Ratsima💙🏳️🌈🤿🇹🇭
@ratsima.bsky.social
Retired US SSA Manager (Saipan).
Currently languishing in Korat, the Bakersfield of Thailand. Unapologetic liberal.
💙
Currently languishing in Korat, the Bakersfield of Thailand. Unapologetic liberal.
💙
Pinned
Ratsima💙🏳️🌈🤿🇹🇭
@ratsima.bsky.social
· Mar 7
Social Security - A simplistic explanation from a former SSA manager.
I realize no one will read this, but I see so much misinformation about Social Security out there that I feel compelled to write it.
I realize no one will read this, but I see so much misinformation about Social Security out there that I feel compelled to write it.
I went to Scholl shop at the Mall today to buy new slippers. I found the one I want in my size. I said OK indicating I’d buy them. But they said they only had one. One pair? No, one shoe.
June 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I went to Scholl shop at the Mall today to buy new slippers. I found the one I want in my size. I said OK indicating I’d buy them. But they said they only had one. One pair? No, one shoe.
My daughter is a 911 dispatch supervisor. She has three kids. She makes ten dollars an hour. She needs SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid to survive. Hard for me to believe how our government could so thoroughly fail someone working in such an essential job.
May 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
My daughter is a 911 dispatch supervisor. She has three kids. She makes ten dollars an hour. She needs SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid to survive. Hard for me to believe how our government could so thoroughly fail someone working in such an essential job.
I’m an American who has lived in Thailand for 20 years. For much of that time the country has been under oppressive military autocracies. Currently we have an elected but still oppressive government. But seeing what America has become in just a few short months I’ve become very glad I live here.
May 22, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I’m an American who has lived in Thailand for 20 years. For much of that time the country has been under oppressive military autocracies. Currently we have an elected but still oppressive government. But seeing what America has become in just a few short months I’ve become very glad I live here.
PauPau Beach, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA.
May 19, 2025 at 4:47 AM
PauPau Beach, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA.
I often read NY Times columnist Bret Stephens because I think it’s important to understand those whose position is quite different from my own. Today’s column, “Chaos Deepens”, is a gem worth your attention.
April 27, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I often read NY Times columnist Bret Stephens because I think it’s important to understand those whose position is quite different from my own. Today’s column, “Chaos Deepens”, is a gem worth your attention.
Trouble everywhere. Headlines from the business section of today’s Bangkok Post:
*Thailand faces lower tourist numbers.
*Thai rice exports fall 30%.
*Thailand faces hit from US-China trade war.
*Foreign condo purchases see 6.8% decline in value.
*Thailand faces lower tourist numbers.
*Thai rice exports fall 30%.
*Thailand faces hit from US-China trade war.
*Foreign condo purchases see 6.8% decline in value.
April 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Trouble everywhere. Headlines from the business section of today’s Bangkok Post:
*Thailand faces lower tourist numbers.
*Thai rice exports fall 30%.
*Thailand faces hit from US-China trade war.
*Foreign condo purchases see 6.8% decline in value.
*Thailand faces lower tourist numbers.
*Thai rice exports fall 30%.
*Thailand faces hit from US-China trade war.
*Foreign condo purchases see 6.8% decline in value.
Just 20 years ago my wife and I were contemplating my retirement and our imminent move from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands to our new home in Korat, Thailand. At that time we had exactly one screen in the house; a G4 iMac that we used for Internet, movie watching and music. We had no TV.
April 1, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Just 20 years ago my wife and I were contemplating my retirement and our imminent move from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands to our new home in Korat, Thailand. At that time we had exactly one screen in the house; a G4 iMac that we used for Internet, movie watching and music. We had no TV.
From today’s Bangkok Post:
April 1, 2025 at 3:50 AM
From today’s Bangkok Post:
“You don’t go in with a big muscle, you go in with a brain.” - Finnish President Alexander Stubb on diplomacy.
March 31, 2025 at 9:57 AM
“You don’t go in with a big muscle, you go in with a brain.” - Finnish President Alexander Stubb on diplomacy.
What’s The End Game?
1/ I’m an American who last resided in the US in 1978. So, I may be a bit clueless. The last pre-Trump lawless President was Nixon. But then we had honorable people on the Supreme Court and on the Republican sides of the House and Senate.
1/ I’m an American who last resided in the US in 1978. So, I may be a bit clueless. The last pre-Trump lawless President was Nixon. But then we had honorable people on the Supreme Court and on the Republican sides of the House and Senate.
