It's funny to me how the only people I hear complaining about the Canadian health care system are Americans with an agenda against "socialized" healthcare or the uninformed Fox News (et al) viewers repeating what they've heard stated over and over again by those with the agenda.
Seriously, I don't ever hear Canadians say this - and I usually make it a point to ask.
There are some links to chew on. Americans of ALL stripes and affiliations should be OUTRAGED.
If you're a conservative that wants to brush this off - suggestion - Imagine Hillary Clinton's best friend becomes CEO of say... Diebold. Scared yet? Or are you consistant in your lack of outrage?
Ooo! Ooo! Mud Slinging, mud slinging! Never mind the fact that I corrected an outright incorrect statement, I'm actually "presenting a DEAD argument!" I love this logic! It's so screwed up, it would take a Scientologist to sort it out!
Calling your tired argument "dead" is mudslinging? You partially corrected a not all that incorrect statement by cherrypicking and twisting your information to support your case. Tip: some of us can see the whole picture as we haven't had our information already pre-digested (and of course cherrypicked) for us.
Really? I'm avoiding facts? The facts are that the parent replied to another AC stating that "none of those people started a war with Iraq". The HARD FACTS of the vote record say differently. 77 members of Congress (including Kerry, Lieberman, and Clinton) all voted to give the President the authority to wage war. They didn't have to do that. They could have struck it down and ask the President for more info. But they didn't.
Yes, you are avoiding facts. And you're twisting those you claim to be presenting.
FACT: the OP was correct. "None of those people" DID vote to start a war with Iraq. They did however vote to give Bush authority (and anyone that voted for this legislation is an IDIOT - you'll get no argument from me there) to take military action against Iraq IF and only if certain criteria was/was not met.
This is the entirety of the "AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES" contained in HJ Res. 114:
1. Defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
2. Enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
Conspicuously missing from HJ Res. 114 is any "AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES" to free the Iraqi people, bring stability in the Middle East, or spread democracy throughout the world.
Regarding the first requirement: We now know all the WMD and imminent threat hype we heard during the buildup to the war was a complete pack of lies. Iraq had no WMD, no nukes and after a 12-year embargo and bombing campaign, they had virtually no army. So Iraq was certainly not a "continuing threat" to America. And, even the President now admits, there were no Iraqi ties to 9-11.
No one in the administration is even attempting to argue any longer that Iraq was an actual threat to America. Instead, they make the argument that we were obligated (for as yet unexplained reasons) to rescue the Iraqi people from the hands of an evil dictator. The only problem is that Congress never authorized the President to depose Saddam Hussein by invading Iraq!
The second condition is even more ridiculous to use as a justification for this war. There was a small army of UN weapons inspectors crawling all over Iraq in the months leading up to the war. The only thing they were able to identify as a clear violation of Security Council Resolutions was that some of the Iraqi rockets could travel a few more miles than was "allowed." And those rockets were bulldozed into scrap metal before the invasion!
Hans Blix, Executive Chairman, UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, warned our government there was a high likelihood that everyone was wrong about the Iraqi WMD, and asked for more time to search the country. Looking back, it would appear that the government of Iraq did in fact substantively meet the requirements of the UN resolutions. (But even if they hadn't, why should that be our problem?) Based on the fact that there was no hurry to invade, the UN wanted nothing to do with the war and did not support our decision to invade.
So the second condition of HJ Res.114 is invalid as well.
The FACT is that John Kerry then tried to get out of his vote. Not by apologizing for a mistake, but by stating that he "Voted against the War in Iraq." Except, he voted against the war in 1991, not 2002! Only after the truth came out did he backpedal and state that he was "duped." Which
Better a live (paying attention!) one than a DEAD one - like the argument you're presenting.
As for those little things called facts clouding your argument - you are absolutely correct! Must be why you're avoiding them.
FACT: The Bush administration, along with their friend Blair presented false documents and BS information to persuade the vote to go their way.
Votes that supported Bush's wargasm aren't exactly legitimately given when they had to be LIED TO to get them.
One (of many available!!) example - From the Downing Street Memo: Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy.
Unless you think massive stores of WMDs in Iraq is/was "plain, indisuputable, and solid fact" - in that case you may be correct. Most people *I* know, however, refer to that as "bullshit." Actually:
Democratic lawyers did initially ask that overseas ballots adhere to law, but the Gore team later suggested that the ballots be re-evaluated and they never challenged any subsequent additions even though, at the request of Bush lawyers, selective counties recounted military ballots using different standards. Can you say, "Equal protection violation"?
* Alfred French, who signed an affidavit accusing John Kerry of exaggerating his war record, is in trouble after it was revealed that he didn't serve with Kerry and did not actually witness his behavior in Vietnam. Lying in affidavits is obviously not a good idea when you're a county prosecutor. Oh yes, he also got caught lying about an extra-marital affair.
* After Ken Cordier's departure from Team Bush (see Idiots 167) it was the turn of Benjamin Ginsberg to quit last week when it was revealed that not only was he a lawyer for George W. Bush's campaign, he was a lawyer for - surprise - Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. We hear the door did not hit him in the ass on the way out.
