spidermike007

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

Maybe Spain should apologize for their colonization of the Philippines for over 300 years?  That is what started the problem with the US.

 

Bit different though.  Australia apologized to their own people. 

Though many will argue with me, there is a big difference between being a colony of the UK, or Spain, or even worse, Belgium, and being administered or a protectorate of the US. Big difference. Far less oppressive. Remember the salt tax Britain imposed on India? Remember what the colonists went through in the US, with the taxes on tea, etc? The US has given a fortune to the PI, and continues to do so. Duterte had better watch his horrendously big mouth. He seems to have little in the way of self control. I know some 12 year old boys like that.

The U.S. Government gave a total of $197,036,510 to Philippines in 2012:

The aid was broken down in the following manner:
Economic

• Child Survival and Health: $-420
• Department of Defense Security Assistance: $75,490
• Development Assistance: $79,721,515
• Economic Support Fund/Security Support Assistance: $456,217
• Global Health and Child Survival: $34,153,032
• Millennium Challenge Corporation: $4,439,091
• Narcotics Control: $4,286,840
• Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining and Related: $9,549,582
• Other Active Grant Programs: $6,403,834
• Other Food Aid Programs: $11,824,000
• Other State Assistance: $2,746,441
• Other USAID Assistance: $8,619,065
• Peace Corps: $3,388,723
  
• Military
  
• Military Assistance, Total: $31,373,100

http://us-foreign-aid.insidegov.com/q/139/1590/How-much-money-does-the-U-S-give-to-Philippines

Some examples of true colonialist atrocities:

Belgian Congo
Leopold II's exploitation of the Congo basin has probably become legendary again but I'll go over some of the basics again.  The modern territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo was colonized by Leopold as a private citizen starting in 1885 in order to harvest rubber.  However, the methods involved extremely high rubber quotas and failure to meet them would mean death. Severed hands were demanded as certificates that the executions were carried out.  Over the period of colonial exploitation, up to 10 million people were killed, about half of the population of the Congo Basin.  This is equal to the number of global military deaths in WWI.

German Africa
Meanwhile, German actions in Namibia (German Southwest Africa) were on a smaller scale but of a much worse intent: the total annihilation of the Herero and Namaqua peoples.  They were driven into the desert and systematically killed with wells poisoned.  Anyone caught was executed on the spot or sent to labor camps where they were worked to death.  A few Herero were also used in medical experiments.  "Only" about 100,000 people died.

Of the modern colonial powers, the British were the most brutal, with numerous genocides, vs American Indians, Australian Aboriginals, Tasmanians, Kenyans, and manmade famines in India and Ireland that killed millions. Iraq is a former protectorate, and is in the midst of self destruction.  Burma/Myanmar is a hot mess.  Pakistan broke into two countries in 1971 after a bloody civil war, and is facing another existential threat in Pashtunistan.  Rhodesia/Zimbabwe isn't doing so well.  South Africa was left an apartheid state for decades after decolonization.  Yemen is in shambles.  Egypt was a protectorate and is about to execute it's latest elected President while being ruled by another General.  Nigeria's Biafran War and Boko Haram's rise has its roots in British imperial policy vis a vis Northern Nigerian Hausa and the Igbo and Yoruba in the south. I can go on, though I'm not implying that these countries' current situations are completely caused by British Imperialism.  I'm just offering a counter to the "Singapore, India, and Hong Kong" argument that British colonial rule automatically led to better post colonial governance.  It offers a template that is in many ways misleading.  Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan's respective royal families are just as "British" as India's parliament.

This is a good thing. Anytime someone with power, money and influence is convicted here, and sent away for a long time, it is a positive message for the masses, and for the world. Maybe Thailand is really moving forward? Is that possible?

3 hours ago, huahinjoe said:

I remember they always ask the public not use their aircons in peak times during summer, maybe they should "ask" the luxury malls too 

By the way I noticed sometimes the wind is so huge between tall buildings in bangkok, they should consider to put some windmills on them, definitely would generate back some free power.

Also Thailand such a sunny country, these mall roofs should be covered by sunflower like solar panels to get the most out of the sun's energy back to support their own systems for free.
 

