WDSmart

Stop signs are mislabeled. If anyone halts anything with the intention of resuming the activity, it's called a "pause." If anyone halts anything with no intention of resuming the activity, it's called a "stop." Now, can we please return to discussing the topic of "reconciling with Trump," which implies that this cessation of talks was a pause?

It's an example of many. "Pause" means to stop temporarily with the intention to continue. "Stop" means stop with no intention to restart.

The best example is my prediction about how Israel will use the Oct 7 attack to try to completely drive all Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank.

A good example is all my posts concerning the Israeli attempt to drive all the Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank. I predicted that years ago. I think Zelensky only saw what was expected of him in the "deal." I don't believe he saw everything that was promised Russia even now. His main objection during the meaning was that he could not accept Russia's word on what they would and would not do. They've broken their promises to Ukraine before. I think a stalemate will wear Putin down. Of course, it will wear Ukraine down also. I don't expect there will be any fair settlement, but if there is, it won't include the return of Crimea unless this war escalates to the point where Europe becomes actively involved, and that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons. Biden did put pauses on arm sales occasionally, but he never stopped them. At the end of his term, he was sending a lot of support to Ukraine.

My opinion usually turns out to be fact. I don't think he saw the entire agreement until he got to Washington, DC. "Everything they want" is all the land they now occupy and probably a cessation or reduction of economic sanctions. Biden did not cut the support to Ukraine off. Trump has cut it off now.

I've extrapolated it from all the various reports I've read. Some of it is my opinion. I think Zelensky was ready to sign over the mineral rights until he read the entire "deal." It obviously was not assuring enough for him. That's why he said what he said in the White House. Also, Russia seems to be very willing to agree to the "deal." This to me means they would get everything they want.

Trump is not negotiating a "peace deal." He's trying to negotiate a business deal with both Russia and Ukraine. He thinks he's the best business deal-maker in the world, and that's how he goes about things like this. Trump has already set terms with Russia, which undoubtedly includes allowing them to keep all the land they've invaded and are now holding, and doesn't have anything to ensure their side of the bargain will be maintained after the initial phases. Trump wants Ukraine to pay him for the support we (the US) have given them so far and for any future support. As you know, he also wants Ukraine to give up the land Russia now occupies and give him rights to half of its mineral resources with very little assurance that Russia will stop trying to seize Ukranian land. It's all just another business deal for him, and after the deal is struck, he doesn't care anything about the other party.

Support how? Zelensky had the support of the US and most of Europe and is at an effective stalemate after a million dead and wounded and losing a quarter of his population. Do you think European parents want their kids fighting in Russia? Zelensky HAD the support of the US before Trump was elected. Trump just announced he was ceasing military support for Ukraine. 😞 Russia has also lost a lot of soldiers, however I don't think Putin cares about that. Russia has also spent a lot of money, which I think is more troublesome for Putin. I don't think anyone wants anyone to be fighting in Russia, but it might be better than fighting them in your home country. In any event, I think Zelensky should assume his support from the US is over as long as Trump is calling the shots there. Trump is too involved with Russia to trust. As I said earlier, hopefully, he can get enough support from Europe to keep the war at a stalemate until Russia decides it's just too costly for their economy to continue.

I have no idea what you're talkin about...

Zelensky needs support, but hopefully, he can get it from Europe without giving away as much as Trump is asking.

If you replace the word "peace" with "surrender," I would agree.

I hadn't heard of this, but the fact that it was discovered and reported is good news. Trying to pin it all on Biden or his son is going a little too far.

I think Zelensky should reconcile with Trump, but only if Trump seeks reconciliation. In other words, I don't believe that Zelensky should "bow down" to Trump, but a handshake and a "let's start over" would be okay with me.

No. I just deposit my monthly SS retirement money in my USA bank account and then send it and any other monies to my Thai bank via a bank wire. It costs me $40.

No, but I do most of my deposits online.

You should not believe anything you see or read on social media or sites like YouTube. Just treat them like you would if you were out at a bar, sitting around talking with friends and strangers while drinking alcohol. The stories might be interesting, but don't take any of them to be absolutely true.

The USA (Trump) will not protect Taiwan. It just doesn't have enough mineral resources to pay him.

Actually, I just found out last year that I could qualify for a one-year retirement extension based on monthly deposits of THB 65K. Before that, I thought it had to be retirement income. And that used to have to be verified by your consulate, but the US consulate quit doing that 15 years ago or more. So, after that, I've always relied on the THB 800K in the bank, that is, until last year when an Immigration official at my Immigration office told me I could just show proof of THB 65K each month. My US retirement (Social Security) is much more than that, and I always transfer that from my US bank to my Thai bank every month. So now, I'm all set. 🙂

65k OMG! Has it changed already? 😄

Of course I don't know for sure, but I'm confident they will NOT take a drop in the exchange rate into consideration. THB 67K has to be THB 67 K on the day it is received.

My amended prediction is that Hackman died of natural causes in the mudroom. His wife found him and then killed the house dog and committed suicide.

Doubtful as they weren't even in the same room. She, supposedly in the bathroom on floor, and he was elsewhere, on floor with cane nearby, from one news-blip, quoting sheriff's dept. 1 dog dead, in a kennel, inside, and 2 other dogs outside, so a bit strange if suicide. I hadn't heard about the other 2 dogs. Were they dead, too? If so, that might change my prediction above. Also, some more information on the deaths has changed my prediction a little, but I'll wait until I hear if all 3 dogs were dead.

This is the same problem as the USA's concerning the general election results vs. the Electoral College results. It's the difference between a democracy and a republic.

Don't Federal laws forbid this under gender non-discrimination laws?

I use the terms "expat" or "foreigners" when talking with other Farangs. I use the term "Farang" to designate expats or foreigners when talking with Thais.