jimmybcool

I would agree tests are really only useful within a set of one culture. Testing an aborigine who lives i the outback versus a westerner would get massively different results but inherent intelligence might be the same. But testing within the same culture can give one a clue as to how smart someone is in their own setting. In my case I don't claim to be a genius. Genius is in results not just a test. I was always good at tests having an innate ability to guess the right answer. Based on things I DID do in my career I do have a higher IQ in some areas. But no big brag. No genius (I worked with some).

Well no actually I think you are wrong. I am not expert so open to being corrected. I think the results in the west are on a scale so that 100 is always the average. But, there are more 90 IQ people than 110. Not sure of the details but anyway the average person in the west should be within 90-110 range with more below the 100 line. Not that any of that matters I also test higher than average and did so very young without much education at the time.

I voted yes. But not because I consider Thais stupid. Based on life outcome and IQ testing I am smarter than the average human. Nothing to brag about. Some people are better athletes and some are smarter. Having read a bit about IQ in general the consensus seems to be that national or racial gaps between different cultures and races is very small. It appears larger here due to our interacting with mostly under-educated people. Doesn't mean they are stupid just never taught to think.

I'm OK getting to the check in counter. And standing for a little bit if I have to. I feel guilty needing this. Problem is in my left hip but I think the cause is in the back. Pisses me off because I had a hip replacement in the left hip Sept 2023. Might not have needed that and the issue might need a different resolution. Aging sucks. Guess it is better than being dead. Weird part about all this is I can't walk distance. Or stand around long. But I can still play golf. Totally weird.

Thanks. Then I am good to go. I can make it from curb to check in no worries.

Hate to admit it but I need this service. I just contacted my airline (ANA) and they have confirmed I am booked for it. Thing is I can walk short distances (like up to 1000 yards before the pain is overpowering) and have never used it before. I have no clue how to get to the counter or where the wheelchair will be,, I was told to go to Counter L on Level 4. Anyone with experience doing this I'd appreciate your guidance.

You mean just like Obama when Putin took Crimea right?

I don't support the death penalty AS CURRENTLY APPLIED. Too many cases of poor people convicted with bad legal representation. And unequally applied to minorities. In cases of especially heinous crimes where guilt is not in doubt I believe it would be a deterrent if it happened within a year of verdict. Taking 20 years for appeals and the like doesn't work because most people capable of committing a crime worthy of this penalty don't think that far ahead.

Narcissist? Yes I agree. Pretty much goes with the job for anyone that has run the last 30 years. And he is absolutely in love with the camera. But amoral? No I think he believes he is saving the USA. And in some ways he is doing many things that have needed doing for a long time. This DOGE thing so hated by the left is exactly what needed to happen. It should have happened back in the Clinton/Bush/Obama eras before the debt got this large. it will hurt now but has to be done to save the USA from a major recession which in turn would cause a worldwide recession. Regarding these tariff wars there are other reasons than saving jobs. In the case of China force equal competition. If they want to sell their stuff in the US with no tariff then don't impose one on US products there. I approve. In the case of Canada and Mexico I am unsure where we stood on equal trade. I do know part of Trumps comments have been demanding a better effort to control fentanyl smuggling through them into the USA which causes over 70,000 deaths in the US annually. Mind you we could also do a better job of lowering demand via enforcement of users. I don't approve of every action Trump takes. I do not understand his stance on Ukraine. Or some of the tariffs. But I don't pretend I know enough to judge. I'll wait and see the results. All I can do.

I suspect if a person is in country on a student visa and they engage in protests that promote terrorist groups and violence or threats to other groups that is reasonable grounds to terminate their visa and expel them. Not sure of any nation on earth where this wouldn't be grounds for expulsion.

I have tried it at the one you show. Was kind of just OK for me. And I do not know of a good one in Pattaya. I also LOVE Khao Soi and wish I could advise.

I agree Nazi flags are abhorrent. I think they are banned in many places but even if not so be it. The difference is though subtle very real. Hamas and other current terror groups are committing atrocities NOW not 80 years ago. The people waving flags for Hamas and other Islamic terror groups are intimating American citizens of Jewish faith NOW. They wave the flags with intent to intimidate. Not sure I care about confederate flags since that war is SOOOOOO long ago and they were in rebellion not a terror group or one that committed genocide on millions. I seriously don't fear a rise of the south again based on some guys with old flags.

Seems like the aggressor in the incident got the right response. Well, perhaps too much response so lets hope he pulls through and it's a learning experience to not abuse total strangers when drunk.

Apparently Russia was always much weaker than Nato. It has just been exposed by their failures in Ukraine. Pretty clear now in a non-nuclear war between Nato (with US) and Russia it is very one sided.

I was for a while too. Was told it is pollution related not a virus. Have no idea what is true but a week later and I am fine.

OK I am very familiar with that Soi and that bike rental group. I think her primary problem is it is not a public road. I could be wrong but I think all the Pattayalands 3-5 are privately owned roads and the street spaces are leased. This scooter company has been there at least 10 years maybe longer. And yes they dominate parking on the road at the Beach Road end. If I am correct about who owns the road she needs to find the owner and see about changing who has parking rights there. Unless she is connected to the Indian mob she needs to tread carefully. It might not end well and people might be hurt. The Soi is gradually being taken over by Indians so perhaps they can band together and sort it out. But I expect the solution will involve violence.

A little off topic and I'll understand if it is moved or deleted. Does having a condo way up high mitigate surrounding noise problems? Like does 20 stories up cure the issue?

I have no idea if what you say is true. I will accept it as so. Since congress can change anything I seriously doubt there will come a time when they allow reduced SS payments because current FICA taxes don't cover them. That would be political suicide.

After being forced to change hotels due to a new gogo bar opening across from my old one I sympathize. I had visions of murdering whoever was responsible for installing exterior speakers to share their techo with the entire Soi. 😃

Just read where the military is now in the crosshairs. Seems everyone is under the same microscope just a question of order. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hegseth-orders-pentagon-make-plans-major-budget-cuts-align-trump-doge-priorities

No I pretty much summed it up.

RIP. We make life choices and live with the results. Choosing to ride a bicycle or motorbike in Thailand is a risky one. I would love the freedom riding here but am unwilling to take the risk,

Articles like these just provide more proof that America voted right this time. People who believe this kind of slant aren't rational to begin with and should be ignored.

Fun times. And you are braver than I getting on 2 wheels in this town full of drunk and incompetent drivers. 🤣

On that we agree. BUT not to the extent of starting a nuclear war. I've no doubt that in a conventional war between NATO (with USA) and Russia the Russian military would be shredded in a few short weeks, Problem is THEN does Putin resort to nukes? Yeah I think most of their nukes would misfire and fail. But it only takes a few to make a very bad day. I don't think he is that insane (or his generals would let him) but the fact he might is an issue that prevents outright ending his regime for the sake of Russians and the rest of the world. So how to handle Putin is a tricky question. The world can hope his successor is saner and Putin has a cardiac arrest sooner.