JAG

In all honesty, how many observant Muslims even consider another name - unlike Judaism or Christianity which have a great many Christian or given names to choose from in their scriptures, then there are a great many secular names available. I would suggest that makes the statistic somewhat misleading.

You really couldn't be further from the target if you were standing in the butts firing back down the range towards the firing point! Point 1 was a reaction to the pearl clutching and howling about heinous crimes! Point 2 was an ironical comment upon Trump's remarks about the Neo Nazi marches at Charlesville in 2017! I describe myself (only partly tongue in cheek) as a "liberal conservative", and have not moved from that stance, or the values, personal, political , social or economic which form my views. I have no particular party affiliation, and if I see value in a point expressed on either side of the political divide in these debates then I will express agreement usually with an "emoji". I don't bother with the "confused" or "sad" emojis, they seem to me pointless. I have responded positively to your posts on occasions, and also to your AN nemesis @Chomper Higgot! So sorry, you have got it really wrong; and by the way, I am really and normally very happy!

1) Was there any damage to the fabric of the building? 2) One must always consider that there are good people on both sides!

A remarkable and wide ranging claim. All the evidence suggests that the majority opinion in the UK is that Trump is rather disliked. I regard him as an oafish amoral bully, driven by self interest, greed, blatant narcissism and a total disregard for constitutional constraints or democracy. Now far from suggesting that I represent public opinion in the UK, but perhaps it does tend rather more towards my view than that of @Magictoad? I regard the whole "net zero" idea as silly, and am concerned about aspects of immigration and threats to freedom of expression in the UK. Trump has nothing to do with either. This invitation was so obviously a rather crass and undignified attempt by Starmer's government, itself unpopular, to steal what he imagined to be "a march" on other European countries. His Majesty the King has little choice but to go along with his government in this matter, albeit no doubt holding his nose! One thing may change matters, any further threats or claims to Canada (or indeed Greenland).

Are all private universities in the USA tax exempt, or is it just Harvard? Was "Trump University" tax exempt? I mean, I am not for a moment suggesting that he would have paid any taxes anyway - that would be just silly!

Preparations must get under way - a really big blimp is called for.

Extraordinary, and there am I thinking that you were only here for a few days for a wedding, visiting from your rehabilitation spa in Kobe! You really should pay more attention to getting your background story straight Bob!

Well those running that country do rather parade their version of Christianity as justification for some of their actions. Mind you, if Jesus Christ was living in modern day America he would probably be in an El Salvadoran prison by know!

Maybe I am being naive, but didn't Mr Patel deny he had such a list during his Senate confirmation hearing? Perhaps that was then and this is now; he was after all an author of children's fiction!

Nothing qualifies you more to direct the actions and policies of the USA's oldest and premier university, than having been the owner of a university closed down for fraudulent practices!

In Chiang Rai, certainly in the areas frequented by tourists, quite a number of shops opened. They never seem to have any customers, and a number are starting to close down.

Hmm, violent yes, unhinged it seems so, needing to be shot once imminently detained? I certainly don't buy into the "He was a pillar of hope, a champion for the overlooked, and a beacon of unwavering faith. He lived to uplift others, to pour into his community, and to reflect God’s love in everything he did.” bit! The police language at the end of the clip was quite illuminating! The "dramatic footage" certainly does not show why he had to be shot!

That answers, indirectly, my question, thank you. I live in Chiang Rai.

I plan: 1) to extend my current visa waiver entry in early June. 2) to obtain a 90 day Non O Visa shortly after that. I have a Thai child. I won't be able to show B800,000 in the bank, seasoned or not seasoned. That is why I need to know, are there any financial requirements beyond the application fee and having B20000 in the bank for that visa. If there are, then I will obviously have to change my plan. The Immigration Rules are, at least to me, unclear on that 3) to obtain an extension, based on retirement, two months or so later, at Which point I will be able to fulfill the financial requirement. So in summary, can I obtain a Non O 90 day visa, based on being the father of a child, from an Immigration Office here in Thailand, on production of proof of parenthood (birth certificate) and B20,000 in the bank? I will worry about the conversion to retirement later.

Thank you, both of you, for your responses. I am aware of the process for applying for a Non O retirement using the processes you outline. I am also aware of the "various options" offered by agents. For my own reasons I wish to apply for a Non O single entry (90 day) visa, from my local immigration office, in June. I will then convert that to a retirement extension a couple of months later. Cursory reading of the rules indicate that is possible, I simply ask if anyone has the knowledge to confirm or deny that; and ask are there any other requirements other than having to show documents that prove parenthood, and having B20000 in the bank when you apply.

