[Hindsite]

Merely living somewhere doesn't mean you are well informed. Location has little to do with this, as we've discussed on numerous occasions, otherwise I'd be lambasting you for commenting on California, seeing as since you don't live there, you can't possibly know anything about it... right?

I will grant you that you are probably an authority on Augusta, Georgia, though. Pretending more than that IS arrogance, on your part.,

I was born in Ventura, California, My Father died in California. My mother and stepfather and half-sister lived in Englewood, California, where I visited with them for nearly a month while on leave from the U.S. Army. My youngest son teaches eighth grade math and science in Long Beech, California. So that makes me a more knowledgeable authority than a person that lives in a backward country like Thailand.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/02/01 ... ing-shaky/

[Godstud]

So you don't live there now, so you cannot comment on it.
- See how stupid that statement is? That's what you imply.

Here's another winner: I know someone in California, so I know all about it.

Keep thinking Thailand is backwards. That's OK. If it keeps the cunty Americans away, tell everyone you know how terrible it is! Keep all the assholes in one location: America.

[Hindsite]

So you don't live there now, so you cannot comment on it.
- See how stupid that statement is? That's what you imply.

Here's another winner: I know someone in California, so I know all about it.

Keep thinking Thailand is backwards. That's OK. If it keeps the cunty Americans away, tell everyone you know how terrible it is!

Thailand is struggling. The economy has stagnated and its political system is going backwards. This May marks two years since the coup — Thailand’s second in less than a decade — with the military government still in control. Thailand is also languishing in a middle income trap.

It’s not easy becoming a rich country or a democracy. Singapore and Brunei are the only high income countries in Southeast Asia (and they are not large countries). The only Southeast Asian country to make the successful transition to democracy so far is Indonesia. Myanmar has started down that path.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/02/01 ... ing-shaky/

Rice farmers in Thailand are struggling. The price of rice is dropping throughout Asia, while the costs of growing the crop are increasing.

[Godstud]

Thailand struggling? Should I point to a failed crop in USA and say the USA is struggling?

Thailand Sees Strong Growth Next Year as GDP Beats Forecasts
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... ports-rise

4.3% Thailand GDP growth compared to 1.3% USA GDP growth. Terrible...

The coup hasn't changed much in Thailand. That's because they are, regardless of the government type, still forced to abide by the Thai Constitution. Thailand is a democracy that is merely on hold for the moment. It's a Constitutional Monarchy, just like the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Australia, etc.

I wouldn't expect an American to understand that though, since you think that your way is the only way that works. That's called ethnocentrism, and it's a flaw.

Anyways, it's the US government that stopped working, not Thailand's. Back on topic.

[4cal]

He’s Canadian.

Canadians are jealous of American status in the same way a younger sibling is jealous of an older, successful brother. They knock Americans incessantly to bring them down to the same level so the Canadians can assert their equality.

It is not unique. New Zealand’s do the same to Australians for exactly the same reason. I call it ‘small country syndrome’. But then there is British contempt for both Australia and the USA. This is ‘senile and abusive elder nation syndrome’ where an elder is jealous of the stength and success of their descendants.

Australians make a point of liking Americans because it pisses off Canadians, Kiwis and Pommies with one shot. Anyway, the Anglosphere...what a family!

Explains a lot concerning his animosity toward everyone... The next time Canada matters will be the first time they matter.

[Hindsite]

I wouldn't expect an American to understand that though, since you think that your way is the only way that works. That's called ethnocentrism, and it's a flaw.

Anyways, it's the US government that stopped working, not Thailand's. Back on topic.

That is my point, too. I would not expect someone from Thailand to understand Rednecks from Georgia, USA. Praise the Lord.

[Godstud]

The next time Canada matters will be the first time they matter.

Canada doesn't have a government that shuts down every 5 years because no one can get along. In short, it's not run by children.

If mattering is what America does, then by all means I hope Canada never matters. Americans are well represented by Trump... that's for sure. Ignorant, arrogant, uninformed, racist and misogynist? Check.

[Drlee]

I suppose you'd say I was jealous of that too. Sorry, but your delusions are just that. Americans often live in a fantasy world, especially the ones who haven't travelled anywhere.

I am an American and I learned this the hard way. Mostly, as you mention, by traveling and seeing first hand.

I remember going to Germany back in the early 70's expecting to see a country still rebuilding in places (less than 30 years after the war) and envious of our lifestyle in the states. I expected that of all Europe. The best advice I got as a young man in Germany came from another young man. He said, "be extra polite to the girls and don't think for a moment that they are interested in your passport". He was right.

