So as much as I hate to give the government any credit in this regard, lets also be fair..
Israel has 4 airports (major and minor).. As an example, NORTH CALIFORNIA has 473 airports (major, minor and private). So we have to remember there is a scale difference that is going to impact training as a cost variable. If training 1 person to the correct level of competence at a single airport costs say 100,000 and to do the job correctly at a single airport requires 200 such people (we won't even get into ancillary staff that should be trained, monitoring of that staff to insure they don't themselves become a vector, etc..) that means 2 Million per airport.. so we are talking 8 Million for the COUNTRY.. vs. if we take just the top 10 largest airports in California, it would cost 10 Million to CA.. (and don't forget, there are 49 other states that have similar numbers).. some of which these numbers are not correct because traffic wise, they get in a month, what Israel gets in a year. Also lets also consider that most of Israel's traffic is international. vs. the US gets as much (if not more) international traffic and domestic (http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/acts).
So lets not forget we have a game of numbers that most other countries just don't have. Yes it could be done better.. (heck, my 15 year old half blind Maltese dog could do a better job.. damn labor laws won't let him work). but lets also be realistic that everyone wants everything without cost to them. (ie: protect me, do the best job possible.. but don't raise my taxes or impose other fees) its a delicate balance.
And if you think paying ANYONE is a promise against the service shutting down for business, legal, ethical, or just pure financial reasons, then you have obviously not been around long enough.
Services come and go all the time, (payment means nothing).. so still keep some local storage around for when the inevitable shutdown, or price hike that scares you, or the terms of service you don't agree with, etc.. I think people forget that google (like all companies) are not doing these things out of the kindness of their hearts, but rather business decisions, the same way like Facebook, and many others do. But me, I will stick with good old fashioned HD/Tape because at the end of the day, EVERYONE's terms all say the same thing (you upload it, but we own it.. so suck it)
I would agree, EXCEPT its not a matter of " whiny idiots" but rather breaking a system that by its very nature is prone to corruption and simply doesn't want change because it doesn't benefit the owners of the medallions.
Look at EVERY shake up in the industry (in the US with the break up of "MaBell", that upstart Google with their search engines and "Free stuff", Tesla, etc...) all of these groups tried to change the status quo so you are no longer playing on field owned by someone else's rules but rather the simple premise of who has the best product/service for the cheapest price, not "I HAVE to use them because the rules dictate I must" Uber is doing nothing more than what many many others have done (and are doing).
If they (the government) wanted it to change, they would create/revise a system in which these "self-owned" taxis can operate, pay a nominal fee and move on with their lives.. but rather than doing what other countries have done (ie: give them a framework that lets them operate), they want to just ban it (like that works).. once people get a taste of "freedom" its REALLY hard to put the genie back in the bottle). That is what the issue is.. Uber isn't saying "let us operate for free" they are saying "the rules state X, and we are operating within the confines of X, but we are not X we are Y", and the government is burying their heads in the sand saying "if you are X, only X, then you are X, everything else (Y,Z, X+1) is banned because we don't want to piss off the groups that pay a lot in taxes to us.
I would agree, EXCEPT that its the ones I'm least attracted to.. so it feels a little more like rape, than a frisk, which is certainly not fun. Upside, given how much they seem to be interested in my "package", I should just give them a washcloth so I can get some useful benefit out of the deal.
I think Carly is confusing the battles (perhaps intentionally). Indiana (as part of the US) actually has a law that talks about freedoms for all men (lets assume it means all people) and specifically calls for a separation of church and state so religious influence can not be forced upon the local population.. Countries like China and Saudi Arabia do not have those notions in their foundation. So its more of the hypocrisy of the US and the states that is at fault.. (all men are created equal.. ok.. well, they are not "men" so it doesn't apply.. Marriage shall be applied equally.. well, lets narrowly define what a marriage is instead of the general understanding that its an institutional/legal contract between two consenting adults, so we can exclude them).
