Penkoprod

At Carmine since you called me out yet again!

Carmine I can honestly say I don't know you but what I can say is I don't think I would like you either, yes this is just a forum but you come across as one of the most spiteful posters on this thread. And you seem to think your opinions or your beliefs are far superior to anyone else's and if anyone should show any passion or support for their team they are to be ridiculed. You make it personal with you constant belittling of my opinions  and beliefs instead of just a dig at the team or results (banter) it isn't!

Why would I expect you to understand what I say? But here goes....its called 'The Liverpool Way'

From the moment I was told about Liverpool FC by my family at the age of about 7 or 8 that was that....on the bad days it's a horrible thing but the love never goes away! You learn about a set of common values that I guess define us as Liverpool supporters (I am not saying we are better but just different) and a set of values that give our club and fans the identity and some sense of a relationship with the Club that makes it so special to be a Red with a real unwavering support of the team.

'The Liverpool way' in short it was moulded by Bill Shankly he made Liverpool FC into one of the greatest clubs in world football! It was a vision beyond just football...he wanted to use the City’s characteristics to define the culture of the club. He wanted to give Liverpool a unique identity and to lift the club and its supporters to the best in world football.

When Kenny returned I felt part of that had come back Ten Fold in complete contrast to another recent manager Mr Hodgson! I was gutted when Rafa left, he was a complete outsider like Hodgson but he was a winner and he became part of 'The Liverpool Way' he got us in so many ways and earned the respect of the supporters, even now he speaks of the love of the city and how his family still lives there, his genuine kindness and support to the Hillsborough group and his love of LFC. Even Houllier got us and the club on many levels and had that special love of the city after living and working there as a teacher many years before joining the club.

When you read Kenny's book 'My Liverpool' you read about the impression Shanks had on him, including Bob Paisley, Evans and everything about 'The Liverpool Way' and you get to see the connection with the fans that those managers had and especially what makes Kenny so special to us...

Times move on and players and managers come and go. All I ask is that a manager loves the club as much as WE DO or makes that effort to 'Get us' it is very obvious who does or doesn't. I would love to see the likes of a Carra come though and be part of the management and keep that sense of the Boot Room going and 'The Liverpool Way ' alive in the club. I  would also love to see a young talented manager come in who whoever that may be but become part of what I have said just as many past managers have done.

I could go on all day but this will all fall on many deaf ears especially one persons !  as much as a Christian will have when listening to a Muslims beliefs and so on...I am sure some fellow reds who are old enough will certainly get what I am saying?



"Bastion of Invincibility" Liverpool Football Club.

20%

Just remember this number.

Every year Thailand has 20% more cancer cases than the year before.

What used to be one of the lowest cancer rate country of the world, is catching back fast.

Of course it has absolutely nothing to do with the huge increase of chemicals use in the food industry

Food safety in Thailand is one of my favourite bleats.

I agree what with Darrel has said above. Food safety is a concern the world over, but if we can't regulate it and monitor it in the west where we have both government and and non government agencies acting to do so (The NGOs are probably more trustworthy) then what chance here in Thailand.

Observations:

Talk to Thais and they are concerned about food safety - particularly chemicals from production and storage.
Talk to Thais in rural communities and they are really concerned - They know what is going on with chemical contamination
Talk to Thais who supply food to the main markets/industrial food processors and you will find they very often have two crops - THe chemical soaked crop for sale and the organic crop they grow to eat themselves.

Then look at the aggro chemical business hooking up with the Thai government to attempt to ban traditional (organic) pesticides in Thailand and you get the picture.

And we haven't even got to food producers and food vendors adding preservatives to food or the excessive use of any additive/chemical.

If one measure kills bugs and raises crop yield by 10 % lets raise it by 50% by adding more chemicals.

And then the whole trade in illegal/banned chemicals - Imagine now that Thailand actually bans some chemicals and they still come over the borders - into our food.

Thailand food safety is a huge huge issue that gets nowhere near enough attention.

