Walker88

It sickens me that the festering pile of subhuman filth that is 45 carried docs marked HCS (Human Clandestine Sources) to his country club, some of which were found in his office desk. Those sources were recruited and handled by CIA case officers who not only put their own lives on the line, but who knew full well that the clandestine assets put their lives and the lives of their families on the line by cooperating with US intel. There are 139 stars on the wall in the lobby 45 disgraced with his 'all about me'[ speech on 21 January 2017. In the last 18 months, many clandestine assets in hostile nations have been rolled up, all of which suggests 45's tiny hands in it. The bloated POS, who never served, has no concept of courage or bravery, and certainly no concern for any human life outside of his own. Sickening. Treasonous. He doesn't deserve another single moment as a free man. Step aside, Benedict Arnold; you've been overtaken by the bloated slug 45.

The intel community is doing a full damage assessment based on what was recovered by the FBI. They may well link the docs to clandestine assets who were rolled up since 45 lost. That isn't proof he is responsible, but it will certainly point the finger at him. I have zero doubt he is a self-serving traitor. Taking the docs, lying about giving them all back, changing his story every other day (planted to declassified them to gave them all back) shows intent to deceive. Odds he is indicted asymptotically approaching 100%.

There are a few things in which I do happen to be expert. One of them is the declassification system and the handling of classified docs. I carried TS/SCI for many years and not only classified hundreds or even thousands of documents, I was a check off on some that were declassified. 45 broke the law. Guilty just by possession. If he used them, or intended to use them for personal gain, that is 'conspiracy to commit espionage', is a capital offense, and he could (should) be executed.

Kash patal is a flunky who has zero clue about the declassification system. There is a procedure. The bloated one cannot just wave a magic wand over stuff and call it declassified. Agency heads must sign off, making sure no sources and methods are revealed. Then the WH Counsel signs them, classification headings are removed, and "DECLASSIFIED" is stamped on the docs. If you know nothing, best you refrain from commenting. 45 broke the law. ANYBODY else would already be behind bars. He will be soon. If all those docs were declassified, why not put them in KFC buckets or Macs Happy Meals, because DECLASSIFIED means anybody anywhere can see them.

If the magats riot, let me quote 45 himself and ask, "Can't we just shoot them in the legs?" Frankly, they should have napalmed the insurrectionists and terrorists on 6 January. Re their intellect, you won't find many of 45's cult to the right of the mean on the IQ Bell Curve.

Funny what constitutes 'classy' in magaland. Could the bar be set any lower? Ma Barker had more class. She did softcore porn, some of it lesbian. Classy for a FLOTUS? On the way to ostensibly comfort people who suffered a disaster, she wore a jacket that said "I don't care, do you?" Classy? How about tone deaf. She is the farthest thing from classy.

The 43 empty TS/SCI and HCS folders are only part of what they got. The retrieved actual TS/SCI documents, which the bloated one had zero right to have. That in and of itself is a crime, and ANYONE else caught with that stuff would be cuffed, perpwalked and jailed, because the mere presence is proof of guilt. Perhaps you think he is so dumb he packed empty classified doc folders to take back? Never are such folders lying around, neither empty or with docs inside, so packing them is purposeful, not inadvertent. He also lied about returning everything, when in the search the FBI found docs in his office desk. That, too, is proof of guilt. A first year law student working as a prosecutor could get a conviction on that.

There is no excuse other than 45 broke a host of laws and should be indicted, tried, and if found guilty given the maximum possible penalty, even if that is execution. 43 empty folders with TS/SCI and HCS markings. The guy goes to all the trouble to pack empty classified folders? No way. HCS refers to human clandestine sources, which is to say agency assets. It is probably not coincidental that many agency assets have been rolled up since 45 lost the election, including Chinese, russian and South Asian. Also, the folders were in his office, not even behind a padlock. Of course his garish club isn't a SCIF, so it is against the law to store any classified documents there. It is highly unlikely 45 cleans his own office---he hires undocumented workers for that---and such char force people would be prime targets of foreign intel services. FSB or someone else would pay such a person $millions to rifle his desk, make copies or take images. Also, did 45 make copies? He would be unlikely to do that work himself, too, so perhaps the FBI has an informant who was the one told to make copies. I suspect the MaL raid will not be the last, as the DoJ and FBI---already aware 45 lied---will try to recover other files and search for the missing docs. ANYBODY who held even 1% of the material 45 had would already be cuffed and behind bars. There is zero excuse for what he has done, and he has jeopardized US national security perhaps more than anyone since the Rosenbergs. The Doj has so far handled him with kid gloves, which is infinitely more than he deserves. A former NSA analyst took home a handful of TS docs in order to catch up on his work from home. Since that is illegal, he was tried, convicted and given 9 years in jail. 45 should get at least that, if not also get what the Rosenbergs got.....Sparky at Sing Sing. Yes, 'innocent until proven guilty', but the presence of those materials at MaL equates to guilt, so 45 is guilty. No doubt.

