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(CNN) -- Craggy-faced film, television and stage actor James Whitmore has died at 87, the Los Angeles County, California, Sheriff's Department confirmed Saturday. Details of his death and funeral arrangements were not available. Whitmore notably portrayed Harry Truman, Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt in one-man stage shows and created memorable characters in many movies and TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone." According to entertainment Web site IMBd.com, Whitmore won a Tony award in 1948 for his gritty Broadway portrayal of an Army sergeant in "Command Decision," but was replaced by Van Johnson in the film version. Whitmore won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the 1949 film "Battleground." He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar in 1976 for "Give 'Em Hell, Harry," the film version of his one-man show about Truman. The actor won an Emmy in 2000 for his performance as Raymond Oz in a three-episode arc on the ABC legal drama "The Practice," according to IMDb.com. Movie fans may remember his subtle portrayal of aging prison inmate Brooks Hatlen in 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption" with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. He played U.S. Navy Adm. William F. Halsey in the World War II epic "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and was an imperious ape in the 1968 classic "Planet of the Apes." Whitmore looked natural in cowboy boots and hat, appearing in such TV series as "Bonanza," "The Virginian" and "Gunsmoke." He also did commercials for Miracle-Gro plant foods. According to IMDb.com, Whitmore was born in 1921 in White Plains, New York. He was married four times -- twice to Nancy Mygatt, for four years in the '70s to actress Audra Lindley, and since 2001 to actress Noreen Nash. He was the father of three children, including actor-director James Whitmore Jr.

I believe it is optional on the part of the bars. Usually if bars are ordered to be closed, the police often don't inform them until a day in advance. My understanding, at this moment, is the bars will be open and operating normally. Banks and government offices, however, will be closed.

I believe the article is slightly mistaken. I think the article should have used the word "and" instead of the word "or." I believe the actual penalty is not a choice of 10 years or a 20000 baht fine. It's 10 years and a 20000 baht fine.

Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man who lives in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But He loves you. - George Carlin

I don't agree. It may not happen any time soon and it still may be a hell of a struggle getting there, but that day will come. The trouble is, by the time it does we'll all probably either be too old to enjoy it or we'll all be dead. I think I'll stick with Thailand. There may be gay prejudice here too, but it certainly doesn't even begin to compare to the USA.

When I first started coming to Thailand, I thought as you do. There's plenty of public transportation, so I thought what do we need a motorbike for? Then, once we had one, I didn't know how we ever got along without it. We started talking about a car when we had the motorbike. I thought what do we need a car for? Now that I have one, I don't know how I ever got along without it. I like the convenience of having a car. It sure makes life easier when it rains. I makes life easier when I go shopping. It makes life easier when I want to go to places that are not on usual public transportation routes. If your life is not much more than the beach and the bars, then you really have no need for your own transportation. But if you ever do get your own transportation, it opens up a whole new world in Thailand. Whenever I hear people say things like the only reason to be in Thailand or Pattaya is for the sex, I would guess that many of those people don't have a car or rarely even try to do much else. Something I love to do every so often is, just on a whim, to pack up a few days worth of clothes, get in the car, and just go. No plans at all and no worries about where I'll end up. You never know what you're going to find and I have never been disappointed. But I also know that without a car I never would have those kinds of experiences. So, you're right. It isn't necessary to have a car, but when I think of what I would miss without it, that's when I'm very happy I have one.

I'm more with fountainhall on this one. I realize that there is no way small children can be kept quietly confined to their seats on a long haul flight, but I also think the parents should be responsible for keeping them from disturbing other passengers. I don't think it's right or fair for the parents to remain complacently in their seats and just let the kids run up and down the aisles disturbing a plane load of people. Parents have a responsibility to control and supervise their children. They're on a plane, not a playground. I can't see any reason why parents can't bring along toys and games to keep the kids occupied as much as possible without disturbing everyone else.

