Slashdot Mirror
Help Bush and Gore Answer Slashdot Questions
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Your answer:
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Your answer:
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Your answer:
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Your answer:
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Your answer:
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Your answer:
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Your answer:
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Your answer:
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Your answer:
Next, I want to educate your kids, but don't worry, we won't make them feel bad by ranking them with evil grading, nor will we teach anything even remotely controversial (no more "THEORY" of evolution). And remember, 2+2=5 isn't "wrong" or deserving of an "F". It just "needs improvement" and is pretty darn close, and deserves a pat on the back for effort. It's my new fuzzy math!
Third, the constitution gurantees that everyone may own a firearm, but don't worry, we'll make the process so expensive and restrictive with 15,000 forms to fill out, long lists of banned weapons, "impact" studies to carry out and submit, 50% of your annual income gun taxes, extensive background investigations (that the gun buyer must pay for) of all the gun owners associations over his lifetime so as to make ownership nearly impossible.... but it's still legal just like getting a NEW mining permit in Colorado where the paperwork process is expected to take 400 years to complete. This is my gun purchase model.
Fourth, states get in the way of helping kids and protecting the elderly and block us from diong what's right, so we plan to merge all state and municipal govt's into the Federal gov't. State boundaries will be erased and will become the 50 Federal Districts of America. Then with no more meaning to the 10th Amendment, we can do things like decide speed limits, blood alcohol levels, and ban college sports betting without having to extort states into compliance with their highway funds like we do now. And won't that make us all feel better?
Fifth, I intend to eventually end the private ownership of automobiles. Pollution is killing the planet. But to start with, though, the strictest Calif emmissions standards will be retroactively applied to ALL cars, trucks, busses, lawn mowers, boat engines, airplanes, leaf blowers, scooters, motorcycles, etc. Non compliant vehicles will be ordered destroyed without compensation to the environmental KILLER that owned the polluting vehicle. And we can't have exemptions for car collectors to abuse and flout the pollution laws either. A 57 Chevy pollutes as much as 200 new cars. That is an unforgivable crime.
So vote for me, Al Gore, on Nov 7th. Because everyone else supports gun crime, murder, rape, pedophillia, financial irresponsibility, and getting high. I care about you, and your kids!
--
Paid for by the "God is on Al Gore's side" foundation.
John McCain lost due to some dirty tricks specifically funded by "soft money". Some right-wing christian looneys (Falwell and freinds) got together in a key state (Michigan), and spammed phone calls out to the electorate saying that John McCain cut funding for breast cancer research - which was true, but it was simply that he voted against a bill that had a ton of unacceptable riders, He's not "pro breast cancer", as the phone calls said.
I believe that without serious campaign finance reform, this sort of crap is going to continue to ruin our country. Who's for campaign finance reform? Not the guy who's winning because he's getting financed by these special interests. So, it's not just the big corporations that are buying this election, it's George Bush's rich golfing buddies, and the freinds of the republican party who are counting on him to make abortion illegal. Yes, that's the outcome of democracy in a nation of sheep. But stampeding voters with expensive lies is more at the root of how this nation works. The majority of voters don't think like you because the majority of voters don't think.
Personally, I'm voting for Nader. I sure as hell wouldn't want him being elected, and I wouldn't want a Green-run United States, but this country needs a third party, because some of these issues NEED discussion, and their being ignored.
These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
1) War on Drugs
Well, drugs certainly are popular with young people today, especially Slashdot readers, though many have agreed that "pot makes you stupid" - despite many links to solid research done by those in support of decriminalization. I believe that as long as this controversy exists, we should seek out more articles on this topic, because they generate a LOT of hits. Unfortunately, unless it's about Carl Sagan, it's hard to find any drug articles that have anything to do with Nerds.
2) Minority Religions...
Though Christians and Wiccans seem to be the majority readership here, the Athiests seem to have the most support from the moderators. I support the discussion of all religions, because when you get down to it, religion is a very Nerdy topic, especially for anthropologists, angst-ridden philosophy majors, and of course those hard-core Darwinist/Athiests.
3) Why give a tax cut?
I get a LOT of email. Most of my email lately is on the so-called Karma Tax, whereby if a skilled troll previously earned 70, 80, 100 or even more karma points, they were just hording them, and kept posting inane drivel that got modded up anyway. Now, we've enacted the Karma Tax, where all accounts with more than 50 karma can no longer accumulate more karma points. This spreads the wealth to our less fortunate members, the First Posters, and especially, the rare, and endangered Penis Birds. Some argue that capping karma at 50 points takes away anyone's incentive to earn more karma by posting thoughtful comments. This is patently untrue, because nobody needs more than 20 karma anyway, to get the +2 bonus. That's already capped. If we didn't apply caps to these values, the discussions would be dominated by people like Signal 11, posting at +20 - even though people can set their thresholds lower, they just don't. Some people say that this is simply a failure of the moderation and metamoderation system, that the moderators simply aren't doing a quality job. Well, what should we do then, hire a subcontractor to do moderation? Turning it over to the private sector isn't the answer. The answer is meta moderation. Anyone can meta moderate, but nobody is doing it. If you have a problem with a moderator, metamoderate, and let's bitchslap that ho.
4) electoral reform
This ties in nicely to the last issue. The way moderators are chosen is well documented in the FAQ, if you don't like it, go to post on Kuro5hin with the other 3 people. Changing the rules at this point of the game is silly.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Of course, all posts become the property of Slasdot, and BenDover.net. Got a problem with that? Don't post. If you post someone else's intellectual property, and they try to sue us, well, we'll try and fight it, but of course in reality, we're not going down for your silly little cause.
6) Encryption....
