Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Syt - Today at 12:14:25 PM

I didn't notice those, but I saw a large ad in an 1870 paper for a shop selling
- "Ink pens, specially manufactured, just like the ones Napoleon III used to write his history of Julius Caesar!"
- "Thootbrushes made from 'kautschuk' (raw rubber) - rubber it has inherent electric power that polishes your teeth!"
- "Galvanic bracelets to stimulate circulation."
- "For self protection - 6-shot revolvers with rifled barrelin calibers ranging from 7 to 12 mm!"
(One of these things is not like the others ... )

The 1850s-60s have a lot of ads for investing in coal mines and railroad enterprises. But (in German papers at least) advertising shipping/travel services from Hamburg to overseas. One 1850 paper had an article that it was still easy and cheap to buy land in Texas if one was enterprising and willing to move there.

#2

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Syt - Today at 12:06:40 PM

Adam Baldwin is involved. 

Why the hate? What has he done beside being a Baldwin?

He's not part of those Baldwins. He was fairly involved in Gamergate IIRC, though I admit I've not kept up to date with him.

#3

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Grey Fox - Today at 12:00:22 PM

China will stop. China's policy is China Only. And they never want to do anything that will in any way diminished their capabilities in making Taiwan part of the PRC.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by PJL - Today at 11:58:32 AM

Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand = Assassination of Ali Khamenei?

You're late to the party, I already made that analogy about 2 weeks ago - see post 249 in this thread.

#5

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by viper37 - Today at 11:48:21 AM

Adam Baldwin is involved. 

Why the hate? What has he done beside being a Baldwin?

#6

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by frunk - Today at 11:48:18 AM

Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand = Assassination of Ali Khamenei?

#7

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by viper37 - Today at 11:42:38 AM

It'll be interesting how this NATO thing plays out.

Personally I don't have much appetite for supporting the US here, and I don't think the national moods of most NATO countries would reward politicians sending troops to fight Iran.

I'd expect mostly polite "sorry we'd love to, but it's just not possible" for the sake of diplomacy.

It's hard not seeing this being another giant step down the road to the dissolution of NATO, however. Trump was never going to support a NATO country being attacked anyhow, but if no one helps him with this idiotic war then it'll likely become explicit even sooner.

Is this moving some of the "we're not THAT motivated to build a strong European defense people a countries" a bit, I wonder?

Well, if Iran attacks the US now, NATO is not obliged to answer article 5 a as the US is the aggressor and is engaged in a conflict.

What is stressful is that Iran is launching ballistic missiles toward Turkish territory that have been, so far, intercepted.

If one of them lands and Turkey activates Articles 5, we'll all likely responds against Iran.  Russia and China are both openly and actively supporting Iran. I doubt they'll stop.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by viper37 - Today at 11:39:18 AM

Let's get some enjoyment out of this tragedy.

My score 14 nukes, 21k casulties.
https://nuke-canal.vercel.app/

"Iran blocked the Strait. Very bad, very unfair. Gas is nine dollars. I called MBS - he's not picking up. I called Modi - "please hold." Nobody helps us. So I said to my generals, I said, 'what if we just nuked a canal through the UAE? Boom, boom, boom - new waterway.' They said 'sir, that's insane.' I said 'you're fired.' The new guy loves it. It's gonna be beautiful. Biggest canal ever built. We're gonna do it in an afternoon." - Presidential address ot the nation, 3 hours ago.

Objective: Carve a navigable waterway from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Choose your ordnance wisely.

SecWar Memo: "For the love of God, try to avoid Dubai. And the airports. You know what, just try not to kill too many people."

You laugh, but Newt Gingrich very seriously suggested this on Twitter.

#9

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by viper37 - Today at 11:37:48 AM

In the US and Canada, wild pigs are a plague in some parts.

Battues aux sangliers ? Viande de choix. 

Nos ancêtres les Gaulois sont bien vivants

#10

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Norgy - Today at 11:32:16 AM

Well, I suppose the muslims were right. All EPL clubs with -ham in their name are going to hell, one way or another.