Why is it that when it comes to anything that has to do with society, the \. editors (yes, the slash leans left on purpose) push forward an authoritarian and often socialist view of government regulation and initiative
Why do you believe extreme authoritarianism is socialism? This is *NOT* true at all. Social Democratic and Communist principles have nothing to do with authoritarianism or Fascism. Stalin may have been a tyrant - but so are plenty of leaders when given an opportunity.
Think Nixon, Think about the AstroTurfing MS is doing in this article, Think about your Government, think about the *REALITY* of American McCarthyism.. (which is alive and well btw) and what *that* really means about America.
Id say that you have a very healthy Authoritarian-Capitalist system in America. You have a body, governing with the tact of Il Duce.
When you ignorantly berate socialism, by insinuating it is an 'extreme form of authoritarianism' is, at best, ignorant and misguided.
Would it surprise you to believe that Socialists have 'personal freedom' as one of its major goals? You do understand that being A Slave to the Bosses vs. A slave to the State vs A slave to the King still leaves you a slave. One of the tenants of Socialism (and Communism) is that the 'economy' and 'means of production' are controlled democratically - by citizens... they are given the additional Civic Right of helping guide their economic destiny, they are given the right to participate in the shaping of their economy.
American Dogma has convinced its people that "economic freedom and free markets mean real freedom, Socialist who seek to heavily regulate and direct the economy are really trying to take away your property && freedom". This is untrue - what Socialists mostly assert is that BOSSES (Capital 'owners') will not be permitted to rule the economy without the input of the citizenry... Everyone must work for a living, and Capital owners, when allowed run freely will incarnate themselves kings and rulers.
What does this have to do with the article? Well, when you think about it, M$, now completely so out of control - seemingly above the law - that it will now replace the political will of *real * people with its own.. you see the final step of Capitalism out of control - the inevitable end of Free Market Capitalism: Plutocracy
Ok this has got to stop, if I hear the word "robust" one more freaking time im going to have a non-synergetic event of proactive office buzz lingo breakdown. Can these drones not scribe inventive and original prose? Why does everything I read sound like its been poured through a corp-speak PR sieve?
You mean RMS tried to convince others of his point-of-view, and didnt tell this developer about it... only a paranoid ego freak would see this as a personal attack.
Do think maybe this person was so astonished, so amazed that his ultimate authority wasnt being 100% acknowledged that he over-reacted in this vitrol-filled screed?
There is nothing more dangerous than a powerful idealists.
Yes there is, complacent(ignorant) realists without who your greedy opportunists would be without power. Realists mostly use their own corrupt, self serving motives to paint others the same - and have a hard time seeing through their own selfishness to understand someone elses selflessness.
I am far more concerned with greedy realists than i am altruist idealists. Dont drop your cynicism as insightfull, it is not - it mostly speaks to your own perspective.
says who?? It's not in the GPL. He can do anything he wants to do
Did you read the article? RMS asked a group of major contributors to change something, some agreed some disagreed - this person cannot act as if the project (the collection of GPLed code) is his to stear alone... if *EVERY* other developer had agreed w/ RMS, and they forked, would this developer be crying 'foul' now about his work being lead in a direction he didnt agree with? You bet he would.
why can't RMS and his sheep respect that and let the issue die? You say majority rules right?? and RMS is welcome to continue to argue *for* GNU/Linux... whats your issue?
Seems to me like this developer dosnt feel he should have to 'answer' to anyone. In his rather flaming screed he stops to say "and I reserve the right of the final decision. ".
One cannot dicatate the terms to a project and treat any act of anyothers will, with regards to that project, as an afront on his unchallengeable-word. If he cannot deal with group decision making, than maybe (as he suggests) he can fork his code and stop receiving contributions. IF however, he wants to keep an open project, he must give some credit to other developers.
RMS may have, at some time, contributed some code to this project... he then deserves to have his voice heard. The majority rules in GNU/Linux and if this developer dosnt like it, again, he is simply invited to fork.
also... i do recognize that he began the porting project (as i learned in the article) - but once you accept patches you accept considering others opinion. Looks like this developer is a little upset at having someone (RMS) use his weight to challenge his fiefdom.
On a more ancillary note: His email was tremendously 'trollish' - his tone and demeanour would tell me that this person's ego had a LARGE part in his reaction to RMS... that tells more about hims own personality than it does RMS's.
