impulse

When I say "the same", I meant the flavor of the place. A lot of sections have been moved around so a map from 5 or 10 years ago may not be accurate. I did see a lot of tourists walking around with maps, but I didn't ask about the maps because I prefer to wing it.

MixT and Bang Sue Junction (I think that's the name of it, the red building- hard to miss) have a bunch of eclectic stuff you won't find in a typical mall. More like a huge Flea Market with antiques, used clothes, camping gear, used tech gear, etc. Lots of models and collectibles from Anime, etc. I went there scrounging the 2nd hand camera shops and got a decent deal on a fairly current model camcorder. One attraction is that the selection is always changing. I didn't even go to JJ Mall because I've been there so many times before Covid. Maybe later this week when I'm on my monthly visit to Bangkok. Well worth a visit, especially if you're already in the area. Look at Google Maps on a high magnifications to find them all. There's a lot more than there were before Covid.

Chatuchak itself is the same, minus the burnt pet section. I was pleasantly surprised by the adjacent converted warehouse/malls that are new-ish. MixT and Bang Sue Junction and I forget the names of the other ones. And of course, JJ market and some other building that has JJ in the name. Air conditioned, lots of eclectic stuff, places to eat and have a coffee. And generally open on weekdays (with exceptions- check Google maps before you go). My only gripe would be the massage hawkers, but they're not aggressive. Just everywhere, not unlike the hawkers at the Weekend Market. If you haven't been to Chatuchak post Covid, I suggest you give it a try. If only for the free A/C to take a break from the heat at the Weekend Market. I scrounge the Weekend Market for an hour or so, then duck into the A/C for a break.

I used to think Ana Kasperian (sp?) was just an idiot who is easy on the eyes. She's come around to make sense on quite a few topics. And she's still easy on the eyes.

They were holding back $90 million. Kamala got $46 million. Which means 2 things. a)They didn't suddenly raise a bunch of cash when Kamala became the candidate. It was already there. b) Who got the other $40+ million? Was it lost to DNC "shrinkage" or do they have another candidate?

I wonder who bogarted the other $43.3 million? Biden donors withhold $90 million: Report Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy has the latest on the frozen super PAC on 'Special Report.' https://www.foxnews.com/video/6357777547112

I don't know. Things were okay under Bill Clinton. But he was an old school Dem. Not one of this new batch, post Obama.

Here's an interesting hypothetical... Who would be the Dem candidate had the MSM and Dem Elite done the responsible thing and outed Biden's condition before the primaries? I seriously doubt it would be Harris, after her disaster in her last primary. Another, even more convoluted hypothetical... How many primary votes would Nikki Haley have gotten without the protest votes from Dems who registered Red just to vote against Trump. Given that they would have had an honest choice and a reason to vote in the Dem primaries?

Media reactions to President Joe Biden’s announcement Sunday that he will not continue to run for a second term as president widely ranged between positive and negative, with some liberal pundits expressing shock and were in tears. And here I thought liberal tears were an urban myth. https://dailycaller.com/2024/07/21/joe-biden-drops-out-2024-presidential-race-cnn-msnbc-reactions/

I think the most telling thing about this whole debacle is that the Dem Elite didn't throw him under the bus when it became clear to insiders that he was cognitively diminished. They would have been perfectly happy running a tomato. As long as the tomato won. It was only when it became clear he couldn't win.

Read the Texas vs PA lawsuit of December, 2020. And the Amicus Briefs. You know what they call statements made under oath? Evidence.

For me, that's the appeal of The Donald. Since Citizens United (and before that) DC has been broken by big money and fringe pandering. Of the viable candidates, Trump is the only one that offers even a tiny chance of reform. The rest of them offer nothing but the same old, same old. Distasteful as I used to find Trump's ego and hwavy handed tactics, that's what's required to survive DC's swamp. I'd rather have a glimmer of hope for reform than none at all. Even if there's mean tweets to tolerate.

You mean after 126 congressman and 18 states agreed there were enough irregularities to hold off confirmation, pending litigation?

How did the baht do against the GBP in the same timeframe? Not a pointed question, just curious, and it's tough to research on a tiny screen in a hospital waiting room...

The baht exchange rate won't really matter if someone blunders us into WW3. They may not even do it deliberately.

I think you need to differentiate between Dem voters and the Dem elite.

I'm posting this from China, where personal circumstances have found me for over a year. I have no problem with using cash. Unlike 20 years ago, most of the millions of ATMs also work with international cards. I have a top-up subway card that I paid cash for, just like an MRT card. The only time that cash didn't work for me was at a local trade show where the coffee and snack shops only took QR payments. 50 yards away, the Lawson's took cash.

I think the prospect of President Harris is why he lasted so long. Best insurance he could ever dream of, against impeachment and the 25th Amendment.

I look at it and don't see strong or weak dollar. I see high mortgage rates killing the housing markets and crushing the American dream, high cost auto loans killing new car sales and the high cost of commercial loans killing off startups and expansion, along with those jobs. Edit: I've never sat around the kitchen table and discussed the strength of the dollar.

Seems to me that's a factual claim that should be backed up by a link to a credible source. Otherwise, it's a guess.

And I'd suggest plywood if you have a small shop somewhere. You'll need it to cover the windows during the mostly peaceful demonstrations if Harris isn't the candidate.

At the rate of 10-15 drugs a year, most of the drugs will come off patent and be cheaper generics long before they ever get negotiated. His plan makes for a great soundbite, but not a significant savings, except for a few. And maybe for the gub'ment.

How many were hospitalized FOR Covid? I'd add that, with 6100 hospitals in the USA, that graphs looks to be one child per 6 hospitals. With 72.4 million kids in the USA, that's one kid in 72,400 in hospital WITH Covid this week. No telling how many are there because of Covid.

From the White House themselves: Medicare drug price negotiation will result in lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors and will save money for American taxpayers. Negotiations for the first group of selected drugs will begin in 2023, with negotiated prices going into effect in 2026. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-first-ten-drugs-selected-for-medicare-price-negotiation/ From CNN: After the initial round, the Health and Human Services secretary can negotiate another 15 drugs for 2027 and again for 2028. The number rises to 20 drugs a year for 2029 and beyond. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/29/politics/medicare-drug-price-negotiations/index.html I read the list (of 10) 2026 drugs to see if any will affect me. Nope. 10 whole drugs listed. Count 'em. 10. Big whoop. Edit: If I were a cynical guy, I'd bet that most of those 10 will be coming off patent soon and the WH and Pharma know the price will drop like a rock anyway, when the generics hit the market.

If you think that's the "conspiracy" you're debunking, then you don't have a clue what the conspiracy is. Because that ain't it.