Fat is a type of crazy

I get the boredom in Australia in a certain way but suggesting Australia is more corrupt than Thailand is bizarre. Don't see corruption, never got a speeding ticket, and if I am concerned about a booze bus it may mean I shouldn't be driving. As far as keeping up with inflation not sure what you are on that doesn't go up with inflation. As an employee we have got 5 per cent in two years which sucks.

That might normally be the case but these are not normal circumstances. This is unprecedented. He's not Bill Clinton in 96 or Obama in 12. There is a constant question mark hanging over him. He'll be 82 and he's struggling now. Come on man.

I do. Let's be honest he has a been a good president, his mind in the bigger picture appears to be intact, but he struggles to communicate and enthuse. Watching interviews is often a squirmfest. These concerns are likely held even more strongly by the general populace who would be extremely reticent to vote in an 82 year old president. Enthusiasm was muted in 2020, I see even less now for 2024, even in his supporters on CNN and such. See it from the point of view of a 20 year old student, a 35 year old business executive, a 45 year old tradesman. I admit right now there is not a clear competitor but I think it will not take a lot for a half decent centrist Democrat to seem like a better alternative. Hopefully he'll get the picture and leave on a high.

They say a week is a long time in politics. 21 months is an eternity. Especially when you are 80. Fantastic job in Ukraine though.

I am not sure if he'll run. He must feel his age sometimes and 4 more years would be tough. Can leave a clear winner and help set up a new candidate. Family, friends, party may be subtley suggesting the latter. If he does run I think he'll have other serious contenders. This time he won't be the dark horse coming from behind so Democrat competitors can have a clear plan of attack. If he is up to it then good on him.

John Oliver did a 20 minute bit on psychedelic medical treatments on today's show. See on Youtube. Nothing that new but not bad.

In the middle of a speech talking about a complex issue, being the affordable care act, he said 54 instead of 50. Perfect example of a gaffe that is not ideal but inconsequential. If that's a significant example then it's not so bad.

I think Biden is slow when it comes to quick witted banter but he was never that fast. Bill Maher said today what I was thinking, that, you'd prefer an 80 year old who is slow but steady, still clearly with it who might take time to make a decision, as compared to some inexperienced 40 year old. I think it may be best if he retires though as 82 to 86 could be a different kettle of fish.

OK Let's start with the assumption that everything is physical. We are just our bodies. We all want a full life with those bodies. It is interesting to see how a Christian, a spiritualist, a hippy new ager and an atheist such as yourself adapt to life on this planet. It's not so easy to look in the mirror and say I am likely to or are going to die in 30, 20, or 10 years. That there's no moral watchdog. Religion for some seems to take the pressure off .. lets them walk with head held high.. make better life decisions. For others that is not the case. The price to pay is faith .. closing your eyes to statistically the most likely facts of the matter and likely outcome. Now some here have had experiences which they believe gives them both belief in god without resorting to faith. That can be debated. My point is a debate about god doesn't have to be just about the ludicrousness of Noah's Ark or similar.

How is that turning out. Might be a sign of poor judgement from Putin rather than a criticism of Biden.

If you want to get the girl into Australia marriage makes it easier though there are other options. Been with her a long time? No marriage? No pre nup? Half each. Maybe not in Thailand.

I almost didn't get a prenup but did. Love and kisses turned to distrust and tediousness. Thank you pre nup.

I haven't stayed there but Sukosol seemed to meet criteria of good location, free parking, gym, nice pool, and Deluxe room including nice buffet breakfast for 3000 baht if search on Tripadvisor and pick Agoda.

Austrac is normally cash payments over $10000 and all payments or transfers to and from overseas.

A concern is that he had been so inept and obvious in its motivations to stay in power - did it in a half assed way - but STILL a big chunk of the population support him. Odd this human nature thing.

Both don't have automatic access but they can of course request them under access laws if appropriate.

The few I have seen are a combination of panto with double entendres and similar mildly lewd jokes. Add some mime to the latest hits, or disco classics, and throw in some over the top fashion and there it is. The atmosphere is fun, the audience is there to have fun, not to search for a prostitute as is the case for the bars. Not meant for kids, most venues you have a drink which would preclude kids in any case, so such laws not required and are a nonsense.

Possibly you mean Shakira who is Colombian. Rihanna always seems like someone who doesn't take herself too seriously. Not my cup of tea but I am not the intended audience.

