They are the 800 pound gorilla, and they believe that they can do no wrong. For decades, Wally World has been the poster child for everything that is wrong about corporations getting too big.
"Breaking news at the White House Tommorow, Bush will claim the sky is in fact - purple. Rumors also suggest he may claim 'nuclear' is correctly spelled as 'nucular.' Further reports as they are made available."
Now why was this modded Flamebait? I'm sure some intelligent, logical, reasonable and level-headed reply will follow and answer this question.
I've heard about the problems they are having with that. Crimnet is not user friendly enough so law enforcement is going to a private database. Problem is, Crimnet will correct their mistakes, the private companies do not.
That seems to be the ultimate objective with those in power. Keep track of everyone everywhere and you will find that everyone is a criminal of some sort. Those in power can better control their people when they have leverage.
Citizen Joe Smoe: "Senator Longbottom, I am a voter and concerned citizen and would like you to vote against this upcoming legislation that will further erode our privacy."
Senator Longbottom: "You know, I would give this privacy concern of yours more of my time, but hey, you illegally downloaded three songs this year and you have a pirated copy of Windows 98. You're a criminal and you want me to defend your privacy? Give me a break."
Yup, biases exist, even in this Utopian world of internet tubes. Digg is a hell of a lot worse than Slashdot has ever been though, where roving bands of like-minded voters descend upon random articles and wreak havok. Good, interesting articles are trashed, while crap is Dugg up. I don't even look at the popular articles on Digg anymore. I go straight to the new stuff that noone has had a chance to fuck with yet.
"Maybe but the only real thing the US produces anymore is intellectual property. Without tough and intergrated copyright and IP laws, the US economy would tank. I'd like to think that the US is so interested in IP as an alternative to the creation and exportation of real materials and work output but the global market provides US companies with an advantage that the US consumers will never have again."
Don't know why this was modded down, but it is absolutely true. The US economy is built on services now. Auto parts are made elsewhere and assembled here. Electronics manufacturers can't outsource to Asia quickly enough. People who actually make things for a living are the exception, not the rule.
If it only exists on paper, the US is king. Otherwise the US doesn't want to get involved.
"You're right. Instead they should equip the robot deer with some serious firepower and blow these asshole illegal hunters out of the water. That'll stop poaching in it's tracks."
"For the record, I did not say the article was false, I said it was "total crap""
Damn I stand corrected! I did not realize that "false" and "total crap" were so far removed from each other in meaning! Wow! The scales have fallen from my eyes! Thank you for helping me see the light. I am forever in your debt.
The debate on Global Warming and its affects on the world or the US has been based on economics for the past 40 years. The science behind it is secondary at best. This discussion has been framed by those who have a stake in the coal and oil industries, and so we have heard our esteemed leaders spew their tripe that change will destroy our country. Simply and obviously not true, and that my dear reader is where my "moral posturing" comes in because we as a country have been more than happy to lap up all the ignorant puerile drivel because it means we do not need to change. Whether from laziness, greed, or some nationalistic belief that we have some god-given right to do whatever the fuck we want, we believe that change is for those other poor suckers who live in those other countries.
FUD to you can be another's eye opening epiphany. Your epiphany can be FUD to me. Believe it or not some people do not respond well to monotone, logical, scientific droning. Change must be sold, just like a car, a house, or a pair of shoes, people need to be sold on change. I personally wish it did not take marketing and sales to get people motivated about social, economic, political, or scientific change. I wish we could just say, "Hey people, this is what the science says. These changes in our behaviour should help slow or eventually stop our contribution to Climate Change. At the very least it will not hurt and will jumpstart several new industries that will create jobs and tax revenue for the country." Exactly 10 people will listen to that and be moved to take action.
The oil and coal industries are pouring hundreds of millions into their marketing and FUD. If we cannot get those same eyes looking at our side of the discussion, then we will lose. Thus, we need to get people motivated. Motivated people talk, donate and get politically active. This discussion is based on economics on many levels.
Your argument does not in any way show that the article is false.
One major thing that has been overlooked in this discussion is one of the primary reasons for the ocean levels rising. What has been discussed so far is that ice on land melts, runs into the sea and the sea level rises. That is true, but the worst is yet to come, we have only seen a small sampling of that effect. So far what we have seen is the warming of the seas. As the oceans and seas warm, their content expands and the ocean level rises.
Now because we will not get instant gratification from our selfless sacrifice to clean up our CO2 emissions, it isn't worth doing?