March 30, 2025 at 11:02 AM
What’s The End Game?
1/ I’m an American who last resided in the US in 1978. So, I may be a bit clueless. The last pre-Trump lawless President was Nixon. But then we had honorable people on the Supreme Court and on the Republican sides of the House and Senate.
1/ I’m an American who last resided in the US in 1978. So, I may be a bit clueless. The last pre-Trump lawless President was Nixon. But then we had honorable people on the Supreme Court and on the Republican sides of the House and Senate.
Now and then a nap is required.
March 30, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Now and then a nap is required.
Reposted by Ratsima💙🏳️🌈🤿🇹🇭
Friday Night Party Time!
@pattyger.bsky.social
@liberalgigi.bsky.social
@elsanotanaaa.bsky.social
@irisheyes4unow.bsky.social
@sagansocrates.bsky.social
@childofhippies.bsky.social
@romatthews.bsky.social
@gentlem.bsky.social
@qm-b.bsky.social
@bpo.bsky.social
@wobbleszo.bsky.social
@pattyger.bsky.social
@liberalgigi.bsky.social
@elsanotanaaa.bsky.social
@irisheyes4unow.bsky.social
@sagansocrates.bsky.social
@childofhippies.bsky.social
@romatthews.bsky.social
@gentlem.bsky.social
@qm-b.bsky.social
@bpo.bsky.social
@wobbleszo.bsky.social
March 29, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Reposted by Ratsima💙🏳️🌈🤿🇹🇭
I live in the Philippines, we get lots of earthquakes daily at around M3.0 so my App is configured to only shows M7.0+ outside the Philippines area. Usually after a big earthquake there are lots of after shocks.
My friend in Bangkok posted this video of the MRT during the Myanmar quake.
My friend in Bangkok posted this video of the MRT during the Myanmar quake.
March 28, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I live in the Philippines, we get lots of earthquakes daily at around M3.0 so my App is configured to only shows M7.0+ outside the Philippines area. Usually after a big earthquake there are lots of after shocks.
My friend in Bangkok posted this video of the MRT during the Myanmar quake.
My friend in Bangkok posted this video of the MRT during the Myanmar quake.
#Thailand #earthquake
For the curious, this is my best guess of the location of the building that collapsed in #Bangkok.
maps.app.goo.gl/teeWcZ26b8om...
For the curious, this is my best guess of the location of the building that collapsed in #Bangkok.
maps.app.goo.gl/teeWcZ26b8om...
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
maps.app.goo.gl
March 28, 2025 at 8:49 AM
#Thailand #earthquake
For the curious, this is my best guess of the location of the building that collapsed in #Bangkok.
maps.app.goo.gl/teeWcZ26b8om...
For the curious, this is my best guess of the location of the building that collapsed in #Bangkok.
maps.app.goo.gl/teeWcZ26b8om...
7.7 Earthquake in Bangkok. Centered in Burma. Some buildings down in Bangkok. We live 250K NE, but my wife still felt it in her office. Me? Oblivious.
March 28, 2025 at 7:17 AM
7.7 Earthquake in Bangkok. Centered in Burma. Some buildings down in Bangkok. We live 250K NE, but my wife still felt it in her office. Me? Oblivious.
7.7 earthquake in Bangkok. Some buildings down. We live 250K NW, but my wife still felt it in her office. Quake was reportedly centered in northern Burma. #Thailand
March 28, 2025 at 7:06 AM
7.7 earthquake in Bangkok. Some buildings down. We live 250K NW, but my wife still felt it in her office. Quake was reportedly centered in northern Burma. #Thailand
One of the funniest and saddest things I’ve read today:
Zelensky noted that U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff is not a military expert. "As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate."
Zelensky noted that U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff is not a military expert. "As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate."
March 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
One of the funniest and saddest things I’ve read today:
Zelensky noted that U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff is not a military expert. "As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate."
Zelensky noted that U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff is not a military expert. "As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate."
Maybe we should just let Trump be King and find someone else to run the country. I’m sure Pete wouldn’t mind living elsewhere while the King gaudies up the White House. We don’t even have to tell him. Just keep the Diet Cokes coming.
March 25, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Maybe we should just let Trump be King and find someone else to run the country. I’m sure Pete wouldn’t mind living elsewhere while the King gaudies up the White House. We don’t even have to tell him. Just keep the Diet Cokes coming.
From today’s Bangkok Post
March 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
From today’s Bangkok Post
