The first person to think of the concept of solar sails was Johannes Kepler in 1610, when he observed that comets' tails always pointed directly away from the sun and speculated that whatever force caused that could be harnessed by sails. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1921 made the first serious proposal, with the concept of light pressure being fairly well-understood at that point.

As far as Star Trek is concerned, I might point out that while TOS never had solar sails, Deep Space Nine did entire episode centered around a solar sail vessel ("Exploters").

Not to mention all the seamen.

Big players *love* regulation, as long as it's red tape but doesn't actually interfere with the business. It's a fixed cost, which they can spread out over their large operations while it strangles the smaller competition that might be a problem.

And now you know why the Mormons have their magic underwear.

"...we should start seeing other asteroids."

PLUGH

" A key aspect of a competitive market is the ability for the buyer to walk away from a purchase, not simply to have an alternative."

So it's your contention that a competitive market in food is impossible? It's a position that has been taken up, but it doesn't seem to generally end well.

"Tools for the job are to be provided by the employer, no matter how expensive. And they can get very expensive."

That's often not true. Many professions expect a workman to have his own tools. Auto mechanics, carpenters, musicians, electricians, plumbers, photographers, and so on.

"If one comes on a particular visa and doesn't violate its terms, one would be just fine"

It's so adorable that you believe that. May I remind you that ICE has arrested and incarcerated actual US citizens.

It is permissible to make the form of payment a condition of sale. Once the sale is made, the debt by law can be settled in cash--unless it was part of the terms of sale that payment must be by some other means. You'll only pay in cash? Then I won't sell to you. This is allowed.

"[P]ay only $50,000. After wiring $5 million"

That's not how it works. You gotta hand back all the money you stole. The fine is *on top* of that.

Sleep tight, kiddies.

If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear. You don't have anything to hide, right, citizen?

And yet another user demonstrates the need for the <sarcasm> tag.

"We need to be able to spy on you for your own protection."