Airbrush

Pence is delusional but you raised a false equivalence. Trump's delusion is far more serious that Pence. It will be interesting having Pence as president, and yet hard to imagine, since he is so outrageously subservient to Trump. He speaks of Trump like he is a god "We are blessed by you for keeping your promises to the American people!!" Trump chose Pence as VP for MAINLY his subservience. Only one Alpha Male in the White House. Pence would be like having a puppy dog for president. I think he will consult with the experts and rely on them more than the know-it-all "stable genius" who thinks he has ALREADY prepared for every challenge of his presidency, which is SEVERE delusion. Remember he didn't need to "prepare" for his meetings with world leaders because he has been preparing ALL HIS LIFE, as dictator of a private real estate company, surrounded by yes-men, yes-women, and yes-attorneys, protected by non-disclosure agreements his entire professional life. No wonder he looks like a spoiled 10-year-old, puffing up his lips to look like a tough guy, a gangster. "Putin's fine, we're all fine...just leave it to us wealthy oligarchs to rule the world."

The final between France and Croatia was a great match! See the highlights below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY3Z3od-kE8 Notice the penalty kick by France? It was delivered into the lower corner to the goalie's right. But goalie dove the OTHER way. That would have been blocked easily if the goalie dove to his right. The last goal by Croatia was a fluke, a severe goalie blunder. If you discount these 2 goals, France still won convincingly 3-1. Congrats to France.

How many universes that are infinite in size can coexist? I still think only one because you can divide space in half, or quarters, or eighths, etc, and every one can be infinite in size, but these are only theoretical. They are divided by PLANES. Planes don't occur in nature. The REAL physical universes come from big bangs which are not neat and orderly like numbers, or planes in geometry.

Interesting that Trump keeps repeating that the DEMOCRATS SHOULD HAVE WON the election. This tells me he never really wanted to be president. It was all a publicity stunt. He was planning to build Trump Tower Moscow. The problem is he won the election. Now he is trapped. He complained that being president was harder than he thought it would be. Then he settled into it because the constant attention he gets, for an extreme narcissist, is better than when he was simply the dictator of a private real estate company (that his father built for him), accountable to nobody but himself and the IRS. Oh yeah, what about his tax returns? If the democrats gain a majority in the house they can impeach him. Then it will only take a few GOP senators to turn against him. He already did his job as wrecking ball. He reversed everything Obama did, and broke everything into pieces so we can start from scratch with Pence. At least Pence does not have a severe personality disorder or is delusional.

Theo James https://www.movienewsguide.com/theo-james-confirmed-new-james-bond-actor-star-next-emilia-clarke/221217

It is interesting to watch who on Fox News noticed what happened. Shepherd Smith was not afraid to denounce Trump's ridiculous performance.

If Mueller has serious evidence against Trump, wouldn't that be enough for a "Mission Impossible" type of operation to record what happens in the secret meeting between Trump and Putin? I assume that the US and Russia each do an independent scan of the room and persons in the room to make sure there are no bugs. But can't the CIA drill a hole in the floor and poke a bugging device through or something clever like that? Or was the exact location of the meeting secret until the last moment?

Anyone watching France Vs Croatia? At 64 minutes France leading by 4-1, then a huge blunder by the French goalie and it is 4-2. I seriously doubt Croatia can score 2 more goals to tie in only 25 more minutes of play. Let's see how it ends! Edit: France leads 4-2 with 5 minutes of stoppage time left. I dare to predict that France will win this!

The forecast below was updated July 11, 2018. It looks like Trump's plans for great GDP growth is bogus in spite of massive tax cuts and deregulation: "U.S. GDP growth will rise to 2.8 percent in 2018, 2.4 percent in 2019, and 2.0 percent in 2020. That's according to the most recent forecast released at the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on June 13, 2018. This estimate takes into account Trump's economic policies. The unemployment rate will drop to 3.6 percent in 2018, and 3.5 percent in 2019 and 2020. That's lower than the Fed's 6.7 percent target. But former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen admitted a lot of workers are part-time and would prefer full-time work. Also, most job growth is in low-paying retail and food service industries. Some people have been out of work for so long that they'll never be able to return to the high-paying jobs they used to have. Structural unemployment has increased. These traits are unique to this recovery." https://www.thebalance.com/us-economic-outlook-3305669

According to the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, it was Trump that requested nobody take notes of the meeting. I saw this on cable TV news. This is strange because for meetings with Putin the US has ALWAYS wanted notes taken in the past. Is it possible that because of the unique situation with Trump and Putin that Mueller could get a subpoena for a bugging device to be inserted into the meeting for security? Why can't a translator just have a recording device in their pocket? Or even just a cell phone that is on? Will everybody entering the meeting be scanned for bugging devices?

