Then you decided you don't need a gun to feel safe. Well, neither do I. I don't even have a gun suitable for home defense or self defense at the moment. All my guns are solely fun guns. I will be getting my CCW and a handgun when I turn 21 though, for several reasons. But it won't be because I'm afraid.
As an aside, you choice of a baseball bat is not the most effective tactical choice. It doesn't have the reach to prevent you from getting stabbed. Hockey stick might be better, or a broom. Or maybe a S&W.357 Magnum, you never know...
No one is saying that taking someone's life is something to take lightly. But if you have a gun, chances are the criminal with the knife isn't going to try to shank you.
Well, I'm sure as hell glad you aren't calling the shots here.
The majority of the people who own guns in America know what a responsibility it is to have lethal force available to them. We don't just go around shooting people because they piss us off.
If you want to know how the real gun owners in America act, check out some CCW statistics. In several states, concealed carry license holders have been shown to have less accidents and improper use of force than the police.
Most gun-owners consider themselves well trained because they ARE. I'm certain there are irresponsible gun owners, I've even seen a few myself, but they are definately the minority. The responsible majority realize that you rarely ever need to actually use force to end a situation, the mere showing of force is almost always enough.
I sure know most criminals will stop robbing you as soon as they have a 12-gauge pointed at them...
It is a right though. It is the right to self defense. The right to protect my other rights, with force if neccessary. As much as some people like to think the government can do everything for them, it just isn't possible.
Aside from that, we all know that banning guns doesn't make guns disappear. In England gun crame has went up drastically after the instituted strict gun control. How did this happen? Because the criminals, being criminals will not mind breaking a law to get guns. While the law-abiding citizen obeys the law and can't get a gun to protect himself from foresaid criminal.
It is not possible to take guns out of circulation. They are not some magical device that is impossible to produce. Any small machine shop can be used to make guns, and would be, if guns were banned.
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
That sounds pretty damn clear to be a right to me..
But even the deaths by guns have actually gone UP in england since they started instituting strict gun control. Meanwhile, It's gone down here.
IMO, Britain has always been a fairly peaceful place, and never had a very high murder rate. Not because of lack of guns, but because the society just wasn't violent. England's home invasion rate is something like 3 times what America's is, because criminals are afraid or armed victims here. More afraid of running into an armed victim than into a cop actually.
In England it is illegal for you to defend yourself in any meaningful way, you are supposed to be patient and hope the cops come quickly. All this does is make criminals confident, as they only have to worry about the cops. And as we both know 'cops can't find a dick with BOTH hands'.
I agree completely with you. Comedy central just didn't know what to do with Battlebots. They were smart enough to get a reasonably good announcer compared to the other two US robot shows though. ZThe hot chicks weren't all that bad, but I don't think they should have just stuck them in to fill airtime.
Hopefully it gets picked up by someone else and done right.
The hot chicks in BattleBots aren't that bad, because they're only there for the T&A, and dont do any real announcing. Carmen is actually not bad at all, and the bots this year are looking cool too..:)
Hopefully some other station picks it up. It didnt really fit on comedy central, but it was a good show. Much better than Robotica or RobotWars (the TNN peice of crap at least).
Actually, I think there is some good innovation in this years battlebots.
Check out Warhead for example. That thing is badass looking (and killing).
I don't think it fit on CC, but there should be a place for it, and it's certainly better than any of the other crappy robot shows. I think the announcers are the worst parts of most of these shows, and so far, Battlebots has had the best.
I think it's time for some variation in arenas in battlebots, and maybe some loosening of rules. Maybe having seperate arenas for the different weight classes would make the smaller fights less hazard dependant and last longer.
Yeah, there are other costs, but cassetes have those same costs, and the are about 1/2 to 2/3 the price of cds.
There is just no real justification for charging $17+ for a crappy cd with maybe one good song though. cassetes have the same distribution costs, manufacturing is more expensive (I assume), yet they can still sell them for half as much? How is that?
I still buy a relatively large amount of music even though I download. The stuff I buy is usually less than $12 though, pretty eclectic mix of stuff. The biggest band (and one of the few RIAA bands I buy from) whose music I buy is Tool, the rest being relatively unknown prog rockers.
The problem is that the RIAA treats all its customers like thieves, and it ends up being a self-fulfilling prophecy, as customers get pissed off and realize that they dont have to pay inflated prices to get music.
It's different with drugs though. Drugs have really high R&D costs, so they need a limited term monopoly to make a profit. If everyone could copy drugs as soon as they come out, then the copiers would have the advantage, because they dont have to pay for R&D, only the relatively small production costs.
I am personally fine with most patents aside from software patent, genetics patents and the really stupidly obvious ones. I do think the patent fees should be less so individual inventors can get them. It's not as if they actually check to see if the patent is actually good..;)
Software should be covered by copyright, not patents.
Of course the Kyoto Protocol is junk and would harm the US economy and likely wouldn't work.
If you paid attention, you'd know that bush's environemt plan includes almost as big of a reduction in CO2 as Kyoto would have. 7% instead of 8% IIRC. Aside from that, Global warming hasn't been proven yet, and may not ever be. Not to say that we shouldn't stop polluting though..