Modified and preserved food is of course full of toxic chemicals. However food industry lobbyists get the FDA regulators on side pretty quick as so Big Pharma. Perfect symbiosis really, the foods companies poison you then you buy the drugs to suppress the symptoms thinking you are cured, everyone's a winner, well almost.

At any rate food and diet is a bit like religion, you fall into a camp and then defend your choice. If you love Big Macs and are happy to knock off a few years then do so, same with smoking, drinking etc. If quality of life is an issue, exercise, eat fresh wholesome foods, don't overindulge in the booze, you'll look and feel younger. Or go the other route, your choice. More likely to find good info online rather than a boozy expat forum, just saying...

4.real, on 2012-04-25 10:31:27, said:

Get over it.  You're not getting an upgrade.  Noone in the UK gives a toss about pensioners who have decided to emigrate.  No MP is going to pick it up. Even the people who are angry about can't raise themselves off their sunloungers and bar stools to sign an epetition.

Stop whining.  If you want an upgrade, you know how to get one.

mikebell, on 2012-04-22 10:41:08, said:

A weird definition of patriotism.  With some trepidation I venture into this debate to say that I won't be signing; I believe I did sign something similar not so long ago, but having since thought long and hard I have decided that I can not justify doing so again. Why? - perhaps another sort of patriotism.

It seems to me that my generation (I was born a few months after D-Day) had the absolute best out of the rise of Britain out of the Second World War, and had the best of the welfare state. I was able to go a grammar school, an opportunity denied to my children and their generation, I had free university education, which my grandchildren won't get, I retired at 65, my children will have to work longer before they can expect any sort of pension, and their contributions are likely to be a lot higher. I had free prescriptions during my last 5 working years and travelled to work on the bus for free. I doubt such benefits will still be in place by the time my children are 60. Britain is now saddled with massive debts which are a millstone around the necks of the working population, and whatever peoples' expectations, whatever promises any particular political party makes, the future outcomes in terms of healthcare and welfare are never likely to be as good as they were for us.

In the circumstances, therefore, it seems the height of selfishness to be demanding more from those who are toiling to keep their own heads above water. I don't disagree that the distinction between entitlements in different countries seems illogical and unjustifiable, but where you live is to some extent a matter of choice - no-one's forced to live in Thailand, or to re-locate to the UK if the increases on a "pitifully small pension" mean that much to you, just go and live in the Philippines or somewhere.

Oh, and I don't buy the "I've paid in, I'm entitled to it." argument. Anybody who's saved up and bought an annuity in the last few years knows how little your pension pot will buy when you come to cash it in. The welfare state is a giant Ponzi scheme, I paid for my parents' generation, our kids are paying for us in much more straitened circumstances. I'm afraid if I was an MP, the cause of whingeing expat pensioners would be a long way down my list of worthy causes. I'm not going to whinge to my kids.

motorcycles, sedans, pick-ups and vehicles that carry more than seven passengers.

So what else is left?  Is Thailand the only country in the world with such a bizar law ?

I am missing something here, the Gov claims that Thailand is going to be the Detroit of Asia car manufacturing.  Take that with a grain of salt.  But, it is true that many cars are manufactured in Thailand and sold domestically. so why are used cars here so dam_n expensive, I mean crap boxes.

Old clapped out junk that you could easy buy for $500-$1000 in USA, Australia or Europe you have to pay $6000+ in Thailand.

4.real, on 2012-04-17 13:56:50, said:

Christ alive.  It's people like you with your ignorance and your fear and 'i'm not a racist, but . . 'racism and your inability to differentiate between rational thought and pub rhetoric that made me leave the UK in the first place.  Sadly, you followed me to Thailand.

Where, ironically, we are the coloured minority that you so despise.

"However, as a scientist myself, I am hard put to think that all those working cardiologists out there, most of whom are not paid by drug companies and have no real axe to grind (apart from the very real one of satisfying their own cognitive dissonance after they've followed the one course so long), are continuing to perpetuate statin medication when a lot of data would call that ill-advised. To recommend reduction in cholesterol when it may be just a co-factor rather than a cause."

