Fat is a type of crazy

Credit card travel insurance on many, if not all, Australian cards is pretty much the same as a purchased policy, i.e. basic, as in not covering risky stuff, but often the exact same policy you buy still the same $ amount, and items, as buying policy direct. I assume it is the same elsewhere but possibly not. On my card I don't need to even purchase ticket with card - simply take card and have cover. So free credit card insurance can be a worthwhile option.

All this talk about having to be boss or be bossed. I don't have a particularly assertive personality. But let my girl try and push me around and she learns quickly it's not going to get her a thing. Could be my first marriage failed because she played some games but I held her accountable and soon it wasn't fun. Point is don't wake up thinking I'm a man and therefore.. blah blah blah. Be yourself, hold your position but allow time for the fact the she may have a point, and if you can't find a common position after a time then leave it there as I and the first wife did on somewhat friendly terms. I sometimes talk about feminism and it's on the basis that women are equal not that they are special or can run roughshod. To the ones thinking of marriage getting a prenup helps you stay confident and to escape with dignity if and when the time comes. Wife got nothing much but a debt paid and Australian citizenship which isn't to shabby but left me with no reason to be bitter and twisted.

You can ask questions but at some point you would have to cop it. Unless you can clearly see they are mucking you about let them do their thing.

Fair point. He was trying a bit hard to impress. Hard for someone like him I imagine to gain traction with so much air taken out of the room by others.

Interest rates are one significant factor and before the decision last week economists from banks and elsewhere were 50 50 whether it would rise or stay the same. Point being if they aren't sure about something a bit more straight forward like that any free advice here will be worth what you paid for it as they say.

Despite all his rage

I had never heard of him but saw him on Bill last week and he seemed that good mix of sanity, and enough principles, while holding on to enough Republican ideals to keep them happy, as long as Trump doesn't go rogue as a third option.

Good on do gooders. In Australia if there air we breathe was dirty, if beaches were covered in rubbish, do gooders would stop it. Here they seem to feel powerless like gentle proles. Maybe it's the same with other aspects of life too.

Age discrimination is when someone in their 50's finds it hard to get a new job. Being concerned about someone starting a term at 82 is using logic and statistics. My concern isn't so much that he is going to get dementia, or that his mind cannot function, or that internally he will suddenly not be a smart politically savvy guy. It is that his communication skills are getting poor and have devolved in the past 5 to 10 years and statistics may indicate it's not going to get better but is likely to get worse. He is also likely to be get more tired and may have more limited mobility. This is a job for PRESIDENT. Of course his Vice Presidential pick will get more scrutiny than ever and with good reason. If he can prove me wrong during 2024, and be able to function as a normal politician with no slurring, short term mind fades, and with a bit of energy, then all power to him.

Suppose the politicians in the upcoming election will decide if there's votes in keeping the farmers and other burners happy or the masses who suffer. The masses have to make it an election issue then something may be done.

Depends what you mean. I don't think letting woman do their thing is an extreme. The fact is I have no choice. But, sure, relationships are not dreamboat equality and we end up taking on some role or other. One party is more intelligent, street wise, strong etc. For me the best opportunity is to start with the premise that a woman is not inferior but a person doing their thing.

Could be correct that some women are living in a way in the west that leaves them unhappy. It may be that traditional relationships have a lot to offer a lot of people. They may like to gather together and hold certain principles and concepts dear. I guess my point is that it is for each of us to work out. Consider that it may not be freedom or control over their lives that is the problem, but say getting it right for work life balance, combining children and career, adapting to the modern world, etc. Difficult for men too.

OK. Past traditions may have worked well in a different world. If it works for you and your spouse in 2023 that is fine. Enjoy. But it seems like you have almost a religious like faith you are right. As has been discussed in the God thread, faith is based on hope or laziness or wishful thinking, as are your ideas. The genie is out of the bottle and women are doing their thing so, unless you are super smart and intelligent and can build a scientific theory why men are best place to control women's freedoms and destinies, I would admit to myself that I am not so smart and concede with dignity that your theories about women's roles are subjective, self serving, and in 2023 potentially immoral.

