The Off Topic Topic

[Syt]

36°C in the city.

[jimmy olsen]

And I have claimed the English crown. 

[Eddie Teach]

Uh, why does it say Kingdom of Scotland?

[Neil]

Uh, why does it say Kingdom of Scotland?

Indeed.  Tim is a liar, and dishonourable.  His use of Godwin's Law is proof of that.

[jimmy olsen]

Uh, why does it say Kingdom of Scotland?

I as the King of Scotland claimed the English crown and won the war that ensued. I am now the King of Scotland and England. First crown takes precedent.

[garbon]

Why is it always the Muslims that run wild? One would think that the rules of warfare would favor each side equally and that it would be a matter of chance that would decide who picked up steam.

That's not actually the case...

[Zanza]

A good policy by Obama:

Foreign Automakers Could Get Fuel Economy Exemption

Monday, August 03, 2009

German luxury auto makers including BMW AG and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz are close to benefitting from a U.S. concession that will allow them and a few other foreign makers to keep selling cars that emit more greenhouse gases than those made by mass-market rivals such as General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

Under a provision of a plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the Obama administration has proposed to set less stringent standards for car makers that sell fewer than 400,000 vehicles a year in the U.S. That target defines the major German brands as well as a few smaller Asian manufacturers such as Suzuki Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

The easier targets are expected to apply to a limited portion of a car maker's sales volume, and last for about four years — unless the government grants an extension.

"Once companies become dependent on these provisions, they have an incentive to hire lobbyists and exert political pressure to extend those same provisions," said John Graham, who helped craft automobile fuel-economy regulations under President George W. Bush.

"The German provision" — as it is known to industry lobbyists — resembles a California law that effectively exempts some foreign car makers from having to meet the same emissions standards as their U.S. rivals. BMW and Daimler declined to say whether they lobbied for the provision.

In effect, the provision would make it easier for Mercedes to keep selling cars like its $147,000, 12-cylinder S600 sedan, rated at 13 miles per gallon, while GM or Toyota would be required to meet tougher mileage standards with smaller, more efficient cars.

The rules are expected to be formally proposed later this year by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation to enforce the administration's mandate that makers boost the average fuel efficiency of their fleets to 35.5 miles mpg by 2016.

[Barrister]

Mercedes and BMW should be forced to sell fuel-efficient cars at a loss in order to sell their gas guzzlers, just like every other manufacturer.

[Malthus]

Very nice video tribute to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7aw&feature=response_watch

[jimmy olsen]

Why is it always the Muslims that run wild? One would think that the rules of warfare would favor each side equally and that it would be a matter of chance that would decide who picked up steam.

That's not actually the case...

What, that the Muslims always run wild or that the rules of warfare favor each side equally?

[Admiral Yi]

Mercedes and BMW should be forced to sell fuel-efficient cars at a loss in order to sell their gas guzzlers, just like every other manufacturer.

No shit.

[garbon]

What, that the Muslims always run wild

This. While balance is certainly off in CK, there is a general tendency to overstate the occurrence of ferocious behavior by muslims, while underplaying/ignoring the many instances where Algeria, Egypt, and the Levant are completely overrun by Christian states.

[Josquius]

I've been looking up rorschach tests tonight since  psyhologists bitching about wikipedia's handling of them has made a edit war so big its even on newsnight.
Apparently I'm afraid of being injured-  I always see them as ribs and pelvis and stuff. They just look too much like x-rays dammit!

[CountDeMoney]

This. While balance is certainly off in CK, there is a general tendency to overstate the occurrence of ferocious behavior by muslims,

History tells us otherwise.

[Savonarola]

Ethics question, would it be wrong if I were to base a character on Siegebreaker and call my novel "Bullet Proof Jew"?