Just to address this. All doctors need to tow the line and adhere to standard accepted medical practices. That is heavily influenced by the drug companies. If an individual doctor starts doing radical things he'll get into a lot of hot water and possibly lose his licence to practice medicine or at the very least get a wrap on the knuckles by the medical board. There are many examples of doctors losing their licences due to what others considered radical practices. Cardiologists and other specialists invest a lifetime of study and training to get their positions which make them quite wealthy at the upper levels - they're not going to risk anything to endanger their standing.

I also have never planned on getting any pension since they are all now and totally underfunded unaffordable and so in end your left to your own nettle. At some stage the UK will simply not be able to pay for the promises and however unfair that is if theirs not enough money or people working and producing it simply cant be paid. The greeks are learning this and soon most of europe and particularly UK will be in same boat. The real problem is their are so many index linked guarantees that when truth is out their will be mass social unrest. We are also fast approaching a time when however prudent and careful one has been a likely financial disaster will leave many fairly wealthy people without an income and little assets of worth left. Everyone needs to wake up the party is over. Myself I live very comfortably with about 80,000 us$ of income from investments and no pension at all. I never paid into any pension instead accumulating my own pension but even I can see a day when however careful ive been with my investments and diversified I could easily loose 60% or more of its real value and 70% or more of my income in real terms. So everyone should prepare for a very bleak future and I feel sorry for those who made no preparation or believe tihngs will not turn very nasty.

I sincerely hope im wrong since I have no desire to have to live on 20,000 us$ or so in real terms with a wife and 2 children to keep. And before people say what 20,000 us$ thats tons that is less than current fees for our 2 childrens education. Im hoping the financial collapse can be avoided for another 8 years or so by which time our childrens education will be complete but then greatest concern will be possible medical bills. I dont think when going back to UK or USA will be viable option. I strongly advise anyone who has made proper provision for their old age to not rely on pensions of any sort and plan for a very reduced standard of living.  

As far as petition is concerned a total utter waste of time and effort.

creck, on 2012-04-06 11:54:09, said:

Since when has any government supposed to be better than any good friend?

I have witnessed the demise of a fair few of my peers here in Thailand over the past 7-8 years, most departed with grace and had wills in place or had already made contingency plans for their survivors. Some others were always riding the ragged-edge in life and so in death, they left with undefined estates and liabilities. Whenever we had one of the latter, did we as his good friends ask their home country's legation for assistance or a hand out? No we did not. We banded together, made sure that their immediate family overseas was advised first, their family in country provided for second and their embassy advised third. Then we went about helping with or arranging for the cremation. All this from informal donations, respect for the departed and the great times they shared with us and generally just taking care of a good friends unfinished business. In a few instances, the embassy was involved with a repatriation of remains but when family members came over, it was us, the good friends of the deceased that took care of meeting them at the airport, helping with or arranging accommodation and helping them get over their grief, not the embassy.

So all you (particularly British) that carp on about being poorly served here in your chosen home by our governments representatives. Take proper precautions and make plans to be PERSONALLY responsible for your well being and that of your family that may be here with you. If your social safety-net in Thailand is insufficient, don't expect your embassy to suddenly step in and take up the slack for your own weak choices, bad decisions and the pursuit of life's 'free pass'. There isn't one!

Embassies exist first and foremost to protect and facilitate the interests of the nation, not the nationals.
I'm gobsmacked by the number of people who happily shit on their nanny state,lauding the freedom living as an expat gives them and then run to the embassy expecting an instant nanny when something goes wrong.

ScouseTommy, on 2012-04-06 09:28:40, said:

Wrong on almost every count.With over 600,000 British visitors every year to Thailand it's simply impossible for the embassy to minister to every tourist's minor problems.The rather good current Ambassador - I'm sorry he's going - has made it very clear and humanely what the Embassy can do and what it can't do.More critically the culture of looking to the state to remedy every need is a peculiarly British one, especially among the benefits oriented underclass which is increasingly dominant in the Thailand tourist market and for that matter in the "expatriate community", whatever that absurd concept is meant to mean.Any doubters should take a look at Lower Sukhumvit or Pattaya.I suspect the first reaction of most Australians or Americans is to try to sort their problems out for themselves, rather than running to their Embassy.

transam, on 2012-04-02 19:24:37, said:

Pull your head in, transam.  You couldnt be further from the truth if you tried.

