Because it was the only major player in Europe that didn't try to link their standard currency of exchange with Italy, and a whole bunch of other weak markets. Italy? Italy is a place that has currency almost as strong as Germany in the early 30s.
Big George is shooting the next Star Wars on a special 24progressive High Definition, which costs, on average, $90 for about 50 minutes of tape, compared to about $90 a minute for good filmstock. The reason why he is upset about the lack of digital screens? He wanted to save money on prints... and the fact that flashing video to film looks like poo-poo.
It is hilarious that they start making that argument about the costs that they need to recoup for their films... in well under a decade, the costs of studio quality cameras are going to be in the consumer price range. It is going to be hilarious when the first person says to Hollywood about their beautifully videotaped, independent, non-spaceship, non-effects heavy production, "I don't need you anymore. Buzz off. And I don't need your distribution. So double buzz off."
That is going to be a funny day. The days of the $20 million dollar stars are coming to an end. So are the griping Ally McBeals out there, and their perks. The market will be flooded with independent producers of television and movies (which will look the same in quality... totally) selling their wares for cheap with cheap actors, until they get more money to develop their shows. Actors that are good will have ways around the system, and not have to play games with some sex-driven producer. It will be much more equalizing.
By the way, I have never, ever bought the idea that some movies never make a buck out there. That sounds like crap to me.
I live in Nashville and have seen country lackeys that live like kings with zero name recognition for 20 years or more off of one b-side on a bad album. So to say that someone is not making a dollar off of the movies that I have heard of or seen in the national media, then they're lying or tricking for the tax man. After all, these are the same people who told you that Forrest Gump lost money.
Riiiiiiight.
I don't care what your spreadsheet or your accountant said, Forrest Gump did not lose money. Whoever said that needs to be slapped vigorously.
They (the MPAA) are getting desperate. They know what is coming. They're dead in ten years, unless they set up a state controlled monopoly.
Thanks for the talk... I am going to go down and see my friend Omar tomorrow at lunch, and ask him how his family is. I assume you are similar to him... this wil be our conversation... I thought that I might ask for a little insight and some kibbi (seneya, of course).
You are right about the US involvement. Oil is the drug of our society, and we, like all people on drugs, act in improper and insane ways when our drugs are taken away.
One of my friends once told me, there was a time, long before I was born, that there was a novelty to whites in the Middle East. We were tourists. We delighted in hospitality and arts, we just came to visit.
Then we found oil. We asked who owned all of the oil in the land. This was an issue that no one had thought about, so they said the shakhs did. So they gave money to the shakhs for the rights to the land. They pumped the oil. The shakhs got rich, and the governments went backwards. The influence of the shakhs was to make themselves all-powerful so they instituted the old, cruel ways, where they were always placed in the highest positions where their opinions meant most. There was no stopping them.
I think that has left us in our current situation. The oil money has created spoiled playboys that care little for the children of their countries, and like every king, wage wars as a sport. It is clear that Osama believes in his cause, but I think to him it is a game, a sporting match of him against the West. A deadly sport that he delights in from having a spoiled playboy past. He has had all things, but now he wants to play as the Lord God himself, King of Everything, and make the choices of when others die.
I hope the Muslim world is getting ready for a major change... a change MUST come soon. I pray the people of Islam are getting fed up with the poverty and their playboy leaders. I pray that Israel is going to have to come to the bargain table, and accept Palestine soon. When my dream happens, the leaders will have nothing to scream about, and the people will look at the things they stole while they were setting them at war. I pray the shakhs that say, "I own everything I see," are going to change or get destroyed by the people.
I don't know why, but I hope that the Middle East adopts a "no more kings" attitude soon and takes their countries back for their children, away from greed. I pray that Israel stops killing innocents... and Palestine puts down its bombs.
Good luck friend, that is my prayer for you and your people. (As we both say the same, even in different tongues and religions it is identical...) Blessed be his name. All praises in the highest. He is king.
My best friend loves all of the Civ games, but he is a Starcraft freak because of the sheer fun.
Why is it good? It is speed chess. If you have ever seen speed chess, you would understand. When the people that play long games get into the whole speed, hit and run, and intimidation tactics of starcraft, then you'll love it.
There is one drawback. I was a good player that left because the players kept getting weeded out by frustration of playing some real hardcore maniacs out there that would slay you quick. Its evolution, they survived, most can't compete.
The game is $20 US now everywhere, it really is worth it. From a average gamers perspective it is truly worth it.
Are the American people responsible for the acts of their governments? I certainly wouldn't hold the Afghans, or Iranians to that standard; but what's the case in a democracy?
I understand your viewpoint, and the proof of me being fair is the post I had earlier about Iranians just wanting what everyone else does, just to be happy. But I disagree with what you say. I am not angry, I just disagree.
But in rebuttal to your claims to a democracy and that the idividuals that live in that domocracy are responsible, let me say one thing. American is a representative democracy. That means we hire to represent for four years. If you noticed the debacle that happened with our most current election, just slightly over 50% of the people in the country didn't want him. Trust me, the people will decide to keep him or not. But we can't be responsible for every single word our of his mouth, so you are close to correct.
But what can be said about Iran? Why haven't the young 50% taken what is theirs from the 10% that control? My people (the Americans) did that 200 years ago, without television, without all of the modern issues, with hunting guns. I admit it is more complex than what I say, but why so late, why hasn't Iran become the modern, beautiful state that supports Iranians instead of hurting them? Why do so few control so many? My ancestors died horribly to give me my freedoms. Cmon Iran, we know you can do it too. I want to see Tehran without being accused of being a spy. I want to see Persia too... I know it is beautiful. I know all about Middle Eastern hospitality, it is the best in the world. I want to learn Arabic and Farsi. Right now, I cannot see your world because it is too dangerous for me to go to Iran because of my skin color alone.
