Walker88

Let's see...5th or 6th iteration, been under this moniker for two weeks, and averaging 100 posts a day. You're a "real man"? Kind of reeks of girlyman. Before the sands in the hour glass run out, you might consider getting yourself a life.

I think Europe knows the PINO's time is limited; he'll be dead or impeached well before 2028. Europe only needs to engage in damage control. A month in and he's already failing, poll numbers dropping, the stock market and economy beginning to wobble.....the honeymoon ended faster than the marriage of a fat, elderly farang pensioner and his Thai bargirl cashier. Europe should give the PINO all the respect he deserves, which is none. Europe must also accept the reality that the US of the last 80 years is gone. It is a declining power just as the UK became a declining power a century ago. The PINO's actions are creating a non-polar world, although he is ceding Asia---and likely Africa and even parts of South America---to China. The PINO is the best thing that ever happened to Xi.

While I find it silly HHS has to take this up as one of its first "duties", my lib credentials solidify in a spot close to the center on the entire trans debate. I have compassion for folks born feeling they were in the wrong body with the wrong gear, and I think it no more a "mental illness" as one's height. It is simply how that individual developed. Nobody asked for it, at least until lately. While I have no official data to back up my particular belief, I would guess that the number of humans who genuinely feel they were born in the wrong body is extremely small, likely less than 1%, and maybe even a fraction of that. Give those folks their dignity and basic human respect. And by all means anyone willing to volunteer to serve the country should be allowed that desire. A few years ago, however, trans seems to have become a fad. Suddenly lots of people had 'doubts' about their gender. I suspect some parents, wishing to gain social clout or "likes" even encouraged their kids to have doubts, so that Mom could gain sympathy among her group of friends. To then impose hormones or surgery upon a child, I think is reprehensible. Growing up, hitting puberty, etc., has forever been accompanied by confusion, but time has historically taken care of that as children moved into adulthood. Those still confused by their mind-body dilemma once reaching the age of consent can then make their own choice, if they wish to become what they believe they are inside. All that being said, I think HHS should gear itself toward more important issues, such as the obesity epidemic, preparation for the next inevitable pandemic, drug addiction, etc. Gender would have sorted itself out over time as the fad faded.

In any thread about Gaza, "the sins of the few fall as guilt on the many". So many posters here are fully supportive of slaughtering tens of thousands of Gaza residents, because of the horrific crimes of Hamas. So let's be consistent....deport all Aussies and ban entry to all Aussies. Also, this "Susan" perp makes me think....."susanlea"....aka bignok, aka Sparktrader, aka Harrisfan, aka uttradit, etc.? Could it be?

Maybe I'm just conservative, but I try to be neat and represent foreigners in a manner that would leave a favorable impression among Thais, as I never forget I am both a visitor and an outsider, and even a sort of unintended diplomat. "Social status" has nothing to do with it; not being an eye sore does. Back home, or in any nation where I worked, I actually did dress as I joked in my earlier post, at least when working....Brioni suit, Stefano Ricci shirt, tie and freshly polished shoes. When I moved to Thailand, I left most of the suits in other residences, but brought lots of my other work garments, so I can go out the same 'dress casual' as I did back when working on Wall Street. In the heat of daytime March to June, I do wear shorts, but they are tailored and even pleated, and are neat and freshly laundered and pressed. Up to you if you want to dress differently, but "neat" is usually acceptable by Thai people. To borrow from Fergie, I don't have "my lumps....my ugly girlymanly lumps", meaning a belly and spare tires. When I go out, neatness is at the core. I would never walk into a restaurant here in cargo pants and a wife beater, a giant beer belly barely covered, and a cacophony of ugly ink splattered across my all-too-visible skin. Perhaps Thais like their falang looking like that in a public setting, but I think not. Personally, I'd be ashamed if I had the belly and massive girth far too many Westerners plod around with on Bangkok's streets. Have some pride! Too many farang here look as if they're doing an impersonation of Jabba the Hutt. It isn't pretty. Of the cover pics on the video posted by the OP, I can sort of see myself as the fellow in the pleated chinos and teal pullover, though none of the other looks. It's not so much a fashion statement as neat, and the build is close to my own. Even the most xenophobic Thai is not going to be offended by someone so decked out. Most won't care, while those put off by falang might think "that one is okay". Others might argue "too bad if the Thais don't like my appearance", and that is up to you. I feel that being neat is a way to show respect and not offend needlessly. It can't hurt, and it might help create a better impression of the foreign onslaught here, which is good for everybody.