Excellent observation about how the room is read Here is what I found about US economic growth 2011 - 2018: https://www.statista.com/statistics/188185/percent-chance-from-preceding-period-in-real-gdp-in-the-us/ Under Obama Avg Growth During last 6 years = 2.1% 2011: 1st Qtr -1.5%, 2nd Qtr 2.9%, 3rd Qtr 0.8%, 4th Qtr 4.6% = AVG 1.7% 2012: 1st Qtr 2.7%, 2nd Qtr 1.9%, 3rd Qtr 0.5%, 4th Qtr 0.1% = AVG 1.3% 2013: 1st Qtr 2.8%, 2nd Qtr 0.8%, 3rd Qtr 3.1%, 4th Qtr 4.0% = AVG 2.7% 2014: 1st Qtr -0.9%, 2nd Qtr 4.6%, 3rd Qtr 5.2%, 4th Qtr 2.0% = AVG 2.7% 2015: 1st Qtr 3.2%, 2nd Qtr 2.7%, 3rd Qtr 1.6%, 4th Qtr 0.5% = AVG 2.0% 2016: 1st Qtr 0.6%, 2nd Qtr 2.2%, 3rd Qtr 2.8%, 4th Qtr 1.8% = AVG 1.9% Under Trump Avg Growth for 5 Quarters = 2.6% 2017: 1st Qtr 1.2%, 2nd Qtr 3.1%, 3rd Qtr 3.2%, 4th Qtr 2.9% = AVG 2.6% 2018: 1st Qtr 2.6% If you compare the economic growth average for 6 years of Obama (2.1%) to the first year and one quarter under Trump (2.6%), Trump beats Obama by 0.5% annually. Far from the 4% or 6% annual growth necessary to make up for the tax cut. If Obama had cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations as much and rolled back regulations, he may have done just as well or better.

Very interesting, I'd never heard of the Hubble Bubble. Here is what Wiki told me: "If...Earth were...near the center of a...low-density region of interstellar space (a relative void), denser [regions] in a shell around it would...attract material away from the center-point. Thus, stars inside such a "Hubble bubble" would accelerate away from Earth...faster than the general expansion of the universe.[1][3] This situation would provide an alternative to dark energy in explaining the apparent accelerating universe." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_bubble_(astronomy) I made edits to the article. It refers to a "low-density region of interstellar space (a relative void), denser material in a shell around it would attract material away from the center-point". Do you like the Hubble Bubble as the best current explanation for dark energy? So possibly the vast majority of the multiverse is currently inflating? How vast of a majority? Our observable universe, or big bang, is among a very tiny, tiny bit of the multiverse that is not inflating?

This morning I was watching Fox News and was surprised that they were showing the thousands protesting Trump's visit in London. Imagine that! But overlapping it was an interview with a GOP congressman. He was arguing that no matter what you think about Trump's mannerisms you can't ignore the facts that (1) he made our economy do great; (2) he reduced unemployment (especially for black Americans), and (3) everybody is benefiting from their huge paychecks because of the tax cuts. What am I missing of Trump's greatest hits? What did he do exactly to make the US economy to do so well? What exactly did he do to reduce unemployment, especially for blacks? And, yes, everybody is benefiting from his tax cuts, but I heard that (see below) over 20% of the tax benefits go to the wealthiest 1% in 2018, in 2025 the benefits to the wealthiest 1% increases to over 25%. Then in 2027 the benefits to the wealthiest 1% explodes to 83%. But what happens AFTER 2027? http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2018/jul/10/tax-march/nevada-tv-ad-cherry-picks-tax-cut-benefits-top-1/ It seems to me that the US economy went onto autopilot after the election of Trump. His supporters were thrilled and walking on clouds, so their imput into the economy was stimulated. Never-Trumpers went into a state of shock, and out of FEAR stepped up to try to survive the shock of a strange, unpredictable president. The flood of incompetent cabinet members, and high turnover, pushed the lower levels of management to step up and maintain order in spite of the insult. All that excitement (positive and negative) stimulated the economy. But mostly the talk of tax cuts for the wealthy made the optimistic stock market increase steadily. Also we have momentum from the good work Obama did. The same goes for unemployment. Can anyone explain this?

Do you envision some kind of chaotic structure of big bangs occurring in isolated events or branching off of other big bangs, or both?

Colliding big bangs? The word "universe" implies everything, big bang is more specific, as a region of finite size. Other than that, very interesting post!

What's a sweeper? I've never heard of that position. After a Google I found this: "Sweeper the last line of defense (besides the keeper of course) and the one who tells the defense to push up or come back. He or she sends everyone up and if they get passed them he or she have to make sure they don't get close to the [ I suppose opposition's] goal." http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_sweeper_in_soccer In those days my position was called "center half" at Bosco Tech in Rosemead, CA, starting in 1969. I spent my freshman year as a bench-warmer. Sophomore year coach gave me a chance as right wing, but I was not "good" enough (fast enough with adequate ball control). Goalie is a position that does not require much speed or ball control. The coach did his best with the few guys that went out for soccer. Barely enough for a team and a few subs. Our goalies did fairly well considering. Our coach's strategy was to put the fastest guy on the team as guard to mitigate fast breaks. Now I suppose that is called a "sweeper" position.

