I've run a professional website. I've worked in both the private sector and for a large University. You are misinformed. The web isn't going anywhere. All of the commercial interests on the web could vanish tomorrow and for many of us it would not be soon enough. The Academic end of the web will be fine, and in fact would thrive.
So we wouldn't be able to buy plane tickets or read online versions of the NY Times. Big deal. Open source projects would continue. Research in any number of fields would continue to use the web and other internet technologies. The signal/noise ratio would skyrocket.
Before you claim that the grand vision of the net continues because of the recent commercial internest in it, remember that there are very many of us who think that it continues IN SPITE of the recent comercial interest in it.
This is evidence of a judicial system that is more about revenge than correction.
I always thought it was about punishment, neither revenge nor correction. Just good old fashioned punishment for a crime. 7 years is a little extreme and I'm sure he won't get that, but there should be some punishment.
Everything you ever read in Dilbert is true, true, true.................
I didn't believe that until the department I work in was told that our name was going to be changed because we are viewed as "cold and unapproachable" by other departments.
This is a lie, and repeating it will not make it true.
This is a lie, and repeating it will not make it true.
That said, I've seen plenty of evidence the global warming exists, that it doesn't, and that global cooling exists. Believe whatever fits your political agenda, and be sure to dismiss anything contrary. That's what everyone else does.
But this will give more ammo to people like Rush Limbaugh who think that humans can't actually damage significant portions of the ozone layer anyway and that it's all volcanoes' fault.
Yeah, never mind that it's factually correct, Limbaugh and Bush believe it, so it must be false.
Ok, well, it's not ALL the volcano's fault, but a single eruptions has been shown to do more damage to the ozone than we punny humans have in 50 years.
Anyone who thinks the (ozone|global temperature|etc) remains constant over long periods of time and never fluctuates needs to go back to college and take some earth science classes.
Since we have seen Microsoft again and again engage in this kind of action, do we really have to refer to it as a conspiracy theory? How about business as usual.
Origionally the Electorial College system was seen as a compramise between the framers of the Constitution who wanted the President elected as a popular vote, and those who wanted the Senate to choose. While, on the surface a straight popular vote may seem fair, remember that our from of government is representative, with the strongest emphasis on state's rights. I think the Electorial system is the best wany to preserve state's rights and also have the popular vote mean something, but I also also agree that Maine's system is the best. Lobby in your state to get it changed to that because the federal government has NO authority to tell a state how to run it's Electorial College system.
Sen.-Elect Clinton has, if memory serves, already publicly stated that she would support the elimination of the EC.
Not suprising, New York is one of about 4 states I could see supporting that. However, it will never make it through the Senate, where each state has equal voice.
Why? It would require an amendment, which requires a 2/3 state vote to pass. There is no way in hell any of the small states would do that (since they get a boost from the EC). That would be like voting to lessen the impact of their voice. With a straight popularity contest, all a candidate would have to do is woo FL, CA, NY, and TX, and to hell with those other insignificant states.
Finkployd
Re:"Insightful"? not "funny"?
on
eLection '04
·
· Score: 2
Electoral college votes are still directly proportional to population
No, they are not. Wyoming has less than 450,000 people and gets 3 electors, while California has over 30,000,000 people and gets 54 electors. I leave the math as an exercise to the reader because I'm too lazy.
What on Earth makes an electoral college system less about popularity?
Arguably, the Electorial college is made up of well educated, intelligent people who can comprehend the instructions on a ballot. I'm not saying it's a perfect system, I have reservations about it as well, but the EC people are most definatly going to be smarter than your average voter, who is most likely to view this is a popularity contest.
I see your point (although it seems to me that your point proves that people SOULD ask for help when needed, just don't) however, I don't think there were 19,000 handicapped people in Palm Beach, not to mention the 10,000 that didn't have ANY hole punched for president.
I've seen the protestors out there. A few were elderly, a few were visably handicapped, but by and large, most appeared to be idiots. I saw signs spelled wrong, incorrect grammer, etc. I know that is a mean thing to say but I've seen the ballot and it is not confusing AT ALL. Poorly designed? Sure. But if you can't figure it out, and you are too ignorant to ask for help, then TOO BAD.
Under the electorial system (which I agree is not perfect, but I don't know a perfect system), one must gain wide support from across the country. Without it, all you have to do is campaign in TX, FL, NY, and CA. The rest of the states are too small to care about. The EC system strikes a balance.