As for this story, it sucks that it happens, but china is the one accepting the junk, not like we're just dropping it on them. They are doing it to make money, at whatever cost...
Re:Great, there goes more of our freedom
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What is right wing about wanting the government to obey it's own laws? If there is a need for something not in the constituion, they can pass an amendment giving them authority to do it.
I call centrist fiscally conservative and socially liberal, but what do I know.:p
Re:Great, there goes more of our freedom
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· Score: 1
Umm, sure..
Just because socialist parties have never been successful in the US doesn't mean there aren't plenty of people on the left. The Democrats are probably not that far to the left in the world's opinion, but the green party seems like it could gain momentum (if nader would STFU, hehe).
I'm more of a centrist, Some where between constitutionalist and libertarian parties. IMO, Government should not do anything that the constitution doesn't tell them to do.
What is the effect of a broadcast flag on digital tuners that are currently on the market? Do they bypass the flag? Will they not work? Will they somehow recognize and follow the flag? >>
I'm interested in this as well..
The way I see it, either the 2+ million HDTV owners will be forced to buy new tuners, or they will get an exemption. Either way, I don't see how they will be able to make it successful.
I hope that the government realizes this and tell the broadcasting industry to go STFU.
There isn't yet, and if they try tacking something on now, there will be 2 million+ extremely angry HDTV owners(assuming it obseletes their tuners, and I don't see any other way for a DRM scheme to be successful).
Also, your scenario about PG doesn't work, for obvious reasons. The PG books are public domain, and you can violate copyright when there is no copyright. I agree that the DMCA is a bad law, but it could not be used in this manner (I hope).
HDTVs are getting cheaper and cheaper all the time. They are only around 2x the price of analog TVs the same size already, and plain digital TVs (SDTV) are barely more expensive than analog.
Considering the price drop of HDTVs over the past few years, I think they should be affordable for almost everyone by 2007. Digital tuners will definately be cheap then, probably less than 100$..
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Then you decided you don't need a gun to feel safe. Well, neither do I. I don't even have a gun suitable for home defense or self defense at the moment. All my guns are solely fun guns. I will be getting my CCW and a handgun when I turn 21 though, for several reasons. But it won't be because I'm afraid.
.357 Magnum, you never know...
As an aside, you choice of a baseball bat is not the most effective tactical choice. It doesn't have the reach to prevent you from getting stabbed. Hockey stick might be better, or a broom. Or maybe a S&W
No one is saying that taking someone's life is something to take lightly. But if you have a gun, chances are the criminal with the knife isn't going to try to shank you.
Well, I'm sure as hell glad you aren't calling the shots here.
The majority of the people who own guns in America know what a responsibility it is to have lethal force available to them. We don't just go around shooting people because they piss us off.
If you want to know how the real gun owners in America act, check out some CCW statistics. In several states, concealed carry license holders have been shown to have less accidents and improper use of force than the police.
Most gun-owners consider themselves well trained because they ARE. I'm certain there are irresponsible gun owners, I've even seen a few myself, but they are definately the minority. The responsible majority realize that you rarely ever need to actually use force to end a situation, the mere showing of force is almost always enough.
I sure know most criminals will stop robbing you as soon as they have a 12-gauge pointed at them...
It is a right though. It is the right to self defense. The right to protect my other rights, with force if neccessary. As much as some people like to think the government can do everything for them, it just isn't possible.
Aside from that, we all know that banning guns doesn't make guns disappear. In England gun crame has went up drastically after the instituted strict gun control. How did this happen? Because the criminals, being criminals will not mind breaking a law to get guns. While the law-abiding citizen obeys the law and can't get a gun to protect himself from foresaid criminal.
It is not possible to take guns out of circulation. They are not some magical device that is impossible to produce. Any small machine shop can be used to make guns, and would be, if guns were banned.
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
That sounds pretty damn clear to be a right to me..
But even the deaths by guns have actually gone UP in england since they started instituting strict gun control. Meanwhile, It's gone down here.
IMO, Britain has always been a fairly peaceful place, and never had a very high murder rate. Not because of lack of guns, but because the society just wasn't violent. England's home invasion rate is something like 3 times what America's is, because criminals are afraid or armed victims here. More afraid of running into an armed victim than into a cop actually.
In England it is illegal for you to defend yourself in any meaningful way, you are supposed to be patient and hope the cops come quickly. All this does is make criminals confident, as they only have to worry about the cops. And as we both know 'cops can't find a dick with BOTH hands'.
Plus there is self defense, and just plain fun shit... :)
80 kg passengers are some pretty hefty people, hehehe..
;P
Hell, this thing would still weigh a good deal more than any of even the biggest SUVs.
Not saying it's not cool, but needs to go on a diet..
Vipers retail for around $70k, but you can get low mileage used ones for quite a bit cheaper.
:)
Also, Vipers can turn plenty well too.
Yeah, but you'd have to fill a greyhound with alot more than 40 people to make it as heavy as even a medium tank.
