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User: geoffrobinson

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Comments · 1,637

  1. If McCartney's Wonderful Christams was used... on Automatic Christmas Music · · Score: 1

    the dataset is horribly flawed. That must be the worst Christmas song ever.

    I guess even a Beatle is allowed a stinker once in a while.

  2. Live By the Nanny State, Die By theNanny State on Illinois Gov. Seeks Violent Video Game Ban · · Score: 1

    Both sides of the aisle don't like this. I, personally, wouldn't pass the law. But it is within the rights of a state to do so, as long as they don't prevent a parent to buying it for a minor.

  3. If I May Paraphrase Chris Matthews circa 2001 on Interceptor Missile Fails Test Launch · · Score: 1

    At least I think it was Chris Matthews...

    pre 9/11...

    To those opposing missle defense: If a missle from a rogue nation is launched, who do you think is going to take the political heat for that?

    No, let's just wait for nutjobs like North Korea and Iran to significantly improve their missle technology. We'll send our good energy wave thoughts towards them while we dance with sugar plums and the happy elves.

    Don't most people here support all that wasteful spending at NASA in the name of exploration and scientific side-benefits? Is that better than protecting the country? Don't you think we'll learn a lot from this project?

  4. Re:My concern on Interceptor Missile Fails Test Launch · · Score: 1

    Are you being serious?

    When building a new system as trivial as a word processor (compared to a interceptor missle, trivial), do people not get bugs (i.e. anomolies) of unknown origin?

    You detect a problem but are unsure what caused it. This happens so often.

  5. That Doesn't Justify Stealing on MPAA to Sue BitTorrent Tracker Servers · · Score: 1

    I don't like advertisements either, but that does not justify stealing.

  6. Re:It won't happen on Lawsuit Filed Against Software Copyright · · Score: 1

    Here's the general rule: when legislatures haven't made things clear or haven't dealt with a topic AND they should have, leave legislating to legislatures. Caveats can be made for inherent rights, which can be used as a big loophole many times. However, no one is associating copyright laws with human rights.

  7. European Union Is More Bureaucracy Than Democracy on Software Patents Circumvent European Parliament · · Score: 1

    I know the shape and form of the EU is still somewhat in flux, but it seems to skew towards rule by buraucrats. Maybe that allows the different countries to get along under one authority. However, the downside is...well...you are ruled by buraucrats and stuff like this happens sometimes.

  8. Shouldn't This Be Here Already on Yahoo! Releases Desktop Search Tool · · Score: 1

    It never ceases to amaze me but sometimes I'll use the current Windows search option, looking for something I already know is there. Many times it can't find it.

    I would be happy with an accurate version of grep (which I know I can get for a Windows box), let alone a fancy search tool.

  9. Re:We need to look into more alt. energy on Is the Future of Silicon Valley Solar? · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Keep that attitude up. You'll be looking at another defeat in 2008.

    If you gave a more thoughtful post you would get a more thoughtful post.

  10. The problem with alt.energy on Is the Future of Silicon Valley Solar? · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone can post to that newsgroup. You get advertising and all sorts of off-topic posts.

    I'd rather have sci.energy or even rec.energy.

  11. It's Not Admitting Bias Which is the Problem on Internet Kills LA Times National Edition · · Score: 1

    It's not so much bias, as not admitting you have bias.

    There is a difference between bias in the editorial section and the news section.

    You knew they were gunning for now Gov. Arnold. You knew they were playing up the prison scandal because they wanted to undermine Bush, not because they though pointing at penises were the worst things in the world.

    The Internet now helps us understand what the Mainstream Media (MSM) doesn't report. And that reveal their bias more than anything.

  12. I know this thread is old but here me out... on Consensus on Global Warming · · Score: 1

    I read a newspaper article around April of 2003 that scientists were not measuring the output of the Sun. Isn't that an important variable to consider before concluding anything about global warming?

  13. Could you display results in a USA Today graph? on Math Skills Survey Shows U.S. Lags Behind · · Score: 5, Funny

    All those numbers in the post are hurting my head.

  14. Re:Perhaps now the USA will join the Kyoto Protoco on Human Activity to Blame For 2003 Heatwave · · Score: 1

    Russia's CO2 levels in 1990 were higher than they are today. So signing the treaty allows them to pollute more.

  15. the Free Market at Work, this is a good thing on Half of U.S. I.T. Operations Jobs to Vanish · · Score: 1

    People will be freed to work on other problems or do work in other areas. This is a very good thing.

    This always happens with the advancement of technology. The invention of the plow allows people to do other things besides grow/hunt for food. Civilization advances.

    This even happens when work is outsourced. It frees up labor to do something else.

    Are there pains in transition? Of course. But people need to stop looking at economics as a zero-sum game.

  16. Re:Other unfair government services on Verizon Seeks To Nix Fee-Based Municipal Wireless Grids · · Score: 1

    It is actually a governmental responsibility to provide those services. Therein lies the difference.

  17. 'Failed' Is a Relative Term on Kyoto Treaty to Enter Into Force · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A bipartisan concensus that handicaping our economy relative to other countries was a bad idea may not constitute a failure.

  18. "Senate" and "Rush" or "Hurry" Is a Bad Sign on Senate May Rush Copyright Legislation · · Score: 1

    Bad legislation is often hurried or rushed.

  19. Re:Within the meaning of the law on Electronic Arts Facing Possible Class Action Lawsuit · · Score: 1

    That was my least favorite HR move.

  20. A Word of Caution Re: Unions on Electronic Arts Facing Possible Class Action Lawsuit · · Score: 1

    Unions may cause there to be less work by making wages higher. It may also spur more outsourcing.

    For freedom's sake, feel free to unionize. But they're free to get out of Dodge as well.

  21. Re:Within the meaning of the law on Electronic Arts Facing Possible Class Action Lawsuit · · Score: 1

    There are ways of getting around those well-meaning laws. I can't descriminate against you because you look funny. I just won't tell you why I didn't hire you.

  22. Re:I Just Heard An Interview Which Disputes 1st Cl on How Journalists Distort Science with Balance · · Score: 1

    No, she references other studies. It seems that you don't want to bother yourself with her arguments, which may be wrong. But if you would like to actually take some time and listen to her interview you may actually be able to produce a good rebuttal or something I can't think of.

    But, to me, you seem incredibly close-minded and don't want to be bothered with any arguments. Therefore, I'm going to give the other side some credence.

  23. Re:I Just Heard An Interview Which Disputes 1st Cl on How Journalists Distort Science with Balance · · Score: 1

    Yes, it is a biased site. And that's why they are interested in the topic in the first place. Do you want a site with no interest in the topic to do the interview?

    They interview a real doctor who gives facts and discusses different medical studies.

    You can have bias and still be right. You must attack and deal with *arguments*.

  24. I Just Heard An Interview Which Disputes 1st Claim on How Journalists Distort Science with Balance · · Score: 1

    http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues4/Nov_10c.mp3

    That link is about the connection with aboriton to breast cancer.

    What if the person who is concerned by junk science is blinded by his or her lack of balance?

    Just get all the information out there. A journalist should try to be objective. That doesn't mean letting any crank with an opposing view get time in an article. But more information is not a problem.

    Stop being concerned about the ignorant masses. You may be the biased and ignorant "expert" and not know it.

  25. Re:Ah yes, the Guardian on US Ready to put Weapons in Space · · Score: 1

    As a Bush supporter, I thank you. Please write more letters in 2008.

    thanks again!