* Jim Russell (who, unlike the Swift Boat Veterans for "Truth," was actually there the day that Kerry pulled Jim Rassmann out of the river) composed a stirring letter contradicting their story. "The picture I have in my mind of Kerry bending over from his boat picking some hapless guy out of the river while all hell was breaking loose around us, is a picture based on fact and it cannot be disputed or changed," he wrote.
* Larry Thurlow signed an affidavit accusing Kerry of lying about being under fire when he rescued Rassmann, saying "no return fire occurred.... I never heard a shot." This directly contradicts his own Bronze Star citation (see Idiots 167). But a third Bronze Star was awarded that day, to another Swift Boat skipper, Robert Lambert. Lambert's recently-released citation says that "all units came under small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks," and that Lambert "directed accurate suppressing fire at the enemy." The citation praises his "coolness, professionalism and courage under fire." Thurlow claims that Kerry faked the citations by falsely describing events to superior officers. But Kerry is not the eyewitness on Thurlow's citation - Lambert is. Can it be any more obvious that Thurlow is lying?
* John O'Neill has been making a big stink lately over whether John Kerry was in Cambodia or not during the Vietnam War. It appears that nobody - including Kerry - is really sure. But O'Neill - as usual - made himself look like a complete ass by claiming to CNN that he (O'Neill) had never been in Cambodia and in fact it was impossible to cross the border by river. Whoops! It turns out that O'Neill appears on an audio tape recorded in the Oval Office telling the complete opposite to Richard Nixon. O'NEILL: "I was in Cambodia, sir. I worked along the border on the water." NIXON: "In a swift boat?" O'NEILL: "Yes, sir." Ah, credibility. We hardly knew ye.
* Even George W. Bush admits John Kerry is a war hero, saying last week, "I think him [Kerry] going to Vietnam was more heroic than my flying fighter jets. He was in harm's way and I wasn't." So now it's clear that either George W. Bush or the Swift Boat Idiots are lying. One or the other. Who can it be?
You're funny! I have two words for you the chew on regarding your "left's politically correct censorship" theory.... FREEDOM FRIES.
If that's not enough for you, how about "first amendment zones"?
If THAT's not enough for you, how about being told if we don't agree with Mr. Bush we'd best kindly drink a nice tall glass of shut the fuck up? We're at WAR, ya know! Can't be questioning the POTUS while at war (or any other time, apparantly, unless he happens to be a commie pinko Democrat)
If those few things listed above alone don't bother you, you haven't been paying attention.
I'm all for you not paying taxes! But just remember---
New house gets broken into, ransacked, and all your valuables stolen? Don't call the police that we, your neighbors, pay for with OUR taxes. Guess you'd better hire your own, private 24 hour security guard.
Wake up in the middle of the night with your house engulfed in flames? Uh uhhh... not OUR fire department. Better make room in your budget for a personal standby fire man.
Wife fall down the steps and break her neck? Put the phone down buddy - no 911 for YOU. Better haul ass to the nearest hospital and seek help, or hire your own 24hour doctor.
What? Now you want to drive on OUR roads? I don't think so...
Why should WE, your neighbors have to pay for YOUR clutzy wife, the faulty wiring in your house (the fire), or you not making more of an effort to secure your house and belongings? We didn't pay taxes for fire departments, police, or roads so you could leech off our efforts.
God help you if you get injured and can no longer work. Sorry buddy - I'd love to help, but...
XP starting up and flashing a message saying, "Virus software detected, can not continue."
Heh...that's damn near exactly what Win2k said when my roomate tried to throw Mandrake 8.0 on with it - something about "there might be a virus on your machine, blah blah"... it wouldn't boot after that.
Is this a common occurance? I wouldn't know - Not running Win2k!
I suppose it's a coincidence that the only credible campaign-finance reform legislation we've seen in our
lifetimes was introduced by . . . a Republican. Who is a personal friend and respected colleague of George
W. Bush
lmao
Don't mind me, I'm just over here tee-heeing over a mental picture of McCain finding out he's a personal friend and respected colleague of Duhbya.
I suppose it's ALSO a huge coincidence that Duhbya didn't push for campaign finance reform at ALL in his campaign - it was Gore that picked up the cause.
Of course, you are just practicing a little "Troll and Flamebait 101" for shits and giggles and already know that --- or it's the $3 crack.
Considering I just got 2 of them 2 and a half weeks ago, maybe I should look into training them to run cable and rent them out.
I've been telling the cats for years they need to get a job, but you know how cats are:) Maybe I've finally found the perfect pet to help contribute to household expenses...
As a born & bred Kalamazoo gal who relocated to just over the Cascades from Redmond - I've got to say, Michigan is one great state. I look out my windows and see mountains now, but I still do miss Kalamazoo. There is an energy in that area that is unique. I've been in Washington for over 2 years, but still consider myself a Michigander. One of the only things I don't miss is Engler...(side note: am I the only one that remembers when he was running for his first term he made a huge stink about 2 term limits? That is...UNTIL he took office. Now he's riding it for all it's worth. That man makes me want to hurl)
My point is - I don't know about this CyberCourt malarky, but I think Kalamazoo, and Michigan in general would be an AWESOME place for tech start ups. Not only is it an excellent place to live, but the cost of living is reasonable, people are friendly, and there are lots of things to do.
