I’m so cynical about Bernie Ecclestone that as soon as I read this I thought “how did Formula bend the rules so this could happen?”

Exactly. He’s 85, so presumably his influences are older than he is. His answer may reflect a deeply sexist society, but I’m not sure it’s surprising, or that he should be singled out for blame because 1940s-1950s society was deeply sexist.

The question wasn’t “which women writers are good,” it was “which women writers inspired you?” He answered honestly.

Which meant a blown timing belt cost more to fix than the car was worth. I knew someone who solved that problem by swapping a Peugeot diesel into one. (It was in the pre-digital era, alas, so I don’t have photos)

As of 2008, Sarah Palin drove a VW Jetta TDI. (Source: “Going Rogue.”)

But he was a member of the Socialist Workers Party (ie, a Trostkyite) in his youth. Plus he honeymooned in the USSR.

All these reasons are correct, but number six is the correctest.

The key word here is “tourbillon” - an extremely complicated mechanical movement. $160K is actually pretty reasonable.

No - copyright belongs to the person who wrote the letter. There are Fair Use exemptions, of course.

Because they don’t do drugs? Because in some places getting busted can srsly mess up your life?

A pound? Someone may come looking for that.

Counterpoint: Americans have better air conditioning.

Crippling a competitor to the Big 3? (Not here, so much, but in China)

Because Hillary’s dog-whistle racism doesn’t count? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/… )

Sort of a Baltic Fernet Branca:

It’s been legal for awhile now - contrary to myth, absinthe doesn’t have that much thujone in it. Pernod is making it again. Honestly, I usually wind up buying Green Chartreuse instead.

And yet one of the reasons young males come is because they’re the ones who’ll get “drafted” if ISIS takes over their home area.

It’s a film from the FYR called “Black Cat / White Cat.” Apologies if you were joking and it went over my head

Possibly relevant to you post: (and honestly, it’s just a great movie)

Yes. That’s why I said “many peoples’ nightmares.”