StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Honestly, Brunei isn't even that good an analogue--oil is a raw resource and available elsewhere. What Moclus offers is a considerable and highly specialized strategic advantage. Consider: 1 Moclan engineer (albeit a highly-regarded one) was able to improve a mid-level ship's shields by what, 60%, w...

I think the underlying reason for the popularization/nostalgia of the 90s is simpler-- it's the last decade where such an appeal is possible. Ubiquitous internet and digitization brought with it the balkanization of mass media consumption across the globe, so everything that was made after, say, 200...

While there's yet to see on some details, how does this contact system compare to the UFP? Compared to what DISCO was doing this week (as well as what Trek always does with the Prime Directive) it kind of implies that interstellar communication itself is sufficient enough to indicate a civilization...

I'll be honest, I've not looked at the demographic turnouts in the marginal states. Are there enough women and minorities in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania that didn't turn out in 2016 for Sec. Clinton that can be brought out to the polls? Short answer: probably. While Republicans were down ...

You can do that, but then you need to find another reliable set of EC votes to replace it. There's ticked off people who are fine with white supremacists (read: Republicans) in a lot of states, so I'm not sure where you'd pick up the deficit. I've said as much elsewhere, but it does bear repeating:...

As the old saying goes, "you don't have to have a white penis to win Ohio, but it helps!" The real question is whether or not crossover appeal is necessary or even desirable. Given the margins that Trump won Ohio in 2016, it may be better to write it off as Missouri was written off by Demo...

Well I'll be! I guess then that the premiere makes a little more sense, but it's still odd that you have an episode made up of 4 B-plots.

In any event,Fox has confirmed that Halston Sage has left the show. I am glad that they left her a spot to come back, instead of Denise Crosbying her.

It depends on the exact ratio of private/federal student loan debt that's out there. I would guess that most students get their loans from the federal programs first, since the rates are better, then resort to private loans once they've hit their borrowing limit. In any case, discharging your Federa...

So, the new season of The Orville premiered tonight in the US. Without spoiling it too badly for those in other markets, I will say the following: This episode was actually part of the original block ordered by Fox--it was deliberately held back due to scheduling issues. It was filmed probably about...

I'd get a surge protector with a long cable, rather than an extension cord and a surge with a short one. I use this Belkin model a lot at work, because it's robust and it guards against the shitty wiring in our building. It's actually a violation of the fire code in our jurisdiction to use extension...

Ohio democrats are a nigh unto useless lot. In a year that should have been good for them, there are now a grand total of three democrats elected to state-wide office (Sen. Brown and Justices Donnelly & Stewart). Republicans will retain a supermajority in both houses of the state general assemb...

I honestly think progressive turnout is going to be high, because it's still Trump on the other side of the ballot. If nothing else, 2016 taught a bunch of apathetic progressives(read: young, minorities, LGBTQI persons) that voting actually matters . As you pointed out, the progressive groundswell n...

You mean the Midwestern states that voted for Obama? I mean Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with Ohio as a conditional state in play if Sherrod Brown is the eventual candidate. Win those, you don't need Florida or North Carolina. And to win those, you probably need to field an old, whi...

I don't want Clinton to be the candidate. I don't want Sanders to be the candidate. I don't want Warren to be the candidate. I don't want Biden to be the candidate. I don't want Brown to be the candidate. Or succinctly: I don't want an old, white candidate. But, I am a realist. Old, white candidates...

Concessions have no legal weight--it's just a nice thing to do, essentially. Showing you're a good sport is important if you plan on running for office again, so that's why politicians typically offer them.

Gamera is really neat! Gamera is filled with meat! We've been eating Gamera!

Seriously though, thanks to MST3K I love campy monster movies, of which Gamera is a longstanding favorite.

That said, 2014's Godzilla is the most badass monster I've ever seen on film, so I guess he gets second place.

I honestly think Alonso's done with F1, and happy to be so. Yes, it's the premier racing championship in the world and yes, he's one of the greatest drivers who has ever lived, but he has the unique ability to win the Triple Crown. Excepting JPM, there is no currently active racing driver who can as...

Finally, we're back to racing! But before that, let's see if we can compose a list of all the moves coming up: Danny Ric to Renault Sainz to McLaren Alonso to Indycar (or just the 500) Gasly to Red Bull Stroll to Racing Point Force India New And Improved Recipe Same Great Taste Ocon to ??? Maybe McL...

First off, what do you all mean by religious? What is the difference in your mind between religious and secular? Since you seem to use religious for anything a few people claim is their religion, if a group claims that an existing public monument is part of their religion does it thus become religi...

Well, Hamilton has a lead going into the summer break. Nothing outrageous, of course, but it's definitely nice to have. Now we wait to see if Ferrari really does have the most powerful engine at Spa and Monza. If so, that'll really cool to watch.

And what is it, 22 states with trigger-laws on the books revoking the right to an abortion? I wonder what the most realistic timeline for overturning Roe v. Wade would be. This time next year? Ghetto Edit: upon further reading, it only looks like there are 4 states with trigger laws on the books. A...

And what is it, 22 states with trigger-laws on the books revoking the right to an abortion? I wonder what the most realistic timeline for overturning Roe v. Wade would be. This time next year?

The second safety car ended with what, 12 laps to go? And the Williams still finished like 40 seconds back. That's rough. In any case, the points for Hamilton and Vettel are very close to what they were this time last year. So really, it's gonna come down to if Ferrari has learned from the second ha...

Double Mercedes retirement.

Just wow. Apparently it hasn't happened in 7 years. I have to say that between Ferrari and Haas and Sauber, we may very well have a new winner in the reliability race.

I have heard that there were hideoustraffic snarls just getting to the circuit today, including a cheeky shot of someone watching FP1 on his laptop--which was on the dashboard of his car as he sat in traffic. The grandstands were also apparently pretty empty as a consequence. Here's hoping they figu...