[The Comedian]

Hey, Comic.

Yeah Tarantula?

Check out my post #450, then look at this.

Dude, post #450 contains no information. It is a series of unsubstantiated and unattributed rumors. It has zero information value.

And then your referenced Reuters article quotes a Chinese general thusly: "A country needs respect, and a military also needs respect. 'If someone doesn't hurt me, I won't hurt him; but if someone hurts me, I must hurt him," wrote Major General Luo Yuan in the paper.

Duh.

I've seen this sort of collapse of rational thinking before, many times. The weaving together of ideas, rumors, and theories as though they were data, facts, and logical conclusions.

Truthers use this sort of tortured pseudo-thought all the time.

Dude, step back from the brink. It was a friggin' airplane contrail. It was Flight AWE808 from Hawaii to Phoenix, or possibly UPS902.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Gargantua]

Chill, gnarly C-dude. I'm just trying to get this post to 500 replies. I don't care if it was a bottle rocket from Oxnard.

If it's the chang, I say bring it. If it's the kids from Oxnard, we'll mow 'em down.

(Gotta stay controversial)

8^D

[Gargantua]

"I've seen this sort of collapse of rational thinking before, many times."

How very sad. I thought you were one of the good guys.

Everyone knows, Comic, that the only true "collapse of rational thinking" occurs when people are bullied or cajoled into not asking the questions. Close examination of what's under every overturned stone is the healthiest exercise a republic can indulge in. Obeying when told what stones to leave unturned is the death of the republic.

You had me going there for a while. Ciao.

;-/