Also, if you are staying in a hotel or condo, have the desk clerk or security guard double check the ID card and if they agree that the card really does belong to the boy and that he really is at least 18 years old, then also have them hold the card until the boy leaves and they get an "all clear" from you before they give back the ID card. If it turns out that the ID card is "borrowed," then I would have them make the boy leave, without the ID card, and have them tell the boy they'll just keep the card until the rightful owner shows up to claim it. I would also have them tell the boy if the owner doesn't show up within 24 hours, then he'll have to claim it at the police station because that's where the card is going. One more idea popped into my head. Also let them know how long you intend for the boy to be in your room with you. Tell them if more time than that passes and they haven't heard from you, then they need to go to your room and personally check. Make sure the boy knows all of this. I can't think of anything to do to make yourself any safer than that.

Appropriately enough, if you haven't seen the movie "Milk," then you ought to make a point of seeing it. It's a superb film. It's the story of Harvey Milk and gay rights. Sean Penn plays the lead and while I'm no great fan of his, in this movie he does a fantastic acting job. Unfortunately, many of the problems that exited in the 1970's still exist today and you can't blame today's problems on Hostess Twinkies.

But I do see what appears to be the advent of Bangkok's traffic jams.

Thank God.

The article says: "There are 150 units selling at Bt76,000 per sq.m." In any case, the way things seem to happen here all too often, I agree with you. I would not make down payment or any other kind of payment on a condo, planned or still under construction, unless the construction company is well established, has an excellent reputation, is financially solvent, and can prove it. Even then I would still be a bit nervous.

Obama has been President less than three weeks and already here come the Republicans to stand in his way. Maybe they have awfully short memories about whose policies put us in this financial mess in the first place. How long will it take these people to figure out that their policies don't exactly work? When will they figure out why they're being voted out of office? So far, my personal favorite move Obama has made is setting limits on the amount of money the greedy corporate executives can help themselves to when they leave their positions or want to stage lavish trips and parties for themselves, all at the expense of the workers who lose their jobs and pensions, not to mention the fact that our tax money is what supports these bail-outs and lines their pockets. Thank you Republicans! Thank you very much! It's been good to see you. Now get lost! Here I am, and I doubt I'm alone in this, trying to make ends meet and have to watch my tax dollars financing these greedy bastards so they can live in the lap of luxury for the rest of their lives. Somehow I bitterly resent that. I'm glad to see Obama putting a stop to it.

I've never been to Solid, but based on your post that's an accurate description. If you want to go "whole hog," then you need to either use a short-time room or take the boy off. However, "half-hog" seems to work. Of course, a generous tip is expected.

Until this article was published, neither had I. The article is not very detailed. Perhaps someone who lives in Bangkok can tell us more about it.

Just to be sure there is no confusion, the article does not, repeat, does not refer to the Le Café Royale hotel. La Royale is a condo, as the title of this thread says. If you wish to read the article and see photos, click the following link: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008384

