Marc in Calif

A statement that starts with "The Jew who owned the museum... " is typical of anti-Semitic writing. It connects religion and business/money in a common trope that has been associated with Jewish people since the Middle Ages in Europe. No explanation or clarification can excuse this type of statement. But I'm eager to see the reactions and responses to my comment. We can only raise our eyebrows. 🙄

There are 4-5 or 6 members here who thrive on making comments that create controversy where controversy simply doesn't exist. ☺️

Democrats, liberals, progressives -- all had great success in the elections on Tuesday, 8 November. 😃 The Biggest Loser was Drumpf himself, as the causes and candidates he supported went down to ignominious defeat. Before I start discussing all of the big wins, let me just post the following report from my favorite columnist: OHIO (The Borowitz Report) Irate Republican officials in Ohio have been crying foul over Tuesday night’s election results, claiming that there were “widespread cases” of women voting across the state. Harland Dorrinson, a G.O.P. operative in Lake County, said that he had “eyewitness accounts” of “swarms of women” standing in long lines outside of polling places. “Many of our poll workers spotted women going into voting booths and literally casting votes,” he said. “These were not isolated incidents.” Dorrinson said the “nightmare scenario” that unfolded on Tuesday has dire implications for both Ohio and the nation. “There is every indication that women meddled in this election,” he said. “What’s to stop them from doing it again in 2024?”

Let me correct that for you. The only appropriate word to describe your "story" is simplistic.

Apparently the logic of correct verb forms isn't clear to you at all! 🤡

That implies that you didn't like or appreciate what he mentioned. As in: "You had to mention race, didn't you?" I'm enjoying watching you try to wriggle out of this. 😍

I'm so glad you're not in a position to make decisions that potentially kill innocent civilians -- including children. 🙈 The indiscrimate killing of civilians is a war crime, but we all know that Israel doesn't like following international law. Some people actually respect Israel for being an outlaw.

Your comment says something much more significant about YOU. Being racist isn't a good look for anyone, but maybe you really like that look for yourself. You definitely try hard enough. 😵‍💫

And now you've mastered the introductory module in the course Cross-Cultural Communication in Southeast Asia. 😁

You'll find that being a true flâneur is quite impossible in either Jakarta or Manila. Certain areas are easily walkable (and quite safe) for limited stretches and provide sights and sites to observe at an easy pace. But mostly those two megalopolises are collections of mini-cities, former villages, and large neighborhoods that aren't conducive to strolling. And getting to the various areas for authentic flânerie can often be a lengthy and daunting process.

Thank you for saying this! 👏 Some sad people will nevertheless proudly wear the Sex Tourist badge -- with all the notorious behavior that usually accompanies the term.

I was born in the same year that Israel was created. We're the same age. I completely ASSURE you that I'm not "uninformed." I've followed Israel and the Middle East since the State of Israel was 10 years old. I know ALL of the issues, wars, attacks, occupations, and UN resolutions. For Israel, the 1967 war had consequences and responsibilites based on international law and treaties. Israel chose not to abide by those consequences and responsibilities. The "uninformed" trope is what know-nothings like you bring out of their closet when they're challenged on one of their cherished topics. It's an excuse -- not a meaningful response. ☺️

Absolutely impossible -- every single Swede loves herring! 🎣

The UN helped to create the State of Israel because it supported both Jews and, specifically, Zionism. But the UN did not plan for or agree to Israel's occupation of -- and settlements in -- the designated Palestinian regions of the state. As you well know, UN resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 452 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), and 1850 (2008) have condemned: Acquisition of territory by force Permanent settlements in that territory Altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, including, inter alia, the construction and expansion of settlements, transfer of Israeli settlers, confiscation of land, demolition of homes and displacement of Palestinian civilians, in violation of international humanitarian law and relevant resolutions This, I repeat, not anti-Israel and anti-Jewish bias. It's opposition and condemnation of illegal acts taken by the State of Israel since 1967. I am Jewish. I support the State of Israel's right to exist. I contributed money to help establish the State of Israel. But I am NOT anti-Israel and anti-Jewish. I challenge you to prove that I am.

The opposite of "14 years old" is definitely not "muscled ageing hunks"! Stop already with the extreme black-or-white comparisons! 😃

If you like boys who look like they're 14 years old!

🥺 😖 🤡

Yes. The OP did differentiate between "jeans" and "just pants" (i.e., underwear in the UK).

Well, quite a bit less than that actually. This is the U.S. government, and the amount is in U.S. dollars.

Have you considered not wandering or strolling around the Silom/Surawong districts? A real flâneur typically has an interest in literature, art, and architecture. People-watching in the same area you visit at night isn't really being a flâneur. How much of the rest of Bangkok do you really allow yourself to explore before you go to the bars every night?

What statistics are you referring to? I don't know of any source that compares the actual quantity of "news" produced by particular TV stations or websites, such as Fox News in the US.

Yes, that's true. And some non-Muslims do the same thing because they realize the hygiene issue as well.

I'm sure it's not a surprise to you that Vladimir Putin has run as a United Russia candidate in every federal election since 2003. In that year, the party's name was changed to United Russia from Unity and Fatherland - United Russia. You know that too. In the 2007 Duma elections, Putin was the only name on United Russia's national list. Here's a tip for you: In English, the phrase "Putin's party" doesn't necessarily mean that Putin is a MEMBER of that party. Indicating possession with "his" has other meanings. For example, you can look up the term association. Got it? 😄

That's because Putin and his party control every aspect of the elections: Electoral competition is limited, as strong candidates, including some from Russia's main opposition Communist Party, are blocked from running by authorities. In the run-up to elections, there's an atmosphere of intimidation of critical independent voices. There is no international independent observation, but independent local observers report a lot of election irregularities. Opposition candidates are detained, having their cars vandalised, and, in one case, military draft papers are being served to election observers. Elections in Moscow are easily rigged due to the capital's system of electronic voting, which are said to be impossible to audit. Similar systems have been rolled out in many other Russian regions. Moscow authorities rely on electronic voting (DEG) systems, which can provide whatever official result they want. "The Kremlin hails election results, saying United Russia, which President Vladimir Putin helped found, has confirmed its role as the leading party. It said the election had been competitive, open and honest." 😎 🙃 😎 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/20/pro-putin-party-wins-russia-poll-slammed-as-a-sham-by-opposition https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-regional-vote-delivers-strong-result-putin-amid-claims-rigging-2023-09-10/ https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/09/12/russia-s-2023-regional-voting

When the rubber hoses are present, many Asian men will use them to rinse the tip of the urethra and penis head. And yes, I've seen this behavior quite often!