The US government has already gone too far with Afghanistan, and I hope that we, the people of the world wake up and hold them accountable for their crimes against humanity.
Crimes against humanity? Would the killing of thousands of innocents be a crime against humanity too? The Taliban attacked the center of our largest city. We cannot live our lives knowing the next attack is guaranteed be larger, or more deadly because new people saw their success and want to join.
Ultimately, I know all common people would like to meet and be friendly the Persian and Arabic people, not kill them. But look at our perspective... Are Middle Easteners enslaved in America? Do they not have religious freedom? Could they not write a banner that says "Allah is most high" and not have it torn down? Christian Americans would fight to keep that banner up, because if they didn't, they know they would be next. Trust that I would, friend. Common Americans are very, very concerned about crimes against humanity. We respect Islam and your choices.
Keep in mind that the last three world-wide military actions the US has done (especially Bosnia) has been to save the oppression of Muslims, especially from violent Christians. That's right, mostly Christian soldiers fighting off Christians to save Muslims. Think about that for a little while. Would a Muslim attack another Muslim to save a Christian?
So my question is this, because it flips it back on your world view...
How would Islam react to another religion's extremists flying a jet into the center of Mecca during the haj? Would they be reasonable about that? Or would the whole Islamic world get stirred up like angry ants and try to kill all other religions? Would every imam scream for blood then? I know what Muslims are willing to do for Islam in a crisis.
Crimes against humanity is not a relative term. We are trying to stabilize them after we get rid of a terrorist group we should have focused on a long time ago. We are dealing with racist, mass-murdering, lying, mass-destruction causing murderers. Murderurs that entire governments have supported. How do you deal with them and their friends?
Enough talk. If you and I try, we will make the world a better place.
Be safe, be good. Hope to meet you some day, instead of fighting you. Good passage.
You would think that if this man was losing money, and that he was causing a political movement that we (the US) would consider to be important, that we could "secretly" find him some money, because what they are doing with humor and music is one thousand times better than all the damnable secret money that we use to do nasty, evil subversive things to people. After all, we "find" money to do things that benefit us in the world all the time... time to "find" some cash for him.
Give him my government money, before they send it to the CIA. Battles are won and lost with the populace, you want to win over Iran, then stop counter-arming sucessionist groups and get more information out to them.
I live in Nashville, TN, and my best friend in CA tells me about all of his friends videotapes and pictures from Iran, where they are playing Playstation 2 and listening to CDs, and having a good time importing it back to their family members. I was a little surprised, but when I thought about it, it was REALLY NOT THAT SURPRISING. Its not as though people that speak another language don't want to have fun. Its not like everyone over there believes everything that is said to them, or all of the religious encouragement to kill. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FELLOW AMERICANS, its not like most of them want to blow themselves up or kill millions of us in atomic hellfire. They, like most regimes controlled populace, are radically misinformed. Time to change that... the nice way, before its way too late.
Only the politicals would think that an auto racing game would be unpure and corrupt thought. Just like our radical losers in our government. Once people start learning that human means human, then we'll make progress.
Honestly, its not like the rhetoric that Bush is pushing has helped a damn thing other than the regime that he is fighting. Congrats Bush, now they have concrete evidence to say that America hates them and the rest of the world... Good one. Iran, please commence with the flag burning in the streets, we have to give you that one after 'ol Captain Texas starts a gettin' warmed up.
Good luck Persians. Most of us don't know what language you speak for what region. Please educate us and befriend us. We need all the information we can get. After all, you're just as human as the rest of us.
Ahhh, but don't get me started on LOTR, it had some serious scenes that could have been wrapped up in seconds, but instead droned on for minutes.
For instance, the 'fellowship getting together and deciding to go scene'... I was saying, "oh, shut the fuck up and get on the horses, assholes. You're holding up the mystery, action, and suspense."
I could have slapped Peter Jackson for making me sit through that yakkity-yak crap. If I wanted to talk about the intricacies of the elves and dwarves, I would have read the book, now wouldn't I?
The 'elven love scenec' should have been put in the next movie, it did nothing for the plot.
There is no use putting in footage in for people who could probably quote the novel in their heads, and bore the ones that could care less and just want to see Frodo triumph in an adventure. A good director knows when to get to the point.
The last time I checked, gas taxes were probably the most direstly proprtional tax in US history. You use it for transportation, you pay for the roads. Toll roads are of course toll roads because they lack certain funds.
Honestly, is there any John Q Public that uses gas for much more than transportation? Not many.
It guages usage... it taxes it accordingly. It is expensive, and proprtional. Gas usage is also proportional to the expense of the enourmous SUV or a truck.
Lets get to the point, the GPS is needed to TRACK YOU, not your gas usage. You can do that through the pumps already, and it doesn't require expensive equipment or expensive bookkeeping.
In US talk that means he was practically born with a pistol and a big hat. The phrase, "son-of-a-bitch was beggin' to be shot" is an acceptable legal defense for murder in Texas. Justice usually involves the death penalty in Texas.
For all of you people that don't know much US culture, Texas looks and acts exactly like a cowboy movie, without the horses. So you see, he was just talking the way he was trained to, before he shoots someone. Hell, they're happy to kill someone who 'deserves it.'
Once again, its a Texas thing. Desert justice. BLAM BLAM BLAM.
