Mavica

I think most immigration agents have the authority to examine electronic devices. I've traveled to Canada and twice underwent secondary inspection during which I was instructed to turn-on my laptop, iPad and Cellphone ... and provide my e-mail password. About an hour after each inspection I was on my way, without difficulty.

It's humorous, as intended.

Yes, a beautiful / handsome man. He exudes BDE (Bid Dick Energy).

For better or worse ... better, actually ... we don't single-out tourists for negativism. Tourism is important where I live (Gulf Coast of Florida). Half the owners in my building are Snowbirds - Canadians. There are many hotels for tourists, and some communities nearby - beachfront - do allow short-term rentals. I'm in a community of 40K residents - 3 miles inland. When I lived in Chicago - a major tourist destination - my condo building was owner-occupied only - no rentals ... short or long-term.

It's the same where I live - a 27 unit building. 2 years before rental. Minimum 6 month lease. The regulations curtail investment owners. We don't want transient visitors because this is our home ... not a motel.

Agreed. All of us - without regard to political leanings - should question the power exerted by agents of governments. If there's sufficient cause to invade our privacy, let that be shown to an authority higher than a Border agent or local police officer.

Yes. Why not?

We see in parts of the world, anger at the proliferation of airbnb rentals to tourists, as contrasted when tourists stay in local hotels. Many people are buying apartments, converting them to airbnb, renting them, and, arguably, forcing out previous residents due to high rental / ownership costs. Where I live, airbnb and less than 90-day rentals are prohibited by local government. My own condo association prohibits leases less than 6 months.

I live in a community / area where we have many tourists for maybe 7 or 8 months a year (November > April, June > September). No home of the stars tours, but they're here for the beaches and climate. We have a lot of roadway traffic, then. Restaurants are full. I've learned to stay away from the most frequently visited areas during the busy seasons / hours and confine my own local tourism / restaurant hopping, etc. to the quieter times. I lived in Chicago much of my life, too, and tens of millions of tourists visit that city yearly. You just learn how to maneuver the crowds ... and have an appreciation for the money they bring into the community and the jobs they create. In the past years, there are two areas in Mexico City (Colonias Roma Norte, Condesa), a city I frequent one or two times yearly, and you will see a few buildings with spray-painted slogans "Gringos Go Home". Gentrification, virtual workers from abroad, are said to be the cause of the anger.

Happens worldwide, not just Thailand.

⚠ I can attest to this, from personal experience in Jemaa el Fna. Decades ago, but the incident / altercation remains etched in my memory.

Women in the USA vote in greater numbers than Men do.

🚯Now you're making me laugh. 💋

Yes, I still doubt his qualifications ... to assume the Presidency the first week of his term as a potential VP. Because I believe he lacks the requisite maturity / experience for the important position. We're supposed to fall in line, lock-step and support Pete because we and he are gay? It's not an on-the-job training / intern opportunity. My candidate preferences aren't determined primarily by the sexual preferences of candidates. I admire Pete and think he will have other opportunities in the years to come. He doesn't hold a candle to a Mark Kelly, though. 🙂

Pres. Biden squandered 3.5 years by choosing not to mentor and bring along possible successors, in addition to VP Harris. I don't doubt VP Harris will get the top job nod from Democrats at the convention. Mayor Pete? I like him, what I heard and saw of him when he ran in the prior Democratic Party primaries won by Joe Biden. However, is he capable / qualified to assume the Presidency if something happened to a President Harris on Day 1? No, I don't think so. I don't think the nation is prepared to knowingly elect a homosexual at that level of office, either. Pundits are already mentioning former Naval Aviator / Astronaut and current Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and PA Governor Josh Shapiro as front-runners for the VP nomination. Either of these two would be solid choices and add to the entire ticket. I don't think a two-woman ticket would be successful, though there are a couple of well-qualified women who come to mind: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. I'd have included former disabled helicopter pilot / Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth but I think there are questions about her birth in Thailand to an American father and whether or not she meets the qualifications because of that (i.e., foreign born). Democrats have a very deep bench of possibilities, had only President Biden not squandered all that time after saying he'd be a transitional President.

Popular in Mexico, Orejas ... elephant ears - sold by bakeries. Following the unsuccessful assassination of Mr. Trump this graphic is circulating in Mexican social media: Trump Ear.

It saddens me to say: President Biden will not be re-elected. Vice President Harris ... were she the Presidential candidate ... would not be elected President.

I've been traveling with a portable combination Carbon Monoxide / Smoke Detector for the past couple of years.

Your contributions to the forums suggest otherwise.

Clearly, you do not understand the focus of the forums.

IMO, the above is a textbook example of prejudice and ignorance.

I'm using Microsoft Edge and have been receiving / seeing that warning for a very long time. I just click through it. Annoying, yes.

If the charges are proven and he's found guilty ... given his prominence in the gay porn industry ... I think he'll see substantial jail time.

With any luck ... an hour, rather than 30 minutes!