Good Boys

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Tram for Chinatown will be in Service this Month The project to develop Bangkok's Yaowarat area is more than halfway complete and the "red route" tram service should be running by the end of this month, a senior official said Thursday. Samphanthawong district office director Prasert Inthusoma said that of the project's nine tasks, the renovation of the Chinese arch to mark HM the King's birthday should be finished by March 16, cars had been banned on the arch roundabout from yesterday; and the tram service to transport tourists from Hualumpong subway station to Yaowarat was scheduled to start running in the next few weeks.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ SEX TOUR King of the Swingers Arrested Published on February 6, 2009 After having reportedly organised more than a hundred "swingers" parties during the past three years, a British man was arrested yesterday along with his Thai wife at a Bangkok hotel. With them were five Thais and 16 foreigners allegedly participating in a wifeswapping party. Christian A Richards, 54, has been charged with procurement and commercial sex advertisements. The parties are advertised through www.Bangkok.CraigsList.co.th where Richards' wife goes by the name of Duang. They charge each participant Bt3,000. Party raided The "swingers caught in the raid were a mix of Americans, French, Indians and Chinese. The Tourist Police arrived at the hotel suite to find the party just warming up and discovered condoms, 30 Viagra tablets and pornographic movies. The police caught Richards in January at a party for about 50 people in a Huay Kwang hotel area but he claimed it was a birthday party and charges were pressed. Tourist police commander Archayon Kraithong said that the police investigation suggests such activities have been going on for three to four years, attracting 25 to 30 people from many countries to each party. The police issued a warrant for Richards' arrest on February 1, 2009. The foreign and Thai participants were released after paying fines, while Richards was still being questioned by police yesterday. If found guilty, he faces a jail sentence of up to 10 years or a fine of up to Bt20,000. ____________________ and this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Pair Arrested for Running Orgy By: BANGKOK POST AND AFP A 54-year-old Briton and his Thai wife have been arrested for organising a sex orgy at a Bangkok hotel. Christian Arthur Richard, a British national, was arrested on Wednesday night at the Elizabeth Hotel on Pradiphat road, Phaya Thai district, after police raided a room on the 11th floor. Thirteen male foreigners and 10 Thai women were found in the room, with some having sex openly. The foreigners included US, French, Indian and Chinese citizens. Upon seeing the police, those who were engaged in the orgy rushed to put on their clothes. Many condoms were found scattered around the room. About 30 Viagra pills were also found. Mr Richard has been charged with colluding in procuring women and men for sex, running a prostitution business and advertising sex activities, which could land him a jail term of 10 years or a fine of up to 20,000 baht. The guests were released after paying fines of up to 1,000 baht. The raid followed a police investigation into orgies involving foreigners and Thai women held in Bangkok and the provinces by a foreigner and his Thai wife. The couple had opened a website http://www.bangkok.craigslist.co.th to persuade tourists to join orgies with Thai women. Each was charged 3,000 baht to join. The arrest of the British suspect led police to Duangchan, or Lom Sranoi, at her residence in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district yesterday. Mrs Duangchan, the wife of Mr Richard, was arrested and police said she confessed to having organised orgies. Over 50 sex activities had been organised, she said. Pol Col Archayon Kraithong, chief of the tourism police division, said the couple had organised orgies for three to four years. They were held every week, with 25-60 guests each time. Most guests were male foreigners and Thai women. A source said Mr Richard was arrested last month after police raided a hotel room in Bangkok's Huai Khwang and found 50 people in the room. However, he was freed without charge as he claimed he was using the room to hold a birthday party.

That's because, from what I understand, the old board will be left in place as an archive. You need a new bookmark to get to the new site.

Rhinestones? Among my purses? Are you a madman . . . ?

And bosses, supervisors, and anyone else in a position to require you to make your whereabouts known any time they want to check up on you. I don't think I would want to be on that tight a leash or give up my privacy as to wherever I choose to go. I can just picture it. You take a "mental health" day from work. You tell the boss you're going to your doctor. Just what you need . . . the boss tracking you right into the adult book store. Talk about Big Brother watching! Now anybody can be watching! This is progress? You can have it. They might be trying to make it sound like something positive and fun, but I sure don't see it that way. The only personal advantage I can see for something like this is if I find myself in some sort of emergency situation it would be easy for someone to locate me, assuming I can get to the mobile phone and activate whatever it is that needs to be activated. Other than that, I can't come up with any reason at all why I would want anyone else to know where I am. I also doubt it would make a hit with the Thai boys. For those of you who can understand some Thai, have you ever noticed how often they call each other and the first thing they do is ask, "Where are you?" This little device would use up half their conversation . . . In any case, unless someone comes up with a very convincing reason to let people track your whereabouts, include me out.

Let's hope that doesn't apply to Chiang Mai's governor. The fact that these people petitioned him doesn't mean he is going to comply. We'll have to wait and see what he does. I hope he just ignores them or tells them to get lost.

