IsaanT

That's rather ironic, given your handle on this forum. I'm pleased you came to no harm.

Back in 1977 I had a motorcycle accident. As I was sliding across the road, everything slowed down and my life did, indeed, flash before my eyes. The experience at that moment was remarkably peaceful. To me, that is the classic near-death experience. Normality returned when I stopped sliding and realised I was OK and unhurt (full motorcycle suit, gloves and boots). I had been overtaking a line of traffic slowly, picking off each car in turn. I was doing 40-50mph. I must have failed to see that the particular car I was overtaking was itself lining up for an overtake because it pulled out unexpectedly and my front wheel hit its rear offside bumper, which threw me off. Me and my bike slide across the oncoming lane, coming to rest in the oncoming lane's kerb. Obviously, if there had been any oncoming traffic there would have been a different outcome (but I hope I wouldn't have been so stupid as to try to overtake between oncoming traffic). For those that haven't experienced it, when someone says that 'their life flashed before their eyes' it is like being in a video presentation of significant moments in your life. Each 'slide' in the presentation only lasts a fraction of a second but long enough to be able to recognise it. Perhaps 15-20 of these images occurred. The 'slow motion' aspect is also interesting. I must have been sliding across the road for no more than five seconds but it seemed like 10-15 seconds and, as I said, very peaceful, as though someone had turned the sound down and isolated me from all that was happening around me. If that is how the mind prepares one for death in exceptional circumstances, I recommend it! That's as close to death as I wish to experience until my time is finally up. p.s. My bike was a Honda 250 G5. I can still remember the registration.

Update: It still resides somewhere behind the toilet and makes an occasional appearance (see below) but we've bought a snake net and hope to ensnare it soon...

No, not a condo.

If it helps, FritsSikkink evidently knows what he is talking about. Public wifi is a big hazard. The best and most convenient approach is to buy a local SIM.

I just went to the bathroom. I lifted the seat and revealed this. My partner says it's a green snake - venomous but not deadly. Can anyone improve on that? In case it's relevant, I live in Roi Et province, in the northeast. When the family came to look at it, it disappeared behind the toilet. When we looked there (with a phone camera), there are gaps under the floor where the waste pipe goes where it could have entered. A builder is being sought to block these. I try not to think about the scenerio where I didn't need to lift the seat... 😀

I walk to the local market twice a day. I get a smoothie (no sugar), my partner gets food for the family. Unsure of total distance but I usually get 5,000 steps per day. I use my water rower and my exercise bike several times a week (using challenging routines) and swing dumbells around. When it's cool I sometimes cycle outside (but I prefer to get the motorbike out and putter around the country lanes!). I also use a chinning bar and take our young kids to the pool sometimes (they splash, I swim). Sometimes get the kayak out on the water. Always willing to help the locals during the harvest season. 65 next week, blood pressure normal, resting HR 49, BMI good. No aches, pains or other ailments. Exercise and being active should help to keep it that way.

Wass any one of these racist Brits you've met in Pattaya called Bob, by any chance...?

I was in Hua Hin last week, staying at my partner's friends' villa with big windows and a pool. 24M THB. It was nice but seemed overpriced to me.

Project 2025 - actions to date Several actions taken by President Trump during his second term reflect the objectives outlined in Project 2025, particularly concerning the enforcement of binary gender definitions. Notable measures include: Executive Order on Gender Definitions: On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." This order mandates federal recognition of only two immutable genders—male and female—determined at conception. It requires all federal agencies to adopt these definitions, replace "gender" with "sex" in official materials, and cease funding or promoting concepts related to gender ideology. Transgender Military Ban: On January 27, 2025, an executive order was issued prohibiting transgender individuals from serving in the military. The administration argued that being transgender conflicts with the disciplined lifestyle required for military service. Elimination of the Department of Education: Aligning with Project 2025's goal to restructure federal agencies, President Trump initiated steps to dismantle the Department of Education. This includes significant staff reductions and discussions about abolishing programs not mandated by law. Federal Funding Restrictions: The administration has suspended federal funding to institutions perceived as violating new policies on gender identity. For example, the University of Maine faced funding cuts despite reporting no transgender athletes, reflecting a strict enforcement approach.

Project 2025 Project 2025, also known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, is an initiative led by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, aiming to reshape the U.S. federal government by consolidating executive power to implement right-wing policies. Published in April 2023, the project's comprehensive plan proposes replacing thousands of federal civil servants with political appointees aligned with conservative ideologies. It also advocates for restructuring or abolishing certain federal agencies to align government functions more closely with conservative principles. Critics have expressed concerns that Project 2025 promotes an authoritarian approach to governance. They argue that its emphasis on the unitary executive theory—which posits that the president should have direct control over the entire executive branch—could undermine the rule of law, the separation of powers, and civil liberties. Some have characterized the project as a pathway toward autocracy infused with Christian nationalist ideals. The initiative was designed to influence the policies of a potential Republican administration, particularly if Trump were re-elected in 2024. While the Heritage Foundation coordinated the project with input from numerous conservative groups and individuals, including those aligned with Trump, the former president publicly distanced himself from Project 2025 in 2024, labeling parts of it as "seriously extreme" and claiming unfamiliarity with its origins. Despite this, many contributors to the project were closely associated with Trump's circle, and the project itself mentioned Trump over 300 times, indicating a significant overlap between the project's proposals and Trump's policy agenda. The Heritage Foundation employed numerous individuals closely aligned with Trump, and the project was coordinated with various conservative groups led by Trump's allies. Project 2025 aims to reshape the U.S. federal government to align with conservative values and increase presidential power. Its main goals include: Centralizing Executive Authority: Strengthening presidential control over federal agencies, limiting their independence, and making it easier to replace career civil servants with political appointees. Government Restructuring: Eliminating or drastically reforming agencies viewed as obstacles to conservative policy goals, like the Department of Education or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Social and Cultural Policy Shift: Promoting policies rooted in Christian nationalist ideals, including restrictions on abortion, rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, and reinforcing traditional family values. Deregulation and Economic Policy: Cutting back environmental and workplace regulations, reducing government intervention in markets, and emphasizing energy independence through fossil fuels. Immigration and National Security: Tougher immigration enforcement, stricter border controls, and a more aggressive approach to national security threats. The overarching vision is a more streamlined, ideologically driven government that amplifies the executive branch’s power — a model that critics argue leans toward authoritarianism. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Was this in the Republican party's manifesto? Trump has openly expressed admiration of other authoritarian leaders, and thus Project 2025 appears to be prophetic.

