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Recently connected through Doha on Qatar. Upon arrival all connecting passengers proceed to baggage inspection which was fairly quick and efficient before be allowed into departure terminal. You will have bags rechecked before entering your departure gate area. However, I was surprised about the attention afforded my tablet. I was instructed to remove it from the protective case. An agent then quickly placed a card against the back of iPad and then scanned the card into a reader. It all took less than 30 seconds but it was a first in my experience. I can only assume they were electronically reading the serial number on the back of my device. Have no idea if this was US or local requirement. When I collected items from the bin, I had task of reuniting iPad with cover.

Here the Airbus websites for this new version of the A321 XLR and the A350 ULR that has a max range of 9,700 nautical miles. https://aircraft.airbus.com/en/aircraft/a320/a321xlr https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/news/2018-10-the-ultra-long-range-a350-xwb-brings-key-destinations-closer-together-with

Unfortunately the article is behind a pay wall (at least in my neck of the woods). https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3271496/singapore-named-safest-city-travellers-manila-1-riskiest In February, Spartacus published its annual "Gay Travel Index" of cities with the best legal and living conditions for gays that appears constructed not by actual travel experience but rather on an 18-point check list that determines rankings of countries worldwide. Canada, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain round out the top five. But you have to travel down to #54 to find Thailand, #58 Vietnam, #64 is a tie between Singapore and South Korea, followed by #70 Japan and #84 Cambodia. And if that puzzles you, Colombia and Taiwan tied at #13. As I think Vinapu would say, "go and see for yourself." https://spartacus.gayguide.travel/gaytravelindex.pdf

Guess they don't call it the Secret Service for nothing. 🙂

It is. This could be an ideal fit on some long haul routes that carriers often discontinue on a seasonal basis. It complements the A350 Ultra Long Range (ULR) which I've flown on numerous occasions

I truly don't know how I'd go about finding an "average" American today. Although there's some degree of racial prejudice in all societies worldwide, I think you'd only find remnants of it in some pockets of the old Confederate states. Since there are more women than men living in the US today, it would be difficult to find a bias against women in the 'average" American. I know a lot of people and have never detected such a bias.

From CNBC U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday amid widespread outrage over her agency’s failure to prevent the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally earlier this month. Cheatle’s resignation, which was first reported by NBC News citing sources, came a day after she was blasted by members of a House committee at a hearing on the Secret Service’s actions leading up to Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler Township.

From Bloomberg Over the past 30 years, Airbus SE has continuously eked out more range from its A321 aircraft, making the model a bestseller as customers pair the economic benefits of a narrowbody airliner with the reach and capacity approaching a widebody jet. Now Airbus is approaching certification of its latest variant — the A321XLR — which may get sign-off from regulators as soon as this month and will effectively double the range from the original model that entered service at the start of 1994. Airbus plans to showcase the plane, for which it has more than 550 orders, at the Farnborough Air Show. The XLR’s entry into service, delayed by a year due to the pandemic and concerns about a fire risk from an extra fuel tank, pushes its range to 4,700 nautical miles, or 11 hours of flight. It’s a radius that promises to take single-aisle planes to destinations that were previously the domain of fuel-guzzling twin-aisle planes, changing the operating calculus for carriers that ordered the plane. Icelandair has ordered 13 XLRs to replace its aging fleet of the out-of-production Boeing Co. 757, which has a shorter maximum range of about 3,900 nautical miles. The XLRs, which burn 30% less fuel than its predecessors, will let the carrier add destinations in California, Texas, Dubai and across Europe, its chief executive officer said. “In many cases we are competing with a widebody aircraft, which are not as fuel efficient and not that environmentally friendly,” said Bogi Nils Bogason. “So that is definitely an advantage and we see opportunities for us in that respect.”

Like to think I'm obsessive when making travel reservations. Yesterday proved me wrong when booking January trip. Shortly after pushing the "pay now' tab on the airline website, I received the confirming email and learned that I had the correct return day but the wrong month! Immediately got on the phone and after a long wait got to a rep and confessed my error. He repriced the itinerary, found no fare difference, and rebooked me on correct date. I was lucky. Lesson learned: read, reread and read again before paying.

