spidermike007

There is no question that Xi is a megalomaniac, and he could quite possibly be insane. The CCP is heinous beyond belief, and there's no question they're engaging in power expansion, the South China Sea is just the start. However, invading Taiwan could be a huge mistake for them, and it could and should result in massive, untold repercussions.

1. This is good for everyone, less drinking is a healthier lifestyle, and likely will result in less people getting killed from drunk driving incidents. If the liquor wholesalers and manufacturers make a little less profit, not a big deal for anyone but them. 2. The economy is soft, people keep denying this, but there's less spending power right now so people are cutting back. It's just a simple fact, the economy was decimated over the last few years, even prior to covid the economy was getting soft. After "the Prayuth Decimation" all bets are off.

Absolutely not. Frankly, I would not get it, if it was free. I am done with covid vaccines. My strong immune system is doing the work now, and I am more concerned about catching a flu, than covid.

Here we go again with the vacuum? The events leading up to the election of Hamas must be considered. On both sides. It was in January 2006 that the Palestinian territories held what turned out to be their last parliamentary elections. Hamas won a bare plurality of votes (44 percent to the more moderate Fatah party’s 41 percent) but, given the electoral system, a strong majority of seats (74 to 45). Neither party was keen on sharing power. Fighting broke out between the two. When a unity government was finally formed in June 2007, Hamas broke the deal, started murdering Fatah members, and, in the end, took total control of the Gaza Strip. Those who weren’t killed fled to the West Bank, and the territories have remained split ever since. In other words, Hamas’ absolute rule of Gaza is not what the Palestinians voted for back in 2006. In fact, since the median age of Gazans is 18, half of Hamas’ subjects weren’t even born when the election took place. Bush entered his second term, in January 2005, convinced that his mission was to spread democracy around the world. He assumed that democracy was the natural state of humanity: Once a dictator was toppled and the people could vote for leaders in elections, freedom and liberty would bloom forth. Around this time, Israel was withdrawing from the Gaza Strip—not just pulling out troops, but evicting some 8,000 Jewish settlers (most of whom were paid to resettle in the West Bank). Suddenly there was a vacuum of local authority. Bush thought democracy would fill a vacuum, so he urged the Palestinian Authority to hold parliamentary elections. One problem, though: Radical parties—notably Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which had boycotted the 2005 presidential election—decided to compete in the 2006 parliamentary contests. Sharansky wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denouncing the disengagement as a “tragic mistake” and arguing that “any concessions in the peace process must be linked to democratic reforms within Palestinian society.” Sharon disagreed (he just wanted to be done with Gaza), and so did Bush, who’d been so persuaded by the first part of Sharansky’s democratic sermon that he ignored this crucial second part. But the election that put Hamas in power was not inevitable; it was premature. Israel and the leaders of the neighboring Sunni Arab nations, who inveighed lavish rhetorical support for the Palestinians but did very little to back it up, could have done more to help build the elements of a civil society and negotiate a peace. But ultimately, they didn’t want to. Elections only tightened the bonds of conflict and lent it a veneer of legitimacy. Hamas’ murderous assault on Oct. 7, the subsequent escalation of violence, and the possibility of a widening war—these are the latest and most bitter fruits of the elections’ legacy. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/10/was-hamas-elected-to-govern-gaza-george-w-bush-2006-palestinian-election.html

Exactly. There are some very clearly confused men on this forum. I like young women too. Why isn't 20 or 25 years old young enough? I think the guys who want the illegal variety have some sort of mental defect.

For the record, I despise Hamas and all terrorists. If Israel was able to find the leadership and members, without killing so many woman and children, they would have my full support. Answer one question for me. How many civilian casualties are acceptable, on the Palestinian side? As you said, this did not happen in a vacuum. So, what led to the Hamas leadership? If a 2 state solution were found 25 years ago, do you think this would have happened?

Do any of us care about dead Hamas? I don't think so.

Hamas fans? You have some twisted logic and reason. Same tropes as in the past. You criticize Israel equates to you loving their enemy. Like Bush Jr. said, you are either with us or against us, huh? That is so lame and tired. Such intellectual laziness.

One could argue that things have changed a bit in the last thousand years, who wouldn't agree with that? Do biblical standards apply today?

The Israelis have always considered themselves to be morally superior to most. It is their M.O. They are sure demonstrating the opposite now. Right down there with the Russians, in terms of moral bankruptcy, and willingness to slaughter women, children and civilians. Deplorable actions.

Nope. We are a relatively insignificant pinhead of the population here, and many mixed couples are choosing not to have children at all. Why on Earth would anyone want to bring a child into today's world?

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. “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! That was some time ago. Alot of nonsense.

I gave up my health insurance more than 12 years ago, after I got 20% increases year after year after year, having made no claims whatsoever. Insurance companies are a mafia, and I support them as little as I can. I have accident insurance for me and my gal. And I get good travel insurance when I travel back to the US. Fortunately I haven't needed health insurance one time since then, and I've saved at least 1.2 million baht. I just self-insure at this point, health care costs in Thailand are reasonable. Just had some minor heart issues. Two months worth of treatment and exams at Ramathibodi. 13,000 baht total.