Tim cook, as a CEO, has quite limited powers of influence outside of his "country".. So Apple doesn't sell in China.. (boo hoo.. the people there will buy their phones elsewhere, or import, like what they did before). But in the US, he shuts down plants, well, that has actual measurable impact because it impacts everyone there, and people no matter what they feel will vote with their wallets. (ie: No job (or a lower paying job, property values go down because of lower income/less jobs, education suffers (less money available to educational sector because its re-allocated to more "important" services (debatable but whatever), etc.. Those won't happen there, so its matter of picking your battle where you can actually have an impact. (and don't forget, CEO is not absolute ruler.. he runs a publicly traded company with shareholders, so he still has to turn a profit (or make sure all the majority shareholders are ok with lower profits for "a cause" otherwise, just what.. he gets kicked out, and any impact he was attempting to make would get pushed out with him. Its a delicate line and one that is not easily walked.
And don't forget, the bigger you are, your own local government (US) will often times encourage you to not rock the boat too much if they want to take to task another action. We don't live in a bubble that we can do absolutely ANYTHING we want.
1: You need to insure the communication channel in the host country is sufficient (not always the case) 2: The cost/time to pull all the relevant information back in a usable manner (so you spend at least a day to get all the pieces of what you need to do your work back, potentially more if the network speed sucks) 3: Drives up the cost to do business. (see reasons 1 and 2) 4: You need to insure the connection back to home base is not compromised/tracked (one reason why physical media for some very sensitive information is still used) 5: The biggest reason, almost EVERYONE has some blending of personal and business elements on the same device (some more than others).. even doing things like "synching/backup your personal phone to your laptop while traveling" means your private life is present. 6: In most cases, they take the machines "in the back" so you don't know what is actually being done to it.. (I've had two of these searches done, and in both cases since I'm a security forensics person, I can check the "Footprints" and in most cases, they have duped the entire HD's (I can see last physical access) and left snoopware on the laptops.. which means you would be bringing a compromised / Trojan horse back to home base with snoopware.. (can someone say lawsuit?)
So yes, I am not a fan.. because none of these laws take HUMANS into account (devious, easily compromised, greedy bas**rds they are)
You are right, but sadly all it does is feed into the problem.. because those hackers and leakers can be anyone.. with "better tools".. it gives them the moral "excuse" to justify more tools like Stingray (regardless of the fact that as your pointed out they created the enemy and will continue to make more enemies).. its a vicious cycle that won't break because both sides believe they are 100% right and their actions are 100% justified.
So you are proposing a scholastic version of the "Purge"?.. I would love that.. (heck, there were a few teachers I had that I would love to have some "aggressive negotiations" with at the time).
"Higgins:You mean to say you'd sell your daughter for fifty pounds? Pickering:Have you no morals man? Alfred P. Doolittle:No, no, I can't afford 'em, gov'ner. Neither could you if you was as poor as me. Not that I mean any 'arm, mind you, but if Eliza's getting a bit out of this, why not me too? Eh? Why not? Well, look at it my way - what am I? I ask you, what am I? I'm one of the undeserving poor, that's what I am. Now think what that means to a man. It means that he's up against middle-class morality for all of time. If there's anything going, and I puts in for a bit of it, it's always the same story: "you're undeserving, so you can't have it." But my needs is as great as the most deserving widows that ever got money out of six different charities in one week for the death of the same 'usband. I don't need less than a deserving man, I need more! I don't eat less 'earty than 'e does, and I drink, oh, a lot more. I'm playin' straight with you. I ain't pretendin' to be deserving. No, I'm undeserving. And I mean to go on being undeserving. I like it and that's the truth. But, will you take advantage of a man's nature to do 'im out of the price of 'is own daughter what he's brought up, fed and clothed by the sweat of 'is brow till she's growed big enough to be interesting to you two gentlemen? Well, is five pounds unreasonable? I'll put it to you, and I'll leave it to you."
Actually remember, Samsung holds patents on several parts apple is using.. So the actual cost may not be 4 dollars.. might be closer to 10.. (just on the iphone).. what about the ipad(s), laptops, desktops, appleTV.. etc...
So net increase to apple (Across the product portfolio) may be something like 50 dollars.. PER device made.. (doesn't matter if its sold or not).. and don't forget.. rejects/faulty devices still require the increase.
Its certainly not putting anyone our of business.. but its a healthy chunk of change for Samsung.. a little reminder/sting to apple.. ("Do you REALLY want to f*ck with us?"), and helps to finance this insane zealot war that apple is pushing.
Come on.. why would you sue and attempt to bully one of the worlds largest manufacturer chips/screens/etc... and especially those used in your own device. Its akin to me suing my employer while I still work for them.. You know there are going to be repercussions.. Its not a lot (most likely because anything higher than 20% could get them sued (ie: retaliatory business practices).
