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User: JackPepper

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  1. Re:No Afterschool Jobs == NO GAS MONEY on U.S. Teenagers Are Driving Much Less: 4 Theories About Why · · Score: 1

    You're subject line is correct, but I disagree with you analysis.

    A high minimum wage and a large population of qualified unemployed people. Make it difficult to hire teens. The PPACA defining full time as 30 hours a week has also contributed to teens losing jobs. Adults whose hours have been cut to under 30 hours have been getting second jobs.

    Please stop blaming immigrants lawful and unlawful.

  2. Re:Hopefully... on Disney Announces "One Star Wars Movie Per Year" Plan · · Score: 1

    You had me at Jar-Jarmy.

  3. Re:Wow on Taking the Pain Out of Debugging With Live Programming · · Score: 1

    I was going to type FORTH. Or colorFORTH because it has that wonderful colored interface.

  4. Re:Pay to Play Society on For Businesses, the College Degree Is the New High School Diploma · · Score: 1

    IMHO, "Pay to Play" may be true, but it's closer to "Credit to Play." Taking on large amounts of student debt is the norm for a large percentage of students because the credit is so easy to get. Colleges start relying on students to get the largest amount of student aid, which is debt to the students. Educators, government, and parents tell students to get a college degree. Students get cheap credit, ad infinitum.

    I think this is a case of correlation does not imply causation. Somebody did a survey about how college grads do in life, sometime in like the 70s or 80s. "Hey they seem to do better in life. Let's get everyone to go to college, then everyone will do better." The students who were going to college were already motivated to learn and exceed. Now the students being wrangled into this "higher learning," may eventually get motivated, but they don't attack college with the same zeal. These students are just taking the next class. And now we're stuck with managers and HR departments that think this is the only way to go because they've been indoctrinated.

    The debt cannot be discharged because most students would not be credit worthy for the loan in the first place. Who, with any business sense, would loan 28k a semester to a high school graduate?

    Debt can equal enslavement, but I thought of the debt as an investment. I may have over paid, but for the most part the investment has worked.

  5. Peace on Ralph Nader Moderates One Last 3rd-Party Debate for 2012 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If I can get a ballot, I am voting for Libertarian Gary Johnson. He would pull all the troops (Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Germany, Japan, etc.) home right away and stop the drone strikes. That's enough for me. How do Democrats or Republicans expect people to believe in their government, when their government continues to murder innocent civilians in other countries?

  6. Re:Libertarian Question on Libertarian Candidate Excluded From Debate For Refusing Corporate Donations · · Score: 1

    Ah, so no matter what happens, the police are the ones initiating force, even if specifically requested by someone else. That's a convenient excuse, but they only act on the request of someone else, so I'd personally think the person pulling the trigger is responsible, not the bullet. As I would think the caller of the police more responsible for the initiation of violence than the police, even if the police are the actual actors, they are constrained in their choices and abilities.

    If you consider calling the government to settle a contract dispute, yes Joe is the initiator of force. By your words, if Bob had called the government settle an anti-discrimination law dispute, then Bob would have been the initiator of force.

    That's how it is almost always described to me, but when I restate that as "rich have more rights" I get complaints and objections.

    "The rich have more rights" highly depends on what you think 'rights' are and how 'rights' work. This mis communication of 'rights' between you and others is probably where most of the complaints and objections arise.

    There is a whole spectrum of libertarian ideas out there, not just 'initiators of force people.' You may enjoy these folks here: http://bleedingheartlibertarians.com/

  7. Re:ABC is a private business? on Libertarian Candidate Excluded From Debate For Refusing Corporate Donations · · Score: 1

    Holy crap! Just like the Ds and Rs, there is a spread of thought in the LP. They are not all Ayn Rand assholes.

  8. Re:Libertarian Question on Libertarian Candidate Excluded From Debate For Refusing Corporate Donations · · Score: 1

    This is where I think libertarians are full of it. That land is in turn granted to the "owner" by the government. That's right, who records the deed showing Joe's ownership? Who would Joe expect to come defend his property against a roving band of criminals? Who is expected the intervene should there be a legal dispute over the ownership (Let's say Larry shows up and says Joe is full of crap, I own this land...).

    Libertarians are not anarchists. Most libertarians believe in limited government not the absence of government. Libertarians start the framework of government at the individual's level because without individuals there is no government. Most likely the government would record the Joe's ownership of the land. I assume Joe pays taxes because he called the police. Again assume Joe payed his taxes, the government would intervene. Ownership is nine tenths of the law.

