This is why elections suck. Every two years, we hear endless diatribe about how those running for office will change America for the better - always focusing on the same issues. And yet, we're rotting from the inside out - all the things that REALLY matter - like why executive orders like this are allowed to stand - are completely ignored. I'd rather forget about education and healthcare for an election cycle or two, and hear what candidates will do to restore the intent and integrity of our system of government.
I tend to agree...I think most people that buy the iPhone will do so for the sexiness factor, but I won't be one of them. I still don't own an ipod, and to my credit, I wasn't one of the unfortunate souls who had to deal with any of its design flaws. With the iPhone's $600 price tag, and the cost of net access from the cell phone, my approach will not be changing any time soon.
Perhaps it is telling that many major oil companies (BP, Shell and others), with a vested interest in preserving the status quo, are directing a significant portion of the industry research.
If what I hear in my lunch clique is any indication, you're right. Oft mentioned is a documentary named "Who Killed the Electric Car?". Supposedly, GM already has some pretty impressive technology developed, but they canned it (even destroyed a number of cars that had already been built). At one point it was mandated by law that as of a certain date, a certain number of electric cars had to be available to the consumer public. Once that law was overturned through extensive lobbying, the requirement disappeared, and so did the cars.
Just pile the whole mess of these machines into a trailer rig, attach a bill for them to the rear door, and send it off to Redmond. There...no code, no code escrow worries. Next, locate a vendor that will produce a machine *with* a specification so that the software can be developed by any vendor that follows the specification. This would make a great open source project.
When you stop and think about it, law and legislation is very much like engineering
Absolutely, and the problem is always the same..."What is the best way to maximize the money, control, and influence I can wield in my position as an elected represenative?"
I'm a linux fan (for 10+ years), but what has kept me from taking Konqueror seriously were some rather unfortunate development decisions with respect to the UI. One thing in particular that drove me away was the bookmarks menu that hijacks the entire screen. I realize that some people actually like this (I for the life of me can't figure out why), but it was enough of an irritant for me to consider something else. Firefox has been my preferred browser ever since.
At least now there's a precedent. And people can be held in contempt for non-compliance. If it's some John Q. Citizen asking for info, and the Bushocracy tells them to get lost, there's not much they can do accept file an expensive lawsuit, or mount a PR campaign.
It's a semantic issue. Change the button to read, "Bid x dollars" where x is the instant purchase amount. The auction closes for that item shortly thereafter, and bingo. Problem solved.
Good god - that has to be one of the most incredible steps BACKWARD I've ever seen. I used to love Gaim. Now I'll use something else, because I hate the enable/disable junk, and worse, I can't stand developers who don't have a clue (and refuse to get one) with respect to usability issues.
Someone help me...I can't for the life of me figure out where this "enable/disable" thing came from. It's not intuitive, it's somewhat crude, and a pain in the rear. It's not that way on the Linux version, but someone who did the windows port thought it was a good idea. I strongly disagree. A simple "log in/log out" would be a welcome step forward.
Frankly its people's own fault that they were too short sighted and too cheap to not take better precautions.
Such as? Seriously - when this notion "you have no expectation of privacy if you're out in public," became commonly accepted, I doubt seriously they were able to foresee the development of the internet, and how completely inexpensive and painless it is to become both the one taking the pictures and the publisher. Publishing no longer takes place with the limitations imposed by traditional media, but is nearly cost-free, and can reach a world-wide audience.
In the vast majority of cases, people have no choice but to be in public. We have a vast collection of shared resources that must be utilized to whatever extent necessary to carry out our day-to-day lives- that's the way our society works. I do not believe that the fact we must be in public to accomplish certain tasks automatically nullifies any right to be left the hell alone.
This is nasty. It's like junk mail. Never ceasing, always something you have to keep an eye out for, and something that ultimately, you have to resolve, day in and day out. I can see this being an even bigger problem - what if you have no involvement at all with any of these services, but others that you know, do- they tag a picture with your name, and you'd have no way of knowing.
...of information, not to mention the law, suggest that all of the secrecy can lead to corruption, as though it may happen. I'd argue that we're well past that point- the first sign that something is amiss is the unprecedented secrecy. The surveillance and other illegal acts are just window dressing.
I'd mod you up if I had points. I'm constantly amazed by the "everything is fair game" attitude. I used to think that Americans had the capacity to respect the sensibilities of others, but that's becoming less and less apparent.
