andersonat

2 minutes ago, binjalin said:

My tuppence worth is stop playing the anthem at games and take away the opportunity. I am fully of the view that it is not the right of paid employees to use their place of work to make political statements. Outside of work that right should, and must be, defended.

Sorry B, but you will have to think a little bit harder about your Amendment to the First Amendment, which says nothing about the where-and-when of political protests.

 - And what about the (professional) activities of Political-Journalists and Commentators in the media, College-Lecturers lecturing on Politics, etc ?

*

And I agree with you about the playing of the National Anthem at NFL games - prior to 2009,  it wasn't even standard practice in the NFL for the players to be on the field for the Anthem. 

To comment on the *other* point that President Trump recently made about the NFL =====>

*

Trump (Owner of USFL Team The New Jersey Generals 1984-1986) : "The NFL ratings are down massively. Now the number one reason happens to be they like watching what's happening ... with yours truly. They like what's happening. Because you know today if you hit too hard — 15 yards ! Throw him out of the game ! They had that last week. I watched for a couple of minutes. Two guys, just really beautiful tackle. Boom, 15 yards ! The Referee gets on television, his wife is sitting at home, she's so proud of him. They're ruining the game ! They're ruining the game. That's what they want to do. They want to hit ! It is hurting the game."

*

To cut down on concussion rates, the NFL moved kickoffs to the 35-yard-line and later moved the starting point for a touchback (when the kickoff is downed in the end zone instead of returned) from the 20-yard-line to the 25. These modifications were intended to cut down on kickoff returns, which are particularly dangerous since players build up speed as they run at each other from across the field. The NFL has also banned hits that use the top of the helmet as a weapon, and prioritized the enforcement of rules against hits targeting the head.

The CDC reports that concussions negatively affect memory, reasoning, sight, balance, and language abilities. They can be linked to depression, anxiety, aggression, personality changes, and an increased risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other brain disorders. Repeated brain injuries can be "catastrophic or fatal" if they happen in a short period of time, according to the CDC.

26 minutes ago, amvet said:

I'Il repeat it.  Kaepernick said, " am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game"

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000691077/article/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem

 

You wrote, " Protesting demonstrators never said they "don't like the USA."

Since he did say in so many words that he didn't like the USA don't you think you owe us all an apology? 

 

My nephew is a convicted criminal.

In *no* way am I (or anyone else in the family) "proud" of how he has lived his life so far, but we visited him when he in jail, and we still love and care about him  -  the family hopes that he has finally learned enough to make the necessary changes in his life.

4 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

Well, it was a good 'stunt' then wasn't it?

 

More focus on these unpatriotic multimillionaire  players...

BM  -  Do you think that the political/social requirement to stand during the playing of the National Anthem overrules the rights enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution ?

6 hours ago, billd766 said:

 

There is a news item in the "other" newpaper this morning commenting that the leaders of the Yollow shirt invasions of Don Mueang and Suwannabhumi airports back in 2008 have been ordered but the courts to personally pay 552 million baht in damages between them.

 

It was an OOPS moment as their lawyer did not appeal in time and asked the court for an extension.

 

The courts refused.

 

Now what was that you were saying about immunity for the Yellowshirts?

Like *so* many high-profile legal cases in Thailand, I have every expectation that the legal/procedural responses by Team Yellow to the court-order to pay the 552 million Baht fines will be stretched out for *forever*.

 - I will be somewhat surprised if the 552 million Baht fines ever get paid/collected, but I very much look forward to *being* surprised.

1 hour ago, robblok said:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/aec/30169695

 

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut yesterday acknowledged that the controversial decision to delay the release of water from the country's major dams had been made by the government.

“I admit ordering a delay in the release of water into the plains areas so that farmers could harvest their crops first,” he said.

I note that Theera is not a member of Pheu Thai. 

And so when he speaks of "I", I don't imagine that he's speaking for Pheu Thai. 

2 hours ago, Raybangkok said:

Why does everybody seem to forget that her aim was to keep Bangkok dry to please the business section. That is why she built dams across many waterways on the outskirts of Bangkok to stem the water flow. That is what caused the massive flooding. The large sandbags used were made at Mor Chit railway yards. We have always had flooding in Bangkok but as it covers the city the level has always been quite manageable. If she had taken the advice from a very high source to release the water in the dams earlier in the year we would not have had these problems. So yes she should take responsibility although whether it merits a court case is another matter.

The floods began in May 2011, when the reservoirs were already full.

Yingluck became Prime Minister in August.

When should she have taken the advice to release the water "earlier in the year" ? 

"The next general election could be expected late next year ... ", he said.

He's the President of The National Legislative Assembly (NLA)  --  I was expecting something with a little bit more "certainty".

Because if he *isn't* certain ... then what's the point of saying *anything* ?