GNU and the FSF are about a political and philisophical ideal.. and I am glad RMS defends those ideals endlessly. I am amazed by his tenacity and single-minded devotion to his alturist cause. Anyone who mistakes RMS as being a 'egotist' I believe is really simply incapable of understanding someone with this level of dedication, determination and self-lessness. People hear him demand the "GNU" and think its his ego, I bet he would rather not have to repeat himself over and over and over and just let it rest - but there are people who still dont understand exactly what libre software means... and RMSs adherence to that goal.
its hard to take people like you seriously when you post as an AC. It might be considered cute to a 15 yr old wannabe troll, but most people find it childish and outright lame. I guess you have to follow reams of adolescent's lead with penis-bird posts.
With XBox drawing near, and XBox's adoption of Direct** APIs - we can seriously expect to see this trend accelerate.
MS is providing a bridge, via XBox for PC games programmers to get their apps on a console. If the rumours that consoles are the sole future of gaming are correct - then we can expect to see our PC Game developers very happy to have this new area to sell to.
But, considering this, what does this say *REALLY* about M$ and its XBox? Arent they in fact cutting off PeeCee sellers from a market - the would-be-desktop-computer gamers market? Isnt M$ REALLY competing with its own customers in this case? With M$ focusing on realeasing a box themseleves - wont that mean decreased sales for their own customers?
I see M$ XBox as being its most obviously brazen move yet. I understand M$ has been into hardware for sometime, but brand-ed mice and keyboards arent at this level.
What does this have to with directX? It means that once again, M$ is using their weight in one market (pc gaming os) to move into another (console manufacture). I really wonder what Compaq, IBM and Micron think about this, wont this mean a drop in their sales of Electronics-boutique level machines?
Imagine for a moment, with Sony talking about making PS2 a Linux Computer (with HD, Keyboard, Mouse etc) wont this invite M$ to do the same? Will the XBox become a "Microsoft Desktop Computer"?
With PC developers looking at the XBox as an opportunity to expand their marketplace - you can bet they are not going to be too eager to use OpenGL and cut themselves off from the XBox-platform.
They can ditch whatever they want, period. Regardless of "monopoly" status, which can be debated here for ever, MS is still in control of thier product. MS has no monopoly in browsers, never has, and never will. Therefore they can create any browser any way they want forever, period. They can license it, give it away, kill off Netscape, DO ANYTHING they want to it. Its thier property, thier software, thier decision.
Monopolies are regulated. Monopolies - regardless of your overwhelming adherance to capitalist-dogma - can occur with much less than %XY of marketshare. Any business with enough power to do as they will, with no effective opposition to check on technology, direction and price is a monopoly. Period. Corporations serve customers. When customers have no choice the corporation is a public service.
And btw, if MS ditched RFC 822 and did their own e-mail thing then yes, it would be their perrogative. They could do ANYTHING they want with THEIR software, and I will do ANYTHING I want with my computer.
Wrong, they would be doing exactly what it anti-monoply laws are meant to prevent (see above) - one major player cannot randomly force their clients to make a move - one that makes no sense, other than to cripple already limp competitiors - this is abuse of their monopoly position. If they *DIDNT* have a monopoly - would they arbitrarily switch to a non-open standard? NO, of course not, it would be suicide, unless their was a compelling reason (technology or price)... breaking the plugin API is almost the same as saying "we are a monopoly - watch us extinguish our only competitor and ram change down the throat of the plugin vendors.. try and stop us"... where do the vendors go? NOWHERE b/c m$ is a monopoly... see it coming round now?
Its important to remember that popularity and market share do not mean monopoly. Even if 99.99% of all computer users used IE it still wouldn't necessarily mean MS had a monopoly in browsers.
Most people, and the law disagree. It really matters how you define monopoly. In the US, if Microsoft isnt a monopoly - your laws need to be adjusted. M$ has been running rampant in the IS industry - UNCHALLENGED - for far too long.. the health of the IS industry is suffering, opportunity is non-existant, innovation has been stiffled.
If the DoJ dosnt win a reward with some teeth this wont be the end of Anti-Trust concerns for M$... there is always the EU;)
The world economy is collapsing. What do you expect? Capitalism servers the stock market. Once 'reality-based' && 'need-based' manufacturing of *stuff* took the backseat to 'brand managment' and 'intellectual property' pyramid scheme.