Since we're not really banned anywhere yet, there's really no reason for encryption. But someday soon, since we nerds and hackers seem to be becoming a persecuted minority, we'll probably have to encrypt the whole damn site soon. When that happens, we'll have to post a story and we'll let the readers decide on an implementation. I'm guessing we'll end up using the NP-HG (Natalie Portman-Hot Grits) algorithm. It's not GPL-ed yet. But if we whine enough it will be.
7) Rising Political Protests
Also another very popular topic, but difficult to rationalize it's relationship to "News for Nerds". Luckily, the Slashdot readership has become more mainstream over the years, and accepts this kind of thing. Good thing article submissions themselves don't get moderated. Otherwise we'd post only discussions on Linux and x86 hardware, and we'd have NO traffic.
8) Asteroid Defenses
There's really nothing we can do about this except make sure we've got good offsite backup.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Well, hopefully, the incessant whining about the moderation system will stop, because it was a pain in the ass coming up with the system we have, and it works well enough to keep generating banner revenue, so it's not going to change. Like I said before, if you don't like it, go read Kuro5hit.
These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
Would Bush be a better man if he'd spent 10 years in prison for snorting cocaine when he was young?
Well, he wouldn't be running for President today, which I see as an improvement...
1. War on drugs
"Drug therapies are replacing a lot of medicines as we used to know it."
2. Minority Religions
"Our priorities is our faith."
3. Tax Cut
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
4. Electoral Reform
(no response)
5. IP
'This campaign not only hears the voices of the entrepreneurs and the farmers and the entrepreneurs, we hear the voices of those struggling to get ahead."
6. Encryption
We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile.''
7. Asteriod Defences
"It's going to require numerous IRA agents."
8. The future
"That's a chapter, the last chapter of the 20th, 20th, the 21st century that most of us would rather forget. The last chapter of the 20th century. This is the first chapter of the 21st century."
All quotes from here
ZOMG I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS ON MACINTOSH VERSUS WINDOWS, VI VERSUS EMACS, AND HOW YOU'RE NOT A DORK
Drugs are bad.
Religions are good.
Tax cuts good.
I'm for it, except where it allows third party candidates in presidential debates.
I'll have Mr. Gore remove all his stuff when he vacates the Vice Presidential mansion.
Encryption good. Except when it's bad.
Protests bad.
I thought Bruce Willis did a pretty good job, even though Hollywood is corrupting our youngsters.
Humanity is good.
--
"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
http://www.plethora.net/~seebs/pres.html
Also have a look at the description of how Gore sold his vote: http://www.culturaldissident.com/Simpson.htm.
My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
this is from
u sh/question/
http://www.webwhiteblue.org/debate/2000-10-15/b
Quote:
Religious Freedom And Tolerance Is A Protected Right
I am committed to the First Amendment principles of religious freedom, tolerance, and diversity.
Whether Mormon, Methodist, Jewish, or Muslim, Americans should be able to participate in their constitutional free exercise of religion. I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it.
endQuote:
Run. I like water. Push My rutabaga.
"Warren who? No, I'm sorry, I don't know, nor have I ever known anyone named Warren who sold me drugs. I mean, Warren didn't sell me drugs. I mean, if I ever bought drugs, it would have been a youthfull indescription. But that's not saying I did anything 25 years ago, because I'm not sure what I took, I mean did back then."
Ask anyone who has gone to a same-sec school--the bonding there is incredible. All-girls schools and all-boys schools are excellent for many students, from elementary school to college. When one sex or another (usually women, but sometimes men) forces its way in, the social climate changes for the worse. Why exactly do you think all-male and all-female schools resist integration so? It's not because they hate the other sex--it's because they enjoy the atmoosphere they have.
A guy can love his wife but want to go drinking with his buddies. A woman can love her husband but want to talk with her friends. Or the man talk with his friends while his wife goes drinking with her buddies--whatever. And people can be quite amicable to the opposite sex but prefer to study with their own.
I think it's time we end the war on drugs. War is never good, except when it increases your approval rating. I would send an ambassador to Drugs and ask them to sign a peace agreement. As far as being an unqualified success, I'm not sure whether Drugs qualifies or not. I will review their voting record with the United Nations.
2. Rights of Atheists and minority religions
I am unfamiliar with some of those religious, but I have heard a lot about Atheists - mostly about their God, Les. I'm not sure that they all believe in Les, because sometimes I hear them called God Les Atheists, and other times Wicked Atheists, so maybe some of them are Wiccans. I am sure they have some rights because I often hear about religious rights.
3. Tax cuts
Everyone needs tax cuts, because tax cuts are money and money is part of the economy and the economy is what Warren Greenspan works for. The economy helps the homeless through EconoLodge, too.
4. 3rd party candidates and the electoral college
Every election people talk about the electoral college. I think we're focusing on the wrong college. According to my figures, there are roughly 500 people from the electoral college that bother to vote for the president. I am quite sure that colleges like Yale have more people that vote for the president, why don't we talk about them? I am in favor of some 3rd party candidates like Ralph Nader. I think he should get more time. Pat Buchanan is bad.
5. Intellectual property
I think everyone should be allowed to own property, not just intellectuals.
6. Exporting strong encryption
Our trade deficit is bad. We need to export more things and if we can export more of our encryptions, that is good. It's better for us to export our encryptions to China than it is to buy them from China. Do you want to give your kid an encryption for Christmas that is labeled "Made in China" ?
7. Political protests against globalization
Globalization is a safe, clean and effective process that no one should be afraid of. I had my car globalized last week and it looks better than it ever did. Sure, some poorer nations are afraid of globalization because they live in dirty huts and have no cars. If they had windows or shoes that could be globalized, they'd realize how good it is.
