Opl

2 hours ago, Thomas J said:

Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer.  He should resign and spend his remaining time with his family.  Certainly 12 months or less with that diagnosis. 

At this stage, he might feel important to achieve what he can when he can ("when" and not "while"). It's his very personal choice, every person is different. It must be painfull, and he is probably suffering too, so anything he can do "as usual" is a benediction. Not everyone is willing to live each moment thinking it might be the last one. Some people carry on until the light is switched off.   

10 minutes ago, Mick501 said:

You must have missed every word of the article.  You are beyond help.

It's always nice to receive a phone call from Moscow and It's not that often that Putin thanks a US President, and the one who has criticized US Intelligence (" I Don't think it's true") , often enough to  be hardly missed

 “It’s still important to collect and analyze intelligence, and the U.S. is still involved in lots of operations that don’t require presidential authority,”

5 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

the world is once again safe thanks to Trump. Well done Mister President.

Is this the transcript of Putin call?

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

Nobody forgot nothing.

Indeed, boomerangs come back

1 hour ago, ivor bigun said:

trouble is they are bringing it to the civilized countrys in the west

Because they consider it's part of their identities - reinforced, when they are in minority in the West; the expression of it is Islamist Activism with different levels of severity.

What else anyway? 

On 12/26/2019 at 7:29 AM, simple1 said:

As I said those from the Salifi ideological background (extremist conservatism), not all Muslims. Thailand has had Sharia Law Courts for Muslims since 1948, so far as I know not one trial for blasphemy. In any case fortunately death sentence for blasphemy are rare and limited to few Muslim majority countries. In the case of the OP it presents as personal vendetta by a group of Salifi extremists. One hopes the guy wins on appeal, but a dangerous course of action by his very brave legal representatives. Note so far thankfully  Pakistan has not executed anyone for blasphemy. More detail below...

 

https://thediplomat.com/2019/12/after-the-junaid-hafeez-verdict-time-to-face-the-truth-about-pakistans-blasphemy-law/

Thankfully the Netherlands stand up for their values

“The suspect has indicated in several conversations that killing Wilders would be a good deed. he was angered by the right-wing populists ‘draw Mohammad’ free speech event He also said that this trial gives him a positive image in Pakistan, “If he had succeeded in his plan, he would not only have taken away the lives of Wilders. The attack would also have had a huge impact on Dutch democratic society,” the court said. 

A Dutch court sentenced a Pakistani migrant to ten years in prison for planning to murder populist PVV leader Geert Wilders.

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

Rather than making sweeping statement, if you kept your comments focused on followers of Salafi / Takfiri ideology your posts would likely not be deleted.

the more I read about those sophisticated theologists disputes, the less I feel we in the west should be concerned, frankly if it's their way of life, so be it.

https://mepc.org/journal/political-islam-somalia

7 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

That is "western" thinking.

I know Noi's family. They have a decent enough house and lots of land. The father is a farmer, the mother has a small shop and takes care of the children.

Noi's older sister has a normal job and a husband, all seems to be fine.

Noi was always lazy. She didn't want to go to school, she didn't want to do any house work and she never wanted to take care of her own children. Her husbands were supposed to go work and give her money for gambling - all three of them left her very soon...

 

But since Noi works in Pattaya it seems especially her mother is really proud of her and all the money which she brings home. And she brings her farang "boyfriends" home, about every month another one. I guess basically every western family would hate to have a daughter like that. But for Noi's parents it seems she is the girl to be proud of... TiT.

if she is so, then at least it's better for her to make money out of it - Nothing to be proud of, but it's less stupid 

28 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

A good reason not to visit any of these s##tholes where barbarism is still practised in the name of religion.

Arab scholars were once the best scientists in the world - mathematicians, physicians, astronomers engineers, etc. They lost their way when study of the Koran, and authoring hadith became their main raison d'etre.

 

I agree, it's terrible how religious extremists exploit blasphemy laws

And not only in Pakistan.

