Wrwest

Trump quote concerning saying he would give pardons to Jan. 6 convicted? Did I confuse my thought with the wording of my post? Surely as his pardon statement was widely reported publicly.

I agree. I held out hope for putting the pressure on a winning Democrat party election but ... as you say, the citizenry reached a point of no more time and elected the disruptor. As a member of the American working middle class forced out of the USA in retirement to a lower cost country, I certainly understand the justified frustration/anger. I remain thinking that Trump and his ilk may well stress test the continued existence of the country. Agree also, that both major political parties stalled too long in addressing the real issues out of money interests. Most US society institutions ... politics, justice, education, healthcare ... have been corrupted by money interests. I do not think Trump and his ilk will address the underlying income/wealth gap and I do not know if my country will survive. I confess to observing from a distance.

Trump had already promised to do so ... what's good for the goose is good for the gander!

We are still awaiting a 6 million baht win to pay off the house and replace the 20+ old cars. After that, a continued working middle class retirement here in Thailand (barring tax law changes).

Yep, President can remove his own appointment, no issue. As to "everyone knows that"? As a retired American educator I can assure you this statement is not factually based.

As expected, more complicated ... see https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/understanding-the-constitutions-recess-appointments-clause.

Listening to PBS Newshour this morn as is my habit with breakfast (broadcast in the USA Dec. 2). Naturally, one segment discussion is on Trump's Cabinet nominees. I confess mixed emotions on these appointees. Absolutely, I read Trump's stated goal of disrupting/upsetting the federal government normal ways of doing things with trepidation. My outlook remains that Trump was/is the wrong person for this ... the thought of bull in a china shop comes to mind. Certainly, many of his picks are extremists potentially capable of destroying the US federal government through "ham fisted" actions. BUT ... I recognize the justified frustration/anger built up in the working middle class increasingly over the past several decades and as the result of the policies. actions/inactions of both major political parties.. I attribute the growing income/wealth gap for getting to the point where ... well, I can understand the recent election result. I seriously doubt the Trump will address this very real economic issue in favor of working middle class interests. The American citizens are demanding change (seemingly at any cost).

I also get it as a student of history ... Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wisconsin) does come to mind.

I await the Senate advise and consent hearings ... after all, any guessing here is spinning wheels ... the Trump party won, all responsibility is theirs ... House, Senate, White House, SCOTUS.

All the best people to serve him ...

Hmm, as in the case with medical care ... let the states decide?

Five by-passes in 2005 (inherited cholesterol issue), heart attack resulting in stent + two angioplasties in 2015 (build up of scar tissue at by-pass sites). Evenings, sipping red wine ... at age 77.

Sorry, I missed it. You reminded folks that the current FBI Director was named by Trump for the ten year term? Again I do not want to speculate on what might happen. Instead I would direct interested folks to listen to Kash himself stating that on day one he would shut the FBI Headquarters down and open it the next day as a museum dedicated to the deep state. Ah yes, and send those 700 bureaucrats out to arrest the bad guys. I'm thinking it reflects his knowledge of what the FBI does. But, hey ... have at it. My source was stated and ... well, there are those who deal in more than sound bites and more involved communication. Deal with me as a retired Professor of History or feel free to but me on ignore.

Certainly true in my case. I chose to have a working middle class retirement in a lower cost country. I could not afford the same in the USA, thus I am an economic refugee (along with millions of other Americans). Yet another "outsourcing".

Thanks, Will.

The ideals are exceptional but ... sadly the Americans too seldom have demonstrated those ideals in reality. They seem fearful of reaching for those ideals. Oh, sorry ... I am one of them (hurriedly I point out I bear no responsibility for the result of the recent election).

Not "stupid", Malcolm. Ignorant but not stupid ...

Four Jacks and a Jill ... do you remember? "The official origin story, however, is different. As related by their female vocalist, "In certain mines the foreman is called 'Master Jack', and the song tells the story of a labourer who works diligently for this master for years and years and then decides to go out on his own and exercise his desires and aspirations as an individual to be something other than a labourer."

While I think speculating on results of these nominations is a waste of time, the concrete action of nominating these people does deserve addressing. While I disagree with their politics, Rubio and Bondi at least are qualified. But then Trump’s stated purpose is to disrupt … From The Atlantic Daily, Dec. 1 - “… He’s chosen a Fox News host with a sordid personal history to lead the Pentagon, an apologist for dictators in Russia and Syria to be the Director of National Intelligence, and an anti-vax, anti-science activist to be the nation’s top health official. Trump has now added yet another dangerous nomination to this list. In a Saturday night post on his social-media site, Truth Social, he announced that he is nominating Kash Patel to serve as the director of the FBI … Patel’s nomination is shocking in many ways, not least because the FBI already has a director, Christopher Wray, who Trump appointed to a 10-year term only seven years ago and who he would have to fire almost immediately to make way for Patel. Worse, Patel is a conspiracy theorist even by the standards of MAGA world. Like other senior Trump nominees, his primary qualification for the job appears to be his willingness to do Trump’s bidding without hesitation. Patel will likely face a difficult path to confirmation in the Senate. For Trump, naming Patel to the post serves several purposes. First, Trump is taking his razor-thin election win as a mandate to rule as he pleases, and Patel is the perfect nominee to prove that he doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. Even knowing what they know, Americans chose to return him to office, and he has taken their decision as a license to do whatever he wants—including giving immense power to someone like Kash Patel.” …

We both recognize there is an immigration problem. Raises the question if you and or family are at risk of life what would stop you from seeking safety? I submit the answer, in large measure is addressing the reasons people flee the country of their birth where they know the language, culture, family ties. Simply building walls? Not the answer in history.

my now Thai Wife of several years had a hair salon in Bangkok for a few years before we met and I lured her to join me in Chiang Mai. We consider ourselves quite fortunate to have found each other but after five years together, she said she did not want to be a "rented wife". This I could appreciate and although I was happy with our unmarried state, I agreed. We have continued to be quite happy without any issues.

Nope. Sin Sot only for unmarried, first time Husband to pay, even then it depends. Explain to her that there is a cultural difference ... in your western culture it is the Bride who traditionally brings a "Dowry" to the marriage. Granted, in modern times this has taken the form of the Bride's family paying the wedding costs ... Recommend the book, "Thailand Fever" as background reading for Tai - western relationships. It is in both English and Thai languages in the same book. Two existing children and you want a 3rd? Stepping into it ...

Thanks for this! I'm looking for Jello brand Vanilla Pudding (I am figuring on using those slightly over ripe bananas as "Banana Pudding". Neither Tops nor Rimping carry the item but Villa Market does. Nice to know you have successfully ordered from Villa with delivery in Chiang Mai.

No problem, DJ Trump elected 45th President and now 47th President of USA.

If Canadian, he certainly has involvement, if we give credence to Trump's Canadian tariff threats ...