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wylie

Sat Jan 02 2010, 11:51PM

Registered Member #882 Joined: Sat Jul 07 2007, 04:32AM
Location:
Posts: 103

We are in less danger now, nationally, than during the height of the Cold War

Aren't America's and Russia's nukes still pointed at each other? Not sure what really makes now any safer than back then. With the facilities deteriorating, an accidental launch is more and more likely*, so we don't even need international tension to start WW3.

*no idea if that's true. i'd hope they'd design their ICBMs to NEVER accidentally launch.....but who knows.

MinorityCarrier

Sun Jan 03 2010, 08:58PM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

You should do some historical research. Keywords would be "Warsaw Pact", "Berlin Wall" "Soviet Union". None of these things, and many of their ancillary component threats, exist any more.

Arcstarter

Sun Jan 03 2010, 10:40PM

Registered Member #1225 Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253

Turkey9 wrote ...

Haha thats great. Natural selection should have a come back! And use mutually assured destruction to govern gun use.

Not to mention, it kinda enforces the 'golden rule', do onto others as you would have them do onto you...

Basically, if you destroy, you will be destroyed. Then there is that much less Earth needs to provide for, and the victim that kills the burglar or whatever, gets all of his stuff. I would put all of my good stuff outside and shoot the thieves on sight. I would be rich

.

It is already like this in some places down here in Texas. There is a block called 'Magnolia', if you are white, and you are there, you are shot on sight. Not to mention, we had a want-to-be gang at our house today. A few teens, with the typical baggy pants under their ass, came to the door and 'kept' knocking for a few minutes, and ringing the door bell. Then they went to the back yard and where looking around, and started banging on the back door. If i was fully awake i would have went out there. It would have been funny. They would either act all innocent, or they would ambush me. And take all my stuff D:.

Steve Conner

Sun Jan 03 2010, 10:42PM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

Backyard Skunkworks wrote ...

When over-regulation in the name of security degrades the population's quality life, the terrorists have won.

I'd say: Degrades the population's quality of life more than the terrorists themselves would if their efforts weren't thwarted by over-regulation.

(Even so, they win either way...)

The fundamental problem with Britain is basically that it's a monarchy. We're not citizens of a republic, but subjects without any constitutionally guaranteed rights. This was one of the main motivations for the founding of the United States, so you should be grateful.

That's in theory. In practice we're more or less a 51st state, except with excessive CCTV cameras and annoying gun laws.

uzzors2k

Sun Jan 03 2010, 10:49PM

Registered Member #95 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 04:57PM
Location: Norway
Posts: 1308

MinorityCarrier wrote ...

You should do some historical research. Keywords would be "Warsaw Pact", "Berlin Wall" "Soviet Union". None of these things, and many of their ancillary component threats, exist any more.

Not so fast there, in recent events we've had both a proposed rocket shield in eastern Europe and Russian ICBM tests. I wouldn't entirely discount Russia as a washed up super power. Both sides still have plenty of nukes to go around yet, even if things have softened up these last decades. Even so, I highly doubt Nuclear holocaust is closer today than during the cold war.

MinorityCarrier

Mon Jan 04 2010, 05:03AM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

Nowhere do I say there isn't any threat from Russia.

What I am saying is the grave threat posed by the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, and the percieved paranoia of sleeper Eastern Block agents in America engaging in nuclear, biological, and chemical terror/sabotage (all very real possibilities), in the 1950's, 1960's. and 1970's did not precipitate the kind of attack on Constitutional Law and excessive regulation on scientific apparatus we have seen under the G. W. Bush Administration since Sept 11, 2001.

The proposed "Rocket Shield" was aimed at containing Russia, not at defending Europe from Iran (what a stupid excuse). I can't fault Russia for reacting angrily at its proposal, and I suggest that the proposal of this "Shield" made the world more dangerous, not safer.

Bummer about being the 51st state. At least you have universal health care and much better health in your citizenry than the other 50 states.

IntraWinding

Mon Jan 04 2010, 01:10PM

Registered Member #2261 Joined: Mon Aug 03 2009, 01:19AM
Location: London, UK
Posts: 581

As far as I'm aware the only chemical that are really controlled in the UK are:
Controlled 'Drugs' and any chemicals that can easily be converted to them
Commerce in man made or processed radioactive materials
Explosives
'Listed' poisons, like cyanide. In the old days the pharmacist would require you to sign for these if you had a legitimate use.