I am ashamed at how some ignorant Americans disdain other countries even in the face of evidence that they are happier and freer than we are. Look at the ugly and utterly stupid remark that Trump made when he asked why more people from Norway do not immigrate to the US. Well Mr. Trump. Here is a partial answer to your question:

Norway is richer than the US. Its people enjoy much better pension opportunities and pay equity. Gender equity too. At birth they will live longer lives. Infant mortality is a fraction of ours. They have more press freedom and they are safer from government surveillance than we are. Their crime rate is much lower. Their median household income is way more than ours as is their income per person.

The next time Canada matters will be the first time they matter.

What an absolutely stupid thing to say. It beggars the imagination how someone could be so ignorant.

1. Canada is our second largest trading partner.

2. Canada provides 16% of our oil with more to come. It is our only source of imports from a stable region and that we could protect in wartime.

Canada matters everyday and if they wanted to be shits could devastate our economy overnight.

[Rich]

Thailand is a democracy that is merely on hold for the moment.

Exactly how I would describe Chile under Pinochet. The Communist states like Jihadi states were not democracy on hold. Fascist Italy also turned out to be democracy on hold, quite different from Nazi Germany.

The Democrats problem is the fundamental problem of the left of international socialists. The overwhelming majority of people are not international socialists. They might like the rhetoric of universal human rights and equality but only a small minority are willing to make substantial sacrifices for their fellow human beings. International socialism looks to help those who are most oppressed, those who have least privilege and in the United States the people with least privilege are the illegal immigrants. Its natural that DACA is currently the number one issue for Liberal activists. It fits with their agenda of ever more immigrants and it seems popular with the public.

But although there is a lot of support for giving amnesty to those that became resident illegally as minors, its very soft support that evaporates at the first whiff of sacrifice. Only a minority are prepared to suffer a government shut down over the issue. Residence and citizenship of prosperous western countries is a huge privilege for lower and middle class people. The more immigrants the less the privilege. The Marxists and the SJWs have been working tirelessly hand in glove with the most corrupt corporate elements, for decades now to flood our countries with immigrants.

[Stormsmith]

Thank you for your latest post. Coming from an American, it is more likely to be taken seriously than anything I could say

I've often thought the reason why we could trade without impunity with Castro/Cuba 1960 was because the US needed electricity

I Notice Canada is being mentioned in the international news more and more. I'd like to think it's because we are leaders in social change or the surreal landscape but I have no illusions on that front. It's because broadcasters like stills and videos of Handsome Justin

[Drlee]

As you may recall. I have been touched by greatness. I have ridden on the airplane with Justin.

I think Canada has become what the US was meant to become. Your people are happy. You are one of the 10 happiest nations in the world. Your income distribution makes ours look like we are mostly serfs. (By the way we ARE mostly serfs.) Your government is responsive to its citizens, you live much longer than we do, you have universal health care, you are one of the top 10 safest nations in the world....the list goes on.

When I travel in Europe I put a Maple Leaf on my luggage.

You do pay slightly higher taxes than we do but if you factor in health care costs, not so much.

When I used to visit my offices in Mississauga it was a breath of fresh air to be in a nation with nice people and clean streets. I considered moving to Canada at one time. If they would have me.

On edit.

There are people of the world and people who are not. I am off to visit my friend from Ivory Coast just now. He travels extensively as do I. We have more in common than I do with my next door neighbor who has not traveled much. I am saddened by Americans who are convinced that we have some corner on democracy. WE don't. Nor do we have reason to be happier than most nations. We don't. You can be amazingly happy in the US. I am greatly blessed. I could be just as happy in Mexico, Canada, Thailand or the UK. Many other nations. The first step is to realize that we humans are all pretty much about the same things. If we are kind and caring with others they like it and like us. If we are judgmental and arrogant with others, they don't.

One of my great friends lives in Panama. There are real social and political problems in Panama. He is happy as a clam. His neighbors are helping him with his Spanish so now he has stopped texting me asking for the Spanish word for____________. He is not rich but comfortable. He works at the order desk of a company that deals mostly with US products.

And the moral of the story is that we US folks really ought to get off of our high horse. We are from a rich and powerful nation. If that is what is important perhaps we are the top of the heap. But it is not what is important. It does not make the majority of us happy.

[Stormsmith]

I gave up on that whole "who pays the highest taxes" thing ages ago. There are too many hidden taxes and tariffs and licencing fees.

I think a few Americans overplay nationalism. I get patriots, they love where they live and are loyal. This is over playing stems from guys like Andi, a former poster who believed to his core that implementing health insurance would be like a second fall of man. He'd write "America has the best health care in the world", and it made me wonder if he though the rest of the world had witch doctors who reused bandaids.

