Hawaiian
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Posts posted by Hawaiian
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15 hours ago, 0ffshore360 said:
As of yesterday Russia has a tentative agreement to stay. They have a lease on the Port site and the airfield which in the interest of cooperation may be honored?
Given the complexity of the situation I doubt Russia will vacate completely.
As you say, this is a complicated situation and I think the Russians are waiting to see what happens next. While the Iranian Embassy has been trashed the demonstrators have left the Russian Embassy intact. Taking no chances, the Russian fleet has anchored offshore and it has been reported that Russian aircraft are standing by at Khmeimim Air Base to airlift Russian troops out of the country. The Israelis are taking no chances either and have sunk the Syrian navy.
Again, only time will tell what comes next.
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2 minutes ago, candide said:
Actually Russia was part of Assad's problem, as it hadn't enough resources to defend Assad.
It confirms how incompetent Putin is. Instead of being obsessed by the Soviet Union's past glory and trying to remain an influent superpower with a GDP at a the level of Spain or Italy, he should have focused on developing his country, like China did.
The irony is that he got played by the U.S. and its allies, in the same way the S.U. had been weakened by Reagan. Forced to spend Russia's limited resources until there are barely any left! 😆
Yes, Reagan was accused of wasteful spending, but I think it was money well spent, bankrupting the USSR.
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1 hour ago, Social Media said:
The swift collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government has sent shockwaves through Tehran, dealing a severe blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance,” a key component of its foreign policy cultivated over decades. For 13 years, Iran funneled extensive resources into supporting Assad during Syria’s civil war. Yet, its efforts unraveled in mere days as Syrian rebels swiftly captured city after city, rendering Tehran’s investment futile and undermining its regional power projection.
This failure is compounded by a string of setbacks suffered by Hezbollah, a cornerstone of Iran’s resistance alliance. Once a force feared by armies across the region, Hezbollah faced a resounding defeat by Israel last month and is now grappling with the challenge of rebuilding, dependent on Iranian aid.
“The resistance front has had a really hard year,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted during an interview on state television. Still, he sought to emphasize the resilience of the alliance, pointing to Hamas’s continued attacks on Israel as a testament to its strength. “Nobody could have predicted that the front could be so strong,” he insisted. Yet, the collapse of Assad’s regime has left many doubting whether the alliance can survive intact. “Without Syria, we could see the entire axis of resistance just unravel,” a Western diplomat warned, speaking anonymously about the geopolitical implications.
Within Iran, the fall of Assad has sparked widespread criticism. Even staunch supporters of Tehran’s foreign policy have questioned the wisdom of pouring billions of dollars into a network that disintegrated so quickly. Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a former member of parliament, expressed public discontent, writing on X, “Iranians can be happy. No one has the right to spend the nation’s dollars to maintain spiderwebs anymore.”
Just weeks prior, Tehran’s axis of resistance seemed ascendant, bolstered by Hamas’s audacious attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Iran’s allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various factions in Iraq, rallied to Hamas’s cause, launching strikes on Israel and U.S. interests. Yet, rather than showcasing strength, these efforts revealed vulnerabilities. Israel responded decisively, neutralizing key leaders of both Hamas and Hezbollah while depleting their forces in Gaza and Lebanon.
Iran’s direct confrontation with Israel only further highlighted its challenges. In October, it launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, marking the largest attack in their shadow conflict. However, Israeli, U.S., and allied defenses intercepted most of the barrage, limiting its impact. Israel’s retaliatory strikes were devastating, targeting and destroying some of Iran’s most advanced military systems, including critical air defenses.
Maria Luisa Fantappiè, a Middle East expert at the International Affairs Institute in Rome, critiqued Iran’s strategy. “Iran needs to rethink its strategy of proxies. The proxies have become more of a liability than an asset,” she observed. Iranian leaders had long argued that their network of militias provided a security buffer, enabling Iran to fight adversaries abroad. However, the recent conflict has undermined this rationale. “The axis is not an effective way to project power,” Fantappiè concluded. “On the contrary, it was projecting weakness.”
As Assad’s regime crumbled, Tehran’s top officials were conspicuously silent. When the Foreign Ministry finally broke its silence, it underscored the historic ties between Iran and Syria, a muted response reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Iran now faces a stark reality: its carefully constructed regional strategy is faltering. The collapse of Assad’s government and the setbacks faced by Hezbollah mark a pivotal moment for Tehran’s axis of resistance, forcing a reassessment of its ambitions and methods in an increasingly hostile and unpredictable geopolitical landscape.
Based on a report by WP 2024-12-11
No better time than now for Israel to deal a death blow to Hamas. The Israelis also need to keep a close watch on Hezbollah. Good on the U.S. for targeting ISIS bases in Syria. And keep pounding the Houthis in Yemen. As long as they continue to fire at international shipping and U.S. warships, Trump will have a difficult time saying, "We need to stay out of this."
