Fat is a type of crazy

3 minutes ago, Poet said:

You think they will have debates? I would be impressed if they are willing to risk that. His exposure to unscripted moments has been tightly controlled so far. I think part of the problem is that, as even his fans would admit, he does sometimes say some very odds and that runs counter to the "good ol' Joe" narrative that most effectively counters Trump's reputation.

 

Older and slower is fine. Most Americans yearn for some comforting, old-fashioned boredom after the Trump rollercoaster. The problem is when he goes off-script, the crazy stuff runs against that image, but his handlers have done a good job so far in minimizing the opportunities for gaffes.
 

 

The interview with Cardi B, purveyor of such fine ballads as "Wet Ass Pussy" which I am playing as I write this, was particularly painful. I do understand that they have to play every card they have but it did rather highlight the complete lack of interviews with even friendly journalists (and they are pretty much all rooting for him).
 

 

Yes. After the outcry over the failure to mention burning American cities at any point during the DNC itself. That was a misjudgement.

 

That distinction is important and that is why it is vital for the mainstream left to condemn extremism. Both morally and electorally.

 

It doesn't matter what groups call themselves. Names are often chosen to specifically hide the actual nature of a group. The Nazis were the National Socialist Workers Party.

In terms of their actually actions - thuggery, burning books, deplatforming, destroying public properties, causing tens of millions of damage to deeply leftwing universites such as Berkley, smashing the skulls of peaceful protestors bicycles locks, peaceful protestors in hospital, bomb threats against premises hosting peaceful gatherings, petrol bombs, shining industrial strength lasers into the eyes of police and security personnel doing their jobs etc - there is no more fascist organization active in America today.

Likewise, Black Lives Matter seem to have very little concern for actual black lives. They have nothing to say about the nightly slaughter of black-on-black shooting in cities such as Chicago. Their serious demand that the police be defunded or stood down in Democrat-run cities will only lead to more such deaths.

 

I would put Biden gaffes up against Trumps gaffes for signs of old age especially recently. Biden's gaffes tend to make you feel uncomfortable whereas Trump gaffes, if they are gaffes, can cost lives e.g. the herd mentality line would be funny if he wasn't advocating a theory that could lead to a further million deaths.

I get the feeling there are small and  separate groups , sometimes violent as you say, that probably have a range of motives but are not one group, that have been lumped together by Fox News as Antifa.

Antifa are not the democrats are not Antifa. Joe Biden should not be held responsible for them as he never supports such view points. However there is a guy called Trump who actively retweets and supports right wing groups, QANON, etc.

19 minutes ago, Poet said:

I am not political but this could very well help nudge swing voters towards the Republicans. Considering the hysteria around the last Supreme Court selection, and multiplying that by the current already-fevered atmosphere, many radical leftists will now shift even further into orbit.

I predict Trump will nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett, counting on the Democrats to monster her the way they did Judge Brett Kavanaugh. That hurt the Democrats in the polls but, this time, they will be attacking the sort of likeable, accomplished woman that suburban moms can identify with.

Since the pandemic hit, I have said that this election was the Democrats' to lose. I initially thought Biden was a mistake but hadn't realized that the pandemic would allow them to avoid the debates, so, an astonishingly lucky set of circumstances. As long as they can present him as boring but likeable Uncle Joe, the antithesis of Trump, he's perfect, they only need to control the real Biden so that he doesn't spoil that illusion. I still think Kamala was a mistake but she, too, benefits from being kept out of the public eye. They mainly win this by staying under the radar and allowing the election to be a referendum on Trump.

What swings things towards the Republicans are when events turn the focus to the worst instincts of the Democrats. For example, not mentioning the riots once during the DNC, not even some vague words of condemnation or even sympathy for the black small business owners whose livelihoods being destroyed by BLM and Antifa, solidified the law and order issue in Trump's favor. Now, the treatment of the Supreme Court candidate may well surface the worst instincts of the Democrats.

With just 45 days to go until the election, RBG's death lobs a grenade into the situation. The Democrats need to maintain discipline and keep their heads down. They have the most to lose by allowing their hysterical instincts to take over. This thread is a preview of how badly that could make them look to regular voters.

