I'm one of them and it's rather hard to make heads or tails of it.

First to define typical American in the context of today's dramatically volatile geopolitical situation.

The vast majority of Americans oppose Trump's war of choice against Iran.

The vast majority of Americans support Ukraine rather than Russia in the war there.

The vast majority of Americans support South Korea rather than North Korean.

The vast majority of Americans while recognizing the rise of China do naturally want their own country to hold on to a good amount of global power and influence

So take that "typical" American and put him into Thailand.

Americans in Thailand generally have good will towards the host country as far as their prospects for peace and prosperity even acknowledging that many benefit from geographical arbitrage between the costs of living between the USA and Thailand.

Good enough so far but now it gets a bit sticky (rice).

Thailand wants to have good relations with Russia, China, and the US.

Thailand is neutral on the Russia Ukraine war.

There is more than a zero chance that war will erupt between the US and China in the foreseeable future over Taiwan. Thailand is a land in Asia. It's not hard to imagine that it would be hard for Thailand to be fully neutral if that happens. Then what happens to Americans here, if anything?

Recently to balance the supply chain crisis from the Middle East directly caused by a war of choice by the American president, Thailand signed up for a deal to buy big supplies of energy from EASTERN Russia.

That is viable as EASTERN Russia is currently out of range of Ukrainian drones and also the travel time from there to Thailand is close enough to work.

Nobody can fairly blame Thailand for protecting their energy security in this way especially as they are blameless in the problem that pushed them to this.

However, the typical American expat in Thailand supports Ukraine eventually hitting ALL of Russia's energy supplies and ALL would logically include those in the far east of Russia bound for Thailand (if it is ever possible) and ALSO as any person living in any country wants to live in a country with a secure energy supply.

Do you see the contradiction?

Perhaps this will be a moot point as Ukraine might never get to the point of being able to send drones that far. But they might.

On top of that typical Americans have to somehow manage to digest having a president who often looks to be working for the enemies of the US rather than our allies. Enemies -- Russia, North Korea, Iran. Allies -- Ukraine, South Korea, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, etc.

North Korea supplies arms and slaves for Russia to help kill Ukrainians yet the American president expresses love for their leader, and trashes South Korea.

I don't have any answers for this. I posted this just as a matter of discussion about the curiously awkward geopolitical situation of American expats in Thailand.

Edited August 19Aug 19 by Jingthing

Many american expats living in thailand who are left learning are total hypocrites.

38 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Many american expats living in thailand who are left learning are total hypocrites.

The majority American positions I described are not keftist.

They are very much mainstrean.

Edited August 19Aug 19 by Jingthing

Just now, Jingthing said:

The majority American positions I described are not keftist.

They are verzmy much mainstrean.

A debate can be had about that.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

A debate can be had about that.

Nope.

All reflect polling

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Nope.

All reflect polling

Polling can be swayed to reflect the views of those polling.

Remember all the poles saying kamala would win. Or that Joe was tippy top for the job.

Ya me too.

34 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Polling can be swayed to reflect the views of those polling.

Remember all the poles saying kamala would win. Or that Joe was tippy top for the job.

Ya me too.

Strong majorities.

You're grasping at straws.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Strong majorities.

You're grasping at straws.

And your bias is often clouding your judgment. I have presented legit rebuttles which you simply brush off without any thought.

I'm from Hartford CT USA. I'm 69 years old and been here 13 years. I didn't come here to immerse my mind in "geopolitics" or rub my nose daily in the caustic projectile vomited excrement that passes for news. My days of activism and self immolation over the world's problems are long behind me. I found out that I can't change the world, but I can change the way that I interact with what's around me, and inside of me. I came here to live a happy life and to preserve my mental health, and to do some good if I can. The world will do what it will regardless of my thoughts or ideas or endless barroom arguments with drunken Brits or MAGAs, and I'm sure I'll survive just nicely. (BTW I don't do arguing). I'm pretty happy to not have died of covid, and of the prostate cancer that I had treated last year. Perspective helps.

My concern is that I contribute to who and what I can around me in a positive and meaningful way, to make people laugh and smile, to share joie de vivre. It's not my job to nail myself to the cross of international turmoil and outrage, and as far as my interaction with Thailand I'm not walking around waving an American flag wherever I go, and I'm not out to stick my nose into and dictate the affairs of a country that's generously allowed me to live as a guest. I'm not going to superimpose my "American" moral conscience here - to do so would be the epitome of arrogance. I came here in peace and humility. There are activists and journalists out there who are fighting and protesting on behalf of justice - here and abroad - they have taken up the gauntlet and God bless them, but that ain't me. There's nothing for me to be gained by anything that doesn't have a direct positive purpose and end result. I'm an artist and a rock and roll musician, I create and I entertain.

Now, my opinion.

