On 9/27/2024 at 12:11 PM, Sigmund said:

Speak to the managers of your Pension Funds, should it be in the US or in Europe. They will all confirm the high yields in the portfolios during Trump's term. Like Trump or not, but for the economy, he's the best to do the job as he...he knows how to make money and not live off public money or  to live through the "commissions" got from the arms lobbys.

Life (and the economy) was better nearly anywhere in the world before the pandemic. Surprising? 😃

3 hours ago, blazes said:

 

Same  applies to BLUESPUNK...  Not been seen/heard since March 2023..

He was even more prolific than Chomper.

I referred to him as Blue Spunk.

*spunk, in British English a vulgar slang word for semen*

On 9/27/2024 at 2:21 PM, JonnyF said:

Which would be a terrible shame .

Not in my opinion. The EEC was probably a good idea for Europe, but the push to make it a political and monetary union was ill considered and an expensive mistake, as was expanding it willy nilly.

 

Far as I'm concerned, it was always a project that would fail, as the political structure is not fit for purpose.

 

The most obvious failure is the liberal idiots trying to force all the EU countries to share the illegals that they were so keen to invite in.

Now of course the results is plain- right wing gains in elections and countries like Germany desperately imposing "restrictions' that are so pathetic as to be meaningless.

 

IMO it's going to fail anyway, so now is as good a time as any.

15 hours ago, blazes said:

 

Same  applies to BLUESPUNK...  Not been seen/heard since March 2023..

He was even more prolific than Chomper.

I'd completely forgotten about him. Mind you, so many posters have vanished in past year it's hard to remember them all.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not in my opinion. The EEC was probably a good idea for Europe, but the push to make it a political and monetary union was ill considered and an expensive mistake, as was expanding it willy nilly.

 

Far as I'm concerned, it was always a project that would fail, as the political structure is not fit for purpose.

 

The most obvious failure is the liberal idiots trying to force all the EU countries to share the illegals that they were so keen to invite in.

Now of course the results is plain- right wing gains in elections and countries like Germany desperately imposing "restrictions' that are so pathetic as to be meaningless.

 

IMO it's going to fail anyway, so now is as good a time as any.

The liberal idiots...keen to invite in? How long has the EU been going? 31 years. Maastricht and Thatcher, remember? You think everything was foreseeable back then? And who exactly has extended an invitation to illegal migrants? The first wave of "migrants" was from the newly joined eastern European countries liberated from the Soviet jackboot. And who didn't "hire a Pole" to get the job done, cheaply and efficiently, outclassing the Brit working classes with their £70 call out fees etc. Seems there's immigration and there's Islam. If the West chooses to invade and destroy several middle eastern countries, well actions have consequences. If millions end up on your doorstep as a result, next time, maybe think twice before devastating their countries.

3 minutes ago, bradiston said:

If the West chooses to invade and destroy several middle eastern countries, well actions have consequences. If millions end up on your doorstep as a result, next time, maybe think twice before devastating their countries.

 

Yes that lying idiot Liberal Tony Blair and his imaginary Weapons of Mass Destruction and subsequent destabilizing of the middle east certainly has a lot to answer for. 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes that lying idiot Liberal Tony Blair and his imaginary Weapons of Mass Destruction and subsequent destabilizing of the middle east certainly has a lot to answer for. 

True, but he's flown the coop. As have Bush and the rest of the gang. Probably go down in history as one of the greatest foreign policy blunders ever made.

I 'think' a lot of the problem of immigration into the EU is the fact it is made of largely young males.

 

Young men are a problem even when they are indigenous to a country.

 

My Grandparents went to the US as a family. Both they and my parents learnt English within a few years and were fully integrated, not sure thats true for the demographic entering the EU, who, if the media is to be believed seem to want to live in ethnic enclaves.