I agree completely with you. Comedy central just didn't know what to do with Battlebots. They were smart enough to get a reasonably good announcer compared to the other two US robot shows though. ZThe hot chicks weren't all that bad, but I don't think they should have just stuck them in to fill airtime.
Hopefully it gets picked up by someone else and done right.
The hot chicks in BattleBots aren't that bad, because they're only there for the T&A, and dont do any real announcing. Carmen is actually not bad at all, and the bots this year are looking cool too.. :)
Hopefully some other station picks it up. It didnt really fit on comedy central, but it was a good show. Much better than Robotica or RobotWars (the TNN peice of crap at least).
Actually, I think there is some good innovation in this years battlebots.
Check out Warhead for example. That thing is badass looking (and killing).
I don't think it fit on CC, but there should be a place for it, and it's certainly better than any of the other crappy robot shows. I think the announcers are the worst parts of most of these shows, and so far, Battlebots has had the best.
I think it's time for some variation in arenas in battlebots, and maybe some loosening of rules. Maybe having seperate arenas for the different weight classes would make the smaller fights less hazard dependant and last longer.
Yeah, there are other costs, but cassetes have those same costs, and the are about 1/2 to 2/3 the price of cds.
There is just no real justification for charging $17+ for a crappy cd with maybe one good song though. cassetes have the same distribution costs, manufacturing is more expensive (I assume), yet they can still sell them for half as much? How is that?
I still buy a relatively large amount of music even though I download. The stuff I buy is usually less than $12 though, pretty eclectic mix of stuff. The biggest band (and one of the few RIAA bands I buy from) whose music I buy is Tool, the rest being relatively unknown prog rockers.
The problem is that the RIAA treats all its customers like thieves, and it ends up being a self-fulfilling prophecy, as customers get pissed off and realize that they dont have to pay inflated prices to get music.
It's different with drugs though. Drugs have really high R&D costs, so they need a limited term monopoly to make a profit. If everyone could copy drugs as soon as they come out, then the copiers would have the advantage, because they dont have to pay for R&D, only the relatively small production costs.
;)
I am personally fine with most patents aside from software patent, genetics patents and the really stupidly obvious ones. I do think the patent fees should be less so individual inventors can get them. It's not as if they actually check to see if the patent is actually good..
Software should be covered by copyright, not patents.
Of course the Kyoto Protocol is junk and would harm the US economy and likely wouldn't work.
If you paid attention, you'd know that bush's environemt plan includes almost as big of a reduction in CO2 as Kyoto would have. 7% instead of 8% IIRC. Aside from that, Global warming hasn't been proven yet, and may not ever be. Not to say that we shouldn't stop polluting though..
As for this story, it sucks that it happens, but china is the one accepting the junk, not like we're just dropping it on them. They are doing it to make money, at whatever cost...
What is right wing about wanting the government to obey it's own laws? If there is a need for something not in the constituion, they can pass an amendment giving them authority to do it.
:p
I call centrist fiscally conservative and socially liberal, but what do I know.
Umm, sure..
Just because socialist parties have never been successful in the US doesn't mean there aren't plenty of people on the left. The Democrats are probably not that far to the left in the world's opinion, but the green party seems like it could gain momentum (if nader would STFU, hehe).
I'm more of a centrist, Some where between constitutionalist and libertarian parties. IMO, Government should not do anything that the constitution doesn't tell them to do.
Yeah, I didn't think that merger was approved..
That is scary..
What is the effect of a broadcast flag on digital tuners that are currently on the market? Do they bypass the flag? Will they not work? Will they somehow recognize and follow the flag? >>
I'm interested in this as well..
The way I see it, either the 2+ million HDTV owners will be forced to buy new tuners, or they will get an exemption. Either way, I don't see how they will be able to make it successful.
I hope that the government realizes this and tell the broadcasting industry to go STFU.
No, digital is broadcastable just like analog, no need for cable or sattelite.
Aside from that, there is also hughes and Dish Network, so directv wouldnt have no competition.
All that is needed is a small DAC chip, so I would think it would be closer to $50.
The $300 might be accurate a few years ago, but not anymore..
The FCC doesn't want analog and digital to coexist, because they want the old analog spectrum back so they can auction it off..
Digital doesn't mean there will be DRM.
There isn't yet, and if they try tacking something on now, there will be 2 million+ extremely angry HDTV owners(assuming it obseletes their tuners, and I don't see any other way for a DRM scheme to be successful).
Also, your scenario about PG doesn't work, for obvious reasons. The PG books are public domain, and you can violate copyright when there is no copyright. I agree that the DMCA is a bad law, but it could not be used in this manner (I hope).
Look at an analog TV yourself to find out. ;P
HDTVs are getting cheaper and cheaper all the time. They are only around 2x the price of analog TVs the same size already, and plain digital TVs (SDTV) are barely more expensive than analog.
Considering the price drop of HDTVs over the past few years, I think they should be affordable for almost everyone by 2007. Digital tuners will definately be cheap then, probably less than 100$..