If I saw someone leave a bag, I'd be concerned that they get it back, and if they weren't interested in returning to get it, I'd be asking why. And not being stupid the first thought would be because there is something in it he doesn't want to be associated with.
You don't have to be "on the look for terrorists," you just have to not have blinders on to the world.
So what do you propose? We just let people on planes as if they were buses?
I'm sure even if *you* ran security, someone would call you the same fascist dictator you're making the current administrations (and I remind the crowd here, the USA is not the only country with airport security) out to be.
I've never said that the Bush administration has committed no crimes. And I hope to god, budha, FSM, or whatever, that some day they answer for it. That being said, on the whole, it does a lot more good than bad. Scrapping all security is not the answer. Fixing the security is the answer. Personally I'm for more thorough baggage searches. It only takes a bit longer to rifle through a carry-on bag for instance, instead of just passing it under the gamma ray thingy.
Civilians died as a result of the allies aggressions in WWII. Are you saying we should have let Germany annex any nation they wanted?
In this case, real criminals are really coming to and through the states (and other countries) to really do harm.
In the way it's not "right" to kill civilians in the course of a war, it's not "right" to detain people as suspected criminals. However, it's certainly a lot better than open war don't you think?
The goal shouldn't be to stop all security measures because mishaps happen. It should be to lower the number of mishaps as to preserve the quality of life of as many innocent civilians as possible. No security is just as bad as absolute security.
Um, if you think the USA is the only nation with a spy agency (and related prison system) you are out of your mind. All nations as a matter of course operate some form of spy or communications agency to keep tabs on dangerous traffic.
Ah the "wrong side" of the story. Here was a Syrian travelling with the wrong papers, deported to Syria for failing to produce a Canadian passport (something he shouldn't have had in my opinion). Tough cookies.
I hate these people who retain multiple citizenships so they can be bailed out by whichever government they need. If you're canadian, ditch your Syrian passport because you're not Syrian anymore.
This guy had what was coming to him [in the form of the deportation]. It's hardly the US's or Canada's fault that the Syrian government tortured him (and yet we paid for it anyways).
Except that only a very small minority of passengers are actually "kidnapped," and in fact they are being released.
It's not perfect, and frankly, probably not right (I don't know both sides of the story, who says they're unjustified? The media?).
It's important to keep tabs and an eye on the situation. It is however, not important to listen to Bruce Schneier as he's just another idiot soap box screamer trying to push book sales. You can be pro-freedom and not listen to Bruce at the same time:-)
And this is happening to people you know? You're getting both sides of the story? They're being killed or kept indefinitely?
Here's a tip, if you're Muslim, don't hang out with people who are shady. Just like if you're white, don't tattoo a swastika on your forehead and scream mein kempf all day.
I'm sure millions upon millions of Muslims fly each year without so much as a peep. Yet, you pull one aside for questioning and all of a sudden it's the inquisition...
I dunno, I've done the bulk of my trips to the USA AFTER 9/11. I've driven to NY state dozens of times, never with more than a quick search of the car. I've flown to California dozens of times, etc.
You're right that we have to be vigilant to not sacrifice actual freedom for security. Asking people to look out for suspicious behaviour sounds omnimous but you should anyways. Like if you saw someone drop a suitcase by a bridge or bus depot and walk away, wouldn't you think to at least get the persons attention to get the bag they forgot, and if they didn't respond, maybe there was a reason?
It's possible to fall from the precipice we stand on into the realm of "everyone is the enemy." and because of that I agree, a sounding board of reason is a good idea. That being said, we're far from falling. I just don't get the "report to the SS" vibe from the people I meet.
Maybe I'm just not hypersensitive to being asked to follow common sense...
Getting denied a flight (or delayed) is wrong, but you cannot equate that with being rounded up and shot in the street or sent to a forced labour camp.
I'm not saying it's right to delay or deny someone because their name sounds similar to a known criminal. But it's the price we pay to have HUMANS do security. We're not perfect. It happens, it's how you deal with the mistakes that matters.
It's either we form things like no-fly lists, or we just let anyone fly and run the risk of transporting known criminals who may want to harm others. This is also why it's a good idea to check in an hour or two before your flight. So that if you happen to get secondary screened (and it's happened to me even and I'm a white dude with last name St Denis) it's not the end of the world.