That is the most dangerous "stinkin' thinkin'" going on in the US today. Great Gramma and Great Grandpa are to blame for the CO2 problem we have today, so technically it is not my problem. If I'm to blame for the CO2 problem that my great grandkids have to live with, then at least I'll be dead and won't have to listen to them complain.
At the very least humans have muddied the environmental waters to the point that we cannot pinpoint exactly what we have caused and what is natural cyclic environmental behaviour. And because of this we have no way of knowing how much we are accelerating any natural cyclical events beyond what is natural. And yet, any mention of sacrifice or change on our part is still dealt with viciously and remorselessly.
Unfortunately, those who believe that change and sacrifice are for those other countries will never realize that they are giving up a perfect opportunity to create multiple industries that can make the oil coal industries look like child's play. Their panicky death grip on the status quo will never allow them to see the opportunities that the US has missed already, or what we will soon be completely missing out on. Those who have been fighting change the most viciously are the same ones who, in ten years, will be shrieking "Why are we licensing wind and solar technology from Europe? Why can't our auto manufacturers sell to Asia or Europe? Why is our economy slowly weakening while Asia and Europe are getting stronger?"
It's a matter of economics. A majority of the rest of the world gets it, but so far we have not and that does not bode well for America's future.
Since we will not get instant gratification from our selfless sacrifice to clean up our CO2 emissions, it isn't worth doing.
That is the most dangerous "stinkin' thinkin'" going on in the US today. Great Gramma and Great Grandpa are to blame for the CO2 problem we have today, so technically it is not my problem. If I'm to blame for the CO2 problem that my great grandkids have to live with, then at least I'll be dead and won't have to listen to them complain.
At the very least humans have muddied the environmental waters to the point that we cannot pinpoint exactly what we have caused and what is natural cyclic environmental behaviour. And because of this we have no way of knowing how much we are accelerating any natural cyclical events beyond what is natural. And yet, any mention of sacrifice or change on our part is still dealt with viciously and remorselessly.
Unfortunately, those who believe that change and sacrifice are for those other countries will never realize that they are giving up a perfect opportunity to create multiple industries that can make the oil and coal industries look like child's play. Their panicky death grip on the status quo will never allow them to see the opportunities that the US has missed already, or what we will soon be completely missing out on. Those who have been fighting change the most viciously are the same ones who, in ten years, will be shrieking "Why are we licensing wind and solar technology from Europe? Why can't our auto manufacturers sell to Asia or Europe? Why is our economy slowly weakening while Asia and Europe are getting stronger?"
It's a matter of economics. A majority of the rest of the world gets it, but so far we have not and that does not bode well for America's future.
"I would say all campaigns should be publicly funded, private donations forbidden, and equal money to the top 3 primary victors, but most Americans consider a campaign donation a form a free speech"
I would almost agree with you, except that whenever I bring this up most if not all strongly agree with me, and realize that our free speech is our vote, our voice and our written word, not our money. It is the corporate world that is so vocal against publicly funded campaigns and makes it sound like it's the average Joe on the street's idea. Corporations stand to lose out completely if political campaigns are taken away from them and given to the people. This will never happen though because all they have to do is shriek "They want to TAX you just to pay for them to run for office!" And uninformed everywhere will perk up their ears like dogs who hear a high pitched noise and say "Taxes? Oh taxes are bad, taxes are very bad, so whatever they are talking about must be bad!"
I've been a political wonk for quite awhile, I've been the starry eyed idealist and volunteered for several local and state candidates. No matter how high-minded their motivations, it is the power to push your agenda through that ultimately drives those running for office. It does not matter if they are there to cut taxes, save Social Security, or save the whales, they do not get to the national level unless they are fully ready and willing to sell their soul for the cause. They all know that if they cannot amass the power necessary to force others to do their will, that they will not succeed. Moral's and ethics be damned, keep your eye on the prize and do whatever is necessary (good or bad) to reach your goal. Cooperation is just a buzz word.
The difference between those running locally and those running nationally is night and day. By the time they have run for office at the local levels and gotten their feet wet, they have usually either become cynical, corrupt, or a failure.
"Mind you, even Communism does not equal communism! It is one of those "trigger" words you talk about. The fact is that when you say "Communism" you are in fact thinking in Stalinism and dictatorship, and not in directed economy and shared property of production equipment."
I was going to bring something like that up, but thought that it would just muddy already murky waters. Thank you for pointing that out.
Of course when thinking fails, regurgitate the liberal, Stalin, Hitler tripe. Don't look now, your ignorance is showing.