MAGAs, being the failures that they are (save for those billionaires getting their tax cuts), were fooled by a "successful businessman", a guy supposedly running a massive real estate empire who had time to do a Game Show for many seasons. That sort of show takes countless hours, which our current PINO apparently had time to do. His tax returns show that he was bleeding away his dad's money and his half a billion dollar inheritance until Mark Burnett manufactured the fantasy that fooled MAGAs. I mean, how much of a dolt must one be to bankrupt casinos, a business where fools line up to give you their money? The PINO would have even lost his NYC properties if 'dad' hadn't both co-signed all of sonny boy's loans, but also once walked into an Atlantic City casino and bought $3.2 million in chips, just so sonny could make a payment on a personally guaranteed NYC bank loan. The first positive income year the PINO had was when Burnett created the fantasy. Well, now that the PINO got what he wanted (Elon lets him play King), the pain is going to hit MAGAstan in spades. All President Musk needed was MAGA votes; he no longer has any need for the riff raff that are MAGAs. Before 2028 comes, we'll see lots of rather obvious (obvious to those with brains) things.....a Recession if lucky, a Depression if not so lucky, a collapsing stock market, unemployment approaching double figures, high interest rates despite a moribund economy (as the PINO and President Musk default of foreign-owned USTs), Europe under Putin's thumb, high domestic inflation because of tariffs and a falling dollar, old cash-strapped MAGAs dying in pain as they have neither Social Security nor Medicare, kids suffering from e coli and salmonella since FDA inspectors were fired en masse, Bangkok-quality air, as environmental regulations are repealed, fewer life-saving drugs coming to market because of a lack of testing programs, and Americans shunned around the world, especially after the PINO tries to deflect from domestic mayhem by getting involved in "patriotic" foreign adventures such as stealing Greenland. I'll say it now, because I suspect many MAGAs will later be checking themselves out of this Earthly plane: "We told you so." LOL

I can see you're not an economist nor trader. Please tell us how Biden was the cause of the inflation of 2022. When you're done with that, tell us how your messiah is going to bring it down (though under Biden it fell faster than in any other G7 economy). Bonus question: Inflation was worldwide. How did a supposed vegetative Biden do that across 200+ nations of the world? MAGAs are such a kick. They're living proof W. Edward Deming did not make it into heaven, as God's celestial factory still has lots of quality control problems and throws out far too many morons.

Since you're an Aussie bogan, you do not know who Rick Wilson is. He's a long time Republican strategist, albeit an old school Conservative, not this new style of cultish, anti-American suckups, who live in fear of a mean Tweet or being "primaried". Rick is cut from the same cloth as the late Lee Atwater....nasty where he needs to be. Wilson is as far as one can be from 'woke' or 'leftist', but is also smart enough to see the self-serving clown PINO is a threat to everything America.

Even if I'm just stepping out to 7-11 for a protein drink, it's a bespoke Brioni suit, covering a Stefano Ricci shirt, fitted with either a Ricci or Hermes tie, and my feet hit the pavement in John Lobbs or JM Westons, as both are happy to make the 12-B I require for size and width. Under it all are Sea Island cotton boxers, that give a man the room to be a man. Obviously, there will never be a defacing and silly tattoo, as those are for Beta males and fad followers, not Alphas or Sigmas. Now for Songkran I lighten up a bit and release the windsor on the tie. I call that 'dress casual'. We are, after all, guests in this country. Behave and dress accordingly.

Your life must be so fulfilling and rewarding, if believing actual patriots, who think the PINO is a traitor, "coming apart at the seams" makes your day. Perhaps if you also took up knitting, that would turbo charge your enjoyment of what's left of your life. Do please also be public and vocal about your support for the traitor. Wear one of those Chinese-made and Commie-color red hats. Speak loudly of your affection in public. Own it. Just do not mistake "coming apart at the seams" with patriotism, especially among those who went into harm's way for a nation previously worthy of sacrifice.

He's a MAGA, which means idiot and coward. He'd let his wife be gang raped rather than try to protect her, because...you know....he's no war monger. Zelenskyy should have just handed the keys to the country, by MAGA idiocy. Real men fight for what's right and for freedom. Cowards capitulate and appease. MAGA's are scum-sucking cowards.

"It is better to remain silent and be thought the fool, than to speak and remove all doubt." ---Abraham Lincoln

If somebody tries to rape your wife, I suspect you'd just say "bend over and enjoy it, dear". I mean, that's "peaceful" and avoids violence, right? Zelenskyy preferred that Ukraine NOT be raped, and Biden agreed.

