Vale "Ta Barang" and may other forum aliases
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- My Best Friend is my Computer
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Vale "Ta Barang" and may other forum aliases
I have just got off the phone to the Cambodian wife, now widow, of Don Smythe, an American national, former US Peace Corps, who had lived in a Cambodian village, SRE SIAM, in Tbong Khmum Province, with his Khmer wife and two children, for close to twenty years now; and known under many forum aliases, but recently as Ta Barang. Don died a painful death of prostate cancer at his home one week ago.
Don was a very direct speaking American who, quite correctly, did not suffer fools gladly on matters relating to Cambodia. Don, through assimilation and total immersion in a small Cambodian village over nearly two decades had a very thorough understanding and fluency in Khmer, had a very deep and practical understanding of Cambodian/Khmer social anthropology, well beyond the comprehension of any academic on this forum or elsewhere. Don lived the life that PHD candidates write about but do not truly experience.
I am not the person to write an obituary to forum for Don. But he is a man I greatly admired, notwithstanding his very many detractors of lesser understanding than himself, on numerous forums.
Yes, he was somewhat blunt and to the point. And not the easiest or most sociable of persons.
But no one on this or related forums ever came close to his depth of knowledge or understanding of rural Cambodia and its culture.
Vale Don Smythe - and all good fortune to his Cambodian widow Kheang, and his two bi-cultural children.
Now, which of the many expatriates residing in Cambodia and vocal on this or related forums will step up to the plate and assist his Cambodian widow claim the US benefits she may now be entitled to?
Vale Don Smythe.
OML
Don was a very direct speaking American who, quite correctly, did not suffer fools gladly on matters relating to Cambodia. Don, through assimilation and total immersion in a small Cambodian village over nearly two decades had a very thorough understanding and fluency in Khmer, had a very deep and practical understanding of Cambodian/Khmer social anthropology, well beyond the comprehension of any academic on this forum or elsewhere. Don lived the life that PHD candidates write about but do not truly experience.
I am not the person to write an obituary to forum for Don. But he is a man I greatly admired, notwithstanding his very many detractors of lesser understanding than himself, on numerous forums.
Yes, he was somewhat blunt and to the point. And not the easiest or most sociable of persons.
But no one on this or related forums ever came close to his depth of knowledge or understanding of rural Cambodia and its culture.
Vale Don Smythe - and all good fortune to his Cambodian widow Kheang, and his two bi-cultural children.
Now, which of the many expatriates residing in Cambodia and vocal on this or related forums will step up to the plate and assist his Cambodian widow claim the US benefits she may now be entitled to?
Vale Don Smythe.
OML
Had the occasional drink with the guy from time to time years back. Sad to hear his passing. Hope he had everything in order for his family.
"Goodness me! Now STD free..."
- horace
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Condolences to all who knew him. However, if you are married with kids , it is your responsibility to get your affairs in order especially if you know you are dying. Also what benefits do you think she is entitled to?
k440, something to do when you're pissed.
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Hello horace ,
As an Australian I have no idea what or if his widow or children is or are or may be entitled to in the form of US benefits. Citizenship at least I trust? At least for the children?
But Americans on this forum may know.
It's very easy to post what you have posted, but terminal illness and death frequently find its victims as prepared as you think should be the case in a perfect world.
Just what are you contributing to this thread?
OML
As an Australian I have no idea what or if his widow or children is or are or may be entitled to in the form of US benefits. Citizenship at least I trust? At least for the children?
But Americans on this forum may know.
It's very easy to post what you have posted, but terminal illness and death frequently find its victims as prepared as you think should be the case in a perfect world.
Just what are you contributing to this thread?
OML
If he registered the kids as US citizens born abroad they may get something.
Certainly his widow will get nothing at all.
Certainly his widow will get nothing at all.
- Felgerkarb
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RIP.
I do not think I ever had occasion to meet him. Sorry I did not, sounded like an interesting man.
As far as benefits, as stated above, depends upon his circumstances and if he registered his children for birth abroad at the US Embassy.
I do not think I ever had occasion to meet him. Sorry I did not, sounded like an interesting man.
As far as benefits, as stated above, depends upon his circumstances and if he registered his children for birth abroad at the US Embassy.
====================
Why are the gods such vicious cunts?
Where is the god of tits and wine?
Why are the gods such vicious cunts?
Where is the god of tits and wine?
- horace
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I am contributing advice/warning to others who are married with kids.Ot Mean Loi wrote: ↑Sun Sep 13, 2020 5:57 pmHello horace ,
Just what are you contributing to this thread?
OML
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k440, something to do when you're pissed.
- Starving Pelican
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Exactly.horace wrote: ↑Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:27 pmI am contributing advice/warning to others who are married with kids.Ot Mean Loi wrote: ↑Sun Sep 13, 2020 5:57 pmHello horace ,
Just what are you contributing to this thread?
OML
OML never seems to think prior to making a post.
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Seems weird that he made no provision for his family and left them to come second-hand to the k440 forum to sort out the US admin. Everything will be so much harder now that he's gone.
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- horace
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I am still confused by the title Vale " Ta Barang" ! I checked the membership and there is neither a Vale nor Ta Barang. I also assume the may means many aliases on Forums. What forums?
k440, something to do when you're pissed.
- Phuket2006
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This was discussed many time otof, where he was an off, on again poster, kids get zip
Ta, never wanted to deal with it and not even sure he got them Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Ta, never wanted to deal with it and not even sure he got them Consular Report of Birth Abroad
As a nonresident, your child may have to meet the residency requirements of the SSA. This includes your child living in the United States for at least five years with you or the other parent. In some situations, however, your nonresident child doesn’t have to meet any residency requirements, such as a child who resides in a country that has a totalization agreement with the United States.
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
He posted as taa barang on CEO. Was his Khmer440 moniker Taa Moan?
- Lucky Lucan
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I got my kid's foreign passport and citizenship together when he was very young. I would hate to think of the hurdles his Cambodian family would face if I died and had not done this. I hope Taabarang's
family have not been neglected in this regard.
family have not been neglected in this regard.
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Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
- Felgerkarb
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Vale is Latin for goodbye/farewell.
====================
Why are the gods such vicious cunts?
Where is the god of tits and wine?
Why are the gods such vicious cunts?
Where is the god of tits and wine?
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