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Inside Kerry and Bush's Technology Agendas

wbren writes "PC Magazine has posted an interview on its website shedding some light on the two major candidates' policies regarding privacy, The Patriot Act, outsourcing, Internet sales taxes, broadband taxes and other important tech-related issues. PC Magazine calls it an interview, but John Kerry was the only candidate to actually respond directly to the questions asked. Bush's camp referred PC Magazine to George Bush's website to find the answers. The result: detailed and informative responses from Kerry, and many missing responses from the Bush campaign due to lack of information provided by Bush's website."

113 comments

  1. Kerry supports Ninnle! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bush supports Windoze 3.1

  2. Who Cares? by NetPoser · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Who really cares what either think of technology. It's thier advisors that should be interviewed.

    1. Re:Who Cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Who really cares what either think of technology. It's thier advisors that should be interviewed.
      But who hires the advisors?
    2. Re:Who Cares? by aderusha · · Score: 2, Insightful

      you don't honestly think it was john kerry himself that answered those questions do you?

      here's my favorite bush quote from the "interview": "We can't return to the days of false hope" (in reference to the war on terror). the message? fear good, hope bad. be afraid goddamnit, terrorists and the french are everywhere!

    3. Re:Who Cares? by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 1

      Um. The message is "false hope bad, dealing with difficult realities good." Agree, disagree, whatever; there's no need to be a dumbass about it.

      --

      I write in my journal
    4. Re:Who Cares? by torpor · · Score: 1

      No, the message is "No Hope Whatsoever, Deal With What We're Giving You Or We'll Frame It So You're In Jail" ...

      --
      ; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --
    5. Re:Who Cares? by Thing+1 · · Score: 1
      How about we enter the days of true hope?

      Nanotechnology is less than 20 years away.

      --
      I feel fantastic, and I'm still alive.
    6. Re:Who Cares? by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 1

      LOL! Thank you, "Think 1," for demonstrating that no matter how big an idiot we encounter on Slashdot, there will always be a bigger idiot waiting in the wings.

      --

      I write in my journal
    7. Re:Who Cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LOL! ROFL! RTFM! IANAL! :) ;=)

      For a republican, you sure are pretty fucking gay.

  3. Bush's website referral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Of course, nobody would actually expect Dubya to answer the questions himself. Thinking's not his strong suit. Particularly when it comes to science.

    1. Re:Bush's website referral by Hard_Code · · Score: 1, Funny

      Admit it: you're just bitter because you are a "shut-in" trapped in the "dark dungeons of the internet" that needs a compassionate punch in the face.

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    2. Re:Bush's website referral by slughead · · Score: 1

      Well, Bush has a MBA, Vs Kerry's Bachelors in law, Bush is also in the "88th percentile on the verbal and 86th in math" by today's standards (based on his SAT scores).

      Not that a MBA means anything, Kerry could've dabbled in rocket scientist in his 27 years as a politician. We all know he loves to hang around NASA.

    3. Re:Bush's website referral by foistboinder · · Score: 1
      Well, Bush has a MBA, Vs Kerry's Bachelors in law

      WTF is a "Bachelors in law"? Kerry has a JD (Juris Doctor or Doctor of Law). BTW, Bush couldn't even get into law school.

    4. Re:Bush's website referral by strike2867 · · Score: 0

      The fact that this comment was modded 4 Insightful is very sad to me. What would you do if you had a candidate that wasn't very bright running for office? You would lower everyones expectations about how smart he is, and then when he speaks everyone will be surprised and think he is smarter than they thought. It's also a great marketing ploy. Make fun of your weakness. For example, the Avis slogan is "We're number 2 so we try harder".

      --

      Vote for new mod!!! Score:-2,Imbecile
    5. Re:Bush's website referral by slughead · · Score: 1

      My bad, misread this page.

    6. Re:Bush's website referral by cpt+kangarooski · · Score: 1

      LL.B.'s are the same thing as J.D.'s. They got renamed to J.D.'s a few decades ago because it sounds sexier.

      I have a J.D. and I'm currently pursuing a Master's in Law (LL.M.) and there are few Doctors of Law (LL.D.'s) floating around. But given that virtually all US lawyers have a J.D. or LL.B. (if they're older or went to a foreign law school), it's appropriate to think of it as a bachelor's of a sort.

      I have a few professors who are LL.B.'s.

      --
      -- This and all my posts are in the public domain. I am a lawyer. I am not your lawyer, and this is not legal advice.
    7. Re:Bush's website referral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      is that what a 'compassionate conservative' does?

    8. Re:Bush's website referral by greenhide · · Score: 1

      For an interesting take on Dubya's "dumb" factor, this article on George W Bush's political background is pretty interesting:

      Bush did the "smart" thing, and it didn't work for him politically. It's a sad statement on the American people, but they actually (on average, at least) seem to like leaders who aren't that bright.

      Also, there's no question that Bush's strong conservative stance on moral issues (do you really *have* to broach the issue of Gay Marriage during the "State of the Union" address? I think *not*) has helped him get elected. I have the utmost of respect for those who hold Christian beliefs, even conservative beliefs, so long as they don't try to push those beliefs into the political spectrum, which is what the Christian Right has been doing through the Bush administration. It even affects their environmental policy.

      --
      Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
  4. The Bush M.O. (modus operandi) by WM_NCDESTROY · · Score: 0, Troll

    This is standard operating procedure for Bush. Never answer a question directly, always refer the questioner to a previous statement that was made (which also doesn't answer the question)

    --
    posted via satellite
  5. Re:come on by fred+ugly · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Who came to any conclusions? The poster merely points out that Kerry provided specific, detailed answers while PC Mag was left scrounging for answers on Bush's website. Nowhere does anybody tell me which answers are better. That's entirely left up to me.

  6. Re:come on by bigkahunafish · · Score: 1
    Thank you.

    I knew someone would eventually say and recognize the tremendous bias on /.

    From anti-Microsoft to anti-Bush, sometimes it just upsets me. It makes me wonder, do the comments on /. have relevancy anymore? I mean, since I already know what they are going to say.....

    --
    Eat a Chicken, You know you want to.
  7. Kerry vs Encryption by crackshoe · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Kerry was in favor of outlawing certain levels of encryption (and classifying encrpytion related stuff as munitions for export purposes (ironically enough, John Ashcroft was against limiting encryption at the same time, and squared off against kerry). Democrats are also notoriously pro-censorship (its for the children). I'm not saying the republicans are a bowl ofpeaches, but they get plenty of bad press here as it is (and have a terrible civil liberties record recentlly)

    --
    Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
    1. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      Democrats are also notoriously pro-censorship.

