Re:The only problem is this: Culture
on
A New Kind of War
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· Score: 2
They broke away from Iran about 250 years ago if I'm not mistaken. Since then they've never managed to evolve beyond a few mutually exclusive wandering, half-starved and eternally warring tribes. Preserving that sort of 'culture' is best done in the pages of history books. They are stuck in a cesspit of drugs and violence and deserve a chance to join the world at large.
Feed the poor bastards and then flood 'em with Porn, Beer and American Rock and Roll. A country full of well-fed, drunk Bruce Springsteen fans is not one that is likely to cause us problems in the future.
Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but most if not all those operations were seen at the time as crucial operations to eliminating the threat of Russion control of the areas in question. THAT was the objective, and at the time, funding/training local rebels was an avenue to that end.
I always liked Tokein's own works the best. Very cozy, dreamy and British. Always viewed from a distance and largely devoid of actual figures, leaving your imagination ample space to roam and make the place your own. Everything since has been overblown Dungeons and Dragons nonsense.
Montreal fsckng RULES in my book. Beer, cigarets and SCADS OF GORGEOUS WOMEN! ; ) I also just saw the Cirque de Soleil, and it has completely re-defined my outlook on Entertainment.
You 'guess' wrong. You're an idiot. There could well have been pilots involved, who could very easily have infiltrated over time. Chances are also very high that hundreds of simultaneous hijack attempts took place, knowing full well that only a few would ultimately succeed.
The 'rights' that you're sniveling so self-righteously about were earned and fought for by others, and will have to be earned and fought for time and again.
Don't even pretend to have the slightest idea what 'freedom' and 'liberty' and 'rights' really cost. When you are called upon to pay, THEN you will begin to know.
The one thing that makes me think these orders will stick is public (and corporate) scrutiny. Microsoft's bullying tactics are much more widely known and understood than they were in the mid '90's.
The point is well taken, however, that the decree must be inforced to be of any worth. I think it will be enforced, but we'll have to see.
Irresponsibly cutting taxes and using it to blatently curry favor with the Nascar sect of American society.
Your inability to spell indicates a sub-par education, so I'm afraid I have very little faith in your ability to discern a 'responsible' tax cut from an 'irresponsible tax cut'. What any of this has to do with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is beyond me at present.
Environmental destruction in favor of short-term corporate gains (Alaska, Kyoto).
Kyoto - a failed piece of hippy junk propaganda.
Alaska - will be just fine, thankyou.
Doing his best to restart the good 'ol cold war (ABM treaty breaking, trying to isolate China).
ABM treaty - I assume you're referring to missile defense. Russia's Buran shuttle project was first initiated (from plans stolen from the US) years back to support their own missile defense system. What China is doing in this regard, no one can know as they are IMPOSSIBLE to monitor. We, in contrast, live in a glass house. So long as anyone has an interest in missile defense, we MUST have an interest in it. Coming in second just won't cut it, I'm afraid. Look at how China's gov't treats their own people before you shed any tears for them.
Let's face it, Bush is too busy doing his best to run the country to bother tipping his hat to every pot-smoking college activist who thinks he's cornered the market on truth and common sense.
Microsoft can't give discounts to hardware or software developers in exchange for promoting or distributing other company products.
State and federal government lawyers may come onto Microsoft's campus to "inspect and copy" any document or file they find relevant.
Microsoft would also have to monitor all changes it makes to all versions of Windows and track any alterations that would slow down or "degrade the performance of" any third-party application such as Internet browsers, e-mail client software, multimedia viewing software, instant messaging software and voice recognition software."
This is much more effective than simply breaking up the company.
For those who react to this news with righteous indignation over the Bush Administration's 'clear' act of 'selling out' to $$$ from Microsoft, please read the article. The Wired article in particular contains the following tidbits:
That would include restrictions such as: Microsoft can't give discounts to hardware or software developers in exchange for promoting or distributing other company products, and state and federal government lawyers may come onto Microsoft's campus to "inspect and copy" any document or file they find relevant.