8. Space defense against asteroids
Stay in the middle. Try to focus on eliminating one asteroid at a time. If you break too many of them up at once, you'll get killed. When you get down to one tiny asteroid, start flying around. Shoot the little saucer over and over to get more points.
9. Our national mission
I think our national mission is to be a nation. Right now we are a republic, but we can do better than that. Our pledge of allegiance says "One nation" not "one republic". We should strive to fulfil our pledge and become a nation under God, invisible, with liberty and justice for all. I think the president hasn't worked on making us invisible, so I will work to increase our stealth technology.
I'm afraid the 'answers' below aren't actually funny. They're what the candidates truly believe. Check www.issues2000.org for confirmation, they're more or less paraphrasing what Gore and Bush have said before. As Lando said.. here goes nothing.
Q: The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Gore: We must protect the young. We must fight drug dealers. Harsher sentences for those who corrupt the young. Etc. Marijuana will not be legalized, Science says it isn't proper. Lead a national crusade against drugs. More $ to fight drugs. Yes, he did pot himself, like 'young people today.'
Bush: Drug on wars has failed with this administration, need to fight a bigger war on drugs, mroe money for fighting this evil. Full background drug use checks for appointees are necessary. Supports military package to Columbia to fight drug supply.
The truth: The war on drugs has failed. US stats show that 75% of all drug users are white, whereas 75% of people imprisoned on drugs offences are black. Criminalization doesn't reduce drug use. Sending weapons to Columbia will turn the country into even more of a civil warzone than it is now. Would Bush be a better man if he'd spent 10 years in prison for snorting cocaine when he was young?
Q: What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Gore: Believes in personal approaches to religion, etc.
Bush: When asked who his idol/hero was, answered 'Jesus'. Is in discrepancy with the bible - has put 145 to death under his rule as Gov. of Texas, yet bible claims thou shalt not kill.
The truth: Gore tries to appear tolerant, Bush has to answer to the vast right wing of the Republicans, who are puppets of the Christian right.
Q: With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year) A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Gore: Doesn't want any tax cuts right now, although future tax reform should give tax breaks to people earning less than $100k, working families, middle class. Wants to end tax marriage penalty.
Bush: Wants to give tax cuts benefitting principally the 10% richest in the country. Claims lower income people benefit more from taxes than the rich.
The truth: Gore says what he thinks will be popular. Bush actually wants to make rich people pay less taxes, to appeal to corporations, etc.
Q: Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Gore: Doesn't want to end electoral college, but wants to look into alternatives.
Bush: Doesn't know. Alternatives, yes...
The truth: Both oppose alternatives but don't say so. In tight elections, swing voters decide everything, and have so far brought victories to both Clinton and Bush Sr in surprise results. This will be the tightest election ever, if the polls are right. Do the math. They would have to completely rebuild their parties' campaign/spending machines to match any changes.
Q: In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given. Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Gore: Supports intellectual property, but wants to see exactly who is getting what in those money/artist relationships, and what damage Napster is doing.
Bush: Supports innovative new ways of music distributions but wants 'artist's rights protected'. His party would crucify him if he didn't try to ban Napster, as they get massive soft money from record companies, etc. The RIAA/MPAA rely on corporate-friendly Republican congresses to pass their dubious laws.
The truth: Both don't want to piss off young voters, which is why they dance around the issue. Bush would be quicker to ban everything suspicious that might upsets corporations.
Q: Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Gore: Doesn't really know, but supports people's right to use what he pioneered. Will look into this. Democrat presidents relaxed crypto exports laws, etc.
Bush: Republicans consider any technological advance, like crypto, to be weaponry that must be horded and protected. Rep-controlled Congress sees no problem with Carnivore.
The truth: Both oppose crypto for everyone, as they're dubious of what people would do, and how that'd be monitored by the state. However, Gore will try to protect people's rights more, sensing pressure from his party and the Left.
Q: In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Gore: Wants to protect consumers' rights, etc, but thinks violence is the wrong way to protest.
Bush: Doesn't understand what the fuss is about, must protect companies from economic damage, must monitor trouble-makers.
The truth: Both are afraid of companies putting the thumb-screws on if there's too much trouble, and are afraid of America's image. Both remember the 60s protests, especially Gore.
Q: Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Gore: Doesn't know. Probably not.
Bush: Absolutely loves idea of resurrecting 'Star Wars' programme, putting defense systems into space. The only problem: He wants the weapons to point downwards, to defend the US.
The truth: Bush wants to increase military budget a lot, although all weapons would point at us, rather than the other way 'round. Probably would find no money after that for any other space things, including NASA. Gore wants to fund NASA more, which is where the money *might* come from.
Q: I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission. I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Gore: Has as his mission to improv quality of life, provide good future for Americans, protect environment, empower citizens.
Bush: Has as his mission to restore traditional values to America, preside over a healthy, economic country, fight all unwholesome influences.
The truth: Neither of them has a clue about true social undercurrents: Gore is concerned over environmental issues, and where we will all be in 30 years. Bush is concerned with restoring proper values, and protecting the people from that what is evil, like childrens' hearts turning black on the Internet.
The final conclusion: Have a look at www.issues2000.org which will show you all candidates' positions and their quotations on relevant issues. This will be a very, very tight election.
Alex T-B
St Andrews
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
Your answer:
Bush: I say let's execute 'em all! Just like we are in good ol' Texas!
Gore: I already admitted to smoking pot, unlike Bush. Please don't execute me!
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
Your answer:
Bush: Execute 'em all! The Bible says so!
Gore: Unless they're Buddhists. They have $$$.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
Your answer:
Bush: Execute 'em all! Oh, sorry, didn't listen to the question. Whatever Mr. Greenspan says....