      And hopefully, after Lieberman scared a bunch of people off and cost them the last election, they learned from this.

    2. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by Caseyscrib · · Score: 5, Insightful
      What is your position on COPA (Child Online Protection Act)?

      Kerry: I supported the Child Online Protection Act in 1998 which would have made it illegal for commercial Web sites to make available sexually explicit content that is harmful to minors unless they restrict access to adults by using a credit-card or adult-access code. The courts have blocked enforcement of this statute. They have argued that there may be other ways, such as Internet filtering software, to protect minors from inappropriate material while ensuring that legitimate speech is not chilled or punished. Whatever the courts eventually decide, our nation must act to make the Internet safer for children by protecting them from harmful material in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment.

      I think this answer is a good one, and I like that Kerry referenced the first ammendement in the last line. I get the impression that Kerry is saying, "Yes, I passed the bill because I wanted to protect your children, but the courts said it was unconstitutional, and I'm ok with that. However, I promise to find another method which the courts can agree with." I'm glad he's at least thinking about the first ammendment, which Bush has shown a total disregaurd for.

    3. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by St.+Arbirix · · Score: 2, Informative

      From the article...

      Kerry: I supported the Child Online Protection Act in 1998 which would have made it illegal for commercial Web sites to make available sexually explicit content that is harmful to minors unless they restrict access to adults by using a credit-card or adult-access code. The courts have blocked enforcement of this statute. They have argued that there may be other ways, such as Internet filtering software, to protect minors from inappropriate material while ensuring that legitimate speech is not chilled or punished. Whatever the courts eventually decide, our nation must act to make the Internet safer for children by protecting them from harmful material in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment.

      He's saying that he wants children as far removed from the "bad" stuff as possible but it's the courts that are causing the draconian censorship we see now since they refuse to force the implementation of a system that is opt-in for pr0n and etc. I can't agree with that more.

      --
      Direct away from face when opening.
    4. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by justins · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Democrats are also notoriously pro-censorship (its for the children).

      Really? The recent FCC hubub re:Janet Jackson seems to come from the republican side.

      I think your statement would have been a lot more valid back in the day, when the democrats were strong in the south, since the south seems to be the source of all things censorship (okay, MOST). With the GOP being both very southern and very Christian lately, I imagine most censorship is going to come from that side.

      I'm trying to think of some post-Tipper Gore-era democrats who were strongly pro-censorship and I can't.
      --
      Now before I get modded down, I be to remind whoever might read this that what I am saying is FACT. - bogaboga
    5. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by crackshoe · · Score: 1

      Joe Leiberman: Senator Joseph Lieberman, a vocal critic of the recording industry, liked the metaphor. "I'm not for censoring this stuff, but to me this music is the equivalent of yelling `fire' in a crowded theater." -- indicating that he felt it should be regulated as 'dangerous speach' that could be regulated severly while not violating the First Ammendment. Janet Reno: "I'm not condemning documentaries which teach us the lessons of war or sporting events that help society channel its competitive and aggressive impulses. Violence has always been a part of our life, our history, and our culture, and TV programming in a free society should not pretend that it's otherwise. But violence has become the salt & pepper of our TV diet." She threatened to bensor TV, but eventually backed down. Al Gore, in... 99? was pushing the V chip in all TVs, as did Bill Clonton.

      --
      Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
    6. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by justins · · Score: 1

      Interesting. The thing that sort of sets those people apart from Tipper Gore is that Tipper Gore and her friends had a plan... though I guess I see your point. A couple of minor democratic players have recently had an interest in censorship. Odd coincidence that they should be a couple of the least liked, too, even by their own party. Go figure.

      They should start a nonprofit or something, "Ugly People for Censorship."

      I always thought the v chip sounded like a silly and expensive waste of money, rather than a threat to liberty. I didn't study it very thoroughly though.

      --
      Now before I get modded down, I be to remind whoever might read this that what I am saying is FACT. - bogaboga
    7. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 1

      I'm glad he's at least thinking about the first ammendment,

      I'd be happier if he thought of it back before, ya know, passing unconsitutional laws.

    8. Re:Kerry vs Encryption by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      I don't know how you can call the democratic candidate for vice president in the last election a minor player. The way you spin the facts, I think you must be a former republican.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  8. am i the only one? by araczynski · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...that thinks bush should be judged by what he HAS done in the last 4 years and not what he thinks he's going to do? HE'S HAD 4 YEARS to show me what kind of a president he's is/is going to be. I don't give one rat's ass as to what his promises are for the next 4 years, he's shown me everything i need already. since when is being a president of the USA a 4 year on the job training course, where you can then say, "umm, ok, i've been screwing up the last 4 years, NOW i'm gonna get serious" kiss my ass bush.

    --
    sigs suck
    1. Re:am i the only one? by Edax+Rarem · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      YEAH!!! KISS MY ASS TOO!! You phony cowboy, money grubbing, power hoarding, Cheney hugging, environment killing, election stealing, war waging, draft dodging excuse for a human!!
      W needs to kiss all the parent's asses of all the kids who have been hurt or killed in Iraq as well.

      --
      I hate my sig.
    2. Re:am i the only one? by OreoCookie · · Score: 1

      kiss my ass bush ???? If this is the level of discourse that is going to get modded up in the Politics SIG then I don't see the point in having it. I was really hoping this would be a forum for serious adult debate.

    3. Re:am i the only one? by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      I see by your UID # that you're new here.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  9. Presidential Questions by cerebralsugar · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Questions about spyware, hackers... are these really things to burden the president with? Thats someone elses problem.

    --
    Easy guys, I put my pants on one leg at a time. The difference is after I put on my pants I make gold records!
  10. To be fair to Bush... by dman123 · · Score: 2, Insightful
    PC Mag: What is your position on taxing Internet sales and service?

    Kerry: I was an original cosponsor of the Internet Tax Freedom Act. This legislation, which was passed in 1998, placed a moratorium on Internet access taxes and "multiple or discriminatory" taxes on electronic commerce. I support Senate legislation (the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act) that would extend this moratorium.

    Bush: (I couldn't find a specific comment on Internet sales taxes.)