Microsoft would also have to monitor all changes it makes to all versions of Windows and track any alterations that would slow down or "degrade the performance of" any third-party application such as Internet browsers, e-mail client software, multimedia viewing software, instant messaging software and voice recognition software.
Hardly favoured treatment for someone supposedly 'in bed' with the B Administration. This sets a precident that will be a lot more useful in the long run than simply 'busting up' Microsoft for the Internet Explorer issue.
Because the reality of death is frightening and repulsive to just about anyone, even scientists and astronomers. It is easy when we are young to feel 'fearless' of death, because deep inside we really feel like we will never die. When death and our own mortality rears up in a way that cannot be denied, we start looking for ways out, which is why a lot of religious folks are fond of saying things like "there's no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole!" And it's basically true. As death draws closer, our 'need' for intellectual integrity can be over-ridden by the need for escape from death. If the only escape we can find is the religious/supernatural stories of our youth, then we will cling to those like a drowning victim to a piece of flotsam.
This is especially true if the death is long and drawn out as from disease or some such. If he did recant, it was probably because he 'found religion' in an effort to preserve himself, and knowing the two beliefs to be mutually exclusive hastily dropped the one that did not hold hope for eternal life.
I doubt he did recant, but if he did I wouldn't hold it against him. We'll see how gracefully I go when my time comes!
This is sad news. I've just been reading one of his Andromeda sci-fi books, which were also produced a British TV series in the early sixties.
The story involves a criminal entity/corporation called 'Intel' no less! Also a lot of VERY CLOSE parallels to Carl Sagan's 'Contact' (which I also love).
Great stuff, full of good science and a classic Brit feel, written by Fred Hoyle and John Elliot.
These guys sum up pretty much every bitch or moan you're likely to read here on Slashdot, and offer som REALLY interesting solutions, not to mention some freely downloadable books!
You can't rip out the first few and last few pages of an e-book to get that fire started on your next outdoor excursion.
You can't blow away ancient little dead bugs from between the pages of an e-book.
You can't swat your little sister with an e-book (at least not with the same satisfying 'thwak!' you can get from a dog-eared paperback).
You can't look at the library card in the back of an old favourite e-book and see where you wrote your name to borrow the book when you were twelve (and now you're in your upper-mid thirties).
You can't use an e-book as a coaster.
You can't draw little stick-figure flip-book animations in the corners of the pages of an e-book.
As someone else mentioned, wiping your ass with the pages of an e-book is a lose-lose affair (unless you print them up on your lp, but just watch out for paper cuts! Yeowch!)
They should've said 'software developer' or some-such, rather than making it out to look like some poor, unwitting student was arrested. Dimitry knew exactly what he was getting into, imho.
He / his company wrote some software for the express purpose of enabling users to bypass Adobe's encryption scheme. He/They marketed it to Americans and then got nabbed when he came to babble about the joys of spam at a convention. He didn't write that software to 'help blind' people, and he didn't write it to 'alert Adobe to flaws in their software protection'. He wrote it to make money, and to make it at Adobe's expense in direct conflict with existing laws.
If he was just some schmuck releasing some free code to over-ride protection I would have a little pity, but as it is he gambled for real and lost. Of course his new role as Poster Child Du Jour means that his future is bright regardless of what the courts decide.
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They broke away from Iran about 250 years ago if I'm not mistaken. Since then they've never managed to evolve beyond a few mutually exclusive wandering, half-starved and eternally warring tribes. Preserving that sort of 'culture' is best done in the pages of history books. They are stuck in a cesspit of drugs and violence and deserve a chance to join the world at large.
Feed the poor bastards and then flood 'em with Porn, Beer and American Rock and Roll. A country full of well-fed, drunk Bruce Springsteen fans is not one that is likely to cause us problems in the future.
Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but most if not all those operations were seen at the time as crucial operations to eliminating the threat of Russion control of the areas in question. THAT was the objective, and at the time, funding/training local rebels was an avenue to that end.
I always liked Tokein's own works the best. Very cozy, dreamy and British. Always viewed from a distance and largely devoid of actual figures, leaving your imagination ample space to roam and make the place your own. Everything since has been overblown Dungeons and Dragons nonsense.
Montreal fsckng RULES in my book. Beer, cigarets and SCADS OF GORGEOUS WOMEN! ; ) I also just saw the Cirque de Soleil, and it has completely re-defined my outlook on Entertainment.
When my body dies, my soul will go to Montreal.
New York the 'city of God'? I don't think so.
You 'guess' wrong. You're an idiot. There could well have been pilots involved, who could very easily have infiltrated over time. Chances are also very high that hundreds of simultaneous hijack attempts took place, knowing full well that only a few would ultimately succeed.
The 'rights' that you're sniveling so self-righteously about were earned and fought for by others, and will have to be earned and fought for time and again.
Don't even pretend to have the slightest idea what 'freedom' and 'liberty' and 'rights' really cost. When you are called upon to pay, THEN you will begin to know.
The one thing that makes me think these orders will stick is public (and corporate) scrutiny. Microsoft's bullying tactics are much more widely known and understood than they were in the mid '90's.
The point is well taken, however, that the decree must be inforced to be of any worth. I think it will be enforced, but we'll have to see.
Ray of hope? For what?
Microsoft is being slammed royally and in real time, rather than the nebulous affair that was looking to be drawn out over the next ten years.
I agree with others, tho', that this (parent) posting has no business being labeled 'flamebait'.
Everyone is welcome to their own (wrong) opinions...
; )
allowing religion to limit science
Huh?
Irresponsibly cutting taxes and using it to blatently curry favor with the Nascar sect of American society.
Your inability to spell indicates a sub-par education, so I'm afraid I have very little faith in your ability to discern a 'responsible' tax cut from an 'irresponsible tax cut'. What any of this has to do with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is beyond me at present.
Environmental destruction in favor of short-term corporate gains (Alaska, Kyoto).
Kyoto - a failed piece of hippy junk propaganda.
Alaska - will be just fine, thankyou.
Doing his best to restart the good 'ol cold war (ABM treaty breaking, trying to isolate China).
ABM treaty - I assume you're referring to missile defense. Russia's Buran shuttle project was first initiated (from plans stolen from the US) years back to support their own missile defense system. What China is doing in this regard, no one can know as they are IMPOSSIBLE to monitor. We, in contrast, live in a glass house. So long as anyone has an interest in missile defense, we MUST have an interest in it. Coming in second just won't cut it, I'm afraid. Look at how China's gov't treats their own people before you shed any tears for them.
Let's face it, Bush is too busy doing his best to run the country to bother tipping his hat to every pot-smoking college activist who thinks he's cornered the market on truth and common sense.
(From the Wired article)
Microsoft can't give discounts to hardware or software developers in exchange for promoting or distributing other company products.
State and federal government lawyers may come onto Microsoft's campus to "inspect and copy" any document or file they find relevant.
Microsoft would also have to monitor all changes it makes to all versions of Windows and track any alterations that would slow down or "degrade the performance of" any third-party application such as Internet browsers, e-mail client software, multimedia viewing software, instant messaging software and voice recognition software."
This is much more effective than simply breaking up the company.
For those who react to this news with righteous indignation over the Bush Administration's 'clear' act of 'selling out' to $$$ from Microsoft, please read the article. The Wired article in particular contains the following tidbits:
That would include restrictions such as: Microsoft can't give discounts to hardware or software developers in exchange for promoting or distributing other company products, and state and federal government lawyers may come onto Microsoft's campus to "inspect and copy" any document or file they find relevant.
