bigjoey

The answer to the riddle is really easy.
The graphs and economic data you list are all aggregate data for an entire economy.  No matter what the investment asset purchased (real estate, a bond, a stock), you are buying a singular investment asset and not the aggregate (unless buying an index fund).
For buying a specific asset, information about the general economy is interesting but not terribly relevant in making a decision on a specific asset.  
 
Example: No matter the interest rate, inflation rate, GDP growth rate, unemployment rate, etc, a specific real estate piece’s value depends more on location, tenant, condition of building, length of lease, local and government policies, why the real estate is for sale, what purpose the buyer has in mind, etc.  Aggregate factors in the general economy like interest rates will impact the value to some extent but other factors may over ride the aggregate ones.
The same with bonds and stocks.  When the aggregate market is hitting new highs, there are usually a few stocks hitting new lows.  When stocks in the aggregate market are hitting new lows, there are often a few hitting new highs.
The “art” of investing in real estate, bonds or stocks is focusing on a specific asset.  Warren Buffett made his mark picking specific stocks and he often is buying when others are selling.  He is often buying when aggregate factors are sending sell signals.  He holds stocks for the long run and doesn’t sell when aggregate factors send sell signals that the market is going down.  
Finally, no matter the theory one uses to buy, sell or hold investments, there is a luck factor.  We need to acknowledge that no matter how skilled the investor is, luck plays a role.

Warren Buffett on economists buying stocks: https://www.facebook.com/reel/295781309613940?fs=e&s=aEkTS0&mibextid=z9DgKg
 

Warren Buffett on economists buying stocks: https://www.facebook.com/reel/295781309613940?fs=e&s=aEkTS0&mibextid=z9DgKg
 

Give me a break.  Only you could call US inflation about the same as Switzerland's when the link you provided clearly shows otherwise LOL.  @bigjoeywas right all along.   

I can't find the article that I read yesterday, but it said that QR code menus at restaurants were pretty much dead. Paper menus are back!
Oh wait, here it is:
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/may/23/off-the-menu-why-restaurants-are-ditching-qr-codes

I’m OK but rarely check-in anymore yet alone comment.  It’s just not worth the effort and I have a very busy and full life outside the virtual world.
I just got tired of trying to defend myself from outright lies, distortions and  slander by one verbose poster in particular.  He is welcome to continue practicing his Saul Alinsky methods on others and perhaps fool many readers here.  I will no longer play his games.  It seems he views posting not as a discussion or exchange of ideas but a battle-to-the-death against anything opposing his very partisan beliefs.
I may occasionally post or like a comment but otherwise, I’ve got a real life and my time is too valuable to waste with nonsense.

No reason there cannot be a moderate middle path between the two extremes and thoughtfully incarcerate those who need it. 

No reason there cannot be a moderate middle path between the two extremes and thoughtfully incarcerate those who need it. 

Yes. A reasonable conclusion.
Unfortunately the broad stroke gathered up too many who DO need institutionalizing. The States gleefully pretend to be protecting their civil rights to save money housing them and waiting for them to die in the streets. There was a fellow last year who used to eat out of my garbage cans. I would see him and offer him food from my kitchen. I understand he froze to death over the winter while sleeping in a doorway.

I just saw his new post post about "Seattle vs. Denver vs. Vancouver" a couple of minutes ago.

about to turn 83! 

Although absent, @marylander1940 did sign in from time to time. But he hasn't done so since November. He was such an active participant on this site for years that I can't imagine he just disappeared. Anyone know what happened?

I hope he's fine...

I’m OK but rarely check-in anymore yet alone comment.  It’s just not worth the effort and I have a very busy and full life outside the virtual world.
I just got tired of trying to defend myself from outright lies, distortions and  slander by one verbose poster in particular.  He is welcome to continue practicing his Saul Alinsky methods on others and perhaps fool many readers here.  I will no longer play his games.  It seems he views posting not as a discussion or exchange of ideas but a battle-to-the-death against anything opposing his very partisan beliefs.
I may occasionally post or like a comment but otherwise, I’ve got a real life and my time is too valuable to waste with nonsense.

Although I rarely read or posted in the Political Forum, I am sad to see it go. I always thought of it as a place Daddy created to keep the puppies from pissing in the main sandbox. I also thought of it as a more "unregulated" space where people were allowed to be more free with their speech.
In fact, the entire concept of "moderators" in the political forum always seemed self defeating to me. I mean, if you wander into that forum, you kind of have to accept that your going to hear (and perhaps debate) things that you don’t like.
As gay men our very existence is political. As such, I am sad to see an arena for political free speech dismantled. Nonetheless, it is what it is. 

I sincerely hope that the venom that was contained in the Political forum will not spill into other parts of the forum. Without its regular outlets, the danger of a spillover is real.

I didn't often post in the political forums but I'm sad to see them retired. It'll be weird when something major happens in the world but we won't be able to discuss it on here. I would have rather seen repeat violators given permanent bans from posting in that section and disabling new members from accessing the political section for a certain amount of time to dissuade someone from just making a new profile. But I know how burned out the mods must be so I'm fine with the decision.

Yes you're absolutely right! I remember on my first trip to Israel right out of high school in early 1980, Israelis used to talk about the Oriental culture and Oriental food etc... At first I was confused because being from the USA growing up in the 60's/70's for me the Orent was a lot further east. Then I remembered it's how the British referred to anything east of the Mediterranean basin historically. Today Israel has lost its old European Jewish flavor and instead the terms Middle Eastern or Arabic/Israeli are used in place of Oriental. 

Quite right. For some, it wins out much more quickly.  Bitterness tends to weather a person.
This isn't really a discussion about looks, as clearly Alam is keeping himself together.  What we're talking about are people's shitty behaviors because they feel protected by anonymity.
We can all be better people.  It just takes stopping for a moment while you're IN the moment.
 
 

And the way you stated it and handled it in this post was mature and straight-forward.
You didn't go for the low blow.  You didn't act like a petulant child.  I'm fine with all of that (and sorry he stood you up, twice).  Like I tend to tell people, it's not what you say, but how you say it.  You kept it classy sir.
Most of the people on this thread who are taking the cheapest shots haven't seen him, nor have they even scheduled time with him.

Unless he's done something to personally spite you, the level of bitterness by some here is odd.
If they aren't for you, move on.  Putting constant negative effort into something just to make yourself feel better is the key trait of the brave keyboard warrior and classic internet troll.
People here have met with Alam and clearly enjoyed their time.

To play devil’s advocate just briefly.
The escorts I know, none this famous,  get a lot of messages some in the hundreds in a week.
Apparently the follow through to meeting up is about 1%
That must take its toll.
Most want more photos & videos and a chat on WhatsApp that doesn’t lead anywhere. 
This guy you can times that by 10 at the least IMHO. 

High mileage, age and resultant wear and tear on the chassis; be patient and wait for the end of the year clearance of used vehicles on the car lot.

Attractive man. And I like that his d**k comes with a timer to tell when the session's over.

Julian Sands is hiking with guide. I hope with all my heart ❤️ they're ok