Barbie Goebbels?

I am not sure that Musk is really a Nazi, in the conventional sense. He is as all know extremely wealthy, but it seems he has little interest in any of the material benefits of such wealth. His range of partners and children rather suggests no interest or commitment to conventional family. He is interested in power - he is astute enough to realise that he cannot gain it through election - he is too bizarre a figure for that, but he is astute enough to realise that in Trump he can buy it! Not buy influence to benefit himself, the probable aim of his fellow oligarchs, but buy power that he can wield. Trump however is driven by narcissism, which feeds off wealth; he is attracted by the opulent trappings of conspicuous wealth, the gold elevators, gold plated toilets, gold cherubs over the doors to the Oval Office (taste is not a factor!). In Musk he sees a source of wealth, one which will allow him to continue to enjoy these trappings despite his somewhat ramshackle and indebted business empires. He allows Musk to carry on, even if it jars, witness his remarkable impression of a bulldog chewing a wasp when Elon and child were showboating in the Oval Office. Money, Trump wants, needs, lusts after it, relies on it; Musk has it. That's why, as I said before, I think that the Trump/Musk axis will last - it benefits, feeds their different ambitions. It is not really a reflection of conventional politics.

I believe the phrase, when referring to a Westerner who has spent many years in China, is " China Hand". A ham is a large cut of pork (usually but not always a leg) which has been cured, using a variety of recipes, to preserve it. It is often named for it's area of origin, Wiltshire Ham, Westphalian Ham, but to the best of my knowledge (admittedly incomplete) there is no "China Ham". However if you wish to be known as a leg of pork, cured to a particular oriental recipe, who am I to stand in your way!

It is his duty, as the boards leading troll...

I am currently in Thailand on a visa waiver entry. I have been here for over 12 years. initially on a series of Non O multiple entry visas from Savannakhet, then when COVID struck I obtained a retirement extension. Then due to a debilitating injury, and subsequent extensive hospital stays and surgeries I was unable to renew the extension. At my local Immigration Office suggestion I have been using Visa Waiver entry, each extended by up to 3 months (30 days and then 60 days). Living near Chiang Khong border "in/outs were very easy. Chiang Khong has lately become increasingly difficult, requiring a 2 day stay in Laos. Last weekend I flew to KL and back, my local IO advised me the airport woud be no problem. Don Muang immigration pulled me over however. The officer was very helpful, sympathetic, considered all the circumstances, medical, daughter at university, and so forth, but firmly advised me that this entry would likely be the last one I was allowed. We talked about getting a visa, and had an interesting conversation on the options. Anyway, this tale of woe aside, I need to start by getting a 90 day Non O ( or possibly a tourist visa). Can anyone advise me, are they still available from Savannakhet, or even in Thailand? I really don't want to travel to UK if I can help it.

Well they do say that it takes one to know one!

You have my sympathy, I had a similar event some 4 years ago. I stepped on a piece of rebar wire sticking out of the ground. Massive infection, much of my foot cut away, infection damaged many other organs. Left me ruined physically, including Diabetes 2.

One of the symptoms of Diabetes is that minor wounds often take a very long time to heal. Given that the bullet wound to his ear, sustained in July last year, and requiring a dressing ( and of course an iconic "Iwo Jima" moment, quite remarkable for one who has just been shot!) appears to have healed within days, and left no scars, then one can conclude that he does not suffer from Diabetes. Indeed, the miraculous recovery is a strong testament to his robust constitution and the astonishing recuperative powers of Messrs McDonald's and Colonel Saunders! Perhaps, in view of their successful participation, the saluting Air Force personnel at the foot of the stairs could be replaced by a pair of those lifesize plastic figures which stand outside their restaurants, one for each character? We could perhaps pilot this scheme on his eagerly anticipated state visit to the UK!

That being the case, surely then logic dictates that the sensible, practical and certainly in terms of the IRS lucrative thing to do would be to arrange some sort of permit or visa which allows them to live, work and pay tax in the US? Less gratifying perhaps than having Honan's goons roaming the streets of Democrat governed cities, smashing car windows to drag people out of cars whilst they were waiting for their lawyers, lifting them on the streets and then transferring them to detention centres at the other end of the country to keep one step ahead of "habeas corpus"!

Rather an enlightening definition of most "canoe" beer, extracted from waste material using bacteria"!