FolkGuitar

You've been a member here for just 2 months, and have already posted over 5,800 posts. Mostly political. How much are you getting paid for this?

I thought about that... but I think I'm glad that I don't know who it is. I'd feel too bad for him/her. It's hard being that confused.

Thank God there are still some independent thinkers who do not need to blindly follow a Cult leader.

There is always one... No matter what I post, there is always ONE person who is confused. I could post "Today is Friday" and I believe that person would still be confused. I posted this a day or two ago. Several people either agreed, liked, or appreciated. And of course, one person was confused. --------------------------- "15 years in Japan 25 years in Thailand. I sure as hell won't be going back to the U.S. anytime soon. I haven't even visited in almost 15 years. Who knows what's next? ------------------------------- ... and this confused someone. Hey, if you send me a private message each time I confuse you, I'll be happy to explain. It seems to happen to you often.

At first, when I read this, it bothered me a bit. 'Islamic countries.' (Yes, I realized it was stated with tongue-in-cheek bias. ) Isn't that being bigoted? But then I realized that I, too, have my own prejudices. I don't enjoy visiting Roman Catholic countries. Don't care for the Philippines, Mexico, Guam, Spain, etc. Beautiful places with lovely people, but... And it's NOT the 'religion.' I don't care to which God a person prays, or why. But there is something about the Roman Catholic 'culture' that just doesn't suit me.

Because of its size, the diversity found in the US is simply amazing; from rainforests to glaciers, Mega-cities to hobo camps, it's all there for people to enjoy. It's just a shame that the natural beauty of its National Parks is about to be raped and ravaged by Timber and Oil companies, with pipelines laying down over aquifers, logging roads blocking migration routes, and its wetlands and rivers soon to be devoid of wildlife because of industrial run-off now being unchecked. See it now before it's destroyed. "See the USA in your Chevrolet!" Oh wait... Aren't Chevys made in Mexico these days?

I think 'hate' is too strong a word as well. 35 years away from the US, I don't hate 'America.' I do hate what is happening TO America. But... on the plus side, being away from the US, living in various countries, gives one a very different perspective about just what the 'United States' really stands for. These days, not very much still holds to 'American' values. The 'America' that I grew up in is gone.

That was then. This is now. Thinking I’d stay dry at 10 am I made a run to the supermarket. Soaked to the skin before I made it home. Good thing I didn’t put in my hearing aids. That would have been a $3,000 loss to the idiot farang who ran out into the middle of the street to get me with a full bucket of water in my face.. at 10 o’clock in the morning. Songkran has gotten out of hand in some areas.

15 years in Japan 25 years in Thailand. I sure as hell won't be going back to the U.S. anytime soon. I haven't even visited in almost 15 years. Who knows what's next?

Sorry, I guess English isn't your first language. That's OK. We get your message regardless.

THIS is not Songkran to me... This is a farang who thinks it's the O.K. Corral. Battle unto death...

In past years, the water-throwing didn't really begin until noon. Anyone who needed to get business done without getting wet was able to do so just by leaving earlier. No problem. Those who want to play come out later and spend the rest of the day and evening happily throwing water, powder, and sometimes beer cans at other happy revelers! All afternoon and evening! But... not before noon. Well, not any longer. I tried for a supermarket and drug store run at 10am. The Moat roads were at a standstill, with happy revelers throwing water in every direction. At 10am. I made it to the shops without being 'too' wet (at 10am) but by 10:30's ride home was as if I was surfing Bondi Beach. Water, water everywhere, and no place to hide. At 10:30 in the morning. I enjoy Songkran... when I want to play. Not when I do not. We don't get a choice any longer.

