Overnight Open Thread (2-28-2013)

Because the ONT's principal weapon is surprise and a fanatical devotion to the clock.

Gun Talk with Joe Biden: This Week's Episode - Handling Unwanted Strangers

I did one of these town-hall meetings on the Internet and one guy said, "Well, what happens when the end days come? What happens when there's the earthquake? I live in California, and I have to protect myself."

I said, "Well, you know, my shotgun will do better for you than your AR-15, because you want to keep someone away from your house, just fire the shotgun through the door."

Yes this is the man that Obama picked to be his second in command. Should the unthinkable happen I'm guessing that a President Biden would soon make history as the first president to be impeached for sheer stupidity.

Also: Biden and the Oscar Pistorius School of Self-Defense

BLOG COMMENT OF THE DAY: "Let's just say that the libertarian movement would do well to spend less time reading Ayn Rand and more time reading Dale Carnegie."

Heh.

The Car-Less Generation

I've been seeing this for a few years now - kids just aren't that interested in driving or having their own cars.

The Western love affair with cars may be over. The FT reports that the number of UK teenagers taking driving tests has fallen by about 18 percent since 2007. For 20-somethings, the drop is about 10 percent. Even licensed drivers are driving less: many don't have cars, and those who do are clocking less miles. The US,  Germany, and Japan are all seeing similar trends.

Want to Own Your Own Tank?

Well you can - but it'll cost you.

Novices often buy British Chieftains, a good starter tank because, though it weighs more than 50 tons, it is generally cheaper than a Sherman or Stuart. The Neal brothers bought theirs in 2011 for $65,000, in need of restoration. Plus, the State Department doesn't restrict imports of British armor.

...A tank in the U.S. can have operational guns, if the owner has a federal Destructive Device permit, and state laws don't prohibit it. The permit costs $200, and the applicant must swear he hasn't been a "fugitive from justice," "adjudicated mentally defective" or convicted of "a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence." A local law-enforcement official, usually a sheriff or police chief, has to sign off on the application.

But it can an expensive hobby - in more ways than one:

Lance Miller, a 41-year-old from Loudonville, Ohio, sold his elegant little Stuart, a tank famous for its service in the Pacific, for $200,000 to raise money to restore his dream tank-a 1943 Sherman. "It's sort of the pinnacle of military-vehicle collection to have a piece of armor," Mr. Miller says.
He says he has put about $280,000 into his Sherman so far and expects to spend as much as $75,000 more. "You get a tank, you end up with an ex-wife," warns Mr. Miller, who has one of each.

North Korea Now A Threat to CONUS?

According to various intelligence reports, Pyongyang conducted an engine test of its KN-08 long-range missile on 11 February, one day ahead of the nuclear test.

...The KN-08 has been called a "game-changer" for the DPRK, and with good reason.  Assuming the missile achieves its projected range, the KN-08 would give Pyongyang a strike platform capable of reaching much of the CONUS.  And with a mobile launch platform--supported by one of the world's most advanced denial and deception programs--the KN-08 will be extremely difficult to track and target.  Among its various roles, the kN-08 could easily deliver a sudden, surprise attack against the U.S., giving the North increased leverage in its dealings with Washington, and our allies in the region.

Missile defense faster please. Also start planning Japan's welcome party to the Nuclear Club.

The Crime Wave in Atherton, CA

In case you weren't aware of it Atherton is a small city just a few miles north of Palo Alto that's usually ranked in the top 5 richest neighborhoods in the US. The median house price there is $4 million.

Years ago I used to work nearby and at lunch we used to snicker at the 'crimes' reported for Atherton in the local paper . The best one I can recall is a report of littering which turned out to be an abandoned Pentium 4 PC left on someone's driveway. But here are a few other ones to give you an idea of what the mean streets of Atherton are like.

TED Talks Under 5 Minutes

All entertaining and best of all they're nice and short. Here's one by Terry Moore on How To Tie Your Shoes.

Mail Order Brides: Part XII

Any or all of these could be yours - operators are standing by. Please have credit card and pre-filled out I-129F form ready.

^* Not responsible for damaged hearts or bank accounts.

Why You're Fat Ladies: Not Doing Enough House Work

One reason so many American women are overweight may be that we are vacuuming and doing laundry less often, according to a new study that, while scrupulously even-handed, is likely to stir controversy and emotions.

Men Who Like Big Boobehs: You're Oppressive Misogynists Who Hate Women

The men's preference for larger breast sizes was significantly and positively correlated with hostility towards women, more sexist attitudes towards women, benevolent sexism and objectification of women. ...Benevolent sexism was the strongest predictor for breast size rating, while objectifaction of women and hostility towards women were also significant predictors.

Hey don't blame me - I'm just the messenger for Science! here.

Yahoo group. That is all.

And my Twitter spew.

Tonight's post brought to you by the gutted White House circa 1950:

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posted by Maetenloch at 08:40 PM

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