spidermike007

Zelensky was baited by two men acting about as undignified as they could have possibly acted, ganging up on him like low-level New Jersey mobsters running an ambush on a victim. I think a lot of people are quite proud of Zelensky for speaking up and defending himself to a guy acting like a low-level street thug, and posing as a world leader. There's no doubt he was set up, and he was invited to the Oval Office for this exact purpose, and there's no doubt in my mind, nor the mind of hundreds of millions around the world that Trump never had a any intention of making a deal with this guy, unless the guy was willing to just completely drop his drawers, and surrender everything to King Don and Vlad the Impaler.

It is likely he doesn't sleep, he spends every waking moment figuring out ways to defend his political master. Tough job.

The positive takeaway from this oval office meeting is that if anybody thought that Trump had some negotiating ability, or if he was capable of playing fair with a leader of another nation, that thought has to be banished from their minds by now. It would appear that he is incapable of playing on a level playing field, he is an absolute bully, and he is a very very poor statesman and leader. He's an embarrassment to the nation and the world order. And Vance, wow what a performance. If anybody doubted that he was a complete butt kisser, and if anybody doubted that he had any ability or gravitas, this was the grandest of demonstrations that they were correct. What a nitwit. What a lightweight. What an empty suit.

The best one yet. From Cory Booker. Trump used shameful gangland tactics on Z. We are Americans. We are the most powerful nation on the planet. What defines us is not our power to dominate the weak. What demonstrates our character is not our capacity to traumatize the afflicted. What speaks our truth is not how we taunt, deride or belittle the embattled, broken or battered. We are: The country of the Marshall Plan The nation of The Berlin Airlift The nation whose leader said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” We are at our best when we are resolute against evil -- not when we kowtow to those who perpetrate it. We tell our truth when we defend the weak -- not when we do it only if we get protection money. We are America when our leaders call the dictators dictators and those who fight to defend democracy against tyranny what they are: heroes. Donald Trump and JD Vance didn't show strength today -- they showed weakness. They belittled a giant and showed just how small they are. They have the most vaunted titles in the world: President and Vice President of The United States of America. But the title doesn't make the man. And today both men brought shame to their titles. A weary warrior was before them. A beleaguered man who has lost thousands of his friends and comrades to the unjust and illegal aggression of an authoritarian leader. They showed no grace; no magnanimity of spirit; no diplomatic acumen. They were small bullies with big titles and they disrespected the history and legacy of the nation they lead. Today, Donald Trump acted more like Russia's Putin than America's President. Tell it like it is Cory. Speaking truth to massively corrupt and morally bankrupt, highly compromised power.

Though many sycophantic leaders within Congress and the Senate are defending Trump and Vance at this moment, some are speaking truth and some are facing reality. PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO "The Oval Office should be a place where we advance American values – not where we retreat from them. When the President and Vice President attacked President Zelenskyy today, they served to undermine the safety and security of America and our national security interests. I support a diplomatic end to this war. Achieving this requires an honest reckoning of who started the war and who the aggressor is, and to that question, there is only one answer: Russia." HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES IN A STATEMENT "President Trump and his administration continue to embarrass America on the world stage. Today’s White House meeting with the President of Ukraine was appalling and will only serve to further embolden Vladimir Putin, a brutal dictator. The United States must not reward Russian aggression and continue to appease Putin. "For three years, President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have stood on the side of democracy, freedom and truth. Their success is in the national security interests of the United States. We should stand with Ukraine until victory is won." DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JACK REED, RANKING MEMBER OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, IN A STATEMENT “Today’s spectacle in the Oval Office was a political ambush and a shameful failure of American leadership. “President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are fighting for their very lives and existence. Unlike Donald Trump or JD Vance, I have traveled to Ukraine and seen firsthand the death and destruction wrought by Vladimir Putin against innocent people. To mock Ukraine and our allies is a travesty that only benefits Putin." “Furthermore, today’s cruel and callous display does great harm to U.S. standing in the world. Trump and Vance are communicating to the world that the United States is not to be trusted. Adversaries and allies alike will take note." "What we saw in the Oval Office today was beyond disgraceful," Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., posted on X. "Trump and Vance berating Zelenskyy — putting on a show of lies and misinformation that would make Putin blush — is an embarrassment for America and a betrayal of our allies.They're popping champagne in the Kremlin." Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said, "Every time I've met with President Zelenskyy, he's thanked the American people for our strong support. We owe him our thanks for leading a nation fighting on the front lines of democracy – not the public berating he received at the White House." Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota said, "That press conference was choreographed for an audience of one and he sits in Moscow. Once, we fought tyrants. Today Trump and Vance are bending America's knee. And that weakens us." Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Trump "chose the side of dictators." "What just happened in the Oval Office was one of the most embarrassing moments in American history," Quigley, from Illinois, exclaimed. "The world order that was established after the Second World War is dead." Two Republican congressmen had the guts to speak out against the creep. Only two. Moderate House Republican, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a major Ukraine ally on Capitol Hill, joined Democrats in defending Ukraine -- though he stopped short of criticizing the president or vice president. "Some want to whitewash the truth, but we cannot ignore the truth. Russia is at fault for this war," Bacon posted on X. Later, in an updated statement, he said, "A bad day for America's foreign policy. Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom." Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said, "It was heartbreaking to witness the turn of events that transpired in today’s meeting regarding Ukraine’s future. It is time to put understandable emotions aside and come back to the negotiation table. This can and will be fixed. A strong, sovereign Ukraine is essential for global stability in the face of Putin’s ongoing aggression."