    I have to assume Kerry did not really answer the question asked about sales taxes on internet sales, not his answer regarding the tax on the access itself. If you let Kerry get away with this answer, then you have to credit Bush's "interview" for the following answer only two questions prior...

    Do Not Tax Broadband Access. The federal ban on Internet-access taxes has expired - and some states have started taxing broadband access. The president supports banning Internet-access taxes and applying that ban to all forms of broadband access. The Congress needs to pass the Internet-access tax ban.

    You'd think PC Mag would be able to tell the difference between sales taxes on internet sales and taxes on internet access.

    All that being said, there is no way I would ever vote for Bush's reelection. If someone wants to vote for Bush based on faith and/or moral issues, there is no chance of changing that voter's mind.

    --

    --
    dman123 forever!
    Filtering out the -1s and 0s since 1999.
    1. Re:To be fair to Bush... by joranbelar · · Score: 2, Informative

      I assumed the '"multiple or discriminatory" taxes on electronic commerce' part addressed the specific Internet Sales tax issue.

    2. Re:To be fair to Bush... by sartin · · Score: 1

      Kerry: ..."multiple or discriminatory" taxes on electronic commerce...

      I have to assume Kerry did not really answer the question asked about sales taxes on internet sales,

      I think that would be an incorrect assumption, the prohibition on "multiple aor discriminatory" taxes is there to prevent multiple sales taxes. The oroginal act is a tad poor at explaining how that should be done, but it does prevent multiple sales tax from different states being applied (it still allies state/county/municipal sales tax, but prohibits taxes from multiple states).

      In other words, Kerry thinks it's OK to have sales tax, but we need to make sure you aren't taxed by multiple states.

      Source: section 1104, #6 of the IFTA as published by the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce.

    3. Re:To be fair to Bush... by dman123 · · Score: 1
      I assumed the '"multiple or discriminatory" taxes on electronic commerce' part addressed the specific Internet Sales tax issue.

      Why? Charging sales tax on a purchase over the internet (harmonized with state/local tax law) is neither multiple nor discriminatory assuming the exact same tax is charged at a retail store in the same location as the purchaser.

      If I understand correctly, the question is asking about how to write the tax code so that sales taxes cannot be charged at all in order to stimulate the economy or some other nonsense. This may have made sense back in the dotcom boom, but now it's just a way of playing the the people's hatred of tax in any form. After all, states that charge sales tax also charge use tax on catalog/internet purchases that are tax free due to the business's lack of nexus. Enforcing the use tax on individuals is tricky, but I can guarantee yout that business owners are in for a rude awakening during an audit if they assume the state will let collectable use taxes slide.

      --

      --
      dman123 forever!
      Filtering out the -1s and 0s since 1999.
    4. Re:To be fair to Bush... by dman123 · · Score: 1
      Read my reply to joranbelar.

      In my xx years of purchases over the internet, I have never been charged more sales tax than would have otherwise been charged at a physical store in my location. If this was to happen, I would think that there are already laws in place to allow the refund claim of such taxes.

      This all started when internet purchases were new and everyone (incorrectly) got a free ride for a while. Now that states are catching on to the fact that revenue is being lost in significant amounts, they are simply trying to collect what was already taxed (in some fashion or another) under prior law. It was simply a matter of lack of enforcement.

      Don't get me wrong, I'd love a law banning sales taxes on internet purchases. With virtually every state in financial crisis, I don't see that happening.

      --

      --
      dman123 forever!
      Filtering out the -1s and 0s since 1999.
    5. Re:To be fair to Bush... by sartin · · Score: 2, Informative

      If I understand correctly, the question is asking about how to write the tax code so that sales taxes cannot be charged...

      That wouldn't be a question. That would be a position. The question (paraphrased) is "what is your position on taxes related to the Internet?" My paraphrase of Kerry's unclear answer, based on the IFTA which he cosponsored, is "I am against taxing broadband access and in favor of allowing states to charge sales tax (as long as only one state gets tax on each transaction)". So, he's against your position (as inferred from what you think the question meant to be) that there should be no sales tax on Internet commerce. His position appears to be the same as that of President Bush.

      The IFTA was written back when the taxation situation was completely unclear and the protection against multiple taxation seemed important to many at the time. Specifically, they were trying to protect against attempts to have multiple states (the state where the business resides, the state where the server resides, the state from which the order was placed, the state to which the order was shipped) taxing a single transaction. It ought to be analagous to placing a phone order where there is a well-defined prioritization to choose the single state that gets to tax.

    6. Re:To be fair to Bush... by dman123 · · Score: 1
      We agree on things 100%. I never have argued for a moratorium on all internet sales taxes. I just said I'd love it ;-)

      Anyway, my original point was that PC Mag unfairly dissed Bush when he "answered" the question. His position on the issue was quite clear from the question two prior to that one we are discussing. His position is the same as Kerry's. And neither said anything relevant about sales taxes on goods purchased over the internet (which is what I inferred the question's "internet sales and service" to mean). One could argue that the phrase really means "the sale of internet access" although I doubt PC Mag meant that.

      I agree that IFTA was important and it should have cleared up the potential multiple tax problem. However, if the law were to go away, would the new tax situation still be unclear? I cannot imagine that sales tax would be charged any differently than what would exist assuming a business nexus blah, blah, blah, as it currently does. Prior to IFTA, I cannot recall a business trying to charge sales tax on internet goods based on its own physical location without regards to the buyer's location.

      I'm off to work! Ciao!

      --

      --
      dman123 forever!
      Filtering out the -1s and 0s since 1999.
    7. Re:To be fair to Bush... by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 1

      If someone wants to vote for Bush based on faith and/or moral issues, there is no chance of changing that voter's mind.

      Don't be so sure of that- some of us pro-lifers have this wierd concept the Pope calls the "Seamless Garment of Life", and Bush's Actions and Words are very hypocritical on life issues, from Abortion to euthanasia, War, and the Death Penalty. If you can convince somebody who is a pro-life voter of the Catholic Seamless Garment of Life, Kerry suddenly becomes the pro-life candidate.

      --
      SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
  11. MOD PARENT UP by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Absolutely! From what I can see, none of the promises I voted for Bush on in 2000 (and yes, despite the name I did vote for Bush last time around) were accomplished. Abortion, Economics, Taxes, all of it was worse under Bush than under Clinton.