I've been in Thailand for the entire Covid Era and have watched as the country re-opened. I have a pretty good of idea of who has come to visit and why they came. Perhaps TAT could look at what is, rather than what it wants to pretend it is. Try to determine what Thailand's competitive advantage is and go after the demographic(s) to whom that appeals. Most of the first arrivals were single men of various ages. I don't think any of them were coming for the temples. When things first began to open up, I would guesstimate 95% of arrivals were in this demographic. This demo eats, drinks, goes to agogos, and books hotels---both long and short term. Thailand may not like being a worldwide draw for the sort of thing attracting this demo, but it brings in a good bit of money. The earliest arriving single males were mostly Western, but over the last few months lots of East Asian single males are coming. This demo creates a lot of jobs, not all of which are carnal in nature, as the spillover also includes the entire food and beverage industry, hotel and restaurant workers, service staff, taxi drivers, etc. Slowly I began to see a few families in the mix, mostly Western. This demographic probably visits famous tourist spots, takes a river/klong cruise, hits the malls, maybe goes to a beach area, and buys souvenirs in Night Markets (many of which have disappeared). They are a much lower percentage of arrivals than in the past, based on my own anecdotal evidence. Maybe those who dare grab the kids and fly for 10-24 hours have 'been there, done that' and already checked the box that says "Thailand". Plus, rapidly declining birth rates say this demo is an endangered species. Best not make it a long term target. (The first group, on the other hand, is never finished 'being there and doing that', as 'that' is an endless and repetitive urge.) Then came the backpackers. The relaxed cannabis laws have enticed some of them, but the Millennial idea of 'experience' is what gets them moving. They've also watch The Beach a dozen times and seen videos of Full Moon Raves. Individually they might not spend much, but collectively they represent a decent take. Now it's Indians. While some are families, anyone in Bangkok could be forgiven for thinking India has only males, no females. I guess the same is true in Pattaya. As the likely unfair and stereotypical joke goes, Thailand will welcome 20 million Indian visitors, so that takes care of two hotel rooms, but what about the other million rooms? Indians are the new Chinese in terms of Thai tourism. TAT has to come up with a strategy to draw the better heeled Indians, because it could be a huge and profitable market. The old saw about folks coming for the temples was likely never true, and isn't going to become more true post-Covid. Seen one temple, seen them all is pretty accurate. A place like Ayutthaya, on the other hand, is quite interesting, but barely exploited. If it could be done without spoiling it, there's one draw. Angkor Wat draws a majority of visitors to Cambodia; Ayutthaya could be similar, particularly since Myanmar's Bagan is kind of off limits owing to the brutal coup. Thailand also once made its name on being 'exotic'. With Bangkok's hundreds of high rises, the Skytrain, countless malls, and endless traffic jams, exotic it ain't. Some parts of the countryside, with rice paddies and quaint villages, might still fit the Westerner's view of exotic, but globalization has kind of killed exotic, save for maybe Bhutan or Sikkim, possibly Laos. No point beating a horse long since dead. Most of what the average tourist will see is Western in style, though still Eastern in thought. Finally, one never-ending, fairly well-to-do demographic is the retiree who prefers to avoid Western winters. Create a Seasonal Visa---say 6 months---for folks who want to come during the cold season back home. Older and richer, these folks are not going to be Anutin's 'dirty farangs'. They are unlikely to be troublemakers, but very likely to stay in a better hotel or beach condo, dine out most nights, and do a fair amount of shopping. They will watch traditional Thai dance shows and think it's great (it is lovely), and they will be interested in Thai cooking classes. As the Boomers age in the West, this demo is going to be growing for another decade or two. It's unlikely Thailand is ever going to see 40 million tourists a year again. Best the country address the issues that ail it---like air quality and cleanliness---and be realistic about what draws people: nightlife, partying/celebration, and warm winters.