 

But that is a progressive idea. This nation has spent decades doing everything in it's power to avoid doing anything progressive. On some levels, it is one of the least progressive, or open minded nations in ASEAN. Alternative simply does not exist in the Thai vocabulary. Do it the normal way. Do not think outside the box. Do not consider possibilities that lower your dependence on electricity, fossil fuels, or your neighbors. That would be too forward thinking. 

The rule change comes after images of women celebrating the liberation in Manbij, Syria burnt their burkas. ISIS commanders have brought in a number of measures in recent months including banning referrees from football matches for not observing Sharia law. The terrorists have already banned smoking, dancing, watching foreign television, private internet access and satellite dishes in areas it controls. 

So what is left? Funny how so often these extremists super freaks ban everything that is fun or entertaining. The worms just have to take all the fun away. Good. They are digging their own graves. Punks. Hope they disappear off the face of the earth very soon. How about a plague that only affects the members?

Duterte is a goon, a goombah, a street thug, a punk, a man who appears to have no education, no dignity, no class, no elegance, definitely no statesmanship, and a mouth that he cannot control. He is not doing his people proud. His pride, and man child behavior reminds me a bit of Chavez, or Castro the elder (la cucaracha). Some of the things he says makes the world cringe, and I am sure his people are finding him a bit embarrassing at the moment. The US has a long term relationship with the PI, and his grandstanding is simply meant for domestic public consumption, by a small percentage of the people who like this kind of stuff. He reminds me alot of Trump, except he is smart enough to keep the profanity out of it, so far at least. 

In a statement read out by his spokesman, Duterte said that while his "strong comments" in response to questions by a reporter "elicited concern and distress, we also regret it came across as a personal attack on the U.S. president."

I say that is the mark of a coward. He pretends to be so tough. He pretends to be so unforgiving, and so brutal. Yet, he does not even have enough guts and courage to read this statement himself? 

15 hours ago, FloridaExport said:

It's a curious situation. Whenever a rich Thai person gets arrested, they are free on bail until the supreme court hearing. I wonder if he had the same option. If he is found not guilty by the supreme court, will they somehow add 9 years to his life as compensation?

Yes, this whole situation sounds a bit fishy. Sounds like someone had an ax to grind. Or he was unwilling to pay the right people? Bizarre. And strange that the Danish government either refuses to get involved, or is not able to do anything for him.

41 minutes ago, DM07 said:

Don't you dare, throwing in Mandela -a man who overcame hate and united a whole nation, with this horrible woman!

She has done nothing, even close to what he did!

With this horrible woman? What are you basing this one? A trash piece written by the infinitely bitter Hitchins? She did more good work in her lifetime than most communities, or organizations. She was tireless in her willingness to help the poor. What have you been doing lately that has made the world a better place? She has done nothing? Are you living on another planet?

I highly recommend some laxatives, and a 30 day water fast. It might do wonders for your attitude and perspective. 

Another BS post. While living on Samui for nearly ten years, I rarely ran into local folks that were happy with their lot in life. Most were transplants as the locals have left Samui years ago. The ones that were there were there to make money, and they did not have much of a life. Little in the way of local pride. Everything was overpriced. Not much to be happy about. If there are going to include the tourists who are visiting the full moon parties (which are under siege from the army as of late, who are administering drug tests are the revelers are leaving the party!) not sure what kind of result they are going to get.

But, regardless this is a ridiculous survey, that means nothing to anybody, except the TAT. 

No question this guy is an absolve nutter. He is the Trump of Asia. Does not have a diplomatic bone in his body. He just spouts off. There is no filter between his brain and his mouth. Some find that refreshing, I guess. Wonder how the extrajudicial killings are going to work out. On a certain level, it does sound like a decent idea. But, how do you control it. My neighbor has been annoying me. He is a drug dealer. Oh, now he is dead, good work boys. Same goes for the guy down the block with the competing shop. He is a drug dealer! Get him. Now he is dead too. Easy deal. How do you control something like this style of justice? 

