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RayC

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Everything posted by RayC

  1. I agree 100% that "Once Brexit passed, disruptions to the British economy were inevitable". However, I don't see how you can possibly absolve the Tories from blame. Look at the evidence: Cameron, Tory PM, called an unnecessary referendum for purely selfish reasons. Nearly half of all Tory MPs campaigned in favour of Brexit. Cameron's replacement, May, ensured that there would be a 'hard' Brexit by effectively ruling out joining the EEA and any continuation of either the Customs Union and membership of the Single Market early in the negotiations ("Brexit means Brexit"). Her replacement, Johnson, made a bad situation worse by continually insulting and antagonising the EU. To give Sunak deserved credit, he has, at least attempted to rebuild our relationship with the EU, and he has had some success. Nevertheless, imo there are plenty of reasons to blame successive Tory governments for the fiasco that is Brexit.
  2. I broadly agree. I think you are correct to suggest that some European nations need to contribute much more, both financially and logistically, to ensure the security of Europe. However, unfortunately, even if all the European NATO members were to meet their financial obligations tomorrow, it will be a long time before Europe is able to defend itself without US assistance. https://riponsociety.org/article/nato-at-75/
  3. Imo Abbott is a fool and has, quite rightly, had the Labour whip removed. Unfortunately, she is still a member of the Labour Party. However, let's not pretend that anti-Semitism is an exclusively Labour Party problem. Unfortunately, there are plenty of examples of anti-Semitism within the Conservative Party as well https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_the_UK_Conservative_Party
  4. So to sum up anti-Semitism is wrong (I agree) but Islamophobia is ok?
  5. Absolutely nothing. (I think that you directed your question to the wrong person. Someone else decided to introduce race into the discussion)
  6. I'm willing to engage in constructive debate with you at any point, Jonny. However, for that to happen you'll need to stop playing the 'race bait' card whenever you are challenged to justify your position.
  7. Not in the slightest. If you look at my exchanges with others I disagree with, accusations of 'race baiting' and 'racism' have never been mentioned. I'd say that anyone who comes to a conclusion based on a false premise and extremely limited information looks a bit stupid.
  8. No idea how you can logically come to that conclusion but then that's nothing new. I'm not trolling you, Jonny, I just won't let your views go unchallenged.
  9. As usual, your "argument" is unable to withstand even the slightest challenge so you resort to insults. Fortunately the overwhelming majority of decent, level headed Brits are not right-wing racists, despite your attempts to redefine and portray us as such.
  10. Assange isn't some persecuted, doe-eyed innocent he's an individual who broke his bail conditions in the UK in order to avoid facing charges of rape and sexual assault in Sweden.
  11. Well, your last sentence is incorrect. This Brit - and many others - certainly aren't with Assange. Nothing in your post mentions the legal position. Your sole reason for opposing the US request for co-operation in this, or any other, matter is political.
  12. So your objection to the bill isn't based on the US giving military aid to Ukraine per sec, but the US giving military aid to anyone? In fact, you appear to be against the US producing arms (period)? Noble sentiments but do you really think it is likely that the US defence industry will be dismantled?
  13. It is. I can only suggest that you draw this fact to the attention of the relevant US authority so that they can bring the dastardly Kelce to justice.
  14. So as the saying goes, "Move on. Nothing to see here" despite your best efforts to the contrary. What any of your posts about Kelce's behaviour, domestic violence, etc have to do with the topic of this thread is anyone's guess, but to avoid you accusing me of evasion, here goes with a response. No I'm not fine with that and you are not using my logic. Domestic abuse is a crime (in the UK) which - like any other crime - the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will pursue if they think that they have a reasonable chance of securing a conviction. In your example, the only detail is that the wife does not want to support a prosecution. I would suggest that it would therefore be difficult for the CPS to secure a conviction and the likelihood is that the matter would not be brought before a court. Do I find that morally acceptable? No. Do I think that a pragmatic decision given the circumstances? Yes.
  15. As Jerry's embedded link shows, Coach Reed seems less concerned about Kelce's behaviour towards him than you are. "Shades of OJ"? Really? Maybe you should warn Ms. Swift!! I wonder if you would be as vocal about the behaviour of the partner of a Trump supporting celebrity if the case arose?
  16. That poll must be of concern to Conservatives seeing that - according to some - there may being a correlation between being a Taylor Swift fan and being a Liberal😉
  17. Or alternatively things stay as they are and I never return to 'Square One'. Using 'Global Money' suits me fine at the moment. If the charges and/or conditions change then I'll reconsider.
  18. You raise a fair point. Like you, I question why the government feels the need to give Bht10k each to 50,000 Thais at a time when consumer spending in Thailand is at an all-time high and consumer confidence has been steadily increasing over the last year. LHowever, my main objection isn't based on the total cost of the exercise but the untargeted nature of it. Imo there is undoubtedly a need for government support for the millions of poor and underprivileged Thais. There is also a case for increased government investment in some of the antiqued infrastructure. What I fail to see the need for is to give Bht10k to middle-class Thais so that they can pass the money onto The Central Group, IKEA and the like.
  19. I don't know the situation re Singapore accounts but I transferred £2000 on three separate occasions from my UK HSBC Premier account to my KT account in BKK. On each occasion, I was charged Bht100 by KT. Those were the only fees. Certainly not back to square one in my case.
  20. Apologies a bit late to this thread. Not sure if this applies to standard HSBC account holders, but if you have an HSBC Premier (and possibly 'Advance') account, HSBC offer a 'Global Money' account. You can send money abroad commission free and rates are competitive. I've used it 3 times and the money has turned up in my Krung Thai account within 36 hours. I have just checked the rates for sending £100 to Thailand and the HSBC rate (44.72) was higher than WISE (44.65 equivalent after commission). This account also offers a free debit card which allows you to withdraw cash from overseas ATMs without commission.
  21. If the official figures are to be believed, then inflation is not (currently) a problem in Thailand. Indeed, in December the country experienced deflation (although the figure excluded government subsidies). The BoT forecast a 2%pa inflation rate for 2024, slap bang in the middle of the target range of 1 - 3%pa so, in theory at least, there should be scope for some increase in government spending without having to be unduly concerned about inflation at this stage. With regard to exports. A purely anecdotal experience. I noticed that there has been a relative shortage of fruit in our local markets (Banglampoo and Thewet) so I - or more accurately the wife - asked one of the stall holders if there was a problem. He replied that he was having problems getting supplies from the wholesalers as a lot of produce was being exported (mainly to China). As I said, purely anecdotal. No idea re the veracity/ validity of this claim and/or whether it is part of a wider trend.
  22. We can only hope that the coach gets to see your comment. I'm sure that he will be greatly moved about your concern for his welfare. Let's hope that justice prevails and the US authorities throw the book at this heinous individual. Deliberate exaggeration ridiculing an absurd comment* which, incidentally, has nothing to do with the topic. * as is this post
  23. Even with my limited understanding of American football, I know that aggression is a big part of the game. The bloke being 'bullied' is Ms. Swift's boyfriend's coach i.e. someone who could negatively affect Kelce's career. "Interesting" target for a bully: Maybe Kelce has something on his coach and is blackmailing - as well as 'bullying' - him? The plot thickens.
  24. Chomper has explained the extradition process which Assange would have faced in Sweden, so why was he so reluctant to go there and fight the rape charges? To state the obvious, a person does not have to be a national of a country to commit a crime there. If the American authorities consider that Assange has committed a crime under US law, they have every right to ask for his extradition. The reference to kidnapping is laughable.
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