Mavica

Obviously, you haven't noticed that discussion threads as old as 5 years old are still being commented on, in this particular forum .... and on others. Have nothing to add? Fine. Then just move-on.

Seems as if the purveyors of Thai news have forgotten about the Thai hostages that have been released by Hamas.

In my teens, I'd frequent a very busy paperback book / magazine store Downtown Chicago to thumb through the muscle magazines seeking a glimpse of guys as naked as they could be. The store was owned / staffed by two older gay guys (which it took me some time to understand, who / what they were) who, obviously, spotted me hanging around the store for an hour or two every now and then ... as I attempted not to be conspicuous. One day, one of the men said to me, "Young man, the magazine you ordered is here, behind the counter." "Come over here." Surprised, and not knowing what to do - I went behind the counter where the man lifted some magazines and underneath were gay, nude photo magazines. The men, on many occasions, allowed me behind the counter to discretely thumb through the magazines - without making a purchase. I don't remember the name of any of the magazines. These were my first gay magazine experiences and 60+ years later I've never forgotten the kindness and "wink, wink" relationship with these men (who never attempted to touch me or invite me to have sex). Many times in my adult life I've met young men on their "coming out" journey and have sought to assist in the journey to whatever extent I can/could - remembering the kindnesses shown me (no jokes, please! 😉).

No, don’t do it.

Emotions can run high on some issues. And then there are the trolls whose purpose / intent is to incite - without 'skin' in the game. And, yes, for some participants, posting is considered a game - such is life on social media. In the grand scheme of things what we post doesn't change anything; most of us have our minds made-up. Personally targeted, named attacks are something the site moderator(s) warn against, for good reason. We participate here because we agree on far more than we disagree. We share a common bond. For the most part, I express my opinions by using one of the emojis. Though, I'm not perfect.

I don't often peel / eat shrimp or want to clean the vein, take-off the feet, etc. I do it, from time to time, though - when the mood / circumstances move me. 😊Honestly, though, most of the shrimp I eat are already cooked, with tail on. Finger food? Dip the fingers in broth, etc? Bring it on!

I like the tail shell on but remove it before eating the shrimp.

As I've said previously, "For someone to suggest or insinuate taking security measures is classist is accurate ... and that concern transcends classes. Not to understand this illustrates a lack of travel experience and a lack of knowledge of the destinations and peoples being discussed."

Just because someone is from someplace doesn't necessarily equate to the individual seeing / understanding their or the broader geographical environment.

What we see in the photograph is not atypical in Mexico, where I've spent a lot of time. The building pictured could be a residence / condo or apartment building spanning multiple socioeconomic levels. Locals take security precautions because there's almost certainly been instances of home robberies or physical assault. It's commonplace in many countries to see barred outer doors, barred windows ... even in some neighborhoods in the USA. What about the broken glass bottles that are sticking out of cement at the top of property or balcony walls? They're commonplace in many countries. For someone to suggest or insinuate taking security measures is classist is accurate ... and that concern transcends classes. Not to understand this illustrates a lack of travel experience and a lack of knowledge of the destinations and peoples being discussed.

Yes, spewing hate ... and clearly siding with those solely responsible for the unnecessary deaths.

Well, you don't provide the source you're relying on. Let's have a look at a link to that. A photo of a graphic? One of the links I provided has Colombia at #5 and the other provides statistics one could consider making the same claim. In what context are you asking? Are you concerned about safety there?

Cat got your tongue? 😊 What's your question? If you're wondering about the homicide rate in Colombia, the information can be found using the internet: Homicide rate in Latin America by country | Statista Colombia Murder/Homicide Rate 1990-2023 | MacroTrends

Just because something appears in I traveled to many sections of the old USSR in 1980, and one of my flights (Moscow > Paris) was on an IL62 or one of its variations.

LOL!

At this point in time, when the campaign for President has not really started ... between party nominees ... polls are irrelevant. It's a political lifetime between now and a year from now. Obsessive / compulsive personalities don't understand this.

Absurd pricing. Walk away. It would be rare that any one of the guys would be worth it. Save up, visit Brazil, Santo Domingo, Medellin, etc.

I don't see any information to cause me to believe there is blanket bombing (often also referred to as carpet bombing).

I've had prostate cancer and chose what I thought was the best option: remove it once and for all. I was fortunate that the cancer was encapsulated in the prostate and had not metastasized and no further treatment was necessary. My brother had and continues to have prostate cancer, opted for radiation and now the cancer has spread and is reeking havoc with him. There's no one right answer that applies to all who have this cancer. I consider myself lucky, though my sex life is substantially reduced ... but I'm alive. I'll take the sex loss, gladly.

Though I appreciate reading / considering the opinions of others written on the forum no matter if I agree / disagree, book-length postings are a turn-off and I (and probably most others) stop reading after the first paragraph. Less is more (effective). 💋

Everything I see, read and hear leads me to believe the US is cautioning Israel not to make the same mistakes it, the US, made responding to 9/11.

Why? She doesn't like you. 😉

You, obviously, are not blocked from posting to the forums. So, is the issue that you are not able / permitted to react by clicking on an emoji? If so, I think there's a limit to the number of such reactions we are permitted to apply on a daily basis. I know that I was not permitted to react in that manner once ... a day I'd clicked on a lot of them. M a y b e ... that's what's happening with you. Or, am I misunderstanding what's happening to you?

Lengthy will be defined differently when the comments are viewed on a smartphone as contrasted with reading the words using a laptop or tablet. We all have the opportunity to read the same words, only in formats that are not universal and our comfort levels vary because of that. It's probably an unwinnable effort for the writer who attempts to satisfy all.