 

I'm now a third generation latino, my daughters fourth and I would never consider myself anything but an American. I speak Spanish but I'm most definitely not a Mexican. Even my Thai son, born in Singapore educated in the US see's himself as American, while still recognizing his ethnic roots

 

I think thats the real difference with this wave of migration we're seeing across the world

 

 

2 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I 'think' a lot of the problem of immigration into the EU is the fact it is made of largely young males.

 

Young men are a problem even when they are indigenous to a country.

 

My Grandparents went to the US as a family. Both they and my parents learnt English within a few years and were fully integrated, not sure thats true for the demographic entering the EU, who, if the media is to be believed seem to want to live in ethnic enclaves.

 

I'm now a third generation latino, my daughters fourth and I would never consider myself anything but an American. I speak Spanish but I'm most definitely not a Mexican. Even my Thai son, born in Singapore educated in the US see's himself as American, while still recognizing his ethnic roots

 

I think thats the real difference with this wave of migration we're seeing across the world

 

 

It's unfortunate that the very word "immigrant" has such low life connotations. Migrant I suppose might be described as a "woke" version, or displaced person, of whom there are millions. Migration has been happening throughout human history. The US is really a nation founded on migration. It wouldn't exist without it. Most of the "English" migrated from Celtic nations and Europe. It's nothing new. At some points in history, it was the Jews who were reviled and exiled, from Europe in particular. The Irish and Caribbean people have suffered, and no doubt, continue to suffer discrimination. Times change, and we're in the "target Islam" era. But we kicked over the bee's nest and now we're getting stung.

This won't help the EU. Someone should have told them that every action has a reaction. 

 

https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/national/austria-far-right-scores-historic-win-in-national-vote/article_4f2bcd9a-29ae-5e60-8c20-22672fa85dcb.html

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

This won't help the EU. Someone should have told them that every action has a reaction. 

 

https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/national/austria-far-right-scores-historic-win-in-national-vote/article_4f2bcd9a-29ae-5e60-8c20-22672fa85dcb.html

 

 

 

Yeah, the "Friends of Adolf" party, what my father and probably yours, went to war with Germany about. Of course Adolf was an Austrian by birth. We hear the same rhetoric used against Moslems as was used against the Jews. In any case, a better description might have been inaction has reactions. Let's see what these bogeymen from the right can come up with other than a lot of rabble rousing hate speech.

1 minute ago, bradiston said:

In any case, a better description might have been inaction has reactions.

 

I disagree. there has been a deliberate shift in many European countries to bring in swathes of immigrants and the public was expected to shut up and take it in silence. Anyone who raised concerns was labelled a racist, bigot, xenophobe etc. 

 

It doesn't really work like that. 

 

The massive over-reach by the EU was bound to create a rise in political partys like this. They were just too stupid/arrogant to see/acknowledge it.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

I disagree. there has been a deliberate shift in many European countries to bring in swathes of immigrants and the public was expected to shut up and take it in silence. Anyone who raised concerns was labelled a racist, bigot, xenophobe etc. 

 

It doesn't really work like that. 

 

The massive over-reach by the EU was bound to create a rise in political partys like this. They were just too stupid/arrogant to see/acknowledge it.

Any evidence of a deliberate policy to bring in "swathes of immigrants" by any EU government or just your own misinformed conspiracy theory speaking? For all I know you're an immigrant too. Too right it doesn't work like that. You just made it up! Massive over reach? Explain! Hey, and any sign of "You're obviously too stupid to understand" and I'll know I'm talking to a troll.

2 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Any evidence of a deliberate policy to bring in "swathes of immigrants" by any EU government or just your own misinformed conspiracy theory speaking?

 

https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12669

 

 

2 minutes ago, bradiston said:

 

 

For all I know you're an immigrant too.

 

No I'm working here on a temporary visa.

 

2 minutes ago, bradiston said:

 

 

Too right it doesn't work like that. You just made it up! Massive over reach? Explain! Hey, and any sign of "You're obviously too stupid to understand" and I'll know I'm talking to a troll.

 

Perhaps a chart would help?