Gore: We need to put every dollar in an iron clad lock box. Then put the Fed in there with it.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Your answer:
Bush: When I buy my electoral votes I expect them to stay bought, dammit!
Gore: Ditto.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
Your answer:
Bush: Well, nobody ever accused me of being an intellectual, but I am in favor of property! More property, less taxes!
Gore: Ever since I invented the Internet everybody seems upset. Maybe I should have patented it in the first place....
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Your answer:
Bush: Use all the encryption you want. We'll just find you and execute you anyway!
Gore: Nobody can understand most of what I'm saying anyway, so I don't need crypto. Why should anybody else?
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
Your answer:
Bush: Execute those pesky protesters!
Gore: I am concerned about the environment as well; but first let's see how my Oxy stock is doing before I say anything too "radical"....
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Your answer:
Bush: Absolutely! Star Wars all the way baby!
Gore: Only if I get credit for inventing it.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
Your answer:
Bush: What's wrong with watching TV? Shut up and be happy!
Gore: What's wrong with using the Internet? Shut up and be happy!
#include "disclaim.h"
"All the best people in life seem to like LINUX." - Steve Wozniak
#include "disclaim.h"
"All the best people in life seem to like LINUX." - Steve Wozniak
Actually, a better translation of that commandment is Thou shall not murder. The difference is that "kill" applies to all, while "murder" applies to individuals alone. When the state does it, it's something else: execution, war, ethnic cleansing, et al.
This might seem like a small point, but the Bible is extremely bloody (R-rated, if it were a movie) with all of the mandatory death sentences in Lev., mandatory death of all men, women and children in conquered lands, etc.
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. -- H L Mencken
On the other hand, this might inspire the politicians to pay a little more attention next time around. Provided there is a next time.
-------
CAIMLAS
~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
use focus_groups;
use slashdot_questions;
# to hell with warnings and strict
# this script emulates W.
focus_groups(\@slashdot_question);
foreach (@slashdot_question) {
push @answers, $what_polled_well_in_the_focus_group{$_};
}
for ($i = 0; $i < $#answers; $i ++) {
print $slashdot_question[$i], "\n";
print $answers[$i], "\n";
}
It's a feature of the focus_groups pragma that most of your answers involve chiding someone for "following polls" or "using focus groups".
"Oh, I hope he doesn't give us halyatchkies," said Heinrich.
1) War on Drugs
George Bush :
I think the war on drugs is an important war because it is against drugs. I know a lot about drugs and I'm against them. As Governor of Texas I spent a lot of time working on the war on drugs. My father fought the war on drugs. My wife and kids are important to me and that's why I think we need to win this war. When I'm elected this great nation will empower people to help win the war.
Al Gore:
As vice president I've been deeply and intimately involved in the war on drugs. When my wife and I are making passionate love together we will frequently discuss the war on drugs and how we can better fight it. Did you know that 1 out of every 5.67345249 children will be approached by a drug dealer tomorrow? In fact, a mere 1.36752 ounces of cocaine is enough to trigger violent seizures in my son. I've studied drugs extensively and invented several myself. My running mate, who is Jewish, has often asked me how someone as unready as George W. Bush could possibly be allowed to lead this nation in the war on drugs. I have no opinion on this, but I thought you should know what he's been asking me.
2) Minority Religions...
George Bush:
Many smaller religions are minority religions. We have several in my home state of Texas. I think these people have religions that are different from ours and I respect that.
Al Gore:
I know a lot about minority religions. I have studied all of the minority religions and believe in them all. Why just last night, as my wife was kissing me passionately, we were talking about the epistemology of the Baha'i religion. I don't think George Bush knows how to spell Baha'i.
3) Why give a tax cut?
George Bush:
Tax cuts are important to me and as Governor of Texas I was very familiar with taxes and cuts. By giving a tax cut we will help the American people to do all the important and wonderful things that make this nation great!
Al Gore:
I think that targeted tax cuts will help right all of the historical wrongs done to the many people of this nation. When elected I will form a panel to find every individual who should be targeted and make sure they are. My proposal includes targeted cuts to seven people in Alabama, that's how well I know the needs of this country. I don't think George W. Bush knows any people in Alabama.
4) electoral reform
George Bush:
I support election reform to help stop the special interests like lawyers, teachers, and labor unions from controlling the electoral process.
Al Gore:
I support election reform to help stop the special interests like gun fanatics, oil drillers, and wealthy people unions from controlling the electoral process.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
George Bush:
As Governor of Texas, I had to deal with many intellectuals, and I still own some property. When Elected, I'll help empower all the people of this great nation so that many of them can become intellectuals and own property.
Al Gore:
I think that it's very important for government to support intellectual property rights. Many of the issues related to IP are complex and involved. I know all of these issues. In fact, I'm responsible for writing most of the existing laws on intellectual property. When elected I'll take time out from kissing my lovely wife to personally decide every complicated issue related to intellectual property. I don't think George Bush has a wife who's as prettyu as mine.
5) Encryption....
George Bush:
My father was head of the CIA. The CIA has lots of encryption. The government should stay out of people's encryption issues. In Texas we stayed out of peoples encryption issues.
Al Gore:
Encryption is an issue I know a lot about. In fact, I invented 3DES, Idea, and several other encryption technologies. As president I'll pass many good and important laws about encryption. I don't think that George Bush ever invented encryption.
6) Rising Political Protests
George Bush:
It's hard to believe that anyone could know as much about Politics and protests as I do. My father was president and there were many protests at that time. People protest many different things. Even people who speak other languages often protest. My Nephew speaks Spanish and so I know. As president I would energize people and empower them so that political protests would be less of an issue.
