Well good, I'm glad you think so. That means that you probably don't have any objection to the millions of tons of toxic waste already being dispersed throughout the environment by various corporate entities throughout the world.
Hey, it's building character for Mother Earth! Suck down all that toxic swill, that will certainly secure our future!
By the way, for those who didn't get it, I'm being sarcastic. Oh yeah, and I have nothing against capitalism or large corporations. I'm just trying to point out the irony that a group of people will think an idea such as this is somehow brilliant, but raise hell when it is pointed out that it's basically already being done.
Well if you're going to choose that path then why not just drop pockets of nuclear waste in the middle of a "precious wilderness" such as New York City?
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot, you believe you're somehow more special than the rest of the life on this planet.
Smoking is actually the fastest way for a drug to get into ones system. IV injection is the second fastest (as the drug has to get back to your heart first and then get pumped to your brain).
I know its taboo to respond to ones own post, but I neglected to read the second part of your message, thats what I get for posting whilst distracted.
But, the second part of your post still makes sense, if you replace drugs with, say, substances such as sarin and other nerve gases. There are a few people that want it, the recipients DEFINATELY dont want it, and yet there is a black market for it. Granted, not as popular or profitable as the drug market, but there nonetheless.
I think you're living in a fantasy land if you think that these laws are going to make any real headway. The money is there, and I hate to break it to you but a few MILLION US Dollars is a LOT of money in some parts of the world.
I think people need to stop waiting for the government to solve all their problems for them. If you don't like spam, don't give out your email address to anyone but those you trust. Would you go around telling everyone in the world your real, physical address? Have to give out your email address on some b.s. site? Go get a hotmail account or something and let 'em send you all the crap they want. Setting up an email account is trivial for these purposes, doesn't cost you anything, and keeps you from getting nuisance emails at your primary addresses.
Does anyone here see a striking parallel to the international drug trade? Basically, people believed the same b.s. about the tough drug laws stopping the drug trade "because after half of the drug kingpins are sent to prison, the other half will get out of the business immediately to avoid prosecution." Yet, here we are, 2004, and we still have a flourishing drug trade on the black market.
Spam is no different. As long as there is a way to make EASY MONEY, it does not matter how illegal it is, someone will have the balls to do it.
Well, if you're talking about American high schools, certain major political forces want you to not have a gun at all, and take whatever propaganda they shove down your throat (DARE comes to mind) at face value.
I think its also funny that American high schools (at least the ones I've seen) can push all this b.s. on students, requiring them to do this or that, but they don't provide a way for you to register to vote as soon as you're of age. That just doesn't make any sense to me, it seems like EVERYONE should at least be registered to vote, in a land of "democracy."
And this person WOULD have to say this under the AC guise...
First, let me break down your mindless statement by tackling the "legal" and "cheaper" parts at the same time. It is unarguable the legality of certain substances that causes a drastic rise in their prices. The fact of the matter is, virtually ANYTHING on the black market is more expensive (with the exception of warez hehe).
And finally, whoever said that someone was going to be doing it at work? For that matter, lets assume that you are talking about taking certain substances at work (NOT endorsing anyone here to do that, end legal disclaimer), there are certainly several substances that would increase your work output FAR more than even the most ridiculous espresso.
No, I'm not convinced. I did some further research on this, keeping in mind that retail sales taxes are a State deal makes it difficult to generalize, especially considering the level of attention we're paying to wording here, but here goes nothing.
I'm from North Carolina, so I'm looking at my state's definition of sales tax, so that I can get a more precise legal definition. Bear in mind that the exact wording of these laws will vary from state to state, but they are probably highly similiar (since I can't imagine that writing these laws is any fun, if I was the one responsible for drafting this up I'd just cut and paste some other state's work hehe)
From the NC General Statutes, Chapter 105 Article 5, Sales and Use Tax Act:
Section 105-164.3, Paragraph 32 - Acquired for a consideration whether a) The acquisition was effected by a transfer of title or possession, or both, or a license to use or consume;... remainder omitted...
And more importantly,
Section 105-164.3, Paragraph 46 - Tangible Personal Property - Personal property that may be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched or is in any other manner perceptible to the senses. The term includes electricity, water, gas, steam, and prewritten computer software.
OK, I'll bite. Granted, I'll go ahead and admit I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not trying to pretend to be one:)
Definition of Sales Tax, as obtained from http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/t012.htm...
"TAX, SALES OR USE - Any tax levied on, with respect to, or measured by, sales, receipts from sales, purchases, storage, or use of tangible personal property. 4 USC"
You are paying a sales tax because you are in fact purchasing physical goods. However, in the EULAs for most software products, actually using/installing/whatever with the IP contained in said property binds you to a License Agreement, which defines what you can and can't do with the IP on said property.