The fact is, that in the past, any public exposure was limited because the technology simply didn't exist for wide dissemination. Now that anyone can publish anything and make it easily accessible to the public, carrying out even the most mundane day-to-day tasks can put us at risk for unwanted exposure. Should people have to hide, simply to avoid being tracked, profiled, documented, photographed, or whatever? Just because I might have to use a public roadway in order to get a certain destination doesn't automatically grant everyone around me a right to poke their noes into my life.
The quasi-private nature of the federal reserve insulates it from the whims of politics (would you trust Bush & Republican Congress to effectively manage the money supply?), while still allows governmental oversight.
One could easily argue that control of its money supply is one aspect of government that cannot be privatized. In fact, your argument is the very argument they made in order to get the Federal Reserve Act passed in the first place. I believe it was a snow job that has enslaved millions of Americans to a few wealthy scumbags. Even more serious is the well-known political axiom that those who control the money, control the government.
As for stability - any given administration has every bit as much interest in stability- especially in light of the fact that there are so many career politicians. Politicians hate change, because where there's change, there's risk.
A private monopoly, where a few, select individuals are gifted with the privilege of creating money out of nothing (literally), is more stable than a government that can print its own money, and owe itself NOTHING in terms of interest?
Iraq is important, but there are other issues that we never hear about. For example...the Federal Reserve. It is costing us dearly (the interest on government debt), and quite frankly, I can't see any reason for its continued monopoly on this country's money supply. Also, what does the candidate plan to do (specifically) to repair the havoc wrought by Dubya's end-runs around the other two branches of government (not to mention the Constitution)?
In 1980, Aspartame failed to achieve FDA approval. However, this decision was reversed under a new, Reagan appointed commissioner it was approved.
Additionally, it was none other than our beloved Donald Rumsfeld who was hired by GD Searle to ensure its approval. Most people aren't even aware that Aspartame was originally being considered as an agent for biowarfare because of its neurological toxicity.
But if I know that my code is destined to run on only a single OS platform, shouldn't I be allowed to write non-portable code that lets me use facilities that are provided by the operating system?
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This is why elections suck. Every two years, we hear endless diatribe about how those running for office will change America for the better - always focusing on the same issues. And yet, we're rotting from the inside out - all the things that REALLY matter - like why executive orders like this are allowed to stand - are completely ignored. I'd rather forget about education and healthcare for an election cycle or two, and hear what candidates will do to restore the intent and integrity of our system of government.
I tend to agree...I think most people that buy the iPhone will do so for the sexiness factor, but I won't be one of them. I still don't own an ipod, and to my credit, I wasn't one of the unfortunate souls who had to deal with any of its design flaws. With the iPhone's $600 price tag, and the cost of net access from the cell phone, my approach will not be changing any time soon.
Perhaps it is telling that many major oil companies (BP, Shell and others), with a vested interest in preserving the status quo, are directing a significant portion of the industry research.
If what I hear in my lunch clique is any indication, you're right. Oft mentioned is a documentary named "Who Killed the Electric Car?". Supposedly, GM already has some pretty impressive technology developed, but they canned it (even destroyed a number of cars that had already been built). At one point it was mandated by law that as of a certain date, a certain number of electric cars had to be available to the consumer public. Once that law was overturned through extensive lobbying, the requirement disappeared, and so did the cars.
They should be giving me free updates because these usually involve fixing something that should have worked correctly in the first place.
Just pile the whole mess of these machines into a trailer rig, attach a bill for them to the rear door, and send it off to Redmond. There...no code, no code escrow worries. Next, locate a vendor that will produce a machine *with* a specification so that the software can be developed by any vendor that follows the specification. This would make a great open source project.
When you stop and think about it, law and legislation is very much like engineering
Absolutely, and the problem is always the same..."What is the best way to maximize the money, control, and influence I can wield in my position as an elected represenative?"
I'm a linux fan (for 10+ years), but what has kept me from taking Konqueror seriously were some rather unfortunate development decisions with respect to the UI. One thing in particular that drove me away was the bookmarks menu that hijacks the entire screen. I realize that some people actually like this (I for the life of me can't figure out why), but it was enough of an irritant for me to consider something else. Firefox has been my preferred browser ever since.
Actually I wish to HELL they'd use the paintballs and/or EMP to neutralize boomcars. They have no business on public streets. Ever.
At least now there's a precedent. And people can be held in contempt for non-compliance. If it's some John Q. Citizen asking for info, and the Bushocracy tells them to get lost, there's not much they can do accept file an expensive lawsuit, or mount a PR campaign.