Something needs to get going in MI - in the Kazoo area GM has dried up and blown away, Upjohn (excuse me, Pharmecia) is slowly migrating (my mother was forced into early retirement not quite 2 years ago when her division of Upjohn relocated to Jersey)- Simpson Paper Co. (excuse me again, Fox River) in Vicksburg will be shutting down around the end of March (forcing my father back into the 'looking for work'force after 32 years of employ). I haven't been home for over a year and a half, these are just the things I happen to know about.
In conclusion... More tech start-ups in Michigan = YES!!
*L* Now I'm an asshole because I believe people should be treated fairly? Or maybe I'm just a bitch because I won't roll over to your way of thinking?
What I PROPOSE is a living wage for people working their assess off so you/he/she can have all the newest/latest/most expensive brandnames plastered all over your bodies. Am I suggesting an immediate pay hike to $20/hr. US? No. What I am suggesting is safe and humane working conditions, and a LIVING WAGE. What about the people that are working 16 hours a day and STILL cannot afford a nutritious meal for themselves, let alone their family?
Maybe you ought first do some research into the REAL conditions these people are working under, and how much money they receive for this work - and how that money translates in their economy.
If you cannot see why these practices are unethical and undesirable you must be wearing blinders. Or you're a Republican.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi
You act like everything was rosy until the evil sweatshop came in and made all those children work.
Children were dying from poverty long before Nike came on the scene. Even granting that they could and
should drastically improve their facilities, the simple fact is that they *are* better off than they were before.
Given that Nike is in it for profit, not the interests of its workers, what's served by criticizing them for
providing jobs for poor people?
Jesus... YOU act like just because these people live in a country with terrible living conditions Nike is doing them a favor by making them slave labor. If you don't think it IS slave labor, check into what these people make a day, and how much it costs to buy a substandard meal.
By your logic, I suppose if you come across someone in the desert dying of thirst and rather than offer them a drink of water you piss on them you are doing a good deed. After all...they were thirsty before you got there! They should be thankful you stopped long enough to piss on them.
*L* I've got that same terrible book habit, although mine extends to music as well. I've got 6 cd's on order right now too. Plus I've been beginning to pick up dvd's here and there, because I will probably buy a dvd player in the near future, and will need something to watch on it when I get it.
My boss has the first edition of Hacking Exposed, I knew there was a new one - saw it reviewed on some website somewhere, which was the first I had heard of it actually.
Wow...those are some neato books you picked up at the supermarket. Now you just need to find the time to read them all...*L* That's my problem, I accumulate them faster than I read them.
As for the FreeBSD Handbook...I am not sure what it looks like in it's bound form. The same thing is available on the web, but they decided to publish it book format. I've heard it's a great book. I had actually placed an order for it (at Clearance price!!! $23) at LinuxMall.com. After a couple weeks went by and I hadn't heard anything I called them and found out that they merged with another company and we sold out of the Handbooks. BUMMER! Now I'll have to cough up the $50 for it full price.
If you ever change your mind and decide you may like to try half.com out I can help you out with the exhange rate on the first order at least. Because I am signed up there I can send you a $5 coupon good for your first order over $10. If you would like to try that, go ahead and let me know. I'll have to check it out and see if they have any special rules for you Canucks.:)
The Complete FreeBSD is an excellent book. It's not as long as it looks, the last half of it are the man pages, all nicely printed in dead tree format.
I looked at your list, it looks great! Hacking Exposed is actually one of the next ones on my list, along with the FreeBSD Handbook (not on your list), which I am also going to be purchasing in the near future. (My list is long, and neverending it sometimes seems)
As for the firewall book(s) - there are 2 of them. Building Linux and OpenBSD Firewalls, by Wes Sonnenreich and Tom Yates appears to be very good. (I just got the firewall books a week or so ago, so haven't been all the way thru them yet) It focuses on RedHat for the Linux angle. It's written in plain english (Gettin' Jiggy with PPP is one of my favorite subtitles) and seems very informative, covering a lot of ground.
The other one I have is Firewalls 24/7 (not sure of the author, don't have it in front of me) and it focuses on all kinds of OS's as firewalls. It is more of an administrator's guide, I believe. It seems very well written also, and easy to read. I am very happy with both books.
Of course, you are more advanced than I am - I've NEVER built a firewall. It's one of my projects I need to complete for work as a learning experience (I LOVE my job..can't believe they pay me for playing with and learning all this cool stuff). I will be building one at home using FreeBSD - then connecting my home computer to the net thru it. I got the books because I like to lay down the basic framework of understanding in my mind, then go for it.
That being said - I think the books are excellent, and could be put to good use even by someone like yourself, who is fairly advanced.
If you've not checked out half.com I really reccommend it for buying books (and dvds/cds/vhs/etc). My Linux/OpenBSD Firewall book is listed at $45 - I believe I got it for somewhere around $14. Excellent deal, and the book is in perfect, brand new condition.