He is one step below Dan Quayle. A true phony.

I completely agree with you and I think it's just further evidence that Trump is making America less relevant by the day. Just give it a couple of years. America's standing will diminish dramatically throughout the world. Just the price you pay when you get a circus huckster to run the country, instead of someone with leadership ability, and the ability to practice the art of the diplomacy.

He dresses like a man who is directing a war against a genocidal nation. Trump wouldn't know anything about that. Trump is the polar opposite of a patriot.

I agree and the disruptive PR that's out there about his level of corruption is not terribly convincing to me, as I consider Trump to be infinitely more corrupt than most other world leaders.

Fanytel business does that. But in addition I need a very dependable dedicated number that people can call me at here.

I contacted the Microsoft teams people and they said they would get back to me within a couple of days, but I sense you are right, that it's created for larger groups rather than a very small business. But I will report back here with information that I'm able to find out, once I talk to them.

OK thanks. I need a dedicated number that I can give out to clients and they can call me directly, which rings Into my Thai cell phone. Does anybody have any experience with Fanytel business? I've used that app a little bit and it does seem to work.

Agreed. A lot of his supporters keep saying changes are needed, things need to be shaken up, and an extreme approach might be the answer, but that certainly does not appear to be the case. This sort of shock approach that Trump uses to disrupt the world order does not seem to be working, and I think it will have a hugely adverse effect on US influence around the world, which appears to be declining by the day. I think on a daily basis the number of people and the number of nations that have affection and respect for the US is declining and goons like Trump, Vance, Hegseth and Rubio are entirely at fault for that.

Are you saying that you got Google Voice to work properly and that the Google number rang directly into your phone without using a VPN?

After a little bit more reflection on this disaster, I believe it was not only a huge mistake I believe it was an intentional setup to benefit Putin. Trump intentionally wanted to humiliate Zelensky in the Oval Office on a world stage, and for Vance to be lecturing him, a man who's never been to you Ukraine, and a very small man who's never fought in a war, was really the bottom of the barrel. Vance had the audacity of accusing Zelensky of acting disrespectful in the sacred confines of the Oval Office, when in reality both he and Trump are being disgrace to the overall office on a daily basis. What he really meant to say is why are you not kissing the ring? This would appear to represent a fundamental breakdown in relations between the US and Europe, and a realignment of the US with Russia. What's next, the embrace of China and North Korea? As I keep saying it's just a matter of time until public sentiment goes against the ridiculousness of these policies, and the bizarre and hugely destructive foreign policy that Trump is engaging in. We're already seeing quite a bit of pushback on the part of Trump voters at Town Hall meetings with senators and congressman, who are attempting to support Trump in a vain and fruitless manner.

I agree, I would call him the Great Disruptor, or the man who will not embrace peace. I would also say that he has terrible negotiation skills, and could likely not negotiate his way out of a paper bag to save his own life. Despite his well honed reputation to the contrary. The art of the deal, that's pretty humorous isn't it?

I have been using Skype for many years as I still do business in the US and the greatest feature is the dedicated Skype number that rings right into my desktop, laptop or cell phone. Does anybody know of another comparable service that offers this feature, and in addition for an annual subscription fee I'm able to make unlimited calls to the U.S. I don't know of any other service comparable to that. Microsoft is offering an alternative service but I don't know anything about it, has anybody used it? I think it is calwld Microsoft teams?

While that might be true, certainly in it's past, it would take millennia to catch up with the CCP or Russia.