Im not surprised at all.
Start attending anti-capitalist protests - these morons are gonna strip the planet and leave the rest of us to pick up the pcs.
Harmonize with US policy? Are you people Nucking Futz? Here is a summary of recent US policy advances - and other notable mentions:
Fail to support UN effort to prevent Biological weapons via independent inspection (yet America sees fit to solely enforce the idea in the middle east) - rest of planet supports this effort.
Fail to support UN effort to limit and monitor the trade of Handheld weapons - rest of planet supports this effort.
Fail to support Kyoto protocol *EVEN AFTER* it had been reduced to half effectiveness - rest of planet supports this effort
Extends corporate control of Speech/Thought/Action into the monster known as DMCA. Leads fight via WIPO to have rest of world implement their own version of a law that would have them comply with the WIPO 1996 Copyright Treaty. (See : Understanding WIPO (down the page a bit)).
Has ridiculously looong copyrights. (see Disney-Bono Term Extensions)
Plan Columbia - a reaction to the mindless war on (some) drugs.
America's Solution to health care is to pass a 'patients bill of rights' which amounts to methods for people to sue one another - never mind universal health care (like Britons and Canucks (and some others) enjoy. Canadians/Britons: Is the present 'health care crisis' a pre-cursor to 'harmonizing' with Americans with regards to health care?? think about it...
Not to mention the archaic first-past-the post political system, Republicrat domination of all politics.
Unbelievable Media Concentration which self-censors in order to support present power-structure/re-enforces mindless consumption/limits public discourse/leads to the present soul-less pandering to the lowest common denominator (Brittany spears, daniel steele, sitcoms-of-all-types, clearchannel, AOL-TimeWarner, RIAA, MPAA)
Tolerance of Anti-Competitive Monopolies (M$)
Threatens world peace with idiotic chest-thumping missile - *miltiary-industrial-complex-political-kickbacks-p orkbarrel-terrorisim-propaganda* *bullshit* defence *bullshit* program.
Unbelievable 'energy policies' that would pump oil in nature reserves all in an effort to avoid a buying petroleum products in the same market as everyone else (read: maintain the public subsidy which enables unbelievable levels of mindless-consumption)
Before the rest of the world decides to model American-policy, they need to determine some priorities and try and evaluate which things are cause-and-effect. Basically, America seems happy to live in a Plutocracy - would you?
Where is the international effort, with this kind of *power* to harmonize Labour Law? Environmental Law? WorkPlace Safety Law? Public Safety Law? Health Care? Education? Why is it that seemingly more and *MORE* ridiculous efforts are being mounted and pushed on an staggering international basis that have no relationship to improving the lives of the Citizens of the Planet? On whose behalf are our politicians acting?
Good defined as what? Willing to destroy them if they demand to be given a more-fair share of the companies profits (raise).
there's a labour market and not a labour monopoly
Most people, myself included feel that *PEOPLE* shouldnt be subject to the whims of a 'labour market'. Capitalist Free Markets are an artifical construct which can and should be regulated (ie: conditions created from both inside and outside). I am not a believer, nor a follower, of the idea that free markets create better communities. They do not - they enable a new ruling (monied) class to subjicate those without.... witness Ford's move you quoted. This is the purpose of Unions... to help restore a little sanity and balance. A Union will enable a group of labourers to negotiate a wage with their employers.
workers will realise that unions are just as evil as monopsonist employers.
You are a troll, an idiot or both.
Full Disclosure: I work for Ford Canada and am not in a Union.
...before any canuks nail me, I am Canadian.:op But we're getting there
Yes, and all this talk of 'unifying borders' between US/Canada/Mexico is a massive Trojan Horse. The Yankees are interested in an increased population (more surfs) - but Canadians have to realize that in order for us to have LAWS that differ from theirs; ie: being able to govern ourselves, we have to maintain our borders. Until the American Government is willing to sign up as a member of the Canadian Federation I say we keep the borders up...
The day Canada ceases to be able to govern itself, for want of Yankee meddling, is the day I move to Europe. I will have my 'EU Citizenship' shortly... I see it coming, and its fucking scary.
Much like the Slack people releasing 'Version 8.0'. I think it is very funny, id love to see the slack guys make 'Version 42' or some-such for the next release...:)
Want to see some good kiddie porn? Check out the makeup/lighting/clothing/hairstyles of young girls in television commercials. How about Britanny Spears?