*L* I have some computer books by my desk - but they, as with my other books, tend to migrate throughout the house.
I stated before I have books lying in my bed almost always. I am currently 'sleeping with' the Dalai Lama, the Complete FreeBSD, Firewalls, and Building Linux and OpenBSD Firewalls. That's ONLY the books in and on my bed - not the ones on the floor around it. I have a large philisophical bent, so a large portion of my collection reflects that - although I have my fair share of computer books as well. (The whole collection is too diverse to pin down into one category.) Factor in with that the huge piles of compact discs I have lying about - well... you've gotta watch your step at my house!:)
I'd have an extreme interest in stone tablets/papyrus - provided they were real old. I'll still take my 'modern' literature in standard bound paper text. I DO agree with you and the trees though - and there is a simple answer to that. Hemp.
As for the rest of the world...they can have their steenkin' e-paper e-books - as long as I have MY collection, I'm happy.
They can have my huge collection of dead tree books when they pry them from my cold, dead hands.
I often read more than one book at a time. I've got books next to the couch, on the coffee table, under the coffee table, on the computer desk, on the floor next to the computer desk, in bed, beside my bed - not to mention at least 6 bookshelves throughout the house.
I think of my books as a collection...they are something I enjoy, and I am constantly adding to the lot.
When I go to someone's house, I look at their bookshelves. You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their collection.
As for the future generation - I honestly do not see how any child of mine (if and when that ever happens) could not have a natural affinity for old fashioned, paper books. They will grow up in a house busting at the seams with dead tree literature, plus they'd have a mom passionate about her book collection. Some of that would have to rub off.
As for the e-book thing, would I like one? Sure - for the k3wl factor. New cutting edge toys are great! Would the e-book phase out and replace my current penchant for spending entirely too much money on tangible, bound books that are a complete pain in the ass to box up and move in a change of residence? Absolutely not.
I am 28 years old. For 32 years
my father has been employed in the same job at the same factory (a paper mill), and has been president of the union for the majority of that time.
In my memory, they have been on strike once, and that didn't last very long. I remember going with my father to the picket line and sitting and talking to the employees sitting out in their lawn chairs (I was really young at that time).
The reason my dad got involved in the union in the first place is because he is a very smart guy, and factory labor didn't give him the mental stimulation he desired. He ran for president of the union local, and got it.
For any of you to say that unions don't care about their members, you've obviously never dealt with a man like my dad. He busted his ass for years during his free time (which there wasn't much of to begin with) working for members of the union.
He ended up getting out of the role of "Union president" because he decided he wanted to run for public office. He ran for 3 offices over time, none of which he won. (New guy, democrat in highly republican part of MI, and about 1/10 the money his opponents threw at their campaigns.)
After the financial, physical, and mental drain of the campaigns he went back to work (actually he worked all thru each campaign, but I think you know what I mean) content to let the other guy in charge of the union stay there. He needed a break and went back to doing "just his job" for 8-12 hours a day, often going weeks with no days off. Thing is, he didn't MIND busting his ass that much because the union made it worth his while... and he made it worth the company's.
Now, (and this leads to the part you may want to think about) 5 years ago his company was bought out by another. Guys at work came to my dad and begged him to run for union prez once again - contract negotiations were coming up with the new company, and these people know after having worked with my father for so many years that he is fair, tenacious, and works his fingers to the bone to accomplish things. He became president again, and it was business as usual.
Here's the important part... On January 11th of this year management of the plant my father works for let the company know that they are closing on March 31st. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 dollars - they are totally screwed. And management is trying to screw these guys that have devoted their lives to their jobs into getting less than they deserve. They've offered no severence package, and are trying to go around the contract.
My dad is 52 years old, he has worked at the same place for 32 years. He has worked HARD and been a great employee during those years. There is nowhere he can go and make the money he makes now, and those 6 weeks of vaction he EARNED after so many years? He may as well forget about vacation time for awhile now.
These sorts of things are happening more and more - do you honestly feel the tech industry is immune? Now? 5 years from now? 10? 20?
I hope nothing like this every happens to you, or anyone close to you. If it does, you would be better off with a guy like my dad working round the clock busting his ass protecting YOU, with the Union behind him. Not all Unions are bad, not all leaders are corrupt. Not all companies are going to be around forever - and if they go, they certainy are not thinking about what's fair to YOU, the worker. Hopefully, someone with some pull is.
**disclaimer**
If this 'essay' is as disjointed and inconcise as I think it is...my apologies! Still haven't had any coffee:)
I was under the impression that these "hacked" cards are not such a good value at all. If you have the equipment to do the hacking it may be, but the vast majority of people with these cards bought them from someone else...and every time DTV locks the cards out (could be once a week, once a month, or every 6 months) you've got to send your card off to get reprogrammed for yet another fee.
I met a guy with one of the hacked cards and he said that if he had to do it all over again he would never have gotten it, it's expensive, and a total pain in the ass.
Is this the general consensus amongst those of you *non-hackers* that have purchased these H cards, or am I off the mark?
