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  • There is another major advantage...

    There is a major problem with solar and wind. Daily and seasonal variation in solar flux and wind speed forces us to size our renewable generators based on their minimum expected output. We have to install enough solar panels that we can supply our needs with only low-angle sunlight on short, winter days. But we won't do that, because that many solar panels are about four times what we need to supply our needs on long summer days. With that much oversupply on the grid, generators won't be able to command sufficient revenue to justify that number of panels. But we need that number of panels to supply our winter demands.

    We can match a large percentage of daily variation with sufficient grid-scale storage. We fill up reservoirs with our excess mid-day production, and run that water through hydropower plants overnight. But it is simply not possible to expand storage sufficiently to match seasonal variation.

    If we build out sufficient solar generation capacity to meet winter demand, we don't need seasonal storage. The problem we have becomes one of seasonal oversupply. The solution to that problem is an increase in demand. We need energy-intensive products that can be brought online in daylight hours from spring to autumn, then shut down for winter.

    Producing net carbon-zero fuels could very well create part of the demand needed to justify massive expansion of our renewable power grid.

  • The House passed this bill last week. Unsurprisingly, they got the support of exactly the number of Democrats they needed for it to pass.

  • Liquid fuels have a couple advantages in certain scenarios. Aircraft, for example. The energy density of liquid fuels is considerably higher than batteries. Aircraft only take on as much fuel as they need to safely reach their destination. They takeoff with more weight than they can safely land, burning off fuel weight throughout their flight until they are light enough to land. Dumping fuel overboard to get down to landing weight in an emergency.

    Switch these aircraft over to batteries, and their landing weight is the same as their takeoff weight. They carry the same "fuel" weight for a regional flight as they do for a maxinum-range flight.

  • UnitedHealth Group – Stephen J. Hemsley, CEO

    Got it. All I needed to see.

    Protestors need to shift their attention from ICE to the oligarch signatories of this letter.

  • Whixh is why the protests need to be focused on the oligarchs in control, rather than their hired goons.

  • The gun was holstered on his body. A man in a tan coat and no (visible) body armor removed it and stepped into the street with it. Less than twonseconds after he had removed it, we hear the first shot.

    Alex was licensed and lawfully carrying.

  • Ok, I think I found the source of that discrepancy. He was a member of "AFGE", the American Federation of Government Employees.

    Being unfamiliar with that organization, I initially thought "AFGE" might have been an Air Force organization. I suspect someone else might have made this same initial assumption.

    This comment thread is the only indication I've seen that he was associated with the military in any aspect other than his work for the VA.

  • I don't think you understand my point: what part of your argument justifies ICE bringing harm to this woman? Do you support ICE actions? Do you support something these Nazis want to do?

  • I will allow you only those tools you give to the Nazis currently in charge. What are you going to let them use against us?

  • Do you truly believe that those calling for oppression

    Whatever tool of oppression you are going to use is the exact same tool that will be used against you.

    Paine's message is "destroy those tools so nobody can use them".

    Popper's message is "use these tools until you face no oppression".

    Popper was a fascist.

  • “Becoming her,” would be attacking her because of where she was born, or skin color, or religion, or sexuality. We should attack her intolerance.

    Parent comment wasn't attacking her intolerance. Parent comment was wishing her harm.

    Furthermore: "Religion" should not be a protected class.

    They deserve the ICE treatment.

    As are you: You are wishing harm on her, not on her intolerance. This is the exact distinction I was trying to highlight.

  • Thomas Paine understood the problem.

    He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

    Karl Popper's philosophy calls for directly and actively suppressing the people you and I deem "intolerant". The fundamental problem with his philosophy is that the Nazis are already in charge. Any method you use to suppress "the intolerant", you give to the Nazis. It goes straight into their hands for them to use against the people they deem "intolerant". Popper asks you to forge the tools of your own demise.

    Thomas Paine's philosophy breaks the cycle. He opposes fascism in general. When you instill Thomas Paine's values in the general populace, you discredit yourself in their eyes as soon as you call for suppressing anyone.

    Fascism that you happen to agree with is still fascism. Popper's actual paradox is that he was a fascist.

  • Those who want to hurt others ... deserve to be hurt themselves.

    ...

    May she get [hurt].

    ...

    Yes, I stripped out some very important words, but those words don't actually change the underlying problem: we are each wishing harm befall other people.

    She wants people hurt; we want people hurt. We're all getting exactly what we say we want.

    By all means, marvel at her stupidity and bigotry, but please stop short of becoming her.

  • Bigots getting what they deserve. Cry me a river.

    Everyone is getting what this bigot deserves. Don't gloat. Their misfortune is ours as well.

  • You can seem reasonable and rational when you distinguish between your opponent's truths and your opponent's lies. John McCain earned a lot of respect when he rejected an attack on Obama and pointed out that Obama was a decent person and family man who merely disagreed with McCain on some political issues.

    If you don't want your opponent to appear reasonable and rational, don't give them opportunity. Lie about everything, all the time. Lie when the truth sounds better. Lie so much that they never have the opportunity to do anything except call you a liar. Lie so much that your opponent loses credibility every time they rebut one of your lies.

    Related: Gish Gallop

  • I shut it off the first time I tried to watch it. Seems like the first half of the premier could have been a flashback in season 2.

  • Deleted

    Permanently Deleted

    Jump
  • The screws don't even reach through the drywall?

  • Well, we're pissing off the right people.