Look for Iran to concentrate their terrorist efforts in Iraq. The big question is whether the Iraqis will cooperate.
Another biggie is how much of a presence will Russia maintain in Syria.
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10 hours ago, illisdean said:
You spelled "WINNING" wrong.....
Not sure where you got this from. It is not what I posted.
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3 hours ago, 0ffshore360 said:
As yet the Russian bases in Syria have been left untouched and in general the assumption of full control by the "rebel" forces has been significantly uneventful.
It is being revealed that the demise of Assad was a negotiated outcome.
It will be interesting to see if the new admin will combine military assets to focus on regaining the Golan Heights ?
Trump may yet have to take a position on that as an ally of Israel despite declaring "not our fight" in Syria even when US forces have just undertaken massive airstrikes on purported ISIS camps in central Syria.
Certainly nothing has really been simplified in the region !
The Russian fleet has left supposedly headed to Kaliningrad in the Baltic.
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1 hour ago, daveAustin said:
Muslim majority countries tend to really churn them out.
The women start at an early age judging by all the child brides.
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1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:
Thailand is not a poor country. It is a rich country with lots of poor people.
Agree. Lot of gold in all those religious shrines and temples. Loads of food wherever you go.
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11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:
Thai Airwasys have clearly given you flawed advice:
#1 - With a British Passport you can enter Thailand Visa exempt for 60 days.
#2 - You do not need a transit Visa at all (TG are 100% incorrect with this).
On your return leg you can simply arrive and stay on your Visa Exempt Entry as any other Brit (without an excessive visit history that year).
Regarding 'Stopover / Layover' vs transit - this varies from Airlines.
Clearly on your outgoing leg - UK-BKK-AUS (with a 120m transit) - checked-in baggage goes through automatically to destination.
On your return leg, the 'check-in baggage rules' may vary from airline to airline.
We stop over a lot in the Middle East and the rules with Emirates and Qatar etc is based on 24 hrs from 'layover (<24 hrs) and a stopover (>24 hrs) - If stopping over for more than 24 hours we have to collect our baggage at the 'transit country'.
Thai Airways regulations vary and its difficult to get clear advice (even directly from the airline - as you have found out with the incorrect visa information).... Thus, erring on the side of caution would make sense.
- When checking in You can ask them to put your baggage all the way though - to be sure you can check the baggage tags they give you.
- Most likely - with Thai Airways you'll have to collect your bags with a layover longer than 12 hours.
Both Hawaiian and Japan Airlines (the two we fly on) always inform us that the bags have been tagged to our final destination or first U.S. port of entry. We also confirm that by checking the baggage claims receipts.
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Urbanization has much to do with it. It is quite costly to raise children in the city. Whereas, those in the rural areas need a bunch of offspring to run the farm even with mechanization.
Only accurate demographic statistics will show whether I am right or not.
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32 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:
Anyone up for a go-fund-me page to get greta some Iranian or Afghan bound plane tickets ?
Or Antarctica.
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On 12/5/2024 at 9:40 PM, lou norman said:
anybody know where the photo was taken?
Could be anywhere. Caption says it is a file photo.
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On 12/5/2024 at 3:21 AM, advancebooking said:
so true. one of my employees was pregnant to this loser thai guy. He left her at 6 months prego. She was guttered. Now raising the baby with her mum. Still works for us. I gave her a pay rise and look after her. Give free treatment to her mum
Good on you. You have given her the help the Thai government would never provide.
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2 hours ago, Jim Blue said:I suppose you never lived in a one man military dictatorship for years? Listening to the same man rattling on and on while his inner crowd get wealthier . Believe me a change is as good as a rest .
Until they let loose the sharia law enforcers.
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4 minutes ago, BarBoy said:
Sweet & Sour pork and rice for dinner every night then.
I could live with that!
How's fish head soup and fried grasshoppers?
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11 minutes ago, BarBoy said:
I won't be ashes.
I will still be sunning myself on a Thai beach.
The ruskies won't though because they will be skint.
All my money/gold is under my mattress.
Plus I have acres of farmland in the south of Thailand where I can grow all my own food.
I will just be fine.
Xi may see this as his golden opportunity to make his move on Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Then what? Maybe not ashes, but not a very pleasant scenario either.
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2 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:You realize if Putin thinks Russia is about to fall to western perverted liberslism he will unleash nukes and we are all ashes?
There is no winner in such a scenario. What are the left smoking to think attacking Russia is a good idea? It's not
Maybe, just maybe, someone will take care of Putin before he resorts to such a scenario. Not everyone in his inner circle is willing to go up in a puff of smoke.
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22 minutes ago, John Drake said:The Turks could still dominate it. But I will bet anything Erdogan moves into the Kurdish zone and annexes it, while wiping out all possible Kurdish resistance. Is there a chance the overall map is radically redrawn? Putin may have something to fear from the Turks now. I saw videos on X of the Syrian rebels already broadcasting into Muslim areas of Russia, urging them to topple their occupiers.
