Wino

The poor 19 year old seemed desperate to ward off the advances of Mrs. Robinson. This is of course, after he obtained a big loan to start a business.

The super bowl game is one time I wish they would show the US commercial in Thailand. Usually some very good ads. When you think about it, why show US ads in Thailand?

Here are two articles about how China deals with its crime problem. The law and order people should love this. BEIJING – Two mob bosses were sentenced to death Thursday for gambling, bribery and assault in the latest series of gang prosecutions in southwestern China, state media reported. The Chongqing No. 3 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Chen Mingliang and Zhou Yong to death as part of a group of 34 people who stood trial in a crackdown on the city's violent underworld, according to the Web site of the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party. Two other gang leaders were given life in prison, the report said. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100204/ap_on_re_as/as_china_gang_trial And, BEIJING – Chinese state media say one person has been sentenced to death and 24 sentenced to prison in nine kidnapping cases. The state-run Xinhua News Agency says two courts in the capital of the southern province of Guangdong handed down the sentences Thursday. Xinhua at first reported that all 25 people were sentenced to death, but corrected that report on Friday to say just one faces the death penalty. China executes more people than any other country. In one of the kidnapping for ransom cases, Xinhua says the victim died from violent treatment. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_re_as/as_china_death_sentences

The Indonesian government caved in to the people and moved the Obama statue. By KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press Writer JAKARTA, Indonesia – A statue of a young President Barack Obama that drew a public backlash after it was given a prominent position in a Jakarta park will be moved to the elementary school he attended while living in the Indonesian capital, officials said Friday.The decision by Jakarta's government to move the 43-inch (110-centimeter) statue of a 10-year-old Obama holding a butterfly comes as the president prepares for his March visit to Indonesia, where he lived for several years as a child. Despite his widespread popularity among Indonesians, the statue drew criticism after it was placed in a park in December, with protesters arguing Obama is not a national hero. More than 56,000 Facebook members joined the Indonesian-language Facebook group "Take Down the Barack Obama Statue in Taman Menteng Park." On Friday, Jakarta Gov. Fauzi Bowo was quoted by the Detik.com news Web site as saying he "agreed with the suggestions" of those who wanted the statue moved from such a public area. Nur Rochman, a city government spokesman, confirmed officials had ordered the relocation of the statue, and hoped to have it installed at the school before Obama's arrival. "I think that is the most appropriate place for his statue," he said. Heru Nugroho, founder of the Facebook campaign to remove the statue from the park, praised the decision. "It's good — a little too late," he said. "But I appreciate it." Nugroho said he doesn't hate Obama or the United States, but believes statues in Indonesia should be reserved for those who have made significant contributions to the country. "Obama is a very good man, he's a good dreamer," Nugroho said. "But he has no contribution for Indonesia." Ron Mullers, a Jakarta resident who came up with the idea of the statue and raised money for it, said the new location is more personal for Obama, and closer to the children of Indonesia, for whom it was made. "If the government would like to move it, well, that's their prerogative and we have no objection," said Mullers, the chairman of the nonprofit Friends of Obama Foundation. "I think less people will see it, but that's OK." Obama, whose mother married an Indonesian, went to elementary school in the capital from 1967 to 1971 and is regarded fondly by most Indonesians. The nation is home to the world's largest Muslim population and many here believe Obama will improve relations between the West and the Middle East. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_re_as/as_indonesia_obama_statue

Many people agree the generals in Myanmar are bad, but they look good compared to the Taliban. Here is a snip from an article about three beatings in Pakistan. The tribal elder who provided the footage said the man was being punished for allegedly "working against the Taliban" by speaking out against the militants. The second victim appears to be a teenage boy, who the tribal elder said was being blamed for not growing a beard. The third victim was said to be punished for not praying. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_flogging_video

Sarah Pallin didn't like Emanuel's use of the "r" word, but it might be okay for Rush Limbaugh to use it. That seems like a double standard to me. Limbaugh lamented that "our political correct society is acting like some giant insult's taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards." That comment caused Greg Sargent to request a reaction from Palin's spokeswoman. It also caused confusion over whether Palin believes Limbaugh's public statements - like Emanuel's private ones - crossed the line. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100205/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1114

Some people go back for seconds because they want to make sure they get their money's worth of food. For me, I like food and want to try everything on offer.

Maybe someone from you dinky hometown is a Rotary member? Hope no one is hurt. The Rotory Club does good work and I hope they are able to raise some much needed funds.

All of that is true, but if it were not for Brett, the Vikings would not have been even in this game. Favre has a very low number of interceptions this season. Too bad he threw that interception. I am sure he regretts the throw.

Never heard of Krungsri yellow points until I googled it. Is the Bank of Ayudhya the only place to earn the points?

I think it is Sarah's way to play it up to her conservative base.

I agree with you about Al-Qaida looking for something different. The organization is adaptable and is changing its tactics all the time. My statement about flying is because in the past, an American layman has been most vulnerable to a terrorist attack in an airplane.

Don't get your nose all out of joint, your highness. The remark is not a personal attack. It is an indication of how ludicrous your statement is.

I saw a report on TV about Tiger and his sex rehab in Mississippi. No sure if it was true or just that media crap, but they claimed he was going through lie detector testing because he had to come clean and face his past.

I think sometimes doctor's self-interests cloud their judgement. I had a dentist say I needed a root canal even though I had no pain or problems with the tooth. Maybe he was behind on his mortgage payment?

I hear the iPad is affordable, as well. The cost being somewhere around $500 US.

I know you staunch law and order people will disagree, but this is my take on the Roman issue. I have no sympathy for the crime he committed. What he did was unforgiveable. That said, the victim has forgiven him, payoff or not, she has gone on with her life and does not want Roman brought to justice. I think the prosecutors should respect her wishes. It has been 30 plus years and she has put this incident in the past. Deals are made all the time in our system and I am all for a deal. In these 30 plus year Roman, at 77 years of age, has had no further problems with the law and is no threat to the public. Why spend big money on this case when there are better uses of scarce public funds?

Depends on what you are interested in. Maybe a sexy second honeymoon is in order? Book a night at the Royal Cliff Hotel, fine dining, champagne and a romantic evening.

The new year's resolution is to shed a few kilos. Better to stay away from the buffet and the many, delicious temptations.

I do enjoy seeing the dragon dancing.

Did anyone see Sarah and her daughter on Oprah? Seems Bristol has now learned her lesson and is going to try to abstain from sex until she is married. A lofty goal, but not realistic in my view. I bet Levi thinks that sounds like a crock of sh*t?

Flying is not the only risk, but would be the major risk for the average US citizen or board member, here.

Sounds like a conspiracy plot if ever I heard one. Entrance to an ivy league school may be influenced by family and wealth, but each teacher and professor would have to be paid off in order for an idiot to graduate with an MBA from Havard. Not very likely. Now do you want to tell us what have you been smoking?

Cash payoff or not, she has gotten on with her life and after 30+ years does not want to revisit the past. I think her wishes should be granted.

Do not know if it is true, but have heard bad things happen late at night. (or is it early in the morning?)