I watched that cringe worthy lecture that Trump gave Zelensky, and it caused me to be very ashamed of my nationality. This man seems to be deliberately sabotaging America's influence throughout the world on a daily basis, and he seems to be grossly overestimating the influence of America. Does anybody agree with me? The typical Saint Donald defenders need not reply, though no doubt you will. Earlier Friday, Trump cut the meeting short with Zelensky, said the Ukrainian leader is "not ready" for peace with Russia in an extraordinary meltdown in the Oval Office that threw question marks over chances for a truce. Zelensky was meant to be making a full White House visit to sign a US-Ukrainian deal for joint exploitation of Ukraine's mineral resources, as part of a post-war recovery in a US-brokered peace deal. Instead, an ugly clash blew up almost immediately in the Oval Office where Trump and Vice President JD Vance shouted at Zelensky, accusing him of not being thankful for US help in the three-year war against Russian invasion. Trump berated Zelensky, telling him to be more "thankful" and that without US assistance Ukraine would have been conquered by Russia. "You're either going to make a deal or we're out," Trump added. "And if we're out, you'll fight it out and I don't think it's going to be pretty." Zelensky left in his motorcade shortly after, without holding a planned joint press conference. The resources deal was left unsigned, the White House said. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to castigate Zelensky saying "he disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office." Zelensky is "not ready for Peace," Trump wrote. "He can come back when he is ready for Peace."

Hua Hin Airport is one of the least utilized airports in Thailand, possibly even in the world. Shame on these guys. They can do so much better. Thailand desperately needs more regional airports, especially within a few hours of Bangkok. Anything to ease congestion, and save souls from the nightmare of getting in and out of Bangkok has to be a good thing for the nation and it's people. Shame. Shame. Hua Hin might as well be 1,000 km. away, with the lack of high speed transport options. It's no wonder Thailand can't attract many affluent tourists. The same promises being made for 20 years for an airport that desperately needs a significant number of international flights and domestic flights, to take pressure off of the airports in Bangkok, and the absolute nightmare of getting back and forth. The lack of many flights a day is something that just has never made any sense “We will begin by growing the flight base at Hua Hin Airport with a focus on international destinations, and domestic travel and our numbers will take time to grow. We will get started immediately working with the town and recruit local businesses to participate in our new programs, Open to the World and LIVE-LEARN-WORK-PLAY, in Hua Hin,” Laroche said. Ha. What a joker. New routes are a decent thing to have, but Thailand absolutely has to get its act together and create some high-speed ways to move people around. There should be High-Speed Rail from Bangkok to Hua Hin, which there is not. Rama II is an abomination. The current situation with Rama II a decade behind schedule, and moving at a snail's pace is an absolute boil on the face of Thailand. There should be commuter flights from Bangkok to Hua Hin Airport, which there is not. There should be flights from Hua Hin airport to Pattaya, which there is not, since Hua Hin airport is one of the least utilized airports in all of Southeast Asia. This hapless administration has to at least make an attempt to get their act together, and they need to stop pretending that they are competent and that they are representing the Thai people. They are not competent, and they are not representing anyone here in Thailand, other than their own self-interests, and the interests of the elites. Period.

One of my greatest fears is that the US influence will continue to wane, and China will pick up the ball. They are not, nor will they ever be responsible guardians of the "public trust", as long as the CCP is in control. Not that America was always that. But, the CCP has nothing but evil intentions, in my opinion. World domination. And not what I would call "an overlord that wears their power lightly". And trump is allowing them to fill that void with his insane policies and his extreme lack of vision he gross the overestimates the influence that America has, on a daily basis. The only hope for the world, is the swift downfall of the CCP. One can dream. They seem to be heading toward world domination. Though the Americans certainly have their faults, and alot to answer for, I would take them as a dominant force over China, any day of the week. China does not wear their power lightly. A couple of quotes that come to mind.

In a sense you're right, I mean what difference would 50 people make in the grand scheme of things, right? But the CCP is a morally bankrupt organization, a serial killing government, and for them it's all about power and pride.

The PM and Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are extreme cowards, hiding behind fake assurances from a heinous government that cannot be trusted for a nanosecond. They know better, we know better, everybody knows that Thailand should have had the moral courage to stand up to China on this one, and they completely dropped the ball, and the egg that is all over their faces is well-deserved.

Whatever backlash is taking place is well deserved, and the officials can only blame themselves for it. Sending those people back to China was an act of extreme cowardice, and it demonstrates a lack of morality and the presence of extreme moral bankruptcy within the government, and the Thaksin family, and the army and others. This is being done at a time when Thailand should be showing moral courage and should be standing up to despot empires like China and despot regimes like Burma. Instead they are cowering and lending them support, which is pathetic. And it is not just the Uyghur people who are being persecuted. China has heinous leadership. Falun Gong practitioners across China are subject to widespread surveillance, arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and torture, and they are at a high risk of extrajudicial execution. The party-state invests hundreds of millions of dollars annually in the campaign to crush Falun Gong, while simultaneously engaging in exploitative and lucrative forms of abuse against practitioners, including extortion and prison labor. https://freedomhouse.org/report/2017/battle-china-spirit-falun-gong-religious-freedom The Chinese government has imprisoned more than one million people since 2017 and subjected those not detained to intense surveillance, religious restrictions, forced labor, and forced sterilizations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-xinjiang-uyghurs-muslims-repression-genocide-human-rights