short-Timer

Wrong. Nothing has been stated officially or publicly, and it’s still unclear what the exact details are of any agreements, or if any were really reached. It seems it’s 10 percent all around on both sides, with 30 percent being levied on any products imported into the US that are made with fentanyl. That’s it. So in the end, Americans will pay at least 10 percent more for the $450 billion in products they buy from China every year. And most of the small amount of imports that China was getting from the US: steak, pork, soybeans, and a few other things will be purchased from other countries in the Asia Pacific region at much lower prices. The result? Americans lose on both imports and exports, and China wins again.

Sounds like something they could use to make fancy soap from and then sell it back to the rich people, like in Fight Club.

I think it’s a smell that’s unique to Bangkok. Back when they were doing all the tunnel excavation, more than 20 years ago, when they built Rama 4 section of the MRT, I spent quite a bit of time walking through those concrete tunnels, and it was the same stench I’m talking about now, minus, of course, the added stink from car fumes you get in the basement car parks. But down in those tunnels, it had that same rank, Bangkok underground stagnant smell. If you ever smelled it then it’s something you would never forget. And I still catch a whiff of it every time I start walking down the stairs into the MRT system, even now. I figured the smell in the MRT might fade after the first decade or so, but it never seems to go away. However, the basement car park smell is even worse.

I won’t name building names, but every time I step into one of these underground car parks in Bangkok, there’s this foul stench I just can’t quite explain. Poor airflow doesn’t help, obviously, and years of engine fluids soaking into the concrete seem to have brewed up some kind of chemical horror. It’s always mixed with that signature whiff of stale, stagnant Bangkok air, the same one that smacks you in the face when you start heading down the steps into the MRT. I don’t know exactly what’s in that car park cocktail. Maybe some sewage gases thrown in for good measure? Whatever it is, it’s absolutely rank. I’m honestly surprised the security staff working underground in those buildings, breathing all those exhaust fumes, don’t just gag and pass out. After just a few minutes in one of those places, I feel like I’m suffocating. The air must be heavy with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and practically starved of oxygen. Grok said this: The foul stench in Bangkok’s underground car parks is a grim mix of environmental and infrastructural issues, intensified by the city’s unique conditions. Here’s a breakdown of what’s likely causing it and why it feels so suffocating: Trapped Vehicle Emissions and Fluids: Poor ventilation in these car parks means exhaust fumes—carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter—linger. Leaked engine fluids like oil, gasoline, and coolant seep into the porous concrete, breaking down and releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over time. These mix with tire dust and create a persistent chemical stink that’s baked in by Bangkok’s heat. Tropical Humidity and Organic Decay: Bangkok’s humid, tropical climate is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria, especially in poorly ventilated underground spaces. Stagnant air traps moisture, which encourages microbial growth on surfaces or in drains. Add in organic matter—food waste, dead rodents, or even plant debris swept in from the street—and you’ve got decomposition adding to the stench. This is likely the “stale Bangkok air” you notice, also present at MRT entrances. Sewage and Drainage Issues: Sewage gases, like hydrogen sulfide (that rotten egg smell), could be leaking from aging or poorly maintained drainage systems. Bangkok’s underground infrastructure, especially in older buildings, often struggles with clogged or inadequate drains, letting gases seep into car parks. Flooding, common in the city, can also back up sewers, worsening the problem. Unique Urban Cocktail: The “signature” underground smell you describe—unlike anything in other countries—might come from this blend of vehicle pollutants, tropical decay, and urban grit, intensified by Bangkok’s dense traffic and aging infrastructure. The city’s chaotic mix of street food, open drains, and constant construction adds particulate matter and odors that settle into enclosed spaces. Air Quality and Health Concerns: The suffocating feeling and worry about security staff are spot-on. Underground car parks with poor airflow can have elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels from trapped vehicle exhaust, reducing oxygen availability. Carbon monoxide (CO) and VOCs further degrade air quality, causing dizziness, nausea, or respiratory irritation. Long-term exposure for workers is a real health risk—studies on similar environments show increased rates of respiratory issues and fatigue. Bangkok’s car parks often lack proper mechanical ventilation systems, and natural airflow is near nonexistent underground, so pollutants just build up. The heat and humidity make it feel even more oppressive, amplifying the sense of suffocation. Why It’s Worse in Bangkok: Compared to other countries, Bangkok’s combination of high humidity, dense urban pollution, and often outdated building systems creates a perfect storm. Many developed countries enforce stricter ventilation standards or use sealed concrete coatings to prevent fluid absorption, which Bangkok’s older buildings often lack. The city’s tropical setting also means odors don’t dissipate as they might in drier or cooler climates. If you’re feeling overwhelmed after a few minutes, it’s likely the combo of low oxygen, high CO2, and irritants like VOCs and particulate matter hitting your system. Security staff might build tolerance or just have no choice but to endure it, but it’s definitely not healthy. Some buildings might skimp on maintenance to cut costs, neglecting air filters or exhaust systems, which makes things worse.

The world doesn't need demagogues.

