33 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Putin just got the sanctions lifted. He does not care about the Russian soldiers any more than Trump cares about American soldiers.

Which means Russia is a terrible place to live.

5 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Which means Russia is a terrible place to live.

I will defer to your personal knowledge on that.

1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

I will defer to your personal knowledge on that.

What knowledge about anything has this reincarnation of Susan/Harrisfan et al ever had?

21 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

What knowledge about anything has this reincarnation of Susan/Harrisfan et al ever had?

Google, its his life. Uses it for most every post but never gives credit to his source. A major reason he is not highly regarded as an "expert" on Thailand.

5 hours ago, Explorator en Action said:

I am asked often, “What do you think about Trump??” I just reply, ‘He’s a good business man, knows how to make money, and money runs our country’ If they persist with how daft and power drunk he is, I counter “Are you a Billionaire, didn’t think so or you wouldn’t be in this beer bar” I was once asked “What are you going to do about Trump??” I just replied “Nothing, I live in Thailand, not USA but I voted form him every time” Arguing Religion and Politics will get you a punch in the mouth everytime, I refuse to play that game. Peace

Voted for him THREE times and STILL defend him because he's a billionaire? CRINGE!

This video expands on the fact that "thanks" to Trump, the American brand internationally has been thrown into the gutter.

It's bad folks.

Really bad.

Washingtonpost.com

As an American living in Europe, I am frequently asked if my compatriots understand the extent of the damage being done to all facets of transatlantic relations by the Trump administration’s bullying policies. My answer is, sadly, no.

More and more Europeans no longer view the United States as a reliable ally. The reasons are not hard to find. The president has threatened to leave NATO, sidelined allies in negotiations over Ukraine’s future, imposed steep tariffs on the European Union and threatened to seize Greenland by force — prompting Europeans to prepare for the real prospect of military conflict with their oldest ally. One recent survey found that one-quarter or more of respondents in some countries — including France, Germany and Spain — see the United States as a rival or adversary. Another found that an absolute majority view Trump as an “enemy” of Europe and U.S. foreign policy as “recolonization.” Polls also reflect a growing belief that China is a more dependable partner.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It's bad folks.

Really bad.

Washingtonpost.com

As an American living in Europe, I am frequently asked if my compatriots understand the extent of the damage being done to all facets of transatlantic relations by the Trump administration’s bullying policies. My answer is, sadly, no.

More and more Europeans no longer view the United States as a reliable ally. The reasons are not hard to find. The president has threatened to leave NATO, sidelined allies in negotiations over Ukraine’s future, imposed steep tariffs on the European Union and threatened to seize Greenland by force — prompting Europeans to prepare for the real prospect of military conflict with their oldest ally. One recent survey found that one-quarter or more of respondents in some countries — including France, Germany and Spain — see the United States as a rival or adversary. Another found that an absolute majority view Trump as an “enemy” of Europe and U.S. foreign policy as “recolonization.” Polls also reflect a growing belief that China is a more dependable partner.

I suggest they kick the USA out of NATO and build up their own defense capabilities .

7 hours ago, Wingate said:

I apologize. I should have endeavored to be just---to use the words of you and the fat old teen-chaser to whom you responded's messiah---"a total loser".

Would that I had done my best to fail in life, to evidence a total lack of personal discipline so that I'd be obese and slovenly, I could be a shrill and bumptious curmudgeon like the two of you. I cannot help but notice that your and his obsession with my, admittedly, varied and exciting path in life leaves you jealous and wanting. You see what a "life well-lived" is, and when you compare it to your own, it has to hurt. I cannot begin to imagine your pain, especially as you both can see the end on the horizon fast approaching. Too late to salvage anything. Go stand in front of the bathroom mirror. Bring your doppelganger along. Are you proud of how you have taken care of the vessel that houses your consciousness? Is it streamlined and efficient looking, or bulbous and unsightly? Keep the answer to yourselves, as no one is left in suspense.

