Fat is a type of crazy

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.

I though the same but the Thailand embassy page in Australia says this: If you do not hold a Thai driver's licence and wish to drive in Thailand, you need an international driving permit (IDP), as well as your Australian licence. If you drive without the correct licence you could be arrested or jailed. An IDP is a document sanctioned by the United Nations. Been a long time since I drove in Thailand so maybe the rules were different back then.

For what it's worth The chance of taxing age pensions for people overseas as a non resident close to nil. Services Australia is an Australian government agency and has not been privatised. You can by four Magnum's at Coles every few weeks for 30 baht each. Probably better Magnum's too. Steak is expensive and I am guessing similar quality in Thailand same or more expensive. Never seen toasted ham and cheese for anywhere near $28 but eating out is definitely expensive. Food at supermarkets in Australia a bit expensive but if you are careful not too bad and less chemicals to worry about.

Been a fan for some time and can see why his juxtaposition of talking points and examples can seem attractive. I am finding him lately though a bit too smug and convenient. The first example isn't bad but like to hear the full story of what the University Professor did. A brief search indicates there is more to it. Universities do not, and have not for many years, represented in a political sense the wider community. Maybe that is a problem. The Mumford example relates to his praise of a book Unmasked: Inside Antifa's Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy that according to the LA Times 'wildly and dishonestly' inflates the role of Antifa. His fanbase pushed back. I accept his right to read what he likes but you have to cop what comes at you if you support such a controversial tome. Especially if your supporters tend to be young progressives. The Atlantic article is an opinion piece that suggests separating sports by gender doesn't make sense. It is the opinion of the one author. Many disagreed. Bill disagreed. The Atlantic is a respected magazine that has all sorts of opinions. Not sure how one person expressing an opinion is on par or similar to the horrors of the cultural revolution where people could not express their opinion. These are the best examples he has? Trite. A bit boring. He is tending to compare the flaws of the right with the left which may seem sensible. I think it has limited worth. A reason is that the right he criticises and lampoons is far more mainstream amongst Republicans while the left is mainly the young and in Universities and not nearly as mainstream or powerful. I still watch him though as his past work, and some of his current work, can be worthwhile.

You like ‘‘em young and plasticky. A doll may suffice. It’s a beautiful world.

Can depend how good a friend he is. How much common sense you think he has. I had a good friend in my late teens and twenties who went from relationship to relationship, became too needy and indulgent and a drama queen. I had enough got bored and left him to do his thing. Sometimes friendships are best let to die. If he is a good friend talk straight and honest and if he doesn't like it then let him do his thing. Two words .. pre nup .. though I am not sure if they are that effective in Thailand and the horse may have bolted based on what he has spent so far.

Delete

Thought this might be interesting for Sunmaster. MDMA, psilocybin approved by TGA for psychiatric use in Australia (smh.com.au) No one posted here for months but post and they will come.

This This Under $100 Sauna Tent Instantly Turns Your Home Into a Spa (thedailybeast.com)

There's a bit to unpack there but I agree with most of what you are saying as one side of the story. There will be many who simply have sex for fun, like there are people who have a few drinks, and there's nothing much to say. I agree with the argument too that living alone or living a certain lifestyle is not by it's nature wrong or inappropriate and certainly not immoral. On the topic of prostitution my instincts tell me it is not as simple as you say but the problem is not because the women are bad but that we are complicated beings, and for some, and maybe all, to some degree, the action of paying directly for such an intimate thing could potentially be damaging. Maybe it is like drugs or gambling. Some can handle marijuana or stronger drugs and others can't. I have opinions on the merits of prostitution in my own life but I accept it is a personal thing. I don't accept we are exactly like animals because we have a much broader range of emotions and awareness and freedom of choice. Being aware of our limitations can be a religious concept but I think it can be useful for non religious people too as a way of being careful sometimes about how we live our life. Support and discussion can help I suppose.

It might not be about physical harm as such. More about the inability to maintain and develop relationships and friendships, or focus on a sensible and fulfilling life, as your constant motivation is doing it one more time and getting a further fix. For some it might simply be a high libido but for many it may be psychological e.g. the need to constantly have to satisfy your ego, or due to inadequate feelings about oneself, pessimism about the future. Could be something you deep down feel you lost from being with a certain type of woman, that you are trying to get back etc. Constantly being with prostitutes for example I imagine could be damaging to you in ways that are not obviously physical in nature.

I had a record that had 'I want my baby back' called 'The Rhino Brothers Present the World's Worst Records'. Fun record. Not the sort of thing for choirs to sing at the footy. Same as this song. May seem politically correct if used to it but from afar it is not hard to see their point.

Phuket is fine or at least a fair bit better it appears.

Some feel that we are all vulnerable and things we do in life can have lasting effects. Sex is a strong stimulant in life and has emotional and physical impacts and doing it with people you don't like or that are even offensive to you is likely to leave a strong mark on that person. Different for different people. Doesn't mean they are bad but needs to be taken into account in your dealings with them.

Kind of shocked at some of these comments. Inferences about the ladies motives and some suggesting don't pay and cut her off. It is his child. Appears her request is reasonable and can be negotiated if it is difficult to pay. I think you won't look back and feel bad about paying an extra 2500 a month later but I appreciate you may have limited funds. Duty now for the future.

It was good seeing the farm like that. Huge. Was that Mrs Owl laughing? Good life up there.

Week in Darwin not too expensive if careful on hotels. Could see Kakadu and take a nice trip to Katherine Gorge. Closer than Tokyo. Osaka and Kyoto would make a nice week and nice in the cold. Many South East Asian destinations a bit same same but probably more relaxing if that's what is wanted.

Could recommend Japan as it is the one place I went that I think is genuinely different. The weather not so important as it is not a beachy place. How about Australia. Warm weather and a bit different too to all those Asia options.

As silly as he has been I give him some credit for having a bit of fight and taking it up to the lady who it appears is identifiable as a Thai civil servant, with payments documented, and had not been some scammer from Nigeria or something.

I like the cut of her jib. Social media does have an upside.