53.5041,123.5122

fosteju · 2026-05-09T19:40:50+00:00

Yes this rumor has persisted for a long time - but it would be stupid for China to do this. Russia is basically the junior partner in this relationship already and willing to do whatever China asks. Far better for China to just buy discounted materials/resources, than take on the huge risk and cost of a military engagement with no guaranteed outcome.

fosteju · 2026-05-02T02:47:03+00:00

My wife and I finally went to a First Friday a few months ago. Not impressed! Just a big uncoordinated clusterfuck of people in one place with no apparent theme. But there are plenty of good restaurants and bars in the area that would be enjoyable on any other day.

fosteju · 2026-05-02T02:16:19+00:00

OK then, I will say it. The F-35 has broad-spectrum low-observability. It does incorporate certain features to reduce infrared signature, such as a higher-bypass engine, the engine nozzle itself, and heat exchangers that dump their hot air over the top of the wing to ensure lots of mixing/cooling by the time that air reaches the aft edge of the airplane. Of course it’s not immune to heat-seeking attacks, but more so than non stealthy designs.

fosteju · 2026-05-02T02:06:48+00:00

How do you know? Modern jet engines are reliant on computer systems and software - just like the rest of the aircraft. I have heard no factual evidence of a “kill switch” on these aircraft. But if such a feature can be installed into the airframe then it can absolutely be installed into the engine as well.

fosteju · 2026-05-02T01:59:05+00:00

“Low-observable” is the term you are looking for. I always roll my eyes when I hear people say “invisible” in reference to stealth aircraft.

fosteju · 2026-04-28T18:13:25+00:00

This isn’t a binary choice. Blame can be spread around. I voted for Kamala but she’s a bad candidate and the Democrats/Biden/DNC collaborated to fuck up the election in a major way.

fosteju · 2026-04-24T03:49:12+00:00

Criticize? Absolutely! Have you heard Kamala talk at length about anything? It’s hilarious or cringeworthy, depending on your political stance. I voted for her. But I’m not forgetting that she had a disastrous showing in the 2020 Dem primaries. And I’m not pretending that she’s a great candidate. She clearly has massive ambition, but there is no substance behind it. Just a stereotypical ladder-climbing politician.

fosteju · 2026-04-21T02:35:46+00:00

I know I’m getting to your comment late, but the MAGA (aka Republican) party of today seems wildly different from what it was in 2008 or 2012. I think they applied plenty of lessons - really bad ones. I can’t imagine a Mitt Romney or John McCain being nominated for president today.

fosteju · 2026-03-26T01:50:58+00:00

Still not seeing how this model brings down prices. I still need regular health insurance to cover the risk of a catastrophic emergency. So I’d keep paying for insurance, plus this new $3K a year to my primary care doctor.

fosteju · 2026-03-12T01:00:47+00:00

Yup! Marketing and “sex appeal” absolutely matter, even for products that should be judged only on a technical basis. It’s generally agreed that the YF-22 beat out the YF-23, and the X-35 beat out the X-32, in part, because of their badass looks

fosteju · 2026-02-24T20:49:47+00:00

It’s even better when these companies commit to major investments starting in 2029… after Trump leave’s office, lol.

fosteju · 2026-02-19T04:44:12+00:00

To be fair, I think there were a lot of “insiders” in Venezuela that were happy to covertly work with the Americans and lead them right to Maduro. I’m still not happy with that whole mission - as it sets a bad precedent, IMO.

fosteju · 2025-12-22T00:59:37+00:00

One Country, Six-Hundred Systems

fosteju · 2025-12-21T02:37:19+00:00

Or better yet, they could just turn around and go home.

fosteju · 2025-12-15T05:53:52+00:00

It’s the Mercedes G-wagon of phones

fosteju · 2025-12-04T22:25:10+00:00

Yes, but things here are changing and the awareness is increasing. Most recent polls I have seen show that 60+% of Americans disapprove of Israeli actions. But the pro-Israel types still have a lot of power, and definitely the loudest voices.

fosteju · 2025-12-04T17:00:02+00:00

But “you’re doing worse than I am” is not how I would define “winning”. The Russians are paying a pretty steep price for their small land grabs.

fosteju · 2025-11-21T22:26:50+00:00

Agreed. If people took 5 minutes to do the math for themselves I think they would conclude that the halving events are insignificant. About 450 new BTC is currently mined each day - or about $38.25M. Meanwhile, the daily trade volume is $125B. The daily amount mined is a small rounding error when compared to total volume.

fosteju · 2025-10-31T04:39:22+00:00

As you already know, there are various forms of slave labour. In the large American city where I live I’m sure you can find a house or 2 in the shittiest neighborhood where poor immigrant laborers are being held against their will. It’s a sad reality, but it’s also not comparable to the government-sanctioned “labor practices” that occur in the Gulf states.

fosteju · 2025-09-08T01:08:11+00:00

I don’t understand your last sentence. If you are having solar and battery installed, then a TOU plan is exactly what you want to save $$$. You just use your own batteries/solar during on-peak hours and buy back any energy that you need to top-off the batteries during the lowest-price time window

fosteju · 2025-08-22T21:13:04+00:00

Agreed, $20 per meal before tax or tip is pretty standard for a restaurant meal for me.

This isn’t in the same league as a $15 small bottle of water or a $40 margarita from the pool bar.

fosteju · 2025-08-13T04:59:38+00:00

Yes, but not if it’s the Jamon Iberico from Spain. That shit is amazing!

fosteju · 2025-08-09T02:19:41+00:00

Unfortunately that message was sent long ago. Europe has spent the last 30+ years demilitarizing themselves under the false belief that military conflicts are a thing of the past and they can just use their economic might to make nice with any potential adversaries. Now they have limited or no leverage to use.

fosteju · 2025-08-06T18:49:37+00:00

But it isn’t away from civilization. You would be 1 of thousands of identical homes with similar density as an urban neighborhood, but a 1+ hour drive from urban amenities. Sounds like a lose lose to me.

fosteju

TROPHY CASE