Obama would be right to bring it up in discussions. This is how democracies are run. And the US is a big supporter of the PI. They are in the process of establishing six new military bases there. There are hundreds of US companies doing business there. Question the goon. See what he says. 

53 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

 

How about every nurse or doctor who has ever done their job without courting publicity for it?  How about every person who has thrown out used syringes and not washed them for re-use like her ignorant followers did.  How about every person who has taken a patient to a hospital to be treated instead of leaving that person to die because "if we did it for him we'd have to do it for everyone".

 

If being a nurse of doctor made one a saint, this earth would be blessed with millions of saints. I suppose you have far lower standards of sainthood than I do. She had a vast organization. Some of her adherents were bound to have made mistakes along the way. Anyone who thinks every sick person, or every person in hospice care should be taken to the hospital has never spent any time in India, nor Calcutta. There are simply not enough hospital beds available, even if that was part of the agenda. I saw people dying by the dozen on the streets of Calcutta. Every night. Every morning the trucks would come by and collect the dead bodies. It is a different planet. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

I'm sure she did a lot of great work and also had lots of human flaws.

However, I don't believe she was a saint.

Because I don't believe anyone was a saint.

Because I ain't Catholic! 

I do believe Catholics have a tradition of elevating people to the sainthood. Doesn't make it real. 

Being a saint has nothing to do with being Catholic. They are simply the only religion to recognize people as such. There are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist saints. It requires a state of exaltation. Whether or not Mother Theresa had that no one knows. 

19 minutes ago, Mansell said:

Wow! There are some really bitter people on this forum....Surprise!

somebody commits her life to help the less fortunate and everybody with an axe to grind crawls out of the woodwork. How many of you have ever got your hands dirty helping the less fortunate? How many of you walked in her sandals? How many of you met her? How many of you have had a disabled poor person urinate on you and not give it a second thought as you helped them? As I thought, not many. Instead of slamming others for what they have done.....get off your pretentious fat arse and do something to help others in stead of belittling others work. I don't remember Mother Teresa having a yacht.....her own jet.....going to parties and drinking all night....eating in the best restaurants.....dining with the Queen every weekend...

.....I remember her working in the slums of Calcutta with the poorest of the poor. I don't remember seeing you there working alongside her.......Oh that's right, you weren't there. And before the attack dogs gather against me......I was the one holding the disabled person, but this is nothing compared to what that lady did. 

Well put. It is so easy to cut off the head of another, to make oneself appear to be taller. I doubt there is a single person on this forum that has done 1/10th the good work she performed in her lifetime. You can argue with her methods, or her politics, or her willingness to support Catholic dogma. But, you cannot argue with her body of work. I was there. I saw what she was doing, firsthand. It was astonishing. 

Guys like Hitchins are bitter men, who have done very little in the way of positive work to benefit mankind, within their lifetime. 

6 hours ago, PremiumLane said:

 

Yeah, those pesky things called facts getting in the way of nice cuddly feelings.

 

You know she was an advocate for the Catholic Church, right? 

Of course I know that. It was the Catholic Church that beautified her. But, that is not even a concern of mine. It is simply whether or not her actions and life's work merited this honor. I believe it did. I consider her greatness to be rather unparalleled in the past couple of generations. Please name a few that you consider worthy of this honor. 

2 hours ago, Berkshire said:

 

Agree....but even when "stalking an opponent" in business, Trump only goes after people with less means than himself, i.e., the little guy.  He'll sue/counter-sue the pants of investors in his failed condo developments, or students of Trump U, or small contractors who've done work for him, etc.  But he'll never battle guys like Warren Buffett or Mark Cuban because he never picks on people his own size...the mark of a true coward. 

I think what you meant to say is he will never go after people like Mark Cuban, or Warren Buffett, because he never picks on people much, much larger, and more powerful than him. People who have true wealth, influence, and lots of people devoted to them, due to the fact that they are fair minded businessman, and decent people, totally unlike the one with the orange skin. 