Sucks that its all going to get pushed down to the consumer. (with a suitable markup).. of course, this could be what Samsung wants.. (gets apple to price themselves out of the market).. because the carriers are not going to absorb that cost.. Apple sure as heck won't take it..
By the way, as a business owner, I have read it.. (all wonderfully dry 955 pages: http://housedocs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf). And despite what a lot of people like to think, its nowhere near as bad as people want to think..
Correct, it is a Health Insurance bill because the structure of the US healthcare system is rooted in insurance as the primary vehicle for most people to pay for medical costs coupled with a massive attempt to burden it with so many holes and weaknesses that its not as effective as it could be. So you have three choices...
1: Scrap it 100% and start over with a nationalized healthcare system (which will be a HUGE fight and doesn't solve all the problems either. But it would be a big step in closing the gaps)
2: Have a real rational action plan regardless of who earns less that fixes the problems (a dream that will never work).
3: Attempt to level the playing field by going after the insurance factor so everyone has the ability to be covered and keeping the existing system in place. (the only one that doesn't scream of "socialism", which for some reason this country seems to have a bug up its ass about and thinks its a dirty word.. (Medicare anyone? Medicaid? SS? Welfare? Government Scholarships/Grants? Public Schools?)
It does a lot for the current healthcare problems we have.. its not a band-aid on a gunshot wound.. to keep your analogy, its akin to a gauze patch over same said gun shot wound.. Better.. but its certainly not going to fix the big picture.. but mostly because there are many of forces that DON'T WANT IT TO CHANGE.
You think the health insurance firms that make trillions from this WANT this to change? (and lobby quite actively to not change by the way) You think the doctors that get rich by simply over-billing insurance want it to change? (again, unions that fight this because they have to do the same level of work, but get less money because of better accountability) You think doctors who go into medicine to make money first and heal people second want it to change? You think the medical device and other services/product groups who are making billions/trillions on this want it to change?..
get real. Its a money game pure and simple and everyone wants it "better" so long as I don't have to pay for it.
I can certainly say as a world traveler that the US system is insane.. I've lived in Japan, Taiwan, the UK, Hong Kong, and France... and in general.. insurance is a supplement so everyone.. even the poorest of the poor can use to stay alive. Obviously if you have money and want to bump up quality and speed, you fork out some cash (insurance, direct payment, etc..).. its akin to First/Second Class Mail vs. Fedex. You want it CHEAP.. you go postal Service.. you want all the bells and whistles and can afford it.. you pay up. I know my retirement plans do NOT include the US for a lot of reasons.. but this is certainly one).
Heck, I know I LOVE the IRS by comparison to the morons at the TSA. I would rather date a IRS Tax auditor than have lunch with anyone that works with the TSA.
I beg to differ, as someone that flys through Canada, I can most assuredly tell you that if you are not a Canadian citizen you get everything you get on the US side. Personally speaking north america is an off-limits place as far as myself, my family, my businesses, and my money (directly) are concerned.
Correction.. this is a subsidy for all consumers all over the world. What do you think will happen when the US/Amazon comes to an agreement. How long do you think it will be before Canada requires it (which already imposes a flat tax on media because it COULD be used in a nefarious means), or Great Britain, or Japan, or any other location that wants its slice of the pie. Its a slippery slope that ultimately just means internet commerce will die.
The problem everyone is complaining about is not the crux of the.. Obama is not looking at NZ, Australia, or any other location and say, hey, lets get the same crappy service there.. what he is looking at is the network deployment with population densities similar to locations within (and in the case of some countries) as the US. Though the article mentions specifically some countries, I am sure he is also looking at other countries with faster connections (ie: Japan) to get a complete picture.
Lets all not get the guns because 1 article mentions someone is looking at the rest of the world. Given the US has been in a semi-Xenophobic stance for a number of years.. having someone that is looking at what the world is doing (both the good and the bad) so we DON'T make the same mistakes or emulate what actually works is a great thing.
So if you can't see them clearly, then you can imagine they are softer. It works for me. We only get promises..
Re:High-def porn? No thanks.
on
Blue Blu-ray
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· Score: 1
I seem to recall some article mentioning something about that, about how a number of porn actresses are complaining about high-def porn because all their imperfections are being shown now. (pimples, scars, etc...)
