TallGuyJohninBKK

Of course, the recent episode with Sean Hannity wasn't the only time lately that the elderly, addled Trump has totally lost the plot. For example:

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And now the Republicans, and unfortunately the U.S., are left with the following as the far worst of two options. A guy who can't even keep straight what Democrat he's running against, as documented in the YT video I posted above on his sorry performance on the Sean Hannity interview. Biden's exit makes Trump the oldest nominee in U.S. history President Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination could defuse the age question dogging the Democrats: Harris will be 60 on Inauguration Day — 22 years younger than Biden. ... Trump, at 78, becomes the oldest nominee in U.S. history if Harris or someone else younger than Trump succeeds Biden atop the Democratic ticket. https://www.axios.com/2024/07/21/kamala-harris-age-presidential-nominee I can't imagine the ranting and raving Trump in the White House TODAY -- much less four+ years into the future when he'd be 82 or so. But still Putin's poodle at any age.

Perhaps it's because of the parasitic worm that ate part of RFK Jr.'s brain.... or his other "numerous" health problems, as recounted below. Strangely enough, I didn't find that news even slightly surprising, given how far out in the looney space RFK Jr. is. RFK Jr. claims a doctor told him a worm ate part of his brain, reports New York Times 05/08/2024 "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed numerous health problems, including that a parasite possibly ate part of his brain, during a deposition made during a contentious divorce from his second wife about a decade ago, according to the New York Times. The Times reported that Kennedy told attorneys in 2012 that a surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital reviewed his brain scans after suffering from memory loss and fogginess. The surgeon, he said, believed the issue “was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.” POLITICO has not independently reviewed the deposition. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/08/rfk-jr-brain-worm-00156794 He's a fit, alright.....

It's the Trumpers' continuing, unfulfilled dream that they'd still get to face Biden in November, and not have to face the actual Democrat nominee, Kamala Harris. Heck, doty old Trump just the other day still mentioned about candidate Biden in November, then he stuttered a pause, and then finally corrected himself to say "Harris." But then, at his advanced age, it's not surprising he'd be having those kinds of mental / cognitive problems -- as he's often reminded us about elderly politicians in recent years. Analysis: Trump’s fury over Harris’ switch with Biden is increasingly driving his campaign August 16, 2024 (CNN) — Deep into his ranting news conference on Thursday, former President Donald Trump told a truth that explained everything : “I’m very angry at her.” He was referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, whose late entry into the general election race has left him bitter, disoriented, and mourning the loss of the old campaign — the one he was winning against President Joe Biden. Trump’s discombobulation was laid bare in a self-pitying and raging stream of consciousness delivered at his New Jersey golf club that raised serious questions about the future trajectory of his quest to return to power. https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/16/politics/trump-fury-harris-switch-campaign-analysis/index.html With Trump just lately, during the Sean Hannity interview, saying.... "anybody in New Hampshire that votes for Biden....."

Yep, for those and other reasons, I prefer to keep all my U.S. banking and FI profiles with my U.S. address, and never do anything U.S. official with my TH address. Because there are too many past stories of people's U.S. FIs closing or freezing people's accounts after determining they were no longer "U.S. residents." Every FI handles the residency issue based on their own internal practices.. So there's no one size fits all standard for that... What you can get away with at one FI you'll end up getting grief from a different FI... And the problem is, you'll never know in advance UNTIL the bad news potentially arrives some day. It's a risk.

Understand that those are the standard MC and VISA network exchange rates.... BUT, your U.S. bank can and often does charge foreign currency transaction fees on ATM withdrawals, purchases, cash advances/counter withdrawals and fund transfers in/to foreign countries such as Thailand. Generally in the 3-4% range for many of the larger U.S. banks. Because the U.S. banks basically are oriented toward a domestic U.S. audience and not an expat audience, they typically don't do a very good job of disclosing whether they charge FCFs and if so at what rates. You often have to delve into their often buried online fee schedules to find that kind of detail. So in the case of a U.S. debit card withdrawal here in Thailand, it will be processed at the then current VISA or MC foreign exchange rate, MINUS any FCFs charged by the U.S. FI that issued your debit card. Sometimes those fees are listed separately in online banking, and in other cases, they're simply rolled into the broader transaction, depending on the FI.