    --
    SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
    1. Re:MOD PARENT UP by N3WBI3 · · Score: 1
      hmm everyone had their taxes lowered, the partial birth abortion ban passed, the No Kid left behind passed (and kerry voted for it)

      I am not a fan of Bush but he has done what he said he was going to do..

      --
    2. Re:MOD PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      everyone had their taxes lowered

      Given his username, are you sure he didn't want taxes raised?

    3. Re:MOD PARENT UP by Nopal · · Score: 1
      Taxes are worse? Abortion is worse? OK, so maybe the economy is not red-hot, but considering that we went through the Enron/Worldcom scandal, terrorist attacks and war, it's doing alright.

      I call bullshit on your assertion that you voted for Bush, because clearly you can't see that the issues that you supposedly voted for have actually improved.

    4. Re:MOD PARENT UP by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Taxes are worse?

      For me, specifically, they are- the shifting of federal responsibilities to the states has specifically, in my county, caused an increase in property taxes to keep the schools open (yes, I'm in Washington County, Oregon- the same metro area that was blasted in Doonesbury for the "Every Child Left Behind" policy) and that more than ate up any tax benefits I got from the Bush tax cuts. The same story is going on nationwide in any state that has a balanced budget requirement written into the state constitution. (California is a notable exception to this- they're borrowing under the Governator to the point that they're at Junk Bond status).

      Abortion is worse?

      According to census data, there were 1.3 million abortions in 2000. According to Priests For Life (admitedly a pro-life organization) there were 1.6 million abortions in 2003. Yep, I'd call that worse. (Hinted at in the Priests for Life report is that the ballooning numbers of the uninsured may have something to do with this- 12% of all abortions are done for economic reasons). And as you say:

      OK, so maybe the economy is not red-hot, but considering that we went through the Enron/Worldcom scandal, terrorist attacks and war, it's doing alright.

      If a real unemployment rate (including the large numbers of people who went straight from unemployment to disability) is correct- we're heading towards a major depression in employment.

      I call bullshit on your assertion that you voted for Bush, because clearly you can't see that the issues that you supposedly voted for have actually improved.

      Really, how? My taxes are more, and there are more abortions now than before, and I spent more than half of the last 4 years unemployed. Nope- I can't say that anything I voted for is better. I also seem to remember a campaign promise against nation building...

      --
      SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
    5. Re:MOD PARENT UP by N3WBI3 · · Score: 1

      Can you tell me exactly what tax bracket did not go down??

      --
    6. Re:MOD PARENT UP by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 1

      the partial birth abortion ban passed

      Yeah, and it lasted for almost 15 minutes.

      It's naive for anyone supporting an anti-abortion candiate to expect him to really make any significant change. Abortion rights have been too cemented in the past decades to ever revert. Don't hold Bush accountable for things so far beyond his power.

    7. Re:MOD PARENT UP by N3WBI3 · · Score: 1

      Which is why I said he got the measure passed, he did what was within his power. But your right the Republicans use pro lifers like the Democrats use minorities. They dont actually want to fix anything or the voting block might go away..

      --
    8. Re:MOD PARENT UP by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      hmm everyone had their taxes lowered, the partial birth abortion ban passed, the No Kid left behind passed

      Mod this up +5, (unintentionally) funny!

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  12. Biased questions! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Of course Bush didn't respond, the entire context was biased!

    Civil rights, working class empathy, demonstration of critical thought; how could Cheap Labor Conservatives possibly answer in any manner that would perpetuate positive spin?

    Even the taxation questions were pro-Kerry.

    At least the article was .asp!

  13. Re:come on by Edax+Rarem · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, George W. Bush is all those things that you claim are "Bias"? (much like M$ Windoze is guilty of being a crappy OS)
    Becuase folks tend to be hard on the president here doesn't mean that /. is biased. It means that folks on /. are hard on the president.
    And rightly so, imo. If we, those that log on and debate our opinions about what we think is right and wrong, don't voice those opinions then we are just sheep. If you don't like the way a certain thread is going... LEAVE.

    The fact the Bush didn't feel the need to answer most of the questions (or be interviewed for that matter) tells me that he just doesn't give a sh1t.
    At least Kerry took the time to give a response to questions that some people might care about. And he did it without throwing jabs or 'waffling'. You may not agree with his answers, but at least he took the time _TO_ answer.
    Obviously W doesn't feel the need to.

    --
    I hate my sig.
  14. What a Jerk! by GypC · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Can't take an hour away from being the President of the U.S. to answer questions for a journalistic pillar like PC Magazine?

    If I were POTUS, magazine interviews would be my number one priority!

    1. Re:What a Jerk! by pbox · · Score: 1

      If I were POTUS, magazine interviews would be my number one priority!

      I thin you meant to say:
      If I were DOOFUS, ...

      --
      Code poet, espresso fiend, starter upper.
    2. Re:What a Jerk! by justins · · Score: 1

      If I were POTUS I'd never leave the house!

      --
      Now before I get modded down, I be to remind whoever might read this that what I am saying is FACT. - bogaboga
  15. Should we take the Kerry responses seriously? by TRACK-YOUR-POSITION · · Score: 2, Insightful
    It's true, Bush's responses were just excepts from his webpage or speeches or whatever. But Kerry's answers actually seemed TOO good--someone in the Kerry campaign who knew something about technology took the time to research each question and develop a decent answer. Now, that person probably DIDN't go on to brief Kerry about "Kerry's" answers in some computer magazine about issues Kerry has most likely never thought about and never will. Do you think the senator even knows what Spyware is? The answers name dropped specific court decisions and even grid computing.

    Now, I'm a huge Kerry supporter, and to be honest I'm not even sure how a decent person could vote Bush--the candidate of bigotry, plutocracy, and jingoism. I'm a conservative, therefore I oppose all those plan to vote Kerry. But I don't take these Kerry answers seriously for even a moment. Neither John Kerry nor George W. Bush need to know what the hell Grid computing is. In fact, I think I'd be better off not knowing what it is as well. "Buzzword compliant" is not a complement.

    1. Re:Should we take the Kerry responses seriously? by 0x0d0a · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Remember when Bush was getting voted in against Gore? And everyone said "yeah, Bush is inexperienced and maybe won't be so great, but he'll have great advisors and he's going to listen to them"?

      How does that same logic not apply to Kerry? You think he won't have technology advisors? That he personally makes all policy? Just because Kerry's following a technology platform that he personally didn't develop doesn't mean that one should vote against him.