If people woke up to the fact that there are sexual images of children, all around them, maybe I would take this whole 'save the children' thing a little more seriously.
It is ok for the RIAA to parade a 'pre-teen-appearing' Britanny Spears in the media to sell product? It is okay for them to do it to sell clothing or shampoo?
Marketing and Advertising uses not so-subtle techniques like these with abandon, just because it is not seedy and badly-lite dosnt mean it is acceptable.... or does it?????
Re:Meaningless ritual? Not if there's a camera aro
on
Tech Wars In Meat Space
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
I am a veteran of a couple large-ish Anti-Capitalist protests (Windsor, Quebec). Let me assure you, there are certainly agent-provacateurs amoungst the crowds. The police badly need to justify their overwhelmning threats of violence. While I was marching with the Windsor-Detroit Communists (we had grown to about 800-1000 on the streets in Quebec) we were joined at the front by someone who was as obvious as could be. He reputed to be a local Communist (though our known-local-contact didnt know him) he was dressed in 'casual wear' like it was haloween and asked *alot* of odd questions with regard to our direction and intent. It was almost laughable. We later made a film and this person features prominently in it.
Now, it is also a known fact that radical movements, like the present anit-capitalist one, will become paranoid and dillusional. Those involved will cease to trust 'outsiders'. The solution to this I fear is absolute honesty, why keep secrets at all? If you are completely honest about your intent there is no need to keep secrets.
What to help ruin the present Plutocratic Picnic? Join the FIGHT! See protest.net.
Slashdot Mirror
Why is it that when it comes to anything that has to do with society, the \. editors (yes, the slash leans left on purpose) push forward an authoritarian and often socialist view of government regulation and initiative
Why do you believe extreme authoritarianism is socialism? This is *NOT* true at all. Social Democratic and Communist principles have nothing to do with authoritarianism or Fascism. Stalin may have been a tyrant - but so are plenty of leaders when given an opportunity.
Think Nixon, Think about the AstroTurfing MS is doing in this article, Think about your Government, think about the *REALITY* of American McCarthyism.. (which is alive and well btw) and what *that* really means about America.
Id say that you have a very healthy Authoritarian-Capitalist system in America. You have a body, governing with the tact of Il Duce.
When you ignorantly berate socialism, by insinuating it is an 'extreme form of authoritarianism' is, at best, ignorant and misguided.
Would it surprise you to believe that Socialists have 'personal freedom' as one of its major goals? You do understand that being A Slave to the Bosses vs. A slave to the State vs A slave to the King still leaves you a slave. One of the tenants of Socialism (and Communism) is that the 'economy' and 'means of production' are controlled democratically - by citizens... they are given the additional Civic Right of helping guide their economic destiny, they are given the right to participate in the shaping of their economy.
American Dogma has convinced its people that "economic freedom and free markets mean real freedom, Socialist who seek to heavily regulate and direct the economy are really trying to take away your property && freedom". This is untrue - what Socialists mostly assert is that BOSSES (Capital 'owners') will not be permitted to rule the economy without the input of the citizenry... Everyone must work for a living, and Capital owners, when allowed run freely will incarnate themselves kings and rulers.
What does this have to do with the article? Well, when you think about it, M$, now completely so out of control - seemingly above the law - that it will now replace the political will of * real * people with its own.. you see the final step of Capitalism out of control - the inevitable end of Free Market Capitalism: Plutocracy
This is why people goto Seattle, Genova, Quebec and Washington, D.C. this September.
...ok - now i have to know why the White House is white. The story sounds very unflattering to Americans... Im sure Ill love it.
Has it anything to do with the Brits razing it in 1814???
using only the thin, but robust, winds of Mars.
Ok this has got to stop, if I hear the word "robust" one more freaking time im going to have a non-synergetic event of proactive office buzz lingo breakdown. Can these drones not scribe inventive and original prose? Why does everything I read sound like its been poured through a corp-speak PR sieve?
Sheesh.
You mean RMS tried to convince others of his point-of-view, and didnt tell this developer about it... only a paranoid ego freak would see this as a personal attack.
Do think maybe this person was so astonished, so amazed that his ultimate authority wasnt being 100% acknowledged that he over-reacted in this vitrol-filled screed?
Maybe just even a little bit..?
