There are states where the courts have invalidated or at least stayed the application of a law pending further appeals. The gay rights issue is probably the most recent as well as the immigration laws and statutes passed in Arizona.

Yea I can see exporting bull dozers, cranes, and dump trucks is an ecological disaster just waiting to happen. And rest easy the US never sells the really top of the line weapon systems capable of killing people individually or wholesale when required. And without the US providing the "design phase" none of the other countries would have much to build now would they?

Depending on what metrics you chose to use the US is still at or near the top of international rankings. The U.S. still remains the largest producer of advanced technology products, SO I say the US appears to have some manufacturing capability and that capability is growing stronger because the surge of domestic gas and oil is bringing down energy costs. There are foreign companies that are in the process of moving some of their manufacturing to the US because of the reduced energy costs and reduced shipping costs are balancing the higher labor costs. The only advantage China has had in growing their exports is cheap labor. Their economy was certainly not built on quality and innovation. Their success has resulted in it's workers agitating for more money plus they now have completion from the other emerging South East Asia countries who can match their labor costs. China has had to manipulate it's currency to keep it's export costs down and attract business but there are limits to the manipulation.

In this particular case the treaty is for defining the amount of interference the government will be allowed to inflict on both private and public companies. And the "Peoples Business" is whatever the loudest subgroup of blowhards believe it is at the time. And as the number of people involved in any decision making increases the collective IQ of the group decreases exponentially.

"number of indications " ,"pretty sure ","unsubstantiated-but-not-inconceivable rumor","rumors flying around about an informant "
Sounds like enough proof to me.

He was talking about the US being saddled with paying for the lions share of the post-war recovery efforts.

Maybe I wasn't clear. Perhaps I should have said aggressive recruiting tailored to the specific profession and skill set. Going after a teaching job is totally different from going after a high end engineering position. And for the record someone's ability to ace technical questions certainly does not mean they automatically get a job. You can gauge a persons technical abilities with only a few non-specific questions. Sorry about the confusion.

For some reason Russia and the US seem to be able to compartmentalize things like cooperation on space projects. The Russian scientists and engineers have to put up with the same amount of bullshit from their politicians that the US does.

There is not a profession out there where employees do not complain about being under paid and overworked. However teachers salaries should fall into the same range as engineers, doctors, lawyers, and other professions sitting at the top of the pay scale. Higher pay scales would attract better teachers who cannot live on a current teachers salary. Teachers should be aggressively recruited the same way Google and other companies attract the best talent.

People who buy cars in this price range usually place efficiency and safety down the list of the must haves when buying a new ride.

The problem is that the NSA actions have not been officially ruled unconstitutional. The government has did a pretty good job covering their asses legally using laws enacted by Congress. One example would be Clapper's statement about not spying on US citizens. People say he should be charged with purgery but there are also laws about releasing classified information to the public and an open Senate hearing is pretty damn public. His case would also be bolstered by the legally binding confidentiality agreements and obligations he assumed when taking his position. People seem to think it is enough to just claim something is unconstitutional or illegal using only their opinions as the deciding factor. And those opinions are usually based on staggering hyperbole, exaggeration, weak moral relativism, lies of omission, and out right lies. Both sides of this argument do the same thing to prove they are right like it is some sort of game. It's become more about winning the argument then actually resolving the issue being argued over. And the information released by Ellsberg dealt with an entirely domestic matter. He also made a legitimate effort to get the information into public hands where as Snowden did not. And no, one vague e-mail with no follow-up response by Snowden is not a legitimate effort of trying to get the information through the proper channels.

Snowden made a decision to break the law because he believed his cause was good which justified breaking the law. What if the NSA used the same argument? What if they believe their cause is just as good and justified and more important then adhering to any laws? Snowden sealed his fate the minute he started releasing information on foreign intelligence programs. Programs that have nothing to do violating a US citizen in any way. Ellsberg released documents on actions taken by government prior to and during the Vietnam war. His actions were US domestic in nature and thus the foreign Espionage Act charge could not be prosecuted successfully and that charge was dismissed. Snowden actions far exceeded those of Ellsberg and has guaranteed he will be considered a fugitive from the US for the rest of his life. He has to know that there are only a couple of countries in the world that might not hand him over to the US the minute he exits Russia. And the countries who would protect him have governments that make US government corruption look like little white lies. Countries where free speech and independent media outlets does not exist.

If similar information was turned over to the media in Russia or China that information would never have been published and those supplying the information would be in jail or dead. Snowden sealed his fate when he started releasing information about foreign intelligence programs that had nothing to do with the American public. And he and his journalists helpers have decided they are qualified to determine what information is dangerous and which information is not dangerous.

Now if they could only produce some smart people we might finally be getting somewhere.

Today's stealth fighters, early warning radar systems, satellite tracking, and advanced anti-air missile systems on land or water makes this plane nothing more than a slow moving target. Even if they were able to release all it's ordinance it would still be a one shot weapon. They would be better served to take all the money spent on an outdated weapons platform and build a few more B-2's if they are really hard up for more strategic bombers.