Wrwest

I lean toward thinking it could be a squeaker but ... I am starting to think that this election will actually be an overwhelming defeat for Trump and his Project 2025 ilk. And this will be due to traditional Republicans voting against the current Trump party or not voting. Nope, not betting money or my life on it but my country is lost to me if my fellow citizens vote in the majority for Trump (he lost the popular vote by some 3 million in 2016, 7 million in 2020 and I am hopeful of 10 million+ in 2024).

I have little doubt that we would find reason to agree, however, I ask you to reflect on the fact that religious teachings heavily influenced the history of the USA and still does to this day. I tell you this only due to my having studied and taught European and American History as my life's work. I will spare both of us the vast documented materials supporting this.

On the legal basis that the US government or any legal government entities are forbidden to establish any religion on the citizens. This is a well documented historical founding principle. Any of the founders would be well aware of the religious discrimination, persecution and imprisonment that many of them personally witnessed in Europe previous to the USA founding principles. The only way to become a "people" was that the Puritans of Massachusetts, the Quakers of Pennsylvania, The Catholics of Maryland, the Church of England in Virginia and Jews throughout the colonies, were to have the individual belief as they wished but that none would be dictated for all through government.

And thanks be given to Trump for declaring the bi-partisan Bill be killed so he could use it as a political campaign issue ...

And that Trump wats to continue or enhance his 2017 tax cuts ...

We might both agree she is better looking in the nude?!

We have been staying on higher ground. Misjudged, so two nights were not needed out of the house but after having the warning flood horns go off in the wee hours last week .... Anyway, after the city center flooded we thought just maybe ... so went to check on the house in Saraphi this afternoon. The good news, some water in the Moo Baan but our house was high and dry ... bad news, looking at the water movement, it is coming in to the Moo Baan so ... we'll see. Last week it flooded up to the first of three steps (that would be level with the house flooring. It's a bungalow so no moving things "upstairs". If it is equal to last week or even to the second step I will count my luck stars. Sunny and dry today and in the week's forecast.

My Yamaha Aerox 155 digital unit was replaced by a shop here in Chiang Mai, if I remember it was about 4K baht.

Just my speculation but could he had been trying to impart the idea of a "stable baht" to allow for tourist budget planning?

Don't know ... ask a Trump supporter why they are voting for an aged man speakingverbage salad.

Hmm, protection money not paid to gang? Loan shark hired muscle?

Au contraire ... with as many foreign and domestic sources wanting to create more disharmony, one of the things I look at as Americans face this election is if the posting is from a newcomer.

In your mind, but not based on her factual achievements.

Hmm, Mexican war, Spanish American War. The Japanese may claim the USA started a war with them by cutting off US exports of steel and petroleum ... (I reflect here of the USA plans to invade the Middle East oil fields during the embargo in the early 1970s).

Did see the Poll that Trump is doing well with males ... without an education.

I understand the thinking of doing so but it will not happen as it would cost billions of baht from the hotels, restaurants, Wat along both sides of the river. Ask at Samsen Villa, Soi Ping Bar & Restaurant, Anatara Chiang Mai Resort, Wat Chai Mongkhon where they have the Ping River Cruises, Goodview ... what they think of the idea.

Maybe during Covid and the lack of air transport. I seriously doubt that our Embassies and Consulates take 20 days for their diplomatic mail to arrive in the USA. Moving through the US Postal System would be a different matter. Tell you what. I will post when I am notified of arrival. Went back and checked 2022 Absentee Ballot arrival in Kentucky. You are probably correct from that timing ("probably" only because I do not have a breakdown of Diplomatic Pouch travel time versus USPS travel time)..

I did not use the word "clever" in my post. It seems to me that you are making a judgement that I am motivated by ego. That is not true. Feel free to do some reading on jury selection. There is a reason lawyers shy away from people with above average education. Do keep in mind the average reading level in the USA is at the 7th-8th grade level.

The river is lined with restaurants along the river bank. In order to build a retaining wall the view of the river bank would be blocked. I should add, I have lived here in Chiang Mai since 2011 and have seen the downstream wall improvements but if extended into the core it would distract from the current river usage.

Interesting conclusion on your part but I judge that failing to pass on the first try, along with half those taking the test at that sitting does not equate that those Juris Doctorate testers were "dumb".

Done and dusted. Downloaded and printed out the ballot, verification statement and envelopes (internal "Security envelope for the ballot to be sealed in), and then the outer mail envelope, signed across the back. As my state does not allow electronic voting, my ballot was placed in the vote box at the door of the US Consulate here in Chiang Mai. the ballots will be placed in the "Diplomatic Pouch" for direct delivery to the USA. From the USA port of entry, the "Franked" (no postage needed) ballots will move through the US Postal System for delivery to the local voting district. I will be informed by email when my Absentee mailed in ballot is received. Absolutely vote, our participatory democracy is facing a clear and present danger by Trump and his Project 2025 ilk.

13 years retired here and counting. As you have learned, Thai banks will extend a secured use card but not a "credit card" for us. I maintained my US CapOne and Amex cards for use here. Use CapOne regularly and pay directly from my US bank account. US Credit Rating stands at 820 ... the rating is of no use to us here to get a mortgage loan nor a western type card extending "credit" (I think this does not hold true if you are on a work permit)..

Mother was killed in a traffic "accident" by a Domino Pizza Semi taking a curve way too fast causing a he'd on crash with my Father's car in 1986. Dad would die in bed of a heart attack in 1991 (Paternal line cholesterol issue).

True enough, although a reply to one of my posts observed he quite reading after the first 3 sentences. His point was that it needs to basically be reduced to a Twitter feed or people lose interest. True, the American attention span is what? 10 minutes" Ha! Pity my students of history who sat through hour long lectures/discussion of American or European History (American survey undergrad courses). Yep, concentration for more than a "sound bite". Yep, uphill battle with the average reading ability at the 7th- 8th grade level.

They have been woking on this to the South in the city. Problem, if you wa;ll the river at the city core ... distracts/severly handicaps the riverbank tourist area.