RubenRemus

21 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

From the NY Times this could be considered a microburst:

MBs are short, usually less than 20 minutes. This wasn't a microburst. 

4 hours ago, impulse said:

 

More lefty tears. 

 

Gonna be a rough 11.5 years...  3.5 Trump and 8 JD...

 

 

Sad. It's not a team sport you know. This is governance, not dunking a basketball. Grow up. 

On 5/23/2025 at 7:46 AM, The Cyclist said:

 

English comprehension skills failure

 

Erasmus ?
 

 

Did you not understand the words " Live and WORK "

 

And people up to the age of 35, are not youths. Certainly not in the UK, nor the EU, or anywhere else on Planet Earth.

I love how this post is totally wrong on several fronts.

On 1/1/2024 at 5:49 PM, The Cyclist said:

Or

 

Brexit has failed because too many are still in shock that it actually happened, and are doing their utmost to ensure that it has no chance of success.

 

The only true path is to rejoin the EU in their warped minds.

Or that people realised they were lied to and now don't trust the experts not to be lying again?

6 hours ago, altayvan said:

That’s really what this post is about. It’s not just me getting older or nostalgic. It’s that everybody’s mum, their boss, and even their dog are flying in for a “Thai experience” they saw on TikTok. And that’s fine. But it’s not the same.

The places I once slipped through unnoticed now ask for insurance, printouts, onward flights, and proof of funds.
The cheap guesthouses are being replaced by “lifestyle stays.”
The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

Thailand's economy has grown and its governance system has evolved. Today there is a greater understanding of risk. I'm sure you wouldn't want a bunch of barely financially viable Thais showing up on your doorstep unannounced; why would anyone in Thailand want to have the same from you? As others have noted, you bring risk, potential costs, and other "externalities" with you that need to be funded somehow. When the country was poorer that was a risk Thais wanted to take for the sake of local development. Today they have other options. 

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

compared to his previous projections?

 

what about comparing it to a project that no one else ever initiated in the first place? 

 

Do you really believe no one has ever tried to cut federal spending before, or are you just trying to gaslight us? Not only did Clinton do it, he did it on a bigger scale. But wait, guess who suddenly decided at that time that cutting taxes and reducing the deficit was BAD???

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_policy_of_the_Bill_Clinton_administration

In proposing a plan to cut the deficit, Clinton submitted a budget and corresponding tax legislation (the final, signed version was known as the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993) that would cut the deficit by $500 billion over five years by reducing $255 billion of spending and raising taxes on the wealthiest 1.2% of Americans.^[5] It also imposed a new energy tax on all Americans and subjected about a quarter of those receiving Social Security payments to higher taxes on their benefits.^[6]
 

Republican Congressional leaders launched an aggressive opposition against the bill, claiming that the tax increase would only make matters worse. Republicans were united in this opposition, and every Republican in both houses of Congress voted against the proposal. In fact, it took Vice President Gore's tie-breaking vote in the Senate to pass the bill.^[7] After extensive lobbying by the Clinton Administration, the House narrowly voted in favor of the bill by a vote of 218 to 216.^[8] The budget package expanded the earned income tax credit (EITC) as relief to low-income families. It reduced the amount they paid in federal income and Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax (FICA), providing $21 billion in savings for 15 million low-income families.

Remember when Trump was going to bring peace to the Middle East but the only thing that happened was more war and his son in law made billions?

4 hours ago, BillyBid said:

 

So still higher than the average of the last 6 months under Biden.....which you MAGA morons have been complaining about here constantly....

Consistency will not MAGA. 

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I had 4 kids back in the UK, none vaccinated, none died yet (currently aged 22-40).

But one born in Thailand vaccinated with MMR without my consent, immediately developed signs of autism (sitting alone with repetitive hand motions), which luckily faded after around 5 years

Likely has more to do with old sperm. 

6 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Exactly. Also, if their programmes are so vital, surely it would be easy to raise funds from the public through charitable donations rather than relying on the government...

 

Amazing to see "The Trump Effect" working even on a squish like Starmer. The dread prospect of not relying on Uncle Sugar to keep him safe has motivated him nicely.

Charitable donation programmes and "charities" have little to do with most development aid, although it's true that humanitarian work is often funded through it. Rather, development agreements are usually done as partnership between governments, not NGOs. That's why it's done in conjuction with foreign missions and departments of state. 

53 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The topic really is very narrow.

About visa treatment, freedom of travel treatment, banking treatment, freedom of money transfers treatment. etc.

Russian expats are being punished because of their government.

In much of the world. 

The Nomad Capitalist suggests the Trump's actions (which you absurdly misrepresent) have the potential of biting Americans in similar ways.

He tells us Russians who were smart or lucky enough to take action before 2022 are in much better shape than later Russian expats or wannabes.

He's suggesting based on Trump's behavior, Americans might consider taking a lesson from those smarter or luckier Russians.

That's basically it. Not all this other stupid noise people are posting here that has nothing to do with the topic. 

OK, watched it now. It's 10 minutes of the guy swearing he's neutral and then spitting out opinion after opinion on US politics with, frankly, very little evidence. 

Strange how a guy who makes his living helping people move their money and get second passports believes that the solution to today's political context is to, wait for it, move your money and get a second passport.



 

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The legal battle over Prince Harry’s US visa records has returned to court following Donald Trump’s re-election, with a conservative think tank pushing for the release of documents they claim could prove the duke lied about his past drug use. The Heritage Foundation has revived its lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, arguing that transparency is necessary to determine whether Prince Harry was truthful in his visa application.  

