Wouldn't being self-sufficient make the US engage in more wars? No dependence on others would mean no real consequences... Pretty much like now.

Berkshire Hathaway also owns a large stake in Suncor, one of the largest oil sands producers.

Can't seem to find a link to any official government document about this. On the other hand, people tend to readily believe anything about Russia.

How about a robot [arm] that can build Ikea furniture?

Are you seriously bringing up Ukraine in this topic?

It's all relative.

not all Russians are bad people?

I'll keep using VLC anyways.

The easiest way to solve problems with gas supply in Europe is to build more pipelines to/from Russia that bypass areas of political instability. Firstly, allow the construction of the South Stream pipeline - paid for in full by Russia. Secondly, open the second half of the OPAL pipeline to Russia. Neither of those options would cost Europe a cent.

Yeah, hard to argue with this...

Ironically, those Star Wars character candidates are more adequate than most of Ukrainian mainstream politicians...

Only if you come from certain countries (possibly just the U.S.). If you come from one of the countries targeted by this H1B extension program (e.g. India), you most certainly need more than just a letter of employment. Not to mention that you won't be allowed on the plane without an entry visa.

I think you are getting a little over-excited about the importance of Mangalyaan to "planetary physics and science". As the article correctly states, it's essentially a demonstration that "we can do it too" (from the Indian point of view). Its scientific value is fairly small given the number of Mars missions other countries have launched or will launch in the near future. It does help build local expertise in space engineering in India which one day may or may not make a significant contribution to mankind's efforts to solve complex scientific questions or colonize other planets.
P.S. It has nothing to do with astrophysics.

Analogies are just analogies. My point was that one doesn't have to be oppressed to want to be independent. If you like marriage analogies, you may have heard of "irreconcilable differences".
Is the UK oppressed by the EU? No? Then why are they threatening to get out all the time?
I don't pretend to know what Salmond has managed to put in the heads of a significant chunk of the Scottish population, but comparing Scotland to a whiny wife who couldn't pay her bills definitely stinks of the infamous English snobbery and (false!) sense of superiority - something you accuse Salmond of. The UK itself is so deep in debt, that it has no right to lecture anyone on finances.

Does one have to be oppressed to want independence? Do children leave parents' nests to live on their own because they are oppressed or because it's natural to want to live independently?