Point is, we're not even in the same orbit as how bad things could get. I mean, even during the McCarthy years it still wasn't as bad as during the SS years.
Bruce as usual, is sounding off trying to fight back his obsolescences another day.
I don't know where this is coming from. I have friends in the USA, been there plenty myself over the last year alone. I never, not once, got the sense that the citizens were running around informing to the SS troops about what their grandmother said the other day, or whatever.
The states are not perfect, but neither is any other sufficiently large country/organization. And frankly this whole "I'm oppressed" line is getting really overplayed. OMG THEY LIKE SEARCHED MY BAGS AT THE AIRPORT? yeah that's because there are criminals (note the lack of the T word) out there that would love to mass murder air passengers. I say having my laundry looked over is a small price to pay to fly 3000 miles in 6 hours to visit some friends. And it's really not a price anyways, it's not like my XL size fruit of the looms is a secret or something. 20 people saw me buy them at Walmart last night.
Sure there are outliers, people put on watch lists they shouldn't. It'll get smoothed out eventually, but it's not like they're being dragged out into the street and shot "to set example for the other jews" or whatever godwinninian example you are trying to set.
I'd rather talk to my friends about the things that *I* do, not what some fictional character does on a TV show.
Now saying that we never talk about TV or movies, or that I've got tons of friends or whatever. Just saying if I were to want to hang out and chat, it'd be about things we're actually involved in.
So what, just one microwave oven can cook my supper in less time than 10 PS3s!
You may ask yourself, "wtf?" Well it's all about job. If your task is highly parellized vector processing, than chances are good that the PS3 is an awesome fit. Let's see how fast the PS3 can, say, compiler C source code compared a core 2 processor, etc...
Not saying the PS3 doesn't look like a cool platform, just it's kinda funny that each of these stories act as if it's newsworthy. Like saying "powered by linux" whenever Linux happens to be somewhere. The PS3 is not a hack job, slung together with re-wiring done at the last second, and patched IC's stacked ontop of each other. It's a designed, manufactured, and tightly controlled computing platform. The fact that it can do crunch numbers shouldn't be that amazing.
No, I deal with this all the time. I have cable i just don't watch NBC all that often. And when they ask "have you seen the latest Heroes?" I just say no. Conversation stops there.
Exactly. The point is, the 1st amendment stops the government (on behalf of the people or selected complainants) from abridging speech. Get the same bs when people complain about being searched at Best Buy. The protection against unlawful search and seizure is simply from agents of the state. When a security guard searches you without first asking permission or performing a lawful citizens arrest, they're committing an assault. Different laws.
But all too often people trump out "their rights," it'd be nice for once if they actually knew what they were.
When they become a monopoly one could argue they're a common carrier at that point, that for the greater good of society they charge a fair price and do not restrict the content (much like airlines and the like).
However, I don't think ISPs fall under that.
The problem with taking away liability [e.g. ability to police content] from the telcos is you leave a void. If I can't find the owner of a website, and I can't force the telco [or isp] to remove illegal content, then we have anarchy. You'd be free to say whatever you want no matter how patently false and inflamatory. Businesses would fail, and peoples lives would be ruined.
I think there already is too much irresponsibility on the web (hint: look at usenet and email). In my case, some arse on usenet decided he didn't like me and started spreading kiddie porn with my name on it. Since usenet is pretty much a free for all, they have yet to be brought to justice. However, on my end, it nearly ruined my life. Lots of fun that is! Y0 free speech it's the be-all of existence.
[ ] I'm selfish and hate others [ ] I like big monopolies [X] I'm Canadian and not represented by the EFF in any which way shape or form [ ] The EFF tried to kill my daddy [ ] I'm paid by the EFF so donating to the EFF is like donating to myself [ ] Hey look!
However,
[ ] I've started an equivalent EFF in Canada [ ] I Joined the equivalent EFF in Canada [X] I Bought an EFF hat at Defcon [X] I Lost said hat at Toorcon the same year [X] I Bought another hat off their website [ ] I Regret dealing with the EFF
It's also a matter of liability. If someone is putting up illegal content (libel, slander, kiddie porn, warez) it would be nice to know who owns the domain [and presumably the servers it points to].