Slashdot Mirror
It's funny to me how the only people I hear complaining about the Canadian health care system are Americans with an agenda against "socialized" healthcare or the uninformed Fox News (et al) viewers repeating what they've heard stated over and over again by those with the agenda.
Seriously, I don't ever hear Canadians say this - and I usually make it a point to ask.
Why might that be?
Any Canadians wish to weigh in?
Or are you just being funny?
0 .html
c ked
Voting machine manufacturers ARE producing ATMs. The CEO of (Diebold) is the very same that vowed to deliver Ohio to GW.
http://www.diebold.com/solutions/atms/default.htm
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,59874,0
http://www.gristforthemill.org/010418diebold.html
http://www.wanttoknow.info/051221votingmachinesha
There are some links to chew on. Americans of ALL stripes and affiliations should be OUTRAGED.
If you're a conservative that wants to brush this off - suggestion - Imagine Hillary Clinton's best friend becomes CEO of say... Diebold. Scared yet? Or are you consistant in your lack of outrage?
LMAO
Ooo! Ooo! Mud Slinging, mud slinging! Never mind the fact that I corrected an outright incorrect statement, I'm actually "presenting a DEAD argument!" I love this logic! It's so screwed up, it would take a Scientologist to sort it out!
Calling your tired argument "dead" is mudslinging? You partially corrected a not all that incorrect statement by cherrypicking and twisting your information to support your case. Tip: some of us can see the whole picture as we haven't had our information already pre-digested (and of course cherrypicked) for us.
Really? I'm avoiding facts? The facts are that the parent replied to another AC stating that "none of those people started a war with Iraq". The HARD FACTS of the vote record say differently. 77 members of Congress (including Kerry, Lieberman, and Clinton) all voted to give the President the authority to wage war. They didn't have to do that. They could have struck it down and ask the President for more info. But they didn't.
Yes, you are avoiding facts. And you're twisting those you claim to be presenting.
FACT: the OP was correct. "None of those people" DID vote to start a war with Iraq. They did however vote to give Bush authority (and anyone that voted for this legislation is an IDIOT - you'll get no argument from me there) to take military action against Iraq IF and only if certain criteria was/was not met.
This is the entirety of the "AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES" contained in HJ Res. 114:
1. Defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
2. Enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
Conspicuously missing from HJ Res. 114 is any "AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES" to free the Iraqi people, bring stability in the Middle East, or spread democracy throughout the world.
Regarding the first requirement: We now know all the WMD and imminent threat hype we heard during the buildup to the war was a complete pack of lies. Iraq had no WMD, no nukes and after a 12-year embargo and bombing campaign, they had virtually no army. So Iraq was certainly not a "continuing threat" to America. And, even the President now admits, there were no Iraqi ties to 9-11.
No one in the administration is even attempting to argue any longer that Iraq was an actual threat to America. Instead, they make the argument that we were obligated (for as yet unexplained reasons) to rescue the Iraqi people from the hands of an evil dictator. The only problem is that Congress never authorized the President to depose Saddam Hussein by invading Iraq!
The second condition is even more ridiculous to use as a justification for this war. There was a small army of UN weapons inspectors crawling all over Iraq in the months leading up to the war. The only thing they were able to identify as a clear violation of Security Council Resolutions was that some of the Iraqi rockets could travel a few more miles than was "allowed." And those rockets were bulldozed into scrap metal before the invasion!
Hans Blix, Executive Chairman, UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, warned our government there was a high likelihood that everyone was wrong about the Iraqi WMD, and asked for more time to search the country. Looking back, it would appear that the government of Iraq did in fact substantively meet the requirements of the UN resolutions. (But even if they hadn't, why should that be our problem?) Based on the fact that there was no hurry to invade, the UN wanted nothing to do with the war and did not support our decision to invade.
So the second condition of HJ Res.114 is invalid as well.
The FACT is that John Kerry then tried to get out of his vote. Not by apologizing for a mistake, but by stating that he "Voted against the War in Iraq." Except, he voted against the war in 1991, not 2002! Only after the truth came out did he backpedal and state that he was "duped." Which
Better a live (paying attention!) one than a DEAD one - like the argument you're presenting.
j ustifindex.htm
As for those little things called facts clouding your argument - you are absolutely correct! Must be why you're avoiding them.
FACT: The Bush administration, along with their friend Blair presented false documents and BS information to persuade the vote to go their way.
Votes that supported Bush's wargasm aren't exactly legitimately given when they had to be LIED TO to get them.
One (of many available!!) example - From the Downing Street Memo: Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/
Unless you think massive stores of WMDs in Iraq is/was "plain, indisuputable, and solid fact" - in that case you may be correct. Most people *I* know, however, refer to that as "bullshit." Actually:
Democratic lawyers did initially ask that overseas ballots adhere to law, but the Gore team later suggested that the ballots be re-evaluated and they never challenged any subsequent additions even though, at the request of Bush lawyers, selective counties recounted military ballots using different standards. Can you say, "Equal protection violation"?