"Curiously awkward"?

If you want to call attention to yourself as an American in this way when you're hanging upside down on the other side of the world then you are the one creating the awkward position for yourself, painting a target on your back even, or at the very least you're overthinking it and burning up your own positive mental energy resources. Being American doesn't automatically grant you the moral high ground. If you think it does, yeah, that's "awkward" all right. Especially when no one recognizes it. If you're unsure how to disentangle and reconcile your own social and moral conscience against the "geopolitics" of Thailand and the world I'd say you have a very long and tiring road ahead of you, especially if you can't disengage your emotions sufficiently enough from that toxic mess to preserve your own peace of mind. If I were you I'd fold up that flag, put it in a drawer, and remember where you are and your place here, why you came here, and concentrate on the good people and things you see all around you. Because that's what really matters.

BTW, this is as close as I'll ever get to discussing the ills of the world publicly. I don't engage in conversations that serve no positive purpose, and I'm certainly NOT EVER going to discuss the horrors of the current US fascist murderous criminal regime, for reasons I already stated. Only 2 more years. Maybe less. And still, I'll be here living peacefully.

The U.S. poured billions of dollars into Thailand primarily during the Cold War, especially from the early 1950s through the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, to keep Thailand firmly in the anti-communist camp.

The US won't be able to stop China from reclaiming Taiwan. They've already demonstrated they don't need the oil flowing through Malacca strait

Thailand won't have anything to do with that.

Don't worry.

Thai people are in their own little world.

They like Americans generally speaking because they don't see too many, unlike other nationalities.

And Hollywood is good PR that other countries don't have.

now cool down, boy

Settle back easy, Jim

Move with a pinch of grace 🥳

3 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

The U.S. poured billions of dollars into Thailand primarily during the Cold War, especially from the early 1950s through the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, to keep Thailand firmly in the anti-communist camp.

The US won't be able to stop China from reclaiming Taiwan. They've already demonstrated they don't need the oil flowing through Malacca strait

Thailand won't have anything to do with that.

Don't worry.

Thai people are in their own little world.

They like Americans generally speaking because they don't see too many, unlike other nationalities.

And Hollywood is good PR that other countries don't have.

now cool down, boy

Settle back easy, Jim

Move with a pinch of grace 🥳

About Taiwan I think Trump has signalled he won't do jack <deleted> to help them or Europe. Taiwan is a big deal geopolitically and also of course the chips.

Edited August 19Aug 19 by Jingthing

12 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

I'm from Hartford CT USA. I'm 69 years old and been here 13 years. I didn't come here to immerse my mind in "geopolitics" or rub my nose daily in the caustic projectile vomited excrement that passes for news. My days of activism and self immolation over the world's problems are long behind me. I found out that I can't change the world, but I can change the way that I interact with what's around me, and inside of me. I came here to live a happy life and to preserve my mental health, and to do some good if I can. The world will do what it will regardless of my thoughts or ideas or endless barroom arguments with drunken Brits or MAGAs, and I'm sure I'll survive just nicely. (BTW I don't do arguing). I'm pretty happy to not have died of covid, and of the prostate cancer that I had treated last year. Perspective helps.

My concern is that I contribute to who and what I can around me in a positive and meaningful way, to make people laugh and smile, to share joie de vivre. It's not my job to nail myself to the cross of international turmoil and outrage, and as far as my interaction with Thailand I'm not walking around waving an American flag wherever I go, and I'm not out to stick my nose into and dictate the affairs of a country that's generously allowed me to live as a guest. I'm not going to superimpose my "American" moral conscience here - to do so would be the epitome of arrogance. I came here in peace and humility. There are activists and journalists out there who are fighting and protesting on behalf of justice - here and abroad - they have taken up the gauntlet and God bless them, but that ain't me. There's nothing for me to be gained by anything that doesn't have a direct positive purpose and end result. I'm an artist and a rock and roll musician, I create and I entertain.

Now, my opinion.

"Curiously awkward"?

If you want to call attention to yourself as an American in this way when you're hanging upside down on the other side of the world then you are the one creating the awkward position for yourself, painting a target on your back even, or at the very least you're overthinking it and burning up your own positive mental energy resources. Being American doesn't automatically grant you the moral high ground. If you think it does, yeah, that's "awkward" all right. Especially when no one recognizes it. If you're unsure how to disentangle and reconcile your own social and moral conscience against the "geopolitics" of Thailand and the world I'd say you have a very long and tiring road ahead of you, especially if you can't disengage your emotions sufficiently enough from that toxic mess to preserve your own peace of mind. If I were you I'd fold up that flag, put it in a drawer, and remember where you are and your place here, why you came here, and concentrate on the good people and things you see all around you. Because that's what really matters.

