or be labeled a "denier"

Yes, labeling someone as "denier" is shutting down the discussion and is not productive. Unless ... you know ... when you indeed deny the facts presented to you that show that your opinion is wrong. In such case you actually are a denier and removing you from the discussion does not harm the progress.

Nothing significant can happen unless everyone does. And here's the thing - most countries (especially poorer countries) don't give the tiniest bit of a fuck.

But US is leading by example and signed the Kyoto protocol, so nobody can blame them for lack of trying, right?

I cannot go to sleep on demand

Do what I do: build a sleep deficit. I can fall asleep anytime anywhere.

isn't legally binding on anyone who might later decide to sue the company.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the company may get sued anytime for any reason and there will still be lawsuit that causes bad publicity, time wasted at court and lawyer costs even if they win. Does it matter whether it is because of this particular batch of peanut butter?

You don't like the new tab bar? Then install a skin like the rest of us.

Here is a revolutionary idea: do the Mozilla developers want a revamped UI? Then they are free to install the skin that does that!

And make it default only when significant part of users does the same. Until then don't force it down our throat.

Why do you see enemies in one of our largest trading partner? ... Oh, Russia? Yeah, that old cold war mentality isn't quite gone... sigh.

Yet, Russia attacks a country through which it delivers the majority of the gas to Europe. I too though that the cold war mentality is a thing of past. But events from last month made me think again.

Actually I do not know what it is trying to achieve, but "unregulated" and "not backed up by anything" are certainly not what I am after.

On the other hand "anonymous" and "instant" transactions "without a fee" - are nice things to have in a currency system. That is the thing people seek. They could not care less about regulation or trust.

P.S.: Bitcoin may not provide those goals, but it is advertised that way or at least understood that way by unwashed masses.

Additionally, the Budapest Memorandum is more of a diplomatic "gentleman's agreement"; it is not a treaty confirmed by the Senate. When it comes right down to it, it doesn't seem to me that the US is obligated to do squat. Sorry Ukraine!

Now if they happened to have oil or gas ... that would put things in completely different light.

But I'm glad to have it black on white how much is gentleman's agreement worth to USA.

The fact is that Dems. and Reps. *both* are very sensitive to opinion polls.

The problem *is* We the people.

The problem is that in order for democracy to work, the public has to be educated, informed and act rationally. The current system does not really make an educated society a high priority goal and it absolutely works hard against informed and rational decision making at poll booth.