This topic seems to veer from one extreme to the other. I don't buy that a girl who has sold her body is impure or any of that c r a p. All I say is statistically she may have more difficulties coping with emotions and trust compared to average. But she will likely know people better than others in a different way. Some woman are tough and smart and have a sense of humour and will learn from their past .. others would struggle. How dare anyone belittle people as though they are some sort of trash. To hold up muslim relationships as the gold standard, because men know how to handle women, is depressing. You REALLY think women have a different brain or whatever that they can't fend and stand up and think for themselves. You think it would be fun to cover your body all day in the hot sun while your husband goes off with 10 lovers. See things from a woman's point of view a bit and maybe be happy for them to do their thing. Thai women have a femininity that is a bit lacking elsewhere, but they certainly can be painful, irrational, blank, as any other woman around the world. As others have said it is nice and easy and predictable at 25 to be idealistic while you are likely young attractive and striving for the future, but life does change and you'll see things a little less black and white in the future, including maybe the perfect role and nature of what a woman should be.

I think one way of looking at it, is that Trump has never been that smart but he has had good instincts to keep himself either within the law, or outside the law in a way that is hard to prove based on evidence, giving him the reputation as Teflon Don. But his instincts appear to have let him down in his desire to be or stay as President and now he has to face the consequences. Being an Australian by the way doesn't stop you having a valid opinion on American politics. It can help as you are outside the craziness and can in some way see things a bit more objectively.

Suggests you disagree with the decision. Forgetting laws, 16 is seriously, seriously young. I am sure sometimes you looked at your 16 year old girlfriend in the shower, or asleep, or giggling over something silly on the phone, and thought - she is a child and she shouldn't have been doing that at that age. Hopefully you've treated her well and it is a happy ending, but I think if you think about it, do gooders have it right on this one.

I wasn't suggesting this was the contender

We'll see. I think a lot can happen in 12 months. Old is OK but I think this is a step too far and I think it will become more apparent and either he won't run or doubt will become palpable. I don't think the next president inaugurated will be 82.

Articles like this aren't bad too that look at the situation post the new legislation. Changes in Main Residence Exemption for Expats (homeloanexperts.com.au)

I hear from whence you come, but this is not Sweden or Australia, it is a country where the rich are extremely rich with a high proportion of poor, where the highest marginal tax rate is fairly low on a world scale or at least compared to Australia, corruption is rife, where wages and conditions are terrible for many, and if a political party redistributes wealth in a tiny way I don't see it as a bad thing.

Every tax and spend policy has winners and losers. Whether it is giving health care to the poor, or direct payments such as these which are less targetted, there is an argument that it is better than the status quo where the poor get little. A payment like this is not that unusual. For example, in my locality a similar payment was made to all households as a one off payment, to help with utility bills. If your concerns are due to potential inflation or I am missing something it would be nice to hear it rather than your normal short cynical posts.

Good policy. This country is one of the most inequitable in terms of distribution of income. Happy to see some funds going to everyday people. Help local business.

Given there's an Australian bent to this thread I am curious what people do. Some here say they have maintained Australian health insurance. I am wondering if that means you do not have insurance in Thailand, or a limited one for say accidents only, and hope you can get home if required. Or do you have two policies. Or one that covers both countries. If I were to stop my Australian policy I might be up for the 2 per cent extra tax per year that kicks in at the age of 30 though I assume it would start from when I stopped. I think you can stop and recommence for a limited period and get no penalty. Ideally I could extend my Australian policy to be consistent with Australian tax rules and include Thailand. Bit that does not appear to be possible. Or I can limit trips to three months or so at a time and buy travel insurance. Difficult.

It can be odd that big and worthy charities will allow marketing companies to have spruikers at shopping centres etc, gathering funds or subscriptions on their behalf, diminishing substantially the percentage actually helping people. Could be as little as 15 per cent or worse actually does good and a big chunk of the rest helps the marketing company and spruiker. I suppose they feel that some is better than none. I see in the area near my work the people who donate always look like nice caring people who probably have no idea such a small amount will actually help the kiddies or dogs or whatever. If donating best to give direct to charity site rather than feeding the inbetweeners.

There may be an argument not to buy the shirts but saying that someone is wrong to be passionate about stopping one murderous criminal, because there are others in the world, is not it. Nor in my opinion is it that because there was an ongoing conflict between 2014 to 2022, that what happened after that is the same or it is all too complicated, when it is clearly something different and to a whole new scale of barbarism. So wearing the shirts comes with risks but go for it Bob. Try and buy one where the proceeds go to Ukrainian orphans or something.