We all get just one brief chance at existence. Some of us make the best of it and relish almost every step of the way (save for when a raving lunatic runs our once respectable nation). Others never amount to anything, and are left with little more than a rucksack of regrets and simmering anger as the Grim Reaper comes into view. You and he are the Eleanor Rigbys of this world. Not even a rounding error; forgotten but not gone.

Have a nice day!

You know im 49 right ? So younger than you still with more years left. At 5"10 and 175 pounds im far from the type you have described.. so keep assuming you're doing a great job. The amount of vile you just spewed at me in a single comment is one of the worst personal attacks I have ever come across on this forum. The fact you received positive emojis to it backs up my stances on many things.

As I have said before I could not imagine living with the hate you carry inside.

2 hours ago, marin said:

Google, its his life. Uses it for most every post but never gives credit to his source. A major reason he is not highly regarded as an "expert" on Thailand.

I know lots of things. Do you ever work? Being unemployed and saying nasty things about people you know nothing about says a lot about your character.

19 minutes ago, TedG said:

I suggest they kick the USA out of NATO and build up their own defense capabilities .

Good point but Europe is a failed continent.

On 1/7/2026 at 8:25 AM, Effective altruism said:

How many counties have a direct election of the chief executive?

Abkhazia, American Samoa, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Namibia, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I know lots of things. Do you ever work? Being unemployed and saying nasty things about people you know nothing about says a lot about your character.

You very well may know a lot of things, but sadly the way they are presented are off putting to most people. Yes I do still work part time. I have said nothing nasty about you. I stated that you love to google information and then not give credit or worse deny you used google. You know absolutely nothing about me, so dont go to where you are going.

Why do you continue to be a pest rather than a poster? You do have a choice you know.

4 minutes ago, marin said:

You very well may know a lot of things, but sadly the way they are presented are off putting to most people. Yes I do still work part time. I have said nothing nasty about you. I stated that you love to google information and then not give credit or worse deny you used google. You know absolutely nothing about me, so dont go to where you are going.

Why do you continue to be a pest rather than a poster? You do have a choice you know.

Everybody uses google and AI now. AI is very good for quick searches. I really don't care what you think. Your self esteem must be very low if people online bother you so much.

13 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Good point but Europe is a failed continent.

True, Europe is a dying continent.

4 minutes ago, TedG said:

True, Europe is a dying continent.

Trump is right most of the time. He just delivers the message wrong.

26 minutes ago, blaze master said:

You know im 49 right ? So younger than you still with more years left. At 5"10 and 175 pounds im far from the type you have described.. so keep assuming you're doing a great job.

This is as credible as Trump saying he weighs the same as that American football player Grady (?).😂

6 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

This is as credible as Trump saying he weighs the same as that American football player Grady (?).😂

Whatever you say. Now scurry along and post a meme or 80.

6 hours ago, atpeace said:

Sorry, "wrong" side. It sounds like something someone would say say to a black man entering a bathroom in the 1950s. Secondly, I'm an independent thinker that has voted for both parties the last 20 years. Shallow people that judge a person based on skin color or nationality are not the type I hang with but if that floats your boat, have at it, there are loads of lowlife that out there still in this day and age.

You seem like a good guy but always finding the negative with such consistency is inconceivable for my type or the people I hang with and usually their friends are non-commital in regards to nationality. You're definitely interesting.

You ever try posting positive things only for a few weeks? It might open your eyes to the reality that things in general are pretty dang awesome. Nothing like going back to reality knowing it is mostly OK.

You bring up a reasonable point I am actually quite a positive person, but not when it comes to the direction America is going these days, and not when it comes to anything related to the GOP and Trump, who I think are bringing down America and making it a considerably lesser nation than it used to be. Certainly I'm not blaming them in the entirety, as I believe the nation has been declining for at least three decades, but Trump seems to be precipitating that decline quite dramatically.

If you look at some of my posts you'll see that I have posted quite a few very positive notes about the Thai people, who I adore, and a variety of other topics, however I'm rarely positive when it comes to politics.