Mind you, I read ages ago about 50% of Americans never traveled more than 100 miles from their homes. This was a time when we had money, lol. We're serfs, too. But if folks don't travel, they don't know.

That said, I love our health care and affordable education.I like our respect for each other and for our environment. And I enjoyed nipping down to Seattle. Your jazz is, I believe, your best contribution to world culture


Edit

If that is what is important perhaps we are the top of the heap

Its only keeping the top happy. The income distribution is far too severe. Same is true here, too btw

[Hindsite]

Look at the ugly and utterly stupid remark that Trump made when he asked why more people from Norway do not immigrate to the US.

That was not exactly what he was reported to have said. He was questioning the proposal submitted by Durbin and Graham.

As Durbin explained how deal would impact ppl from Haiti, Trump said, "Haiti? Why do we want people from Haiti here?" Then they got Africa. 'Why do we want these people from all these shithole countries here? We should have more people from places like Norway."

https://www.vox.com/2018/1/11/16880750/ ... ies-norway

Trump just used Norway as an example of a better place to allow immigration than Haiti and some African countries. He was simply asking why they wanted to allow immigration from third-world countries instead of first world countries. It was a sensible question that caused Durbin to blow his top and become unhinged like liberals often do when they have no logical answer.

[Drlee]

It was a sensible question that caused Durbin to blow his top and become unhinged like liberals often do when they have no logical answer.

No. It was not a sensible question. It was a ridiculous question. We all know why people from the third world want to move here.

You and other Trump supporters simply do not get why Trump's statement was so ignorant and dangerous for our country. People will die because of it. Businesses will be damaged because of it. Our diplomacy will be thwarted because of it. It was foolish. And from a man who claims to be an intellect. Sadly his followers are not smart enough to understand this.

[Stormsmith]

Somebody should explain to that genius that Fins are already welcome in America. Start with that. You can move on to delineating the differences between refugees and immigrants when you had a good night's sleep'.

[foxdemon]

Why, because I am more educated, and intelligent, than an American, and can look at it far more objectively? I am certainly as qualified as an old ex-army hick living in Georgia, to comment on US politics.

How far up Trump's ass is your head, Hindsite?

Haha, you are funny. Typical Canadian. Thining they are superior to Americans. That is your attempt to assert equality.

Now Igor has travelled the East coast all the way to Canada. And he reported that Americans were more courteous and helpful than he expected. Meanwhile, Canadians turned out to be as big as arseholes as are Australians.

I can say that this might be the case. There was an occasion I showed a bit of courtesy to a stranger but offering to let him get on the bus first. It turned out he was American. He simply couldn’t believe I was Australian because that was the first time anyone had shown him courtesy here.

Are Americans really that bad? Given want a bunch of nasty bastards the pommies and kiwis are, I am sorry to say that the Americans might be the pick of the bunch.

[Godstud]

@foxdemon. Talk about defensive!!! Don't worry, I won't invade your safe space, Fox!

I never said Canadians were "superior" to Americans. I said that I was better educated and more intelligent than the majority of Americans. That's my opinion, of course, and I am sure I can stand by it.

I was stating this because there's this constant railing against people not commenting on topics simply because they don't live somewhere. It's very childish, and not at all true, unless we're talking about extremely specific, location-based knowledge. We are not, however.

American politics is common knowledge throughout the Western world. Americans flood the internet and news media with it. It's hard NOT to know a great deal about it, unless you live in a cave.

Anecdotal evidence about traveling is just that. I've traveled Canada and most of the US west coast. People are people.

US politics divides people, however. It does separate the racists from the rest.

[4cal]

Canada doesn't have a government that shuts down every 5 years because no one can get along. In short, it's not run by children.

Canada has a government? Who knew?

If mattering is what America does, then by all means I hope Canada never matters.

Wish granted. Now do what you guys do best, shutting up and making us round ham.

[Godstud]

Now do what you guys do best, shutting up and making us round ham.

We're going to add a tariff on our maple syrup and hams to help pay for the wall we're going to build to keep the Trumpanzees out.

America is going to pay for the wall.

[4cal]

We're going to add a tariff on our maple syrup and hams to help pay for the wall we're going to build to keep the Trumpanzees out.

America is going to pay for the wall.

Gee, we'd better pay it; otherwise you'll send your horsey mounted police department to come after us.

Nick, Heath, Jared...there's a fire in the barn! --Airplane! 1983

That is a reference to a move; something we make in America