 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Migration_and_migrant_population_statistics&printable=yes

 

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12669

 

 

 

No I'm working here on a temporary visa.

 

 

Perhaps a chart would help?

 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Migration_and_migrant_population_statistics&printable=yes

 

From yourinked article:

 

"Consistent across data sources and models, we do not find any evidence that Merkel's decision increased migration to Germany in subsequent years."

 

This refers to the idea her admission of thousands (yes, 1.1 million applied) of migrants led to the "Merkel effect", or worked as a "pull", as France now accuses the UK of causing. So will the Germans, and you, and other Europeans now collect their own garbage, sweep their own roads, and work in poorly paid, dangerous construction jobs?

 

The other link is interesting as it appears to track migration within the EU rather than from without. Naturally, the UK has had the door slammed shut on account of Brexit, so thanks for that Mirage and Bojo, both of whom have EU passports. Millions of young Brits locked out of working in Europe. Meanwhile, the dreadful Proddies in Norn Oirland get an EU passport, by virtue of blackmail.

21 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12669

 

 

 

No I'm working here on a temporary visa.

 

 

Perhaps a chart would help?

 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Migration_and_migrant_population_statistics&printable=yes

 

You're working here on a temporary visa? I assume you mean in Thailand? So you're a migrant worker! Shame on you! It's funny, whenever Thais show the same level of xenophobia with foreigners as you do with migrants in Europe, there are howls of protest on these pages. Bxxxdy xenophobic, racist Thais! I mean. I ask you!

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

This won't help the EU. Someone should have told them that every action has a reaction. 

 

https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/national/austria-far-right-scores-historic-win-in-national-vote/article_4f2bcd9a-29ae-5e60-8c20-22672fa85dcb.html

 

 

 

They won't get power though as all the other parties have said they will not join a coalition with them. So much for the will of the majority.

Democracy died already.

5 minutes ago, bradiston said:

You're working here on a temporary visa? I assume you mean in Thailand? So you're a migrant worker! Shame on you! It's funny, whenever Thais show the same level of xenophobia with foreigners as you do with migrants in Europe, there are howls of protest on these pages. Bxxxdy xenophobic, racist Thais! I mean. I ask you!

 

Fully legal. Invited to work here by a Thai BOI company. 

 

I have no issue with foreigners working legally in my country on a temporary basis. Do you?

5 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

They won't get power though as all the other parties have said they will not join a coalition with them. So much for the will of the majority.

Democracy died already.

 

Yes this seems to be a theme lately. The people vote for a right leaning party and then all the leftist politicians team up together to prevent them getting power.

 

I don't see that ending well. 

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'd completely forgotten about him. Mind you, so many posters have vanished in past year it's hard to remember them all.

A lot of them (us) vanish due to old age "catching up on them". Let us be blunt, if you are active on this forum and you die, then unless (unlikely) another poster is a friend or relative, you just vanish.

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

They won't get power though as all the other parties have said they will not join a coalition with them. So much for the will of the majority.

Democracy died already.

 

7 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes this seems to be a theme lately. The people vote for a right leaning party and then all the leftist politicians team up together to prevent them getting power.

 

I don't see that ending well. 

 

But the inappropriately named 'Freedom Party' didn't get a majority. They got 29.2% of the vote, so they have no democratic mandate.

On 9/29/2024 at 8:01 PM, bradiston said:

It's unfortunate that the very word "immigrant" has such low life connotations. Migrant I suppose might be described as a "woke" version, or displaced person, of whom there are millions. Migration has been happening throughout human history. The US is really a nation founded on migration. It wouldn't exist without it. Most of the "English" migrated from Celtic nations and Europe. It's nothing new. At some points in history, it was the Jews who were reviled and exiled, from Europe in particular. The Irish and Caribbean people have suffered, and no doubt, continue to suffer discrimination. Times change, and we're in the "target Islam" era. But we kicked over the bee's nest and now we're getting stung.

You are quite right the US was built on immigrants.

 

But my family didn't arrive at Ellis Island but walked over the border at San Ysidro. 