There is nothing more dangerous than a powerful idealists.
Yes there is, complacent(ignorant) realists without who your greedy opportunists would be without power. Realists mostly use their own corrupt, self serving motives to paint others the same - and have a hard time seeing through their own selfishness to understand someone elses selflessness.
I am far more concerned with greedy realists than i am altruist idealists. Dont drop your cynicism as insightfull, it is not - it mostly speaks to your own perspective.
says who?? It's not in the GPL. He can do anything he wants to do
Did you read the article? RMS asked a group of major contributors to change something, some agreed some disagreed - this person cannot act as if the project (the collection of GPLed code) is his to stear alone... if *EVERY* other developer had agreed w/ RMS, and they forked, would this developer be crying 'foul' now about his work being lead in a direction he didnt agree with? You bet he would.
why can't RMS and his sheep respect that and let the issue die? You say majority rules right??
and RMS is welcome to continue to argue *for* GNU/Linux... whats your issue?
Seems to me like this developer dosnt feel he should have to 'answer' to anyone. In his rather flaming screed he stops to say "and I reserve the right of the final decision. ".
One cannot dicatate the terms to a project and treat any act of anyothers will, with regards to that project, as an afront on his unchallengeable-word. If he cannot deal with group decision making, than maybe (as he suggests) he can fork his code and stop receiving contributions. IF however, he wants to keep an open project, he must give some credit to other developers.
RMS may have, at some time, contributed some code to this project... he then deserves to have his voice heard. The majority rules in GNU/Linux and if this developer dosnt like it, again, he is simply invited to fork.
also... i do recognize that he began the porting project (as i learned in the article) - but once you accept patches you accept considering others opinion. Looks like this developer is a little upset at having someone (RMS) use his weight to challenge his fiefdom.
On a more ancillary note: His email was tremendously 'trollish' - his tone and demeanour would tell me that this person's ego had a LARGE part in his reaction to RMS... that tells more about hims own personality than it does RMS's.
GNU and the FSF are about a political and philisophical ideal.. and I am glad RMS defends those ideals endlessly. I am amazed by his tenacity and single-minded devotion to his alturist cause. Anyone who mistakes RMS as being a 'egotist' I believe is really simply incapable of understanding someone with this level of dedication, determination and self-lessness. People hear him demand the "GNU" and think its his ego, I bet he would rather not have to repeat himself over and over and over and just let it rest - but there are people who still dont understand exactly what libre software means... and RMSs adherence to that goal.
i like how you don't even attempt to rebut his charges and just resort to ad hominem attacks.
it just makes you look like more of a jackass
Cat meet Kettle. Kettle, cat.
its hard to take people like you seriously when you post as an AC. It might be considered cute to a 15 yr old wannabe troll, but most people find it childish and outright lame. I guess you have to follow reams of adolescent's lead with penis-bird posts.
Ironic.
not.
With XBox drawing near, and XBox's adoption of Direct** APIs - we can seriously expect to see this trend accelerate.
MS is providing a bridge, via XBox for PC games programmers to get their apps on a console. If the rumours that consoles are the sole future of gaming are correct - then we can expect to see our PC Game developers very happy to have this new area to sell to.
But, considering this, what does this say *REALLY* about M$ and its XBox? Arent they in fact cutting off PeeCee sellers from a market - the would-be-desktop-computer gamers market? Isnt M$ REALLY competing with its own customers in this case? With M$ focusing on realeasing a box themseleves - wont that mean decreased sales for their own customers?
I see M$ XBox as being its most obviously brazen move yet. I understand M$ has been into hardware for sometime, but brand-ed mice and keyboards arent at this level.
What does this have to with directX? It means that once again, M$ is using their weight in one market (pc gaming os) to move into another (console manufacture). I really wonder what Compaq, IBM and Micron think about this, wont this mean a drop in their sales of Electronics-boutique level machines?
Imagine for a moment, with Sony talking about making PS2 a Linux Computer (with HD, Keyboard, Mouse etc) wont this invite M$ to do the same? Will the XBox become a "Microsoft Desktop Computer"?
With PC developers looking at the XBox as an opportunity to expand their marketplace - you can bet they are not going to be too eager to use OpenGL and cut themselves off from the XBox-platform.
You'd think that with all that water around you could dissipate some of that heat...?
