StringJunky

The Iranians have access to a hell of a atemi point in the Strait of Hormuz. Nice to see the shoe on the other foot. We are a bunch of twats, and we were due a kick in the collective nuts.

Yeah, shouting and singing generating plenty of pathogen-bearing aerosols.

All are factors compromising mucosal integrity, allowing direct exposure of epithelial cells to pathogens. Apart from the physical barrier, it is host to lysozyme, lactoferrin, and immunoglobulin A. Also, the cilia move mucus in a conveyor fashion that has trapped pathogens to be swallowed and neutralized in the stomach. If the mucus dries, those functions are disabled.

In the same vein: "Firstly, THANK YOU everyone for your concern. I’m okay, just a bit shaken up. Fact is I was robbed this afternoon in broad daylight at the gas station. Afterwards, I was disoriented. My money was gone, so I called the police, who asked if I knew who did it. “Yes," I said. "It was pump 4.”

I just did some casual searching, but I am perfectly willing defer to your experience. Perhaps there is some other effect going on.

Don't use vinegar, it will react with both metals. Try citric acid.

If muscle was deaminated for energy purposes to glucose, I can't see why it would be turned to fat, although it could. It doesn't work vice versa going from fat to protein because fat doesn't have the amino acids to directly create protein structures, whereas protein can be broken down to create glucose and stored as fat.

You probably heard bodybuilders talking about turning fat to muscle. It's not the case.

But the point is Iranian politics has been like it has since '79. It's a known quantity. This shift to non-secularism in the US administration is very recent, with the pernicious influence of Christian Nationalism infiltrating US policy. Your response to the OP, imo. detours from the concerning sharp turn the US is taking geopolitically and domestically towards a theocratic mindset, like the Iranian government. The US is turning into an Iran. Both the pot and kettle are actually black.

Yes. 'Pars pro toto' seems to be very apt here, and a consequence of this view is that it does a long term disservice to the great majority for whom it is pathological in some way.

I don't disagree, but they are outliers. The clue is in 'spectrum'.

I think many people tend to over-focus on the savants, who are very much a minority. Autism is a disability and can have global negative affects on a person's social functioning and cognition. The same thing happens with certain sections of the deaf community: they consider themselves 'different', rather than socially disabled. I'm deaf and consider myself socially disabled in face to face interactions. My opinion is they are kidding themselves. There is two young men living in my street that I know, and they are considered high-functioning. I can't see them being self-sufficient anytime in the future

It seems to be a pattern where Israel and America do these assaults whilst in negotiation. It's as though they are trying to catch their adversaries off-guard defensively. It's an appalling, unethical way to negotiate.

Khanna is a Democratic politician and Massie is Republican. They are both focused on the Epstein files and ensuring transparency and due process regarding it.

Ro Khanna and Tom Massie have exposed him, I've just read.

I don't sense any collective fatigue towards the working royal family. Andrew is turning out to be a proper bad apple. He's just starting to get his comeuppance. It's all good.

Funnily enough, I've just been reading bits from an article/book about him called 'Entitled'. He's a complete twat. He deserves prison, no less.

I remember my grandad (b.1919) frowning when calculators came out and UK using metric. Everyone seems to become a Luddite at some point.

I read she was pressured by Maxwell and him to get pregnant, but didn't and escaped when she was in Thailand. She could have taken money up to that point, then stopped. She said he lost interest in her once she reached about 18. No surprise there

Evidence?

No doubt there are self-motivated, libidinous, exhibitionist young persons, but I would guess they are outliers. Most likely, many are deceived with promises of jobs unrelated to the sex industry. Maxwell lured Virginia Roberts with the promise of training to be a peripatetic masseuse. Maxwell probably impressed her with signs of Epstein's wealth, and she was reeled in.

When an adult is so far outside the younger person's expected peer group (age groups that one would expect to socially and sexually mingle) the possibility for elder abuse and exploitation increases with the rising disparity in ages. What would very rich and high status, aged individuals want with poor, low status youngsters?

Knowing facts is not understanding them.

Nicely laid out for this neophyte. Cheers.

I was just thinking of the main prize.