 

I find myself replying to your posts because they are interesting. I think Biden has shown in the last 4 weeks or so that he has still got it. I think he falls down when he tries too hard to act young and vibrant with the aviator's on and then out come the gaffes. Trumps portrayal of him as old and senile will hopefully backfire in the debates. Biden was great in the vice president debates and yes, he is a bit older and slower, but hopefully he's still got it.

I think your point about the black shop owners is somewhat fair, though I think it is cherry picking one point,  but Joe Biden has been more than clear that violence should not be tolerated.

I was concerned about Kamala Harris, and preferred Susan Rice, but Kamala Harris is smart and hard and she's been tested.

Hopefully people will see that you can have left leaning ideas like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, that improve the lives of many, with less discrimination and increased freedoms, and it doesn't make you far left or Antifa. Keep in mind Antifa means antifascist which one might think is not such a bad thing though that doesn't legitimize violence etc.

Hail and farewell a great American.

On the political side of things I hope this sad news of a brave and intelligent lady passing away energises the democrat voters as much or more than the republican voters. 

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 17-09-2020 - Thursday

 

That film 'The good, the bad, the ugly', comes easily to mind for this Log.

 

One good is that Mildred's school has laid the turfs. Very nice too.

 

 

 

 

Also good was Charkie eating at long last. She had a dodgy spell of a few days when she was completely off her food. It started around the time when Mrs Owl threw a chair at her. It missed but caused damage in other areas.

 

 

Another fix job for the farang. But! Charkie was not hurt. That's the main thing.

 

I'd been trying different foods for Charkie. She didn't seem to take to any until, I had a master thought; dog food. Yes! Beef-a-la-dog.

 

 

Milly said to put a bit of plastic over the pic of the dog; which I did. Don't want Charkie to get confused she intimated. Quite right too. After all it's Charkie's role to chase rats and lizards, not hunt down farangs in packs.

 

 

On with the good.

 

Got some nice pics of the VW. Went into the restaurant to ask some questions, but no one spoke English, so I just snapped away.

 

 

Couldn't find any etchings on the glass to say it's year of manufacture. And no one to ask. I'll try again another time.

 

 

Also staying with the good; sold another water tank for 2k baht. Family bought it. Didn't get any dosh; but it's early days yet!

 

 

Only two left now. And they are ear-marked for Guy. 

 

The bad!

 

 

Spent an hour yesterday afternoon sorting through the discarded eucas. Mrs Owl had simply thrown them onto the heap. Found about 25, which is 50 baht; if you had to buy them. But! I always get emotionally attached to natures' little wonders. If the euca was beyond redemption or simply not there, I emptied the soil out and put the plastic sleeves in another bag; for burning later.

 

The ponds; one, two and three had their water level dropped about 150mm due to raising the water level in the paddy.

 

 

Now Ban Dung is rewiring. Not sure if it's leccy or internet or something else, but it's on the go; big time.

 

 

The lads (or lasses) doing the work, do not tidy up after them. At 17-00 yesterday, after work, I investigated.

 

 

 

Just plain ugly! But there is beauty in the most unusual places.

 

 

 

A couple of squirrels. Lovely! Or was it the same one featured twice? Hard to tell; I think there's two.

 

Had a trio of letters delivered in the week. Milly said they were for a teacher that was to be retired off. Teaching limit in state run schools being 60. 

 

 

Not sure what to do! Put money in the envelopes! Stick them on the wall. Take them to Buddha. When Mrs Owl starts speaking to me again I might find out.

 

M's school was getting some work done. Daughter says it's for a flag pole. I think it's something grander. After all; a crane!

 

 

We will soon see!

 

 

Now, the really good news is that there is a storm brewing up off the coast of Vietnam, and it's coming our way (Isaan'a way). Not moving fast. About 3km an hour; gentle walking speed. So should be with us,,,, well soon. Can't rush these things.

 

Mrs Owl has mumbled a few words in my direction. Sounded something like; "you have to give me money." Or similar. This is the real testing time for the silence. Didn't win on the lottery yesterday, so it's back to old faithful; Owl the farang. But as he is the most despicable person in the whole of Isaan; there-in lies a problem for teerak. Where to get substantial amounts of dosh! Watch this space!

