China unveils a portable laser the West can't copy because it relies on a rare earth metal it mostly controls

#6 | POSTED BY JOHN_SAVAGE2

Rare earth metals are not actually all that rare.

It's just that we made the decision to allow China to accept the high environmental costs of processing while we made the decision to offshore, China consolidated its industry, allowing it to master the entire value chain from extraction to magnet production.

Even rare earth materials mined elsewhere they are frequently sent to China for processing because other countries lack the capacity or refuse to deal with the stringent, dirty, and energy-intensive infrastructure required.

What's with Islam and kidnapping?

#109 | POSTED BY RF4B

And we did absolutely nothing to precipitate it. Right?

Kidnapping Americans was one of their only options since they could not nuke us for our interference in their internal affairs.

Yet.

... there's no point in you continuing to pontificate that which you can't possibly understand.

#81 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

It would really be nice if you didn't. But you insist on inflicting your hateful ignorance onto us and the world. It's what you do. So have at it. I must still enjoy the lols. Because I haven't plonked you yet.

I'm aware of all that which is why I question the ulterior motives. BTW, the Senate is going to vote on Trump's actions next week even if the vote is days late and after the fact.

Me too. And maga thinks that authorizes him but it does not.

That's why I feel it necessary to remind us that the War Powers Resolution does not justify, authorize or protect Trumpy's from the responsibility and accountability for the results of his illegal act of war and unprovoked act of aggression.

And yes it's now up to the Senate to hold him accountable for his crimes.

Unfortunately they don't have a very good track record of doing that. So I am not very hopeful. But I am willing to be surprised.

Obligatory:

The Straits of Hormuz has been closed.

So much for cheap oil.

It was nice while it lasted heh?

Most people wouldn't call this a game.

#65 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

Trumpy is not "most people".

Nearly 50 years ago when I was starting college, Iran was already a major concern in the region and a constant topic of conversation.

Of course it was. By our own actions. WE DID THAT. We started this snowball rolling.

That was when America (the CIA) helped restore the Shah to power in a 1953 coup, by 1978, in an effort to control the internal affairs of their country. Ever since the U.S. has been seen as struggling to influence the situation, ultimately leading to the Shahs downfall in 1979 and the collapse of any American relationship with Iran.

And our relation to Iran has deteriorated to what it is today. Obama did make a dent into restoring that relationship. Diplomatically. But Trumpy tore it up in spite. The rest is now history. And America has not learned its lesson even yet about messing in the internal politics of other sovereign nations.

Apparently.

Twin ...

The War Powers Resolution (WPR) of 1973 does not inherently authorize an attack on Iran; rather, it restricts the President's power to engage in hostilities without congressional approval. While it allows for immediate, short-term military action in self-defense or emergencies, it requires the President to terminate unauthorized actions within 60-90 days.

It's obviously an unauthorized action.

But where is the EMERGENCY?

Were we under attack?

No emergency and we were not under attack so the War Powers act does not actually protect or justify Trumps illegal action.

We can play whataboutism on just about anything and end up accomplishing nothing.

#57 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

War is not a game.

And Illegal wars are a crime. And how do you think this will end now? Is there an exit strategy? Not likely. Not to mention the costs. (deficits don't matter until Dems are back in power)

If Congress does not speak now for the People who are NOT at war with Iran then we are not a representative democracy anymore. We are an aristocracy. A monarchy. A facist dictatorship. With all power vested in the presidency. The President is not authorized by the Constitution to declare war. This is not how our government was designed to function. And it will not end well.

How many Americans will die for Trumpy's illegal unconstitutional actions this time?

The United States is now officially at war!

#7 | POSTED BY TWINPAC

Who declared war?

Not the People.

Currently only Trumpy is officially at war. Illegally. As usual.

Americans (as represented by Congress) have not declared war on anyone.

"I've read more than a few analyses that the AI firing waves are just AI as an excuse to fire people without cause."

Seems like a pretty good excuse if you are a bean counter.

If you can now do the work of 10,000 with only 3000 (and the help of AI) then why wouldn't you use that as an excuse!?