So hopefully people will lay off porn for once since the unabashed truth will certainly set a number of people off.
sure... Just like little stores are "partners" with the Mafia.
"You have a great little setup here... it would be a real shame if anything happened to it.. what do you say joining our ranks and giving us a cut of your profits.. We will funnel some business your way as well.. Just make sure you don't screw up and kiss the godfather's ring"
Having worked for the Big M, Double O'G, and the Iron Factory, I can tell you that MS DEFINITELY strong arms everyone (partners, businesses, etc...) into doing EXACTLY what they want. You can walk away, but as a pariah and a battered firm.
But you are correct, no guns were drawn, no knives pulled.. just lots of threats and knowing that the gorilla is VERY hungry. How you choose to deal with it is your own business.
This seems to be a evolutionary Schrödinger's cat case.
By the time we are "wise" enough and have enough knowledge to identify a disease or problem, we seem to have already been the contributers to (or the creators of) the problem by the introduction of elements (insert your fav, but I know from my own personal experience I know that diet has had a SIGNIFICANT impact on my health (including, without hyperbole, my not dying)) of our problems and potentially demise there by changing the outcome by our ability (in time) to observe.
So yes, as everyone keeps pointing out, the article is light on specific details, but honestly the point of the article is not "consuming 50mg or more of sodium benzinate will kill you". the article's point is that this element may have harmful effects on humans. Obviously everyone's tolerance level is different, and what no article can say is what the long term effects of ANYTHING that, in low doses SEEMS to have no effect.
Me personally, I tend to keep as much "junk" out of my diet, and I find I feel better, look better, and most importantly, think clearer. Now granted, my tolerance levels for some things may be very low or very high, but one can't denigh that the effects of these things do have an impact on EVERYONE.. we just don't know where someone's breaking point is.
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So as much as I hate to give the government any credit in this regard, lets also be fair..
Israel has 4 airports (major and minor).. As an example, NORTH CALIFORNIA has 473 airports (major, minor and private). So we have to remember there is a scale difference that is going to impact training as a cost variable. If training 1 person to the correct level of competence at a single airport costs say 100,000 and to do the job correctly at a single airport requires 200 such people (we won't even get into ancillary staff that should be trained, monitoring of that staff to insure they don't themselves become a vector, etc..) that means 2 Million per airport.. so we are talking 8 Million for the COUNTRY.. vs. if we take just the top 10 largest airports in California, it would cost 10 Million to CA.. (and don't forget, there are 49 other states that have similar numbers).. some of which these numbers are not correct because traffic wise, they get in a month, what Israel gets in a year. Also lets also consider that most of Israel's traffic is international. vs. the US gets as much (if not more) international traffic and domestic (http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/acts).
So lets not forget we have a game of numbers that most other countries just don't have. Yes it could be done better.. (heck, my 15 year old half blind Maltese dog could do a better job.. damn labor laws won't let him work). but lets also be realistic that everyone wants everything without cost to them. (ie: protect me, do the best job possible.. but don't raise my taxes or impose other fees) its a delicate balance.
And if you think paying ANYONE is a promise against the service shutting down for business, legal, ethical, or just pure financial reasons, then you have obviously not been around long enough.
Services come and go all the time, (payment means nothing).. so still keep some local storage around for when the inevitable shutdown, or price hike that scares you, or the terms of service you don't agree with, etc.. I think people forget that google (like all companies) are not doing these things out of the kindness of their hearts, but rather business decisions, the same way like Facebook, and many others do. But me, I will stick with good old fashioned HD/Tape because at the end of the day, EVERYONE's terms all say the same thing (you upload it, but we own it.. so suck it)
I would agree, EXCEPT its not a matter of " whiny idiots" but rather breaking a system that by its very nature is prone to corruption and simply doesn't want change because it doesn't benefit the owners of the medallions.
Look at EVERY shake up in the industry (in the US with the break up of "MaBell", that upstart Google with their search engines and "Free stuff", Tesla, etc...) all of these groups tried to change the status quo so you are no longer playing on field owned by someone else's rules but rather the simple premise of who has the best product/service for the cheapest price, not "I HAVE to use them because the rules dictate I must" Uber is doing nothing more than what many many others have done (and are doing).