Blasphemy cases are effective tools to mobilise and agitate Muslims. They seek to expand political power via mass rallies and they promote the use of shari’a, or Islamic law

ex: "In 2016, a Buddhist woman, Meliana, complained about the volume of the call to prayer from a neighboring mosque in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra. Her private request prompted Muslim mobs to attack her house, and burn and ransack 14 Buddhist temples"

Blasphemy is a crime not only in Pakistan, but Europe too

14 minutes ago, Sujo said:

We in malaysia have a lot higher. Still it doesnt affect me.

 

Are you not allowed to eat pork or drink because of sharia law in france?

To stay on topic, I will repeat that in France , Charlie Hebdo team has been targeted in the name of Blasphemy laws.

France has no Blasphemy Law but Freedom of the press, and strict separation of Religion and State.

Those who said Charlie Hebdo deserved it are those who put Sharia Law first. And the sentence was delivered without court. 

2 minutes ago, Sujo said:

These people? If that were the case we’d all be dead by now.

tell it to the victims

32 minutes ago, simple1 said:

As I said those from the Salifi ideological background (extremist conservatism), not all Muslims. Thailand has had Sharia Law Courts for Muslims since 1948, so far as I know not one trial for blasphemy. In any case fortunately death sentence for blasphemy are rare and limited to few Muslim majority countries. In the case of the OP it presents as personal vendetta by a group of Salifi extremists. One hopes the guy wins on appeal, but a dangerous course of action by his very brave legal representatives. Note so far thankfully  Pakistan has not executed anyone for blasphemy. More detail below...

 

https://thediplomat.com/2019/12/after-the-junaid-hafeez-verdict-time-to-face-the-truth-about-pakistans-blasphemy-law/

God save us from Sharia Law courts in the West ... 

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

There are killings and other evils implemented by those who subscribe to kharijite / Salafi / Takfir ideology. However, such ideologues are "The Outsiders" such events should not be utilised to vilify all Muslims as is so common on this forum.

 

As mentioned before "the House of Islam by Ed Husain has some excellent insights. In the context of Islamist violent extremism the chapter  "Who is a Jihadi?" is IMO a good backgrounder briefing

 

Thai security forces utilise torture and extrajudicial killing (terrorism) in the deep South. Corruption such as oil smuggling, and human trafficking by Thai security personnel just exacerbates the conflict I assume you have never heard of the recent attempted genocide in Myanmar or the war crimes by Buddhist security forces in Sri Lanka, nor the genocide in Rwanda aided by members of the Catholic Church etc etc etc

Blasphemy laws provide all Muslims living in no-muslim countries an easy excuse to terror attacks committed in and against their host countries. We've seen it in France. Proof if any that these people put Sharia first. What happens in Muslim countries where the populations support these laws is up to them.

9 minutes ago, blazes said:

I think the OP has decided, in a New Year's resolution, that he is going to start writing short stories.

There's enough material here to fill a Dickens novel.....

or maybe, more appropriately,

Thomas Mann.

a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice":  "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife…..." 

1 hour ago, Orton Rd said:

Hatred is the way of Mohammad, not people on here criticizing his calls for violence and the violent and depraved life he led. Some people want any criticism of Islam to be categorized as hate speech of course, only insecure indefensible ideologies need to resort to such oppression.

and submission.

"Muilenburg’s position, under pressure since March, became untenable this month following a breakdown of relations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the growing anger of Boeing’s suppliers and airline customers over the collapse of its optimistic forecast that the MAX could be cleared to fly this year."

articles of the Seattle Times by Dominic Gates

https://www.seattletimes.com/author/dominic-gates/

Boeing ousts Muilenburg amid 737 MAX crisis; observers wonder if new CEO Calhoun will bring the right sort of change

7 minutes ago, Aforek said:

I remember a discussion here, about Airbus which stops the A 380; one of the TV members, of course an American guy , told that Airbus was finished, they copied Boeing and that Boeing was the best plane maker and the rest was s h i t

it was several months ago, before the two accidents of the 737 …  I wonder now where is this TV member, I don't remember his name, but what does he think now ? Boeing still the best company in the world ? 