When a company like MS buys a license for some IP that another company owns, they don't pay sales tax because they are not buying retail goods.
Now, as to the original subject, do I think its a stupid tax? Yes. But, thats what voting is for, so if you live in Illinois, go get this nut job out of office.
I know this is off topic as hell but I'm sick and tired of the "I know a lot about computers therefore I'm somehow more intelligent than those who don't" ego-trip that seems to persist on this site. I don't feel its the majority here, however I do feel that it is shared by most of the people who talk a lot and have little to say.
I agree with just about everything in the parent post, HOWEVER, get it through your heads that just because someone does not know about technology does NOT mean that they are TOO STUPID to know! Have you ever thought that maybe they don't CARE? That maybe they have a effin' LIFE?
Stepping off the soapbox. Negative responses need not apply, as frankly I don't give a $hit what you think.
Or for that matter, VIDEO CAMERAS. What about all those facilities that are doling out money, with all the cameras around. Or the cameras that you don't know about at your office that are monitoring everything you're doing? Nobody's complaining about that.
I know the parent comment is redundant, but I must say that reading the DOJ description of the operation does sound exactly the same as the way they describe big drug cartels.
And like the drug cartels, this stuff is going to continue as long as mankind is around. There is never going to be an end to software piracy, or the piracy of any IP for that matter.
Unlike software piracy, however, we *could* eliminate the "War on Drugs" easily and without destroying the fabric of a capitalist society;)
Wow, things that no elementary, middle, or high school age students will be learning at their school. Have you seen any high school graduates landing 100k+ jobs lately? I also haven't seen many high school kids getting MCSEs.
Maybe school kids around where I live are just slackers though:)
This isn't for everyone here, but I find most of the people who respond on these issues are SO funny. Don't you think AMD and other CPU manufacturers are doing the same thing? You all are all the same...if it's got something to do with Intel or Microsoft you jump all over it like a dog who hasn't eaten in a week. If AMD does something like this, it would be heralded as a "great success."
I personally think that if we spent more time criticizing our politicians instead of wasting it on bs like this we would be better off. Look away from your computer screen for a second and take a look at what's happening around you for a change.
Slashdot Mirror
Well good, I'm glad you think so. That means that you probably don't have any objection to the millions of tons of toxic waste already being dispersed throughout the environment by various corporate entities throughout the world.
Hey, it's building character for Mother Earth! Suck down all that toxic swill, that will certainly secure our future!
By the way, for those who didn't get it, I'm being sarcastic. Oh yeah, and I have nothing against capitalism or large corporations. I'm just trying to point out the irony that a group of people will think an idea such as this is somehow brilliant, but raise hell when it is pointed out that it's basically already being done.
Well if you're going to choose that path then why not just drop pockets of nuclear waste in the middle of a "precious wilderness" such as New York City?
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot, you believe you're somehow more special than the rest of the life on this planet.
Smoking is actually the fastest way for a drug to get into ones system. IV injection is the second fastest (as the drug has to get back to your heart first and then get pumped to your brain).
I know its taboo to respond to ones own post, but I neglected to read the second part of your message, thats what I get for posting whilst distracted.
But, the second part of your post still makes sense, if you replace drugs with, say, substances such as sarin and other nerve gases. There are a few people that want it, the recipients DEFINATELY dont want it, and yet there is a black market for it. Granted, not as popular or profitable as the drug market, but there nonetheless.
How wrong you are, my friend. Do you not think that the legions of entities that are asking for these things to be sent out don't want them?
I think you're living in a fantasy land if you think that these laws are going to make any real headway. The money is there, and I hate to break it to you but a few MILLION US Dollars is a LOT of money in some parts of the world.
I think people need to stop waiting for the government to solve all their problems for them. If you don't like spam, don't give out your email address to anyone but those you trust. Would you go around telling everyone in the world your real, physical address? Have to give out your email address on some b.s. site? Go get a hotmail account or something and let 'em send you all the crap they want. Setting up an email account is trivial for these purposes, doesn't cost you anything, and keeps you from getting nuisance emails at your primary addresses.
Does anyone here see a striking parallel to the international drug trade? Basically, people believed the same b.s. about the tough drug laws stopping the drug trade "because after half of the drug kingpins are sent to prison, the other half will get out of the business immediately to avoid prosecution." Yet, here we are, 2004, and we still have a flourishing drug trade on the black market.
Spam is no different. As long as there is a way to make EASY MONEY, it does not matter how illegal it is, someone will have the balls to do it.
Well, if you're talking about American high schools, certain major political forces want you to not have a gun at all, and take whatever propaganda they shove down your throat (DARE comes to mind) at face value.