And as I'll point out for the 20th time on Slashdot... "freedom of speech" is FROM THE GOVERNMENT, not private citizens. If AT&T doesn't want to host your website anymore, that's up to them, not you. At most it's a breach of contract not a violation of the 1st amendment.
Competing against file sharing, other online stores/artists/labels, also things like XM. I got XM for the car [and a base station in my cubicle]. For $13/mo I get dozens of stations I can listen to, on the better stations [e.g. not pop or top 20] the tunes are good, and change with the times as new stuff comes out. It's like a streaming itunes except it doesn't need a net connection, and isn't limited to the # of tunes I can afford. Through XM47 for example, I've heard of several cool new bands [new to me] as well as new tracks. For 13 bucks I think I get good value out of it, especially on long car trips where it keeps my mind occupied [en lieu of falling of asleep or wandering].
At $2.99 per tv episode you are really better off waiting for the box set. I mean with the standard 20 or so eps a year that's $60 which is about $15 more than they charge for the average boxset. And at least with the box set you get no commercials, higher resolution, better sound, and all the episodes in one nice spot.
I bought seasons 1-4 of Scrubs a while back, and was going through a boring patch (not much going on, just work and piano lessons) and had a long weekend to kill. I actually made it through 80% or so of the DVDs in a marathon stretch. Was kinda nice and relaxing, came back to work well rested...
Anyways, point is, they're all crazy. Maybe if eps were $1 it'd be "worth it."
Am I the only one who thinks that $1.99 per ep is too much? At that rate you might as well buy the box set, then at least you get a decent resolution and you can always re-encode it to fit the ipod later.
Honestly, these hippies and their money, give it to me if you're having problems spending it.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't know. Maybe you just hang out with the wrong sort of people.
No you're making my point!!!
If I saw someone leave a bag, I'd be concerned that they get it back, and if they weren't interested in returning to get it, I'd be asking why. And not being stupid the first thought would be because there is something in it he doesn't want to be associated with.
You don't have to be "on the look for terrorists," you just have to not have blinders on to the world.
So what do you propose? We just let people on planes as if they were buses?
I'm sure even if *you* ran security, someone would call you the same fascist dictator you're making the current administrations (and I remind the crowd here, the USA is not the only country with airport security) out to be.
I've never said that the Bush administration has committed no crimes. And I hope to god, budha, FSM, or whatever, that some day they answer for it. That being said, on the whole, it does a lot more good than bad. Scrapping all security is not the answer. Fixing the security is the answer. Personally I'm for more thorough baggage searches. It only takes a bit longer to rifle through a carry-on bag for instance, instead of just passing it under the gamma ray thingy.
Civilians died as a result of the allies aggressions in WWII. Are you saying we should have let Germany annex any nation they wanted?
In this case, real criminals are really coming to and through the states (and other countries) to really do harm.
In the way it's not "right" to kill civilians in the course of a war, it's not "right" to detain people as suspected criminals. However, it's certainly a lot better than open war don't you think?
The goal shouldn't be to stop all security measures because mishaps happen. It should be to lower the number of mishaps as to preserve the quality of life of as many innocent civilians as possible. No security is just as bad as absolute security.
Tom
Um, if you think the USA is the only nation with a spy agency (and related prison system) you are out of your mind. All nations as a matter of course operate some form of spy or communications agency to keep tabs on dangerous traffic.
Tom
Ah the "wrong side" of the story. Here was a Syrian travelling with the wrong papers, deported to Syria for failing to produce a Canadian passport (something he shouldn't have had in my opinion). Tough cookies.
I hate these people who retain multiple citizenships so they can be bailed out by whichever government they need. If you're canadian, ditch your Syrian passport because you're not Syrian anymore.
This guy had what was coming to him [in the form of the deportation]. It's hardly the US's or Canada's fault that the Syrian government tortured him (and yet we paid for it anyways).
Tom
I have no idea what you're talking about. I've actually been to Romania, and it took all of 3 minutes to cross the border (from Hungary).
Maybe you people should actually go out and experience life before trying to talk about it?
Tom
Except that only a very small minority of passengers are actually "kidnapped," and in fact they are being released.
:-)
It's not perfect, and frankly, probably not right (I don't know both sides of the story, who says they're unjustified? The media?).