Feel like I'm repeating myself a bit but one last post. Takes 3 steps to apply to current expats. 1. 183 day rule is possible but at this time far from probable as neither party is taking or proposing such action. The Liberals had a long time to bring it in but did not. Labour is even less likely. Big difference between policy options and policy. After the 2019 election, which Labour lost likely due to interesting but controversial policies, parties are less likely than ever to have such policies. 2 If it became law it is not likely to apply to age pensioners who are living off mainly the age pension in my opinion. Commenting on your comment, it is not about expats voting overseas only but the community of people born overseas in Australia who have relatives or friends who are expats, whom they may have to help and support, or those who look forward to the option of retiring overseas in the future. As such, and on the basis of a perception of fairness, I don't think it would happen. 3 If it did it would not likely apply to current expats as clearly not fair. Beyond fairness consider the lack of available housing at reasonable rates as one example, and the possible effect on the health system as a second, and for a range of other reasons, it would not be practical or politically sensible to tax those pensions at non resident rates, and have a potential mass return to our shores. Save a bit on the extras expats don't get too. So by the time you get to current expats the statistical likelihood of this happening, and it applying to them, is in my opinion remote. But if you disagree that's fine.

I concur on the residency thing and effect on age pensions. The Age Pension and other pension payments are taxable now though, but for most who receive it it is within the limits, so that no tax is paid.

I thought there was this poster called 'Somebody' who liked my posts but not. I appreciate what they are attempting to do. Not knowing who provided feedback, and giving feedback this way, will make for a different type of experience. A bit more distant. Force you to reply if you want to personalise the feedback.

I think I posted this once before but I think there are broader political implications of taxing the pension for those relying on it e.g. upsetting the lebanese, chinese, greek, italian, etc community if such a policy became law. Not politically popular. Imagine 1000's of Australians living off the age pension having to come home - if it became a thing there would surely be an exemption for existing expats. For fairness. No reason for concern in my opinion. The broader non-resident rules are a bit unclear sometimes. Talking to actual staff in that area the focus seems to be on the opposite - making sure say some earning income overseas are treated as residents if appropriate. See what happens but can we concur that pensions cuts for those living off the age pension in Thailand is a remote possibility.

Funny Bill today. Decent episode I must say.

It seems to me in an attempt not to deal with difficult or thorny topics you are throwing it all under the woke blanket. To look at no 2, your extreme position allows you to call the gay lifestyle deviant, while you yourself take pride in a self confessed loveless transactional open lifestyle. Your lifestyle works for you and hopefully you don't hurt anybody and do some good. Can't you give others the same respect. That's not to say the arguments around say the science of being trans should not be open to debate but debate the issue and don't automatically condemn. It's about balance. Being open to the possibility that the past was not perfect while not throwing out the baby with the bathwater and changing things that work or rewriting history. As I have said it is often young people at the extremes. Same as it ever was. In a minor way I feel Bill Maher is doing the same thing. He has always stood up for logic and common sense, and hopefully I am wrong that he is becoming a bit too black and white, in a possibly subconscious attempt to seem relevant. His covid stuff for example. Not wrong to debate but too one sided in my opinion. His latest special Adulting was a dud too. Left comedy can of course be a dud. I find his HBO stablemate John Oliver has got boring. He sometimes hits the mark but is a bit too far to the left. Had a show on black women's hair and related discrimination. No thanks.

Tax on pensions for overseas residents I am a current public servant in a large department who keeps up with a fair bit of what's happening. In the current environment I see no likelihood of such a move. Especially under labour. It would not be likely to be politically palatable based on the fairness factor - can you imagine all the different ethnic groups pushing back. There may be the odd paper looking at options and you are correct that I have no knowledge to say it definitively won't happen. Privatisation Your articles are a bit old from five years ago. Some jobs may have been contracted out here and there but total control is of course with the government. When it does happen it is bad for workers as they don't get the same conditions as other public servants but generally not a big issue I should think for pensioners. Labour's policy is to reverse what the Coalition is doing e.g. more full time APS staff and reversing labour hire and contractors. Can provide links if required. Cost increase Agreed. Tell me about it. My wage went up 2 and 3 per cent over the past 2 years. Inflation totals about 15 per cent. Before that Tony Abbott was hardcore on low pay rises leading to disputes and terrible deals for workers. Labour is supposed to give us a better deal but not so far. Once I retire I'll be on a defined benefit that will rise with inflation. Haven't timed it particularly well. At least age pensions are linked to inflation so better than my situation.