This... spoken by a person who chooses an illegal, crooked card game con as a screen name? I think I see where you're coming from. 🙂

Yes, I see. I see groups of hunters stalking 5th Avenue where it crosses 42nd St. Lots of game there. Or perhaps on Hollywood Blvd? Where will you be putting all these farms in NYC, LA, Chicago, Atlanta? Are you going to fish in the Cuyahoga River? Or is that still on fire from all the pollution? Where I live, I watch the natives going out in the evenings with home-made crossbows, hunting rats for their food. That's all the fauna that remains in this area. The big stuff has already been eaten. So, where are City-born Repugs going to hunt every day? Which cities will you burn down to create more farms between NYC and Newark? Just what is the plan? It's been almost 7 years with the same idiot and we still haven't seen one from the White House. No plan at all to help Americans.

A good definition, I think... MAGA Republicans are people who will withhold food from 1000 people out of fear that 1 person might not deserve it. Democrats are people who will feed 1000 people out of concern that one person might need it. I know in which country I'd prefer to live. MAFCA - "Make America Follow the Constitution Again!"

Just simple Market Manipulation. Insider trading has increased the fortunes of a lot of rich friends of the White House. Financial gain for a select few, while screwing the rest of the world. If you think Trump is controlling the tariff flip-flops, you're crazy. He is a puppet, a TV actor following a careful script worked out before he ever set foot again in a position of power.

Absolutely!

Meat, eggs, cheese (in moderation if an adult,) avocados and Kalamata olives. This is 80% of my diet.

Tipping is a very different game here. In the US, at least a 15-20% tip is required for everything, or don't bother returning to the same place. Here in Thailand, we're fortunate that there is no requirement, but there are 'some' expectations. In up-scale dinner restaurants, a small tip is expected, perhaps 10%-15%, but not required. Rich folks will say 20%-25% but they are just showing off, as is the guy in the local family restaurant who leaves a 100-Baht note as a tip for his 40-Baht lunch. If I'm on the road and eat in small Mom & Pop places, if there is change, leave the coins from my change. If I'm eating with my wife (so two of us) and the food and service good, I'll leave a 20-Baht note. Here in town, where I eat lunch at the same places often, I always leave 20 Baht if I'm alone, or 30-40 Baht if with my wife. I'm treated very nicely at my usual lunch place (been eating there for the past 5 years,) so that seems to be sufficient. The bottom line is that here in Thailand, a tip is just that: a gratuity. It's not a requirement. How much you tip depends on what you can afford and how visible you wish to be. That said, money talks. Sometimes tipping before an event can be beneficial...

ANYTHING (everything) we eat 'helps' burn fat. In fact, just typing this sentence helps burn fat! That's what your body does even while sleeping. It burns fat. Hell, even eating a piece of cardboard will cause the body to burn fat. Just not at a rate that will do anything for weightloss. But certainly, cutting down on sugary fruits will do a better job. I limit myself to raspberries and blueberries, and in limited daily amounts. A half cup of raspberries, a shot of sugar-free Strawberry syrup, all mixed into some Greek yogurt for a snack or dessert, and I'm a happy camper! But there is no fruit 'better' for burning fat. Just as there is no exercise that 'targets' belly fat or targets cellulite thighs, etc. Just marketing hype.

Americans have long been seen as the 'Ugly' tourist/expats abroad, running roughshod over more polite, less aggressive cultures who 'say' nothing but notice everything. Yes, I think we will begin to see less polite behavior towards Americans. Hell, Americans are seeing less polite behavior towards other Americans BY Americans. Why not by the Thais?

Convicted felons should not be allowed to run for ANY office.

Too late. Already destroyed in just these last few months. I'll bet they go so far as to suggest a name change for the country!

I haven't seen too many Hallmark Greeting Card stores in Thailand, so perhaps giving cards isn't an important part of Thai Culture. We Westerners tend to equate gifts with how someone feels about us; the more they spend, the more they value us. Not all cultures do that, and some (Japanese culture, for example) often even keep a record of how much has been spent by others for their gifts, to be sure to spend at least an equal amount when repaying gifts to them!

Soon to be the norm in America too...