What it amounts to is that people who think for themselves are no longer wanted in society. When did this happen? What should we do about it? Who is John Galt?
I am also a conservative, but I fail to see what you are advocating...
But I'm sure we can both agree that the government needs to spend less in any case.
My comments supposes you understand and accept the fact that there is no free will. Understanding that the guy who breaks into your Honda does not have free will but then supposing you do (and thus have 'done for yourself') kind of misses the whole point. My argument is that both of us have free will. It was by my free will that I avoided the situation that he is in, and by his shirking the responsibility of free will that put him in such a situation. But if the thief wants to make his life better, he must find that responsibility and take charge of it.
Just because he is less fortunate does not automatically grant him the moral right to what I have done for myself. Being less fortunate does not automatically grant him any moral authority whatsoever to commit crimes against any one. Letting is slide does not make his life better, it only makes mine worse. Only him choosing to make his life better of his own accord will truly set him free from the life he now leads. Until he does so, he will be a parasite to those like you that allow yourself to be the willing victim. The only thing I ask of you is that when you are victimized, do not come to me and try to forcefully take away from me what was taken from you, I have no sympathy for any one who finds it proper and good to allow the theft of their property and uses that as moral justification to steal from me in turn.
At the heart of your metaphor is the question of self modification. A program could be 'free' of it's own operation if it were free to change itself.
If you want to become a better person (Smarter, Stronger, More Compassionate, More Understanding, fill in your own desire here) then I hope you believe in free will. If you believe that all intelligence and ability is static, I doubt much can be done to make you see the benefits of free will because you've already given up yours.
For some reason, this cry for justice rings empty. Does Microsoft honestly think THEY can make such complaints given their own gregarious behavior?
I think it's pretty evident that the above is ad hominem attack trying to dissuade us from the main point that:
Any definitive agreement between Yahoo and Google would consolidate over 90 percent of the search advertising market in Google's hands
Which, while exaggerated, is still a logical argument. The state of the desktop market plays no bearing in the statement that a Yahoo-Google partnership would form a rather large power block of internet advertising.
So if you are so academic why don't you address the main point? Saying you are academic and being academic are two different things.
Now, you're not always going to beat the market (actually, you'll probably lose more than you'll win), but if done properly you'll still be ahead dollar wise. Off-topic but, the dollar is behind and falling quick so what does that mean?
I like the new preview, but I'm with QuantumG here, This is taking up to much realestate on my old 1024x768 thinkpad. But I guess I can deal for the free news... for now...
I don't know where you are from, but to me the government's role was never to hold power over the corporations. Theft is still Theft, and the confiscation you propose is exactly that. But aside from that, how is having a corrupt government confiscate even more money going to solve anything? Besides if the US confiscates MS's assets, it will be clear to all people that no company is safe to operate within the US. Do you want that to happen? I'll admit that MS has a problem with wanting what they have not earned through monopoly force, but guess who created that problem? The consumers created this problem because they wanted simple easy and homogeneous. They didn't want to think when they used a computer. And they wanted it now. They traded their comfort for their technological freedom. But you and I know exactly how easy it is to free your self of that claptrap, it just takes the bare minimum of thought. Show me a user who can't use a Modern Linux Distro and I'll show you someone who also shouldn't be left on their own on any computer system.
I'm just going to keep using Linux, and refuse to fix any one's windows box for them, and when they say "Awww gee whiz but you are like smart with computers and stuff" I'll just tell them why they should use Linux in clear and simple terms, and if they don't like that, too bad for them because I'm not going to shovel their shit for them and they can pay someone else for their time.
Even so, if the Republican party can't be counted on for conservative government, by that I mean the elimination of big government, reasonable spending and respect for individual rights, what the hell is going to happen to the US?
Let's give McCain credit, he isn't afraid to buck his party to stick with what he believes in.
Indeed. But lately the whole Republican party has been bucking true Republican beliefs. Listen to some Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, and ask your self if they would be for the Patriot Act, or the Invasion of Iraq. Check out this buck of the Republican party ideals from early 1990's to 2008.
So what happen? If you are a Republican I urge you to ask yourself if what McCain is spouting is actually Republican ideals.