Why would you care? Oh, wait, I forgot, all you do is troll and post anecdotal garbage. So are the posts now putting an extra burden on your trolling schedule? Maybe you should consider finding something useful to do with the countless hours you spend everyday giving out your unneeded two cents to no end.

Most of the time I’m living rent-free inside Susan’s head, while it obsesses about me. The rest of the time I’m between my toilet and the fridge. Prime real estate that is. The toilet’s got the best view, and the fridge never argues unless it’s low on beer. I spend a solid third of the day in bed wondering why Susan insists on posting topics that read like she’s sniffed glue through a flip-flop. And yeah, I occasionally go for a rub and a tug — 90 minutes if I’m feeling romantic, 10 if the Wi-Fi’s slow. Sometimes I swing by 7-Eleven just to fondle the donuts like a pervy pastry connoisseur. Other times I hang about near soi dogs like I’m Susan on the lookout for a drinking partner who won’t ghost her after the third SangSom.

"Burn it All Down" seems to have a fitting ring to it.

Do we actually need a pope in today’s world? With so many urgent global issues like poverty, wars, disease, natural disasters, and climate change, it seems strange to focus so much attention on spiritual hierarchy. Maybe it’s time to ask whether all that energy and influence could be better spent on solving problems that affect the whole planet. Plus, centralizing spiritual authority in one person opens the door to corruption, power struggles, and a lack of accountability. The whole thing seems like such a waste of time and energy, maybe more people should start living in the real world.

So what’s the good word GG? Have you left the building? Gone on to greener pastures? Abandoned ship? Been 86ed? Pulled a Houdini? Done a runner? Took off? Legged it? Checked out? Packed up and left? Got the hell out of Dodge? Turned into gamma dust? Slipped out the back door? Disappeared off the face of the earth? Or?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-accidentally-admits-hasn-t-165849625.html Trump Accidentally Admits He Hasn’t Made Any Trade Deals President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that the U.S. doesn’t “have to sign” any trade deals, inadvertently admitting that his administration hasn’t made any progress during the 90-day pause on his disastrous tariffs. During a tense meeting to discuss tariffs with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the president attempted to move the goal posts on actually completing any agreements with foreign countries. “Everyone says, ‘When, when, when, are you going to sign deals?’ We don’t have to sign deals!” Trump said. “We don’t have to sign deals. They have to sign deals with us. They want a piece of our market, we don’t want a piece of their market. We don’t care about their market. They want a piece of our market,” Trump rambled. The president’s unwieldy statements downplaying the importance of the trade deals seemed to be cushioning the likelihood that negotiations would ultimately fail. Trump’s remarks also revealed that his administration has yet to complete a single trade deal. Last month, Trump claimed to have already struck 200 trade agreements with foreign countries, a remark so outlandish it sent members of his administration scrambling to make it make sense. (There are also only 195 countries in the world.) Instead of pledging to sign deals, Trump presented his own plan Tuesday. The president claimed that “at some point over the next two weeks,” he intended to sit down with members of his Cabinet and offer individualized deals to each country seeking tariff relief. “We’re gonna say, ‘Here’s what this country—what we want, and congratulations we have a deal!’ And they’ll either say ‘Great,’ and they’ll start shopping, or they’ll say, ‘Not good, we’re not gonna do it,’” Trump said. Trump claimed that the offers would include “very fair numbers,” but that they might also include other requests. He also said that his administration would be open to adjusting the deals based on how the countries responded. “And then you people will say, ‘Oh it’s so chaotic,’ no, we’re flexible,” Trump said, referring to the press. In any case, Trump continued to emphasize that his goal wasn’t actually to make deals, just to put out offers. “In some cases we’ll sign some deals, it’s much less important than what I’m talking about,” he said. He warned that in one day, he could present 100 offers, but “they don’t have to sign.” Still, Trump said he wanted countries to “pay for the privilege of being able to shop in the United States of America.”

Ah, the now infamous stoner “Ok”. Or why not start a whole new topic with screenshots moaning about me, like your girlfriend Susan did. Try that.

Oh, don’t start crying like Susan now. Have a canna-cookie, stoner. Soon you will be right back on track again, to wherever that is.

Sure, if going both ways does it for you. To each his own. Not my thing.

Sorta like what happens when it's not right?

I find it interesting how, on all these anti-Trump posts, the positive reactions from the anti-Trump community (emoji-wise) are usually at least 50% higher than the negative ones made by his cultist followers. Just goes to show, his minions are an insufferably pesky minority, but definitely not the majority. Case in point right now: 26 positive, only 10 negative.

Ok, Bob.

Those watches are built like a tank. Prolly smack the wall like that and would be fine, even without any added protection.

Definitely give me a whole heap of these lazy street puffers any day over the loud, red-faced drunks stumbling sloppily through the tourist traps. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many of them I’ve seen keeled over, vomiting all over themselves and the pavement. And don’t even get me started on the brawls, two-for-one margaritas and next thing you know, it’s UFC on Soi 11. But sure, let’s all pretend weed is the real threat to public order. What a joke.

It deserves a rubber room.

Off topic. Based on what?

A blow to my business!

Stalker troll.

We know you are. But what all this need to constantly post confessions?

Sick.