No. We love sleeping together. On a huge king bed, of course. And she gets cold easily, so no issues about the AC at 18. LOL. The only issue is when she has been drinking with her friends, who all seem to be like fish. Very thirsty. She snores. A good breath strip is mandatory for her, if more than 2 beers.

Just when we think maybe Thailand is not 3rd world, we are reminded again. If you need proof just look at some of the ferries, nearly all of the trains, many of the ancient buses in Bangkok, etc., etc. Sure Bangkok has its modern side. But, no question Thailand is a developing country. Nothing wrong with that. Just being honest about it.

Certainly it is not exclusive to Thailand. I distrust all governments, it's the way I was raised, and the way I've lived my whole life. Works for me. I love Thailand. Never liked the government here, nor back in the US.

My friend paid 20,000. Look, I am not making this up.

Dreamers are just that. Thinking it, does not make it so. Anyone can ask anything for anything they have. Does not mean a thing.

"And all of this from a nation that was founded after the genocide committed against Jews by the Nazis. One would think Israel would at least make an attempt to hold itself to a higher standard. That does not appear to be the case, these days. Netanyahu is a genocidal freak". There was no such suggestion. Read my post again, before making up your own ridiculous tropes. In fact, I am an American Jew. And I love my Jewish friends and family, many of whom do not support this insane campaign of destruction and murder. I have long had a hard time with Israeli policy, and often been criticized for it, by other Jews. It does not mean anything to me.

There are alot of Israelis that are opposed to this genocide, and the killing of thousands of women and children. Many would prefer a more targeted approach, that differs from the leveling of Syria, or the Russian campaign in Ukraine. Putin is a genocidal, maniacal serial killer. Most of us knew that already. We did not know Netanyahu was also a mass murderer, and the US support has to stop.

Some believe everything they read. What was the source? How trustworthy are they? Are they in any way affiliated with the government, and if so do you really trust the Thai army for truth? I would prefer to believe my eyes, the hotel owners I speak with, and the other retailers who have been saying the opposite for years before covid readed it's ugly head.

Sad stuff. If indeed the customers are caught, they should be executed. If not by the authorities, than by the families. There is never an excuse to prey on young women, like this. It is pathetic. The men and women involved deserve to have their supply of oxygen cut off.

This crazed, unhinged, sad weasel of a man is trying to avoid taking responsibility for his actions, his path of destruction, and his fake narratives. He deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. Instead, he will try to figure out a way to shield his $50 million fortune, with ugly American bankruptcy rules and loopholes. From America's mayor to a disgrace of a bumbling, alcoholic fool. Talk about a fall from grace. Be very careful who you associate yourself with. And always remember, "TRUTH IS TRUTH". No matter how hard you try to deny it.

Ceremonies are just that. Get the surly guys and gals at the incoming checkpoints to be a tiny bit friendly. It does not take much to offer a smile. Thank you for coming and supporting us in a time of need. Yeah, right.

I suggest putting this foul, ugly, nasty, vicious beast down within the next 24 hours. And as for the soi dogs, the real solution is massive, nationwide culling. These are mangy creatures, leading desperate lives. Show some nerve and compassion and take them out of the misery. Clean up the streets! People get so sensitive about soi dogs, yet they do not hesitate to encourage the killing of pigs, cows and other animals for their own enjoyment and consumption. Isn't there a bit of hypocrisy there? If you eat animals, you are responsible for their slaughter. At least one can make an argument that the animals they eat serve a function. That argument cannot be made about the mangy, diseased, pestilent, sad, forlorn, abandoned soi dogs. They lead lives of desperation. If you must, carry pepper spray, or a can of insect spray. Nearly all creatures hate insect spray, as they cannot handle the smell. A long strong bamboo staff also helps. If nothing else works, culling is a good practice. I have done it a few times. I do not want a lecture about animal cruelty. . Most soi dogs are a nuisance. Most are mangy, some are disease ridden, many are hungry, tired, and lead terrible lives of desperation. Some attack people, some terrorize neighborhoods. Many harass the domestic dogs, and cause them to bark all night long, like in my neighborhood. Nobody wants to do anything about it. Culling is the answer. If they found a budget for it, they could do it Western style. Round up the dogs, clean them up, vaccinate them, and put them up for adoption. The ones who are not adopted after 60 days are simply put down. Nothing cruel about it. Not doing something like this, is both cruel to the dogs and to the neighborhoods they infest. The fact that when bitten, you don't know if the dog has been vaccinated, or not. So, you must get treated at a hospital, anyway. And the cost of treatment is up to 20,000 baht for a series of rabies and other shots. And that assumes it was a light bite and no other injuries occurred. Many of these soi dogs are insane and true desperados. The average dog bite cost alot money. A series of rabies shots, etc. And that is assuming someone was not hurt badly, like a small child. So, we should prioritize the health of mangy, miserable soi dogs over the well being of the human population? If you love them show some commitment and adopt a few. Otherwise, let's get rid of them. Rabies is an epidemic here. They shut down the economy for covid. They don't shut down the highways due to traffic deaths, and they don't do anything about the soi dog tragedy and dangers. Already in 2018, there have been nearly 500 rabies cases reported, which is a significant increase over the 160 reported last year for the same period. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) estimates that Thailand has 10 million stray dogs, with 1 in 10 dogs in Bangkok suspected to be infected with rabies. https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/health-blog/mar-2018/rabies