Slashdot Mirror
What it amounts to is that people who think for themselves are no longer wanted in society.
When did this happen?
What should we do about it?
Who is John Galt?
I am also a conservative, but I fail to see what you are advocating...
But I'm sure we can both agree that the government needs to spend less in any case.
There are some really scary ones in there.
Google
Bank of New York
SAIC
Amazon.com
But my bet is on Toys "R" Us
I think Poor people can be moral, but they won't stay poor for very long.
Just because he is less fortunate does not automatically grant him the moral right to what I have done for myself. Being less fortunate does not automatically grant him any moral authority whatsoever to commit crimes against any one. Letting is slide does not make his life better, it only makes mine worse. Only him choosing to make his life better of his own accord will truly set him free from the life he now leads. Until he does so, he will be a parasite to those like you that allow yourself to be the willing victim. The only thing I ask of you is that when you are victimized, do not come to me and try to forcefully take away from me what was taken from you, I have no sympathy for any one who finds it proper and good to allow the theft of their property and uses that as moral justification to steal from me in turn.
At the heart of your metaphor is the question of self modification. A program could be 'free' of it's own operation if it were free to change itself.
If you want to become a better person (Smarter, Stronger, More Compassionate, More Understanding, fill in your own desire here) then I hope you believe in free will. If you believe that all intelligence and ability is static, I doubt much can be done to make you see the benefits of free will because you've already given up yours.
True I don't have much sympathy but ad hominem is still a logically flawed argument.
What MS says is logically true, I just don't happen to give a rats ass about them saying it.
Who says he would be satisfied if he won?
You, Sir, deserve some mod points.
I agree... Slax FTW! or at least when it comes to USB drives. It's the little distro that could.
But really, I'd rather have Debian on a USB.
1998 called and they want their troll back...
I like the new preview, but I'm with QuantumG here, This is taking up to much realestate on my old 1024x768 thinkpad. But I guess I can deal for the free news... for now...
Lenovo has some Suse Thinkpads.
Nah they are going to get their millage out ISO now that they bought it. We are going to have a standardized OS for every PC.
I don't know where you are from, but to me the government's role was never to hold power over the corporations. Theft is still Theft, and the confiscation you propose is exactly that. But aside from that, how is having a corrupt government confiscate even more money going to solve anything? Besides if the US confiscates MS's assets, it will be clear to all people that no company is safe to operate within the US. Do you want that to happen? I'll admit that MS has a problem with wanting what they have not earned through monopoly force, but guess who created that problem? The consumers created this problem because they wanted simple easy and homogeneous. They didn't want to think when they used a computer. And they wanted it now. They traded their comfort for their technological freedom. But you and I know exactly how easy it is to free your self of that claptrap, it just takes the bare minimum of thought. Show me a user who can't use a Modern Linux Distro and I'll show you someone who also shouldn't be left on their own on any computer system.
I'm just going to keep using Linux, and refuse to fix any one's windows box for them, and when they say "Awww gee whiz but you are like smart with computers and stuff" I'll just tell them why they should use Linux in clear and simple terms, and if they don't like that, too bad for them because I'm not going to shovel their shit for them and they can pay someone else for their time.
Cue Techno Viking to bring the lava...
In true Jeopardy fashion, here is my answer:
Who is John Galt?
LOL!
You're Sadistic. But in the best possible way.
Even so, if the Republican party can't be counted on for conservative government, by that I mean the elimination of big government, reasonable spending and respect for individual rights, what the hell is going to happen to the US?
Let me guess your response... Who is John Galt?
But statistically any one who would steal a laptop would start with the week old pizza.
Indeed. But lately the whole Republican party has been bucking true Republican beliefs. Listen to some Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, and ask your self if they would be for the Patriot Act, or the Invasion of Iraq. Check out this buck of the Republican party ideals from early 1990's to 2008.
So what happen? If you are a Republican I urge you to ask yourself if what McCain is spouting is actually Republican ideals.
Yes the troll is funny but its still a troll. It's like laughing at someone getting kicked in the nuts; you feel bad but you can't help it.