* Alfred French, who signed an affidavit accusing John Kerry of exaggerating his war record, is in trouble after it was revealed that he didn't serve with Kerry and did not actually witness his behavior in Vietnam. Lying in affidavits is obviously not a good idea when you're a county prosecutor. Oh yes, he also got caught lying about an extra-marital affair.
* After Ken Cordier's departure from Team Bush (see Idiots 167) it was the turn of Benjamin Ginsberg to quit last week when it was revealed that not only was he a lawyer for George W. Bush's campaign, he was a lawyer for - surprise - Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. We hear the door did not hit him in the ass on the way out.
* Jim Russell (who, unlike the Swift Boat Veterans for "Truth," was actually there the day that Kerry pulled Jim Rassmann out of the river) composed a stirring letter contradicting their story. "The picture I have in my mind of Kerry bending over from his boat picking some hapless guy out of the river while all hell was breaking loose around us, is a picture based on fact and it cannot be disputed or changed," he wrote.
* Larry Thurlow signed an affidavit accusing Kerry of lying about being under fire when he rescued Rassmann, saying "no return fire occurred.... I never heard a shot." This directly contradicts his own Bronze Star citation (see Idiots 167). But a third Bronze Star was awarded that day, to another Swift Boat skipper, Robert Lambert. Lambert's recently-released citation says that "all units came under small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks," and that Lambert "directed accurate suppressing fire at the enemy." The citation praises his "coolness, professionalism and courage under fire." Thurlow claims that Kerry faked the citations by falsely describing events to superior officers. But Kerry is not the eyewitness on Thurlow's citation - Lambert is. Can it be any more obvious that Thurlow is lying?
* John O'Neill has been making a big stink lately over whether John Kerry was in Cambodia or not during the Vietnam War. It appears that nobody - including Kerry - is really sure. But O'Neill - as usual - made himself look like a complete ass by claiming to CNN that he (O'Neill) had never been in Cambodia and in fact it was impossible to cross the border by river. Whoops! It turns out that O'Neill appears on an audio tape recorded in the Oval Office telling the complete opposite to Richard Nixon. O'NEILL: "I was in Cambodia, sir. I worked along the border on the water." NIXON: "In a swift boat?" O'NEILL: "Yes, sir." Ah, credibility. We hardly knew ye.
* Even George W. Bush admits John Kerry is a war hero, saying last week, "I think him [Kerry] going to Vietnam was more heroic than my flying fighter jets. He was in harm's way and I wasn't." So now it's clear that either George W. Bush or the Swift Boat Idiots are lying. One or the other. Who can it be?
You're funny! I have two words for you the chew on regarding your "left's politically correct censorship" theory
If that's not enough for you, how about "first amendment zones"?
If THAT's not enough for you, how about being told if we don't agree with Mr. Bush we'd best kindly drink a nice tall glass of shut the fuck up? We're at WAR, ya know! Can't be questioning the POTUS while at war (or any other time, apparantly, unless he happens to be a commie pinko Democrat)
If those few things listed above alone don't bother you, you haven't been paying attention.
Speaking as a female I can safely assure you that the answer is a resounding Yes. Almost always, anyway.
We often tell you otherwise - we know how fragile your poor egos are ;) You are, however, free to compensate in other areas...
Thanks for the tip - is it win2k specific though? A dual boot w/ win98 worked fine...
New house gets broken into, ransacked, and all your valuables stolen? Don't call the police that we, your neighbors, pay for with OUR taxes. Guess you'd better hire your own, private 24 hour security guard.
Wake up in the middle of the night with your house engulfed in flames? Uh uhhh ... not OUR fire department. Better make room in your budget for a personal standby fire man.
Wife fall down the steps and break her neck? Put the phone down buddy - no 911 for YOU. Better haul ass to the nearest hospital and seek help, or hire your own 24hour doctor.
What? Now you want to drive on OUR roads? I don't think so...
Why should WE, your neighbors have to pay for YOUR clutzy wife, the faulty wiring in your house (the fire), or you not making more of an effort to secure your house and belongings? We didn't pay taxes for fire departments, police, or roads so you could leech off our efforts.
God help you if you get injured and can no longer work. Sorry buddy - I'd love to help, but ...
Heh...that's damn near exactly what Win2k said when my roomate tried to throw Mandrake 8.0 on with it - something about "there might be a virus on your machine, blah blah"... it wouldn't boot after that.
Is this a common occurance? I wouldn't know - Not running Win2k!
I didn't know you could get much less than NoNe!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f ile=/ch ronicle/archive/2000/10/09/MN3707.DTLZ
See above URL - the html wasn't workin' for me.
in full:
Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker
lmao
Don't mind me, I'm just over here tee-heeing over a mental picture of McCain finding out he's a personal friend and respected colleague of Duhbya.
I suppose it's ALSO a huge coincidence that Duhbya didn't push for campaign finance reform at ALL in his campaign - it was Gore that picked up the cause.
Of course, you are just practicing a little "Troll and Flamebait 101" for shits and giggles and already know that --- or it's the $3 crack.
Considering I just got 2 of them 2 and a half weeks ago, maybe I should look into training them to run cable and rent them out.
