Patong2021

The masked agents are specific to certain surveillance operations. Most stops are by unmasked agents. Those who are masked do so because of the need for personal safety. The courts allow for it. If some people were not so intent on targeting LEO for retaliation, there would be no need.

Not particularly credible. The USA would share the identity of EU nationals with the EU origin nation. It would have to do so, if they want to do a background check. If the EU nationals are sent to Gitmo, it will be because a commercial airliner will not accept them for a removal flight or there is a terrorism issue. There is no need for the USA to go to the expense of detaining unauthorized European migrants. They get put on the next available flight out of the USA. The procedure is not that much different than the Canadians who are denied entry or removed. Next available deportation opportunity. It costs money to transport and to guard unauthorized people. What is the point of the faux outrage anyway? If the European is in the USA and should not be there, then they should accept the consequences. They are most likely in the USA for personal gain and not because they are fleeing oppression. The pickpocket gangs will just have to make do in Canada or western Europe and the UK.

The Indian males and others engage in the practice because not enough people tell them no or to stop it. If not one stops an anti social act it becomes part of the culture.

Yes, The full US Secret Service profile is an inventory of mental illness. It left out a few things. His agitated state when he called his US representative's office (who incidentally was a republican), his anger at the Democrats when Bernie Sanders was not nominated. There is a mention of wanting Sanders to run as a Green, but other people say he was rather "forceful" in his views. Definitely, a really disturbed man. Representative Scalise wasn't the only victim. As Sen. Rand Paul stated, had the Capital police not been present as part of Scalise's protection, it would have been a mass murder event, with spectators killed in the melee. https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2020-06/Hodgkinson.pdf

Putting aside the optics, it is an intelligent response to a valid concern. The resources will be focused on other targets. There are so many unauthorized migrants that the change in focus will not change things. The initial strategy was targeting the low hanging fruit, the easy targets, Now ICE will have to work harder and go after the actual gang members and criminals. In the interim, I expect that a strategy will be implemented that facilitates the granting of work visas to the impacted sectors. Many of the unauthorized workers, didn't apply for visas, over stayed, did not bother to renew, or violated their visas by offences such as domestic battery or DUI. It is up to the Republicans to put on their big boy pants and to tell the nation, we need to refine the visa process and offer the essential workers a work visa, whether it is 1 or 3 million or more of them. The current pause is not going to help anyone in the long term. The Democrats are going to have to agree.

I get your point, but the used cars give a false sense of security. Aside from the mechanical concerns, the construction quality is flimsy and it's like stepping on a soda can when they are hit. Some drivers are still going to speed and do stupid things, whether it is a car or scooter. A bad scooter driver is going to be a bad automobile driver. Millions of Thais have survived while driving their scooters. Sometimes it is luck, other times, it is actually decent driving skills and situational awareness.

It is not possible to determine if he checked his mirror. The fact is that when the turn was being made, the motorbike was in the blind spot.

The motorbike was in his blind spot. One of the important rules of cycling and motorbike riding is to beware of driver blind spots. Never ever get close to a big rig.

One should be careful with such comparisons. India has 1.4+ billion people. Because of its sheer size, it has a population of wealthy and financially well off people that is far larger than the total population of Thailand. It has approx. 165 billionaires (USD) and tens of millions of people with more money than brains. Much of the Indian population may still be living in poverty worse than that of Thailand's, but they are not the people who visit Thailand. It is the nouveau riche aggressive and rude Indians who visit. Thailand is relatively inexpensive, and has a culture that is less difficult than western cultures. The high end Indians who studied in the west, and worked in the west typically have more refined preferences than visiting Pattaya.

Grow up should apply to the people who use over the top rhetoric to describe people with different political positions. Name calling and belittling is part of the dehumanization process. Constantly labeling opponents of Republican policies as leftist radicals, or anti american or traitor is not right. Nor is calling Republicans who want responsible fiscal policies , nazis acceptable. The man had a history of weird behavior. He attacked the bipartisan charity fundraiser baseball game because he was anti-social and while at first described as possibly angry with Republicans, was later found to be upset with Democrats too. The takeaway is that he was one of too many US nationals who believed that their problems will be solved through a mass shooting murder event. And like most of the USA's mass murderers, he was a white male, and of lower socio economic status.