I've taken a cursory look at this discussion and can't find anyone who even hinted that their intent is to steal the rightful possessions of hard working people and redistribute it. Now on the other end of the discussion I've seen a few messages that accuse others of being Communist, Hitler, Stalin, and (gasp) liberal. So there does seem to be a one way discussion going on here. The liberals and moderates are trying to discuss a very complex and difficult issue and on the other side of the isle are the farting noises, name calling, and the ubiquitous "La la la la! I'm not listening you poopy head!"
This issue is obviously beyond you and so I should not expect anything substantial as a response, but I can always hope.
"Every time he said 'Social Justice' he fed the perception that Free Software is a communist plot."
That is only because some people are easily fed "trigger" words or phrases and easily trained to react a certain way whenever they are used. Reasonable people understand that social justice does not equal Communism. During the Cold War and even today these easily trained people are more than willing to turn on their friends, neighbors, and even family because of this fallacious sense of pseudo patriotism.
"There's 18 inches of fresh snow on the ground outside, and more of it falling as i type this. I'm fed up with all these promises of global warming."
I wish I could say the same but our winter weather is starting about a month later than when I was a kid (late 60's early 70's). We haven't had a real winter (ground completely snowcovered for more than a month) in probably close to 7 years.
"If Dems retake the House, Nancy Pelosi will be third in line for the Presidency. Just think about THAT for a second..."
Ok, I did, now let's take a look at what we have now. President AWOL, a spoiled, malicious, psuedo Christian, dry drunk. Vice President Iblis, who is widely rumored to be Elmer Fudd's evil twin. BLAM! Stop or I'll shoot! House Speaker Dennis "Never met a suspected child molester I didn't like" Hastert President pro tempore of the Senate Ted "My TUBES are full! Stephens
Hmm let me think about this for a moment. Hmmm, ok yup, I'd rather have Pelosi in line for the Presidency
Slashdot Mirror
They are the 800 pound gorilla, and they believe that they can do no wrong. For decades, Wally World has been the poster child for everything that is wrong about corporations getting too big.
Quite insightful. I agree.
Yup, one man's terrorist is another's Freedom Fighter.
GMs pretend vehicle just got one-upped by Ford.
GM -- "...and our vehicle will make your toast and tie your shoes!"
Ford -- "Well that's nothing! Our vehicle will fly, read your thoughts and, and, and...and it has the Cloak of Invisibility!!! Yea! That's it!."
"Slashdot is always overrun by them fuckin' librals!"
This list is just getting hammered by the right wing today.
"Breaking news at the White House
Tommorow, Bush will claim the sky is in fact - purple. Rumors also suggest he may claim 'nuclear' is correctly spelled as 'nucular.' Further reports as they are made available."
Now why was this modded Flamebait? I'm sure some intelligent, logical, reasonable and level-headed reply will follow and answer this question.
I've heard about the problems they are having with that. Crimnet is not user friendly enough so law enforcement is going to a private database. Problem is, Crimnet will correct their mistakes, the private companies do not.
That seems to be the ultimate objective with those in power. Keep track of everyone everywhere and you will find that everyone is a criminal of some sort. Those in power can better control their people when they have leverage.
Citizen Joe Smoe: "Senator Longbottom, I am a voter and concerned citizen and would like you to vote against this upcoming legislation that will further erode our privacy."
Senator Longbottom: "You know, I would give this privacy concern of yours more of my time, but hey, you illegally downloaded three songs this year and you have a pirated copy of Windows 98. You're a criminal and you want me to defend your privacy? Give me a break."
Yup, biases exist, even in this Utopian world of internet tubes. Digg is a hell of a lot worse than Slashdot has ever been though, where roving bands of like-minded voters descend upon random articles and wreak havok. Good, interesting articles are trashed, while crap is Dugg up. I don't even look at the popular articles on Digg anymore. I go straight to the new stuff that noone has had a chance to fuck with yet.
"Maybe but the only real thing the US produces anymore is intellectual property. Without tough and intergrated copyright and IP laws, the US economy would tank. I'd like to think that the US is so interested in IP as an alternative to the creation and exportation of real materials and work output but the global market provides US companies with an advantage that the US consumers will never have again."
Don't know why this was modded down, but it is absolutely true. The US economy is built on services now. Auto parts are made elsewhere and assembled here. Electronics manufacturers can't outsource to Asia quickly enough. People who actually make things for a living are the exception, not the rule.
If it only exists on paper, the US is king. Otherwise the US doesn't want to get involved.