They can ditch whatever they want, period. Regardless of "monopoly" status, which can be debated here for ever, MS is still in control of thier product. MS has no monopoly in browsers, never has, and never will. Therefore they can create any browser any way they want forever, period. They can license it, give it away, kill off Netscape, DO ANYTHING they want to it. Its thier property, thier software, thier decision.
;)
Monopolies are regulated. Monopolies - regardless of your overwhelming adherance to capitalist-dogma - can occur with much less than %XY of marketshare. Any business with enough power to do as they will, with no effective opposition to check on technology, direction and price is a monopoly. Period. Corporations serve customers. When customers have no choice the corporation is a public service.
And btw, if MS ditched RFC 822 and did their own e-mail thing then yes, it would be their perrogative. They could do ANYTHING they want with THEIR software, and I will do ANYTHING I want with my computer.
Wrong, they would be doing exactly what it anti-monoply laws are meant to prevent (see above) - one major player cannot randomly force their clients to make a move - one that makes no sense, other than to cripple already limp competitiors - this is abuse of their monopoly position. If they *DIDNT* have a monopoly - would they arbitrarily switch to a non-open standard? NO, of course not, it would be suicide, unless their was a compelling reason (technology or price)... breaking the plugin API is almost the same as saying "we are a monopoly - watch us extinguish our only competitor and ram change down the throat of the plugin vendors.. try and stop us"... where do the vendors go? NOWHERE b/c m$ is a monopoly... see it coming round now?
Its important to remember that popularity and market share do not mean monopoly. Even if 99.99% of all computer users used IE it still wouldn't necessarily mean MS had a monopoly in browsers.
Most people, and the law disagree. It really matters how you define monopoly. In the US, if Microsoft isnt a monopoly - your laws need to be adjusted. M$ has been running rampant in the IS industry - UNCHALLENGED - for far too long.. the health of the IS industry is suffering, opportunity is non-existant, innovation has been stiffled.
If the DoJ dosnt win a reward with some teeth this wont be the end of Anti-Trust concerns for M$... there is always the EU
Extinguish. 1. 2. 3.
Textbook.
Perfect.
HEY! DoJ - PAY ATTENTION! Fucking Amazing.
. When a kernel is released, I want to know about it. and who in their right mind looks at freshmeat every fucking day?
*me* whistles and taps toe while looking around the room quitely...
The world economy is collapsing.
What do you expect? Capitalism servers the stock market. Once 'reality-based' && 'need-based' manufacturing of *stuff* took the backseat to 'brand managment' and 'intellectual property' pyramid scheme.
Im not surprised at all.
Start attending anti-capitalist protests - these morons are gonna strip the planet and leave the rest of us to pick up the pcs.
HA! Nice Troll.
Yes, but note that *those* people can then freely distribute *both* binaries & source.
With so many clamouring for this, dont you think there would have been *one* person to have made it widely available by now..?
Here is a summary of recent US policy advances - and other notable mentions:
Fail to support UN effort to prevent Biological weapons via independent inspection (yet America sees fit to solely enforce the idea in the middle east) - rest of planet supports this effort.
Fail to support UN effort to limit and monitor the trade of Handheld weapons - rest of planet supports this effort.
Fail to support Kyoto protocol *EVEN AFTER* it had been reduced to half effectiveness - rest of planet supports this effort
Extends corporate control of Speech/Thought/Action into the monster known as DMCA. Leads fight via WIPO to have rest of world implement their own version of a law that would have them comply with the WIPO 1996 Copyright Treaty. (See : Understanding WIPO (down the page a bit)).
Has ridiculously looong copyrights. (see Disney-Bono Term Extensions)
Plan Columbia - a reaction to the mindless war on (some) drugs.
America's Solution to health care is to pass a 'patients bill of rights' which amounts to methods for people to sue one another - never mind universal health care (like Britons and Canucks (and some others) enjoy. Canadians/Britons: Is the present 'health care crisis' a pre-cursor to 'harmonizing' with Americans with regards to health care?? think about it...
Not to mention the archaic first-past-the post political system, Republicrat domination of all politics.