Al Gore:
I am my own man. As an independent thinker, I believe that people have the right to protest. Many protests involve complicated national and international issues. In fact, 32.767854 per cent of all protests involve issues of complexity. As president I will enact many specific measures that will solve all of these complex issues. I'll even take time out from making passionate love to my wife to speak to many of these protesters so that they can learn many of the things that I can teach them.
7) Asteroid Defenses
George Bush:
Asteroids are a serious problem. We have asteroids in Texas. In fact, many truck drivers in Texas often complain about the problem of Asteroids. I myself have had asteroids and can tell you they are very painful. Asteroids are a personal problem and as president I will empower people to solve the problem of asteroids. This great country can solve any problem if the government stays out of the way.
Al Gore:
I know a lot about asteroids. Did you know that the EROS asteroid circles the sun every 1.23452 earth years. In fact I've been to several asteroids. Many asteroids are so impressed by my loving relationship with my wife that they will want to come to earth when I am elected.
8) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
George Bush:
I'm glad you asked that question. As president I will empower the people and move this country to a glorious future that is filled with empowered people. I'll surround myself with the kind of people who will make this country and this world a better place. I'll cut taxes and give people the chance to make the country better.
Al Gore:
This is an important question and one that sets me apart from the other candidate. I understand what is going on in this nation and the world. I'll pass many laws that will solve many complex issues and make this country better. Did you know that a woman in Montana named Betty is one of my advisors? By asking questions of common people like Betty, who is dying of five incurable diseases, I'll be able to know how best to guide this country. Betty thinks that George Bush isn't ready to be president. I have no opinion about that
Really, that's what they told me.
Kevin Barnes
kbarnes@onesecure.com
> 5) How do you feel about IP?
> 6) Encryption. > 7) Rising Political Protests > 8) Asteroid Defenses > 9) The Future of the Country, and of HumanityWar on Drugs
If we executed drug users, we wouldn't have the huge drug problem that we have now. Drug users are hurting themselves and I am dedicated to doing whatever it takes to stop them. This is a war, dammit, and there are casualties in a war.
Minority Relitions
I support the right of all minority religions to convert to Christianity.
Why give a tax cut?
Because, moron, I'm running for the fucking president of the United States of America. You think I'm gonna get there without promising a tax cut? Where did you grow up, dumbass?
electoral reform
Wait until next week, if I'm not elected president I promise to spearhead electoral reform.
How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
I think that people who are intellectualable have as much right to protect their property as the rest of us.
Encryption....
If people aren't breaking the law, they have nothing to worry about.
Rising Political Protests
If we executed protestors, we wouldn't have a problem with protests. All these people think they know how to run the country, but how many of them are leading in the polls? What's that? None of them are? Hmmmm, I wonder who is, oh yeah, it's me, now sit down and shut up!
Asteroid Defenses
I remember once in the 80's getting all coked out and playing asteroids for like twelve hours straight, man that was a good video game.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Our national mission should be to help large corporations become larger, and to make sure that the poor people who commit crime are executed.
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election.
My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would
you change about it if elected president?
Answer: The war on drugs is a failure. I can speak from personal experience. You can get coke in almost any city in America, especially if you are willing to turn a trick. And this shit is good! Not that shit blow from Mexico, either, good Bolivian, Peruvian stuff. Coca para los todas.
This problem mainly effects poor black people, so frankly, I have little interest in it.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca,
Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Answer: I don't know much about Santana, Shinta, or Etal, but I do know this. I want to move forward, not backward, rightwise, not leftwise, and twirling, forever twirling.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime,
Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so
it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the
economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a
tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Answer: You talk a lot and I get confused, but I did get the beginning. Because that is what I promised all the rich people that paid to get me into office and I keep my promises. I am rich, my father is rich, my vice president is rich, all my friends are rich. What do we get from the government? Nothing, we pay and get nothing back. We aren't on welfare, foods stamps, we have the best private insurance money can buy, we don't need medicare, medicaid, or any government services. All the government does for us is make us let black kids in our kids schools, pay crack whores to have more babies, and give condoms to children so they fuck like rabbits, and thats not right.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral
college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral
votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the
popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular
vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its
votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate
gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets
53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Answer: Again, I became confused on the third sentence. Please keep these short. Why should I want to change this? The system is set up to continue the two party system, of which I am one. If you have more choice, I and my friends have a lesser chance of winning.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many
companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling
information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world,
make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely
given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g.
trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you
think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Answer: Alright, I'm with you on this one, this is money again. The laws have been written with the large companies in mind, not the general population. This is because large companies give money to the parties, specifically my Republican party, and so we try to accomodate those that keep us in office. I will support current intillectural property laws as long as it is politically in my best interest, which right now looks to continue into the foreseeable future. I am here, running for President of the United States, because I can "play ball". John McCain is much more popular than I with the general public, but he can not "play ball" with those at the top of the Republican Party, and as we discussed earlier, the system is set up for the two party and those that fund them.
I am the type of person that believes in keeping things the way they are, as is Al, because I am rich and powerful, and the things that got me here are the things I will continue to support. I will get NOTHING from changing intillectural property laws and all the large companies will lose important revenue streams.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now
and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments
may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain
private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong
encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact
that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Answer: Now we know I am not too smart so I am going to keep this simple. Whatever helps business, I am for. I think this will help businesses, so I am for strong encryption available to them. If I can do this without giving the general population, (i.e. criminals) this strong encryption, I will, but I am told by smart people that this would be impossible, so we'll give it to everyone.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests
against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people
have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you
take as president to deal with their concerns?