 

Different times, empty country looking for people.

 

But for immigrants back then they wanted to assimilate and become part of American society.

 

My Mom would actually rap my knuckles if I spoke Spanish outside the house.

 

In no way am I endorsing that, but it illustrates how immigrants back then are different from today.

 

And I hate myself for saying this, but I can see the difference between my parents and grandparents and today's people crossing the southern border.

 

A lot of European countries also contain a large proportion of immigrants, especially from former colonies who have integrated and become part of the fabric of those countries.

 

I think the jury is certainly out on how this new wave will work out

 

 

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

You are quite right the US was built on immigrants.

 

But my family didn't arrive at Ellis Island but walked over the border at San Ysidro. 

 

Different times, empty country looking for people.

 

But for immigrants back then they wanted to assimilate and become part of American society.

 

My Mom would actually rap my knuckles if I spoke Spanish outside the house.

 

In no way am I endorsing that, but it illustrates how immigrants back then are different from today.

 

And I hate myself for saying this, but I can see the difference between my parents and grandparents and today's people crossing the southern border.

 

A lot of European countries also contain a large proportion of immigrants, especially from former colonies who have integrated and become part of the fabric of those countries.

 

I think the jury is certainly out on how this new wave will work out

 

 

Totally agree, every nation in the world is made up of diverse cultures, races and peoples, the results of centuries, millennia even, of human migration. Multiculturalism is a  hated concept amongst many, but it's driven the human race forward, encouraging diversity which is essential for survival. If your gene pool dries up, inbreeding and stagnation is the result. Monoculture spells doom to artistic expression and creativity.

3 hours ago, bradiston said:

Totally agree, every nation in the world is made up of diverse cultures, races and peoples, the results of centuries, millennia even, of human migration. Multiculturalism is a  hated concept amongst many, but it's driven the human race forward, encouraging diversity which is essential for survival. If your gene pool dries up, inbreeding and stagnation is the result. Monoculture spells doom to artistic expression and creativity.

Just look at Russia!

On 9/30/2024 at 3:01 AM, bradiston said:

Times change, and we're in the "target Islam" era.

That could be something to do with all the Islamist terror attacks across Europe over the past 20+ years. Why wouldn't the public be concerned about increasing numbers of Muslims entering their countries? 

On 9/30/2024 at 2:50 AM, GinBoy2 said:

My Grandparents went to the US as a family.

You've hit the nail on the head. I'm sure if we were seeing images of families climbing out of the boats, father and mothers helping their toddlers etc. it would be a whole different story. 

But all we see is fighting age men. 

2 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

You've hit the nail on the head. I'm sure if we were seeing images of families climbing out of the boats, father and mothers helping their toddlers etc. it would be a whole different story. 

But all we see is fighting age men. 

All you're shown, you mean? Look further. You might find a human being.

6 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

That could be something to do with all the Islamist terror attacks across Europe over the past 20+ years. Why wouldn't the public be concerned about increasing numbers of Muslims entering their countries? 

Which could be to do with retaliation for having your family blown to pieces in front of your eyes, your neighbour's legs ripped off, being tortured by invading forces for days, weeks, months on end, your country totally destroyed, your way of life, your livelihood. What a few crazies in Europe commit is horrendous, but compared to the combined military might of the UK and the US? Is there any real comparison? Massive bombs from 30,000 ft, or a lone lunatic with a knife? You at least have a chance against him. Oh, and not forgetting the likes of Anders Behring  Brevik. He wasn't a Muslim, was he? Killed 77 in one day, all totally innocent young people.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breivik

On 9/26/2024 at 11:38 PM, Social Media said:

Euroscepticism on the rise in countries like Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Croatia.

czech is smaller than Chon-buri. piss-like beer and sausages, money laundering and massive exodus to ol'Europe. 

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

Just look at Russia!

 

True, Russia is an absolute paragon of ethnic diversity and the cultural benefits this brings.

 

Good point.