They are bitching because they want democracy instead of a republic.
Then you also have to disolve the Senate. Two votes per state regardless of population is unfair.
Republics are not about communication failings, they are about preventing 'mob rule'. All one would have to do to get elected in a democracy is promise tax cuts and more federal spending for TX, CA, NY, and FL and to hell with the rest of the country. That would win you the election.
Buchanan was running nearly 4 times his statewide percentage in a liberal district. That alone should raise some significant eyebrows.
Some points of interest that have already been brought up here:
Palm Beach has 15,000 registered Reform Party members and Broward County has less than 200 registered Reform Party members.
3400 votes for Buchanan is directly in line with every other Florida county that has a similar number of registered Reform Party members.
Buchanan has a residence in Palm Beach as does a close relative. He received 8000 votes in he Republican primary in Florida.
There are more Reform Party registered voters in Palm Beach county measured as a percentage of total registrations than in any other county
in Florida.
OK, I'm a little more clear on what you mean. I agree that fair representation within the state is ideal, but it's up to the state. Meaning if you want to change that, change it at the state level. It is also interesting to note that Main does this, and 2 of it's 3 EC votes are going to Gore while 1 is going to Bush.
I'm curious about that too, but my response would be to ask another person at the polling station for help. If nobody there knew how it worked, then what does that say for Palm Beach?
Slashdot Mirror
I've run a professional website. I've worked in both the private sector and for a large University. You are misinformed. The web isn't going anywhere. All of the commercial interests on the web could vanish tomorrow and for many of us it would not be soon enough. The Academic end of the web will be fine, and in fact would thrive.
So we wouldn't be able to buy plane tickets or read online versions of the NY Times. Big deal. Open source projects would continue. Research in any number of fields would continue to use the web and other internet technologies. The signal/noise ratio would skyrocket.
Before you claim that the grand vision of the net continues because of the recent commercial internest in it, remember that there are very many of us who think that it continues IN SPITE of the recent comercial interest in it.
Finkployd
You speak for me also.
Moz developers? Anyone getting this?
Finkployd
They are leaving it all where it is. I advise you do the same :)
Finkployd
This is evidence of a judicial system that is more about revenge than correction.
I always thought it was about punishment, neither revenge nor correction. Just good old fashioned punishment for a crime. 7 years is a little extreme and I'm sure he won't get that, but there should be some punishment.
Finkployd
Ummmmm example? I'm a fan of both and I have no idea what you are talking about...
Finkployd
Everything you ever read in Dilbert is true, true, true.................
:)
I didn't believe that until the department I work in was told that our name was going to be changed because we are viewed as "cold and unapproachable" by other departments.
Flat tire? Just rotate 'em
Finkployd
This is a lie, and repeating it will not make it true.
This is a lie, and repeating it will not make it true.
That said, I've seen plenty of evidence the global warming exists, that it doesn't, and that global cooling exists. Believe whatever fits your political agenda, and be sure to dismiss anything contrary. That's what everyone else does.
Finkployd
Oh, knock it off both of you.
User number means nothing, there are quality posters joing daily, the problem is there are more trolls and losers since their ratio is higher.
Finkployd
But this will give more ammo to people like Rush Limbaugh who think that humans can't actually damage significant portions of the ozone layer anyway and that it's all volcanoes' fault.
Yeah, never mind that it's factually correct, Limbaugh and Bush believe it, so it must be false.
Ok, well, it's not ALL the volcano's fault, but a single eruptions has been shown to do more damage to the ozone than we punny humans have in 50 years.
Anyone who thinks the (ozone|global temperature|etc) remains constant over long periods of time and never fluctuates needs to go back to college and take some earth science classes.
Finkployd
Since we have seen Microsoft again and again engage in this kind of action, do we really have to refer to it as a conspiracy theory? How about business as usual.
Finkployd
Origionally the Electorial College system was seen as a compramise between the framers of the Constitution who wanted the President elected as a popular vote, and those who wanted the Senate to choose. While, on the surface a straight popular vote may seem fair, remember that our from of government is representative, with the strongest emphasis on state's rights. I think the Electorial system is the best wany to preserve state's rights and also have the popular vote mean something, but I also also agree that Maine's system is the best. Lobby in your state to get it changed to that because the federal government has NO authority to tell a state how to run it's Electorial College system.