Answer: This is not a problem yet. They are small and ineffectual up till now, so we can ignore them for the forseeable future.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or
other such threats from space?
Answer: Is this Ross Perot? Whoo, you are out there buddy. "Threats from space?" (Someone put a tail on this guy.)
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be.
Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the
"manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During
these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of
providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and
use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be?
Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national
mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Answer: This is right up my alley.
I am for a strong America, a good America. An America that is strong and good. I am against our children being killed, and us losing money. I am for us not dying, and am indifferent to people in other countries dying unless it effects us in a bad way. Africa is far away, black, and has only minimal economic ties, so I will talk about how horrible things are there but will never send our children to fight there.
I am for rich people mainly, but will tell you I am for everyone, even though I do little to nothing for those who actually need help from the government.
I promise to always talk in generallities, like "I am inclusive, not devicive. I want prosperity to continue..." and not talk specifics that make people angry and confused.
Thank you for this time. I hope you understand me a little better now.
- I like pudding.
war on drugs
Gore: I met a gentleman last week who had to pay $35 for his crack rock. This kind of prescription price gouging must stop!
Bush: Never use a drug named after a body part. Like Crack. That's a ghetto drug.
Nader: Unsafe on any Speed!
why give a tax cut
Gore: We should cut taxes, but never trees. Trees our our friends. My tree loves me.
Bush: We need to give money back to the corporations that create value and jobs in this country, like Exxon. Er, wait... um... there should be limits to what i say...
Nader: I'm not as much in favor of cutting taxes as taxing cuts, as no one likes cuts, and we should tax things we don't like.
electoral reform
Gore: We need electoral reform now! We should be able to dance with our happy buddhist monk friends, as their money showers down upon us!
Bush: Electoral reform is key, I think in particular we need to make those damn black people inelegible to vote. They never voted for my dad.
Nader: Look at these two clowns. Enough said.
intellectual property
Gore: I like my stuff.
Bush: Who let intellectuals own property! Nerds are queer!
Nader: This sound bite is copyright (c) 2000 Nader Productions, Inc.
encryption
Gore: I invented it.
Bush: See! He's queer! Nerd! NERD!
Nader: +++Q,SJD8AJS@#$1JSDFA+++
political protests
Gore: I remember the protests back in the 60's for nam, man, the weed was so thick... er, wait.
Bush: There should be limits to freedom. In particular, we need to shoot those damn people.
Nader: I am a political protest, damnit!
asteroids
Gore: aAAAHAHAHAHAH! Where! flee!
Bush: I remember that game. I could never figure out how to stop my ship.
Nader: Bush is a nerd! Queer!
the future
Gore: I'm gonna write a book about that.
Bush: I'm gonna outlaw the queer's book.
Nader: One of these two is gonna win a Darwin Award. It's in the cards, I tell ya.
--
What happens when you outlaw guns
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Pick a candidate for this one...
I would put them on reservations for their own protection, we could give them blankets. But we don't want just any derilect cult running around practicing beliefs in this country. I believe in 'Freedom of Christainity' er, religion that is and everyone has the right to practice whatever religion they want as long as they do it so that it doesn't piss off the christians.
A closed mouth gathers no foot...
The arguments Bush uses to support his tax cut are very simple -- it's not the government's money. If the phone company noticed they had been overcharging you for the past few years, would you want them to:
a) Keep it for themselves
b) Give you more services you never asked for
c) Write you a refund check
d) Hand it out to people they like
Gore says (d): he wants to use tax cuts to encourage activities he likes, like putting kids in childcare (but not choosing not to work while your kids are young), paying for your childrens college (but not paying for college yourself), and so on.
Bush says (b): if the federal government is taking more money than it needs from the citizens, then it should stop taking so much.
Do Bush's tax cuts target the rich? No, they do not target the rich. Do the rich get the principle benefit? Depends how you measure it. They will have the biggest savings overall, but this is just because they pay the most in taxes. Percentages wise, I don't know whether it's exactly fair or if the rich or the poor get a bigger benefit.
Gore's "tax cuts" target people so specifically, you will pretty much not get them unless you plan your life around them. I went through the online calculators, using mine and my parents incomes to see who these tax cuts will benefit. I would have saved a few hundred dollars last year with Bush's plan. I couldn't get a single hypothetical to show me a savings under Gore's plan. I guess I have to have kids, start saving for college, buy an electric car, and invest in the trial lawyers association to be elegible for his tax breaks.
As a libertarian, I'm hoping Bush wins, because he at least seems to have some inkling of the idea that government is only there to do certain things, and society is separate from government. Gore on the other hand thinks that government is there to dictate, er, I mean encourage, all aspects of peoples lives. I won't be voting for either of them, of course.
Tom Campbell, senate candidate in California, and one of the handful of politicians who understand economics, says, "none of the above". The "surplus" has just been accounting tricks until this year, and we should pay down the debt while times are good.
Hey, wait a minute. Who let Pat Buchannan in here? Next thing you know, Harry Browne, Ralph Nader, and Alan Keyes will want their share of time too.
#naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
The war on drugs helps all of us by financing legal and criminal systems, as well as the construction industry in building new prisons. Further, by making sure that just about everyone has some criminality in their background, arbitrary law enforcement is easier. Just wait till we put teeth in the old sodomy laws.
And if you thing the War on Drugs was something, just wait until you see our War on Hackers!
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
Once again, Slashdot has done something truely innovative... /.!
Now, you can Troll the major presidential candidates!
God Bless America, and God Bless
--
Feminism is the wild notion that women are human beings.
Gore: I totally support the war on drugs, but I'm concerned about racial profiling, and discrimination against the poor. I am, therefore, proposing a "blind warrant" policy, to ensure fairer treatment. By regularly issuing search warrants for random addresses, we can continue to protect America's children from the scourge of drugs, while taking the taint of racism and class warfare out of the picture.