It is true. He likes to skin alive, the small businessmen, that he does work with. The stories of people having been ripped off by this charlatan are multitudinous. He is currently engaged in 3, 500 lawsuits. What kind of man is engaged in 3,500 lawsuits? At least 1,000 of them, and by some estimates as many of 1,900 of them, were of his own filings. Imagine that? Filing 1,900 lawsuits? Only a severe malcontent would do something like that. 

Mauro appears to be a fabulously incompetent man, who is running his country into the ground. Many other countries have dealt with facing oil prices, and moved on. He seems to be incapable. He seems to be quite a clown. Good on the people for this demonstration. Clowns need to be called out!

I had the good fortune of meeting Mother Theresa in Calcutta in 1976. I just showed up at her Missionary of Charity, and asked if I could see her. She had just returned from a tour of South America. They said I should wait and they would see if she was available. Within 10 minutes she comes strolling out, and very matter of factly asks me what she can do for me. I told her I was facing some spiritual dilemmas, and asked her advice. Though she did not give me the advice I was looking for what she told me was very wise, and astute. 

I have followed her since, and definitely regard her as a saint. At this time there are few saints around, and she most definitely made the world a better place. Unlike the Catholic Church, I do not need evidence for such a judgment. 

Hitchens is a very bitter man, and there will always be detractors. It means nothing to me. It meant nothing to her either. There will always be a percentage of the population that disagrees with the way she conducted her ministry, and her mission. Does that mean anything? Only to those who disagree. 

Beautiful news. Drive the cockroaches all the way into the sea, or down to Antarctica. The local people should be doing everything in their power to make these cretons feel unwanted, unwelcome, and they should be completely ostracized from Muslim society. They are the lowest of the low. They are human vermin. They are gang rapist thieves, who murder, kidnap, and cause mayhem wherever they go. I am sure few mourn their loss. Hopefully, they will be eliminated from the face of the earth very soon, and hopefully some intelligent foreign policy will be put into place, to prevent someone from replacing them. 

It is a great day in Thailand, when a huge corporation is taken to task for their alleged misdeeds. My guess would be that their allegations are true. From what I have told, by Burmese people that I know, they are usually not treated well by their Thai employers. 

In my opinion, they should not only be paid well, they should be given benefits, and told that they are infinitely more valuable than their Thai counterparts. The vast majority work much harder, are honest, do not complain, and are outstanding employees. In addition, they should be given special status by the Thai government, as we all know the country could barely survive without them. They are to Thailand, what most Mexicans are to the US. They do jobs most Thais do not want to do, and they do it well. So, man up and take care of these people. Get some perspective. 

He was an absolute despot. Should we feel sad about his passing? Why? Should anybody? Maybe his immediate family. Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows? But, the world is most definitely a better place without him. He terrorized his people with his authoritarian power. 

3 hours ago, Skywalker69 said:

 Yea, sure.

Lions have courage, grace, dignity, elegance, speed, stamina, heart, soul, honesty of purpose, and perseverance. Trump lacks all of these qualities. There is no comparison, other than the orange appearance. The only think Trump has in common with a lion is the ability to stalk an opponent, and then go in for the kill. 

On May 8, 2014 at 10:57 AM, phuketandsee said:

Many cultural similarities with Thai women but IMHO much more beautiful and gentle. They genuinely love sex and will often indulge without there being monetary strings attached. The main difference is, as has been noted above, the attitude of others to foreigner/local relationships. It is illegal for unmarried mixed couples to stay in the same room and many hotels (certainly 4 and 5 star) will insist you book separate rooms. Also there is no bar scene like there is in Thailand (where is there?). There are obviously hookers in most hotel bars and there are several bars in Saigon (called "bier hom") where you can go upstairs for a BJ or take the girls home if you wish. You can also get happy endings (and sometimes more) in massage parlors.

Best starting point is Vietnamcupid.com

Don't believe the crap about them not being "a happy lot." While they have every reason to be downcast given their history and circumstances they are extremely resilient and friendly and respond very well to foreigners, especially away from the big cities - same as most countries.

I know I am going to get alot of flak for writing this, but I do believe in general, most Thai women are not that fond of having sex. Of course there are exceptions. But most do not seem like it means all that much to them, and if given a choice? I have heard this from countless men. In the PI, it is completely different. Many love sex. Genuinely love it. Sounds like that may be the case in Vietnam too. 