I also had thought about that. Seems like a reasonable suggestion. Silly to put so much restrictions on substitutes. When you were in soccer did you wish you were goalie? Did you know any forwards that wished they were goalie? Anyone reading this ever wish they were goalie but had to be a regular player instead? It seems to me that the most coveted position is center forward, then any forward position, then midfield, then guards. Last of all, in my experience in high school and college, was goalie. Everyone wants to be forward and be the goal-scoring hero, but not everyone has the speed and ball control to be forward, such as myself. I was always midfielder. My forte was breaking up plays and making forwards look bad. Goalie was a position for those nearly being cut from the team. They stayed on the team by accepting the position of goalie. That was my experience during the 1970s and 1980s. Maybe things have changed and goalie is a coveted position now, maybe even more popular than forward? Also I'm not speaking about professional soccer, but rather the intro level in high school or even earlier. So the final is between Croatia and France and I don't have a clue who will win.

True. Certainly this is "football" by the rule book. I'm going to use the word soccer because that's what we always called it in the USA. I've never heard anyone suggesting any changes to the "Beautiful Game". This is a thought exercise. Did anyone go out for the soccer team because they wanted to be a goalie? Goalies are stuck in the goal and are the whipping post for the other team. You are required to dive for the ball and land on your side, your back, your belly, or your butt on the turf. That's not fun. Most people go out for soccer to run around on the field, passing the ball, making tackles, heading the ball, shooting at the goal. What about penalty kicks when there is no goalie? Just move the ball back, like around the midfield line, for penalty kicks with no goalie. A penalty kick should be about the same probability for scoring as in the current game. England Vs Croatia starts in an hour. Don't miss it. There will be a pop quiz after the game!

This is what Trump has to say about Putin. They will be meeting in private soon with no note takers. They will give the secret handshake. Putin will say "Keep up the good work Donald!" And Trump will reply, "thanks for your help boss!" "Putin's fine. We are all fine (wise guys, good fellas)" We are all gangsters. We are all wealthy Oligarchs. That is gangster talk, short, concise, like a "wise guy". I was watching the first Godfather movie yesterday and was astonished by how much the speech pattern of Trump (Queen's Douchbag) resembles a Mafia Don. EFFECTIVE speech, communicates well mind you, use short words, short sentences, and active verbs, and that is what Trump always does. Plus repetition, and repetition, etc... Never an explanation, but always his greatest hits, repeated over and over. It is a cult of personality now. He is the great Anti-Obama. Trump could say now "We don't need a wall on the border, improving the fence is good enough!!" And his supporters will shout "Yeah! No wall, just improve the fence!!"

Yes a Joker, end of story.

That is the idea that I am questioning. The goalie can use his hands. That is not football. Did anyone see France beat Belgium 1-0? It was a great goal.

Ok the topic is "Who is going to win the World Cup". I am off topic but this is a discussion about soccer/football. I am merely questioning the basis of the game. Did you ever play soccer/football? Did you WANT to be goalie? I think most goalies wanted to be a soccer player running around on the field, but got forced into the position because somebody MUST be goalie. Maybe this should be a separate topic "How to Improve Soccer/Football?" Or "Being a Goalie Sucks". Now back to the topic. This is a Science Forum, so let's be scientific about it. Who is going to win is impossible to tell, so the question is meaningless. There are 4 great, evenly matched teams left in competition and nobody knows who is going to be the champ (except for an octopus named Paul). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Octopus

Don't miss the match today between France and Belgium. It starts at 2:00 EST, which is in 2 hours from now, on Fox! Yes but Rugby is not Soccer (Football). The "beautiful game" is played with no hands (except the goalies). The goalie is like a dictator who gets to do what no other player gets to do. Make it more egalitarian. Then for penalty kicks you kick the ball from the center of the field into the goal that has no goalie. Remember when you were in high school and nobody wanted to play goalie? Everyone wanted to run around on the field. I remember getting stuck with the goalie position because nobody else would! But not for long. "Egalitarianism (from French égal, meaning 'equal') – or equalitarianism[1][2] – is a school of thought that prioritizes equality for all people.[3] Egalitarian doctrines maintain that all humans are equal in fundamental worth or social status.[4] Egalitarianism is a trend of thought in political philosophy. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term has two distinct definitions in modern English:[5] either as a political doctrine that all people should be treated as equals and have the same political, economic, social and civil rights;[6] or as a social philosophy advocating the removal of economic inequalities among people, economic egalitarianism, or the decentralization of power. Some sources define egalitarianism as the point of view that equality reflects the natural state of humanity." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egalitarianism

How can you change the game so there is more scoring? Maybe by eliminating the goalie position so nobody gets to use their hands.

Greg Gutfeld, in the segment about the Fermi Paradox in the opening post, was able to bring the second amendment to alien invasion. The point Greg was making by asking if we could eat aliens that come to Earth, is a scenario where brave second amendment people with fire arms will be a resistance to the alien invasion. They could hunt aliens with their AR-15s and roast them over a fire before dining on them. How likely could Earthlings resist through the use of firearms? Would a civilization that is capable of interstellar travel be so naïve as to underestimate Earthlings and fall victims to the armed bands of "Earth-resistance"?