There is no point challenging this statement at this time because it's all conjecture and there are some very entrenched arguments on both sides (it's personal fortunes and future happiness at stake - I get it). However, I reserve the right to come back and remind you of some of these statements in the near future. It is worth pausing and wondering why Berkshire Hathaway has created a $334Bn cash pile recently. Warren Buffett is 94 and knows what happens when the markets get too exuberant for too long. Most people in JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, etc., are either too young to have that wisdom or are too bullish because that's what brings in the customers - my money is on the latter (as is theirs).

Going back to the original premise of the thread 'Could Trump's plan fail in a spectacular fashion': - it does seem counter-intuitive to pick trade fights with so many of your overseas trading partners (Canada, Mexico, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, etc.) - it is bewildering that Trump fails to recognise that imposing tariffs on the imported products that his citizens buy will make them more expensive - it is concerning that he states that he will get the strategically-significant Greenland 'one way or another', and Canada as the 51st state - it is also concerning that he feels he can acquire control of the Panama canal again - my greatest concern - if the above wasn't enough - is that he has been having convivial conversations with Putin, a despot and war criminal, which Trump hopes will lead to future cooperation between the two countries and Russia's return to the G7. I don't think that was on the manifesto that the US public voted for. Trump's cabinet appointments were 'interesting'. Basically, inexperienced and unfit 'yes men' (and women). Will the plan fail in a spectacular fashion. Of course! Common sense ultimately prevails - how could it not?

1. If I am correct and it does last a minimum of 16 years, that won't be regarded as healthy. 2. The Dow will fall much more than 15,000 points. 3. I think everyone will have Trump's name on it.

I'm not sure there's enough material for a separate thread because I'd be the first to suggest that it's all speculation at this point, however derived. Time will tell. As to your point about Trump not having the ability to have done all this damage himself, I remember there was the QAnon movement back in his first term, and now there's talk of his association with Project 2025, which calls for more authoritarian rule, apparently. Some allege that he's the 'useful idiot' frontman for the whole show. Perhaps that's the case. Whilst all the rest is interesting, my prime objective is to protect my family's future and to comfortably survive what is about to come round the corner. If I can at least make people think twice about their own positions, it would be a bonus.

I respect your opinion, even if we disagree. However, we live in very febrile times so I just hope you're like Berkshire Hathaway and have turned a lot of your positions into a cash pile so you're not dragged down when the plug is pulled on the markets.

I've never come across a Cassandra analysis, but I did have a colleague called Cassandra once. She wasn't into the markets though... Keep your money: you appear to be still bullish - you're going to need it.

Let me be clearer. It won't be a correction - it will be a global recession. This one will make 1929 look like a blip. As the average age of members on this forum is quite high, I sincerely hope you are still around to buy at the bottom, when it occurs. The bottom will be at least 16 years away.

I can see how my sentiments might be able to be interpreted a different way to that intended. I apologise for any lack of clarity. Markets act independently because neither Trump nor anyone else can directly control them. Of course they are influenced by his actions.

Oops, I think you've just let the cat out of the bag... I agree with your thinking, but I wasn't going to be too specific about it. All will soon become clear, regardless. p.s. It is refreshing to be part of an intelligent discussion here on Aseannow.

So, to be clear, disagreement with one's leaders and independent thinking are not the traits of a true American...?

I'm sure it must be very sad for you, as an intelligent American, to be in a position to feel this way. As you know, the stock markets act independently of anything Trump can do, and I expect they will determine his fate.

The markets are overdue a correction - in simple terms, this is based on time. Regarding your reference to the Biden administration, Biden was in the right place at the right time and benefitted from the stock market rises. Also, in contrast to his successor, he didn't do anything too radical to upset the markets. Markets provide liquidity and like order and stability in which to operate normally - Trump brings neither and his chaotic actions are the catalyst that has caused this change of sentiment in the markets. Unfortunately, stock market declines can also be far from orderly, panicking the weak into selling and creating a snowball effect. Watch this space. Ironically, countless US citizens have self-managed pension funds, i.e. their own personal stock portfolio... Hopefully, impeachment can't come soon enough.

I have news for you @Yagoda, @Cameroni and anyone else who thinks the US stock market movements are just a small correction. I am well-versed in stock markets and stock market history. The markets are long overdue a correction. This time, the 'correction' will be deeper and longer than anyone might imagine. You don't know me from Adam, but my advice would be to get out while you can. I won't be offended if you don't but you will remember my words for a very long time. As a single indication of what I believe, Morgan Stanley recently stated that the S&P500 could drop to 5,500 by the summer and then recover to 6,500 by the end of the year. Well, it went as low as 5,528 yesterday. Let's see where it is at the end of this month, let alone summer....

I agree but the gas being sold to Asia is being sent in ships. This isn't economical. It will be many years before a pipeline is completed. In the meantime, Russia is burning off excess gas that can't find a home.