If they (the government) wanted it to change, they would create/revise a system in which these "self-owned" taxis can operate, pay a nominal fee and move on with their lives.. but rather than doing what other countries have done (ie: give them a framework that lets them operate), they want to just ban it (like that works).. once people get a taste of "freedom" its REALLY hard to put the genie back in the bottle). That is what the issue is.. Uber isn't saying "let us operate for free" they are saying "the rules state X, and we are operating within the confines of X, but we are not X we are Y", and the government is burying their heads in the sand saying "if you are X, only X, then you are X, everything else (Y,Z, X+1) is banned because we don't want to piss off the groups that pay a lot in taxes to us.
I would agree, EXCEPT that its the ones I'm least attracted to.. so it feels a little more like rape, than a frisk, which is certainly not fun. Upside, given how much they seem to be interested in my "package", I should just give them a washcloth so I can get some useful benefit out of the deal.
I think Carly is confusing the battles (perhaps intentionally). Indiana (as part of the US) actually has a law that talks about freedoms for all men (lets assume it means all people) and specifically calls for a separation of church and state so religious influence can not be forced upon the local population.. Countries like China and Saudi Arabia do not have those notions in their foundation. So its more of the hypocrisy of the US and the states that is at fault.. (all men are created equal.. ok.. well, they are not "men" so it doesn't apply.. Marriage shall be applied equally.. well, lets narrowly define what a marriage is instead of the general understanding that its an institutional/legal contract between two consenting adults, so we can exclude them).
Tim cook, as a CEO, has quite limited powers of influence outside of his "country".. So Apple doesn't sell in China.. (boo hoo.. the people there will buy their phones elsewhere, or import, like what they did before). But in the US, he shuts down plants, well, that has actual measurable impact because it impacts everyone there, and people no matter what they feel will vote with their wallets. (ie: No job (or a lower paying job, property values go down because of lower income/less jobs, education suffers (less money available to educational sector because its re-allocated to more "important" services (debatable but whatever), etc.. Those won't happen there, so its matter of picking your battle where you can actually have an impact. (and don't forget, CEO is not absolute ruler.. he runs a publicly traded company with shareholders, so he still has to turn a profit (or make sure all the majority shareholders are ok with lower profits for "a cause" otherwise, just what.. he gets kicked out, and any impact he was attempting to make would get pushed out with him. Its a delicate line and one that is not easily walked.
And don't forget, the bigger you are, your own local government (US) will often times encourage you to not rock the boat too much if they want to take to task another action. We don't live in a bubble that we can do absolutely ANYTHING we want.
The problem with your idea is many fold:
1: You need to insure the communication channel in the host country is sufficient (not always the case)
2: The cost/time to pull all the relevant information back in a usable manner (so you spend at least a day to get all the pieces of what you need to do your work back, potentially more if the network speed sucks)
3: Drives up the cost to do business. (see reasons 1 and 2)
4: You need to insure the connection back to home base is not compromised/tracked (one reason why physical media for some very sensitive information is still used)
5: The biggest reason, almost EVERYONE has some blending of personal and business elements on the same device (some more than others).. even doing things like "synching/backup your personal phone to your laptop while traveling" means your private life is present.
6: In most cases, they take the machines "in the back" so you don't know what is actually being done to it.. (I've had two of these searches done, and in both cases since I'm a security forensics person, I can check the "Footprints" and in most cases, they have duped the entire HD's (I can see last physical access) and left snoopware on the laptops.. which means you would be bringing a compromised / Trojan horse back to home base with snoopware.. (can someone say lawsuit?)
So yes, I am not a fan.. because none of these laws take HUMANS into account (devious, easily compromised, greedy bas**rds they are)
You are right, but sadly all it does is feed into the problem.. because those hackers and leakers can be anyone.. with "better tools".. it gives them the moral "excuse" to justify more tools like Stingray (regardless of the fact that as your pointed out they created the enemy and will continue to make more enemies).. its a vicious cycle that won't break because both sides believe they are 100% right and their actions are 100% justified.
So you are proposing a scholastic version of the "Purge"?.. I would love that.. (heck, there were a few teachers I had that I would love to have some "aggressive negotiations" with at the time).
A line from My Fair Lady comes to mind:
"Higgins:You mean to say you'd sell your daughter for fifty pounds?
Pickering:Have you no morals man?