Bush: mmm... drugs... Sorry, what was the question?
2) Minority Religions...
Gore: I have always supported minority religions, and will always continue to do so. My track record on this subject speaks for itself.
Thank goodness they didn't ask about majority religions...
Bush: Dang... what was it... "I support Religion, but not Minorities?" No, that's not right. "I support Minorities... " hmm that sounds funny, like something Ted Kennedy'd say. Uhh...
"Yes"
3) Why give a tax cut?
Gore:That's really an insightful question. The fact is that, as Galbraith showed long ago, unregulated economies are subject to bust and boom cycles. When the economy is weak, it's necessary to raise taxes, so that government spending can stimulate the economy. Naturally anybody with extra money will be trying to hide it in his sock drawer.
On the other hand, if the economy's stronger, it is necessary to raise taxes in order to keep the economy from getting overstimulated. After all, nobody wants to live in a society with an overstimulated economy. It's like an overstimulated child; it stops listening to the folks who know better and want what's best for it.
So why a tax cut? Because it's so darned hard to talk the voters out of it. The best we can hope for is to try to minimize the damage, and keep the door open for the eventual triumph of the proletariat. Um... middle class.
Bush: Sounds to me like you been listening to a lot of that Washington fuzzy math. I can tell, you're going to pull out numbers next, and there's no sense talking to folks who do math with numbers, 'cuz you just can't trust them. I'm giving the American people a tax cut because it's their money, and they earned it. folks love it when I say that...
4) electoral reform
Gore: I totally support third party activity, and I think it's a shame that there are no alternative candidates running for the presidency.
Bush: I agree, and I applaud my opponent's position. Too bad there are only two parties. Next question.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Gore: I am running an open-source campaign, and my White House will be an open-source White House. My web page runs on Linus.
Bush: You see, this is just where you can really see the differences between my views and those of my opponent. My vision applies to all Americans, not just a priviledged few.
Rather than give "targeted tax cuts" to a certain class of people, my tax cuts will apply to everyone. Even though intellectuals are mostly big government liberals, I would protect their property like everyone else's. Everyone benefits under my plan.
6) Encryption....
Gore: I believe my history on this topic speaks for itself. After all, I invented the Clipper Chip.
You did?
Initiative. The Clipper Chip Initiative.
Really?
Supported. I supported the Clipper Chip Initiative. You conservative reporters are putting words in my mouth.
Bush: Ah can wiggle mah ears. *wiggle* See that? *wiggle wiggle*
---------------
I'll cut it short there... really should get back to work. :-P
"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton
War on Drugs
Bush: I think it goes without saying that the war on drugs is an unqualified failure. I, for example, have not been caught doing drugs under the Clinton administration. I believe that the drug surplus should be equally spread to every American citizen, and not just the most addicted 1%.
Gore: When I was in Congress, I took the initiative in creating the war on drugs. When I'm your President, I will make sure that a rating system is put in place categorizing just how harmful drugs are to your children.
Minority Religions...
Bush: Back in Texas, my record shows that minorities have been receiving extra special treatment when it comes to law enforcement. As president, I will do everything in my power to put those same policies to work for the nation.
Gore: The rights of people who follow minority religions are definitely in need of protection. That is why I propose putting all of them in an iron-clad lockbox, where Congress can't interfere with them.
Why give a tax cut?
Bush: When I was in Texas, I received a lot of money from big oil companies, and guess what? I liked it. I think the American people will like having extra money too.
Gore: I agree with G.W. Bush on this one. As the economy starts to weaken, the American people will need extra money in their pocket to feed their children. I will also take the initiaitive in creating a rating system so you can be sure to know how much of a tax cut you'll be receiving.
electoral reform
Bush: Those numbers you quoted are a good example of fuzzy math. In my plan, if someone gets 51% of the popular vote in California, that candidate will receive 85% of the electoral vote, while the other candidate will receive 64% of the electoral vote.
Gore: I firmly believe that a webcam should be set up in the electoral college, so you can see the system at work.
How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Bush: In Texas, three 11th graders were found to have plaguarized several reports in their English classes. Guess what's gonna happen to those three students? They're gonna be put to death.
Gore: Intellectual Property rights need to be protected. Which is why when I am President, I will lock all intellectual property in an iron-clad lockbox.
Encryption....
Bush: That's where you take all the big numbers and multiply them together? It's fuzzy math. I want to give privacy to all citizens, not just the top 1%.
Gore: When I was in Congress, inventing encryption, I was thinking about these very same issues. I support the free use of encryption, as I believe everybody has a right to lock their data in an iron-clad lockbox.
Rising Political Protests
Bush: When I was in Texas, we didn't have a problem with globalization. When I am President, I predict the same thing.
Gore: By requiring mandatory gun registration and trigger locks, I feel we can take a lot of the danger out of political protests.
Asteroid Defenses
Bush: I propose we build a death star.
Gore: I agree. And I think we should hook a webcam up to it.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Bush: The answer is simple. What is five times seven? 42.
Gore: I will put the country in an iron-clad lockbox. And then I will rate it.
NO CARRIER
I believe that all people should have the same rights. Just like in Texas, people of Wicca, Santeria, Shinto, et al have the right to worship the Christian God in any Christian church that they please.
It's like I don't believe in any special rights for homosexuals. Heterosexuals have the right to marry any person of the opposite gender that they choose. Homosexuals should have exactly the same right: to marry anyone of the opposite gender that they choose.
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. Or a juggernaut.
We're losing the War On Drugs? To a bunch of junkies?