It's a semantic issue. Change the button to read, "Bid x dollars" where x is the instant purchase amount. The auction closes for that item shortly thereafter, and bingo. Problem solved.
They said that it's better to be safe than sorry! How funny!
Are you sure you heard correctly? Maybe they said that it was better to be safe and sorry.
Pardon my ignorance, but why is Comcast evil?
Good god - that has to be one of the most incredible steps BACKWARD I've ever seen. I used to love Gaim. Now I'll use something else, because I hate the enable/disable junk, and worse, I can't stand developers who don't have a clue (and refuse to get one) with respect to usability issues.
Someone help me...I can't for the life of me figure out where this "enable/disable" thing came from. It's not intuitive, it's somewhat crude, and a pain in the rear. It's not that way on the Linux version, but someone who did the windows port thought it was a good idea. I strongly disagree. A simple "log in/log out" would be a welcome step forward.
You're not alone in the boycott...Amazon has never seen a dime of mine. Now if only more Americans had a spine.
I watched this - thanks for posting the link.
Frankly its people's own fault that they were too short sighted and too cheap to not take better precautions.
Such as? Seriously - when this notion "you have no expectation of privacy if you're out in public," became commonly accepted, I doubt seriously they were able to foresee the development of the internet, and how completely inexpensive and painless it is to become both the one taking the pictures and the publisher. Publishing no longer takes place with the limitations imposed by traditional media, but is nearly cost-free, and can reach a world-wide audience.
In the vast majority of cases, people have no choice but to be in public. We have a vast collection of shared resources that must be utilized to whatever extent necessary to carry out our day-to-day lives- that's the way our society works. I do not believe that the fact we must be in public to accomplish certain tasks automatically nullifies any right to be left the hell alone.
This is nasty. It's like junk mail. Never ceasing, always something you have to keep an eye out for, and something that ultimately, you have to resolve, day in and day out. I can see this being an even bigger problem - what if you have no involvement at all with any of these services, but others that you know, do- they tag a picture with your name, and you'd have no way of knowing.
...of information, not to mention the law, suggest that all of the secrecy can lead to corruption, as though it may happen. I'd argue that we're well past that point- the first sign that something is amiss is the unprecedented secrecy. The surveillance and other illegal acts are just window dressing.
I'd mod you up if I had points. I'm constantly amazed by the "everything is fair game" attitude. I used to think that Americans had the capacity to respect the sensibilities of others, but that's becoming less and less apparent.
The fact is, that in the past, any public exposure was limited because the technology simply didn't exist for wide dissemination. Now that anyone can publish anything and make it easily accessible to the public, carrying out even the most mundane day-to-day tasks can put us at risk for unwanted exposure. Should people have to hide, simply to avoid being tracked, profiled, documented, photographed, or whatever? Just because I might have to use a public roadway in order to get a certain destination doesn't automatically grant everyone around me a right to poke their noes into my life.
The quasi-private nature of the federal reserve insulates it from the whims of politics (would you trust Bush & Republican Congress to effectively manage the money supply?), while still allows governmental oversight.
One could easily argue that control of its money supply is one aspect of government that cannot be privatized. In fact, your argument is the very argument they made in order to get the Federal Reserve Act passed in the first place. I believe it was a snow job that has enslaved millions of Americans to a few wealthy scumbags. Even more serious is the well-known political axiom that those who control the money, control the government.
As for stability - any given administration has every bit as much interest in stability- especially in light of the fact that there are so many career politicians. Politicians hate change, because where there's change, there's risk.
A private monopoly, where a few, select individuals are gifted with the privilege of creating money out of nothing (literally), is more stable than a government that can print its own money, and owe itself NOTHING in terms of interest?
Iraq is important, but there are other issues that we never hear about. For example...the Federal Reserve. It is costing us dearly (the interest on government debt), and quite frankly, I can't see any reason for its continued monopoly on this country's money supply. Also, what does the candidate plan to do (specifically) to repair the havoc wrought by Dubya's end-runs around the other two branches of government (not to mention the Constitution)?
In 1980, Aspartame failed to achieve FDA approval. However, this decision was reversed under a new, Reagan appointed commissioner it was approved.
Additionally, it was none other than our beloved Donald Rumsfeld who was hired by GD Searle to ensure its approval. Most people aren't even aware that Aspartame was originally being considered as an agent for biowarfare because of its neurological toxicity.
But if I know that my code is destined to run on only a single OS platform, shouldn't I be allowed to write non-portable code that lets me use facilities that are provided by the operating system?
Why wouldn't JNI suffice?