I invite interested Memebers to review the following thread from the beginning of last month:-

I'm sure that the Police will *instantly* be able to find 200 men to work on this investigation, and that they'll be able to indentify the white pick-up and it's Driver within *minutes*.

 - However, what a pity that they're (apparently) unable to find similar resources for most other crimes.

I anticipate an early blocking of the Channel ferry-ports.

Of the 200 initial NLA members, 97 were military officers, (69 on active duty), eight police (4 on active duty). The remaining 85 members were former senators, university rectors, and business people. Of the 200 members who were initially appointed, 12 resigned, 2 died, and 31 more were added.

The 2014 interim constitution was subsequently amended to enlarge the NLA to 250 members from 220 (effective 2 September 2016).

To fully populate the NLA, in October 2016, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha submitted a list of 33 new NLA appointees to the King for royal approval. 28 of the 33 are military or police general officers, most of them serving officers. As members they will not receive salaries. Instead, each one is paid a "position allowance" of 71,230 baht per month with an "extra allowance" of 42,330 baht a month. [State officials are not permitted to receive salaries from more than one source, but may accept unlimited position allowances and other compensation so long as the compensation is not called "salary".]

 - A significant percentage of the members had ( - and continue to have ?) full-time jobs before their appointments. 

The members are *certainly* "busy people".

I consider myself very fortunate to live in a country where "face" is so important.

200 votes "for", and 0 votes "against".

But there were 3 abstentions, and so that proves that the National Legislative Assembly is *not* a "rubber-stamp" committee. 

"Col. Sirichan said that Gen. Chalermchai is particularly concerned about the situation as certain reports might lead to widespread confusion in Thai society. 
The NCPO Secretary-General reported that the police are working diligently on the case and the public should wait to hear of progress direct from the authorities. "

 - Then perhaps the General should stop making spectulatory comments in his press-conferences re. Y's current whereabouts, and how she might have left the country (when he doesn't actually know where she is).

50 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Powerful people....Influential people....why doesn't Thailand have the balls to can these people?

The Thai Elite will not allow laws to be put in place that might lead to them being "canned".

For example, *no-one* currently in a position of (political) power in Thailand is talking about changing the defamation laws.

Like many of the top military- and police-officers in Thailand, the General seems to be incapable of keeping his speculations to his private-office, until he actually *knows* what actually happened.

The man is the Army Commander-in-Chief  -  does he run the Army on "speculation", or does he wait, and make "Army"-decisions based on facts and evidence ?

 [For example, he doesn't currently *know* whether Yingluck is still in Thailand, or not, but that doesn't stop him from giving a press-conference and talking about Thaksin's private-plane.]

"She also has a close aide who is a police officer with skills and experience in making escape."

And if I were that police officer I would be contacting a lawyer concerning a (possible) defamation case.

3 minutes ago, ilostmypassword said:

Really? You got no agenda? Just idle curiosity?

No, I have no agenda.  

*Before* forming an opinion about something, I like to assemble some information about it - preferably as much information as I can.

 - Isn't this what *you* would do ?

Just for information, I'd like to have some idea of the total cost for the NHS for the care that it has provided to the Professor for his various health-problems during his lifetime.

57 minutes ago, 7by7 said:

Yes.

 

In the UK there is a growing problem of attacks by moped riders on pedestrians, snatching phones, handbags etc. and then speeding off; as well as attacks on shops.

The moped menace: how the scooter became muggers’ vehicle of choice

 

Robbers on mopeds ransack London jewellery store in broad daylight as people film on phones

 

Notice that they are wearing full face helmets.

 

Perhaps you can produce evidence of a similar crime wave carried out by people wearing burkas?

***********

12 months, 10 raids, Manchester, England.

From time-to-time I read statements from Senior Police Officers that they *must* involve themselves in particular cases, because they are duty-bound "to uphold the Law".

 - But it would certainly appear (to the naive) that they pick-and-choose which parts of the Law are actually to be upheld.

So there was *no* progress in the case for 3 years, until the Mother of the missing (and murdered) lady sent a [public] letter to PM Prayuth ? --- And then an arrest [and a confession] was made with 2 weeks of the letter being sent ??

 - Has the Embarrassment-Gene been bred out of the Thai-DNA ?

1 minute ago, simple1 said:

Then also ban wearing bike helmets, hoodies etc in public places

 - Is a road "a public place" ?

"If a person who wears a balaclava or a helmet in to a bank or any other building, or even on the floor of the court, they must be removed. Why is it not the same case for someone who is covering up their face and cannot be identified ?"

I invite someone to explain to me the difference between a [face-covering] balaclava, a [face-covering] helmet, and a Niqab/Burka, from a security-standpoint.

None of what the Chief said forms an "explanation" for the Soldier beating the Suspects.

I wonder if he's sufficiently thin-skinned to be embarrassed by the incident.