Lottery winnings - never played it.  It's a chump's game.
Worked for bank - never
Sacked and hefty payout? I wish, but sadly no.
Presents or handouts from parents?  Not a chance
Expected inheritances?  Don't make me laugh.

It's simple.  I started saving when I left school.  I saved at university.  I saved to buy a house in my twenties and paid it off in my early 30s.  I'm spending my forties working all hours god sends and not buying cars etc etc, so I can retire at 50.  It's called making a plan.

If I can do it, anyone can.

Instead people seem to want to rely on outside forces like the government, and then complain like a spoilt school girl when they change the rules.

Well, wooopy do . .  that's what governments do.  Get over it.

It's called companionship.......many men ( I would say myself included ) love companionship and the feeling of doing something for the greater good. There are some excellent older fathers all over the world and many excellent relationships too.

So if you you can see past the cynical view and see the reality that relationships can work for older gents then that would be a start. You've given me a chance to tell my favourite story about Thailand, and I can't remember if I have told it before so forgive me if you have seen it before.

My first trip to Thailand was Feb 2008, I had done a business deal and I was taken on holiday to Pattaya as a bonus. I was reluctant to go as I had heard all the usual nonsense about Thailand, but being Scottish I couldn't see the holiday go to waste.

I duly turned up at the hotel opposite Wonderful Bar 2 and you can imagine I was blown away with my first sight of Pattaya. The first afternoon there was live entertainment in the bar, so I wandered across and sat down on one of the stools. There was an older English guy doing his turn, and he had a good voice.

Once he finished he came to over my way and mentioned I had blagged his seat, I skipped up one and he sat with me. He asked me if it was my first time in Thailand, he must have smelled the newness off me. I said it was and to cut a long story short he launched into this story. If he is reading this, I hope he knows the impression he made on me.

" I was 59 and living in London when I lost my wife, I couldn't handle it, I loved that woman so much. For 18 months I was like a zombie, going to work, coming home, drinking by myself every night and just wanting it all to end, I was so miserable. My daughter kept pleading with me to get on with my life, but my life died with my wife. One day my daughter came into the house with my best friend, they had bought me a holiday to Thailand to try and get me out of my shell. I refused to go, no way I could contemplate going on holiday, it would be a betrayal of the memory of my wife, how could I enjoy myself?

My daughter burst into tears, and I relented, I was a miserable sod but now I was hurting my kids too. The day came for me to fly to Thailand and never was there a more reluctant tourist than me, all the way over I didn't want to be going on holiday, I was betraying my wife. I got to Pattaya and I was miserable, angry with myself for agreeing to come and the first day I was a nightmare, by day two I was starting to relax a little bit, and by day three I was starting to enjoy myself.

By the time the two weeks were over I went home and my daughter was ecstatic, she could see happiness in me, as she had already lost her Mum, and she felt she lost her Dad that day too. It was all I could do but get to work, save up and get back out again.

He went on to say.............The first girlfriend you get in Thailand is always the hardest to get rid of, you end up entrapped and unsure and that was a nightmare for me. Eventually it all ended, and I took up with another lady that didn't work out either, and it went on until I met my lady here.

I retired from my job, moved over here and got married, my best pal did the same thing and two other friends have moved here too. We all stay in the same villa, we get up at about 10.00am and go for a swim, the wives make brunch, we sit and eat together, and we all take off in different directions for the afternoon. Today I'm here because I love a sing song, my wife here is a sweetheart ( I would say she was about 54, and the gent I was talking to would be about 67 at the time ), and she looks after me so well.

He went on to say..........

" I would give all this up right now for my wife, I loved that woman so much, I would give up everything to be with her again........I thought my life was over when my wife died, but Thailand has given me a second chance at life............"

I hope that gentleman is still going strong and still loving life in Pattaya, and I bet you there are many men reading this and recognizing a bit of themselves in it........I think that was one of the best phrases I have ever heard in my life.  

" Thailand has given me a second chance at life "