"You're right. Instead they should equip the robot deer with some serious firepower and blow these asshole illegal hunters out of the water. That'll stop poaching in it's tracks."
Beautiful idea. I love it.
"For the record, I did not say the article was false, I said it was "total crap""
Damn I stand corrected! I did not realize that "false" and "total crap" were so far removed from each other in meaning! Wow! The scales have fallen from my eyes! Thank you for helping me see the light. I am forever in your debt.
The debate on Global Warming and its affects on the world or the US has been based on economics for the past 40 years. The science behind it is secondary at best. This discussion has been framed by those who have a stake in the coal and oil industries, and so we have heard our esteemed leaders spew their tripe that change will destroy our country. Simply and obviously not true, and that my dear reader is where my "moral posturing" comes in because we as a country have been more than happy to lap up all the ignorant puerile drivel because it means we do not need to change. Whether from laziness, greed, or some nationalistic belief that we have some god-given right to do whatever the fuck we want, we believe that change is for those other poor suckers who live in those other countries.
FUD to you can be another's eye opening epiphany. Your epiphany can be FUD to me. Believe it or not some people do not respond well to monotone, logical, scientific droning. Change must be sold, just like a car, a house, or a pair of shoes, people need to be sold on change. I personally wish it did not take marketing and sales to get people motivated about social, economic, political, or scientific change. I wish we could just say, "Hey people, this is what the science says. These changes in our behaviour should help slow or eventually stop our contribution to Climate Change. At the very least it will not hurt and will jumpstart several new industries that will create jobs and tax revenue for the country." Exactly 10 people will listen to that and be moved to take action.
The oil and coal industries are pouring hundreds of millions into their marketing and FUD. If we cannot get those same eyes looking at our side of the discussion, then we will lose. Thus, we need to get people motivated. Motivated people talk, donate and get politically active. This discussion is based on economics on many levels.
Your argument does not in any way show that the article is false.
One major thing that has been overlooked in this discussion is one of the primary reasons for the ocean levels rising. What has been discussed so far is that ice on land melts, runs into the sea and the sea level rises. That is true, but the worst is yet to come, we have only seen a small sampling of that effect. So far what we have seen is the warming of the seas. As the oceans and seas warm, their content expands and the ocean level rises.
Now because we will not get instant gratification from our selfless sacrifice to clean up our CO2 emissions, it isn't worth doing?
That is the most dangerous "stinkin' thinkin'" going on in the US today. Great Gramma and Great Grandpa are to blame for the CO2 problem we have today, so technically it is not my problem. If I'm to blame for the CO2 problem that my great grandkids have to live with, then at least I'll be dead and won't have to listen to them complain.
At the very least humans have muddied the environmental waters to the point that we cannot pinpoint exactly what we have caused and what is natural cyclic environmental behaviour. And because of this we have no way of knowing how much we are accelerating any natural cyclical events beyond what is natural. And yet, any mention of sacrifice or change on our part is still dealt with viciously and remorselessly.
Unfortunately, those who believe that change and sacrifice are for those other countries will never realize that they are giving up a perfect opportunity to create multiple industries that can make the oil coal industries look like child's play. Their panicky death grip on the status quo will never allow them to see the opportunities that the US has missed already, or what we will soon be completely missing out on. Those who have been fighting change the most viciously are the same ones who, in ten years, will be shrieking "Why are we licensing wind and solar technology from Europe? Why can't our auto manufacturers sell to Asia or Europe? Why is our economy slowly weakening while Asia and Europe are getting stronger?"
It's a matter of economics. A majority of the rest of the world gets it, but so far we have not and that does not bode well for America's future.
Since we will not get instant gratification from our selfless sacrifice to clean up our CO2 emissions, it isn't worth doing.
That is the most dangerous "stinkin' thinkin'" going on in the US today. Great Gramma and Great Grandpa are to blame for the CO2 problem we have today, so technically it is not my problem. If I'm to blame for the CO2 problem that my great grandkids have to live with, then at least I'll be dead and won't have to listen to them complain.
At the very least humans have muddied the environmental waters to the point that we cannot pinpoint exactly what we have caused and what is natural cyclic environmental behaviour. And because of this we have no way of knowing how much we are accelerating any natural cyclical events beyond what is natural. And yet, any mention of sacrifice or change on our part is still dealt with viciously and remorselessly.