I've been telling the cats for years they need to get a job, but you know how cats are :) Maybe I've finally found the perfect pet to help contribute to household expenses...
Let us not forget Duhbya's oil buddies! No political agendas there I gather?
As a born & bred Kalamazoo gal who relocated to just over the Cascades from Redmond - I've got to say, Michigan is one great state. I look out my windows and see mountains now, but I still do miss Kalamazoo. There is an energy in that area that is unique. I've been in Washington for over 2 years, but still consider myself a Michigander. One of the only things I don't miss is Engler...(side note: am I the only one that remembers when he was running for his first term he made a huge stink about 2 term limits? That is...UNTIL he took office. Now he's riding it for all it's worth. That man makes me want to hurl)
My point is - I don't know about this CyberCourt malarky, but I think Kalamazoo, and Michigan in general would be an AWESOME place for tech start ups. Not only is it an excellent place to live, but the cost of living is reasonable, people are friendly, and there are lots of things to do.
Something needs to get going in MI - in the Kazoo area GM has dried up and blown away, Upjohn (excuse me, Pharmecia) is slowly migrating (my mother was forced into early retirement not quite 2 years ago when her division of Upjohn relocated to Jersey)- Simpson Paper Co. (excuse me again, Fox River) in Vicksburg will be shutting down around the end of March (forcing my father back into the 'looking for work'force after 32 years of employ). I haven't been home for over a year and a half, these are just the things I happen to know about.
In conclusion... More tech start-ups in Michigan = YES!!
What I PROPOSE is a living wage for people working their assess off so you/he/she can have all the newest/latest/most expensive brandnames plastered all over your bodies. Am I suggesting an immediate pay hike to $20/hr. US? No. What I am suggesting is safe and humane working conditions, and a LIVING WAGE. What about the people that are working 16 hours a day and STILL cannot afford a nutritious meal for themselves, let alone their family?
Maybe you ought first do some research into the REAL conditions these people are working under, and how much money they receive for this work - and how that money translates in their economy.
If you cannot see why these practices are unethical and undesirable you must be wearing blinders. Or you're a Republican.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi
Jesus... YOU act like just because these people live in a country with terrible living conditions Nike is doing them a favor by making them slave labor. If you don't think it IS slave labor, check into what these people make a day, and how much it costs to buy a substandard meal.
By your logic, I suppose if you come across someone in the desert dying of thirst and rather than offer them a drink of water you piss on them you are doing a good deed. After all...they were thirsty before you got there! They should be thankful you stopped long enough to piss on them.
unfuckingbelievable.
My boss has the first edition of Hacking Exposed, I knew there was a new one - saw it reviewed on some website somewhere, which was the first I had heard of it actually.
Wow...those are some neato books you picked up at the supermarket. Now you just need to find the time to read them all...*L* That's my problem, I accumulate them faster than I read them.
As for the FreeBSD Handbook...I am not sure what it looks like in it's bound form. The same thing is available on the web, but they decided to publish it book format. I've heard it's a great book. I had actually placed an order for it (at Clearance price!!! $23) at LinuxMall.com. After a couple weeks went by and I hadn't heard anything I called them and found out that they merged with another company and we sold out of the Handbooks. BUMMER! Now I'll have to cough up the $50 for it full price.
If you ever change your mind and decide you may like to try half.com out I can help you out with the exhange rate on the first order at least. Because I am signed up there I can send you a $5 coupon good for your first order over $10. If you would like to try that, go ahead and let me know. I'll have to check it out and see if they have any special rules for you Canucks. :)
The Complete FreeBSD is an excellent book. It's not as long as it looks, the last half of it are the man pages, all nicely printed in dead tree format.
I looked at your list, it looks great! Hacking Exposed is actually one of the next ones on my list, along with the FreeBSD Handbook (not on your list), which I am also going to be purchasing in the near future. (My list is long, and neverending it sometimes seems)
As for the firewall book(s) - there are 2 of them. Building Linux and OpenBSD Firewalls, by Wes Sonnenreich and Tom Yates appears to be very good. (I just got the firewall books a week or so ago, so haven't been all the way thru them yet) It focuses on RedHat for the Linux angle. It's written in plain english (Gettin' Jiggy with PPP is one of my favorite subtitles) and seems very informative, covering a lot of ground.
The other one I have is Firewalls 24/7 (not sure of the author, don't have it in front of me) and it focuses on all kinds of OS's as firewalls. It is more of an administrator's guide, I believe. It seems very well written also, and easy to read. I am very happy with both books.
Of course, you are more advanced than I am - I've NEVER built a firewall. It's one of my projects I need to complete for work as a learning experience (I LOVE my job..can't believe they pay me for playing with and learning all this cool stuff). I will be building one at home using FreeBSD - then connecting my home computer to the net thru it. I got the books because I like to lay down the basic framework of understanding in my mind, then go for it.
That being said - I think the books are excellent, and could be put to good use even by someone like yourself, who is fairly advanced.