From Reuters By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will work towards legislating marijuana for medical use, a deputy prime minister said Tuesday, signalling a U-turn on plans to re-criminalise the plant and another change in the government's hazy position on cannabis. Thailand in 2022 became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana, doing so without a law to govern it or clear regulations in place to prevent its recreational usage. The move, however, led to an explosion of recreational use and the launch of tens of thousands of cannabis cafes and retailers enabling it, prompting public concern about its abuse. Deputy premier Anutin Charnvirakul, whose party was instrumental in pushing for marijuana liberalisation, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had now agreed that legislation was the appropriate step to take. "It will be a matter of law and debated in parliament where there is already a draft law," secretary-general to the prime minister Prommin Lertsuridej told Reuters. "Whether it is a narcotic or not is up to parliament." A draft law on marijuana was submitted to the legislature under the previous administration but parliament was dissolved ahead of an election last year, without a vote taken. It was not immediately clear whether steps would be taken to crack down on recreational cannabis use, as Srettha has advocated. Thailand has seen rapid growth of a domestic retail sector for marijuana, an industry projected to be worth up to $1.2 billion by 2025. Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party, the second biggest in the ruling coalition, has advocated for marijuana for health and economic purposes, but officially not for recreational use, and has argued against re-criminalising it.

I think the motives people have for becoming Trumpsters have little to do with affection for the man himself. There's a minority group of wealthy individuals who are interested solely in a candidate who may be good for their business interests. The second and most dominant group are white, working class Americans who seek instant inclusion in a political movement that satisfies their need for being among like-minded individuals. Acceptance is instantaneous and gives their life renewed purpose. It's a waste of time for Democrats to try to present candidates that might attract Trumpsters. The Dems need first to excite their base. Without the votes of the base it's impossible for them to win. They also should seek the dwindling number of undecided voters but the emphasis has to be on the bread and butter democrats. They represent the the population most likely to go to the polls. If early indicators are correct--and I believe they are--Kamala Harris is the best person to do it. I trust her to select a running mate that will boost her party's appeal.

From Bangkok Post New landmark in Dusit district to serve as another ‘green lung’ for the capital, as well as a reminder of King Rama IX’s contributions to forest protection and water resource management Thais are looking forward to the completion of a public park in remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, which is expected to become a major new landmark in Bangkok. Designed as a forest park covering 279 rai in Dusit district, thousands of new trees will provide the capital with another much-needed “green lung” where people from near and far can unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city and get in touch with nature. The park will be dotted with reminders of King Rama IX and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, which will give visitors an opportunity to learn about their contributions to forest and water resource management. The park will be a welcome addition to Bangkok’s green landscape, alongside Lumpini Park in Pathumwan district and Benjakitti Park in Klong Toey district, observers say. In November 2021, the Bureau of the Royal Household unveiled a virtual design for the public park, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

From Thai PBS World The Philippines is looking to forge reciprocal troops access agreements with Canada, France, New Zealand, and other countries, the defence minister said on Monday. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told ANC news channel he hoped the agreements could be signed next year. The agreements would allow greater interoperability, as armed forces of these countries can operate within the Philippine territory and vice-versa, Teodoro said. “It is close to the apex of a defensive alliance,” he said. The Philippines and Japan signed a landmark military pact earlier this month that allows the deployment of forces on each other’s soil in the face of China’s increasingly assertive stance in the region. Canada, France, and New Zealand have expressed support for the Philippines’ claims within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. China claims almost the entire South China Sea and rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague that its expansive claims had no basis under international law. The case was brought to the court by the Philippines.

