swissie

Quote: "Gigantic loss of life and material.Economy slowly falling apart". Proportionally higher in the Ukraine. Russian economy not falling apart. Quote: "How much have they really gained"? = 1/4 of the Ukrainian territory so far.

No power, no computers? A question posed by a true amateur: How long will servers and all other digital devices keep working if a large scale electrical power outage should occur, batteries exhausted? Depending on device I suppose. 2 days, 2 months, 2 years? Worst case?

Some posters here are constantly claiming that Russia is "doomed". - Who is making territorial gains? Who is in the process of winning this war? The Russian economy is self-sufficient, has an endlees supply of natural/human resources. As opposed to the Ukraine, depending to 90% on "foreighn support". Without this foreighn-support, the Ukraine would never have been able to conduct any sort of "effective defensive warfare" against the Russians in the first place. So, who is "doomed"? Peace talks next year will show how much territory and state souvereighnity the Ukraine will be able to retain. The price will be high, especially as Donald thinks the price to support a hopeless war is too high already. Far away from his "America First" gospel. Seems to me, that a number of numb-asses here adhere to the same phlosophy as Adolf, the "red army" merely standing 100 km away from Berlin, still insisting that the "Endsieg" is close at hand.

I notised that audio translation software has gotten better over time (english/thai). But german/thai is not very satisfactory still. Any recommendations?

I have listed a number of European countries "at risk" above already. Forgot to add Turkey. Their "party manifests" clearly show where they see the "European Future".

During my time in the tropics I have been bitten by a hundre different "bugs". This worked for me: - At the first "itch", don't scrach the affected area. Take a cotton puff, drench it in 70% medical alcohol and apply it vigorously to the affected area. Minor bug bites will be neutralised this way. Important: Act at the first itch, not 3 days later. Not sure if this will work on spider bites, snake bites or bites inflicted by polar bears.

I am insured within a HMO concept. So I get my treatement(s) in their "Health Center". 12 Doctors are working there. They came up with this idea. I best ignore their new idea as they seem to be the only medics that propose this new measuring procedure worldwide. OR: Could it be that my COPD affects my BP overproportionally "under normal life conditions" and this is why they want to know those readings in my case? Any connection between COPD and BP?

Had "rezum" done 3 years ago. Infection ocurred, spent 3 months in agony after OP. Today, my prostate problems (early stage) are back again.I will have to see my Urulogist again. Had my "rezum" done in a highly respected university hospital in Switzerland. Same hospital denied, that the infection could have occurred in their hospital. (!?!) Without infection, rezum might be recommendable. But why does the problem re-occur only after 3 years? Ask your medics, how long their different "cures" will last. Imagine you are getting 100 years old, how often do you have to do a "rezum" every 3 years??? In any case: If a post operative infection occurs, you will be going thru hell for the next 3 months.

Where does the anger come from? Maybe the endless parliamentary discussions that produce nothing but "compromises" that do not adress/rectify current problems concerning little people. Getting the impression, that whatever "the government" legislates, it's in favor of the upper 5% of a society. To some, the China/Russia syndrome might be tempting. With a stroke of a pen arising problems can be adressed/rectified, without parliamentary discussions that can last for years. Tempting for many. Humans prefer easy solutions over complicated ones. Can be bliss or curse. Only hindsight can tell. Unfortunately.

I rather name western european countries where autokrats (or future autokrats)) have gained massively in the recent past (worldwide the list would be too long): Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Kroatia, Germany, France. All riding on a wave of support by "the little people".

The OP is not ashamed. The above mentioned potentates were not democratically elected. As opposed to today, where the little people elect their future autokrats into office.

Some little people have to work 3 jobs to stay alive. But of course, all of this is just "self inflicted defeatism".

Problem is, that those modern day "Ceasars" want to do away with democracy.

Globally, autocratic right wingers are being elected into office by "little people". Don't they know that the dismantling of any Social Security Concept is high on their agenda? Their gospel as far as this is concernd is: "Let them eat s*hit and let them die". Why do little people vote for their executioners?

I said it before and I am not shy to repeat it. Walker 88 is a true asset to this forum. I would even go as far as make it obligatory to distribute his writings in every high school in the US, making it "a must read".

In other words: Be well educated and/or have money. Undercapitalised elderly US citizens will NOT QUALIFY. End of story.

Ecuador was his favorite. Look at it now.

For as long as I can remember, BP measuring was done in a "resting-mode". (actualy, my former Doctor forbade me to even talk while measuring my BP in his presence). Not anymore. Today, BP should be measured reflecting "daily activities". No wonder, my BP jumped to 150/100. What's next? Measuring BP after having done 50 push-up's for 70 year old geezers? Catapulting everyone into a "high risk clientele", much to the delight of the pharmaceutical industry? I have mild diabetis. My diet mostly consists of "unhealty foods", including plenty of "sweets". Still, my blood sugar level is "no problem" and my cholesterol levels are "excellent". I am starting to believe that modern day medicine has entered a "analytical overkill" in combination with old fashion hokus pokus. = How to mesure BP for starters.

One very interesting quote by the OP has been overlooked by posters: " I lived through Orbán’s power grab as a member of Hungary’s parliament". Is JT a "dual-citizen"? Possibly able to be a member of the Hungarian parliament and becoming a member of congress in the US as well (theoretically)?

Just a little "add on". Surely, Donald had a good start by inheriting 200 Mio$ from hid daddy. But the issue remains: The American voter had to wait a long time for a guy that TALKES LIKE THEM, BEHAVES LIKE THEM, THINKS LIKE THEM. Mirroring the "heartland" of America. That is the point, I am trying to make. Mainly promessing to his voters, that by lowering taxes for the filthy rich it will "trickle-down" to his voters. We had this before: Ronald Reagan and his "Laffer Curve". !!!???!!! Hopefully it will work this time around, otherwise the US "heartlanders" might become a dissapointed angry crowd. All armed to the teeth. Oouups!

Personal interest: How do you live/navigate in a country that officially is in the middle of a civil war?

Not sure if this justifies a new thread. But still: Hard times for people looking to "buy low, sell high". Just about everything is rather "high". Found something that is "low": SOYBEANS. Other tradable things that are low? Someone coming accross things that are "low" and worthwile? Tell me!

Trump and his followers. Mostly, US presidents originated from elite universities and/or from financial/political elitarian circles so far. = Known as the "Finpol-Elite".Now, "the masses" had the chance to vote for a guy that TALKES LIKE THEM, BEHAVES LIKE THEM, THINKS LIKE THEM. Mirroring the "heartland" of America. Finally, for the first time in their living memory. No wonder, that the "neglected-masses" are convinced that their "messiah" has finally arrived.

Reach down. No surprises. 20 year old Thai Boys/Ladyboys give better service than 40 year old Thai ladies. Same procedures available at lower cost. Less "afterward" problems usually.