And what exact kind of transaction are you using to get the SS funds from your U.S. account to BKKB? And, do you mean first to BKKB NY, or direct to BKKB Thailand? Are you doing a Wise transfer out to your U.S. account onward to BBKB Thailand?

Last time I checked, for their regular consumer checking accounts, Chase U.S. wasn't refunding foreign bank ATM fees and WERE charging foreign currency fees. But they did used to offer those kinds of perks for certain of their very high balance accounts or ones with other relationship elements. Has something changed in that regard with Chase more recently?

Yes, that was my point above re IAT format ACHs... seemingly a rare or non-existent breed at the U.S. consumer banking level. I've got numerous U.S. consumer bank accounts, do domestic ACH transfers all the time. But I've NEVER once seen any option in any of my online banking setups to originate an IAT ACH.

Yes, what you recount above was what happened, and what BKK Bank NY switched to, several years back when they discontinuing handling what had been normal US domestic ACH transfers that almost any U.S. bank account holder could arrange from their accounts. The CATCH, at the time, was no one here on ThaiVisa / AseanNow at THAT time could find any consumer U.S. banks that offered IAT capability to their consumer account holders. The IAT deal was something they used at the time more for commercial transactions, which perhaps explains by Social Security might be able to send IAT ACHs to BKKB New York, but as far as I know, you and I likely can NOT ourselves. Unless something has changed with that along the way. It's been several years since I last ventured into that topic.

I'm not talking about a Social Security deposits below but just general funds: As best as I recall, the BKK Bank New York branch CEASED accepting U.S. domestic ACH transfers for onward routing to your BKKB Thailand account several years back. Last time I checked, however, what you could still do thru BKKB NY is send them a U.S. domestic wire transfer (can often can be found for little or no cost) to their ABA routing # and your Thai BKKB account number, and then THAT they will still forward onward to your BKKB Thai account. But I've never done a SS deposit directly to BKKB New York, so I can't speak to how / whether that still works??? Or if there's been some later change on NY's policy re ACH transfers.

It's interesting. I follow, among others, the Washington Post's medical columnist Dr. Leana Wen... who also does regular Q and A columns with readers' questions. And I've seen it crop up frequently where people ask her about difficulties in getting Paxlovid if needed when traveling abroad... And one of the things I've seen her advise to her U.S. audience is for people planning to travel who are concerned can contact their doctor and see about getting an advance prescription, in case it's later needed while they're away on travels. Apparently some doctors will do that, others won't. Though I think that was more back when the U.S. govt was paying for Paxlovid itself. The under-prescribing of Paxlovid may be our biggest covid policy failure January 16, 2024 "The United States suffers from a litany of policy failures in the response to covid-19. Low vaccine uptake in vulnerable populations such as nursing homes remains a major problem, as does the lack of investment in local and state public health infrastructure. But one deficiency stands out above the rest: The antiviral medication Paxlovid is highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, yet the usage rate is staggeringly low. Only about 15 percent of high-risk individuals who contract the coronavirus are prescribed the drug. ... Finally, the FDA should provide explicit instructions to allow doctors to issue “just in case” prescriptions. High-risk patients who are traveling and are concerned about accessing treatment should be able to take antivirals with them so that they can initiate treatment as soon as they test positive. It’s remarkable that science has delivered exceptional breakthroughs that have dramatically reduced severe illness and death from the coronavirus. The great tragedy is our continuing failure to take advantage of these advances." https://archive.ph/UF3IT https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/16/paxlovid-covid-under-prescribed/ Leana S. Wen, a Washington Post contributing columnist who writes the newsletter The Checkup with Dr. Wen, is an emergency physician, clinical associate professor at George Washington University and author of “Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health.” Previously, she served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.