From CNBC FARNBOROUGH, England — Boeing won orders for at least 40 wide-body jetliners from Korean Air, including the yet-to-be-certified 777X jetliner, in a vote of confidence for the struggling manufacturer. The order, announced at the Farnborough Airshow outside of London, includes 20 777X planes, the largest in Boeing’s commercial jet lineup, and 20 787-10 Dreamliner planes, both long-range jets. The airline can also upsize its order for 10 more of the Dreamliners, the biggest option for that model. Korean Air CEO Walter Cho said he expected to start receiving the planes later this decade. The twin-engine 777X is years behind schedule but earlier this month began certification flight tests with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, a major milestone. Boeing customers have been grappling with delayed aircraft, in part due to post-Covid supply chain snarls that have hit the aerospace industry, but also related to a safety crisis and manufacturing flaws, particularly after a door plug blow out earlier this year on one of its smaller and bestselling 737 Max planes. “If I wasn’t assured, I would not have ordered it,” Cho said at a news conference of Korean Air’s order. “I know Boeing will pull through whatever it is they’re going through right now, and I have full confidence in Boeing.” The airline, a partner of Delta Air Lines, earlier this year also ordered competing Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, the largest of that type. “Whichever comes first will become our flagship, whoever’s on time,” Cho said.

That woman you want to keep out of office has raised raised $49.6 million in grassroots donations for her campaign since Biden endorsed her Sunday.

From Pattaya News THE FBI has seized $2.5 million in cryptocurrency linked to a pig-butchering scam based in Thailand, The Pattaya News can reveal. This development marks a substantial effort by U.S. authorities to combat the rising tide of crypto-related crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has initiated a civil forfeiture process to reclaim the seized cryptocurrency. According to recent reports, the FBI tracked down a scammer operating from Thailand who had control over two cryptocurrency accounts holding Tether (USDT). The investigation led to the seizure of these assets with assistance from Thai police authorities. Following the successful operation, a U.S. Attorney from the District of Columbia announced the steps being taken to reclaim the seized assets. The scam, known as “pig butchering,” was specifically targeting American citizens. Under U.S. law, civil forfeiture allows the government to seize assets obtained through criminal activities, even if the perpetrators are based overseas. ‘Pig butchering’ is a term borrowed from the traditional method of fattening pigs before slaughter. In the context of cryptocurrency, it describes a scam where perpetrators spend weeks or even months building a relationship with their victims to gain their trust and encourage them to make significant investments. The scam typically begins with the initial contact, where scammers reach out to potential victims via social media platforms, dating apps, or messaging services. They present themselves as friendly and trustworthy individuals, often posing as successful investors or professionals. Over time, the scammer nurtures a seemingly genuine relationship with the victim, sharing personal stories, engaging in frequent communication, and establishing a sense of intimacy and trust. With trust firmly established, the scammer introduces the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. They may claim to have made substantial profits themselves and offer to help the victim achieve similar returns. The victim is often encouraged to start with a small investment, which the scammer ensures yields impressive returns. This fabricated success is designed to make the investment appear legitimate and lucrative. Buoyed by the initial success, the victim is persuaded to invest larger sums of money, with promises of even greater returns. Scammers may provide fake websites or apps showing inflated account balances to bolster their credibility. However, when the victim attempts to withdraw their funds or profits, they encounter various obstacles. The scammer may demand additional fees or taxes, which are merely tactics to extract more money.

From The Thaiger The Move Forward Party (MFP) is advocating for a significant change to Thailand’s Criminal Code to legalise the adult entertainment industry, including pornographic materials and sex toys. This initiative aims to dismantle the existing taboos and establish better regulation. MFP MP for Bangkok, Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, submitted the proposal to Parliament last week, with discussions expected to commence within the next couple of weeks. Currently, Section 287 of the Criminal Code prohibits all forms of adult materials, including pornographic images and sex toys. The proposed amendment would still ban certain types of pornography, particularly those depicting sexual violence, rape, and paedophilia, according to Taopiphop. The amendment also aims to prevent individuals under the age of 20 from participating in the production of adult content. Additionally, it seeks to relax regulations concerning the sale of sex toys, allowing products certified by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to be legally sold. Taopiphop stated he is prepared for potential backlash but emphasised the public interest as his primary motivation. “I want people to stop pretending [that adult content is taboo]. Let’s talk [openly] through parliamentary mechanisms. I wonder where the moral standard lies in Thai society.” Pornographic materials He clarified that he has no personal gain from the bill, stressing that the debate is essential for societal progress. “I brought up the matter not because I want Thai youths to have easy access to pornographic materials. “The real intention here is to bring [the adult content industry] to the surface so it could be discussed openly and legally regulated.” Legalising the industry could positively impact the economy through taxation and ensure the safety of those working within it. Many sex workers face exploitation and abuse with little recourse due to the industry’s illegal status. Rachada Dhnadirek, an executive of the opposition Democrat Party, previously expressed support for MFP’s proposal to legalise sex toys. She cited research from Technavio, a British market research company, highlighting the economic benefits. Taxing toys According to the research, the global sex toy industry has been growing by about 7% annually since 2019, which translates to an increase of approximately 300 billion baht per year. Legalisation would allow the government to tax sex toy vendors, resulting in increased state revenue. MFP’s proposal to amend Section 287 underwent a public hearing from August 25 to October 31 last year. Although the hearing was attended by 1,072 people, only 22 shared their opinions. Consultations with various state agencies, including the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Ministry of Education, Royal Thai Police (RTP), and the Office of National Human Rights Commission, have also taken place. The RTP expressed concerns that easier access to pornographic materials could lead to an uptick in sex-related crimes. They argue that the bill could do more harm than good if passed into law. The MoPH emphasised the need for mechanisms to prevent those under 20 years from involving themselves in the adult industry. Meanwhile, the MoJ highlighted that the bill does not clearly differentiate between legal and illegal production, which could open the door to abuses by corrupt officials, reported Bangkok Post.