Of course, there are many here that perform sex for the living, or as a sideline. Many of them are good actresses, and perform with charm, a good attitude, and decent skills. But, are they enjoying it? And one can ask the same of the civilian population here. While I am sure some are into it, many are not. 

11 hours ago, Skywalker69 said:

Here is the proof, this is how Trump looks without his wig and makeup.

 

Is this a real image? If so, I can see what he wears his rug, and alot of makeup. So all of the orange face is just make up? Not the result of 10 hours a week in a suntan booth? Wow. Scary. Nobody who looked like that could of would ever get elected, in this rather photogenically obsessed society of ours. He looks 79 instead of 70. Great image. I love it.

Don't know if there is any truth in this allegations but here goes: 

This solution that Trump, our tipster says, sought for his hair woes is a little-known, patented hair restoration treatment called a “microcylinder intervention.” It’s only performed by one clinic that we know of—Ivari International—where our source once sought treatment, and where he says he learned of Trump’s apparent patronage. What’s more, Ivari’s New York location was inside Trump Tower—on a floor that’s now private and reserved for Donald Trump’s children’s offices.*

http://gawker.com/is-donald-trump-s-hair-a-60-000-weave-a-gawker-invest-1777581357

How can one possibly comb natural, human hair so that it lies comfortably in such a shape? Hair that grows naturally from a head will not—cannot—form the web we see laid bare in the thinning section of scalp curtain above.

16 hours ago, Neurath said:

It is a truth universally recognized that anyone able to get close enough to run their hands through Trump's hair would feel misled, terribly, terribly misled. The man is bald at the front. He is bald, plainly bald. Look at it. Really, just take a look. It's obvious. And the piece is fugly. It's no more convincing than a wig dropped accidentally on a lounging sunbather's ass. He should quit doing the George Costanza. Just quit it. It's enough already. It's embarrassing. And it's especially embarrassing to those of us brave enough let our smooth domes out in public and not hide them away as if they're something to be ashamed of. Shame on you Donald, shame. You'll never get the vote of my proud band of balding brethren. The man is a disgrace...he wants to "pass" and in so doing will never rise up an live out the true nature of his creed. Like many men still locked in the Bald Closet, Donald is lying to himself and others. He's not to be trusted. The Hair tells all.

But, it is the sheer amount of time, money, effort, and preening that goes into his hair, that is the amazing part. My guess, is that if you touched his hard, he would attempt to have you arrested. Once he becomes president, he might have you executed, after he declares martial law, calls out the military and national guard, and seizes ultimate power. Do not underestimate this man. His extreme desire for fame, fortune, power, and control knows no bounds. He is capable of anything. He could very well end up being the next Tito, Amin, Mugabe, Duvalier, Franco, Fat Jung Un, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, or dare I say the H word?  

22 hours ago, elgordo38 said:

Yes Nieto does not look to happy. Trump is just being Trump inflate their ego's give them a false hope and then produce a big needle. True Trump at his very best. Trump the business man is shining through again. Trump the politician does not exist. its the "Art of the Deal" all over again.  He has Shylarked so many people in the past and his bag of tricks and lies is never empty. 

You gotta love his hair in that photo. It is kind of a bit like a magic carpet, or a silk rug. It just glows and sweeps with an aerodynamic quality. I wonder if any candidate has ever had such fascinating hair? Do you think he uses a high powered fan to prep his hair? His hair is truly a thing of beauty. 

The hispanic leaders now, feel like most Trump supporters will feel in 12 months or so, if he is elected. Nearly every promise he made will be broken. If you think Obama is and was insincere with his promises, Trump will elevate broken promises to another level altogether. That is his M.O. He has been doing this his entire career. This is who he is. He is NOT a man of his word. His word is used to connive, convince, cajole, and compete. Not to follow through with the kind of behavior one would associate with a man of honor, or someone possessing any sort of integrity. His devotees appear to me, to be drinking a powerful blend of Kool-aid. You cannot convert a lizard into a butterfly.