Finkployd
Sen.-Elect Clinton has, if memory serves, already publicly stated that she would support the elimination of the EC.
Not suprising, New York is one of about 4 states I could see supporting that. However, it will never make it through the Senate, where each state has equal voice.
Finkployd
Never happen.
Why? It would require an amendment, which requires a 2/3 state vote to pass. There is no way in hell any of the small states would do that (since they get a boost from the EC). That would be like voting to lessen the impact of their voice. With a straight popularity contest, all a candidate would have to do is woo FL, CA, NY, and TX, and to hell with those other insignificant states.
Finkployd
Electoral college votes are still directly proportional to population
No, they are not. Wyoming has less than 450,000 people and gets 3 electors, while California has over 30,000,000 people and gets 54 electors. I leave the math as an exercise to the reader because I'm too lazy.
What on Earth makes an electoral college system less about popularity?
Arguably, the Electorial college is made up of well educated, intelligent people who can comprehend the instructions on a ballot. I'm not saying it's a perfect system, I have reservations about it as well, but the EC people are most definatly going to be smarter than your average voter, who is most likely to view this is a popularity contest.
Finkployd
I see your point (although it seems to me that your point proves that people SOULD ask for help when needed, just don't) however, I don't think there were 19,000 handicapped people in Palm Beach, not to mention the 10,000 that didn't have ANY hole punched for president.
I've seen the protestors out there. A few were elderly, a few were visably handicapped, but by and large, most appeared to be idiots. I saw signs spelled wrong, incorrect grammer, etc. I know that is a mean thing to say but I've seen the ballot and it is not confusing AT ALL. Poorly designed? Sure. But if you can't figure it out, and you are too ignorant to ask for help, then TOO BAD.
Finkployd
Under the electorial system (which I agree is not perfect, but I don't know a perfect system), one must gain wide support from across the country. Without it, all you have to do is campaign in TX, FL, NY, and CA. The rest of the states are too small to care about. The EC system strikes a balance.
Finkployd
Is that why Buchanan is even saying that a lot of those votes were probably not intended for him?
I really don't know. Pat may have his own reason to sell himself short if he wants Gore to get elected instead of Bush.
Finkployd
The principle of a democracy is that the majority opinion is the one that is enacted. If you think this is mob rule, what's the alternative?
A republic, like we have.
Finkployd
You got me sorry, I was pulling that one from memory.
Who have I been getting on for lack of facts?
Finkployd
They are bitching because they want democracy instead of a republic.
Then you also have to disolve the Senate. Two votes per state regardless of population is unfair.
Republics are not about communication failings, they are about preventing 'mob rule'. All one would have to do to get elected in a democracy is promise tax cuts and more federal spending for TX, CA, NY, and FL and to hell with the rest of the country. That would win you the election.
Finkployd
Buchanan was running nearly 4 times his statewide percentage in a liberal district. That alone should raise some significant eyebrows.
Some points of interest that have already been brought up here:
Palm Beach has 15,000 registered Reform Party members and Broward County has less than 200 registered Reform Party members.
3400 votes for Buchanan is directly in line with every other Florida county that has a similar number of registered Reform Party members.
Buchanan has a residence in Palm Beach as does a close relative. He received 8000 votes in he Republican primary in Florida.
There are more Reform Party registered voters in Palm Beach county measured as a percentage of total registrations than in any other county
in Florida.
Finkployd
OK, I'm a little more clear on what you mean. I agree that fair representation within the state is ideal, but it's up to the state. Meaning if you want to change that, change it at the state level. It is also interesting to note that Main does this, and 2 of it's 3 EC votes are going to Gore while 1 is going to Bush.
Finkployd
I'm curious about that too, but my response would be to ask another person at the polling station for help. If nobody there knew how it worked, then what does that say for Palm Beach?
Finkployd
So a blind person or
a person with no arms
or a person with spastic
twitches shouldn't
be allowed to vote?
I've covered this several times. You ask for help if you are unable to vote properly on your own (as I said in the post you replied to)
Finkployd
I don't give a rats ass about your opinion and I'm lucky enough to live outside of the O.K.U.S.A.
How does that sit with you?
Just fine, you expect me to be pissed that you don't care about my opinion and don't live where I do?
Finkployd