So why give the people their airwaves for free when you can sell the band and pay down the debt?
Sorry bud. I should have put sarco-marks(TM) on that one. It left it open to interpretation. I meant to be a smartass on that one. Whoops. I reread it, and I could totally see how you could get my intentions wrong.
I personally hate the idea of selling off the public trust too. I should have rephrased a few things, I guess. But TV is out to make money... just like everything else. I am parroting more of the TV stations attitude.
The natinal debt caused Bill Clinton's Administration to try to make the FCC become a profit center for the US Federal Govt. So why give the people their airwaves for free when you can sell the band and pay down the debt?
So they (the FCC) were going to sell the bandwidth to the telephone companies (where the money is in T-com) for cell usage, until high compression digital phones made the idea worthless several years into the plan. Every television engineer in the world saw this coming. They all said, "this whole plan will dry up when digital phones come along, because this is predicated on the idea that telecomm technology won't advance. Telecomm tech is one of the fastest advancing techs out there, if not the fastest." Of course, digital cells came out, and all of that HD band move for the sell off became useless. We (broadcasters) were stuck with the grandchild. Cable, of course, makes the highest profit in the industry, and hasn't had to do a fucking thing.
Now we (local television stations) are stuck with the idea of making millions of dollars of changes for a pittance of high end users... when most people watch TV for the shows, not the technical specifications. Many have never heard of HD.
Bill Clinton did this to us. He wanted ways to pay down the debt without slashing anything, so he hit the one industry that is one of the most regulated short of atomic energy, and wrapped it up in a bow that said, "progress." It was a big lie.
Why is is not here yet, even though it is regulated to be here RIGHT NOW?
Well, most of the broadcast quality digital equipment is made by single manufacturer overseas companies (like Sanyo or Toshiba), so they can charge literally whatever they want without worrying about anyone messing with them... why? They pushed the idea on the FCC, and they hold all the patents. Its literally the whole Rambus thing all over again. When the FCC says jump, local television stations are forced to say, "How high, Master?"
The current cost per HD user nationwide is several thousand dollars in the hole per user, if not tens of thousands, depending on the market.
I understand the reason for the FCC, but their power is absolute over private businesses that already give people what they want OR THEY FAIL MISERABLY. The truth is, the FCC lost touch along the way. Completely became a post for political insiders to sit on like being the Drug Czar, and now they just constantly muck up a system that is extremely market reactive. No one in the FCC knows shit about television. They have a late 70's Sesame Street NPR attitude about one of the most cutthroat businesses out there.
HDTV is not in your hometown market because they can't afford it. Period. The Gov't can say, "We need you to be HD NOW!" and they respond with, "We just got hit about as bad as the airlines, we just laid off workers... we don't have millions lying around for 15 A/V enthusiasts. Up yours. Pull our license. See what the people think about that when people can't get 'free' local TV all over the country."
That is where we stand. The TV stations try to look like their complying, because they like their license. The FCC wants a cool new standard, no matter what it costs to the common man and television stations.
And it was all over trying to sell off your public trust of the bandwidth to big rich phone companies, because politicians like big government programs and waste, and it was an idea that was fundamentally flawed because they thought the world was going to be analog forever. Way to go FCC. Are YOU EVEN AWAKE?
Did anyone think that the whole reason why people are buying alternate Xbox controllers is because they are so unwieldy and large that it could crush a small child under the sheer weight of it?
Its really a safety concern when you think about it...:)
That someone is trying to restrict an individual's safety by blocking overseas sales, well, then, I say, "Yo Ho HO! Avast ye mateys! Come and get me, Customs! ARRRRRGGGGHHH!"
The last time I checked, google is allowed to make a profit. Google is also allowed to fail miserably if the customers don't like it.
Goes right back to the free market world, and costs.
So if "the cost" of trying to find something on the net gets too high on google, then google will be forced to find another source of revenue when their customers leave.
Simple as that. The market is a harsh place. If we love our google, we have to pay for it. Otherwise, no money means no google. So you have to scroll down the page. Well, that is a cost of freeloading. Ask the people who used to pay for Lexis/Nexis (sp?) what solid, usable information costs.
Even abcnews.go.com has banners before you get to the news. It is coming. Really, it is a minor annoyance, and not much more IMHO. I certainly won't stop using google. I hope the make all the money in the world, they serve a real purpose on the net.
Because I am five feet away from one who did, and who does know. Really... did you even read what I wrote before you labeled me "American Swine?"
Next time you want to talk about journalists not wanting to tell the truth, then you go F'n talk to the ones that slept in a ditch in a war zone. Cause I have a feeling that they care more about honesty in their jobs than you do about computing or whatever you do. Its so damn simple to just say "Stupid Americans," that it doesn't even register with us anymore.
Personally, as I said before and I WILL SAY AGAIN, it is an insult to those that go through hell to bring back footage and be branded as a propaganda machine.
If you want the European Version of this, petition Reuters to be like CNN. Better yet, start up "NNN" or Dutch NEWS NETWORK or something like that.
Yes, children are important, because children in a case like that are guaranteed non-combattants. They're a little more innocent. They should never be shot at. Nor should anyone else. I take it you don't have kids yet. You'll understand a little better when all of your effort is spent on them.
But I do understand your point about human is human... if only others felt the same way.
The real reason that CNN shows violence is to make sure that you understand what is really going on... it is a journalsists duty. NOTE THE DIFFERENCE:
1. (Voice Over with Map) "There was a slaughter of 10,000 Cambodians today under the Khmer Rouge."
