1.) I admitted my ignorance re the US installing Khomeini, which I was told by my mother who is Iranian and still blames Carter for the Revolution (I’ll forgive you for missing me falling my sword on this point already since my comment to this effect is probably buried above). But the point remains as you admit, the…

Checks out. Since OP is a farmer, he lives near other farmers, including those who raise pigs.

Motion to dismiss in this world—contracts made under duress are not binding.  Motion to dismiss in Purge world--contracts made on Purge day are not enforceable based on a presumption of illegality or formation under duress/coercion.  

1.) “Really? Never until the revolution?” You were speaking about the past 100 years, which I showed was demonstrably false, but now you’re talking about all antiquity? Well, the chador in Iran was initially a custom or practice for Zoroastrian women, or nobility and wealthy elite. The Shah banned the use of the…

My family is from Iran, and most of them and their friends left Iran either right before or right after the Revolution.  Such things as, for instance, laws mandating a woman wear a chador in public were not in place until Khomeini. 

How about we blame the US for things that are directly its fault then, like Khomeini’s rise to power because of US meddling in their system of government?  Before Khomeini, the practices you refer to were not in place, so your comment re: the past century isn’t remotely accurate.

The CIA/US’s meddling in Iran’s government gave rise to the theocracy.

Yeah, I’m a bit wrong here....US installed and supported Reza Shah, and by some accounts may have given soft support of Khomeini. Funny enough, this is an instance where I gave too much credit to something I learned from my mom, who is Iranian and blames Carter for Khomeini’s rise to power. TL;DR I was wrong, thank…

Worth noting, same bullshit happened in 1981. It’s part of the GOP playbook. Trump’s playing all the greatest hits.

Why did I click???  That baby....OW MY HEART!!!!!  Excuse me, going to make a donation to St. Jude’s once my eyes clear.

That’s true, and is truly a sick joke because the US is responsible--we installed Khomeini.  The Shah’s regime was brutal in its own right, but it afforded its people, especially women, more liberties.

It doesn’t sound like you disagree with my initial point, which is that Liu never “asks” what happens when the laws of physics cease to apply. While the sophons increase our understanding of the physical world, they still exist within the realm of conventional physics.

Isn’t that only pertinent if there’s a conflict between the treaty and the Constitution as per the supremacy clause?

They couldn’t see him letting loose with his powers. He starts in on Syndrome, and Helen goes, “Bob, something’s happening, SOMETHING’S HAPPENING! We have to do something, throw something.” Bob, “I can’t, I might hit Jack-Jack.” “Bob, throw me!”

You don’t see the distinction between the laws of physics breaking or just appearing to break?  As for splitting hairs, that’s pretty much the entire point of philosophy and literary discussion.  If you’re not into it, don’t participate.  If you enjoy it, try to be more constructive.  

I just now realized one of the most influential positions in the White House is now Head Chef. “Now Donnie, if you don’t play nice by stopping all this ‘invade Venezuela’ talk, you’ll only get ONE scoop of ice cream, and Pence will get your second scoop.  Keep it up and you won’t get your second-dessert cheeseburger.”

To which anyone should respond, “oh, did you learn a lesson for stumping for one?”

I’d say that’s more of a plot point than a theme, and mentioned it in the second to last sentence. It’s really only discussed at the beginning before anyone realizes the existence of the sophons, which only give the appearance of fundamental laws of physics being broken (e.g., creating the illusion that the cosmic…

Noooooo....Liu doesn’t ask that at all. He uses the Three Body Problem to show how much further we need to develop our understanding of physics, and explores what happens when a more scientifically advanced civilization is at odds with a lesser advanced counterpart. It’s more of an exploration of the so-called Fermi…