Kind of funny to read expats in Thailand complaining about migrants to the UK.

Plenty of ways to get in and stay in Thailand already. Certainly getting to live here is easier than in most countries. Now the govt is adding one more way....but not doing away with any of the already-existing methods. So what's to complain? Pick the one that works for you if you are so inclined to live here, and let others do the same. None of these methods is onerous. I'm actually surprised some of the methods are as easy as they are. Most countries, if they allow expat residents, expect a much greater economic contribution than what Thailand expects. 800K baht in a bank? $80K/year income? Those are the two extremes, and neither is even close to what many countries demand, including for Thais who might seek to retire to the US or EU or Australia (heaven knows why). I often hear or read comments from people who beef about migrants coming to their country, yet these same people, many of whom make scant economic contribution to the Thai economy ( a million baht in a year isn't a rounding error in the expenses of a senior politician or those making the rules here), seem to think it's unfair if the Thai govt makes it more difficult for these expats to remain in Thailand. Keep quiet and enjoy the ease with which Thailand makes residence possible.

I think this is an old Irish curse: "May your last condom break" Or it could be, "May your last check bounce". Since we're in Thailand, however, I can say "Same same, but different"

I share GG's affliction. It is called 'prolixity'.

Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok has a retail pharmacy where you can get D3 and K2 in the MK7 version. 100mcg of K2 is the recommended daily intake, while recent studies show that even 5000 IU per day of D3 has no negative effects. Because D3 is fat soluable, it was long thought taking supplements could have negative effects, but the dosage turns out to be massive before it could cause harm. The MK7 version of K2 is the most biologically accessible version. It promotes calcium in bones and there is evidence it removes, or at minimum prevents, Ca buildup in arteries.

LOL ! You a member of a Forum where you have posted 5800 opinions 'nobody asked for'. I guess my opinion served as a hair across your butt. Goose and gander, fella.

Goodness yours is one of the sillier comments. What % of young people had tatts 50 years ago? What % of Thai women had tatts 20 years ago? What was a fringe thing became mainstream all of a sudden. That = fad. Yes, I guess you like tatts. You are welcome to ink every nook and cranny of your body. I happen to think they look dreadful and detract from an otherwise pleasant appearance. It is amusing how defensive the tatted are. It almost makes me think they're trying to convince themselves it was a good idea. Right now there's one shop in the Silom Complex called Dr Tattoff. When I have walked past it I have noted that it's busy. When the tatt fad fades, Dr Tattoff will go franchise. Give it two years and clean, unblemished, un-inked skin is going to be all the rage.

Scrolling through this I can see why the world of bacteria is becoming antibiotic resistant. Medical researchers are having trouble keeping up, as misuse of existing antibiotics necessitates developing ever new varieties. Then there's the issue of what almost any antibiotic does to one's gut biome. Taking a single round of some antibiotics can upset the gut for years, which will affect digestion and absorption of nutrients. That will create its own set of issues. With any antibiotic, you have to address its aftereffects. Besides over prescription, the availability of OTC drugs in SEAsia is one of the major things that has led to antibiotic resistant bacteria. Superbugs now exist. Don't add to the problem by misusing drugs. Humanity is in a race against time now, needing to develop yet more drugs to address the growing problem of bacterial resistance. Viruses like Covid might one day seem like a sniffle compared to what a drug resistant superbug could do to humanity. Go to a proper doctor. Let him or her assess your issue and prescribe both the right drug and the proper dose/time so that you address the specific bacteria causing your infection (if it isn't actually a fungus or something else) and make sure you kill it all. If you under dose, your bacteria could mutate into something the prescribed antibiotic can no longer address, and then you are in for a world of hurt. For something so important as addressing bacteria, don't get your advice on a forum of non-physicians, except for this advice: GO TO A PROPER DOCTOR

Why should I upset them? Most of them already regret getting tatts, so why rub salt in the wounds? Is isn't 'guts' that stops me; it's trying to be polite. Your comment is silly. For people who think their tatts look good, it they ask, I tell them tatts aren't for me and I don't think they make anyone look better. For people who already regret what they did, I remain quiet. No point in telling them what they already know full well.