Alfred P. Doolittle:No, no, I can't afford 'em, gov'ner. Neither could you if you was as poor as me. Not that I mean any 'arm, mind you, but if Eliza's getting a bit out of this, why not me too? Eh? Why not? Well, look at it my way - what am I? I ask you, what am I? I'm one of the undeserving poor, that's what I am. Now think what that means to a man. It means that he's up against middle-class morality for all of time. If there's anything going, and I puts in for a bit of it, it's always the same story: "you're undeserving, so you can't have it." But my needs is as great as the most deserving widows that ever got money out of six different charities in one week for the death of the same 'usband. I don't need less than a deserving man, I need more! I don't eat less 'earty than 'e does, and I drink, oh, a lot more. I'm playin' straight with you. I ain't pretendin' to be deserving. No, I'm undeserving. And I mean to go on being undeserving. I like it and that's the truth. But, will you take advantage of a man's nature to do 'im out of the price of 'is own daughter what he's brought up, fed and clothed by the sweat of 'is brow till she's growed big enough to be interesting to you two gentlemen? Well, is five pounds unreasonable? I'll put it to you, and I'll leave it to you."
Actually remember, Samsung holds patents on several parts apple is using..
So the actual cost may not be 4 dollars.. might be closer to 10.. (just on the iphone).. what about the ipad(s), laptops, desktops, appleTV.. etc...
So net increase to apple (Across the product portfolio) may be something like 50 dollars.. PER device made.. (doesn't matter if its sold or not).. and don't forget.. rejects/faulty devices still require the increase.
Its certainly not putting anyone our of business.. but its a healthy chunk of change for Samsung.. a little reminder/sting to apple.. ("Do you REALLY want to f*ck with us?"), and helps to finance this insane zealot war that apple is pushing.
Come on.. why would you sue and attempt to bully one of the worlds largest manufacturer chips/screens/etc... and especially those used in your own device. Its akin to me suing my employer while I still work for them.. You know there are going to be repercussions.. Its not a lot (most likely because anything higher than 20% could get them sued (ie: retaliatory business practices).
Sucks that its all going to get pushed down to the consumer. (with a suitable markup).. of course, this could be what Samsung wants.. (gets apple to price themselves out of the market).. because the carriers are not going to absorb that cost.. Apple sure as heck won't take it..
(Glad I'm an Android / Hackintosh guy).
By the way, as a business owner, I have read it.. (all wonderfully dry 955 pages: http://housedocs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf). And despite what a lot of people like to think, its nowhere near as bad as people want to think..
Correct, it is a Health Insurance bill because the structure of the US healthcare system is rooted in insurance as the primary vehicle for most people to pay for medical costs coupled with a massive attempt to burden it with so many holes and weaknesses that its not as effective as it could be. So you have three choices...
1: Scrap it 100% and start over with a nationalized healthcare system (which will be a HUGE fight and doesn't solve all the problems either. But it would be a big step in closing the gaps)
2: Have a real rational action plan regardless of who earns less that fixes the problems (a dream that will never work).
3: Attempt to level the playing field by going after the insurance factor so everyone has the ability to be covered and keeping the existing system in place. (the only one that doesn't scream of "socialism", which for some reason this country seems to have a bug up its ass about and thinks its a dirty word.. (Medicare anyone? Medicaid? SS? Welfare? Government Scholarships/Grants? Public Schools?)
It does a lot for the current healthcare problems we have.. its not a band-aid on a gunshot wound.. to keep your analogy, its akin to a gauze patch over same said gun shot wound.. Better.. but its certainly not going to fix the big picture.. but mostly because there are many of forces that DON'T WANT IT TO CHANGE.
You think the health insurance firms that make trillions from this WANT this to change? (and lobby quite actively to not change by the way)
You think the doctors that get rich by simply over-billing insurance want it to change? (again, unions that fight this because they have to do the same level of work, but get less money because of better accountability)
You think doctors who go into medicine to make money first and heal people second want it to change?
You think the medical device and other services/product groups who are making billions/trillions on this want it to change?..
get real. Its a money game pure and simple and everyone wants it "better" so long as I don't have to pay for it.
