The very many questions-not-worth-their-own-thread question thread XXV

[SS-18 ICBM]

Aren't those often used in an anti-infantry role by design?

I think it's more of a happy coincidence that the sheer volume of fire of mobile AA cannon that can destroy aircraft can shred infantry to pieces.

Standard practice in the Russian military is to use mobile AA platforms, e.g. the ZSU-23-4, as anti-insurgent flank guards for armored columns. High turret elevation means that they can also be effective in urban environments.

The Russian military never did strike me as the type that cared about collateral damage or excessive force.

 

[Dachs]

I think it's more of a happy coincidence that the sheer volume of fire of mobile AA cannon that can destroy aircraft can shred infantry to pieces.


The Russian military never did strike me as the type that cared about collateral damage or excessive force.

I honestly think it's more design than coincidence. It's not like modern designers forgot all about the German 8.8 cm Flugzeugabwehrkanonen from WWII.

And yeah, I know, but it's not just the Russians. Since the 1960s, the US Army and the IDF have both used the M163 VADS - basically a ground version of the M61 Vulcan gun that goes on Air Force planes - in ground-support roles. Since neither military has had to deal with much of an aerial threat, anti-infantry has actually been the M163's primary use over the last several decades.

I just don't believe that there's any international law against such weapons. It wouldn't make much sense.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

My fav telecommunications commercial of all time is an old AT&T one. Just a well dressed man stating why AT&T is the smart choice. It was direct, sensible, non-ridiculous, etc. Can't find it on youtube.

There is a line of payday loans run by Native Americans with much the same advertising approach. They tell you upfront that 'it isn't cheap' etc, etc. Which I really appreciate because it's a vast improvement over the 'GET MORE MONEY NOW NOW NOW' approach of all other payday lenders.

 

[Borachio]

Pay day loans, like pawn shops, are a complete mystery to me. I'd rather starve today than starve twice as quickly tomorrow.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Pay day loans, like pawn shops, are a complete mystery to me. I'd rather starve today than starve twice as quickly tomorrow.

And also have your car repossessed for a $200 loan.

 

[Mouthwash]

I am trying to convince my Rabbi of the truth of evolution. Is this wise? He may have a hard time accepting it, because he's a Chabadnik. But one of the things that makes me proud of Judaism is the fact that even the mainstream Orthodox accept it. When I think of YECs, I think of bald, racist evangelical priests from Missouri. It just doesn't sit right with me that Jews would be the same way.

 

[Synobun]

I am trying to convince my Rabbi of the truth of evolution. Is this wise? He may have a hard time accepting it, because he's a Chabadnik. But one of the things that makes me proud of Judaism is the fact that even the mainstream Orthodox accept it. When I think of YECs, I think of shifty, bald, racist evangelical priests from Missouri.

No amount of convincing or sound reasoning can influence someone who is set in their ways and unwilling to hear another opinion.

 

[Mouthwash]

No amount of convincing or sound reasoning can influence someone who is set in their ways and unwilling to hear another opinion.

Yeah, evolution is incredibly easy but also incredibly labor-intensive to advocate. You have to give someone lectures on individual scientific disciplines before you can even begin to argue for natural selection or common descent. Yet he demands that I 'prove' it to him right there.

 

[Synobun]

Yeah, evolution is incredibly easy but also incredibly labor-intensive to advocate. You have to give someone lectures on individual scientific disciplines before you can even begin to argue for natural selection or common descent. Yet he demands that I 'prove' it to him right there.

It does sound cliche, but purchasing him a copy of some of Dawkins' books on evolution would answer his questions rather well. There's no way for anyone proficient in the field of evolution to be able to explain the process in a way they can't find holes in.

 

[timtofly]

It seems to me that it is easier to convince a person that something is right, than to convince a person something is wrong.

 

[Mouthwash]

It does sound cliche, but purchasing him a copy of some of Dawkins' books on evolution would answer his questions rather well. There's no way for anyone proficient in the field of evolution to be able to explain the process in a way they can't find holes in.

I don't want to get him into Dawkins. He's a Rabbi.

Are there any other good books on evolution?

I should also link him to this debate. It's the best evolution debate I know of on the site, and adequately showcases the utter stupidity of the creationist viewpoint.

 

[bhsup]

I think of bald ... from Missouri.

Hey! I'm bald from Missouri!!!

 

[Farm Boy]

Hey! I'm bald from Missouri!!!

That was going to be my question not worth it's own thread. WTH is wrong with bald men from Missouri? My best man is bald and lives in Missouri.

 

[AdamCrock]

Why does those nasty commies got the upper hand ? Are they totally right/biased are they fraking Gods ?! to tell us what to do ? ! Do You like being told what to do ? Are You submissive or something ?

 

[bhsup]

Why does those nasty commies got the upper hand ?

I can answer that one.

Spoiler :

Didn't notice the weapon, did ya? Nope, and now you're a dead capitalist.

 

[_random_]

I don't want to get him into Dawkins. He's a Rabbi.

Are there any other good books on evolution?

I should also link him to this debate. It's the best evolution debate I know of on the site, and adequately showcases the utter stupidity of the creationist viewpoint.

Finding Darwin's God by Ken Miller is a solid defense of evolution by a strong Catholic. Is that better or worse?

 

[Mouthwash]

Finding Darwin's God by Ken Miller is a solid defense of evolution by a strong Catholic. Is that better or worse?

Better, as long as he doesn't actively defend Christianity or Catholicism.

 

[Borachio]

I am trying to convince my Rabbi of the truth of evolution. Is this wise? He may have a hard time accepting it, because he's a Chabadnik. But one of the things that makes me proud of Judaism is the fact that even the mainstream Orthodox accept it. When I think of YECs, I think of bald, racist evangelical priests from Missouri. It just doesn't sit right with me that Jews would be the same way.

I think you're probably wasting your time, at best. At worst, you'll completely alienate him.

He'll have encountered the idea of evolution long before this. If he's not convinced by it by now, why should he change his mind just because you think it's right?

(I think evolution is self-evidently true myself, btw.)
---------------------------

Anyway, last night I dreamt my hands were emitting this watery viscous black stuff all over. Rather to my consternation.

So, I googled "black hands in dreams meaning". And came up with a lot of rather unhelpful stuff.

Apparently hands are quite significant in Islamic dreams: hands getting cut off, hands reaching out to you, hands smaller or bigger than normal, etc. But nothing about black hands.

Other sources were similarly unhelpful. One of them confidently stated that black symbolizes health, wealth, happiness, sickness, poverty, or sorrow.

What do black hands in dreams mean, CFC?

 

[timtofly]

You will figure out how to create a new energy source?

 

[Borachio]

That would be great.

I'm not convinced though. In my dream I found it quite distressing. I went and washed my hands in a hand basin. And successfully got the stuff off (it seemed to be water soluble). But then it immediately oozed out of my hands again.

Two nurses appeared and I rested my head on their conjoined bosoms (don't ask, it was a dream), which was nice. But didn't help my hands at all.

I'm tempted to say the dream then morphed into a vision of seven thin cows and seven fat cows. But it didn't. I just woke up.

(And incidentally my hands seem to be OK.)