Microsoft would also have to monitor all changes it makes to all versions of Windows and track any alterations that would slow down or "degrade the performance of" any third-party application such as Internet browsers, e-mail client software, multimedia viewing software, instant messaging software and voice recognition software.
Hardly favoured treatment for someone supposedly 'in bed' with the B Administration. This sets a precident that will be a lot more useful in the long run than simply 'busting up' Microsoft for the Internet Explorer issue.
This decision rocks!
Just Flat panel displays that look and feel like windows, showing a static view from the axis or some such.
But it's a Nice Thought(TM)!
Ahh yes, he's thrashing in the brimstone pits while the Gracious and Loving Gods watches over the blessed, winged souls of twits like you in Heaven.
I don't THINK so!
Because the reality of death is frightening and repulsive to just about anyone, even scientists and astronomers. It is easy when we are young to feel 'fearless' of death, because deep inside we really feel like we will never die. When death and our own mortality rears up in a way that cannot be denied, we start looking for ways out, which is why a lot of religious folks are fond of saying things like "there's no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole!" And it's basically true. As death draws closer, our 'need' for intellectual integrity can be over-ridden by the need for escape from death. If the only escape we can find is the religious/supernatural stories of our youth, then we will cling to those like a drowning victim to a piece of flotsam.
This is especially true if the death is long and drawn out as from disease or some such. If he did recant, it was probably because he 'found religion' in an effort to preserve himself, and knowing the two beliefs to be mutually exclusive hastily dropped the one that did not hold hope for eternal life.
I doubt he did recant, but if he did I wouldn't hold it against him. We'll see how gracefully I go when my time comes!
This is sad news. I've just been reading one of his Andromeda sci-fi books, which were also produced a British TV series in the early sixties.
The story involves a criminal entity/corporation called 'Intel' no less! Also a lot of VERY CLOSE parallels to Carl Sagan's 'Contact' (which I also love).
Great stuff, full of good science and a classic Brit feel, written by Fred Hoyle and John Elliot.
Out of 97 on board, 64 escaped alive.
Hindenburg: Out of 97 on board, 64 escaped alive.
Concord: (moment of silence)
US Airships: Too fucking small. Half-assed attempts invite failure.
Take it Hugh!
The CargoLifter is vapourware.
Even if they make it, it'll still be vapourware!
These guys sum up pretty much every bitch or moan you're likely to read here on Slashdot, and offer som REALLY interesting solutions, not to mention some freely downloadable books!
Click here.
You can't rip out the first few and last few pages of an e-book to get that fire started on your next outdoor excursion.
You can't blow away ancient little dead bugs from between the pages of an e-book.
You can't swat your little sister with an e-book (at least not with the same satisfying 'thwak!' you can get from a dog-eared paperback).
You can't look at the library card in the back of an old favourite e-book and see where you wrote your name to borrow the book when you were twelve (and now you're in your upper-mid thirties).
You can't use an e-book as a coaster.
You can't draw little stick-figure flip-book animations in the corners of the pages of an e-book.
As someone else mentioned, wiping your ass with the pages of an e-book is a lose-lose affair (unless you print them up on your lp, but just watch out for paper cuts! Yeowch!)
They should've said 'software developer' or some-such, rather than making it out to look like some poor, unwitting student was arrested. Dimitry knew exactly what he was getting into, imho.
He / his company wrote some software for the express purpose of enabling users to bypass Adobe's encryption scheme. He/They marketed it to Americans and then got nabbed when he came to babble about the joys of spam at a convention. He didn't write that software to 'help blind' people, and he didn't write it to 'alert Adobe to flaws in their software protection'. He wrote it to make money, and to make it at Adobe's expense in direct conflict with existing laws.
If he was just some schmuck releasing some free code to over-ride protection I would have a little pity, but as it is he gambled for real and lost. Of course his new role as Poster Child Du Jour means that his future is bright regardless of what the courts decide.
Good alternative points or a crock? You're not making much sense here.