John Drake

Turns out this incident is much more serious than outlined in the OP. Chinese coercion amounted to strongarming the exhibit. Many layers to this.

The Trump "crackdown" on Putin and Russia now appears to have been a ruse to justify this giveaway on the part of Trump. For peace in our time, Trump seems ready to force Ukraine to part with the Sudetenland, er, uh, I mean Donetsk.

The courts, for one. What courts in China hold Xi back from doing anything? Even the Republicans in both houses are preventing Trump from making recess appointments. When has Xi ever been prevented from appointing whomever he wants anywhere in China. There are differences between China and the US, even with Trump in charge. And to prefer what goes on in China over the US is madness, in my view.

To be pro-China is to be pro-Russia. However grotesque Trump is, Xi is worse. Trump is an authoritarian currently held in check. Xi is a totalitarian with no domestic or international limits on his control, as the scrubbing of the art exhibit demonstrates.

Trump and his oafish ways are a severe problem. But would you prefer China?

I enjoy older Thai films from the 60s, 70s, and even 80s. Many shot on 16mm. They have a wonderful feel to them, a sense of place that is long gone. Here is a recent Thai film that captures the nostalgia of that era. It's called Once Upon a Star in English. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22696288/reference/

Okay, now it makes sense.

I can't find much to disagree with there. The one thing Thailand does still have going for it is a "mall culture." Malls are still a go to experience, especially if you're out and about and want a break. I imagine theaters get some spill over from that. You're in Bangkok and waiting in a mall: you know with the traffic you're not going anywhere else soon; may as well watch a movie while you wait.

Doesn't he know film production schools have been sending interns to production companies, large and small for two decades at least? The problem for Thai filmmaking is that for even their best directors they can't make enough money to work on films alone. They need regular salaries from work in commercials. Then there is the fact that actually there is a glut of film school graduates in Thailand. The freelance market is flooded. It's a race to the bottom in salaries. And now AI is replacing a lot of routine film work--say good-bye to storyboard artists. I would hate to be in this business right now.

AI will replace most of the H1B's jobs in two or three years. Right now, tax H1Bs and tax offshoring of call centers, diagnostics and other professional services. Tariffs need to be extended to these services located in India.

Also need to include replica Chinese "technicians" who will likely be based permanently with the submarine.

So only Mexican/Latin American laborers will be hit. The H1Bs will skate.

Long after the 3 months after the last extension. I'm just now getting ready to renew and the 300K was taken out for a couple of days 3 1/2 months ago. All well within the immigration time requirements, before and after. But not within Bangkok Bank's new rule.

Thanks. I use the retirement extension. I have Social Security deposited into the account where I keep 800K, and I then withdraw the SSA deposit every month, leaving the 800K intact. I went below 800K this year for the first time since 2019, because my wife needed to use 300K for a land transfer fee. It was only for a couple of days before she returned it, but it leaves me at 3 months and 18 days, instead of four months.

Questions: 1) Is the account "frozen" or just the 800K (if you're using a retirement extension)? 2) If it is just the 800K, and you have a regular schedule of deposits and withdrawals on top of the 800K, how will that look in your bank book? Will there be a designation in the bank book of money available for withdrawal and a separate one for money on account? If so, how will the bank book be received when you go to extend next year?

Tattoos. Cigarettes while giving the finger. All in close-up. How utterly degenerate it all looks.

The humiliation and disgrace is complete now.

More evidence, btw, that is always a good idea to keep yourself under control, even in disagreements. Cameras are everywhere. Phones are everywhere. Misbehave and you risk being utterly humiliated and made a joke of across the news and social media, just like this British guy.

Fly, Donald, Fly!

His mental state is in question. When I saw him standing on the roof of the White House today, I thought he was about to jump.

Looks all even to me. The British guy hits like a girl. The American looks to have pulled him off the woman, and he was so drunk and brittle his bones broke.

That's what I fear.

I wish I could count on Trump to carry through with this threat and more. It would be nice to nip the Indian problem in the bud before it fully flowers into a second China-like problem. So, good to see a tariff threat, if Trump does actually do it. But the following should also take place: 1) end Indian H1Bs, let those in effect go without renewal or extension. 2) tax at the same rate as the tariff Indian call centers, diagnostic centers, consulting agencies, accounting services, etc. doing remote work for American firms and individuals. 3) apply civil rights compliance laws towards Indian managed companies in the US who fire American and hire Indian. 4) moratorium on all Indian immigration to the US. Meanwhile, it's good to see Trump move against Putin in favor of Ukraine. Better late than never.

If I'm the French, I sift through for the worst 50 I can find and send them to the UK.

They are like ants at a picnic. Their presence is unwelcome, their number unending, they infest the food, and destroy the atmosphere.