    Since the government is ultimately granting property rights and recognition, there are some meta-laws Joe has to accept. After all, he can't run a child slavery ring or kill people on "his" land. One of those meta-laws is not discriminating. If Joe doesn't like those rules, fuck him for being a scumbag but in general, the correct thing Joe should do is either declare his independence and dare the government to come blow his ass up, or move the fuck away to some remote island or third-world shit hole where he can pay off rival warlords to guard his property.

    Either there are laws or there are not laws, there is no meta-law. If it were within the legal framework of the government, Joe could run a child slavery ring. I'm pretty sure flat out killing is outlawed in most countries. The correct thing for Joe to do is quit being an idiot. Regardless of the color of your skin, US money all spends the same.

  9. Re:Libertarian Question on Libertarian Candidate Excluded From Debate For Refusing Corporate Donations · · Score: 1

    I keep hearing "whoever initiates force is wrong" and the point of the government is to be a framework to resolve contract disputes, as well as step in after someone initiates force against someone else.

    Joe calls the police and requests he [Bob] be arrested for trespass.

    Logic indicates that Joe invited the public (including Bob) in, and throwing him [Bob] out is the initiation of force.

    I am trying to answer your question, but you have Joe doing two different things in your story.

    If Joe throws Bob out of the cafe, Joe initiated force. And without a context of rights or laws, we do not know if Joe can do this with in the framework of government.

    If Joe calls the government (the police) to settle a contract dispute, the government will determine the outcome. If the law dictates Joe must serve Bob, then the government has initiated the force to make Joe cook Bob a meal. If the law dictates that Bob must leave the cafe, then the government has initiated the force to throw Bob out of Joe's cafe. In this case, I assume there's some sort of law the government decide upon and the outcomes are reasonable.

    Libertarians holding to the "whoever initiates force is wrong" is a bit silly because the context of the initiation in the framework of the standing government is important. Murdering some one with your car because the person jumped out in front of your car is different than planning to murder and murdering some one because you think the person sneezes too loudly. The intentions of the murderer are paramount to the sentence.

    Though one person did send me a link to a youtube video that explains that you can't have personal freedom without property, and it's the personal freedom that is the basis of property, but no explanation of why it works out that personal freedom on someone else's property is determined, in part, but the owner of that property. That circularly comes back to the freedom coming not from personal freedom, but from the property itself.

    The act of owning the property is key. If you hop on top of my car while I am in it. I would ask you to get off my car because you are on my property. Your personal freedom is determined by the owner because you do not own the car. I have spent my labor earnings on said car, you have not. We have not entered into a contract verbal or written which states that you may hop on my car.

    BTW: There is no true "Libertarian," just like there is no true "Scotsman."

  10. Re:Libertarian Question on Libertarian Candidate Excluded From Debate For Refusing Corporate Donations · · Score: 1

    What is your definition of 'a right?' What 'rights' of Bob's are being violated? Does Bob have the right to be served a meal by Joe?
     
    If Joe just told Bob that Bob wouldn't be served. At the end of the night, Bob refused to leave Joe's restaurant. What should Joe do?

    Another way: The open cafe is an open contract. Bob walking into the store is counter offering Joe's contract to buy a meal. Joe rejects the counter offer of Bob and tells Bob to take a hike. Bob insists that Joe accept his counter offer and refuses to leave. Joe then calls the police because Bob's counter offer has been rejected and Bob is now trespassing.

    If Bob were a christian, he might listen to that christ guy. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, well fuck'em." Matthew 10:14

  11. Re:Cry me a river... on Gas Prices Jump; California Hardest Hit · · Score: 1

    More like the PIIGS in europe.

  12. Re:how about high speed rail instead? on We Don't Need More Highways · · Score: 1

    Milwaukee to Detroit? Indy to Louisville? If these were profitable or even good ideas, they would have already been done. Do you think there's even the population density to support those routes?

  13. Re:Make it illegal on Hiring Smokers Banned In South Florida City · · Score: 1

    I think the idea is that the employer wants cheaper health insurance.

    I would say this is why decoupling the link between health insurance and employment is necessary. Next my glucose levels will be tested to make sure I'm not at risk for diabetes.

  14. Re:Depends on your society's norms on Hiring Smokers Banned In South Florida City · · Score: 0

    In some societies, the concept that we are our brothers' keeper is very strong.