22 minutes ago, John Drake said:Doesn't look good for Putin if what you saw on X is true. Inviting North Korean troops to augment the Russian army is a sign of desperation. Now the potential for Muslim anarchy may be the beginning of the end. Wishful thinking? We can wish, can't we?
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2 hours ago, Lacessit said:
When Trump played golf during his first Presidency, he played on his own golf courses. His Secret Service detail was billeted in the accommodation areas of whatever golf courses he played, mostly Bedminster. The Secret Service numbers were enlarged, due to the extra vulnerability of a golf course.
On average, the Trump property charged the American taxpayer $800,000 each time Trump was golfing, for Secret Service accommodation and food. Trump played golf over 300 times. That's $240 million. Highly unlikely the Trump properties were giving discounts.
Point taken re recovering addicts. However,permit me to doubt an anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist and anti-fluoride campaigner is the best choice for improving public health.
Since 1966, when the Governor of Hawaii banned fluoridation, that state is the worst in America for dental caries.
I don't need to badmouth Trump, his actions and words do it for him.
First off, it seem you have your own definition of "bilk." Yes, one might say Trump took advantage of the situation. Remember, it is the duty of the SS to protect the president no matter where he is or what he is doing. It was Trump's prerogative to play gold where he chose. About where the SS bunks, I have no idea who makes the rules.
As far as Kennedy's anti-vaccine and anti-fluoride stance goes, I agree with you. I believe that both vaccines and fluoride work. There is overwhelming evidence that they do.
I recall my mother having our dentist apply an awful tasting fluoride coating on our teeth. That was around 1956 or so.
It is interesting to note that it is Tulsi Gabbard's father, Mike, who is co-sponsoring an anti-fluoride bill in the Hawaii legislature. He claims that is what his constituent favor. I think it has more to do with his beliefs in Guru Chris Butler's Church of Scientology. Right now only military facilities on Oahu have fluoride added to their drinking water.
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On 12/3/2024 at 10:13 PM, Lacessit said:
Trump has got what he wants from the voters. A get out of jail free card. More opportunities to bilk taxpayers.
If you think he's not going to throw some of the people who voted for him under a bus, you are delusional.
Appointing a recovering heroin addict as his Health czar, what could go wrong?
Experience counts a lot in job performance, especially in a supervisory position. Illegal drugs aren't any different. Some of the best substance abuse counselors are former users. One of my tenants served time for dealing. She has cleaned up act and has a job dealing with recovering addicts. She moved to another NGO and was lured back by her former employer with an offer she couldn't refuse. She has been one of my best tenants.
Also please elaborate how Trump has bilked taxpayers.
Seems you are willing to say anything to badmouth Trump.
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39 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:
It was a long time ago, he is not the same man now, besides he was probably pissed at the time!
Have to agree. Most likely got a lot of feedback over the years to see
for the most part veterans are satisfied with the VA. My neighbor, a Vietnam veteran, has nothing but praise for the VA. His chopper was shot down twice and he still has shrapnel in one of his legs. Plus he suffers from PTSD and from the effects of Agent Orange.
I have Tricare For Life and have never had reason to use the VA.
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16 hours ago, MadAtMatrix said:
Foreign pilots are preferred in Asian countries as they practice Crew Resource Management where they treat their co pilot as an equal and want them to intervene if they are doing something unsafe.
asian customs are “don’t question someone with more seniority than you” and keep your mouth shut all the way to the scene of the crash.
How true. Saving face does not equate to saving (protecting) lives.
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18 hours ago, Patong2021 said:
This is an insignificant issue that is being blown out of proportion. One would have to be clueless twit to not be aware of the worldwide backlog of aircraft deliveries. As of October 2024, Airbus reported a backlog of 8,769 jets, of which 7,832, or 89 percent, were A220 and A320 family narrowbodies. Boeing’s backlog was 6,246 aircraft, of which 4,770, or 77 percent, were 737 family narrowbody jets.
Aircraft also have to be removed from service to allow for scheduled "deep"maintenance that includes extensive verification of engines and air frame. Almost all of the airlines now rely on wet leases to fill surge capacity demands and to replace aircraft that are temporarily out of service. It makes no sense to hire pilots for the short periods that the capacity is required.
A wet lease is a cost effective solution for a short time need. The lessee has access to an aircraft that can be treated as an expense, and does not have to assume the long term expenses and HR issues that attach to hiring, training, and managing the crew.
Good business practice, something the man fails to recognize.
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1 minute ago, Hawaiian said:
If true, not a smart move by the nominee, unless he wants to pass the position to De Santis.
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Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family
in Political Soapbox
Posted
While Al Jolani has made some good moves he has a rough road ahead considering all the factions involved.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ex7ek9pyeo