Nobody is that "stupid" in those departments.

The question should be what was the quid pro quo?

We can imagine what the PLA got out of it but what favor did Microsoft get?

And how high up the chain did it go? Who specifically approved the arrangement?

At least Microsoft probably has Windows 11 "backups" of the hard drives of anyone who might think of bringing charges.

Not sure if that strategy can be called stupid. Lots of other words apply.

"One Nation Under Blackmail" is a popular phrase.

I don't know of any hybrid vehicles ever available with a manual transmission, so you're trying to compare the efficiency of ICE vehicles vs. hybrid vehicles not manual vs automatic/CVT transmissions. Engine/motors and transmissions aren't the same things. :-)

I'm 63 and have always owned vehicles with a manual transmission and have never found it distracting, though perhaps a bit tedious in stop-and-go traffic. In any case, other may not be (more) distracted either. From Manual transmission enhances attention and driving performance of ADHD adolescent males: pilot study

Referencing that study and pre-clinical reports ADHD and the Adolescent Driver: A Guide to Promoting Safety Behind the Wheel (bottom of article):

I guess it really just depends on the person/driver...

Google: adhd manual transmission

Don't play it too often, the laser will wear it out. ;-)

I checked recently and Honda only has 2 models available with a manual transmission: Civic Type R ($47.400) and Civic Si ($31,500). The rest of their ICE vehicles are now only available with a CVT. Their hybrid vehicles come with their Two-Motor Hybrid-Electric Powertrain - which uses the electric propulsion motor at low-speeds and adds the ICE at highway speeds via a lockup clutch so there isn't really a transmission. The second (generator) motor and also ICE are used for charging the battery.

While I'd probably really enjoy the Civic Type R or Si, if I ever need/want to replace my 2001 Civic Ex (136k miles) or 2002 CR-V Ex (62k miles) - both manuals and in excellent condition - with another Honda, I'd probably get one of the hybrids as a dislike CVTs and their hybrid power-train seems better.

And yet, not a Trump supporter. :-)

(He says he neutral.)

Yeah, so if this is the cover story what other heat signatures might they be looking for?

It's not immediately obvious to me but something we should understand.

Detecting Zizians would help prevent these forest fires but it would be quite hard for a satellite to do that.

Anytime I've rented or borrowed something, from an actual place, they have placed a defined return date on it.

"We'll revoke access when we feel like it" doesn't sound like a proper rental. How do I know I'll even be able to finish watching the movie once before it is revoked?

The courts generally require contracts to have "mutual interest" or whatever the term is. Basically, both parties have to get something out of the deal. I pay the money, I get access to the movie.

If the rental period is indefinite, then the only reason to stop offering it should be technical or logistical - IE something actually broke in the company's systems. We were stupid, consolidated on this one cloud system that turned out to be based in one room in some guy's basement, there are no backups, and there was a fire.

Not a company decision to not renew a licensing agreement.

I agree.

Probably not as good for Sony, like I said, the money they saved on the contracts was probably minimal to nothing, now they're eating a whole lot of bad press over it. For those who have lost the titles and care, how likely are they to buy from Sony again?

I think you meant "squeak". :-)

Betting on what Trump is going to say, even with the exact teleprompter text, is an iffy bet.
From ‘Daily Show’ Finds Fatal Flaw in Trump Aide’s Teleprompter Scheme

I don't store anything in the cloud, but would amend #1 as follows for general consumption:

Good points and you're correct, but politicians have to actively participate in those checks and balances and honor the separation of powers, federalism and free press, etc..., and most importantly honor their oaths which are to the Constitution and country, not their parties or people - I think this is currently their biggest failing. They have to be willing to recognize that every little thing they could/couldn't do has *not* been spelled out in detail because it shouldn't need to be if they are honoring those oaths and doing their jobs properly. Personally, I wish the Founders had been a little more specific, if less flowery, about certain things.

The Constitution and the proper functioning of our government assume people of good moral and ethical character who will at least try to abide by the spirit, not just the letter, of the law and do what's best for the country -- you know that whole "oath" thing. No administration is perfect, but we really don't have that with this Administration, who actively tries to get away with whatever they can in furtherance of their self interests and agendas, even if it's not what the people want or is in the best interest of the country.

This might not work out the way you think. Generally speaking, with torrenting, you are not prosecuted for downloading the media. The prosecution is for UPLOADING the media, at least fragments of it, to others.

You'd need to set yourself up as an absolute leech - 0% upload. Might take a while to get the media file in that case. In which case one is unlikely to get the threatening letter in the first place.

Yes, the court system is nitpicky enough for that to matter.