Now is the time to fire them so that you don't have to pay to the costs to retrain them. As I suspect laws will be passed at some point sooner or later to force companies to help the humans whose jobs are being permanently eliminated by AI.

We'll see Commie Spy.

I don't think you know what you are talking about and I don't care which faction wins. They both are A holes if you ask me and I don't care who controls the opium smuggling routes. Shut em all down.

But from a military aspect Pakistan primarily acquires its weapons from China, which has supplied roughly 80% of its major arms over the past four years. While China remains the dominant source, Pakistan also imports equipment from Turkey, the Netherlands, and Russia. Domestically, Pakistan produces weapons through its defence industry.

Where does Afghanistan get weapons and support? All the old stuff from previous wars. Good luck with that. I'm sure it will work out.

Munich? What part of California is Munich in?
#11 | POSTED BY JOHN_SAVAGE2

Silicon Valley

In 2024, California and Germany maintained a robust economic partnership, with Germany acting as a major, top-ten trading partner. California exported $6.30 billion in goods"primarily computers, electronics, and chemicals"while importing $14.37 billion, largely driven by transportation equipment. Germany is also a significant investor in California's technology and manufacturing sectors.

We have trade relations with Germany.

Try and stop us from talking to Germans you dumbass. Make sure you wear your red hat. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be.

Re 1

Doesn't Pakistan have nukes?

No worries! In the new World Order Might makes Right.

China, the Iron Brother, has their back. I guess it's back to the Stone Ages again for Afghanistan.

"If a woman can choose to be a man, their dogma that males are superior because that's how G-d made them... kinda falls apart."

The Bible says man was created first. (Tho later it contradicts itself and says they were created at the same time.)

It is not likely or even possible scientifically speaking that man was "created" first as only women can create more life.

This ability makes women far superior to males in an evolutionary sense.

Males exist to create genetic diversity in the life that women create.

Falsely identifying yourself as law enforcement is a crime.

Add it to the stack of crimes already committed by Pam's ICEholes. By both federal and state laws. Punishable by up to three years in prison, fines, or both.

Another illegal act. Another series of lawsuits.

The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) and multiple lawsuits have alleged that the firing of at least 10 FBI agents and staff by Director Kash Patel violates civil service laws, specifically due process rights and protections against politically motivated, retaliatory personnel actions.

Good Luck in court where the government longer gets the presumption of truth and good faith.

DOJ "No Longer" Trusted (February 2026): U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai ruled that the Justice Department's actions, specifically regarding the pursuit of Oregon voter registration data, stripped it of the "presumption of regularity" and trust, noting they can no longer be taken at their word.

A lawsuit filed in September 2025 (regarding earlier, similar firings) alleged that Patel knew that summarily firing agents for political reasons was illegal and violated FBI procedures, but claimed his job depended on it.

You say you want a revolution?

"Comply or die!"

Words that can easily start a revolution.

I am not sure if you have noticed or not ... Americans don't like being told what to do by hateful authoritarians.

They maybe need to address the ability to change birth gender first.

#1 | POSTED BY BOAZ

Why? The body you get at birth belongs to you does it not? You can tattoo it you can pierce it with jewelry you can make your butt bigger or smaller make your boobs bigger or smaller it even add boobs and modify your genitalia and you can even add horns. So what? It's your body. Have at it.

I have never been negatively affected by this issue. Not even once.

Can you explain to the class exactly why this is a such problem for you personally?

Were you "tricked" in a bar once? Did it traumatize you? Or are you just being a "Karen" about it?

So now we are teaching AI how to defeat us.

Good thinking humans.

The Singularity is Nearer.

"Trump told Zelensky he wants to end war ASAP in call"

Trumpy wants Zelensky to end the war ASAP. By surrendering to Putin's demands.

They won't give it back because they don't have it.

#3 | POSTED BY JPW

The People are not the boss of Trumpy!

Interesting that you've convinced yourself Democrats are using the Republican playbook from 2020.

#9 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

He is not "convinced" of anything. It's clear he is unable to think for himself. He is just repeating Fixed News agitprop.