 

M is continuing with her testing at school. Scored 60% in her written math's test at the beginning of the week. Today Science!

 

Made a batch of reishi yesterday. Now there is something of a dilemma here. How can I justify buying Lao Khao, if I insist I have no money? Perhaps have to drink it neat. 0% alcohol. Very bitter without the Lao Khao though.

 

Getting ready for the cyclone/typhoon/huricane/storm Noul'. Coming this way; soon.

 

Bye y'all.

Love your posts. Best thing on Thaivisa. Been reading for a bit less than a year. It's a respite from covid and politics and such.

Your story  just reminds me of my Thai partner. Love her and that but she can get bratty and tempestuous sometimes. One time I just asked if we could please not plant a lemon tree at a certain spot as it would get too big and too close to the front door. Got 2 days of grief and silence culminating in throwing things and pushing over a chair that put a small whole in the wall. That's when I drew the line and said I look after you, let you do your thing, and if you do this again it is over. Seemed to the trick. Well, somewhat.

Most Thai husbands don't look after the kids and the farm like you so what's her problem. She has to be reminded that throwing a chair at the cat and breaking a window is not funny or cute. It's harder with the kids.  

Interested in the eucalypts.. I am surrounded by big gum trees here. Didn't know you could farm them - I suppose it's for the oil.   

I'll go back to being a reader now and leave this post to the expat farmers. 

It's hard to post on these topics each day. Yesterday's topic: Trump lies about the pandemic, puts the safety of his own supporters at risk,  and would do anything to get elected.  Todays topic: Amazing update: Trump lies about the pandemic, puts the safety of his own supporters at risk,  and would do anything to get elected.

25 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

it was really was a horrible experience with all the lies that were told here. 

 

i had no experience with POTY and I was happy to be the first person to be nominated last year and to be clearly in the lead throughout but I had never seen the process and I was shocked at how vicious it was. 

 

someone suggested we talk about yourself and accomplishments and people here actually began to Google some of the info I posted and began calling me a liar.  

 

the mods and I had to work around the clock to delete all the lies and attacks on me. i counted more than fifty comments from you know who that were deleted and just yesterday it started again. Thank god the whole POTY topic was removed from public view almost immediately as it was a source of real anxiety for me especially after the attacks on my career and life. I really did not want that out in public and the mods were really helpful in removing that garbage.    

 

the net result for me was to go from visiting the forum almost everyday to having very little to do with Thai Visa.   

i used to contribute as much as i could to TV and I was quick to give as much advice as possible to anyone asking questions especially about Hua Hin but not any more. It is a really bad feeling now.     

 

i strongly suggest that the POTY contest be scrapped forever.  

 

I am a new member and saw that you had been POTY previously and liked your few posts but noted there weren't many. Now I know why. You do wonder why those who made the posts  would take a light hearted award so seriously. There's not even a prize is there.  Some people have way two much time on their hands.

51 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Much of the land is state forest and has to be managed in conjunction. If you do not have access through state land you can not do anything. CA is notorious for not allowing access. These are remote valleys.

 

I don't understand your point unless you are suggesting more aggressive logging. Trump would be happy to oblige you.

I heard today that 97 per cent of forests in those states are federal land. So one would think it is fairly accessible but I don't know the details.  Don't have to log it all but take reasonable action rather than finding a way to blame democrats.

It's just demoralising when a president says 'It'll get cooler' just like 'The Coronavirus will go away'. He bases it on nothing but what he feels at that moment. What he thinks is best for him.

Surely the vast majority believe it's getting hotter.

Doing something doesn't have to mean destroying the economy or holding hands and singing  kumbaya. Denial isn't a solution.  

 He has some street smarts but in many ways he seems to be just dumb and cruel. Talking to Woodward as though he could outsmart him was really dumb. Talking about the virus as though it's nothing and having rallies and just spending so much time sitting around watching fox news is just dumb and cruel. 

Saying people can take responsibility for themselves would make sense if he was informing them fully of the risks. Maybe the participants are informed and they don't care. 

It is ironic that:

• those who bring in the majority of national income in terms of productive workers i.e. the coastal elites, as against old investors, are predominately democrat; and
• those that would benefit from democrat policies in the middle of America through things such as  health care and getting a fair wage,  are predominately republicans.