Unbelievable Media Concentration which self-censors in order to support present power-structure/re-enforces mindless consumption/limits public discourse/leads to the present soul-less pandering to the lowest common denominator (Brittany spears, daniel steele, sitcoms-of-all-types, clearchannel, AOL-TimeWarner, RIAA, MPAA)
Tolerance of Anti-Competitive Monopolies (M$)
Threatens world peace with idiotic chest-thumping missile - *miltiary-industrial-complex-political-kickbacks-p orkbarrel-terrorisim-propaganda* *bullshit* defence *bullshit* program.
Unbelievable 'energy policies' that would pump oil in nature reserves all in an effort to avoid a buying petroleum products in the same market as everyone else (read: maintain the public subsidy which enables unbelievable levels of mindless-consumption)
Before the rest of the world decides to model American-policy, they need to determine some priorities and try and evaluate which things are cause-and-effect. Basically, America seems happy to live in a Plutocracy - would you?
Where is the international effort, with this kind of *power* to harmonize Labour Law? Environmental Law? WorkPlace Safety Law? Public Safety Law? Health Care? Education? Why is it that seemingly more and *MORE* ridiculous efforts are being mounted and pushed on an staggering international basis that have no relationship to improving the lives of the Citizens of the Planet? On whose behalf are our politicians acting?
they have jobs with a good company
Good defined as what? Willing to destroy them if they demand to be given a more-fair share of the companies profits (raise).
there's a labour market and not a labour monopoly
Most people, myself included feel that *PEOPLE* shouldnt be subject to the whims of a 'labour market'. Capitalist Free Markets are an artifical construct which can and should be regulated (ie: conditions created from both inside and outside). I am not a believer, nor a follower, of the idea that free markets create better communities. They do not - they enable a new ruling (monied) class to subjicate those without.... witness Ford's move you quoted. This is the purpose of Unions... to help restore a little sanity and balance. A Union will enable a group of labourers to negotiate a wage with their employers.
workers will realise that unions are just as evil as monopsonist employers.
You are a troll, an idiot or both.
Full Disclosure: I work for Ford Canada and am not in a Union.
...before any canuks nail me, I am Canadian. :op But we're getting there
Yes, and all this talk of 'unifying borders' between US/Canada/Mexico is a massive Trojan Horse. The Yankees are interested in an increased population (more surfs) - but Canadians have to realize that in order for us to have LAWS that differ from theirs; ie: being able to govern ourselves, we have to maintain our borders. Until the American Government is willing to sign up as a member of the Canadian Federation I say we keep the borders up...
The day Canada ceases to be able to govern itself, for want of Yankee meddling, is the day I move to Europe. I will have my 'EU Citizenship' shortly... I see it coming, and its fucking scary.
Much like the Slack people releasing 'Version 8.0'. I think it is very funny, id love to see the slack guys make 'Version 42' or some-such for the next release... :)
...ummm that I believe is the point.
Have a look at this picture - it pretty much sums it up.
Want to see some good kiddie porn? Check out the makeup/lighting/clothing/hairstyles of young girls in television commercials. How about Britanny Spears?
If people woke up to the fact that there are sexual images of children, all around them, maybe I would take this whole 'save the children' thing a little more seriously.
It is ok for the RIAA to parade a 'pre-teen-appearing' Britanny Spears in the media to sell product? It is okay for them to do it to sell clothing or shampoo?
Marketing and Advertising uses not so-subtle techniques like these with abandon, just because it is not seedy and badly-lite dosnt mean it is acceptable.... or does it?????
I am a veteran of a couple large-ish Anti-Capitalist protests (Windsor, Quebec). Let me assure you, there are certainly agent-provacateurs amoungst the crowds. The police badly need to justify their overwhelmning threats of violence. While I was marching with the Windsor-Detroit Communists (we had grown to about 800-1000 on the streets in Quebec) we were joined at the front by someone who was as obvious as could be. He reputed to be a local Communist (though our known-local-contact didnt know him) he was dressed in 'casual wear' like it was haloween and asked *alot* of odd questions with regard to our direction and intent. It was almost laughable. We later made a film and this person features prominently in it.
Now, it is also a known fact that radical movements, like the present anit-capitalist one, will become paranoid and dillusional. Those involved will cease to trust 'outsiders'. The solution to this I fear is absolute honesty, why keep secrets at all? If you are completely honest about your intent there is no need to keep secrets.
What to help ruin the present Plutocratic Picnic? Join the FIGHT! See protest.net.
Hey! Who gave the dude in Marketing this URL!
Someone please revoke his UID.
My cat's breath smells like cat food.