-OR-
2. (VIDEO OF THE DEAD BODIES IN THE STREETS) "These mothers are crying. Crying because there children got caught in a crossfire of a mortar attack when Khmer Rouge forces clashed with political dissidents. 10,000 people were killed, 2,000 of them children."
Which would you rather have? The sanitized version, or the truth? I suppose you're not getting it, are you?. The Holocaust can be denied in a few generations without pictures and film. So can all other slaughters of innocents. Think about the Russians under Stalin. Where are the pictures of them? That was one of the worst bloodbaths ever, and the world saw nothing.
Don't blame the media when they are showing injustice to the world. They are trying to let everyone know THE REAL TRUTH and then let them decide what to do. My boss just got back from Afghanistan, I was the alternate... he was sleeping in a ditch at night so you could make an informed decision about what is going on.
I wish Christiane Amanpour was in front of you so she could slap you. Not that she ever would after all she has seen. You need to show some respect to all of the dead photographers that bring you war footage so everyone can remember that war is murder.
So he promoted the death of others, trying to plod influence on the shortsighted to follow his selfish "I-need-a-reason-to-fight" cause. What's so wrong with giving him a reason? I certainly would lock his ass up.
The problems with bombs are that most people don't think about them the way they should. All things equal, they have a good chance of hitting a relative, and they have a 100% chance of hitting someone's relative. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THAT WAY, IT MAKES YOU A MURDERER... A MISGUIDED MURDERER. YOU ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEONE'S CHILD. GUARANTEED. THERE ARE GOING TO BE ONE LESS PLATE AT A FAMILY REUNION. GUARANTEED.
IF YOU BOMB FOR SOME IDEA, DEAD PEOPLE ARE THE CONSEQUENCE, NOT THE PROMOTION OF THE IDEA.
I also love it when the pro-commie, anti-American nutties say that the FBI had 'no right to search' or 'they went too far.'
Well, when his little ass goes unchecked for a while and decides to blow up a building ala Fight Club, "cause he thought it was cool," then you will be wondering why innocents had to die, now won't you? But then again... anarchists and free thinking lefties don't want to associate with their mongrel cousins, the same way that right wingers don't want to stand too close to the loony Christians when they bomb abortion clinics.
I may be right wing, but I would turn their asses in. I know a few lefties that wouln't want to get involoved.
Once again, in the world of REALITY, and not the world of INTELLECTUALISM, you pay for your actions. If you attempt to build bombs or promote the attack of innocents over percieved injustices... well then, you pay in full.
Anarchism is not idiocy. It may not be viable, because it presumes that people will act as mature adults.
But as the reliable as the sun coming up, you know that all human beings in a group acting as "mature adults" is, well, a complete crock. This a an anti-anarchist theory that has been tested and proven consistently wrong by historical fact for millenia. I understand the idea that you want people to play fair... its just idiotic and shortsighted. Yes, and uncontrolled world where everyone is friendly with their neighbors. Riiight. Can you say lynchings? I knew you could.
I don't like the cabal we have running the show either. But this is the closest we have have had in a long time (I mean in hundreds of years, not the last 3 hours) to anything resembling justice to the lower classes. It ain't justice, but its at least halfway fair in a few instances.
All the anarchists that I have ever talked with are quick to point out loopholes in the law for their causes. Loopholes that they couldn't possibly condone, BECAUSE AN ANARCHIST BY DEFINITION BELIEVES IN NOT SUPPORTING LAWS.
You reduce the world to ash, bring it back to true anarchy, and the 'mature adults' that you speak of that 'would prefer an anarchistic system' will try to build back that system that you revile so much faster than you can say "Hoplite Elite Guard." Your whiny, smash the state and raise the fist crap makes me sick. Face it, you like police protection, versus rampant gunfire and crime that would result.
The only times that humanity has tried to go communist or near anarchist has resulted in pogroms and totalitarian regimes that were the opposite of what they said, resulting in the collectivization and slaugter of millions.
Give it up. Your ideas are made by children. They have never functioned. They are used by madmen to promote destruction.
The real advantage to the all-digital format is that the pirated copies don't have to be changed much before they are zipped around the internet 2 hours after opening night... LOL.:)
You would think with the MPAA having all of these DVD and piracy issues, that they would do their best to stop making films in a format that would be the easiest to rip off.
I assume that someone, somewhere at a local multiplex will be bringing a veeeery large PC hard drive to work every day. They are going to need to have a SWAT team in the projection booth if they go all digital.
Bin Laden is a "liberator" to those who follow him.
If you consider your idea of liberation to be murdering people over oppressive rules infractions, making women dress up like pup-tents, desecrating the graves of the dead, outlawing other religions, and plotting and attacking another nation with nefarious intent...
Well then, I think your definition of liberator is a little lax. Try again.
Websters says:
liberate Pronunciation Key (lb-rt)
tr.v. liberated, liberating, liberates
To set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control.
Chemistry. To release (a gas, for example) from combination.
Slang. To obtain by illegal or stealthy action: tried to sell appliances that were liberated during the riot.
I really don't want to trust the content on a website marked fear.org...
But there is a large amount of truth in the statement that the other poster marked as hyperbole. They can take on suspicion. And they don't have to give back at all. I know. I am a newsman and have seen the worst of this terrible law. It is truly one of the most dispicable violations of basic property laws in US history.
Slashdot Mirror
Why is it not in a recession?
Because it was the only major player in Europe that didn't try to link their standard currency of exchange with Italy, and a whole bunch of other weak markets. Italy? Italy is a place that has currency almost as strong as Germany in the early 30s.