    2. Re:Should we take the Kerry responses seriously? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Now, I'm a huge Kerry supporter, and to be honest I'm not even sure how a decent person could vote Bush--the candidate of bigotry, plutocracy, and jingoism. I'm a conservative, therefore I oppose all those plan to vote Kerry.

      Wow, with those two sentences in such close proximity, I really had no idea how you were going to vote. But I guess the violent flip-flop is a dead giveaway that you'll eventually identify with Kerry.

      Relax, just having fun.

    3. Re:Should we take the Kerry responses seriously? by TRACK-YOUR-POSITION · · Score: 1

      OOPS, it appears that I omitted an "and" conjunction between therefore I oppose all those and plan to vote Kerry. Well deserved cheap shot noted ;).

    4. Re:Should we take the Kerry responses seriously? by TRACK-YOUR-POSITION · · Score: 1
      And everyone said "yeah, Bush is inexperienced and maybe won't be so great, but he'll have great advisors and he's going to listen to them"?

      Yeah, I remember Colin Powell making fun of Madeline Albright for being an nation-building interventionist. I voted Bush last time for basically the reason you describe. The logic doesn't apply to Kerry because it shouldn't have applied to Bush. Advisors on topics the candidate doesn't particularly care about are easily ignored. And to be honest I didn't find anything particularly thrilling about the Kerry responses, anyway. I'm still voting for Kerry (my broken grammar may have made that unclear) but Iraq is a lot more important to me than Silicon Valley when I walk into the voting booth this year.

  16. who cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm sure you could just substitute Kerry's answers for Bush's anyway.

    Whoever you elect (and it will be Bush or Kerry, so don't talk to me about "3rd party candidates") will guarantee you certain things:

    * bigger, more invasive government

    * more technology regulation

    * more draconion copyrights, open source ignored

    * policies friendly to big business in general

    I've had enough of the constant Left/Right debate in this country, pretending there is actually some major difference between the two parties. They both moved to the center and then toward the corporations. If it wasn't for the Iraq war (which I don't agree with, reason enough to vote Kerry just to punish Bush [Kerry's Iraq policies will probably be identical]), I would flip a coin to vote.

  17. These answers in the article... by tickticker · · Score: 3, Insightful
    seem an appropriate reflection on the intelligence of our candidates.

    Bush has no idea what's going on and can't answer our questions or uses "Your gonna die if you don't agree" answers.

    Kerry has thoughful answers whether you agree with him or not, and you know he's intelligent enough to change his mind if confronted with appropriate facts.

    --
    This sig voted for daddy, but not jr

    1. Re:These answers in the article... by zsmooth · · Score: 1, Funny

      and you know he's intelligent enough to change his mind if confronted with appropriate facts.

      Or, more commonly, new opinion polls.

    2. Re:These answers in the article... by Murrow · · Score: 3, Funny

      Calvin and Hobbes on W (from a strip 11 years ago this week):

      http://www.ucomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1993/09/21/

  18. Hubble? by TVC15 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    No questions in the article to Kerry about the Hubble Telescope? At least we know where Bush stands on that issue.

  19. Bush is pro file sharing!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    What is your position on unauthorized online file-sharing?

    Kerry: I don't condone illegal sharing of copyrighted material. Widespread sharing and downloading of music, movies, and software undermines the incentives for individuals and companies to create new content. We need to continue to enforce our copyright laws and combat piracy both here and abroad.

    Bush: (I couldn't find a specific comment on file sharing.)

    If he's not against it, he's for it!

  20. Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Democrats are also notoriously pro-censorship (its for the children).

    Wait a minute! It's under Bush adminstration that the FCC just levied record fines for Janet Jackson flashing a nipple on the television. It's been the Bush administration's FCC that has gone after Howard Stern for the sake of "the children." It was the Reagan Administration's Meese Commission that pressured 7/11 convenience stores to stop carrying adult magazines. The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which required filtering software in public libraries was introduced by Rep. Bob Franks, a Republican from New Jersey.

    Democrats are much less likely to promote censorship than Republicans are.

    1. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by crackshoe · · Score: 1

      You remember the congressional hearings with Frank Zappa and Dee Snider? Tipper and Al Gore? Any of that ring a bell?

      --
      Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
    2. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by KilobyteKnight · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Democrats are much less likely to promote censorship than Republicans are.

      You don't seriously believe that, do you?

      Kerry has used his power and influence as a sitting Senator and a Presidential candidate to attempt to effect a ban on two books within the last few months. The swift boat book, and Kerry's own "The New Soldier" book. He fortunately failed on both accounts.

      Democrats are proponents of politically correct speech. They want to outlaw what they view as "hate" speech. These two things are in my opinion the most insidious assaults on free speech.

      Both Democrats and Republicans want the government to be able to control political speech during an election (Campaign Finance Reform).

      Both sides like trying to silence opposing views. Both sides treat the Constitution like toilet paper.

      The Democrats want to outlaw any speech which is unfavorable to them or their constitutes. The Republicans want to outlaw speech they consider immoral. Both claim they are protecting someone. Neither are.
      --
      When will Windows be ready for the desktop?
    3. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 1

      Kerry has used his power and influence as a sitting Senator and a Presidential candidate to attempt to effect a ban on two books within the last few months. The swift boat book, and Kerry's own "The New Soldier" book. He fortunately failed on both accounts.

      So you're offended that he would try to stop the publication of a book that slanders him and one that he is the author of? Sounds like he was within his moral rights.

      The Democrats want to outlaw any speech which is unfavorable to them or their constitutes. The Republicans want to outlaw speech they consider immoral.

      George W. Bush said: "They ought to get rid of all those 527s, independent expenditures that have flooded the airwaves. ... There have been millions of dollars spent. ... I signed a law that I thought would get rid of those (groups)."

      Gee, sounds like Bush is the one trying to outlaw speech unfavorable to him. In fact, he sued the FEC in an effort to stop groups like MoveOn.org from getting their message out.

    4. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 1

      You remember the congressional hearings with Frank Zappa and Dee Snider? Tipper and Al Gore? Any of that ring a bell?

      No, I don't. But I do remember that Tipper Gore (not Al Gore) led a series of informal hearings (not congressional hearings) by wives of Senators (not Congressional representatives) about violent and sexually explicit lyrics in popular songs. She proposed labeling the CDs as to their explicit content, not stopping them from being published and sold.

      Typical Republican selective memory disorder. You choose to remember things in a distorted manner in order to demonize Democrats.