It's important to keep tabs and an eye on the situation. It is however, not important to listen to Bruce Schneier as he's just another idiot soap box screamer trying to push book sales. You can be pro-freedom and not listen to Bruce at the same time
And this is happening to people you know? You're getting both sides of the story? They're being killed or kept indefinitely?
Here's a tip, if you're Muslim, don't hang out with people who are shady. Just like if you're white, don't tattoo a swastika on your forehead and scream mein kempf all day.
I'm sure millions upon millions of Muslims fly each year without so much as a peep. Yet, you pull one aside for questioning and all of a sudden it's the inquisition...
Tom
I dunno, I've done the bulk of my trips to the USA AFTER 9/11. I've driven to NY state dozens of times, never with more than a quick search of the car. I've flown to California dozens of times, etc.
You're right that we have to be vigilant to not sacrifice actual freedom for security. Asking people to look out for suspicious behaviour sounds omnimous but you should anyways. Like if you saw someone drop a suitcase by a bridge or bus depot and walk away, wouldn't you think to at least get the persons attention to get the bag they forgot, and if they didn't respond, maybe there was a reason?
It's possible to fall from the precipice we stand on into the realm of "everyone is the enemy." and because of that I agree, a sounding board of reason is a good idea. That being said, we're far from falling. I just don't get the "report to the SS" vibe from the people I meet.
Maybe I'm just not hypersensitive to being asked to follow common sense...
Getting denied a flight (or delayed) is wrong, but you cannot equate that with being rounded up and shot in the street or sent to a forced labour camp.
I'm not saying it's right to delay or deny someone because their name sounds similar to a known criminal. But it's the price we pay to have HUMANS do security. We're not perfect. It happens, it's how you deal with the mistakes that matters.
It's either we form things like no-fly lists, or we just let anyone fly and run the risk of transporting known criminals who may want to harm others. This is also why it's a good idea to check in an hour or two before your flight. So that if you happen to get secondary screened (and it's happened to me even and I'm a white dude with last name St Denis) it's not the end of the world.
Point is, we're not even in the same orbit as how bad things could get. I mean, even during the McCarthy years it still wasn't as bad as during the SS years.
Bruce as usual, is sounding off trying to fight back his obsolescences another day.
I'm saying that's not actually happening. As in, my friends and people I met in the USA are not running scared for fear of being "outed" to the SS.
As in the poster I replied to is full of shit.
Tom
I don't know where this is coming from. I have friends in the USA, been there plenty myself over the last year alone. I never, not once, got the sense that the citizens were running around informing to the SS troops about what their grandmother said the other day, or whatever.
The states are not perfect, but neither is any other sufficiently large country/organization. And frankly this whole "I'm oppressed" line is getting really overplayed. OMG THEY LIKE SEARCHED MY BAGS AT THE AIRPORT? yeah that's because there are criminals (note the lack of the T word) out there that would love to mass murder air passengers. I say having my laundry looked over is a small price to pay to fly 3000 miles in 6 hours to visit some friends. And it's really not a price anyways, it's not like my XL size fruit of the looms is a secret or something. 20 people saw me buy them at Walmart last night.
Sure there are outliers, people put on watch lists they shouldn't. It'll get smoothed out eventually, but it's not like they're being dragged out into the street and shot "to set example for the other jews" or whatever godwinninian example you are trying to set.
Tom
I had to fight to have a positive page created about me and my projects (not by me) deleted... hehehe
Tom
I'd rather talk to my friends about the things that *I* do, not what some fictional character does on a TV show.
Now saying that we never talk about TV or movies, or that I've got tons of friends or whatever. Just saying if I were to want to hang out and chat, it'd be about things we're actually involved in.
Tom
So what, just one microwave oven can cook my supper in less time than 10 PS3s!
You may ask yourself, "wtf?" Well it's all about job. If your task is highly parellized vector processing, than chances are good that the PS3 is an awesome fit. Let's see how fast the PS3 can, say, compiler C source code compared a core 2 processor, etc...
Not saying the PS3 doesn't look like a cool platform, just it's kinda funny that each of these stories act as if it's newsworthy. Like saying "powered by linux" whenever Linux happens to be somewhere. The PS3 is not a hack job, slung together with re-wiring done at the last second, and patched IC's stacked ontop of each other. It's a designed, manufactured, and tightly controlled computing platform. The fact that it can do crunch numbers shouldn't be that amazing.
