KhorTose

I'll smoke to that.

Just before the election I read a good article on Indonesia that said the same thing. They cited the fact that he grew up and went to school in Indonesia for years as one of the main reasons they liked Obama. Because he lived there, they consider him one of their own---in spite of the fact that he is Christian.

Many countries have a national bank. The USA had one until Andrew Jackson. No way is that a step towards socialism, and it just may stop many of the corrupt practices that got us in this mess.

Not a great idea for people over 60. Often can cause the tendons to collaspe. You can end up with permanent tendonitis. http://www.rxlist.com/noroxin-drug.htm

The two biggest gold reserves were the USSR and the USA. Now almost no country in the world has a good reserve. That gold was sold off years ago. Many banks do carry gold and silver reserves as investments. One thing that has kept the price of silver so low is that the banks did start getting rid of it to get cash during the recent crunch. However, they are still holding on to gold, just as a hedge against inflation. I think you gave your BF good advice. I plan to wait until the end of the year to find out what inflation and the economy does. You may be very correct about the Thai Baht, and maybe even the USD. However, I have found no one that can predict with assuredly what is going to happen in the next 10 months, so gain of salt time on any advice.

A very big part of me agrees completely with you. I saw that jail and I was sickened. I would like to beat that slimy bastard to death with my bare hands. I think this is a normal reaction of any human with any degree of compassion. Then I think of Bishop Tutu and his reconciliation trails. As much as I would like to see "an eye for an eye", Bishop Tutu did what was best for his country and his Christian conscience. Part of me hates the bastards getting off, but another part understands that revenge is not always the best path for a country or for an individual to take. However, it is hard to let go---healthy but hard.

I travel in and out of the country two or three times a year and I have only been searched once. They were very professional and were only looking for porn, especially child porn. Like it or not, as long as the child molesters hide in our community we are going to be suspect. I really do not think that this is aimed at gays. I have a straight friend that returned from Thailand that went through the same thing. This is probably the only board where I can get away with saying that I will gladly put up with searches if it helps them get the sickos child f........s off the street.

I am not exactly sure what you mean. I always get confused when words are put together in a way that makes no sense like Thai and justice.. Thai justice seems very simple to me. If you got money and the #1 power, or someone with more money, is not mad at you then you are innocent. Since Taskin has made the #1 power mad, he will not face Thai justice as he knows by it's rules that he is guilty. Sounds like a great system to me. Well unless you are poor, or less well off then your victimizer. As an American, I am so grateful to the British for the idea of the rule of law that I can almost forgive them for their harsh and cruel colonial policies.

I would not worry about customs. What is going to happen when he finds out that by US standards he is hot, and half the gays in town start hitting on him?

HMMMMM let me see five letters in the name of Jesus and Obama. The third and the fifth letter are the same in both names. Both men were born of humble origins. One man had 12 advisors he called apostles the other had 15 advisors he calls cabinet members. Both came not to change the laws, but to bring new ways. Oh right, we may all be saved.

I know in my heart of hearts that it is kind of silly, but that is the main reason I seldom go into a go-go bar unless it is to see the show. In a host bar if the boy goes with me, I can rationalize that he could have said no if he wanted. Of course, he made need money really bad that night, etc., but someone it makes me feel a little less like I am exploiting him. Before a flame war starts, I know all of this is in my head. I will never judge anyone who likes go-go bars or call them exploitative. Please do not get me wrong, THIS IS NOT A JUDGMENT ON GO-GOS OR THE PEOPLE WHO FREQUENT THEM. It is just how one man's---this one man's---brain works.

Silver is used in everything from circuit boards to your catalytic converter. Hundreds of uses and places where it is used, as it is the very best conductor. Gold is often used only as a coating on some electrical contacts as it has no oxides and does not corrode. Gold is not a great conductor, compared to copper and silver---surprise. Some electrical conductivities Electrical Conductivity (S·m-1) Temperature(°C) Notes Silver 63.01 × 106 20 Highest electrical conductivity of any known metal Copper 59.6 × 106 20 Annealed Copper 58.0 × 106 20 Referred to as 100% IACS or International Annealed Copper Standard. The unit for expressing the conductivity of nonmagnetic materials by testing using the eddy-current method. Generally used for temper and alloy verification of Aluminium. Gold 45.2 × 106 20 Gold is commonly used in electrical contacts Aluminium 37.8 × 106 20 Sea water 4.788 20 Refer to http://www.kayelaby.npl.co.uk/general_physics/2_7/2_7_9.html for more detail as there are many variations and significant variables for seawater. 4.8(S·m-1) would be for an average salinity of 35 g/kg at about 20(°C) Copyright on the linked material can be found here http://www.kayelaby.npl.co.uk/copyright/ Drinking water 0.0005 to 0.05 This value range is typical of high quality drinking water and not an indicator of water quality deionized water 5.5 × 10-6[1] changes to 1.2 × 10-4 in water with no gas present[1]