    5. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by crackshoe · · Score: 1

      Except i'm a libertarian. and oh, heres the transcript for the hearing before the Comittee on Commerce, Scirnce, and TRansportation of the United States Senate (99nth Congress). http://mars.superlink.net/~jdandrea/shrg99-529/ind ex.html . Tipper Gore was a witness. Moreover, if you believe that labeling would not be de facto censorship, you're mistaken. Walmart, one of the biggest music vendors in the country, refuses to carry anything with such a label - much like movie theaters often refuse to carry anything with an nc-17 rating. These ratings often had nothing to do with cursing or violence, but with 'occult' content. Also note that i wasn't saying that republicans are anti-censorship, but i was pointing out that the democrats, the 'party of choice', is not.

      --
      Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
    6. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 1

      Except i'm a libertarian.

      Not such a big difference in my experience. Both seem way too focused on reducing taxes.

      and oh, heres the transcript for the hearing before the Comittee on Commerce, Scirnce, and TRansportation of the United States Senate (99nth Congress). http://mars.superlink.net/~jdandrea/shrg99-529/ind ex.html . Tipper Gore was a witness.

      Wait a minute. First you said that Tipper and Al Gore held the hearings because they are evil pro-censorship Democrats and now you provide a transcript of a hearing was held by a Congressional committee chaired by Republican John C. Danforth.

      Moreover, if you believe that labeling would not be de facto censorship, you're mistaken. Walmart, one of the biggest music vendors in the country, refuses to carry anything with such a label - much like movie theaters often refuse to carry anything with an nc-17 rating.

      You're mistaking Walmart for the U.S. government. There have been mail-order music vendors for decades as well as major chain record stores. There would probably be more record stores that survived had there been a difference in selection between them and Walmart -- something that the aforementioned labels may have provided. I don't shop at Walmart for music because I find their practice of selling edited CDs without disclosing that they are edited to be abhorrent.

      Also note that i wasn't saying that republicans are anti-censorship, but i was pointing out that the democrats, the 'party of choice', is not.

      I'm a Democrat and am violently opposed to censorship. I think that you paint with far too wide a brush based on the crusade of one Senator's wife.

    7. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by qengho · · Score: 1


      It's under Bush adminstration that the FCC just levied record fines for Janet Jackson flashing a nipple on the television. It's been the Bush administration's FCC that has gone after Howard Stern for the sake of "the children." It was the Reagan Administration's Meese Commission that pressured 7/11 convenience stores to stop carrying adult magazines. The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which required filtering software in public libraries was introduced by Rep. Bob Franks, a Republican from New Jersey.

      Sigh. You're suffering from the same delusion that the Kerry campaign is operating under, namely, that nuanced rational argument backed up by facts will sway the electorate.

      As Churchill pointed out, democracy is the worst form of government devised by man. Except for all the others.

    8. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by TRACK-YOUR-POSITION · · Score: 1
      I don't consider the FCC regulation of television and radio broadcasters a free speech issue--airwaves belong to the people, and the people's representatives have spoken--no nipples. Sorry, Football is for kids too.

      Not that I like Bush's FCC. I'd like someone to punch Michael Powell in the face for what he's done to allow further media consolidation (DISCLAIMER NOT A LEGALLY BINDING THREAT JUST HYPERBOLE PLEASE DO NOT ARREST ME).

    9. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      libertarian aka fuzzy anarchist

    10. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 1

      Moreover, if you believe that labeling would not be de facto censorship, you're mistaken.

      Labelling is de-facto advertising.

    11. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by KilobyteKnight · · Score: 1
      So you're offended that he would try to stop the publication of a book that slanders him and one that he is the author of? Sounds like he was within his moral rights.

      Offended? Why would I be offended? It's nothing personal, just the facts.

      George W. Bush said: "They ought to get rid of all those 527s, independent expenditures that have flooded the airwaves. ... There have been millions of dollars spent. ... I signed a law that I thought would get rid of those (groups)."

      I did mention campaign finance reform as one of the things both sides are promoting. I notice you chose to not quote that part. I had not heard that Bush was launching a lawsuit against MoveOn.org, but I have heard that Kerry did so against the Swift Boat vets. Neither surprises me.
      --
      When will Windows be ready for the desktop?
    12. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by crackshoe · · Score: 1

      exactly.

      --
      Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
    13. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 1

      I did mention campaign finance reform as one of the things both sides are promoting. I notice you chose to not quote that part.

      I don't consider laws preventing private organizations from voicing political views to be campaign finance reform. I consider that to be censorship.

      I had not heard that Bush was launching a lawsuit against MoveOn.org, but I have heard that Kerry did so against the Swift Boat vets. Neither surprises me.

      There is a big difference between MoveOn.org and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: MoveOn.org is an independent organization that existed long before the Kerry campaign did whereas Swift Boat Veterans for Truth was formed after the race got down to Bush & Kerry and it appears to be illegally coordinated by the Bush campaign. The worst thing that can be said about the MoveOn.org ads is that they are unsubtantiated whereas the SBVFT ads have been shown to be misleading, and, in many cases, untrue. Government suppression of slander and defamation has never been considered censorship.

    14. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is a big difference between MoveOn.org and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth...

      There's at least one other difference between MoveOn.org and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and that is that you agree with the agenda of the former, but disagree with the agenda of the latter. Fair enough, even liberals are entitled to an opinion. Let's focus on the similarities between the two: they both have the same ultimate goal: to make you vote for one candidate and against another, and they are both biased in the information they will present to you in their pursuit of that goal.

      Welcome to modern politics in a media saturated society.

    15. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 1

      Let's focus on the similarities between the two: they both have the same ultimate goal: to make you vote for one candidate and against another

      Agreed, and I don't deny either of them the right to pursue their goal.

      and they are both biased in the information they will present to you in their pursuit of that goal.

      I don't expect any political group to be unbiased. And I don't have any problem with those groups being selective about the information that they present to further their cause.

      But I do have a problem when they lie. I have a problem when they air an ad with someone saying "I served with John Kerry" when, in fact, the man had never even met John Kerry, much less served on the same boat with him. I have a problem when they chop up speeches to make it appear that John Kerry was making a claim when, in fact, he was reporting that he had been told things by others.

      I don't believe that 527 groups should be shut down. I do believe that they have a right express themselves and deliver their messages. But I do not believe that they should be allowed to air messages which contain falsehoods and deceptive statements ("I served with John Kerry" != "I never met John Kerry, but served in a different unit.") which are slanderous and defaming.