No, I deal with this all the time. I have cable i just don't watch NBC all that often. And when they ask "have you seen the latest Heroes?" I just say no. Conversation stops there.
Exactly. The point is, the 1st amendment stops the government (on behalf of the people or selected complainants) from abridging speech. Get the same bs when people complain about being searched at Best Buy. The protection against unlawful search and seizure is simply from agents of the state. When a security guard searches you without first asking permission or performing a lawful citizens arrest, they're committing an assault. Different laws.
But all too often people trump out "their rights," it'd be nice for once if they actually knew what they were.
When they become a monopoly one could argue they're a common carrier at that point, that for the greater good of society they charge a fair price and do not restrict the content (much like airlines and the like).
However, I don't think ISPs fall under that.
The problem with taking away liability [e.g. ability to police content] from the telcos is you leave a void. If I can't find the owner of a website, and I can't force the telco [or isp] to remove illegal content, then we have anarchy. You'd be free to say whatever you want no matter how patently false and inflamatory. Businesses would fail, and peoples lives would be ruined.
I think there already is too much irresponsibility on the web (hint: look at usenet and email). In my case, some arse on usenet decided he didn't like me and started spreading kiddie porn with my name on it. Since usenet is pretty much a free for all, they have yet to be brought to justice. However, on my end, it nearly ruined my life. Lots of fun that is! Y0 free speech it's the be-all of existence.
Excuse me while I don't share your feelings.
[ ] I'm selfish and hate others
[ ] I like big monopolies
[X] I'm Canadian and not represented by the EFF in any which way shape or form
[ ] The EFF tried to kill my daddy
[ ] I'm paid by the EFF so donating to the EFF is like donating to myself
[ ] Hey look!
However,
[ ] I've started an equivalent EFF in Canada
[ ] I Joined the equivalent EFF in Canada
[X] I Bought an EFF hat at Defcon
[X] I Lost said hat at Toorcon the same year
[X] I Bought another hat off their website
[ ] I Regret dealing with the EFF
Being amazed that a 450W computer ... can compute things?
It's not like this is a Z-80 with 8KB of ram.
Or you can stop being a sheep and just wait for the boxset. If the show is any good now, it'll be just as good 6 months from now.
Sometimes I think the bulk of spending is from people who can't wait till later. Delayed gratification is not something we practice enough of.
It's also a matter of liability. If someone is putting up illegal content (libel, slander, kiddie porn, warez) it would be nice to know who owns the domain [and presumably the servers it points to].
... "freedom of speech" is FROM THE GOVERNMENT, not private citizens. If AT&T doesn't want to host your website anymore, that's up to them, not you. At most it's a breach of contract not a violation of the 1st amendment.
And as I'll point out for the 20th time on Slashdot
Tom
Competing against file sharing, other online stores/artists/labels, also things like XM. I got XM for the car [and a base station in my cubicle]. For $13/mo I get dozens of stations I can listen to, on the better stations [e.g. not pop or top 20] the tunes are good, and change with the times as new stuff comes out. It's like a streaming itunes except it doesn't need a net connection, and isn't limited to the # of tunes I can afford. Through XM47 for example, I've heard of several cool new bands [new to me] as well as new tracks. For 13 bucks I think I get good value out of it, especially on long car trips where it keeps my mind occupied [en lieu of falling of asleep or wandering].
...
At $2.99 per tv episode you are really better off waiting for the box set. I mean with the standard 20 or so eps a year that's $60 which is about $15 more than they charge for the average boxset. And at least with the box set you get no commercials, higher resolution, better sound, and all the episodes in one nice spot.
I bought seasons 1-4 of Scrubs a while back, and was going through a boring patch (not much going on, just work and piano lessons) and had a long weekend to kill. I actually made it through 80% or so of the DVDs in a marathon stretch. Was kinda nice and relaxing, came back to work well rested
Anyways, point is, they're all crazy. Maybe if eps were $1 it'd be "worth it."
Tom
Am I the only one who thinks that $1.99 per ep is too much? At that rate you might as well buy the box set, then at least you get a decent resolution and you can always re-encode it to fit the ipod later.
Honestly, these hippies and their money, give it to me if you're having problems spending it.