 

 

In his 2023 memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry openly admitted to using cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelic substances. If he disclosed this on his visa application before moving to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, in 2020, it could have impacted his eligibility. The case had previously been dismissed in September by a judge in Washington, but Trump’s return to office has led the think tank to pursue the matter once again, believing the new political climate could work in their favor.  

 

Judge Carl Nichols has agreed to reopen the case, summoning lawyers from all parties to a hearing at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The hearing marks a significant moment in determining whether the Biden administration’s refusal to release the duke’s records will continue under Trump’s leadership. As president, Trump has the authority to direct federal agencies to disclose documents, and the think tank is urging him to intervene.  

 

Nile Gardiner, who heads the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, described Trump’s victory as a “game-changing” moment, claiming that Prince Harry is no longer “shielded” from scrutiny. He insists that the visa records could either expose false statements made by the duke or confirm that he received special treatment.  

 

Trump has not shied away from expressing his opinions on the matter. In February last year, he made his stance clear: “I wouldn’t protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me.” Trump has also previously suggested that if Harry had lied on his visa application, officials would “have to take appropriate action,” raising the possibility of deportation.  

 

The outcome of the case remains uncertain, but with the shifting political landscape, Prince Harry’s immigration status is once again under intense scrutiny.

 

Based on a report by The Times 2025-02-06

 

 

What a waste of taxpayer money. This isn't a public US official. Seriously, who cares. I'd much rather investigate all of the foreigners now revolving around Trump, like Musk. Once again, the Repubs expose their hypocrisy. 

8 hours ago, thesetat said:

You know... you post your Anti-Trump hate always. But, i only read about the politicians complaining for the most part. So far Trumps actions with USAID seem appropriate. They need to look at how the spending is being used. I do not see too many normal people complaining about his actions. When millions are being wasted at their expense. Audits need to take place and accountability needs to be shown. The Dems can complain all they want to but the people want change and a better place to live with a better future and lower costs. This is Trumps time to do what he can to appease his campaign promises with which he was voted for to do. You do not even give it a chance because your hate rhetoric only sees something to complain about. 

Are you even an American or are you just someone wanting something to complain about? 

If you are American then you, like everyone else should give the man a chance to show his reasons. So far he has found just cause for his actions. There is wasteful spending of the taxpayers money causing the national debt to increase drastically each year. 

Foreign aid has always been a strategy to counter Cold War soft power from the Soviets and Chinese with Western soft power. The American aid mechanism is the best in the world, and anyone who supports completely dismantling US aid infrastructure better come with more of an argument than "saving money" and "inclusion is bad,"

Absolutely. Why should the EU view American passports, imports, or policies favorably while the MAGA hats wish them ill? Why should the Philippines not tilt to China if it becomes clear that the Americans are no better? All things change in time, and MAGA seems to be intent on rewrite all of the international norms at play -- of course there will be a reaction. 

On 1/15/2025 at 11:55 PM, SunnyinBangrak said:

Shocking lack of self awareness asking these dumb questions. Has he not been watching the clowns running on the "Get Trump" platform, then doing the most bonkers performative art in the courtroom dancing around the fact they couldnt name his crime(because there wasn't one)? Oh boy, democrats are strange folk

Except that he was convicted right?

14 hours ago, Gknrd said:

 

 

Hard to believe the changes. Not long ago I could go to a Thai bank and bring in thousands of dollars free, No 800K in the bank to get the yearly retirement. 

 

Got to feel for anyone that actually fell for the scams in Thailand.  Government is just as bad as most gold digging women in LOS's  A joke... 

 

As the guys are forced out it is going to put a real hardship on the good Thai women there.  

 

Instead of being so greedy they should of grandfathered in the old timers.

LOL. Sure. 

You can check it out yourself:

https://12go.asia/en/travel/surat-thani/koh-samui?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1p28BhCBARIsADP9HrO8J9URjoMocJlE0jlFA19TxRmBIVNvw5VpjteEuCKQfF7dIn9-daAaAmOAEALw_wcB

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Hope all the lefty expats are enjoying what Rachel from accounts is doing to the THB/pound rate since the election on July 4th.

 

 

The economy was ticking over nicely until the election. Following her budget for recession it's all been downhill. 

 

Enjoy. It will get much worse. 

 

"Cabinet minister Michael Gove has claimed that the infamous Brexit campaign promise about leaving the EU leading to £350 a week for the NHS had been “delivered”. The levelling up secretary offered no evidence for his claim on a Brexit boost for the health service, as he recalled the notorious pledge on the side of the Vote Leave battle bus."

Unfortunately, getting hit in the face with reality is usually painful. Perhaps you'd like to return to smoke and mirrors?

17 hours ago, jas007 said:

Of course they're "productive" is a certain sense, but obviously can be counterproductive on balance, if the end result is the breakdown of the system because core duties were ignored.  How is that so hard to understand?  

 

Imagine you're in a hospital for open heart surgery.  During your surgery, an entire team is there.  The surgeon, the anesthesiologists, the nurses. each with their own function. Each plays a critical role. And of course, you can rightly expect that the hospital's back-up electric generators will work in case of a power outage.  Your life depends on an entire team, all attending to their jobs.  

 

Your surgery is botched and you die.  Reason?  Maybe the anesthesiologist was daydreaming about some DEI project.  Or maybe, it was the surgeon, or both.  Or the nurse failed in some core aspect of her job for a similar reason. You're dead because people weren't performing their core functions.  Get it? There are certain basics.  Forget those, and you're not doing your job.  

Please get more rest.