an horrific way to die. RIP crash victims

Money buys forgiveness in most Countries

An interesting static .... The UK and Thailand are approximately the same size with the about the same population... Thailand has 10X more road fatalities than the UK.. go figure!

Might be due to British-made cars - most of them wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.

I think One of the main reasons for the high fatality rate is gross overloading of vehicles 5-6 on a motorsei no helmets (And I have seen farang in BKK with lady and 2 kids on too) overloaded trucks and utes. Vehicles that look hardly roadworthy to begin with and all speeding down the highways at a great rate of knots. Police very thin on the ground. Myself I do not think Thais are that bad a drivers compare ok with NZ drivers who are crap anyway. But I think it is the overloading and poor adherance to safety that causes it. Tougher licensing like NZ will not improve it just increase unlicensed drivers. policing increases and enforcement ill be far more effective.

Thai are already flying 5 flights a week direct from Suvarnabhumi to Auckland.

What is this bullshit ??? have I missed something or am I just stupid

Let Nokair fly to Auckland them cowboys will scare the crap out of Kiwi Air controllers

Okay, you 2 Einsteins: back up your claims with evidence or back off!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35231046

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/7557/germany-rape-migrants-crisis

I will happily provide you two links for free. I would urge you to investigate the issue on your own and learn what is happening in Europe. The flood of "refugees" has brought a wave of crime and violence with it.

And here are multiple stories of these asylum seekers making demands on the country kind enough to take them in:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=germany+asylum+seekers+demand+money

The truth is every action brings a reaction. A Pogrom will occur

Yes and saved time with the washing a personal cleanliness too. A cunning plan

Never let the truth get in the way of a Good Story

More planes to Jafa land. Must need more masseuses with the burgeoning population there.

I hope the US officials get prior written permission before they go near the aircraft carrier.

Yes went with my former Thai wife to visit the carrier but so top secret as a Foreigner I was not allowed on board. Went to an open day in NZ of one of Our ships and 50% of the visitors were Asians. Cunning now they know we have a 20 mm cannon.

9mm anaesthetic cures it 100%

Very aggressive and bad move by the NATO. How would the US react when Russia stationed troops along the Mexican border? I say Mexican border because NATO without the US is just a ridiculous joke.

Well the whole world seen how they $hit themselves over those long 13 days in 1962. When the Russians parked nukes in nearby Cuba. Same old story. Dumb dogs never learn from their past experiences.

1962 The US had a President willing to stand up to the war mongering Pentagon Generals. Yes it was close thing. But afterwards Kennedy and Khruskev realised that military confrontations was futile. Sadly One was assasinated and the other ousted and the game continued. I believe NZ was more concerned with Cricket and rugby. I believe in 1984 after we banned Nuclear weapons and ships from Our Ports Reagan made the crack after Grenada. That was the warm up New Zealand will be the next. We don,t forget stuff like that anymore than underarm Bowling in cricket. So play your little games children "My marbles are bigger than yours" How drowl!!

Having driven 40+ years in NZ and several Years in Australia. I do not think The Thais are the worst. Many are more considerate than kiwi drivers and risk taking about on par. In order to improve the quality of Drivers in NZ they made the driving tests harder. Now we have more unlicensed drivers on the road. I find the Motorcyclists the worst in Thailand but have also seen some good riders and Drivers However. parking for many seems an issue and love sitting watching ladies parking in KK. Better than any fun show I have seen in years.

Thai people should consider breaking away from Buddhism but the won't

Where would they go back to Animism , human sacrifice? As long as Religions are tied to the State the problem will be inherent . Buddhism is not alone in this. Religion must be seperate and non state sponsored. Only then can true faith exist. If the monks lived by the 5 precepts there would be no problem. But as has been pointed out Temples in Thailand are refuges for criminal and deviants . Lift that Sanctuary and you can clean up the faith.

I don't agree that if the sanctuary was lifted it would end the problem. Religions are in my opinion themselves a deeply-rooted problem in that their purpose appears to be the control and exploitation of populations. Just as institutionalised sex is a perversion of sex, so is institutionalised spirituality a perversion of spirituality.

Even if you abolished the existing Religions People will just unvent new Ones. It is our inherrent need to believe in a Higher Power beyond man,s fickleness. Buddhism is not a Religion it is a philosophy twisted by those who try to make it a Religion. Disagree if you wish this is your right. I am Buddhist but I think like yourself have a ministry to make others question!