Trump’s federal election prosecution isn’t going to trial anytime soon. But it could still produce damaging revelations before Nov. 5 A new schedule from Judge Tanya Chutkan leaves the door open for an October surprise. 09/05/2024 Special counsel Jack Smith and Donald Trump will be trading high-stakes legal filings — some potentially jammed with new and explosive evidence related to Trump’s effort to subvert the 2020 election — in the weeks leading up to Election Day. A federal judge has given the special counsel’s team until Sept. 26 to detail what his team says will be a “comprehensive” slate of evidence detailing Trump’s alleged conspiracies to subvert the 2020 election. ... The prospect of damaging new information related to Trump’s effort to subvert the previous presidential election emerging in the closing days of the 2024 race adds a new, unpredictable element to the campaign’s final stretch — the definition of an October surprise. But it’s not yet clear how much of the filings the public will see: Chutkan could order redactions to some of the sensitive information that Smith or Trump seek to include in their briefs. But any revelations are likely to draw significant attention just as millions of voters are casting early ballots. (more) https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/05/trump-federal-election-case-chutkan-schedule-00177619

Judge Tanya S. Chutkan told the former president's lawyers that she is "not concerned with the electoral schedule" September 6, 2024 It’s not fair, legal counsel for Donald Trump told a federal judge on Thursday. The former president’s election interference case — which could have gone to trial this spring had it not been for litigation over the Republican candidate’s claim he was completely immune from prosecution — is starting back up again just as early voting is about to begin. While ballots are being cast, prosecutors could air new, potentially damning evidence about the defendant's efforts to remain in power. So what, U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan responded. Her only concern, she said, is the crimes that special counsel Jack Smith, armed with a fresh grand jury indictment, has accused the 78-year-old defendant of committing: defrauding the United States and seeking to throw out the votes of millions of Americans after decisively losing to President Joe Biden in 2020. ... Chutkan issued an order following Thursday’s hearing that sets the stage for potentially damning evidence to be publicly shared just as the election heats up. That order sets Sept. 26 as the deadline for prosecutors to file an “opening brief” on Trump’s immunity claims, which Politico reported could be “jammed with new and explosive evidence related to Trump’s effort to subvert the 2020 election” (prosecutors said they would include “substantial exhibits” in their filing). A defense response is due by Oct. 17 and prosecutors’ response to that is due Oct. 29. (more) https://www.salon.com/2024/09/06/sets-stage-for-mini-mini-trial-in-january-6-case-right-before-the-november/

I guess some of us aren't big fans of nutjob conspiracy theory and misinformation peddlers running for high office... Kinda the same reason most of us abhor Trump!

You're entitled to your opinion, just as he's entitled to his... But as he (unlike you) is a recognized expert on correctly forecasting past U.S. presidential election outcomes, I know whom I'm going to listen to. From the above News Nation report: "CHICAGO (NewsNation) — A historian who’s correctly predicted nearly every presidential race since 1984 says that if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drops out of the 2024 election, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will benefit."

From the above News Nation report: "One of Lichtman’s negative “keys” against the party currently in the White House is a significant third-party campaign, as he says it’s a sign of people’s discontent with the current government. “The basis of my keys to the White House is that it’s governing, not campaigning,” Lichtman said. “The disappearing RFK campaign then wipes out a possible negative key against the incumbent party.”

Also, the same Fox News report above includes the following: -- in Wisconsin, a Dane County circuit court judge for now has denied Kennedy’s request for a temporary restraining order to put on hold the state elections commission’s decision to keep him on the ballot. AND --in Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson plans to appeal the lower court ruling granting Kennedy's request to the state's Supreme Court.