It is hilarious that they start making that argument about the costs that they need to recoup for their films... in well under a decade, the costs of studio quality cameras are going to be in the consumer price range. It is going to be hilarious when the first person says to Hollywood about their beautifully videotaped, independent, non-spaceship, non-effects heavy production, "I don't need you anymore. Buzz off. And I don't need your distribution. So double buzz off."
That is going to be a funny day. The days of the $20 million dollar stars are coming to an end. So are the griping Ally McBeals out there, and their perks. The market will be flooded with independent producers of television and movies (which will look the same in quality... totally) selling their wares for cheap with cheap actors, until they get more money to develop their shows. Actors that are good will have ways around the system, and not have to play games with some sex-driven producer. It will be much more equalizing.
By the way, I have never, ever bought the idea that some movies never make a buck out there. That sounds like crap to me.
I live in Nashville and have seen country lackeys that live like kings with zero name recognition for 20 years or more off of one b-side on a bad album. So to say that someone is not making a dollar off of the movies that I have heard of or seen in the national media, then they're lying or tricking for the tax man. After all, these are the same people who told you that Forrest Gump lost money.
- Riiiiiiight.
I don't care what your spreadsheet or your accountant said, Forrest Gump did not lose money. Whoever said that needs to be slapped vigorously.They (the MPAA) are getting desperate. They know what is coming. They're dead in ten years, unless they set up a state controlled monopoly.
Guess what? It ain't going to happen.
Thanks for the talk... I am going to go down and see my friend Omar tomorrow at lunch, and ask him how his family is. I assume you are similar to him... this wil be our conversation... I thought that I might ask for a little insight and some kibbi (seneya, of course).
You are right about the US involvement. Oil is the drug of our society, and we, like all people on drugs, act in improper and insane ways when our drugs are taken away.
One of my friends once told me, there was a time, long before I was born, that there was a novelty to whites in the Middle East.
We were tourists. We delighted in hospitality and arts, we just came to visit.
Then we found oil. We asked who owned all of the oil in the land. This was an issue that no one had thought about, so they said the shakhs did. So they gave money to the shakhs for the rights to the land. They pumped the oil. The shakhs got rich, and the governments went backwards. The influence of the shakhs was to make themselves all-powerful so they instituted the old, cruel ways, where they were always placed in the highest positions where their opinions meant most. There was no stopping them.
I think that has left us in our current situation. The oil money has created spoiled playboys that care little for the children of their countries, and like every king, wage wars as a sport. It is clear that Osama believes in his cause, but I think to him it is a game, a sporting match of him against the West. A deadly sport that he delights in from having a spoiled playboy past. He has had all things, but now he wants to play as the Lord God himself, King of Everything, and make the choices of when others die.
I hope the Muslim world is getting ready for a major change... a change MUST come soon. I pray the people of Islam are getting fed up with the poverty and their playboy leaders. I pray that Israel is going to have to come to the bargain table, and accept Palestine soon. When my dream happens, the leaders will have nothing to scream about, and the people will look at the things they stole while they were setting them at war. I pray the shakhs that say, "I own everything I see," are going to change or get destroyed by the people.
I don't know why, but I hope that the Middle East adopts a "no more kings" attitude soon and takes their countries back for their children, away from greed. I pray that Israel stops killing innocents... and Palestine puts down its bombs.
Good luck friend, that is my prayer for you and your people. (As we both say the same, even in different tongues and religions it is identical...) Blessed be his name. All praises in the highest. He is king.
If you've never played starcraft, you should.
My best friend loves all of the Civ games, but he is a Starcraft freak because of the sheer fun.
Why is it good? It is speed chess. If you have ever seen speed chess, you would understand. When the people that play long games get into the whole speed, hit and run, and intimidation tactics of starcraft, then you'll love it.
There is one drawback. I was a good player that left because the players kept getting weeded out by frustration of playing some real hardcore maniacs out there that would slay you quick. Its evolution, they survived, most can't compete.
The game is $20 US now everywhere, it really is worth it. From a average gamers perspective it is truly worth it.
Are the American people responsible for the acts of their governments? I certainly wouldn't hold the Afghans, or Iranians to that standard; but what's the case in a democracy?
I understand your viewpoint, and the proof of me being fair is the post I had earlier about Iranians just wanting what everyone else does, just to be happy. But I disagree with what you say. I am not angry, I just disagree.
But in rebuttal to your claims to a democracy and that the idividuals that live in that domocracy are responsible, let me say one thing. American is a representative democracy. That means we hire to represent for four years. If you noticed the debacle that happened with our most current election, just slightly over 50% of the people in the country didn't want him. Trust me, the people will decide to keep him or not. But we can't be responsible for every single word our of his mouth, so you are close to correct.
But what can be said about Iran? Why haven't the young 50% taken what is theirs from the 10% that control? My people (the Americans) did that 200 years ago, without television, without all of the modern issues, with hunting guns. I admit it is more complex than what I say, but why so late, why hasn't Iran become the modern, beautiful state that supports Iranians instead of hurting them? Why do so few control so many? My ancestors died horribly to give me my freedoms. Cmon Iran, we know you can do it too. I want to see Tehran without being accused of being a spy. I want to see Persia too... I know it is beautiful. I know all about Middle Eastern hospitality, it is the best in the world. I want to learn Arabic and Farsi. Right now, I cannot see your world because it is too dangerous for me to go to Iran because of my skin color alone.
The US government has already gone too far with Afghanistan, and I hope that we, the people of the world wake up and hold them accountable for their crimes against humanity.
