I concur, with the caveat that we might have to wrangle what you mean by "big designs." I don't think he means to restore the map to 1970, but he's definitely interested in spheres of influence that big or bigger. Also, strategic and economic impact on oil is slippery, and we should probab...

I apologize for the salty peppering. The folks who make money, both the chemical people and the supplement people, have totally wrecked any chance of real science being published. There is a glimmer of hope in relating genomic specifics to impact of trace elements, but as it becomes monetized and at...

This guy, https://www.insidehalton.com/community-story/2893876-man-born-without-arms-recalls-life-s-challenges/ who has video and other stuff too. This is why we have to expect (and catalyze) every kid to be a superhero, because by the time we get old it's much harder, and maybe too late (though it'...

If you got " nothing to fear" from my post, my apologies. The immediate question was War with Russia, which is not coming physically to our shores, unless pres bonespurs gets permission from his handlers to stage something. In some ways, Putin's smarter than Napoleon, because he's learned ...

Cigarette butts. I must have seen my father flip away a thousand fragments of tobacco and fiberglass. They weren't pretty or tasty. What could the impact of a cigarette butt possibly be? Well, how many have we manufactured? How many litter our beaches and parks and water treatment systems...? I'm no...

I recently submitted a resume (to someone who had to have it but didn't really want it, and had no intention of reading it) and listed undergrad as Wossamotta University in Frostbite Falls, MN and graduate work at Miskatonic U. Degrees in Ironic Documentation and Apocalypse Prep. It didn't impact my...

While it is uncommon for farmers to spray Roundup on their crops just before harvesting them (to finalize their ripening) it does occur. There are actually many other chemicals that are perhaps more effective (though perhaps also less studied), that are used frequently. This is not great news... Her...

Meanwhile folks being denied passports in places where you'll need a passport to vote.....Sharpen your pitchforks.

In the post-MCain era, there will be no war with Russia. Will they work to destroy us without missiles, you betcha. 9-11 interrupted a solid strategy to make Russia as important as Spain. Big history, no real current importance. We left off that policy because we totally panicked (we can discuss on ...

With each new affront, I am still asking people I no longer respect..:WEll, too far this time?" The McCain thing seems to have struck a chord. The general feeling is that those who did not serve when called have to give props to those who did. A little of the veil is torn. I'm going to keep ask...

I have a long knife in the car for just such occasions. I have extras. If you wish, I could send you one.

It would not surprise me at all if Trump has been a Russian asset for decades . Putin is the 21st century's Napoleon. Only with nukes.

That's just the metaphor. You want specifics, we don't have space, books have already been written just about the misrepresentations. So... Domestically: We've drifted rapidly toward the culture of graft that kills empires. A majority of the cabinet told direct falsehoods to congress during their he...

Once he was nominated (and there's strong evidence that the collusion began during that process) we had come to a period of validation for the Bundys and nazis and other groups who believe violence or depradation toward other groups is ok. There is a view that "Truth and Reconciliation" or...

I am anti-abortion, mostly because in this country it is a tool of genocide. As a policy matter, I consider it a medical decision, and therefore, none of my business. (which throws it into the maelstrom of bad medical policy, but we can talk about the other benefits of single payer later) I have bee...

As someone who basically wears exactly the same ensemble regardless of environment, I'm a little aware of the whole sumptuary laws pressure to signal one's role in the culture through clothing. It's tough to ignore, given how superficial most folks are. I've been at it a long time, and though I wear...

Love the Tracy Chapman allusion.

They have one thing in common: They allow themselves to be ruled by fear. (There is a small demographic where greed is stronger, but it's at heart mostly fear. Fear of falling behind, fear of not being on the winning side, fear of loss of what pittance they have, fear of the other. Very natural, but...

Because it was a crappy ripoff of the "story out of a hat" improv.

Not at all. Please. Darcs has the difficult excel sheet. the ac he has is apparently with haste and smite activated, but as in all things defer to his interpretation. Cool spells like fire of entanglement angelic aspect and heroes defiance take a round (except the last one) and are listed somewhere ...