spidermike007

I am watching the election results right now, and Trump is up by 210 delegates to 113 for Harris, and over 6 million popular votes. Hope this shifts soon. Only 18 states to go. We may be looking at a shift to fascism, after all.

It is largely up to us. If we lay down and become a doormat we will be treated like dogs. If we stand up and protect our dignity, set boundaries and limits, and behave like men, women generally will respect us. We have to set the limits and be willing to walk away if she is not adoring, fun to be around, someone who always has our back, and someone who makes each and every day a better day for us. And visa versa. It is not that complicated. Unless we choose drama over harmony.

Russia has nothing but malicious intentions. They are a terrorist state, run by a serial killing desperado. This is a nation so lacking in redeeming qualities. They contributed alot culturally, in past centuries. Now? What are they bringing to the table? How are they of any benefit to mankind? They offer nothing but misery, death, destruction and bad will. There are a multitude of reasons why very few around the world have sympathy for the Russians. Those reasons are not limited to their serial killing, despot, thieving multi billionaire dictator for life. It is more about their nature, their history as ruthless, homicidal Cossack warriors, and their total lack of manners, and class. Not to mention the dignity, class, decency, civility, and social skills decades of Leninism, Stalinism, and now Putinism has completely stripped them of. And of course, the utter failure of their leader. This is a clear case of psychological projection: Putin dreamt and failed to create a dollar-free world and establish Russia as an “energy superpower.” He allowed corruption to metastasize through the state’s fabric, undermining its security capabilities. With its mass emigration, skyrocketing divorce rate, and low fertility, Russia, more than the West, demonstrates an immense collapse of family and social values, and a tremendous level of moral bankruptcy.

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably live here only a few months of the year. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. And everything is over priced. This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 8% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. I will stay. Happily. I have my issues, but I would have issues anywhere I went.

Patong is one of the most blighted and horrific places in Thailand. Having accompanied a friend there last year, I would never return. It is dreadful, and it attracting the lowest quality tourists in its history. The cops here are very weak. For us, there is a good and a bad side to that. In the US, they can be overzealous. Here?

I see there's a lot of discussion about the fact that the authorities don't seem to be willing to acknowledge the fact that many affluent foreigners who live here full time will be lost. The important aspect of this is that I think that's what they want. I don't think they put any value on us as contributors to the economy or to Thai society on any level, and I think quite the opposite might be true. Their arrogance is stunning and they're ignorance is enormous, so vision is not exactly their strong suit. They have no desire or ability to objectively evaluate just how much we bring to the table as relatively affluent expats.

In my opinion if Trump and his ridiculous running mate Vance had simply gone home after his first debate with Harris, they would have had a better chance of winning on Tuesday. They both self sabotage every day.

I was applauding her act of courage, but questioning her methods.

I agree. Most of his supporters have no idea how dangerous and reckless he is. His fealty to the dictators, and his animosity towards the US allies leaves him very compromised. He is essentially bought and paid for.

The odds against that are likely 98%, bear in mind he'll be 84 years old and it is likely that the senility that he's experiencing now will be to the point where he won't be able to form a sentence coherently. Also bear in mind the fact that he will likely have spent a few years in prison, so after all the very warm and friendly visitations by his fellow inmates he will be in no position to do anything. He'll be a completely broken man. Even more so than he is now.

I have a few friends who are into the conspiracies but they have enough qualities where I'm just able to overlook the nonsense, and oftentimes if they start talking about their conspiracies I will just ask them if we can change the subject and move on to something more sensible. As far as Dr Fauci goes, I am not a conspiracy theorist, but it is important to understand that the man was a military virologist for his entire career before becoming a big dog at the CDC during covid. Enough said.

I disagree. I think Harris is going to win by a wide enough margin that people are just going to be able to say I backed a two-time loser. I don't like losers, and finally they will be able to admit that the man is insane, unhinged and they will throw him exactly where he belongs, which is right under the bus. Hopefully the GOP will follow suit, and he will become politically irrelevant. Once they pronounce sentence and he is sent to prison the only people who will remember him will be his cellmates who will consider him quite a trophy.

But then you would have a 51 month Harris administration. Not an issue? I say let's do it.

No. @Yellowtail has severe issues. Hopefully once Trump is banished tomorrow, we will not be hearing much from him in the future.

Though she may have gone too far, she is rebelling against a warped interpretation of a religion, that likely has little resemblance to anything even bordering on spirituality. The mullahs are twisted, sick men who traffic in oppression, and use religion as a means of control.

I am far more worried about violence against Harris supporters after she wins tomorrow and the coward denies it, and refuses to accept that he is a major loser.

In Europe it is often a light tap moving the vehicle along. This technique is surprisingly effective at waking someone from an unconscious slumber. It also creates an instant sense of shame, which Thais greatly respond to. It is all about "face" here. Embarrass them.

So, it is likely about public education and shame. Get the word out there. The authorities need to do some actual work, for a change.

I realize how difficult it must be to accept his decline and his many faults. Even his staff is alarmed at how far off course he has wandered lately.

Yes, he is not saying anything dumb, racist, hateful, nor ignorant. It is all made up. The video of his speeches is made up. All of it. He is a stable genius, after all.

Clinical insanity is a very serious psychological issue. This goon should not be allowed near firecrackers, much less the nuclear arsenal.

Ambulances alshoukd have the right to clear vehicles out of the way, whenever possible, and should never be liable for damage. They need proper bumper guards. You behave stupid, you pay a price. Your vehicle ends up mangled, it is on you. This is the case in many countries. I recently saw this in Italy. An ambulance tore up a luxury car, which was blocking it. I cannot tell you how much fun that was to witness.

Sometimes beyond a reasonable doubt is a silly threshold. Perhaps at trial. But, in many other situations, doubts are fine. Clowns are clowns. Pedos are pedos.

The world will not end, but it will be a very sad and greatly diminished place if Trump wins again. He needs to be in prison, not the White House.

I was in Italy and watched an ambulance ram a car, and drive it right off the road. These vehicles should be equipped with massive fender guards and be entitled to do whatever they need to do, to vehicles blocking their path. I would go a step further. Have a paramedic equipped with a graffiti stencil kit, that says I am a social outcast and would not move my car for someone who was dying. Spray them! Shame them!