    OT: That god character wasn't angry at Cain for not being his "brother's keeper," god was pissed because Cain flat fucking lied to an omniscient being. Double or nothing in a modern fairy tale: Cain would say "He's fucking dead because I was jealous." That god character would be all like "Dude, you kind of suck at yo job. That's why I was being so hard on you. Maybe you should pick a different profession. Also, get fuck out of the garden. How hard is it not to kill people?"
     
    Anyways, I would like it if people quit using that phrase to mean "I need control of your life. Now shut the fuck up and give me a urine sample."
     
    I think I've had too much coffee.

  15. The language is what drives the debate in the U.S. on Google Launches International Campaign For Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage · · Score: 1

    Most religious folks with which I have spoken seem only to care that the LGBT community does not get to call it marriage because to them marriage is a religious term. The LGBT community wants nothing to do with the religious definition and only wants the privileges the state bestows to H couples. I think a lot of religious types think the LGBT is trying to subvert their religion by using the term marriage.

    I see two solutions to this issue.

    • Abolish 'marriage' by the state and go straight to contracts. Open the contracts up to polygamy as well.
    • Have the state perform civil unions and have religious organizations perform marriages. Although, a marriage would mean nothing in the eyes of the state.
  16. Re:Public option on Supreme Court: Affordable Care Act Is Constitutional · · Score: 1

    The profit motive works fine, but the current incentives for profit are mis-aligned against the consumer (you). Most consumers have a third party (your employer) paying their medical bills. The consumer now only worries about the co-pay, instead of the actual cost. Third parties receive large tax breaks for large policies. The product provider ( insurance companies) caters only to the third party, wether the consumer gets qaulity service is no longer the provider's concern. The provider is now only concerned with appeasing the third party. Costs now will never decrease because microtransactions (procedure costs) are no longer being negotiated by the actual consumer with the product provider. I offer lasik as example of the consumer cutting the cost of a microtransaction.

    I think the key to good healthcare reform is to slowly decouple the employed/heathcare link. Unfortunately, the PPACA only increases this unnatural market link and bring the consumer back in the loop.

  17. Technology on A Digital Citizen's Bill of Rights · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I miss my Telegraph Citizen Bill of Rights.

  18. Re:Rich people are most dependent on government on Taxes Lead Angry Birds Maker Rovio To Consider Move To Ireland · · Score: 1

    I had forgotten that government is in charge of producing all ideas. Angry Birds, as we all forget, was government funded project to create fun for children.

    I do somewhat agree with your description of coercion is government.

  19. Re:Rich people are most dependent on government on Taxes Lead Angry Birds Maker Rovio To Consider Move To Ireland · · Score: 1

    Well, it seems no government and a fully authoritarian government seem to have very little to do with wealth.

  20. Re:well...no shit..... on Growing Evidence of Football Causing Brain Damage · · Score: 1

    The 'no shit' will continue with soccer players' brains next.

    I feel like society wants me to feel bad for these men playing a child's game for millions of dollars. To me the football brain damage 'revelation' is similar to the 'revelation' that smoking isn't good for you and may cause cancer.

  21. stone soup on How Windows FreeCell Gave Rise To Online Crowdsourcing · · Score: 2

    In ye olde England, Stone Soup was the first 'crowd sourcing' project. Whenever I read these 'first' summaries all I think is the shoulders of giants, this one experiment.

  22. Re:A Pointless Anecdote on 1981 Paper's Predictions for Global Temperatures Spot-On · · Score: 1

    But as for friends, don't waste your time. Lead by example is all that will work -- and it'll only work with some. I have several older friends who swear absolutely that we have enough oil in the U.S. to run this country for the next two centuries at least, with gas prices never rising about about $2.50 / gallon. If only the gov't would get out of the way...

    OT: I have a friend who lives in St. Louis and will only recycle once the city of St. Louis lowers it's murder rate. He just wants the random murder rate lowered. Getting murdered affects his long term outlook more than making sure he recycles.

  23. Re:How about we just stop "helping" on Ask Slashdot: How To Feed Africa? · · Score: 1

    In addition, the U.S. should stop subsidizing it's farmers. Having to compete with a country that pays for over production is very tough.

  24. Post the transcript on Slashdot Asks: How To Best Record Remote Video Interviews? · · Score: 2

    Forget video. Just post a transcript of the interview to Slashdot and a link or embed the youtube video. I really enjoy being able to read the TED talks because I can't stand watching most of the videos. I like reading because it's faster than listening to some one pause between concepts.

  25. Re:Can't Have your Pi and Eat it Too on Reversing the Loss of Science and Engineering Careers · · Score: 1

    Good question. http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=66

    I haven't checked the fact checker.