If you've not checked out half.com I really reccommend it for buying books (and dvds/cds/vhs/etc). My Linux/OpenBSD Firewall book is listed at $45 - I believe I got it for somewhere around $14. Excellent deal, and the book is in perfect, brand new condition.
I stated before I have books lying in my bed almost always. I am currently 'sleeping with' the Dalai Lama, the Complete FreeBSD, Firewalls, and Building Linux and OpenBSD Firewalls. That's ONLY the books in and on my bed - not the ones on the floor around it. I have a large philisophical bent, so a large portion of my collection reflects that - although I have my fair share of computer books as well. (The whole collection is too diverse to pin down into one category.) Factor in with that the huge piles of compact discs I have lying about - well... you've gotta watch your step at my house! :)
I'd have an extreme interest in stone tablets/papyrus - provided they were real old. I'll still take my 'modern' literature in standard bound paper text. I DO agree with you and the trees though - and there is a simple answer to that. Hemp.
As for the rest of the world...they can have their steenkin' e-paper e-books - as long as I have MY collection, I'm happy.
They can have my huge collection of dead tree books when they pry them from my cold, dead hands.
I often read more than one book at a time. I've got books next to the couch, on the coffee table, under the coffee table, on the computer desk, on the floor next to the computer desk, in bed, beside my bed - not to mention at least 6 bookshelves throughout the house.
I think of my books as a collection...they are something I enjoy, and I am constantly adding to the lot.
When I go to someone's house, I look at their bookshelves. You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their collection.
As for the future generation - I honestly do not see how any child of mine (if and when that ever happens) could not have a natural affinity for old fashioned, paper books. They will grow up in a house busting at the seams with dead tree literature, plus they'd have a mom passionate about her book collection. Some of that would have to rub off.
As for the e-book thing, would I like one? Sure - for the k3wl factor. New cutting edge toys are great! Would the e-book phase out and replace my current penchant for spending entirely too much money on tangible, bound books that are a complete pain in the ass to box up and move in a change of residence? Absolutely not.
I am 28 years old. For 32 years my father has been employed in the same job at the same factory (a paper mill), and has been president of the union for the majority of that time.
In my memory, they have been on strike once, and that didn't last very long. I remember going with my father to the picket line and sitting and talking to the employees sitting out in their lawn chairs (I was really young at that time).
The reason my dad got involved in the union in the first place is because he is a very smart guy, and factory labor didn't give him the mental stimulation he desired. He ran for president of the union local, and got it.
For any of you to say that unions don't care about their members, you've obviously never dealt with a man like my dad. He busted his ass for years during his free time (which there wasn't much of to begin with) working for members of the union.
He ended up getting out of the role of "Union president" because he decided he wanted to run for public office. He ran for 3 offices over time, none of which he won. (New guy, democrat in highly republican part of MI, and about 1/10 the money his opponents threw at their campaigns.)
After the financial, physical, and mental drain of the campaigns he went back to work (actually he worked all thru each campaign, but I think you know what I mean) content to let the other guy in charge of the union stay there. He needed a break and went back to doing "just his job" for 8-12 hours a day, often going weeks with no days off. Thing is, he didn't MIND busting his ass that much because the union made it worth his while... and he made it worth the company's.
Now, (and this leads to the part you may want to think about) 5 years ago his company was bought out by another. Guys at work came to my dad and begged him to run for union prez once again - contract negotiations were coming up with the new company, and these people know after having worked with my father for so many years that he is fair, tenacious, and works his fingers to the bone to accomplish things. He became president again, and it was business as usual.
Here's the important part... On January 11th of this year management of the plant my father works for let the company know that they are closing on March 31st. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 dollars - they are totally screwed. And management is trying to screw these guys that have devoted their lives to their jobs into getting less than they deserve. They've offered no severence package, and are trying to go around the contract.
My dad is 52 years old, he has worked at the same place for 32 years. He has worked HARD and been a great employee during those years. There is nowhere he can go and make the money he makes now, and those 6 weeks of vaction he EARNED after so many years? He may as well forget about vacation time for awhile now.
These sorts of things are happening more and more - do you honestly feel the tech industry is immune? Now? 5 years from now? 10? 20?
I hope nothing like this every happens to you, or anyone close to you. If it does, you would be better off with a guy like my dad working round the clock busting his ass protecting YOU, with the Union behind him. Not all Unions are bad, not all leaders are corrupt. Not all companies are going to be around forever - and if they go, they certainy are not thinking about what's fair to YOU, the worker. Hopefully, someone with some pull is.
**disclaimer**
If this 'essay' is as disjointed and inconcise as I think it is...my apologies! Still haven't had any coffee :)
I was under the impression that these "hacked" cards are not such a good value at all. If you have the equipment to do the hacking it may be, but the vast majority of people with these cards bought them from someone else...and every time DTV locks the cards out (could be once a week, once a month, or every 6 months) you've got to send your card off to get reprogrammed for yet another fee.
I met a guy with one of the hacked cards and he said that if he had to do it all over again he would never have gotten it, it's expensive, and a total pain in the ass.
Is this the general consensus amongst those of you *non-hackers* that have purchased these H cards, or am I off the mark?