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I agree with your first paragraph entirely. Particularly in Seattle. One good thing about this social pressure, at least musing about it, is that Dr. D is a (mild) Kim Ng fan, and that could work to Ng's advantage...
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Interesting idea that September could be critical for Lloyd. Not sure why that hadn't occurred.
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On the conclusion, a GM's decision ... my own suspicion is that this decision will be made for the GM, almost no matter who he is. But I could easily be wrong and hope I am.
+1 amigo!