Crimes against humanity? Would the killing of thousands of innocents be a crime against humanity too? The Taliban attacked the center of our largest city. We cannot live our lives knowing the next attack is guaranteed be larger, or more deadly because new people saw their success and want to join.
Ultimately, I know all common people would like to meet and be friendly the Persian and Arabic people, not kill them. But look at our perspective... Are Middle Easteners enslaved in America? Do they not have religious freedom? Could they not write a banner that says "Allah is most high" and not have it torn down? Christian Americans would fight to keep that banner up, because if they didn't, they know they would be next. Trust that I would, friend. Common Americans are very, very concerned about crimes against humanity. We respect Islam and your choices.
Keep in mind that the last three world-wide military actions the US has done (especially Bosnia) has been to save the oppression of Muslims, especially from violent Christians. That's right, mostly Christian soldiers fighting off Christians to save Muslims. Think about that for a little while. Would a Muslim attack another Muslim to save a Christian?
So my question is this, because it flips it back on your world view...
How would Islam react to another religion's extremists flying a jet into the center of Mecca during the haj? Would they be reasonable about that? Or would the whole Islamic world get stirred up like angry ants and try to kill all other religions? Would every imam scream for blood then? I know what Muslims are willing to do for Islam in a crisis.
Crimes against humanity is not a relative term. We are trying to stabilize them after we get rid of a terrorist group we should have focused on a long time ago. We are dealing with racist, mass-murdering, lying, mass-destruction causing murderers. Murderurs that entire governments have supported. How do you deal with them and their friends?
Enough talk. If you and I try, we will make the world a better place.
Be safe, be good. Hope to meet you some day, instead of fighting you. Good passage.
You would think that if this man was losing money, and that he was causing a political movement that we (the US) would consider to be important, that we could "secretly" find him some money, because what they are doing with humor and music is one thousand times better than all the damnable secret money that we use to do nasty, evil subversive things to people. After all, we "find" money to do things that benefit us in the world all the time... time to "find" some cash for him.
Give him my government money, before they send it to the CIA. Battles are won and lost with the populace, you want to win over Iran, then stop counter-arming sucessionist groups and get more information out to them.
I live in Nashville, TN, and my best friend in CA tells me about all of his friends videotapes and pictures from Iran, where they are playing Playstation 2 and listening to CDs, and having a good time importing it back to their family members. I was a little surprised, but when I thought about it, it was REALLY NOT THAT SURPRISING. Its not as though people that speak another language don't want to have fun. Its not like everyone over there believes everything that is said to them, or all of the religious encouragement to kill. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FELLOW AMERICANS, its not like most of them want to blow themselves up or kill millions of us in atomic hellfire. They, like most regimes controlled populace, are radically misinformed. Time to change that... the nice way, before its way too late.
Only the politicals would think that an auto racing game would be unpure and corrupt thought. Just like our radical losers in our government. Once people start learning that human means human, then we'll make progress.
Honestly, its not like the rhetoric that Bush is pushing has helped a damn thing other than the regime that he is fighting. Congrats Bush, now they have concrete evidence to say that America hates them and the rest of the world... Good one. Iran, please commence with the flag burning in the streets, we have to give you that one after 'ol Captain Texas starts a gettin' warmed up.
Good luck Persians. Most of us don't know what language you speak for what region. Please educate us and befriend us. We need all the information we can get. After all, you're just as human as the rest of us.
Ahhh, but don't get me started on LOTR, it had some serious scenes that could have been wrapped up in seconds, but instead droned on for minutes.
For instance, the 'fellowship getting together and deciding to go scene'... I was saying, "oh, shut the fuck up and get on the horses, assholes. You're holding up the mystery, action, and suspense."
I could have slapped Peter Jackson for making me sit through that yakkity-yak crap. If I wanted to talk about the intricacies of the elves and dwarves, I would have read the book, now wouldn't I?
The 'elven love scenec' should have been put in the next movie, it did nothing for the plot.
There is no use putting in footage in for people who could probably quote the novel in their heads, and bore the ones that could care less and just want to see Frodo triumph in an adventure. A good director knows when to get to the point.
-Alex
The last time I checked, gas taxes were probably the most direstly proprtional tax in US history. You use it for transportation, you pay for the roads. Toll roads are of course toll roads because they lack certain funds.
Honestly, is there any John Q Public that uses gas for much more than transportation? Not many.
It guages usage... it taxes it accordingly. It is expensive, and proprtional. Gas usage is also proportional to the expense of the enourmous SUV or a truck.
Lets get to the point, the GPS is needed to TRACK YOU, not your gas usage. You can do that through the pumps already, and it doesn't require expensive equipment or expensive bookkeeping.
Well, we need to calm his ass down sometimes...
After all, he's from Texas. He can't help it.
In US talk that means he was practically born with a pistol and a big hat. The phrase, "son-of-a-bitch was beggin' to be shot" is an acceptable legal defense for murder in Texas. Justice usually involves the death penalty in Texas.
For all of you people that don't know much US culture, Texas looks and acts exactly like a cowboy movie, without the horses. So you see, he was just talking the way he was trained to, before he shoots someone. Hell, they're happy to kill someone who 'deserves it.'
Once again, its a Texas thing. Desert justice. BLAM BLAM BLAM.
So why give the people their airwaves for free when you can sell the band and pay down the debt?
Sorry bud. I should have put sarco-marks(TM) on that one. It left it open to interpretation. I meant to be a smartass on that one. Whoops. I reread it, and I could totally see how you could get my intentions wrong.
I personally hate the idea of selling off the public trust too. I should have rephrased a few things, I guess. But TV is out to make money... just like everything else. I am parroting more of the TV stations attitude.