BTW, this is as close as I'll ever get to discussing the ills of the world publicly. I don't engage in conversations that serve no positive purpose, and I'm certainly NOT EVER going to discuss the horrors of the current US fascist murderous criminal regime, for reasons I already stated. Only 2 more years. Maybe less. And still, I'll be here living peacefully.

I went to a great Grateful Dead concert in Hartford.

Interesting post but it was really about you rather than the topic and your presumptions about me were bizarre and out of tune.

OK also we're both old but the damaging legacy of Trump is not a matter of 2 years. Its permanent

Edited August 19Aug 19 by Jingthing

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

About Taiwan I think Trump has signalled he won't do jack <deleted> to helo them or Eurooe .Taiwan is a big deal geopolitically and of course the chips.

Yeah it's strange how Taiwan has become the sole source supplier of low volume custom chips. Believe me everyone in America is working on SoC technology on the new glass substrate replacing the older more heat sensitive substrate. They're running those GPUs in data centers full tilt and the heat damage is wearing them out after a few years.

Trump has no clue and doesn't care.

Apparently Taiwan has poured lots of money into Thailand too.

I'd be more worried about Myanmar warlords than the CCP especially in the North.

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I went to a great Grateful Dead concert in Hartford.

Interesting post but it was really about you rather than the topic and your presumptions about me were bizarre and out of tune.

OK also we're both old but the damaging legacy of Trump is not a matter of 2 years. Its permanent

I didn't mean that the damage would be undone after 2 years. I meant that Trump would be gone, then rebuilding and reversal such that may be possible can begin. Yes, there is permanent damage. Thanks for your opinion. I do tend to get self absorbed at times, I must have been triggered today. Cheers and chok dee.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I'm one of them and it's rather hard to make heads or tails of it.

First to define typical American in the context of today's dramatically volatile geopolitical situation.

The vast majority of Americans oppose Trump's war of choice against Iran.

The vast majority of Americans support Ukraine rather than Russia in the war there.

The vast majority of Americans support South Korea rather than North Korean.

The vast majority of Americans while recognizing the rise of China do naturally want their own country to hold on to a good amount of global power and influence

So take that "typical" American and put him into Thailand.

Americans in Thailand generally have good will towards the host country as far as their prospects for peace and prosperity even acknowledging that many benefit from geographical arbitrage between the costs of living between the USA and Thailand.

Advertisement

Good enough so far but now it gets a bit sticky (rice).

Thailand wants to have good relations with Russia, China, and the US.

Thailand is neutral on the Russia Ukraine war.

There is more than a zero chance that war will erupt between the US and China in the foreseeable future over Taiwan. Thailand is a land in Asia. It's not hard to imagine that it would be hard for Thailand to be fully neutral if that happens. Then what happens to Americans here, if anything?

Recently to balance the supply chain crisis from the Middle East directly caused by a war of choice by the American president, Thailand signed up for a deal to buy big supplies of energy from EASTERN Russia.

That is viable as EASTERN Russia is currently out of range of Ukrainian drones and also the travel time from there to Thailand is close enough to work.

Nobody can fairly blame Thailand for protecting their energy security in this way especially as they are blameless in the problem that pushed them to this.

Advertisement

However, the typical American expat in Thailand supports Ukraine eventually hitting ALL of Russia's energy supplies and ALL would logically include those in the far east of Russia bound for Thailand (if it is ever possible) and ALSO as any person living in any country wants to live in a country with a secure energy supply.

Do you see the contradiction?

Perhaps this will be a moot point as Ukraine might never get to the point of being able to send drones that far. But they might.

On top of that typical Americans have to somehow manage to digest having a president who often looks to be working for the enemies of the US rather than our allies. Enemies -- Russia, North Korea, Iran. Allies -- Ukraine, South Korea, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, etc.

North Korea supplies arms and slaves for Russia to help kill Ukrainians yet the American president expresses love for their leader, and trashes South Korea.

I don't have any answers for this. I posted this just as a matter of discussion about the curiously awkward geopolitical situation of American expats in Thailand.

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We know you didn’t write that. Cut and paste from????

You left out one important sentence.

The majority of Americans don’t agree with the majority of what you posted.

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

Many american expats living in thailand who are left learning are total hypocrites.

Not only Thailand but America as well.

39 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

About Taiwan I think Trump has signalled he won't do jack <deleted> to help them or Europe. Taiwan is a big deal geopolitically and also of course the chips.

U.S. presidents have historically maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity," declining to explicitly commit to a direct military intervention. Frankly, Europe needs to put on their big boy pants and take care of themselves.

17 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

We know you didn’t write that. Cut and paste from????

You left out one important sentence.

The majority of Americans don’t agree with the majority of what you posted.

I wrote every word.

Should I be flattered or insulted to be accused of copying?