I can certainly say as a world traveler that the US system is insane.. I've lived in Japan, Taiwan, the UK, Hong Kong, and France... and in general.. insurance is a supplement so everyone.. even the poorest of the poor can use to stay alive. Obviously if you have money and want to bump up quality and speed, you fork out some cash (insurance, direct payment, etc..).. its akin to First/Second Class Mail vs. Fedex. You want it CHEAP.. you go postal Service.. you want all the bells and whistles and can afford it.. you pay up. I know my retirement plans do NOT include the US for a lot of reasons.. but this is certainly one).
Heck, I know I LOVE the IRS by comparison to the morons at the TSA.
I would rather date a IRS Tax auditor than have lunch with anyone that works with the TSA.
I'll be in vegas, so I'll let you know..
Anyone want to ride shotgun?
Once again, it just sickens me that this sort of thing takes place.
A company passing blame on another company for its failings...
I beg to differ, as someone that flys through Canada, I can most assuredly tell you that if you are not a Canadian citizen you get everything you get on the US side. Personally speaking north america is an off-limits place as far as myself, my family, my businesses, and my money (directly) are concerned.
Correction.. this is a subsidy for all consumers all over the world. What do you think will happen when the US/Amazon comes to an agreement. How long do you think it will be before Canada requires it (which already imposes a flat tax on media because it COULD be used in a nefarious means), or Great Britain, or Japan, or any other location that wants its slice of the pie. Its a slippery slope that ultimately just means internet commerce will die.
The problem everyone is complaining about is not the crux of the.. Obama is not looking at NZ, Australia, or any other location and say, hey, lets get the same crappy service there.. what he is looking at is the network deployment with population densities similar to locations within (and in the case of some countries) as the US. Though the article mentions specifically some countries, I am sure he is also looking at other countries with faster connections (ie: Japan) to get a complete picture.
Lets all not get the guns because 1 article mentions someone is looking at the rest of the world. Given the US has been in a semi-Xenophobic stance for a number of years.. having someone that is looking at what the world is doing (both the good and the bad) so we DON'T make the same mistakes or emulate what actually works is a great thing.
Here here..
Thank goodness I'm not the only one.
Some of us have a different definition of "casual" just as others have a different definition of "formal"
(I knew a chap, who's definition of formal was a pressed t-shirt and clean jeans).
No harm, no foul, but lets not lump everyone into the same Kaki Corner ok?
So if you can't see them clearly, then you can imagine they are softer.
It works for me. We only get promises..
I seem to recall some article mentioning something about that, about how a number of porn actresses are complaining about high-def porn because all their imperfections are being shown now. (pimples, scars, etc...)
So hopefully people will lay off porn for once since the unabashed truth will certainly set a number of people off.
sure... Just like little stores are "partners" with the Mafia.
"You have a great little setup here... it would be a real shame if anything happened to it.. what do you say joining our ranks and giving us a cut of your profits.. We will funnel some business your way as well.. Just make sure you don't screw up and kiss the godfather's ring"
Having worked for the Big M, Double O'G, and the Iron Factory, I can tell you that MS DEFINITELY strong arms everyone (partners, businesses, etc...) into doing EXACTLY what they want. You can walk away, but as a pariah and a battered firm.
But you are correct, no guns were drawn, no knives pulled.. just lots of threats and knowing that the gorilla is VERY hungry. How you choose to deal with it is your own business.
Just my little opinion.
This seems to be a evolutionary Schrödinger's cat case.
By the time we are "wise" enough and have enough knowledge to identify a disease or problem, we seem to have already been the contributers to (or the creators of) the problem by the introduction of elements (insert your fav, but I know from my own personal experience I know that diet has had a SIGNIFICANT impact on my health (including, without hyperbole, my not dying)) of our problems and potentially demise there by changing the outcome by our ability (in time) to observe.
So yes, as everyone keeps pointing out, the article is light on specific details, but honestly the point of the article is not "consuming 50mg or more of sodium benzinate will kill you". the article's point is that this element may have harmful effects on humans. Obviously everyone's tolerance level is different, and what no article can say is what the long term effects of ANYTHING that, in low doses SEEMS to have no effect.
Me personally, I tend to keep as much "junk" out of my diet, and I find I feel better, look better, and most importantly, think clearer. Now granted, my tolerance levels for some things may be very low or very high, but one can't denigh that the effects of these things do have an impact on EVERYONE.. we just don't know where someone's breaking point is.
Just my 3.582 cents (adjusted for US currency)