Corporate evilness? Microsoft market controlled corporate state evilness?
Could someone please take the Captain America comics out of the hands of the
Thank You.
Let me break it down for you... MONEY.
The natinal debt caused Bill Clinton's Administration to try to make the FCC become a profit center for the US Federal Govt. So why give the people their airwaves for free when you can sell the band and pay down the debt?
So they (the FCC) were going to sell the bandwidth to the telephone companies (where the money is in T-com) for cell usage, until high compression digital phones made the idea worthless several years into the plan. Every television engineer in the world saw this coming. They all said, "this whole plan will dry up when digital phones come along, because this is predicated on the idea that telecomm technology won't advance. Telecomm tech is one of the fastest advancing techs out there, if not the fastest." Of course, digital cells came out, and all of that HD band move for the sell off became useless. We (broadcasters) were stuck with the grandchild. Cable, of course, makes the highest profit in the industry, and hasn't had to do a fucking thing.
Now we (local television stations) are stuck with the idea of making millions of dollars of changes for a pittance of high end users... when most people watch TV for the shows, not the technical specifications. Many have never heard of HD.
Bill Clinton did this to us. He wanted ways to pay down the debt without slashing anything, so he hit the one industry that is one of the most regulated short of atomic energy, and wrapped it up in a bow that said, "progress." It was a big lie.
Why is is not here yet, even though it is regulated to be here RIGHT NOW?
Well, most of the broadcast quality digital equipment is made by single manufacturer overseas companies (like Sanyo or Toshiba), so they can charge literally whatever they want without worrying about anyone messing with them... why? They pushed the idea on the FCC, and they hold all the patents. Its literally the whole Rambus thing all over again. When the FCC says jump, local television stations are forced to say, "How high, Master?"
The current cost per HD user nationwide is several thousand dollars in the hole per user, if not tens of thousands, depending on the market.
I understand the reason for the FCC, but their power is absolute over private businesses that already give people what they want OR THEY FAIL MISERABLY. The truth is, the FCC lost touch along the way. Completely became a post for political insiders to sit on like being the Drug Czar, and now they just constantly muck up a system that is extremely market reactive. No one in the FCC knows shit about television. They have a late 70's Sesame Street NPR attitude about one of the most cutthroat businesses out there.
HDTV is not in your hometown market because they can't afford it. Period. The Gov't can say, "We need you to be HD NOW!" and they respond with, "We just got hit about as bad as the airlines, we just laid off workers... we don't have millions lying around for 15 A/V enthusiasts. Up yours. Pull our license. See what the people think about that when people can't get 'free' local TV all over the country."
That is where we stand. The TV stations try to look like their complying, because they like their license. The FCC wants a cool new standard, no matter what it costs to the common man and television stations.
And it was all over trying to sell off your public trust of the bandwidth to big rich phone companies, because politicians like big government programs and waste, and it was an idea that was fundamentally flawed because they thought the world was going to be analog forever. Way to go FCC. Are YOU EVEN AWAKE?
Did anyone think that the whole reason why people are buying alternate Xbox controllers is because they are so unwieldy and large that it could crush a small child under the sheer weight of it?
Its really a safety concern when you think about it...
That someone is trying to restrict an individual's safety by blocking overseas sales, well, then, I say, "Yo Ho HO! Avast ye mateys! Come and get me, Customs! ARRRRRGGGGHHH!"
Its all about cost/benefit analysis...
The last time I checked, google is allowed to make a profit. Google is also allowed to fail miserably if the customers don't like it.
Goes right back to the free market world, and costs.
So if "the cost" of trying to find something on the net gets too high on google, then google will be forced to find another source of revenue when their customers leave.
Simple as that. The market is a harsh place. If we love our google, we have to pay for it. Otherwise, no money means no google. So you have to scroll down the page. Well, that is a cost of freeloading. Ask the people who used to pay for Lexis/Nexis (sp?) what solid, usable information costs.
Even abcnews.go.com has banners before you get to the news. It is coming. Really, it is a minor annoyance, and not much more IMHO. I certainly won't stop using google. I hope the make all the money in the world, they serve a real purpose on the net.
Did you sit in a ditch in Afghnistan?
Do you know what is really going on?
Because I am five feet away from one who did, and who does know. Really... did you even read what I wrote before you labeled me "American Swine?"
Next time you want to talk about journalists not wanting to tell the truth, then you go F'n talk to the ones that slept in a ditch in a war zone. Cause I have a feeling that they care more about honesty in their jobs than you do about computing or whatever you do. Its so damn simple to just say "Stupid Americans," that it doesn't even register with us anymore.
Personally, as I said before and I WILL SAY AGAIN, it is an insult to those that go through hell to bring back footage and be branded as a propaganda machine.
If you want the European Version of this, petition Reuters to be like CNN. Better yet, start up "NNN" or Dutch NEWS NETWORK or something like that.
Yes, children are important, because children in a case like that are guaranteed non-combattants. They're a little more innocent. They should never be shot at. Nor should anyone else. I take it you don't have kids yet. You'll understand a little better when all of your effort is spent on them.
But I do understand your point about human is human... if only others felt the same way.
The real reason that CNN shows violence is to make sure that you understand what is really going on... it is a journalsists duty. NOTE THE DIFFERENCE:
1. (Voice Over with Map) "There was a slaughter of 10,000 Cambodians today under the Khmer Rouge."
-OR-
2. (VIDEO OF THE DEAD BODIES IN THE STREETS) "These mothers are crying. Crying because there children got caught in a crossfire of a mortar attack when Khmer Rouge forces clashed with political dissidents. 10,000 people were killed, 2,000 of them children."