Yes, I did study history in school. What does Gibraltar belongs economically to Spain mean? You do know that Gibraltar has a strong position as a marine bunkering port? Gibraltar based Peninsula is ranked as the 6th largest bunker entity in the world. Its marine service capabilities are well reputed. Gibraltar makes most of its income from financial services. It is also home to multiple online casinos. Gibraltar's GDP per capita is approx 3X that of Spain., which indicates that Gibraltar is financially better off. Your reference to losing an island in the North Sea makes no sense and is gibberish. In respect to Northern Ireland, you obviously do not know the history. There is not much one can do to change the colonization by the Normans that started in 1169.The Normans also conquered the English. Your quarrel is with the French. The presence of the "English"in Ireland got handed off for a few centuries until the Tudors integrated Ireland in the 1600's. Ireland only came into existence as a stand alone nation in 1921 and it did not include the northern territory. Besides, the future of Northern Ireland is really not for the UK to decide. It is a local driven issue, and a majority of residents do not wish to join with Ireland. I expect that one day they will want to do so . Until then, their wishes must be respected.

Careful.Multiple US airports have police with long guns, usually AR 15 type. Houston, Los Angeles, Boston Houston HOU

What AI program are you using?

Are you the spokesperson for Hamas?

The taxpayers who would have to pay the multi million dollar settlements that would follow will not be as supportive or thrilled by this PR stunt. County attorney must be having conniptions as it is the worst possible thing to say. No I am not supporting violent thugs, nor saying LEO should not defend against assaults. However, if you are one of the people who is struck by a police bullet, because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, you will be very angry. Some police forces are trigger happy, and innocent people suffer because of it. There are long established rules guidelines regarding the use of lethal force, and saying what he did, goes against them.

Sure. And what security guarantees will be given to Israel/ it is surrounded by Islamic hate states.

The agreement in itself benefits everyone. It facilitates the flow of goods in an out of Gibraltar, and will make it easier to get to Gibraltar without having to land in Spain and then transit to the enclave. A big win for the local economy, and a boost to tourism. The presence of Spanish border/customs of agents in the territory is not a new concept and makes life easier for everyone. UK Border Force officers already operate in France at the Port of Calais, the Eurotunnel terminal, Paris Gare du Nord, Lille, and Calais-Frethun. They also operate at Brussels-South railway station in Belgium and Amsterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal stations in the Netherlands. The USA has its border and customs agents stationed inside at Shannon, Dublin, Dubai and all major Canadian airports as well as in Aruba, Bahamas and Barbados, so that travellers clear US border security before they enter the USA. It makes travel easier and speeds cargo transit. No it belongs to the UK. It was owned and controlled by England far longer than it was by Spain. It was part of the muslim Emirate of Granada until it was captured by the Duke of Sidonia in 1462. He then sold it to jewish- christian convert refugees fleeing Seville and elsewhere. Then in 1501 Queen Isabella of Castille claimed it.. The If Gibraltar is part of Spain, then so too are Belgium and Luxembourg, the Spanish Netherlands. Spain only became Spain with its war of Succession that ended in 1714. Before then, in 1704 the Anglo Dutch fleet liberated Gibratar and the English took possession in the War of Succession. The treaty of Utrecht which allowed the war to end recognized the English ownership of Gibraltar. For the past 321 years, Gibraltar has been a part of England, then Great Britain and now the United Kingdom. as an overseas territory. That's 100+ more years than a forerunner to Spain controlled it. He has not handed England to Europe. Gibraltar remains a self governing British Overseas Territory and its citizens are British citizens. Nonsense. On June 8, 1969, the fascist military dictator and crony of Adolf Hitler, Francisco franco, closed the border, and it remained shut for commercial traffic for 16 years. Gibraltar did not fall, nor did it collapse. Despite the withdrawal of the UK from the EU in 2020, Gibraltar has remained steady and without the 100% demanding union with Spain as you claim. The people of Gibraltar like their independence.

I appreciate that this a thread about Pattaya, but had the ferry still been operating I would have said, take a cruise to the geriatric hooker care center of Hua Hin, before you complain. I did not see any fat bargirls when I was in Pattaya. Chubby or plump yes. The fatties were the customers. They waddle about, sweating profusely, with their red swollen legs and bulging guts. The worst thing for them are the low cost English breakfasts with the fried hotdog sausages, fried potato, white bread, blood pudding, processed ham, and fried strip of lard called "bacon". You should do your next missive on the low quality of bacon served in most Thai restaurants. It is mostly fat with no meat. The only place where I have consistently been served proper bacon was at the former BKK airport Novotel. Maybe this is why so many are fat in Pattaya. Too much fatty fried pork and rice.