He thinks:  "America first" whatever… "the dollar is our currency but your problem"...…. " America is the Greatest Nation in the History of the World"... 

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Macron is worth millions of dollars at the age of 42. Even if he didn't have plenty of well paid jobs lined up after this one (I suspect he will earn more millions in unelected positions at the EU after this) he'd live a life of luxury for the rest of his life.

 

He doesn't need this pension, he's using it as a tool to force through pension reform policies that will make the elderly poorer. Meanwhile, he wants to reduce corporation tax and opposes tax increases on the rich.

 

A real benevolent leader ????.

In France, in 1964, public debt was less than 20% of GDP (21.6% in 1978). It reached 60% in 2000 and 96% in 2018. The baby boomers lived on credit and accumulated debts which will be reimbursed by their children and grandchildren. Millennials will have to reimburse the colossal public debt and finance the health system of which its elders are the main beneficiaries.

French Economy should do better, not thanks working less and relying more on social welfare and taking to the streets. The hatred some French people have towards success and wealth is responsible for this mess.

29 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

Macron is just another neo-liberalist who wants to strip workers of their rights and pay them less so his banking buddies will get more money.  And who doesn't work hard? We all do, except a lot of bankers caused this mess we are in and expect the rest of us to bail them out.. 

 

You know what they did in Portugal recently? Rejected this austerity nonsense and the economy is doing well. 

Professional strikers? Do me a favour, just garbage from the press owned by billionaires. 

facts : minimum wage Portugal 700€ , France 1521€.

So France attracts Portuguese workers, Portugal attracts foreign retirees - the Economy is doing well

Of course people who can afford to go on strike every year since 1947 for several weeks are de facto Professional strikers. and more specifically: 

Professional public service strikers 

1 hour ago, PremiumLane said:

nah, it is called facts, you should try them sometime ????

555... Mélenchon who personnally hardly worked till 1978 (this is a fact) criticizes Macron for daring to give up the privilèges attached to his office.

We also know that Mélenchon supported Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, all great leaders who ruined their countries, just like the professional strikers in France actually do, it's not a problem, that's how they get elected and make a living.

Macron is not rich, he earned a lot during the short period of time he worked as a banker, that was the description of his job - period - and he choose to quit - unlike Mélenchon and others, Macron is not relying on voters to pay the rent. That's a major fact.

And above all, Macron has against him both far-left, far-right- political opponents haters of success, and all other parties who failed while in charge of the country for décades, and for this only reason, I'm supportive of Macron who inherited a true mess.

4 hours ago, PremiumLane said:

Easy for him to do, he is already rich and doesn't need that money anyway. Not so easy for the ordinary working people who are screwed over by the neo-liberal obsession to syphon the money off to the rich

You undoubtedly embody the thinking of certain French people who always need a scapegoat to consolidate their opinions.

1 hour ago, Scot123 said:

It is sad to say your statement is false. To be a Muslim you must follow the Koran to the letter and if you do not the you are marked for death by all practicing Muslims. You should and should all our politicians be made to study history. Dark ages caused by Muslim piracy and jihad with the burning of all the ancient libraries along their path. The mass murder of over 180 million should be remembered which brings me to my point Spain who had major problems with jihad wars kidnapping/slaving until King Philip of Spain decreed no Muslim practice on Spanish soil. Problem solved and my point out of hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Spain only 30,000 remained. 

Yes this can happen 

Asad Shah, Pakistani and Muslim, 40, ran a grocery store in Glasgow. He belonged to the Ahmadi minority, which is considered to be a heretical sect and deviant from Islam.The community endorses  separation of the mosque and state. In Pakistan, Ahmadis are regularly persecuted by pure Muslims. A few days before Easter, he posted a message to his customers on his Facebook page on March 24, 2016: “Good Friday [Holy] and happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian country.”
This message signed his death warrant. Hours after writing, he was stabbed, leaving his store, by Tanveer Ahmed, a 32-year-old Muslim man who lived in England, in Bradford, Yorshire.

"We need to make sure that we don't import the politics of hatred, of sectarianism from Pakistan into our communities and to our streets"