Why would getting hit with a scorched asteroid be any different from a non-scorched asteroid?

The permit process would dash any hopes. Habitability inspection.... Sanitation requirements.... In most places, electrical hookup to the grid is a legal requirement. Also, if childrens services found out, there goes your kids.

That senior government officials are posting things deemed sensative to facebook? I mean, really? Let's hope they don't share launch codes with thier "inner circle" of facebook friends.. /sarc

I agree 100%, but that puts it WAY too mildly. The trade imbalance went off a freaking cliff! Increased thier oil imports by 70% this year just to keep the lights on. The U.S. acted immediatley, not wanting to be outdone by the japanese: "While NFP dominated the headlines, the US Trade Balance (deficit) limped out and dropped far more than expected. At a $52.565bn Deficit, this is the worst trade balance since October 2008. Perhaps more shocking is the fact that the 3 month drop (rise in deficit) is the largest ever on record."

Common misconception. Terrorist are NOT trying to blow up airplanes. That is FALSE. They are trying to destroy our economy, freedoms, and our way of life. Taken in that context, we're losing.

In the military, you are only allowed to follow *lawful* orders. Following any other kind will result in personal consequences.

What your saying is only half true though if you take it to the next level. Gas taxes increase --> Govt. get's more revenue -->> more efficient cars --> govt. loses revenue (through gas tax and subsidies) --> government has to raise taxes on other sectors to maintain revenue.

How many times will you do that to a openly hostile military based nation with nuclear weapons? Most of the food will feed the army, who just recently threatened war over being able to see christmas lights across the border? I have no problem sending them food, as long as the people that recieve it are told that it came from the United States.

By most accounts, that food went to feed the military, not the civilians. I'm with you though, no chance NK citizens will go against thier government.

The first time they promised they ment it. Second time they REALLY ment it. It's different this time though, this time they REALLY REALLY mean it. In other news, a spoiled little brat isn't getting attention so he's acting out.. news at 11.

Can't print green money on a B/W printer..

It's usually not the store that does it (alone). I worked data storage for a company that pulls customer buying information from grocery stores, retail outlets, large financial institutions, well, just about from everyone. Major banks foward them your credit card sweeps about the same time it shows up on your online statement. Last I was there, roughly three years ago, they had 87 ASSUMED data fields on over 30 million consumers, which were extrememly accurate. 12 employees to support a 7 TB oracle RAC.

How much land mass would you need to cover with solar panels though in order to match the power generation?

The same California that will be broke and paying employees/contractors with IOU's *AGAIN*? Eventually (not just California, we're going to realize that maybe, JUST maybe, we can't afford everything we want. Me thinks it would have cost a lot less to build a Nuke plant vs. massive wind farms. Not knocking the technology, I fully intend to go solar/wind for personal use (Home owners assoc won't allow either at this point though), just saying... http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/31/MNHF1N10BT.DTL

Indeed. It will be ten year of court battles over anything and everything, before they break ground.