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EU Report Advocates Pooling Open Source Software
bnoise writes "'European administrations should share software resources, a report published by IDA says'. IDA stands for 'Interchange of Data between Administrations' and is an European Commission initiative promoting the use of ICT in the exchange of information between EU administrations. The report extensively (147 pages) describes and comments Open Source Software licenses and promotes the use of source sharing among administrations and beyond. Its 'Legal Framework analysis' section alone is worth reading if you (still) don't know what license to choose for your next software development. Also from one of the authors: 'Study into the use of Open Source Software in the Public Sector' (June 2001)." ZDNet has a summary of the report, and the report is also available in non-PDF formats.
You troll might even be right with some of your statements. But, please, go and look for a thread that actually is about Linux, will you?
Strange, I hang out with firearm owners all the time, and I've never been shot, either.
No offense, but I think this speaks to a certain prejudice amoung gun-control advocates. I can't speak for all gun owners, and certainly not persons who own guns illegally (e.g. gangbangers). Speaking just for myself, the reason why I own and carry a concealed weapon is because, if it comes to a matter of life or death, them or me, I want overwhelming force on my side. I hope I never have to use it; I go out of my way to avoid getting into situations where I might need it; but I'm glad it's there, in case I need that absolute last resort.
I agree that firearms ownership is a poor solution to the crime problem. The best solution to crime is to create genuine economic opportunity for the poor, preferably by encouraging investment in poor neighborhoods.
Which is exactly the situation I don't want; any more than I want the elected people regulating my freedom of speech, my freedom to worship (or not worship) as I choose, my daughter's right to an abortion, etc. Even in a democracy, there are some individual freedoms which must remain inviolate, in spite of the Will of the People.
I'd rather have individuals determine need for themselves. As long as someone doesn't have a criminal record, is sane, and knows how to use a firearm safely, they are probably more compitent to determine their own needs, individually, than the People, collectively, would be.
Finding God in a Dog
the reason why I own and carry a concealed weapon is because, if it comes to a matter of life or death, them or me, I want overwhelming force on my side.
Besides, it's handy to have along if you lose your job/girlfriend/motorcycle, go bonkers, and decide to shoot 20 people at an airport.
No offense, but a lot of people carrying guns for "personal protection" just means that there are a lot of guns on the street, bought and carried for the sole purpose of shooting people (only under extreme duress, of course, or heat stroke).
Point of fact: in my country the ratio of weapons to population is 3 to 5. Death by shooting is extremely rate. Why? Because people are not allowed carry guns in public. Most of the killings that do happen, happen at home. By ordinary people who own a gun for sports or hunting.
Think about it.
"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
Vorwärts! Vorwärts! Schmettern die hellen Fanfaren.
Vorwärts! Vorwärts! Jugend kennt keine Gefahren.
Slashdot, du wirst leuchtend stehn,
mögen wir auch untergehn.
Vorwärts! Vorwärts! Schmettern die hellen Fanfaren.
Vorwärts! Vorwärts! Jugend kennt keine Gefahren.
Ist das Ziel auch noch so hoch,
Jugend zwingt es, doch!
Unsre Linux es brechen uns voran..
In die Zukunft ziehen wir Mann für Mann.
Wir moderieren für Michael durch Nacht und durch not
Mit der betriebssystem für Freiheit und Brot.
Unsre Linux es brechen uns voran.
Unsre Linux ist die neue Zeit.
Und Linux führt uns in die ewigkeit!
Ja, Linux ist mehr als der Tod!
Jugend! Jugend! Wir sind die Zukunft Arschspielwaren.
Jugend! Jugend! Träger der kommenden Taten.
Ja, durch unsre Fäuste fällt,
wer sich uns entgegenstellt.
Jugend! Jugend! Wir sind die Zukunft Arschspielwaren.
Jugend! Jugend! Träger der kommenden Taten.
Führer, wir gehören dir,
wir kameraden dir!
Unsre Linux es brechen uns voran.
In die Zukunft ziehen wir Mann für Mann.
Wir moderieren für Michael durch Nacht und durch not
Mit der betriebssystem der Jugend für Freiheit und Brot.
Unsre Linux es brechen uns voran.
Unsre Linux ist die neue Zeit.
Und Linux führt uns in die ewigkeit!
Ja, Linux ist mehr als der Tod!
As long as someone doesn't have a criminal record, is sane, and knows how to use a firearm safely, they are probably more compitent to determine their own needs, individually, than the People, collectively, would be.
Hmm, did you know that a vast majority of people with criminal records started their life without a criminal record?
First of all, I resent the characterization. If you're going to argue the point, don't resort to FUD. It undermines your credibility. OK?
Second, you have no evidence that violent crime rates are higher because of the legality of concealed carry. There is evidence (on both sides of the gun control debate) that concealed carry does not lead to an increase in crime. Admittedly, this is because most concealed carry permit holders are white men who live in the suburbs -- that is, the persons who are least likely to need a firearm. But, that also contradicts your claim that legal concealed carry leads to more guns "on the street."
If you ask me, the high violent crime rate in the United States is due to completely different factors, such as poverty, racial segregation, poor education, or maybe even the hormones in our food.
Finding God in a Dog
Good point, but having a record of violent crime is a pretty good indicator that that person will commit another violent crime. Until that point, I'd rather give the benefit of the doubt.
Similar but unrelated fact: about 90% of all conviced murderers ate bread 24 hours before they committed murder.
Obviously we should ban bread. It's far more dangerous than guns could ever be.
(Note: sarcasm)
Finding God in a Dog
First of all, I resent the characterization.
It wasn't intended as such, as you surely realize. These things do happen, however.
Second, you have no evidence that violent crime rates are higher because of the legality of concealed carry.
The evidence, as you say, is inconclusive either way. Common sense, however, dictates that the more people carry guns around on their person, the more likely it is that guns are used in altercations. If you can't prove conclusively that concealed carry improves overall safety, the default assumption should be that it doesn't.
The psychological effect is even more difficult to quantify. From a small child I have been taught to respect human life, and that pointing a gun towards a human being is wrong. No exceptions. Concealed carry, however, brings with it the mindset that, in certain circumstances, it is ok to point a gun at another person and pull the trigger. These guns are owned for that and only that purpose.
The issue is no longer absolute, but many different shades of gray. What, then, do you tell your child, when he/she asks why you have a gun under the seat? Will you teach him/her to use it when, inevitably, the question comes up?
If you ask me, the high violent crime rate in the United States is due to completely different factors, such as poverty, racial segregation, poor education, or maybe even the hormones in our food.
Undoubtedly true, but somewhat beside the point. Surely the availability of guns in general is also a factor in lethal crime rate.
"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
Well, ok, everyone's into the EU for what they can get out of it:
1. The French want the German banking system
2. The Germans want French nukes
3. The Irish want out of England's political orbit
4. Ditto the Portugese and Spain
5. The Poles want in on the CAP
etc., etc.
But, ultimately, it's the French and their centuries of experience with bureaucracy who will win out. Who else has an ENA?
I fully expect the next 400 years of European history to be a replay of the last 400. (Well, maybe things will be rearranged a little. Who wants to be Jewish in France these days?)
668: Neighbour of the Beast