I am 100 percent confident on all of these points.

The vast majority of Americans oppose Trump's war of choice against Iran.

The vast majority of Americans support Ukraine rather than Russia in the war there.

The vast majority of Americans support South Korea rather than North Korean.

The vast majority of Americans while recognizing the rise of China do naturally want their own country to hold on to a good amount of global power and influence

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

Many american expats living in thailand who are left learning are total hypocrites.

and geopolitical morons as well as having their reality skewed by trump insanity

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

Many american expats living in thailand who are left learning are total hypocrites.

Many American expats living in Thailand who support Trump are supporting the decline of America. They are supporting massive corruption at the presidential level, they are supporting long unnecessary wars of choice, most are supporting Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people, and most are on the wrong side of history. Thankfully MAGA is on the decline and so is the circus clown.

1 hour ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

We know you didn’t write that. Cut and paste from????

You left out one important sentence.

The majority of Americans don’t agree with the majority of what you posted.

You left that one very important point, and that is that the majority of Americans and decent people around the world don't agree with very much you ever have to say.

2 hours ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

We know you didn’t write that. Cut and paste from????

You left out one important sentence.

The majority of Americans don’t agree with the majority of what you posted.

30% or less (and dropping fast) is hardly the vast majority. Why MAGA thinks they're the majority escapes me,

28 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Many American expats living in Thailand who support Trump are supporting the decline of America. They are supporting massive corruption at the presidential level, they are supporting long unnecessary wars of choice, most are supporting Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people, and most are on the wrong side of history. Thankfully MAGA is on the decline and so is the circus clown.

The same can be said for both sides.you know deep state and all.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I wrote every word.

Should I be flattered or insulted to be accused of copying?

I am 100 percent confident on all of these points.

The vast majority of Americans oppose Trump's war of choice against Iran.

The vast majority of Americans support Ukraine rather than Russia in the war there.

The vast majority of Americans support South Korea rather than North Korean.

The vast majority of Americans while recognizing the rise of China do naturally want their own country to hold on to a good amount of global power and influence

“Flattered or insulted “. Up to you.

77 million voters think otherwise. That’s why he’s YOUR POTUS. Sorry to bust your confidence bubble apart.

37 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

You left that one very important point, and that is that the majority of Americans and decent people around the world don't agree with very much you ever have to say.

@Jingthing appreciated you chiming in for the reach around effect. I certainly hope you return that favor. After all, what are liberal buddies for.

You left out one very important point. You said you weren’t going to reply to me anymore. Remember? Your credibility and integrity has maintained its true course. Your bearing is way off.

77 million decent Americans didn’t agree with you which is why the decent Americans voted Trump in as the 47th President of America.

The best part is there is nothing you can do about it. Except cry.

24 minutes ago, gargamon said:

30% or less (and dropping fast) is hardly the vast majority. Why MAGA thinks they're the majority escapes me,

About 77 million for Trump vs about 74 million for Harris.

Was your post meant to tell us you failed arithmetic?

You made your point. Thanks.

14 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

About 77 million for Trump vs about 74 million for Harris.

Was your post meant to tell us you failed arithmetic?

You made your point. Thanks.

Just because Trump conned the independents into voting for him doesn't mean they support him now. Have you seen the poll numbers?

54 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Many American expats living in Thailand who show support for Trump are supporting the decline of America. They are supporting massive corruption at the presidential level, they are supporting long unnecessary wars of choice, most are supporting Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people, and most are on the wrong side of history. Thankfully MAGA is on support the decline and so is the circus clown.

“American expats living in Thailand who show support for Trump are supporting the decline of America “

WTF? Mind boggling. Are you related to Tug by any chance?

And what about the Americans living in Italy, Vietnam, France, Philippines or even AMERICA? Same same or different?

Many Americans in Thailand have enjoyed a cocktail at TRUMP TOWERS in Jomtien I believe. They’ve moved locations. I visited once at the old location on Soi 12, Jomtien.

Is there a Harris or Biden supporting bar in Pattaya/Jomtien? If there is my best guess would be Boyztown.

Not me in the photo. I’m much better looking.

7 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Just because Trump conned the independents into voting for him doesn't mean they support him now. Have you seen the poll numbers?

77 million independents???

What are you drinking? Now.

CNN polls have no credibility. Just like the 2016, 2024, Pennsylvania and all the swing states “POLLS”.

You guys haven’t learned anything yet.

Research Einstein’s definition of insanity.

Edited August 20Aug 20 by HolmesEquivelant

1 minute ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

77 million independents???

What are you drinking? Now.

CNN polls have no credibility. Just like the 2016, 2024, Pennsylvania and all the swing states “POLLS”.

You guys haven’t learned anything yet.

Research Einstein’s definition of insanity.

Not very bright, are you? I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you. Duh.