6 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Which countries are doing better than America? I can't think of any.

It would take me a half a day to list all the countries that have a higher growth rate than the American economy is experiencing right now. The US economy is in the doldrums despite the fake macro numbers punched out by the government. Countless small businesses are going under, entire streets are laced with for lease signs, malls are going out of business, tourism is way down, construction and housing sales are way down, joblessness is rising, manufacturing jobs are declining, the middle class continues to shrink and prices continue to spiral out of control.

I could go on and on and on.

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

It would take me a half a day to list all the countries that have a higher growth rate than the American economy is experiencing right now. The US economy is in the doldrums despite the fake macro numbers punched out by the government. Countless small businesses are going under, entire streets are laced with for lease signs, malls are going out of business, tourism is way down, construction and housing sales are way down, joblessness is rising, manufacturing jobs are declining, the middle class continues to shrink and prices continue to spiral out of control.

I could go on and on and on.

Name 2 or 3 then. I don't need a long list.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

Name 2 or 3 then. I don't need a long list.

How about 4?

• India: Leading the major economies with a projected growth rate of 6.4%–6.6% in 2025–2026, driven by manufacturing and services.

• Vietnam: Expected to continue growing strongly, with rates around 5.6%–6.5%.

• Philippines: Projected to grow around 5.4%–5.7%.

• Indonesia: Sustaining 4.9% growth, making it a key driver in Southeast Asia.

And the US at an very anemic 2.2% prior to the Iran War, adjusted annually it will probably be more like 1.7%.

The Trump factor.

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

How about 4?

• India: Leading the major economies with a projected growth rate of 6.4%–6.6% in 2025–2026, driven by manufacturing and services.

• Vietnam: Expected to continue growing strongly, with rates around 5.6%–6.5%.

• Philippines: Projected to grow around 5.4%–5.7%.

• Indonesia: Sustaining 4.9% growth, making it a key driver in Southeast Asia.

And the US at an very anemic 2.2% prior to the Iran War, adjusted annually it will probably be more like 1.7%.

The Trump factor.

The US is too big to grow at 5%. Not sustainable. Nothing to do with Trump.

The 25 year average is 2.2%.

Vietnam is the only one I would want to live in. The others are terrible.

15 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

How about 4?

• India: Leading the major economies with a projected growth rate of 6.4%–6.6% in 2025–2026, driven by manufacturing and services.

• Vietnam: Expected to continue growing strongly, with rates around 5.6%–6.5%.

• Philippines: Projected to grow around 5.4%–5.7%.

• Indonesia: Sustaining 4.9% growth, making it a key driver in Southeast Asia.

And the US at an very anemic 2.2% prior to the Iran War, adjusted annually it will probably be more like 1.7%.

The Trump factor.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

You bring up a reasonable point I am actually quite a positive person, but not when it comes to the direction America is going these days, and not when it comes to anything related to the GOP and Trump, who I think are bringing down America and making it a considerably lesser nation than it used to be. Certainly I'm not blaming them in the entirety, as I believe the nation has been declining for at least three decades, but Trump seems to be precipitating that decline quite dramatically.

If you look at some of my posts you'll see that I have posted quite a few very positive notes about the Thai people, who I adore, and a variety of other topics, however I'm rarely positive when it comes to politics.

OK, I could have missed the positive posts and I respect that you don't scream at other posters which is rare.

Europe is basically at where it was pre financial crisis 18 years ago. Productivity is stagnant while American productivity has steadily improved. The USA has been one of the few only economic winners the last couple of decades (Obama, Trump, and your fave ). Is that decline?

3 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

The US is too big to grow at 5%. Not sustainable. Nothing to do with Trump.

The 25 year average is 2.2%.

Vietnam is the only one I would want to live in. The others are terrible.

In all of those countries they still poop in holes in the ground.

6 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Trump is right most of the time. He just delivers the message wrong.