FatPhil
Also FatPhil on SoylentNews, id 863
BUSH: Psst! Vote for me. My dad was president. I even look like my dad.
;
.plan.
GORE: Big deal! My dad was a senator. Yup.
BUSH: We have the same shoe size.
GORE: Yeah? Well, I invented the internet. Uh-huh. Lots of other stuff, too.
BUSH: Once my mom thought I was my dad.
GORE: Space shuttle... that was mine.
BUSH: On the phone, people think I'm my dad.
GORE: *kiss* *kiss* Kiss me, I'm on TV.
BUSH: We have the same name, my dad and I, that is.
ANNOUNCER: Not going anywhere for a while? Grab a Snickers. Peanuts, caramel and chocolate. That outta hold ya.
BUSH: My dad and I wear the same pants.
GORE: I invented pants!
ANNOUNCER: Hungry? Grab a snickers.
Check this commercial out at: http://www.snickers.com/video/
One Note: Part way through, Bush says 'Once my mom thought I was my dad.' What in the hell does *that* mean? Open to some interesting interpretations, no?
Some day I hope to have a
Portable versions of Firefox, GIMP, LibreOffice, etc
From your page, I don't like any of the options this year a whole lot, but Bush will do substantially less harm than Gore.
That's funny, you apparantly think there are only two people running for president, just like the national media... how sad.
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."
"And like that
Damn right we're winning. And we need to step up the fight against all things that are potentially dangerous. Drugs are just the beginning. Next we outlaw tobacco. Lots of tobacco deaths every year. Then fatty and high-cholesterol foods. Heart disease is a leading killer. Lawsuits agains Hershey and M&M Mars begin shortly. Cars are also a big cause of death. The danger involved surely isn't worth the benefit of being able to transport yourself from one place to another.
2) Minority Religions...
All non-Slahsdot readers will surely burn in hell.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Everyone will give 100% of their pay to the US government. We'll then keep 50% to run things and the other 50% will be evenly distributed to everyone. That's the only way to keep it fair for everyone.
4) electoral reform
No more elections. Once this one is over, and I'm in power, that's it. I rule.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
If you want to keep it your own, then you should keep it in your brain. The only way to keep a secret is to not tell anyone.
6) Encryption....
Ab Pbzzrag.
7) Rising Political Protests
Once I'm in power, there will be no need for political protests.
8) Asteroid Defenses
At this point, we pretty much deserve to be taken out by a huge asteriod. I just hope I'm around to see it.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
See 8)
-S
--- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
1) War on Drugs by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Now Tom, we all know that drugs are a very serious issue confronting our families today. Contrary to what my opponent says, I am not in the pocket of the big drug companies. I am not declaring war on grandma. I'm all for better healthcare and cheaper drugs. Thank you for your question.
2) Minority Religions...by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Santa what? My solution for atheists is to put a rifle in their hands and send them to Vietnam. As my papa's buddy Colin (you might know him from Desert Storm) used to say, there ain't no atheists in foxholes.
3) Why give a tax cut? by funkman
Well, Mr. Funk, I think its a crime that the average American citizen works an average of 87 days a year just to pay his taxes. So with that in mind, I'm proposing to cut the taxes off of the top 1% of the wage earners, because heck, they work the hardest. Why punish productivity?
4) electoral reform by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
I'm against it Larry. I'm not sure why, I just am.
8) Asteroid Defenses by Ethelred Unraed
I know when my asteroids flare up, its a serious situation. Unlike my candidate, I support further research into treatment of this painful malady.
Bitter? On the contrary -- for the first time since 1976 (maybe even 1956) we have two candidates who are both acceptable, if not necessarily ideal, to the vast majority of Americans. If the campaign hasn't seemed impassioned, it's because most of the electorate will be comfortable with either outcome. (And would have been with McCain or Bradley, for that matter.)
The yelling about how there is no democracy and corporations control the whole process is coming from a few leftists who can't accept the possibility that the majority of voters don't share their views and amplified by media that push cynicism and conspiracy at the expense of journalism and edification.
Look -- I voted for John McCain in the primary. I wish he had won but more people voted for Bush. People. Not one corporation cast a vote. I'm not thrilled about that outcome but I accept it as the outcome of democrarcy. I don't go off bitching about how there's some conspiracy holding down all the Real Voters who just happen to think exactly like me.
If I haven't antagonized the leftists enough yet, check out the New Republic on Nader. And you know, of course, that when a disgruntled ex-employee followed Michael Moore around with a camera, your hero had him arrested, right?
I've followed the debates and read some Noozweak articles, etc. on either candidates position and I'm confident of my choices stance being closest to what I consider sane. The other one is from Texas.
To this point tho, direct responses, even Jim Lehrer had a tough time corraling the top two on questions. Too often the response would weave off to grind some axe somewhere else. If there's anything which has driven me to cynicism on politics its the lack of a direct answer.
Senator, how would your administration handle an alien assault on Richard Stahlman's house?
Well, Jim, if these aliens would not be benefitting from any tax cuts which favor the wealthy or take any money out of Medicare or Social Security, further my opponent would likely favor increasing their numbers by overturning Roe vs Wade with Supreme Court appointements...etc.
Governor, how would your administration handle Weehawken, New Jersey being swept away in a "Perfect Storm?"
First let me point out that those residents of Weehawken would enjoy a tax cut which would favor every one of them, not just the rich and that my plan to allow an individual to divert up to half of their Social Security contribution to private investment would encourage innovation in the rubber lifeboat industry and create jobs, further my opponent's Washington-insider fuzzy math suggests there would not be sufficient funding to shore up a reformed medicare, he's using Medi-Scare tactics, because he's so desperate that he'd say anything to win...etc.
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A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar