We always get tons of email here at TFS2M mission control. Some of it rubbish and some of it pretty interesting. Thought I would share some of it…
A for the latest in Thai politics - I think Thaicrisis sums it up well here:
TO SUMMARIZE
Well… not much. If you have too high expectations, you’ll be disappointed.This government will probably act like the previous one, with the infamous Samak.
The only good point if i may say is that… well… we won’t see Samak anymore !More than ever, the country is paralyzed.
Moving on…
This should go well the BBB breakfast novel - a list of action items for the USA given Britain is revoking our independence.:
13. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth — see what it did for them.
Now this is some funny stuff. A fictional account of Obama seeking advice from the President of the TV show the West Wing - awesome:
McCain decried agents of intolerance, then chose a running mate who had to ask if she was allowed to ban books from a public library. It’s not bad enough she thinks the planet Earth was created in six days 6,000 years ago complete with a man, a woman and a talking snake, she wants schools to teach the rest of our kids to deny geology, anthropology, archaeology and common sense too? It’s not bad enough she’s forcing her own daughter into a loveless marriage to a teenage hood, she wants the rest of us to guide our daughters in that direction too? It’s not enough that a woman shouldn’t have the right to choose, it should be the law of the land that she has to carry and deliver her rapist’s baby too? I don’t know whether or not Governor Palin has the tenacity of a pit bull, but I know for sure she’s got the qualifications of one.
Given the worldwide financial apocalypse…
Seems some people are trying to get their piece of the action - new website:
http://www.buymyshitpile.com/ - love it:
With our economy in crisis, the US Government is scrambling to rescue our banks by purchasing their “distressed assets”, i.e., assets that no one else wants to buy from them. We figured that instead of protesting this plan, we’d give regular Americans the same opportunity to sell their bad assets to the government.
Quick aside here - seems an Idaho cheerleader squad is having some uniform issues. I thought this was a telling statement:
The previous uniforms didn’t flatter every member of the team, and some girls said their outfits were uncomfortable, Robson said.
“Girls are just bigger these days, not everybody’s a size zero,” Robson said. “We’re not being a bunch of prudes.”
This is a non-humorous but interesting comparison between the US and Thailand:
We have said more than once that the the US in the same position as Thailand and Indonesia, circa 1996, except we have the reserve currency and nukes. It looks like we will have the opportunity to see how those two assets influence the end game.
And now for the latest and possibly biggest 419 Scam:
Dear American:
I need to ask you to support an urgent secret business relationship with a transfer of funds of great magnitude.
I am Ministry of the Treasury of the Republic of America. My country has had crisis that has caused the need for large transfer of funds of 800 billion dollars US. If you would assist me in this transfer, it would be most profitable to you.
I am working with Mr. Phil Gram, lobbyist for UBS, who will be my replacement as Ministry of the Treasury in January. As a Senator, you may know him as the leader of the American banking deregulation movement in the 1990s. This transaction is 100% safe.
This is a matter of great urgency. We need a blank check. We need the funds as quickly as possible. We cannot directly transfer these funds in the names of our close friends because we are constantly under surveillance. My family lawyer advised me that I should look for a reliable and trustworthy person who will act as a next of kin so the funds can be transferred.
Please reply with all of your bank account, IRA and college fund account numbers and those of your children and grandchildren to wallstreetbailout@treasury.gov so that we may transfer your commission for this transaction. After I receive that information, I will respond with detailed information about safeguards that will be used to protect the funds.
Yours Faithfully Minister of Treasury Paulson
Speaking of the financial crisis, soccer fans may appreciate this one:
http://www.redstate.com/diaries/jeule/2008/sep/18/new-manchester-united-jersey/
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
It’s not a dull world is it?
Fire up those Mango McMuffins ssb - a Brit with superior taste buds is on his way…..
View all comments by doctorbond
Did BBB actually write “SOCCER”?
View all comments by Pattaya Ghost
In much the same way as a farang who spends too much time with bargirls is prone to breaking out into Pidgin English, a Brit who spends too much time with Americans will inevitably pick up some of their “language”…
In the interest of maintaining cross-cultural hostility, here is a joke for Americans. This one’s for you. AND you’ll be able to understand it!
** Yo momma’s so fat… she must be American! **
Thanks.
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
oh, did i stumble across the Wall Street Journal site? pardon me, i thought this was the Whore Street Journal.
finding political commentary on this site = kinda like seeing lipstick on a pig
View all comments by jonbanger
jonbanger: Where in the description of this site has it ever said that it’s written by whoremongers for whoremongers.
It’s written by bar owners about living and running a business in Thailand. I’d suggest that something on the order of 20 to 30% of all the blogs that sideshowBOB writes are about politics and business.
What’s your issue with him writing on these topics?
View all comments by Werewolf
jb - why don’t u hang over at one of our sister publications?
u might enjoy it more since u seem to think u have to take your brain out to enjoy mongering
have fun
http://www.davetheravebangkok.com/
View all comments by sideshowBOB
Maybe now is the time for the reintroduction of the British Empire? Or better still a Brithai Empire, but maybe have to flog most of the brit tourists.
View all comments by Auk
First,
Although I have a bit of a fondness for the former British Empire, particularly Sir Winston’s enthralling defense of it. I must say, don’t count the Pax Americana out yet, sure the banks might be a bit sickly, but banking has never been Americas forte (see: the great depression and the Savings and Loan Scandals).
Now, if you see the McDonald’s boarded up and Coca Cola getting replaced internationally by Russian Vodka or Chinese Green Tea, then its probably time to start selling your T-Bills.
The odd paradox in America seems to be that we often have actually gotten stronger after our defeats. Cases in point: The war of 1812 (Britain basically wins, but Jackson’s triumphant victory in New Orleans paves the way for his presidency and a populist more robust America), The Great Depression (In 1938 the USA had the economy roughly on par with present day Togo, by 1948 we were dumping surplus Army Jeeps into the Bering Strait because of overproduction, 3 years later the US would be spending more money on the Marshall plan than the combined domestic budget of the previous 5 years), Pearl Harbor (net result for Japan: one massive day of victory. Net result for the USA: 3 quarters of a century basically ruling Japan. ‘Nuff Said), and who could leave out Vietnam (it was not a victory for the United States, at no fault of the Armed Forces, but the ensuing reticence to engage in foreign entanglements and focus upon domestic production leads to a stronger economy by the mid 80’s also the insistence upon keeping strategic goals in warfare leads to surprisingly quick and decisive victory in Iraq, the first time).
Fianlly, I like the nice mixture of humor, hookers, and high intellectual debate that often puntuates this site.
View all comments by TheSoiLawyer
Soi Lawyer,
I think you mean ‘defence’, pal.
View all comments by BangingInBangers
Pearl Harbor (net result for Japan: one massive day of victory. Net result for the USA: 3 quarters of a century basically ruling Japan. ‘Nuff Said)
Let’s see. Japan surrendered in 1945 after the Enola Gay dropped nukes on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. That’s 63 years ago–not 75. And how do you figure the U.S. rules Japan?
What kind of positive spin can you put on the present financial debacle in the U.S.?
Must be a Republican.
View all comments by kwai mai sabai
The 419 scam is priceless!
“Please reply with all of your bank account, IRA and college fund account numbers and those of your children and grandchildren to wallstreetbailout@treasury.gov so that we may transfer your commission for this transaction. After I receive that information, I will respond with detailed information about safeguards that will be used to protect the funds.”
Sure thing Uncle Chappy, I’ll give you my account numbers and then you can tell me how your going to keep them safe from all the would be scam artists.
Tell you what, I’ll just post em on a popular blog so that if you lose them, you’ll know exactly where to find them again.
The scary part is that there are people procreating that buy this crap hook, line and sinker!
and their voting…
It sends shivers down my spine!
View all comments by Moonman
To Soi Lawyer,
As a vet from another lost cause the other side of the world I cant let this one go.
1860,s (American) Commodore Perry sails into Yokahama Bay and forces Japan to open its ports to trade after 200 years of being closed to the rest of the world.Within 30 years Japan expands its empire into China after territorial disputes with Russia it annilates the Russian Black sea fleet and kicks Russia from mainland China.1915 Japan joins the Allied forces against Turkey and Germany,1920 Japan expands its territory in China ,America lobbies to kick Japan from the league of Nations,Japan ignores protests and invades China proper in the 1930,s(bare inmind that America had expeditionary forces in Cuba, South America ,Philipines and the Pacific).Japan allies itself with Germany and Italy.1940 America threatens armed intervention and builds up its Pacific fleet,1941 Japan strikes first.4 years , 200,000 American lives and billions of dollars later Japan concedes defeat, Hirahito remains head of state and no Japanese officer above the rank of major is prosecuted for warcrimes.1950,s Japan now an industrial power floods America with windup toys and rubber dog shit,1960,s Japan developes its automotive and electronics industry.1970,s every household around the world has Japanese products or vehicles ,1975 Japanese company AMF buys controling shares of American icon and effectively produce the Harrie Davidson.If Japan sinks into the sea tomorrow the lights go out around the world.Next time your in Hawaii and feel like a round of golf ,bow politely and handover your 150,000usd membership maybe they will let you join.(who won?)
Vietnam militarily was a complete shambles, there is no doubt that American soldiers are the best trained ,best equiped and among the bravest in the world unfortunately they are the worst lead and always have been,American commanders have always been by Presidential or congressional appointments the reason for the withdrawl from Vietnam was nothing to do with outside pressure and everything to do with the American people unable to cope with the horrendous loss of its brave young men (do the math 51,000 killed in 13 years of combat =10+ per day,80 per week),against a third world country this amounts to nothing more than total incompetence of command.Now Iraq (nuff said).As a final the word Hooker comes from the name of a Civil war general who,s drunken womanising resulted in any lady of his aquaintence being known as a “Hooker”.To the guys in Iraq, keep safe this shit cant last forever.