Gee, nobody could have seen this coming (save for sane and rational people, along with those whose IQ is higher than a turnip). Who could have guessed that foreign countries don't actually pay the tariffs? Who could have guessed that deporting so many so quickly and with obvious public displays of force might keep the folks who harvest produce or work in meat plants preparing chicken, beef and pork from doing their jobs, thus leading to higher prices? What Federal workers thought that, because they voted for the PINO, President Musk wouldn't fire them? Who could have imagined they will now have to wait the rest of the year to get their tax refund, or maybe a year to get a passport, because Federal workers who perform those tasks got canned? And this is just the start. Slashing the workforce at the FDA and Dept of Agriculture means fewer food inspections, which means more e coli and salmonella (who was not a character on the Sopranos). When MAGA kids are vomiting or dehydrated from diarrhea, that can't be blamed on Biden. When elderly MAGA voters get sick or injured, and find their Medicare doesn't cover what ails them, their last thoughts might be shoulda woulda coulda voted Democrat. Too late Grandma. Americans abroad will be on the receiving end of scorn because the PINO thinks it's still the 17th Century and the US can just engage in Neo Colonialism, seizing land it just thinks it deserves. And Americans abroad who need assistance from the embassy, get in line. So many staff have already been sent home from Bangkok that everything from renewing a passport to getting a visa for your bargirl---sorry, cashier----wife is going to take months. Best not get in any trouble, either, because Citizen's Services has been cut to the bone. Nobody is going to come visit you in the Bangkok Hilton, even if you're 100% innocent. Oh, and when the Fed says the PINO's policies will lead to higher inflation, which means no rate cuts on the horizon, Americans will be reacquainted with the term "stagflation". US companies who have a majority of the business outside the US are already looking at moving to Mexico or Europe (John Deere, Harley Davidson), which means lots of US job losses. The "good news" is MAGAs might be spared the pain inflicted by President Musk, because dying in a terrorist attack is much more likely now. Many previous planned terror attacks from 2001 to 2024 were prevented due to intel sharing with allied liaison services. Because of the PINO and DNI Gabbard, whom no foreign intel service such as Five Eyes, the BND, JPA, etc. trust, intel sharing has dried up. Nobody wants to put their own sources at risk, as the Israelis sadly learned the hard way back in the days of 45 (after 45 mouthed off to Russian FM Lavrov and Amb Kislyak). Plus, fewer port inspectors makes it more likely that dirty bomb gets into the US through Baltimore or New Orleans or Long Beach. MAGAs best get to Costco quickly and load up on Kleenex, because it will be their tears, not lib tears, flowing incessantly....and the Kleenex will also cost more because it's made from Canadian wood.

You would be correct in your opinion. And no, it's not "prostitutes urinating on the PINO", as that's child's play compared to the reality. I really doubt his cult would care, as decency and morality are anathema to MAGAs.

I sense some Dunning-Kreuger.

If President Musk decides he has to "investigate the investigators", we have to assume he has good cause, as he is obviously and legally as infallible as a Borgia Pope.

Your sudden bout of honesty, while unexpected, is rather refreshing, Sparktrader. Truth be known, in your country of birth (Australia), you might even approach average, at least for a bogan

Absolutely! I mean, I put my faith in a guy who swears vaccines are the bogeyman (though he had all his kids vaxxed), and a guy who has no problem using steroids sourced from some unknown Chinese lab, and who spent years injecting himself with heroin sourced from Wa and Kokang tribes in the Golden Triangle or Taliban warlords in Afghanistan.....and that before the worm started eating his brain. "The Best People" indeed! As for Idaho and Montana...well, they're Ground Zero of white militia groups and 'sovereign citizens', so they are quite a bit left of the mean.

Not sure what that means, and I guarantee you don't know. If you mean domestic leftists, well, they carry the US. Counties Biden won, though minimal in number, produce 62% of total US GDP. The slackers on the right, despite being a majority, only account for 38% of total US GDP. MAGA and slacker are synonymous. Perhaps it's time MAGAs put their nose to the grindstone and accomplished something, besides worshiping the fat man and living off SSDI and SNAP. If you mean NATO allies, do you expect them to engage in the same kind of cost overruns the US welcomes among its members of the military industrial complex? You champion wild inefficiency? Waste, fraud and abuse is your deity? Perhaps you are so knowledgeable you know exactly what NATO lacks that European member states could contribute. I guarantee the PINO doesn't know. Heck, he didn't even know what the nuclear triad was. So tell us, expert, how many more tanks does NATO need? Missiles? Radar? Rifles and handguns? Armored personnel vehicles? Since you're so quick to spout the PINO's drivel about 'pay their own way', you must have a detailed breakdown of where NATO members come up short, right? LOL. MAGAs !!!!!!