All other stuff is available but many companies are wary of dealing with individuals and don't like small orders.

The easiest way to get chemicals is if you can find a supplier for some common use of the material. You can find common uses by doing a bit of Googling.

So long as you are using the chemicals legally and in a way that doesn't threaten anyone else, be courageous and use your wit to seek them out and if you have to, defend your right to have them!
Otherwise be paranoid because you will probably end up on some lists and there are cameras everywhere.

Dangerous things tend to be harder to get hold of which is a good thing because it reduces the chance of irresponsible idiots getting their hands on them, but if you are legitimate you should be able to find what you need.

Steve Conner

Mon Jan 04 2010, 03:15PM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

Oh, sorry, I forgot you guys don't have a National Health Service. :P

IntraWinding's post above is typical of the British attitude. I agree with it, but our American readers would probably say that it ought to be their constitutional right to purchase any dangerous chemical or weapon they fancy.

In 20+ years of doing electronics, as a hobbyist and eventually a professional, I've never had trouble getting hold of anything I needed. Except maybe carbon tetrachloride, Freon, and now leaded solder.

The only component supplier I know of who might need a VAT number is RS. Technically they don't sell to the general public, they're trade only, and this is probably for liability reasons: maybe they want to avoid the customer protection laws that apply in high street stores. It's been like that as long as I can remember. But if you work for a company that has a RS account, they'll happily sell you stuff for your own personal use.

Farnell and CPC are the same, and I don't think Rapid even needs an account. They take online credit card orders from anyone.

Mads Barnkob

Mon Jan 04 2010, 05:49PM

Registered Member #1403 Joined: Tue Mar 18 2008, 06:05PM
Location: Denmark, Odense C
Posts: 1968

Steve McConner wrote ...

The only component supplier I know of who might need a VAT number is RS. Technically they don't sell to the general public, they're trade only, and this is probably for liability reasons: maybe they want to avoid the customer protection laws that apply in high street stores. It's been like that as long as I can remember. But if you work for a company that has a RS account, they'll happily sell you stuff for your own personal use.

I was told by a RS supporter to just put "-" in the company number field, I have as a private person placed plenty of orders at RS in Denmark.

IntraWinding

Thu Jan 07 2010, 12:39PM

Registered Member #2261 Joined: Mon Aug 03 2009, 01:19AM
Location: London, UK
Posts: 581

Yes, RS seem to have changed. At one time individuals in the UK had to use 'Electromail' instead of RS. Electromail was identical to RS but I think you had to pay for the catalogue. I have no idea why they organised it that way. Since then I think they closed down Electromail and now take orders from anyone online.
But I tend to avoid using them for two reasons:

i) Although there service is generally second to non, you pay for it!

ii) The delivery companies don't like delivering to my address as there is a parking control scheme there and they won't risk getting clamped. They make up all kinds of stories as to why they can't deliver parts (can't find address, no one at home etc.) and when I complain enough to finally get delivery I find someone has trodden on the envelope and crunched up some of the components!

As you can imagine it makes me very angry!

I would avoid carbon tetrachloride if you're just after its solvent properties as I think it's used less these days on health grounds and there are lots of effective alternatives.

Ordering from chemical companies is generally more difficult for the individual than from electronics companies. I've succeeded but they where very nervous.

My best find was a shop in London that sold various chemicals including all the main concentrated acids and lots of solvents (5 litres or more) over the counter - honestly! I couldn't believe it either. Sadly they stopped a few years ago. I also got smaller quantities of concentrated acids from a pharmacists located in a jewellery making area of the city. They stocked it because metalworking jewellers kept asking for it when they ran out. That was an expensive source but handy as a last resort until it closed. You need to find places like this yourself but you don't want to shout about them because then a bunch of shady characters and children will turn up and scare the hell out of them and they'll stop selling the stuff.

I understand the attitude that all things should be freely available to everyone, but I think that over simplifies the problem. I mean, clearly we don't want nerve gas available on every street corner for example.

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