Very silly comment. Scared? Is that also why I choose never to smoke or pierce my nose or nether regions? I am of the personal opinion that tattoos look horrible and deface an often lovely body. I am also of the opinion it is a fad, and a fad whose day will come to an end. At the same time I understand it is a personal choice, and all are welcome to eff up their body if they so choose. I don't feel superior to the tatted, I just think they look dreadful. Should I look at something I think is banal, common, and butt ugly, but force myself to pretend it's really so unique and stunning and just adds so much aesthetic value to a person?

We are free to have opinions as to the aesthetics of anything. In fact, we cannot not have an opinion about such things, and anyone who says they have no opinion of such things is lying. That isn't judgemental. Judgemental would be if one developed a view of a person's intelligence or value as a person simply because of what they chose to do to their body, but to think something looks good or looks dreadful is something we subconsciously feel.

Strawman

Absolutely true. It's also absolutely true that we all have opinions and we are allowed to express them. You are welcome to disagree. By the way, I'm also not fond of guys who look 8 months pregnant because they lack the discipline or self control to take care of the one body they get, and with which they can do whatever they want. I'm a nasty, opinionated SOB. Now this might come as a surprise, but I have met many people who wonder what the heck they were thinking when they inked up. One has a large middle finger salute on her tricep. Another has "F U" spelled out in full on her hamstrings. A third has a gun on her belly pointing to her groin, and she hates it. A dear friend looks as if she had a box of stickers, tossed them in the air, and got inked wherever they landed. She has been trying to find new work but says she is told by Thai employers her tatts disqualify her. Yes, that isn't fair, but it is currently how Thai society looks at folks who are heavily tatted. I do not share my views of tatts with anyone who chose to get them, save for on a Forum whose PURPOSE is to post opinions. That being said, I think it might be of benefit if those in the market to permanently disfigure themselves (my opinion) due to a fad should think about 1) what they will feel about it when they inevitably age or have different tastes, and 2) that it could cause mortal harm.

Fad, fade, or faded.......I think the fad fades, but the tatts are forever. Anyway, I'll fade that fad (fade is an old trader term for taking a position against the current market trend or against what a market guru suggests doing) As I wrote in my original post, tatts were fringe. Bikers had them. My grandad had an anchor on his arm he got during the war when he served on a naval vessel, but it wasn't normally on display. Suddenly most bargirls have them, young Westerners are adding them, and even elderly expats in Thailand are getting inked. It screams FAD, like shoulder length hair during the Hippie years or the Saab 900 during the Yuppie years or heavily padded shoulders on women's fashion during the years of strident militant feminism. Like those former 'must haves' the tatt fad will fade away. (Just having fun. I know the 'e' was unintended.)

Funny how this topic brings out odd comments. In point of fact I don't really care that much one way or the other about tatts. I'll never get one and I do think most look really silly, but only occasionally do I give them any thought. As the fad picked up I obviously notice them more, to some extent have gotten used to seeing them, but remain of the opinion---that's the key word on a Forum: OPINION---that nobody looks better with a tatt. I have a good friend who keeps adding to her 'art' as time passes. What was once on each thigh and on one arm, has morphed into both arms, her chest, her entire back, one hand, and even her butt. Underneath all of that 'art', she has, or had, astonishingly beautiful skin. Sadly---to me, not her---it's mostly all hidden now. I remain just as fond of her as always, as what's inside is what makes her her. Tatts aren't the driving issue in today's world, but Forums exist to elicit opinions, so I offered one after reading an article on medical research noting the carcinogenic nature of many of the inks and solutions used in the process. It struck me that there are young people, caught in the fad, who are going to die because they just had to have that special something on their arm or leg or back or wherever. For something so banal, that seems a shame. By the way, I do always wear freshly laundered boxers. Heck, I even iron mine, fastidious type that I am. Pima or Sea Island cotton only, too. One never knows when that bus or meteor is coming to take me out, and I want to be as fresh as possible when it happens.

Yes, opinions are like buttholes: everybody has one. In fact, that is the entire point of Forums. Tatts, on the other hand, are a choice, and as a member of a Forum I can offer an opinion on them. Sure it will offend some people, just as an opinion about politics or religion or smoking will offend some people. Welcome to the world of internet Forums. I don't expect to change anyone's mind, nor do I care to. I wrote an 'opinion', which is to say I followed the point and purpose of a Forum. I see you have offered over 7000 opinions as a member of this forum, yet you insinuate I cannot offer this one about tatts.