Mavica

The Washington Post is featuring an article today about the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention plan to release guidelines later this summer for deploying a morning-after antibiotic pill, a treatment known as DoxyPEP, in hopes of addressing fears among medical professionals that preventive use would fuel antibiotic resistance — and the rise of drug-resistant superbugs. Link: DoxyPEP offers an alternative to condoms to prevent STDs - The Washington Post (there may be a paywall for some readers)

The Hill published an article last week focusing on VP Harris and perceptions she's not up to the task, and her unpopularity rating. The article presents a perspective i haven't seen written very often. Link: Kamala Harris is far from the worst vice president: Why do polls say otherwise? | The Hill

What's "nonsensical" to me is your disbelief that someone - recently joined - would come to a gay travel / behavior specific forum to ask for advice / information. Not all gay men are as wise and experienced as you, me or others posting here think we are. We're not born as intellectual. 🙂 Surprise! Is that now an offense, worthy of what certainly seems to be trolling itself and a violation of the Guidelines for participation on this forum? Think the OP is insincere, game playing? If you have reliable information that the OP is trolling or not sincere ... post it. Or just move-on to a different discussion. It's no wonder some newbies avoid these forums.

Most of us posting here have been sexually active with moneyboys, escorts, etc. for decades ... so it might seem strange / odd to have someone arrive in our midst who isn't as sexperienced, asking questions. I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt that the questions are sincerely asked - because we've all started somewhere, oftentimes moving forward with the help of others. I don't know that it's risker having sex with a moneyboy / escort than with a freebie. It's not as if there's an interview, testing, whatever before we have sex sex either. Unprotected sex brings with it risks, some minimal (minor std's), or deadly (HIV/AIDS). My own experience with STD's the past 50 years I've been particularly sexually active runs the gamut: syphilis, gonorrhea, Hep. A and B ... but not HIV. I haven't had unprotected / condomless anal sex (top or bottom) since 1985. I don't think, though, that anything I've caught originated with a play-for-pay relationship; I cannot be 100% certain. I have encountered a few guys who wouldn't let me blow them unless they could wear a condom; always when it's been a straight guy and in Mexico. Newbies can be reluctant to go to a clinic to be checked-out if they suspect an STD. I understand that. It can be intimidating. However, there's no judgement, just treatment. Just go.

I thought it strange that the writer of the comment, assumably a gay man would use the the phrase "the Gays". I was going to post something about that but didn't. Here's an expanded description of Niemöller's writings: (see: Martin Niemöller - Wikiquote} The origins of this poem first have been traced to a speech given by Niemöller on January 6, 1946, to the representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt. According to research by Harold Marcuse, the original groups mentioned in the speech were Communists, the incurably sick, Jews, and people in occupied countries. Since then, the contents have often been altered to produce numerous variants. Niemöller himself came up with different versions, depending on the year. The most famous and well known alterations are perhaps those beginning "First they came for the Jews" of which this is one of the more commonly encountered: First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. Another variant extends the comparisons to include Catholics and Protestants: In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up. Other translations or variants: In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew; And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up. Twenty-five years later Niemöller indicated that this was the version he preferred, in a 1971 interview. When the Nazis came for the communists, I did not speak out; As I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I did not speak out; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; As I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I did not speak out; As I was not a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out. When the Nazis arrested the Communists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist. When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat. When they arrested the trade unionists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist. When they arrested me, there was no longer anyone who could protest. First the Nazis came… First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak out for me. I was fortunate to attend a 1979 NYC Broadway performance of the play "Bent" starring a naked Richard Gere and David Dukes, a powerful play which focused on the concentration camp imprisonment and extermination of gays during "the Holocaust". When Jews frequently say "Never forget!", those of us who are gay need to remember not to forget our history, too. The struggle never ends.

I've had 6 of the COVID shots. Most recently before my May 2023 visit to Mexico. No sickness, yet. 😁

IF the main issue in the General Election is a recession then advantage Biden, if he repeatedly and effectively points-out the damaging financial decisions of then Pres. Trump and the mistakes and high interest rate policies of the GOP dominated decision makers at the Federal Reserve Board. The GOP is always better at messaging than Democrats, though.

The income test for legal permanent residency in Mexico is high, higher than many expats can afford. Correct me if I'm wrong: I believe it's +/- US$60,000 verifiable annual income, or static annual investment / bank account balances of +/- US$220,000. From what I observe, many expats are living in Mexico illegally (not suggesting floridarob is).

I don't place any importance on sketchy public opinion polls this far in advance of a general election campaign. Biden hasn't even begun to campaign, nor campaign against whomever the GOP nominates. His popularity will increase as the general election progresses. If the GOP nominee is Trump or D, Santis ... Biden wins. If the GOP nominates a generational younger candidate ... Biden will still be strong, but his age will become a front-burner issue as will the Harris Factor.

Yes, and the law has to limit false claims by scamming insureds. I've had friends who've filed false claims, for things which were their wrongdoing / damages. If / when someone files an inappropriate claim and is compensated ... the rest of us who don't act that way pay the price, eventually.

The devil is in the details. The small print. There are many possible / legitimate exclusions that most of us may think unfair.

"Enjoy this little time with your family and relatives! A hug."

Just what the Doctor ordered! Not!

In the other discussion about this incident a news article was linked and identified the business as Phoenix Fitness and Sauna Service Centre on Ratchada-Tha Phra Road.

There's another discussion on the same topic:

Yes.

The above remarks come from a trip report posted to a forum for straight guys traveling for sex. Might mean something, or nothing.

Thank you for the comments, floridarob and Tomtravel. For the past couple of days, I've been doing a deep dive into current information for Havana and Santiago, Cuba generally. Descriptions I'm reading in traveler trip reports and a couple I've viewed on youtube align with what floridarob has recently been told by his contacts there. Maybe I'll go, maybe not. I'll continue to digest comments here, and elsewhere. Thank you.

Exactly.

This would be a first-ever visit to Cuba for me. A mid-August birthday present. Easy flights out of Tampa. The dark side of Santiago ... calls out to me. 😁 But I'm open to visiting Havana, alternatively. What do I know? Nothing, about Cuba. I've been looking for / at independent-entry casas particulares independentes in both destinations. Suggestions? Thanks!

I'm thinking of traveling from Tampa, FL to Santiago de Cuba, or Havana for a long weekend in August. Does any reader have current, recent information about USA residents traveling to Cuba? Thank you.

"Medal of Honour"? Someone suggested a Medal of Honour? By the power vested in me I hereby present ...

Accident, or suicide?

Jenny Craig is being revived online | CNN Business

Sounds familiar, when we watch reactions to Israel's apartheid.