I think its also funny that American high schools (at least the ones I've seen) can push all this b.s. on students, requiring them to do this or that, but they don't provide a way for you to register to vote as soon as you're of age. That just doesn't make any sense to me, it seems like EVERYONE should at least be registered to vote, in a land of "democracy."
Lasers....always with the lasers...
I may be mistaken but a family with a total income of only 15k a year probably qualifies for food stamps.
And this person WOULD have to say this under the AC guise...
First, let me break down your mindless statement by tackling the "legal" and "cheaper" parts at the same time. It is unarguable the legality of certain substances that causes a drastic rise in their prices. The fact of the matter is, virtually ANYTHING on the black market is more expensive (with the exception of warez hehe).
And finally, whoever said that someone was going to be doing it at work? For that matter, lets assume that you are talking about taking certain substances at work (NOT endorsing anyone here to do that, end legal disclaimer), there are certainly several substances that would increase your work output FAR more than even the most ridiculous espresso.
No, I'm not convinced. I did some further research on this, keeping in mind that retail sales taxes are a State deal makes it difficult to generalize, especially considering the level of attention we're paying to wording here, but here goes nothing.
... remainder omitted...
I'm from North Carolina, so I'm looking at my state's definition of sales tax, so that I can get a more precise legal definition. Bear in mind that the exact wording of these laws will vary from state to state, but they are probably highly similiar (since I can't imagine that writing these laws is any fun, if I was the one responsible for drafting this up I'd just cut and paste some other state's work hehe)
From the NC General Statutes, Chapter 105 Article 5, Sales and Use Tax Act:
Section 105-164.3, Paragraph 32 - Acquired for a consideration whether a) The acquisition was effected by a transfer of title or possession, or both, or a license to use or consume;
And more importantly,
Section 105-164.3, Paragraph 46 - Tangible Personal Property - Personal property that may be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched or is in any other manner perceptible to the senses. The term includes electricity, water, gas, steam, and prewritten computer software.
This is kinda fun!
OK, I'll bite. Granted, I'll go ahead and admit I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not trying to pretend to be one :)
Definition of Sales Tax, as obtained from http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/t012.htm...
"TAX, SALES OR USE - Any tax levied on, with respect to, or measured by, sales, receipts from sales, purchases, storage, or use of tangible personal property. 4 USC"
You are paying a sales tax because you are in fact purchasing physical goods. However, in the EULAs for most software products, actually using/installing/whatever with the IP contained in said property binds you to a License Agreement, which defines what you can and can't do with the IP on said property.
When a company like MS buys a license for some IP that another company owns, they don't pay sales tax because they are not buying retail goods.
Now, as to the original subject, do I think its a stupid tax? Yes. But, thats what voting is for, so if you live in Illinois, go get this nut job out of office.
I know this is off topic as hell but I'm sick and tired of the "I know a lot about computers therefore I'm somehow more intelligent than those who don't" ego-trip that seems to persist on this site. I don't feel its the majority here, however I do feel that it is shared by most of the people who talk a lot and have little to say.
I agree with just about everything in the parent post, HOWEVER, get it through your heads that just because someone does not know about technology does NOT mean that they are TOO STUPID to know! Have you ever thought that maybe they don't CARE? That maybe they have a effin' LIFE?
Stepping off the soapbox. Negative responses need not apply, as frankly I don't give a $hit what you think.
You are paying sales tax on a purchase of the license.
Or for that matter, VIDEO CAMERAS. What about all those facilities that are doling out money, with all the cameras around. Or the cameras that you don't know about at your office that are monitoring everything you're doing? Nobody's complaining about that.
I know the parent comment is redundant, but I must say that reading the DOJ description of the operation does sound exactly the same as the way they describe big drug cartels.
;)
And like the drug cartels, this stuff is going to continue as long as mankind is around. There is never going to be an end to software piracy, or the piracy of any IP for that matter.
Unlike software piracy, however, we *could* eliminate the "War on Drugs" easily and without destroying the fabric of a capitalist society
Wow, things that no elementary, middle, or high school age students will be learning at their school. Have you seen any high school graduates landing 100k+ jobs lately? I also haven't seen many high school kids getting MCSEs.
:)
Maybe school kids around where I live are just slackers though
You're missing out on something. I have no problem with a dark-skinned person getting a job as a programmer.
I have a BIG problem with that person getting MY job.
This isn't for everyone here, but I find most of the people who respond on these issues are SO funny. Don't you think AMD and other CPU manufacturers are doing the same thing? You all are all the same...if it's got something to do with Intel or Microsoft you jump all over it like a dog who hasn't eaten in a week. If AMD does something like this, it would be heralded as a "great success." I personally think that if we spent more time criticizing our politicians instead of wasting it on bs like this we would be better off. Look away from your computer screen for a second and take a look at what's happening around you for a change.