Point taken. I should have said you were "reporting" it, I agree. I've also been accused of having said something when in fact I was actually reporting the news.

I've been listening to the names proposed for Harris' running mate and all have have sound qualifications. I could support any one of them. What saddens me as a gay man is that gays have become increasingly more conservative since our lives are not threatened by AIDS. We've retreated into a protective shell, a cocoon where our oppressors want us to reside. They want us to doubt our own qualifications to lead; to be accepted. And it's working. We are frequently harder on ourselves than many mainstream Americans. We are more fearful than we've been since the days prior to Stonewall. In a sense we've accepted our place in the closet--a glass one that we impose on ourselves. When I read Moses telling us that we have to be more like a Joe Manchin Republican to be acceptable, I believe we turned 180 degrees. It makes me want to vomit. Because if we buy that image, we've become afraid of ourselves and other gay men as well.

He runs an agency with 56,622 employees, serves on the President's cabinet, ran for president of the United States, served two terms as mayor of South Bend, served as a US Naval officer in Afghanistan, was a top consultant for McKinsey and Company, attended Harvard College and Oxford University. 🚯Now you're making me laugh. 💋

A Pew poll in 2019 found that 60% of American approved of same sex marriage. This is not about being politically correct. Supporting a fellow gay man for high office is not a a luxury. It's a basic human right. Don't allow what the 40% of Americans who oppose allowing us to marry who we wish dictate what we should think of ourselves. Don't allow them to deny us our dignity. We seem to have forgotten what it was like in the 80's when gays were feared and ridiculed during the AIDS crisis. Resist the temptation to think like J.D. Vance D.J. Trump.

You mention a lot of fine candidates but I believe that you're not being fair to Buttigieg. The guy's a brilliant scholar, worked for the world's premier consulting group, served as a military officer and a cabinet member. And you still doubt his qualifications? It seems that many have drunk Trump's kool aid. They have come to accept that he can't be beaten. It puzzles me that on a site that serves the interest of gay men, we're hardest on one of our own. If women had thought that way, they'd still be without the right to vote.

That's the conventional thinking. But you have to be the opposite of your opponent, not a clone. The electorate is hungry for a clear choice. Young people (under 35) have not been excited enough to vote since Obama was running. The Dems need a ticket that excites them and gets them out. This is not the time to worry about playing to the center. You're going to get them anyway because they know all to well the real Trump. And you're not going to get any Trumpsters to cross over. Like in a military campaign, this is the moment to do the unexpected. I believe Kamala and Pete would complement each other in a way that Trump and Vance can not. If Trump suspects for a moment that he's being upstaged by Vance, he won't be able to hide it. Could indeed happen. His presidency was full of such examples.

That's exactly what I'm suggesting. Harris and Buttigieg both poll well with women and young people--two crucial groups the Dems need to come out in force. She needs a white male on the ticket with military background. Agree that Mark Kelly would be be a good choice, too, as RockyRoadTravel suggests. (Regarding the swallowing, breath through your nose and you'll be fine).