Fat is a type of crazy

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Would that include anyone advocating a protest? 

That appears to be your go to defence. That January 6 and BLM protests are the same - both apparently egged on and influenced by senior politicians on both sides. 

How did Trump influence and make January 6 happen? How did Biden influence individual protesters, who went overboard often separate to BLM protests, to do what they did? Not the same. Not comparable. 

13 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

And when people question the result of a poll/election, it suddenly doesn't become a conspiracy theory anymore , when they lose and question the result

I haven't totally kept us with this thrilling debate but you are comparing I think the election in the United States, that has stringent guidelines and standards, and that has huge international implications, with a twitter poll. One verifiable and one not. Different standards of care and visibility of what is going on. Twitter itself raises concerns about such results.  Therefore a different response can be appropriate. 

Just now, SunnyinBangrak said:

Twitter is on the tip of everyone's tongue. It's made newspaper headlines for months. This seems like the best and smartest PR campaign ever. Musk has outplayed his critics it would appear.

 Wonder how much the $8 blue tick has netted him? Advertizers will be back in no time, they can't afford to quit ads on an effective media to go on megalodon where a dozen people will see the ad.

I think you underestimate the disdain, almost boredom,  people across different political persuasions have for Trump and his lies - the election showed that. There can be a new Twitter. His treatment of staff won't sit well with many - including the staff. Clearly that $8 blue tick was  a ridiculous farce. Sometimes all publicity is not good publicity.

57 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Free speech is only bad to fascists.

I hear you but imagine you owned a communication device and someone was communicating to a mass of people saying what were clear lies about election fraud and how everyone needs to meet and do something about it. You had warned the person about telling lies, and tried to find solutions e.g. putting warning labels that this has not been verified. Didn't work. Twitter is not owned by the government. I think they had to right to say three strikes get lost. I don't care if he comes back but I think Twitter has the right to set the rules and they could include taking into account whether lies by certain parties could destabilise the nation. 

1 hour ago, ozimoron said:

That won't matter much if they merge or Musk buys it.

If Musk paid $1 for Truth Social I think that would be a step too far for many Twitter users. Benefitting someone who attempted to overturn democratic elections and giving them a bigger mouthpiece. I don't mind him having access to Twitter but there was a fairly compelling argument the other way around January 6 2020.

20 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I used to work for a company that employed a lot of wokes, they couldn't do any of the work required but they looked great on the 'affirmative action' statistics. At one point it was hard to get the work done, as there were too few people employed on their merits. Couldn't even use them to run errands as that would have upset them.

 

They all got a generous salary, but they were hardly workers.

I call BS on that. So what organisation employed a significant number of workers not on their merits? What category were they that gave the business merit to hire them when they were not the best - women, certain ethnicities? I thought you had not worked for a while too when woke wasn't a thing.   

I think he’s being ridiculous. Let’s put staff in 2 categories. The highly skilful and therefore highly marketable who will have other tech companies happy to make a counter offer, including say, some  time working at home, which makes staff happy and can often increase productivity, those staff can leave. The second category who may be the more run of the mill employees, less skilful and marketable, they’ll stay. Outcome - you lose the best and keep the rest. Smart.

8 minutes ago, rattlesnake said:

Donald Trump is an absolute legend, God bless you Mr President and thank you for your service.

Happy for you. It must be nice to believe in things like that. That strange distant look in many Trump supporter's eyes like no one's home. But they seem to believe. Seem happy. 

23 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said:

Pretty much the only democrat principle I agree with really is the healthcare point.

 

Though, I ain't an American so their healthcare doesn't affect, nor do a lot of other issues.

 

However American business does affect me and I certainly want their economy to remain strong.

 

Also, haven't the democrats turned into far left extremists? Lol

Joe isn't extreme. The Democrats  have some younger and more progressive types to push the envelope a bit. Doesn't mean they control things. Some new ideas are good ideas. 

I'm in Australia and many democrat policies are to the right of centre compared to us and probably many countries in Europe. 

Some Democrat policies are a bit too lefty for me and could be improved, but a lot of course is a caricature by the right, e.g. on Fox, and it isn't the reality. Do you see Joe shutting down funding for police, or teaching 5 year olds about sexual options, or that there should be totally open borders etc. No. 

50 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

The American guy was waging an online war against that business

He made numerous profiles under different names and was writing fake reviews and making allegations of slavery and other illegal activity and he would stop and the business was forced to take legal action against to stop his campaign and all because the business wanted to charge him for to the alcohol be got from 7/11 and wanted to drink it in the bar and they even waived that fee on the night

I think they made the wrong decision but I could see where they were coming from. Stayed there a few times on trips to Koh Chang - beautiful hotel in forest and beach - I do note prices have gone up since pre covid so may be not doing so bad. Most people can get the gist of what happened, see the guy was a bit of a d i c k, the hotel was a bit of a d i c k , and not be too concerned. 

8 hours ago, Non Immigrant said:

Why do you support the democrats?

Big concern at this election was about democracy rather than democrats - that people had become irredeemably polarised, and candidates who simply lied about election fraud would be rewarded. That Republicans, with MAGA candidates confident and gaining further ascendency within the party, would win control of the house AND senate, and this might lead to crazy retribution against democrats and more power across the country to those who do not support fair elections. 

I think Democrats are more likely to stand up to Putin, do something about climate change, be fairer on equity issues such as fighting for cheaper medicines, healthcare and a better outcome for workers.  Fairer overall.

I could be more accepting of Republicans, Trump MAGA issues aside, if I considered them sincere and fair. I like the idea of low taxes and free enterprise. They talk of fairness in trickle down economics, but in reality I think they want too low taxes and tax breaks for the wealthy, and a decimated IRS. They talk about chaos in immigration but love the cheap labour force, and there are a whole range of what I consider inconsistencies on guns, abortion rights, etc. I think people forget how rich America is and that taxes and regulations can be fair without being overbearing and stymying free enterprise. 

I certainly don't consider Democrats ideal but they are the best of the two parties and, not being an American, best for the world. 

Overall good outcome that can help build reassurance in the American people's common sense not to go down the pro MAGA anti democratic rabbit hole.

The fact that some dodgy and crazy MAGA candidates still got close to 50 per cent of the vote or won is still disappointing but I'll take the overall pro democratic outcome above what could have happened. 

I know it can be tedious in the office but the first few months can be seen as a time to build a reputation as a friendly guy willing to join in with things. As a farang they may think you may wish to distance yourself or that you think you're special. 

Donate to the buddhist thing - 500 baht won't kill you - and it shows you want to be part of things. The thai lady may have been half joking but your serious reaction may have turned her off - why not bring a small block of chocolate the next day and say 'Enjoy' and smile. 

Gossip can be fun or a bore. See the funny side - take an interest in the office politics and relationships so you understand what's what.  Most people want someone to listen and as a new person you are not expected to contribute. Over time you'll work out that some gossipers are tedious to everyone, or meanspirited, and some are actually fun. Long cut short some effort now might make it better and easier in the longer term to be yourself.