"President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker." * *Unless 'anyone' is a US Defense contractor, where massive cost overruns and wasted weapons systems are a major component of the $850 billion defense budget. For example, Pete got $50,000 to repaint his official residence. Unless his residence is as big as Versailles, it sure looks like there's a lot of fraud, waste and abuse there. Where's Presiudent musk and his brigade of 19-year old cost cutters when you need them? On the other hand, NATO members not as familiar with massive cost overruns, could meet the PINO's target of 'fair share' by having their military order a few billion dollars of paint and repaint every structure and vehicle they've got. Then they'd meet the % of GDP target. It isn't as if NATO really needs any more tanks, missiles or nukes.

Goodness, if not for MAGAs, the entire IQ Bell Curve would shift a std dev to the right! There have always been pockets of immigrants who chose to live in communities of those who share the same culture, foods, etc. The "Coolies" who built much of the US rail system established what most every major world city has: Chinatown. Other ethnic groups banded together, too, such as Koreans, Japanese, Russians, Scandinavians and most recently, Moslems in States like Michigan. Not everybody wants to be "white like us". Even the Founders, who were mostly atheists, commented about religious freedom of association, including for Moslems. They didn't expect everyone to become a fan of Jeebus or any mainstream belief system of that day. While few favor unfettered migration, decent people understand that so much is due to accidents of birth. Also, different ways of thinking and believing add richness and variety to any culture. The US benefits from being a melting post, and has assimilated migrants far better than any other nation. Companies like Intel and Bose exist owing to immigration. Even Apple was founded by the son of a Syrian immigrant. Imagine if you had been born female in gang-ravaged Guatemala. You wouldn't be on AseanNow. You are just lucky you were born in the US. You were a truck driver, right? That is, frankly speaking, not the acme of US society and talent. You're just lucky that, lacking actual skills and talents, you were whelped inside US borders, where it is almost impossible---if born a white male between, say, 1950 and 1980---to NOT be a multimillionaire. White males in that 30 year period materialized on Earth under better circumstances than 99.999% of all humans who have lived since Oldavai Gorge. If you're in that demographic and not a multimillionaire, you really should be ashamed of yourself. Many migrants, both legal and illegal, have achieved success that dwarfs anything you did. Have a little humility and appreciation for your absolute dumb luck.

Over the weekend, more slash and burn took place in other areas of the Federal Govt, including Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration and Medicaid/Medicare. It seems to be lost among self-serving MAGA autocrats that a good many of the functions government provides do not offer profit opportunity, which is why they are taken care of in the public sector, not the private sector. Food inspections? Drug testing and approval? Those are things necessary, but are best handled by the govt and our collective tax burden. MAGA morons love to throw around the term "Socialist", but they are too dumb to realize a good deal of any modern functioning government is Socialist, such as defense, the FDA, FDIC, Interstate highways, etc. When MAGA spawn start dropping like flies because they pick up e coli or salmonella in their school lunch or mommy's home cooking or a night out at Olive Garden or the Scottish Embassy (aka McDonalds), they will find they got exactly what they wished for. Oh, and offices addressing pandemic preparedness were also decimated, so all of you who believe Covid was a hoax and vaccines implanted mind-control chips, can dies peacefully in the next pandemic, also knowing you got exactly what you wanted. Those who voted for the PINO and President Musk might get their Darwin Awards posthumously. The so-called "civil war" so many MAGAs hoped for will turn out to be civil suicide. So be it. MAGAs are by definition redundant, and the culling of that flock of morons will do the world good. Hasta la vista, babies.

The Laffer curve is a cute concept, but like it's synonymous name suggests, it's kind of a joke. MAGAs, of course, lack the intellect to understand that the only two points on the graph/curve one truly knows are Tax Rates of 0% and 100%. EVERYTHING in between is speculation and a function of one's ideology or self-interest. Interesting that this fantasy has been propagated solely by Repubs, since not a single Republican POTUS ever has NOT presided over the start of a Recession. Tax Rates do not correlate well with GDP growth. The highest rates ever in the US were when growth was robust, such as the 1950s. So many other factors affect growth than tax rates, but the Rerpub mantra has always been "cut and trickle on down" Reagan began the massive deficits with his cuts, and the cuts in the PINO's first term set off massive deficits that eventually added 41% to the total National Debt built up since the 18th Century.....and it only took him 4 years.

Yes, who needs robust economic growth and low unemployment. Let's bring back the Recession and 6.8% unemployment PINO 1.0 left behind. You clowns have absolutely no clue what the term Marxism actually means. Willful ignorance is a horrible way to go through life. Then again, maybe it's not willful.