Unfortunately, those who believe that change and sacrifice are for those other countries will never realize that they are giving up a perfect opportunity to create multiple industries that can make the oil and coal industries look like child's play. Their panicky death grip on the status quo will never allow them to see the opportunities that the US has missed already, or what we will soon be completely missing out on. Those who have been fighting change the most viciously are the same ones who, in ten years, will be shrieking "Why are we licensing wind and solar technology from Europe? Why can't our auto manufacturers sell to Asia or Europe? Why is our economy slowly weakening while Asia and Europe are getting stronger?"
It's a matter of economics. A majority of the rest of the world gets it, but so far we have not and that does not bode well for America's future.
"You think Bush came along and blanked out a few lines just because the authors criticized him?"
Um, let me think long and hard about this.......yes.
"I would say all campaigns should be publicly funded, private donations forbidden, and equal money to the top 3 primary victors, but most Americans consider a campaign donation a form a free speech"
I would almost agree with you, except that whenever I bring this up most if not all strongly agree with me, and realize that our free speech is our vote, our voice and our written word, not our money. It is the corporate world that is so vocal against publicly funded campaigns and makes it sound like it's the average Joe on the street's idea. Corporations stand to lose out completely if political campaigns are taken away from them and given to the people. This will never happen though because all they have to do is shriek "They want to TAX you just to pay for them to run for office!" And uninformed everywhere will perk up their ears like dogs who hear a high pitched noise and say "Taxes? Oh taxes are bad, taxes are very bad, so whatever they are talking about must be bad!"
I've been a political wonk for quite awhile, I've been the starry eyed idealist and volunteered for several local and state candidates. No matter how high-minded their motivations, it is the power to push your agenda through that ultimately drives those running for office. It does not matter if they are there to cut taxes, save Social Security, or save the whales, they do not get to the national level unless they are fully ready and willing to sell their soul for the cause. They all know that if they cannot amass the power necessary to force others to do their will, that they will not succeed. Moral's and ethics be damned, keep your eye on the prize and do whatever is necessary (good or bad) to reach your goal. Cooperation is just a buzz word.
The difference between those running locally and those running nationally is night and day. By the time they have run for office at the local levels and gotten their feet wet, they have usually either become cynical, corrupt, or a failure.
Very well said. Good point.
"Mind you, even Communism does not equal communism! It is one of those "trigger" words you talk about. The fact is that when you say "Communism" you are in fact thinking in Stalinism and dictatorship, and not in directed economy and shared property of production equipment."
I was going to bring something like that up, but thought that it would just muddy already murky waters. Thank you for pointing that out.
Of course when thinking fails, regurgitate the liberal, Stalin, Hitler tripe. Don't look now, your ignorance is showing.
I've taken a cursory look at this discussion and can't find anyone who even hinted that their intent is to steal the rightful possessions of hard working people and redistribute it. Now on the other end of the discussion I've seen a few messages that accuse others of being Communist, Hitler, Stalin, and (gasp) liberal. So there does seem to be a one way discussion going on here. The liberals and moderates are trying to discuss a very complex and difficult issue and on the other side of the isle are the farting noises, name calling, and the ubiquitous "La la la la! I'm not listening you poopy head!"
This issue is obviously beyond you and so I should not expect anything substantial as a response, but I can always hope.
That is some sick thinking there.
That speech does a great job of subverting all of the "social justice equals Communism" manure that has been spread.
"Every time he said 'Social Justice' he fed the perception that Free Software is a communist plot."
That is only because some people are easily fed "trigger" words or phrases and easily trained to react a certain way whenever they are used. Reasonable people understand that social justice does not equal Communism. During the Cold War and even today these easily trained people are more than willing to turn on their friends, neighbors, and even family because of this fallacious sense of pseudo patriotism.
"There's 18 inches of fresh snow on the ground outside, and more of it falling as i type this. I'm fed up with all these promises of global warming."
I wish I could say the same but our winter weather is starting about a month later than when I was a kid (late 60's early 70's). We haven't had a real winter (ground completely snowcovered for more than a month) in probably close to 7 years.
"If Dems retake the House, Nancy Pelosi will be third in line for the Presidency. Just think about THAT for a second..."
Ok, I did, now let's take a look at what we have now.
President AWOL, a spoiled, malicious, psuedo Christian, dry drunk.
Vice President Iblis, who is widely rumored to be Elmer Fudd's evil twin. BLAM! Stop or I'll shoot!
House Speaker Dennis "Never met a suspected child molester I didn't like" Hastert
President pro tempore of the Senate Ted "My TUBES are full! Stephens
Hmm let me think about this for a moment. Hmmm, ok yup, I'd rather have Pelosi in line for the Presidency