There are differing opinions on the impact of RFK Jr. dropping out of the presidential race. But here's one by a recognized expert: RFK Jr. dropping out would benefit Kamala Harris: Historian Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdrew from the ballot in Arizona If he drops out of race, it would boost Harris' campaign, historian says Kennedy campaign 'disappearing' wipes out negative key for Harris: Lichtman Aug 23, 2024 CHICAGO (NewsNation) — A historian who’s correctly predicted nearly every presidential race since 1984 says that if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drops out of the 2024 election, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will benefit. Allan Lichtman, an American University professor, has used a formula of 13 true-or-false questions, or “keys,” in his winning predictions. (more) https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/2024-election/rfk-jr-dropping-out-benefit-kamala-harris-historian/

From everything I read, Paxlovid seems to be generally considered UNDER-utilized as a COVID treatment, partly because of the relatively high costs if people are having to pay out of pocket, but also because its recommended use is only within the first 5 days of developing COVID symptoms... And people often just don't move so fast in terms of getting tested, seeing a doctor to get a prescription, etc... Some general background here: 13 Things To Know About Paxlovid, the Latest COVID-19 Pill June 20, 2024 "Paxlovid, an oral antiviral pill that can be taken at home, is the go-to treatment for COVID-19. If you are at high risk for severe disease from COVID, and you take it within the first five days of experiencing symptoms, it will lower your risk of getting so sick that you need to be hospitalized." ... 2. When should I take Paxlovid? You have to take Paxlovid within five days of developing symptoms. Like all antivirals, Paxlovid works best early in the course of an illness—in this case, within the first five days of symptom onset, says Jeffrey Topal, MD, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist... ... 6. How well does Paxlovid work? In November 2022, the CDC reported on a real-world study that showed adults who took Paxlovid within five days of a COVID diagnosis had a 51% lower hospitalization rate within the next 30 days than those who were not given the drug. The study included people who had been vaccinated or had a previous infection, which the CDC said implied the drug should be offered to people who are eligible regardless of their vaccination status. However, a study by Pfizer, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in April 2024, suggested that Paxlovid may not be beneficial for people at low to moderate risk who have mild illness and those who have been fully vaccinated. Yale Medicine https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19

Re Bolton: https://archive.ph/tYsO2

Or in reality, it's because she opposed insurrectionist and felon Donald Trump as the nominal leader of her own party, and the Republicans in her district penalized her for her integrity and patriotism.

Rats and sinking ship come to mind: Top Truth Social execs—including the CEO—are shedding stock before Trump even can Sep 4, 2024 ... While Trump isn’t able to start selling his shares yet, some other insiders have started shedding their stake in the company. Trump Media’s chief financial officer and treasurer, Phillip Juhan, disclosed last week he’s selling $1.9 million worth of stock, according to SEC filings. Trump Media’s general counsel, Scott Glabe, chief operating officer Andrew Northwall, and chief technology officer Vladimir Novachki each sold shares as well, according to Aug. 22 SEC filings. Devin Nunes, a former Republican congressman and Trump Media’s president and CEO, also sold off $632,000 worth of stock last Thursday. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-truth-social-execs-including-193113371.html But, if Trump somehow manages to become U.S. dictator for life (who needs "stolen" elections, after all), perhaps there will be a resurgence here... Let's hope NOT!

Trump Media erases all 2024 stock gains days before Donald Trump can cash out his $1.95B stake September 5, 2024 https://fortune.com/2024/09/05/donald-trump-truth-social-tmtg-stock-price/ Donald Trump has lost $4 billion in wealth amid bumpy ride for Trump Media & Technology Group September 5, 2024 Former President Donald Trump's personal stake in Trump Media & Technology Group topped more than $6 billion in March when its shares soared after making their public market debut. Nearly six months later, that fortune has dwindled to less than $2 billion amid losses and shrinking revenue. A months-long slump has lopped more than 70% from the stock's valuation since its late March peak, with the shares hitting a new low on Wednesday. As the biggest shareholder in Trump Media & Technology, Trump has suffered the largest losses, although the decline is only on paper for now since he's not yet able to sell any of his shares. Trump owns about 60% of Trump Media & Technology Group, a money-losing social media company that trades under the ticker DJT (the former president's initials). The company has gained a following among Trump's supporters, typically retail investors who have flocked to groups on Truth Social to express concern about the declining share price and blame short sellers for the stock's swoon. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-djt-stock-trump-media-technology-group-truth-social/