Dcheech

You are Catholic then? No, but why is that relevant to this thread? Same thing. Why would a UK citizen give a rats what a non UK citizen thinks regarding the Monarchy? Why would a Catholic give a rats what a non catholic thinks about the Pope? It has no meaning.

Pronouns & no talk about climate change?! Wow, that is impressive stuff. I didn't know army guys were running around in dresses. However it does give a new angle on understanding why jrBushs desert adventure trip was such a mega disaster.

For a completely different reaction, to the market regaining ground lost since “liberation Day”. Surprised & very happy I had a chance to sell on the upswing. Not to be missed, so much so, I doubled up. My budget, runs July to July, mainly investments. No faith in the long-term stability of the market. What with tariff shocks to start hitting this month & The Donald in charge. I put a sell order in on the weekend, not knowing if I will have this chance again. It did not go through until Monday, after the market closed, so I did eat one day of the downturn. Market reached its high point last Friday, dropping since. However, can’t be happier. I sold to fund me for two years, not one. Gives a person the means to wait it out & not be forced into a sell when investments are low in value. ‘When did Noah build the ark? Before the rain, before the rain.’

Written in the mid 30's when fascism seemed an answer to many. Father Coughlin was on the radio, Charles Lindbergh would soon be cranking up his America First Committee. My paperback copy from 1976, make up work for Mrs. Driscoll. - '"Buzz" Windrip, a demagogue who is elected President of the United States, after fomenting fear and promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and "traditional" values." - Sinclair knew which direction the danger would come from.

It is up and open again, although you have to rejoin. As for 'positivity & female energy' I guess many here prefer CM Facebooks sites with 'negativity & trans energy' . I am not joking about that comment, BTW. Cheers

Long Gun wasn't bad, if it is still in existence. They had choreographed shows, better than a bevy of tired dancers clutching poles. A few comments about it being expensive. True or is this just the usual suspects, having a group ear whinge?!

Trump is pumping for Putin. No revelations there. This treaty has only bought Zelensky a little more time at best, but he knew that and hopefully can string it out as Euro aid & cash arrives. Trump can cut the payments anytime. Treaty's with Trump are like Cease Fire Agreements with Putin. A public relation gimmick , dictators & authoritarian regimes use for Public Relation purposes.

I recall Putin waiting, dutifully, until the winter Olympics were over, to launch his invasion of the Ukraine. Getting assurances of Celestial leader Xi of undying friendship & support. Touching. Likely you remember something different, right wing apologists for authoritarian dictators, usually do. 🥱

Back to Biden, because you cant talk about Trump. It seems you missed how tough it was for Biden to get the military aid approved back then because of (dictator loving) Republicans in Congress. He was barely able to get through what he did. Next, why not blame Obama & Clinton?! That being the Republican MO, blame someone, anyone, because the Party of 'Personal Responsibility" is unable to take a gnat hair of responsibility for anything.

Donald as Putin's Shill. Outside MAGA heads & Russkies, why would anyone believe Donald Trump?! The Donald is playing the good cop, while JD Vance plays the bad cop. Both work for Vladimir Putin.

Today, everybody's gotta go to shrinks, and counselors, and go on "Joe Rogan" and talk about their problems. What happened to Gary Cooper? The strong, silent type. That was a real man. He wasn't in touch with his feelings. He just did what he had to do. See, what they didn't know was once they got Gary Cooper in touch with his feelings that they wouldn't be able to shut him up! And then it's dysfunction this, and dysfunction that, and dysfunction vaffancul!

Doctor Vinny Boombatz says Everything & anything to be done, should be completed in the morning. By noon, one should be inside, under the AC, with an iced; A) tea B) coffee or C) Barbados Cooler, in hand.

Always the need to justify the right wing excess's/madness, by blaming others. Why not admit you never wanted a democracy, no matter flawed or not?

Trying to coordinate with Putin on the best way to win, what they could not win on the battlefield. Trump never met a dictator he didn't like. BTW, Donald Just needs to keep isolating & tearing up, the branches of US government & that problematic Constitution, then he can be one himself.

Gosh, I hope it's insured.

Pakistan has nukes. Those are the guys who were sheltering/protecting Osama in Abbottabad. The guys who aid & support the terrorists who killed 24 tourists in Kashmir, yesterday. With friends like that .... you're getting your knitting in a knot about Iran?!

Gee, another article from the Murdoch Media.

It's just a car accident. It's not like he shot a decorated on-duty police officer in a Thong Lor nightclub, or anything.

When I was backpacking I did the obligatory 'sights', which was incredibly stressful. The blind leap of faith. You watch the locals do it, you know it can be done, but .... argh. Walk out slowly, at a steady pace and trust they will all weave around you. Second trip, stayed in the old town & old French quarter. A few of the "sites' but seriously chilled visit. Likely the reason why I enjoyed it so.

Heh – I do recall a few unfriendly faces in Hanoi's old town/market area. However, never an issue. Hanoi is a great place to spend 5 days or a week. Stay at a boutique hotel in the old town. Trendy restaurants, coffee, French style breakfasts & walk around the lake in the morning. The traffic is another story. A nightmare. It’s a fricking leap of faith crossing streets or bigger roads. Did Vietnam as a backpacker, in contrast, really liked taking a cush week here. Mahseer posted Went to LP regularly in the aughts/naughts. Always knew, it could get overrun. Will get updated on Chinese holiday times. I’ll give it another visit before writing it off completely. Visited a long time ago – might still be worth it Georgetown Penang. The old Chinese colonial part of town Darjeeling. You have to go through Calcutta but … Nice hill station with Kanchenjunga looming in the distance. ----------- Was looking at a Tasmania hiking/fishing trip, or NZ. Then wuhan & the house, put all that on the back burner. Still, an idea.

Last there December 2019, just before Wuhan flu, & before the rail link opened. With all the other news, never hear much about it recently. LP packed with Chinese tourists (sigh). When were you last there? Any comments or further observations?

Russia aided Syria because of past, soviet alliances & yes, access to a port, but little to do with oil. Syria has oil, not a major player. Maybe Russia has no love for Iran but they’re a top military supplier after China in the Ukraine war. In fact today Iran has military/tech units in Crimea coordinating Russian/Iranian drone tech attacks.. As China gets 90 per cent of Iranian oil. Netty and Trump bellowing hits a reality wall. Not that anyone believes what those two say anyway, but attack Iran?! ----- bellow all you want, Not going to happen.

Hanoi or Luang Prabang. However same seasons as Thailand so wait until the rains kick in and give it a month to cool. Indonesia, by the way, has reverse seasons, something to consider if wanting to skip the hot/smoke season here. Air Asia has a convenient Bangkok Bali flight. Not a fan of Bali but it serves as an easy stepping stone to the archipelago.

The house has lots of windows, and two sliding glass doors. All are screened, no problem with opening it up, AC off, let the breeze blow. Saying that, people here, get wound up about Power. Leaving the lights on our fence/wall, on all night, a major catastrophe. Leaving the AC running, an extra half hour, could mean the end of existence as we know it. As I’m the person paying the bills, should this matter? Questions with no answers.