Yup. I voted for him 3 times. really had no choice as the DEMs have jumped the shark on the issues (immigration, international, gender) and candidates (Hillary, Biden and Kamala) they present. I find Fetterman a breath of fresh air. Old time Democrat not to new lunatic fringe.

I'm sometimes happy with what Trump does. Sometimes not. And usually wish he would do a little bit of shutting the f up. Funniest thing about this forum is the biggest troll here blocked me for what i don't know (called me a troll) so that tickles my funny bone whenever I read his drivel.

Also funny only those reading articles about problems abroad have problems. I have a lot of yank friends expats in Thailand and none have reported any issues. Hmmm. Maybe people should consider the source and intent of articles they read.]

4 hours ago, atpeace said:

OK, I could have missed the positive posts and I respect that you don't scream at other posters which is rare.

Europe is basically at where it was pre financial crisis 18 years ago. Productivity is stagnant while American productivity has steadily improved. The USA has been one of the few only economic winners the last couple of decades (Obama, Trump, and your fave ). Is that decline?

Yes. 70-80% of Americans would argue that their quality of life has declined significantly in the last decade or two, that things have become considerably less affordable, that housing costs are out of control, and that inflation is dramatically higher than the government statistics reflect.

If you own a home that's entirely paid for, and you have a significant nest egg, then you're amongst that top 20%, but the vast majority of the country is not in that position, and their buying power has diminished dramatically.

Very few Americans would say that their lives are better now than it was a decade or two ago.

And many Americans would argue that their lives are significantly worse now than it was 2 years ago.

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. 70-80% of Americans would argue that their quality .

If you own a home that's entirely paid for, and you have a significant nest egg, then you're amongst that top 20%, but the vast majority of the country is not in that position, and their buying power has diminished dramatically.

Very few Americans would say that their lives are better now than it was a decade or two ago.

And many Americans would argue that their lives are significantly worse now than it was 2 years ago.

Many times you are definitely one of the more reasonable posters in this current political arena. Your frustration comes out at times but I can understand it. I rarely see you attacking other posters.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. 70-80% of Americans would argue that their quality of life has declined significantly in the last decade or two, that things have become considerably less affordable, that housing costs are out of control, and that inflation is dramatically higher than the government statistics reflect.

If you own a home that's entirely paid for, and you have a significant nest egg, then you're amongst that top 20%, but the vast majority of the country is not in that position, and their buying power has diminished dramatically.

Very few Americans would say that their lives are better now than it was a decade or two ago.

And many Americans would argue that their lives are significantly worse now than it was 2 years ago.

I have heard this argument since the 1980s. It is human nature, It was so good back....

I agree with you about home prices but with home ownership at 65%, there is little a politicians can do to correct the mess if they want to get reelected. It is much worse in Canada where homes average 13x of income vs 7 in America. Most wealth for the normal person in both countries is tied to their homes that are over 50% overvalued by traditional values the last 100 years. Many people here in Thailand were poor back home other than their home they sold. THey are living the dream now just because they owned a home that kept doubling in price. Problem is what goes up usually comes down and this is getting insane. Non homeowners are screwed!

THe young will eventually inherit the overpriced homes but this model is doomed to fail. For one, I think we are reaching the point where home values can't go any higher. When that happens, which is the best scenario (peaks vs drops ), people savings will stagnate and that will be the beginning of the end of this crazy easy money cycle we have been in for decades. This has been a wild ride for decades now but it isn't based on real value or productivity.

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. 70-80% of Americans would argue that their quality of life has declined significantly in the last decade or two, that things have become considerably less affordable, that housing costs are out of control, and that inflation is dramatically higher than the government statistics reflect.

If you own a home that's entirely paid for, and you have a significant nest egg, then you're amongst that top 20%, but the vast majority of the country is not in that position, and their buying power has diminished dramatically.

Very few Americans would say that their lives are better now than it was a decade or two ago.

And many Americans would argue that their lives are significantly worse now than it was 2 years ago.

Wheres your source for any of that garbage ?
You're required to provide it per the rules.