It was all about a weak former world power trying to retain influence and relevance at a time when other nations were establishing their dominance. WW II was the end of the old European powers and the desperation with which the French tried to remain relevant was tragic. Iran was a demonstrable threat. It had attempted to assassinate President Trump. It is a sponsor of international terrorism . It kept Assad the despot in power and was complicit in the deaths of 600,000 Syrians and the creation of 14 million refugees. It is the sponsor of Hezbollah which refuses to accept the authority of the Lebanese government, Iran is the sponsor of the Houthis and complicit in the deaths of 250,000 Yemenis and the creation of millions of refugees in Yemen. Iran has weekly rallies that culminate with chants of death to the UK, USA and Israel. Iran was just found to have hidden its nuclear materials, and its deceptive nuclear arms activities exposed. It has negotiated in bad faith in respect to a nuclear arms agreement. So, it was only a matter of time before Iran acted on its threats. Israel was going to get nuked at some point. Tax payers money has not been spent on war. On the contrary, the USA has done its utmost to prevent this event. Iran instead chose to lie and to drag out the nuclear talks, acting in bad faith. This is Israel's party, and it is taking all the risks. Israel has 12 spy and communication satellites. It launched its Ofek 13 state of the art spy satellite in March 2023. Israel is also receiving the support of a large number of Iranian dissidents who have suffered under the tyrannical religious regime. The fact that Israel was able to station drones in Iran before the attack and to then successfully launch them speaks to the support network. There are thousands of brave and heroic Iranians risking their lives for the freedom of their people. The Kurds have also had good relations with Israel. In the early 1960's, it was Iran that convinced Israel to support the Kurds and acted as the intermediary and introductory agent. Since that time, Kurds have relied on Israeli humanitarian care, support for its refugees, and military support. The Azerbaijanis have tacitly allowed Israel to operate from their nation, although they officially deny it. The takeaway is that Israel may be executing the operation, but they had help from many people in the region, especially Iranians. The USA had no direct involvement in this. It did all that it could do to avoid the conflict. it was Iran who negotiated in bad faith and tried to play the USA. All the USA is saying is to leave it alone and that the Gulf Arab nations who host USA forces have nothing to do with this. Why would the President have a star of David? That is a crude attempt to say that he is under the influence of the juden. In addition to be your being a self appointed expert on infectious disease, you are now sharing hateful prejudiced ignorance. What's next, claiming Israel invented Covid?

Thank you for clarifying.

Yes, it is called a reality check, much like a parent who reminds a whinging son to get off the sofa and to get a job. Trump held back, despite the unfair and provocative things Musk said. Musk had promised $1 trillion in savings and did not deliver..

I don't think being supportive of the Ukraine means one is an anti semite. Granted the Ukrainians didn't have a stellar history in WWII, but at least they are not slaughtering them in the streets like they used to do 100 years ago.

Hearsay, and uncorroborated. USA was advised by Israel that Israel was going to strike. That was the coordination. Some arab countries were aware of the pending attack as well. Israel has its own satellites. The USA did not facilitate this pre-emptive strike. The President warned Iran and the world that this would happen. Listen to his statement from his presser at Les Miserables. He said that iran should not have a nuclear weapon. The IAEA report showed that Iran was hiding nuclear materials and lying about it. The USA could only do so much to try and convince Iran to stop its pursuit of a nuclear arsenal. All the USA did was to get out of the way. Trump stopped Israel previously asking it to give negotiations time. Well, Iran acted in bad faith and this is the result.

Put Israel to the side and have a look at international air traffic. The current air routes are packed. Iran and Iraq have closed their airspace. Overflights of Pakistan and parts of India are restricted because of the conflict between the two. Airspace over Russia is restricted for many airlines Much of Ukraine airspace is closed Afghanistan airspace is avoided. Armenia and Azerbaijan airspace is restricted due to threat of conflict. Israel airspace is restricted Jordan airspace is restricted. As soon as Iran launches missiles, Gulf Arab airspace will close. Cyprus airspace will close Turkiye airspace will be restricted. Good luck on flying to Europe & UK via many carriers Guess who is not happy? Russia. Its drone and munitions supplier will be out of business for a while.

Iran is pledged to the destruction of Israel. Iran tried to kill President Trump Iran has threatened the UK and the USA repeatedly. Iran was again caught lying about their nuclear weapons program, the most recent was yesterday. Iran had an active program of concealing their nuclear weapons program and that even when the nuclear deal was in place, Iran purposefully hid information about its activities. Iran was not negotiating in good faith with the USA in respect to a new nuclear agreement. in fact they were stalling and delaying, which is an indication that it was most likely trying to finish off a nuclear weapon or weapons prior to a possible agreement. In consideration of these demonstrated facts, how would you have handled iran? Sanctions were not working. Iran was financing terrorism around the world. What other option was there other than to neutralize the nuclear arsenal facilities?