And I thought phones these days were packed with multi-frequency band capabilities to allow that crap.

Or at least to make it cheaper for device manufacturer by selling one phone capable for all networks. But hey, I don't know the US mobile landscape.

Yes, you may subscribe to my newsletter where I communication at great lengths. It is, in my opinion, quite an interesting read. You might be delighted to know that I was already planning my next issue to be about idiosyncratic rules for communication.

I'd like it as if it was just:

Settings > Networks:
Set phone network to use.
Set phone number to use (identity on the network).
Set passphrase to use (probably a key given by the network, like PUK code).
Connect to network.

Ooooo OAuth2 like would be interdasting.

Yeah, I don't know what all the functions of the SIM is, but I don't understand why it wouldn't need to just be the phone + something:

User inputs their cell number, a passphrase to authenticate with that identity on the network, and selects the network.
Network authorises that instance of the cell number on the network.

Probable downside is the same as a lot of user+pass systems instead of controlled hardware key: multiple logins, probably from attackers.

I'm sorry, but using M$ as a shortening for Microsoft, you have just discounted any quality opinion about Bill Gates, his charity or Microsoft.

It's not just the use of M$ that irks me, it is also those who shorten company names to their stock symbols. Using GOOG does not make it easier to get your point across when discussing Google. AAPL only shortens your sentence by one letter. Unless you're discussing the companies as investment entities, then there is no reason to use their stock symbol as the reference.

Are you saying that nipples are not visible unless there is a significant amount of fat behind them?

All politicians are economists. They are in charge of making sure the economy is balanced, the public funds are spent correctly, and that any service the government runs is quantified in financial terms.

Or sending a purse filled with dollar bills?

If she performs anything like her acting.

There was nothing to imply that GGGP was to remain hardened during the scenario.

Do you think the majority would give a damn about 1%?

I was about to make a poorly thought out joke about the Occupy movement. Something along the lines of most people being powerless to do anything about the 1%.

Those lizard lovers are the best at gene sequencing plants.

After leaving the cast of The Simpson's, Cleatus Spuckler expanded his dirt farming operations into a multi-million dollar corporation. He has stated to shareholders that he plans to expand his operations onto the moon, to farm that beautiful lunar dirt.

One might be Greenpeace's response, the other an article about how the company's stock price is affected by the spill.

With blackjack, and hookers...