    16. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by fmaxwell · · Score: 1

      I don't consider the FCC regulation of television and radio broadcasters a free speech issue--airwaves belong to the people

      So do public parks, but that does not mean that the government has the legal or moral authority to censor what people say in those public areas.

      , and the people's representatives have spoken

      Michael Powell is not my "representative."

      --no nipples. Sorry, Football is for kids too.

      So why should children not see nipples? Who do you think nipples are for? (Hint: Ever heard of "breast feeding"?) Do you think that children in Europe are being traumatized by seeing nipples on billboards, in television ads, etc.?

    17. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But I do have a problem when they lie.

      "If you do not wish to be lied to, do not ask questions. If there were no questions, there would be no lies."
      - B. Traven

    18. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      I'd like to point out that Libertarians are for less taxes and for smaller government. Republicans are for less taxes for the rich, corporate welfare, bigger government that spends more and increases the deficit, and leaving the responsibility of paying the piper to others.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
    19. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      You remember the congressional hearings with Frank Zappa and Dee Snider? Tipper and Al Gore? Any of that ring a bell?

      This might interest you.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
    20. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      So do public parks, but that does not mean that the government has the legal or moral authority to censor what people say in those public areas.

      Actually, it is illegal for a woman to expose a nipple in most public parks in the United States, but it's a state or local matter. The crime is called "indecent exposure". And yes, overzealous cops have arrested breast feeding women.

      AFAIK, the only exception is at designated nude beaches.

      Michael Powell is not my "representative."

      So who is your representative in Washington DC? Chances are he or she sounded off in a sound bite for pure political gain, especially if he or she is a Republican.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
    21. Re:Republicans vs. Free Speech by TRACK-YOUR-POSITION · · Score: 1

      There's a big difference between parks and TV specturm. Parks can be used by all, TV spectrum has been allocated to a handful of corporations. For their privileges of broadcasting, which most of us cannot enjoy, those corporations have an obligation to serve the public. Like I said, not a Free Speech issue at all. The Supreme Court agrees with me.

  21. Whoops. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess the good news is, Bush listened to his advisors.

    The bad news is, ... um, he listened to his advisors. :(

  22. Re:come on by slughead · · Score: 1

    I e-mailed Kerry the other day asking him about tort reform, and the bastard hasn't replied yet! I can't believe it, I'm even in a swing state!

    Obviously Kerry Doesn't feel the need to take the time to answer.

  23. passion by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1

    Meet me somewhere here in NYC to debate Dubya's dumbness over some facepunching. I'll be compassionate if you will.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

    1. Re:passion by Hard_Code · · Score: 1

      Sure thing, but you'll have to wait until after I take several sequential deferments. I have other priorities.

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    2. Re:passion by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1

      Let me know when you get out of your Internet dungeon. I understand you guys prefer deferments to combat, but as you know, life is long.

      --

      --
      make install -not war

    3. Re:passion by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      If you guys are bringing the punch, I'll bring the ice cream.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  24. go on by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Doubleplusgood example of rightwing "unbias": patch over the extreme difference between Bush's moronics and Kerry's thoughts, for parity. When invited by a major computer magazine to inform their readers about the policies specific to their subject, Bush blew it off completely, and Kerry answered straight. Only a severe rightwing bias could make Bush look even adequate in this telling scenario. Four more years of faithbased government might make Bush's disinterest in tech appropriate.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

    1. Re:go on by gangien · · Score: 1

      You again? Right dude. How dare bush turn down an interview! holy shit burn him! WHy show bush at all if he declined the interview anyway? Why not just talk about kerry, but in the blurb i see bush mentioned more than kerry, that's not biased? It is, and to be fair, everyone is. But the level /. is at, is irritating.

    2. Re:go on by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1

      Bush couldn't even have an intern in his $500M campaign fax a prepared statement to the magazine. He doesn't care. Kerry seems to care. How can you spin that? If you want to read about tech at the level Bush is interested, go back to your bible. That's where the two alternatives are only heaven and hell. Those of us living on Earth are interested in the comparison, because we're using our brains to vote in a couple of months.

      --

      --
      make install -not war

    3. Re:go on by gangien · · Score: 0, Troll

      go back to your bible. That's where the two alternatives are only heaven and hell

      Ya know.. last time i checked.. the bible was made for and by people living on earth, and the future inhabinents(spelling?)

      Those of us living on Earth are interested in the comparison, because we're using our brains to vote in a couple of months.

      Yes i'm not on earth. I'm on mars right now. Quite lonely i might add, the beagle was supposed to say hi, but i never even saw it :(. Oh yes and all interviews are turned down because they don't care. I'm sure. You can assume that if you want, i guess, i think that's quite faulty resaoning, since you have no reason to believe that, other than you want too. Actually i'm not using my brain to vote, using i think a bubble sheet, unless it's changed. I will use my brain to figure out which bubble i need to fill in though.

  25. Re:come on by Edax+Rarem · · Score: 1

    gosh... you really must be shaken up. Is there anything I can do to help you through this tragic event?

    Maybe if you keep trying, someone will give you the attention you need.

    In the mean time, why don't you go out to the garage, turn on the car and listen to some Counry or easy listening muzak, or even better... you should sing to yourself "where the eagles soar" by John Ashcorft. I am sure that in a short time all your problems will be solved.

    And at the same time one of mine will be as well.

    --
    I hate my sig.
  26. Re:come on by gangien · · Score: 1

    this sounds familiar.. mmm 'we report and you decide' This crowd makes fun of fox for doing these types of things, but you'll defend these actions when they aggree with your side. Interesting. Also, i would say, "The result: detailed and informative responses from Kerry, and many missing responses from the Bush campaign due to lack of information provided by Bush's website." qualifies(spelling?) as a conclusion more or less.

  27. Re:come on by gangien · · Score: 1

    Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, George W. Bush is all those things that you claim are "Bias"? (much like M$ Windoze is guilty of being a crappy OS)

    And maybe just maybe, if you took an ubiased look at the OSes you'd see windows isn't that bad. Yes it sucks in some areas, but guess what? so does every other os.

    Becuase folks tend to be hard on the president here doesn't mean that /. is biased. It means that folks on /. are hard on the president.

    No, the blurb was biased.

  28. Calvin For President! by ragnarok · · Score: 1

    Seriously.
    When does he turn 35?

