Bonifratz

I’ve known some rich Swiss in my life, and I can guarantee you that none of them would leave Switzerland over taxes, or any other reason for that matter.

I think he was just trying to recreate Searle’s Chinese Room.

I know Mamdani has yet to actually show his true colours and capabilities once in office, but so far I’m hugely impressed with him. He manages to win over people with his charm and smart rhetoric (e. g. Fox’s Martha MacCallum in that interview, now Trump) while - importantly - staying consistent on message. Many politicians in a similar situation would’ve toned it down, but in the Oval Office Mamdani 1) repeated his main talking points (affordability, rent, buses, groceries…), 2) called himself a democratic socialist, 3) called the situation in Gaza a genocide, 4) did not deny Trump being a fascist (although Trump helped him on that one).
Being secure and steadfast on your own convictions actually gives you the liberty to work across the aisle without having to fear losing yourself or your constituents.

Hasan made a good point today that supports what you said: On a normal day, Trump is surrounded by people like JD Vance, Lindsey Graham, Pete Hegseth etc. - slimy spineless weirdos. Even to an asshole like Trump, it’s probably a breath of fresh air to have to deal with a completely normal, cool guy for a change.

I’m kind of amazed that they weren’t leaked a long time ago already. But I guess potential whistleblowers are aware it could literally be their death if they got found out.

It turns out that “when you’re famous, they let you do it” is Trump’s core political guideline.

“Grabbing” someone “by the removed” without asking for consent first is sexual abuse, regardless of how they react to it.

Jews really have a knack for annoying nazis, don’t they?

Trans people really have a knack for riling up bigots, don’t they?

Women really have a knack for attracting rapists, don’t they?

No offense but why do you expose yourself to ads in this day and age?

Totoro for me

Einself!

Ah geil, ich verstehe Katalanisch!

While he denied the claim, he did admit to getting a massage while at Epstein’s house, although he stated that he kept his underwear on and did not enjoy it.

I guess it’s only sexual abuse if you enjoy it…

On a serious note, there is just no bottom to the depravity of the US ruling class, is there?

Sounds a lot like Phineas Gage.

His orthography is even worse than Trump’s, I did not see that coming.

This is really the crux of the matter. Sure there’s (many) differences between 5 and 15 year olds. The question is, why bring it up? Why is it relevant in the context of Trump’s and Epstein’s crimes?

As long as she doesn’t elaborate on it, the ostensible interpretation of her comment is that she thinks trafficking and sexually abusing a 15 y/o child is somehow less illegal or reprehensible than doing it to a 5 y/o child.

Yikes. Release the files but please don’t release a pic of Trump in a bikini!

What are your plans and expectations? How long do you want to stay? Do you want it to be a long-term relationship? Do you want to get married to her, have kids? If not, do you want to visit regularly? Are you willing/not willing to substantially support her/the family? etc.
As this is an unusual situation (which isn’t a value judgment), I think it’s important to really think these things through, and then communicate them openly. But also understand that many cultures (including Cambodian, I think) tend to prefer subtle hints over direct communication, so in order to really understand her expectations, it might be helpful to get opinions by some Cambodian third party (I’m sure there’s some English-language Cambodian forum you can turn to for that).

What does the writer think “effort” means? What does the writer think anything means?