Sorry Soi had to say it.
View all comments by Ron
@ Ron, and kwai mai sabai
No problem with calling me to task on a few of my more cavalier historical musings. First, even while I was writing the word “rule” Japan I knew I would probably get hell for it.
I know strictly speaking America has never “ruled” Japan, but I don’t think anyone would argue with the statement: America has held lasting hegemonic political influence over the Empire of Japan since 1946 as easily evidenced by the very, to put it mildly, pro-US Status of Forces Agreements still in effect in the Empire and the fact that Japan essentially acts as the US “surrogate,” to borrow a phrase from the Nixon Doctrine, in the Far East (much like Thailand in many ways has acted as the US “surrogate” in Southeast Asia).
@ Ron
I was strictly looking at it from a political perspective so I didn’t really look at the economic side of the equation, but, at least in my opinion, I think having a healthy trading relationship with a trade deficit is better than chilly relations or all-out war.
Sadao Araki was a General in the Imperial Japanese Army and was tried and convicted of war crimes, he was found guilty and sentenced to life. He was subsequently released shortly before his death due to ill health.
As for Vietnam, and I still say that hubris, stubbornness, and incompetence on the part of politicians resulted in most of the catastrophes of that war and not any lack of valor or strategic insight on the part of the Armed forces. However, the major upshot of that conflict was the formulation of the Weinberger & Powell Doctrines. I think the Weinberger doctrine is the more important because if politicians would stick to it there would be far fewer “unwinnable” wars. Gulf War I is a shining example of both of these doctrines at work, many say Bush didn’t go far enough. I disagree, in true Bismarkian fashion Bush I used the US Armed forces as strategically, precisely, and effectively as could be done under the circumstances.
This change in doctrine, in my mind, is the direct upshot of Vietnam and its aftermath. Was it worth the loss of life? Not in a million years, but it at least had some positive byproducts, the problem is an un-curious (and that is as nice as I can say it) leader like Bush failed to see the lessons and again hubris overcame another leader who only saw the victory and failed to see the reasons for it.
Finally, I did know that about “hooker.” Almost as funny: take a look at a picture of Civil war General Burnside and it will quickly explain where we got the expression “sideburns”
@Banging in Bangers
Good call absolutely no defense, in the future when writing of Sir Winston I will forever use the word “defence” even though every time I see it written I think of a man dismantling the fences around his house.
@kwai mai sabai
Yes my math was a bit off, so 63 years of hegemonic influence. Strictly speaking I’m a libertarian and a Keynesian economically and the positive that I see in the recent financial events is the fact that the government is going to start shelling out money and as the New Deal and Great Society have shown, when the government spends that kind of money there is always an economic benefit.
I guess my only point in all of this, and I sorry for boring anyone, is that every cloud has a silver lining and I think the USA will bounce back.
View all comments by The Soi Lawyer
Time had a good piece about the bailout a few days ago:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1843168,00.html
“How We Became the United States of France”
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
ha ha - good article - that should get a few good ol’ boys reaching for their winchesters
View all comments by doctorbond
These are the qualities that irritate me the most about the U.S. administration (not Americans per se).
I think it is very ironic that a country that went to war in Vietnam to supposedly stop the spread of Communism is now becoming a socialist nation itself with the government being asked to bail out the thieves on Wall Street that got them in this mess. Welfare is OK for corporations but not your citizens? The message seems to be “Go ahead and take risks and lose a lot of money because we will come along later and save your sorry asses so that capitalism can flourish”.
I agree with the lawyer that the U.S will bounce back–they always have. But it’s kind of like the last surge in Iraq. It wouldn’t have been needed if they hadn’t been tricked into going there in the first place.
View all comments by kwai mai sabai
Good article,
What infuriates me the most about the current predicament is the fact that its the republicans leading us down this primrose path (aren’t they the party of limited government and fiscal responsibility, oh wait… I’m forgetting the Neo-cons, the quasi republicans who came to power mostly based upon the premise that boys shouldn’t kiss boys).
I went libertarian (yes I was a republican at one time when they did what they said they would. basically the pre neo con days) because I believe in individualism. I give the Dems credit, at least they say up front what they want. All this current bailout is: welfare for the rich, but I’m never against the government giving away money to anyone because it causes a net economic gain for all, I’d just like some honesty and a fair piece of the pie for the little guy.
View all comments by The Soi Lawyer
Three words: SARAH PALIN.
(Yes, I know that - but she doesn’t)
View all comments by Pants Elk
Infidel fools! I told you this melt-down was coming in my surprise late-October 2004 videotaped address:
“And even more dangerous and bitter for America is that the Mujahedin recently forced Bush to resort to emergency funds to continue the fight in Afghanistan and Iraq which is evidence of the success of the bleed-until-bankruptcy plan with Allah’s permission… And it all shows that the real loser is… you. It’s the American people and their economy.”
Pants Elk writes: “Bleed until bankruptcy” It’s true. He did say this. Which is … uh … creepy, right?
View all comments by Ossama Bin Laden