    --
    Search first, ask questions later.
  29. Boiled-down version by dcmeserve · · Score: 3, Informative
    I felt the urge to paw through the whole thing and put together a highly-abbreviated version:

    Do you think the federal government should be doing more to prevent or restrict the outsourcing of technical jobs to foreign countries? If so, what?

    Kerry: use tax incentives

    Bush: people should be educated more

    Do you think the federal government should have a role in expanding broadband usage? If so, what sort of role?
    Kerry: govt can't do it, but can encourage:
    - tax incentives

    - make more spectrum avail. for wireless services

    - R&D investments

    Bush: specific goal to have univ. access to broadband by 2007
    - don't tax b'band access

    - reduce regulations

    - "promote two promising technologies" -- b'band through power lines, wireless

    How do you feel about tax credits for companies investing in research and development?
    Kerry: it's good

    Bush: it's good

    What is your position on taxing Internet sales and service?
    Kerry: it's bad

    Bush: no answer

    What is your position on unauthorized online file-sharing?
    Kerry: it's bad. we need to enforce copyright laws. fortunately new technologies and business models are helping

    Bush: no answer

    What is your position on COPA (Child Online Protection Act)?
    Kerry: we must "make the internet safer for children by protecting them from harmful material in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment"

    Bush: no answer

    Should the federal government be doing more to stop and prevent spam, viruses, and worms? If so, what?
    Kerry: "Absolutely." Especially viruses/worms.

    Bush: no answer

    How do you feel about the SPY Act and other antispyware legislation introduced in Congress last month?
    Kerry: May be needed, but would prefer combo of better enforcement of existing laws and more private-sector efforts (e.g. more-secure OS's, browsers)

    Bush: no answer

    Do you think the federal Wiretap Act should be updated in the wake of the recent federal ruling that e-mail stored on a provider's server is not protected by this act?
    Kerry: yes

    Bush: no answer

    That's it. Now I have to do a "lameness filter" workaround: asdf asdf asdf ajj;l asduiui sadfu asdfkhj werjh asd weruusda suds asdf asdf asdf ajj;l asduiui sadfu asdfkhj werjh asd weruusda suds asdfasdf asdfasdf asdfasd asdf wrth wrht ad sfty ag adrgerg rth zdfg adrg erg asdrgrdg xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx hggk drgrth dgjtyj nygbs tukuy sdsd tyj srtgser srthsrth arur u7hr wtgwe gewgr sdthsrh rsthsfg wergewrg wrtyerty zdfgwer g 76u356y5 dsfgdrger ergerg rthsrth rth fsth tj sfhf sdbbves ardt serg rdtyrty sdgerg errtuyertyrety sergwseg rtyertyr wegwg rtyertyerty tfyiyfuiyu stgwrtgwrgw dfuerterty tynteyn k8 b qevevr ergesvd rsrsrstgfgdgdhht shgshshsg srtiudfgergiuy erguysefjghw drgriufguy fghuihbfguf guyerguyegjk ergjkherghjkrkhjerg fsgkhjrtkhjrgejhef gfuhgfuherguyeruergjkhefvjhehjk fgjhegrjghwghjw efjhgfehgw
    --
    "Orthodoxy is unconsciousness" - Orwell
  30. Kerry on Spyware vs Worms by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 1

    According to this, Kerry believes that the best approach to stopping worms and viruses are better anti-spyware software and FBI legal squadrons.

    Yet he believes that the solution to spyware is better anti-spyware software and more secure OSes and browsers.

    The solution to both is the same. Kerry would already have my vote (if I was old enough to vote) because he's not Bush. It'd just be doubly cool if he came out and said "The best defense against spyware, viruses, and worms is to use the more secure software that already exists. The best defense against spam is to use a good statistical spam filter, combined with RBLs."

    He seems to know his shit somewhat -- better than the "Hackers are evildoers, let's train marines to hack and go hack them" I'd expect from Bush.

    Still, he (his campaign) could do a bit more research.

    --
    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    1. Re:Kerry on Spyware vs Worms by FiloEleven · · Score: 1

      He seems to know his shit somewhat -- better than the "Hackers are evildoers, let's train marines to hack and go hack them" I'd expect from Bush.

      That's exactly what Kerry is advocating for viruses, though. You said so yourself: FBI legal squadrons. Also, why is the gov't responsible for spyware/viruses if they're not responsible for instituting better broadband (Kerry says that's the responsibility of the private sector)?

      Both candidates want the gov't to stick their hands in way too many aspects of life that they should leave well enough alone. The spyware thing is the most ridiculous I've seen yet.

  31. political tech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    PC Mag should have wrote a post-summary that the position of the 2 candidates and their "ideologies" were given before the interview(s) started.

    Basically, Bush has one goal, influence the world to his buddies, i.e. protect his interests. If that means using faith, money, oil, government or big industry, then so be it--just get reelected is his goal period. Where does tech fit in the republican agenda? Sorry fellas, but because of the tech boom, technology has been politically labeled as an empowering tool. People (those with simple minds) in power would obviously oppose technology influence as it's being played out today. Technology is currently a thing to exploit in the stock market--which is currently down; hence, it is not a republican agenda item As for the Kerry campaign, he supports empowering the people and tech, which is good, but again gets tied up in politic and law jargon. He's expresses too many details to his too many goals. Focusing on saying something like "Reduce technology operation costs and get people more access to technology" would say a lot instead of details.

    The interview was telling, Bush doesn't care as the tech vote is like 0 to him, Kerry's cares causes he trying to get more exposure (i.e. nothing to do with tech).

  32. We Libertarians view the Demo vs. Repubs as... by tyrione · · Score: 1

    Democrats vs. SuperDemocrats.

  33. Re:come on by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

    "we report, you decide"

    people make fun of fox because fox does more in the way of telling us what to decide than it does in the way of reporting. Just because they've got a slogan doesn't make that slogan truthful.

    --
    It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  34. Re:come on by gangien · · Score: 0, Troll

    i know.. that's my point. that's what slashdot is doing.

  35. Re:come on by FiloEleven · · Score: 1

    Parent makes a good point, but I say don't leave. By all means, stay and debate if you have different views! Sure, you're going to get flamed now and then, but this IS the internet.

    If we don't have dissenting voices, Slashdot would become nothing more than horrible jokes about ??? profiting from hot grits in Soviet Russia.

    ...

    ...we're in trouble