Which would you rather have? The sanitized version, or the truth? I suppose you're not getting it, are you?. The Holocaust can be denied in a few generations without pictures and film. So can all other slaughters of innocents. Think about the Russians under Stalin. Where are the pictures of them? That was one of the worst bloodbaths ever, and the world saw nothing.
Don't blame the media when they are showing injustice to the world. They are trying to let everyone know THE REAL TRUTH and then let them decide what to do. My boss just got back from Afghanistan, I was the alternate... he was sleeping in a ditch at night so you could make an informed decision about what is going on.
I wish Christiane Amanpour was in front of you so she could slap you. Not that she ever would after all she has seen. You need to show some respect to all of the dead photographers that bring you war footage so everyone can remember that war is murder.
What a suprise to have someone post back named "Malcontent."
I am truly shocked by this.
I am also truly shocked by the fact that I am considered a troll on board after I tell people that killing innocents is wrong.
So he promoted the death of others, trying to plod influence on the shortsighted to follow his selfish "I-need-a-reason-to-fight" cause. What's so wrong with giving him a reason? I certainly would lock his ass up.
The problems with bombs are that most people don't think about them the way they should. All things equal, they have a good chance of hitting a relative, and they have a 100% chance of hitting someone's relative. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THAT WAY, IT MAKES YOU A MURDERER... A MISGUIDED MURDERER. YOU ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEONE'S CHILD. GUARANTEED. THERE ARE GOING TO BE ONE LESS PLATE AT A FAMILY REUNION. GUARANTEED.
IF YOU BOMB FOR SOME IDEA, DEAD PEOPLE ARE THE CONSEQUENCE, NOT THE PROMOTION OF THE IDEA.
I also love it when the pro-commie, anti-American nutties say that the FBI had 'no right to search' or 'they went too far.'
Well, when his little ass goes unchecked for a while and decides to blow up a building ala Fight Club, "cause he thought it was cool," then you will be wondering why innocents had to die, now won't you? But then again... anarchists and free thinking lefties don't want to associate with their mongrel cousins, the same way that right wingers don't want to stand too close to the loony Christians when they bomb abortion clinics.
I may be right wing, but I would turn their asses in. I know a few lefties that wouln't want to get involoved.
Once again, in the world of REALITY, and not the world of INTELLECTUALISM, you pay for your actions. If you attempt to build bombs or promote the attack of innocents over percieved injustices... well then, you pay in full.
Anarchism is not idiocy. It may not be viable, because it presumes that people will act as mature adults.
But as the reliable as the sun coming up, you know that all human beings in a group acting as "mature adults" is, well, a complete crock. This a an anti-anarchist theory that has been tested and proven consistently wrong by historical fact for millenia. I understand the idea that you want people to play fair... its just idiotic and shortsighted. Yes, and uncontrolled world where everyone is friendly with their neighbors. Riiight. Can you say lynchings? I knew you could.
I don't like the cabal we have running the show either. But this is the closest we have have had in a long time (I mean in hundreds of years, not the last 3 hours) to anything resembling justice to the lower classes. It ain't justice, but its at least halfway fair in a few instances.
All the anarchists that I have ever talked with are quick to point out loopholes in the law for their causes. Loopholes that they couldn't possibly condone, BECAUSE AN ANARCHIST BY DEFINITION BELIEVES IN NOT SUPPORTING LAWS.
You reduce the world to ash, bring it back to true anarchy, and the 'mature adults' that you speak of that 'would prefer an anarchistic system' will try to build back that system that you revile so much faster than you can say "Hoplite Elite Guard." Your whiny, smash the state and raise the fist crap makes me sick. Face it, you like police protection, versus rampant gunfire and crime that would result.
The only times that humanity has tried to go communist or near anarchist has resulted in pogroms and totalitarian regimes that were the opposite of what they said, resulting in the collectivization and slaugter of millions.
Give it up. Your ideas are made by children. They have never functioned. They are used by madmen to promote destruction.
The real advantage to the all-digital format is that the pirated copies don't have to be changed much before they are zipped around the internet 2 hours after opening night... LOL.
You would think with the MPAA having all of these DVD and piracy issues, that they would do their best to stop making films in a format that would be the easiest to rip off.
I assume that someone, somewhere at a local multiplex will be bringing a veeeery large PC hard drive to work every day. They are going to need to have a SWAT team in the projection booth if they go all digital.
See, that was a movie. Where you are is reality. Please note the difference next time.
Bin Laden is a "liberator" to those who follow him.
If you consider your idea of liberation to be murdering people over oppressive rules infractions, making women dress up like pup-tents, desecrating the graves of the dead, outlawing other religions, and plotting and attacking another nation with nefarious intent...
Well then, I think your definition of liberator is a little lax. Try again.
Websters says:
liberate Pronunciation Key (lb-rt)
tr.v. liberated, liberating, liberates
To set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control.
Chemistry. To release (a gas, for example) from combination.
Slang. To obtain by illegal or stealthy action: tried to sell appliances that were liberated during the riot.
I really don't want to trust the content on a website marked fear.org...
But there is a large amount of truth in the statement that the other poster marked as hyperbole. They can take on suspicion. And they don't have to give back at all. I know. I am a newsman and have seen the worst of this terrible law. It is truly one of the most dispicable violations of basic property laws in US history.
Futurama?!? I've been trying to get Chris Elliot's Get a Life back on the air for years.
Now I have two causes to fight for.
!Viva la revolucion!