Angelina made an implied criticism of the Thai government while touring the refugee camps of the Myanmar Rohinyga, and was blasted by the foreign secretary of Thailand, who went on to criticize the UNHCR. This is another very dumb move by the Thai government. Angelina Jolie has a very good chance of winning the Oscar for her outstanding performance in The Changling. I can just imagine what is going to happen if she wins and gets up and gives a speech. Not a smart move by Thailand. On a lighter note, I am surprised that she failed to adopt every child in the camps she visited. http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/sns-ap-as...0,7970293.story

I must have missed most of that as I made the parties at night Seriously, I rent a car and I do not remember having any problem, but then I am on Huey Kaew most of the daytime. However, I do remember 50,000 farmers jamming the roads, making it very hard to get anywhere.

I have a better idea how to avoid being doused. Come up to Chiang Mai where it is a more traditional holiday oriented to families, only celebrated for three days, and a wonderful experience.

And if I am in Thailand or the USA for that matter, living on a fixed income????????

That is not what I am talking about at all. Please, let me fill you in on some Thai politics, after I relate what due process is. Due process is the principle that the government must respect all of the legal rights that are owed to a person according to the law of the land, instead of respecting merely some or most of those legal rights. Due process has also been frequently interpreted as placing limitations on laws and legal proceedings, in order for judges instead of legislators to define and guarantee fundamental fairness, justice, and liberty. One member of the last government (PAD) was convicted of buying votes. Because of his conviction the whole government was thrown out and the ministers were forbidden to run again. This happened only after PAD started talking about Amnesty for Thaskin. Well guess what, one member of Albhisit Vejjajiva's party was recently convicted of bribery and nothing is happening. Same law, two standards or lack of due process. I could also discuss how unfair the trail of that one PAD member was but won't. They can set up any system they want, but if they plan just to keep the small group of well-off people led by one very well off family, then they should do that and quit trying to pretend that they are a country that respects the rule of law.

I completely agree. Some things to add maybe: If you are on a fixed income you may be screwed, if inflation takes off Owning a house on a fixed income you may get killed by the raising property tax. as its value increases. Of course you can always refinance. Houses may not be at their lowest at this time. Metals may be a great investment right now, but at some point that may dramatically reverse and knowing when to get out is very wise. Gold has no real uses, silver is really just a commodity. Buy silver when industry looks to take off as it will go up. Sell gold when when the economy starts to be stronger. No one set of advice fits all. Where you live and what your lifestyle is makes a lot of difference. I don't know who soi10Tom is but would really appreciate if he would speak to the retired or soon to be retired in the future economy.

Great legalize and tax Marijuana, and make billions a year. At the same time you would create unemployment in Mexico, Columbia, Panama, etc. by putting about 30,000 drug growers, and dealers in the third world out of business, and give a big boost to American farmers on marginal lands in the USA. Maybe use that money to provide health care for all Americans? Too practical right?

This gives a whole new meaning to that old newspaper slogan. "All the news that someone thinks is fit to print." I wonder how long before someone will notice that all the investigations will end up going nowhere, or am I being cynical again?

I won't argue with that. However, he speaks, dresses, and acts just like the rest of us Farangs. To me that means he has very little in common with the people he is supposed to be representing. If he is that good a prime minister let him run and be elected by the majority of the people who voted for the people who where removed from office by that joke of due process.

While Abhisit is charming and gives a great face to Thailand, he is still one man's choice. Call me an American, but I would be happier with a truly representative government.

How can CNN compile a list of the 14 most romantic places to go without including my home, and especially my bedroom??

Yes, Chiang Mai has a great Songkran. Come on place is a very good economical place to stay. For longer stays there are studios over the garage at a reasonable rate, and the place is right next to a pretty little park full of non-gay activity. However, you will not get a lot of personal attention. If your budget is larger I would suggest PJ's place where the owners will give you advice and guide service as part of the rate. Depends on your budget. Chiang mai is hot and smoky during this time of year, but the evening has a slight breeze which clears the air. Enjoy. http://www.pjs-place.com/

I love sushi and sashimi, but is it safe to eat in Thailand. I mean where does the fish come from, and is it clear of contaminants. Do all the food preparers and handlers know the correct hygiene for preparing and handling raw fish? I am not an old lady fearful of what I eat, but raw fish can be deadly if it is contaminated or handled without proper hygiene.