Quite often these stalls are owned by the same people. Have you ever seen the series of about 15 or so fruit stands, one after another, out on the highways? All owned by the same people. That's the most likely reason why all three CD stalls disappeared overnight. Just why they disappeared is anybody's guess, but you definitely lucked out . . . for the time being.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ No Place for Gays in Chiang Mai Culture? By Pongthorn Chanlearn Published on February 5, 2009 Conservative groups in Chiang Mai have petitioned the governor to ban the second Chiang Mai Gay Pride parade planned for February 21, arguing that such an event undermines the city's age-old culture. As director of MPlus, one of the event's organisers, I believe that cultural heritage and the expression of sexual identities are not mutually exclusive. A flowing current brings fertility from upstream to downstream and prevents the decay that comes with stagnation. Likewise, culture, without being held hostage, renews itself in time and nourishes subsequent ages. This is true of all cultures, as they withstand the passage of time and pass on the legacy of previous generations. For a culture to bear the passing of time, it needs to evolve alongside the people in that culture. It can't be frozen like a dead entity, because like life itself, culture goes through the cycles of creation, change and evolution. Should it stand still and fail to enrich itself with new values, decline would immediately set in. We should remember that all cultures are social constructs that are born, exist and pass away, according to the Buddhist principle of impermanence. It is simply untrue that local cultures are completely distinct and separate from other cultures, as no cultures exist in a vacuum. They evolve through interaction within the culture and with other cultures. As a result, no individual or group can claim exclusive ownership of the culture in question. What exactly is a culture? How did it come to be? Who owns it? For whom does it exist? These are questions that must be asked about any culture, including Chiang Mai culture, rather than accepting exclusive claims and definitions imposed by powers-that-be such as the nation state. Culture is the total sum of the ways of life for various groups of people. It is not a sole property of the government, or capitalists, to be conveniently put in a neat package and sold for monetary gain, Every Chiang Mai citizen is entitled to dignity and the right to contribute to their own culture according to their life being lived, not for other incentives. The capitalist culture or the authority culture is obviously not the same as the people's culture. However, even in terms of people's culture, Chiang Mai culture today is not the same as it was 100 years ago. The differences reflect the inevitable changes in society. It is neither possible nor desirable to stop new elements flowing into Chiang Mai culture, just as it's impossible to stop tributaries pouring into a river. A more constructive way to preserve Chiang Mai culture is by recognising impermanence and the changes to social and cultural constituents rather than categorically blocking all new elements without any guiding principles or sense of direction. The latter will become a dead weight that inhibits the regeneration of culture. It is time to expand the ownership of Chiang Mai culture to include all subgroups of people with different ways of life and who are ready to share with and learn from others. A society and culture of diversity is more adept to cope with adverse social issues. To resist change and hang on to outdated images of culture will only cause conflict and alienation, both mental and physical. The question should be how to happily exist in a society with great diversity in sexuality, ideas, religion, politics and history. Most importantly, every individual has a unique way of life, often in contradiction of an imaginary "golden age" of culture. The simplistic value judgement of good versus bad is an obstacle to the flow of the cultural stream and the recognition of the inherent diversity within culture. Gay Pride is the expression of a group of people who exist in our society. Notwithstanding the negative portrayal of gays and lesbians often fed to society at large, it is important to remember that homosexuals exist in all professions; that they are our colleagues, friends and relatives; and that they make no less a cultural contribution to society than any other group. When we talk about gay pride, some people conjure up the tired image of "improperly dressed" marchers. The truth is, Gay Pride parades in various countries also vary in character, depending on the issues being presented. Some Gay Pride participants in the West may be scantily clad, but that's to attract the attention of the public and not to sexually arouse. (This writer also believes that anyone who is so easily aroused by such images needs professional help.) Intelligent viewers can recognise the message that any parade intends to impart, whether its human rights, HIV prevention or anti-discrimination. Nobody seeks out a Gay Pride parade for sexual pleasure, which can be found much more easily and abundantly elsewhere. On the contrary, Gay Pride is a form of social expression by sexual minorities who, as citizens, are entitled to the right to freely express their identities and sexualities - so long as that expression does not infringe on the rights of others. Such rights of expression are also afforded to heterosexuals. But Gay Pride has another dimension for gays and lesbians. In addition to allowing people to "come out" on an individual level, Gay Pride is also a "coming out" on a social level, because it opens up not only a physical space but also a conceptual space in the minds of others to recognise sexual minorities. Gay Pride is thus part of the natural cultural evolution, a reflection of the river of social change and diversity. It's hoped that people in our society will think further than the simplistic binary system of what's sexually explicit or sexually arousing, polite or impolite, good or bad. This will be a learning process that takes us beyond the superficial attitudes that can only increase social conflict. Let us all hope for peace based on the understanding of the inherent diversity in all areas of life. MPlus is an NGO working in HIV prevention among men who have sex with men, in Chiang Mai since 2002. Pongsathorn can be reached at mplus_msm@hotmail.com