I've watched Russia Today on a number of occasions and Aljazeera -- frequently, as well as Fox, Cnn, MSNB, AND listened to Boortz, Limbaugh, Hannity, The Young Turks, NPR, BBC, ad nauseum. Have you?
In fact, you just did. With the ol' chestnut of many an apologist by saying: "Well, look at THOSE guys. Over there. They're MUCH worse than me." The unfinished part: "So what *I'M* doing should be OK by you."
1) Upkeep: Maintaining an aircraft != maintaining a car -- by a LONG shot. How many times have *I* or someone I know ignored needed work/replacement of parts on the power train or things like tires, breaks, etc. go FAR longer than recommended due to procrastination, finances, or sheer cluelessness. At least on terra firma, if your poorly maintained engine/vehicle craps out, you can [mostly] safely "roll to a stop" on the shoulder. At 5k, 10k, or 20k feet in the air? Not so much
2) Drivers who are "good enough and focused enough" to pass the skills and written tests to qualify. Once they hit the road w/out an instructor with clipboard beside them it's THUNDERDOME. Imagine that man/woman/kid just off your wing flying like they drive: one hand F'booking or E-baying on the iPhone or even the on-board, heads-up display browser screen; maybe using a regular handset mobile phone -- regardless of the law that says "Use only hands-free VOX-phone whilst flying;" etc.. [How are cops gonna' enforce that one with multitudes of air-borne commuters all over the sky? I'm sure we have some invasive technology for that, but still...]
Gee, THANX, Forbes for clearing that up for me. This one is straight from the "DUH!?! Institute:" Ready? Here it comes. Wait for it...
How about the "fact" that the lazy or disabled or unskilled or just plain f$ckin' stupid ones STAYED THE F$CK HOME?!? They were unable to or just plain couldn't be bothered to move thousands of miles with no means to go through the extensive rectal examination that is "emmigration ---> immigration???" Can't believe I have to explain this so often...
Oh, I beg to f$cking differ. Here in the good ol' US, he has made a bundle on feel-good ads by Boeing and the like. I'm sure it doesn't hurt his standing and business with such pricks since he regularly beats the war drums for any and all world conflicts -- i.e., insane wars for insane profits.
"It's a funny country when the random blogger on the interwebs is held to a higher standard than those that govern. "
Indeed. But you'll find that lawmakers -- as well as government functions/functionaries -- are often exempted from their own legislation. Link below gives some examples. [Not one of my favourite sources but found it quickly...]
Speaking of jailing anyone or everyone, this is the seatbelt "Click-It or Ticket" crap just waaaaaaaaaaaay worse. E.g., if pulled over on the road by the police for any reason -- or NO reason -- a routine traffic stop sometimes leads to a stack of tickets or worse. During the 80's one could argue in court - sometimes successfully -- that the initial stop wasn't warranted [actions by the SPOTUS in the recent past not withstanding]. Get used to hearing "I didn't see a seatbelt on the driver or passenger" early and often. Viola -- instant justification to stop ANYONE for ANYTHING.
Now to the present: Need a reason to search / question / detain some person or persons? Maybe deprive them of their computer(s); business, financial, or personal info; or perhaps other property? Seems anyone with an internet connection may be fair game for God* knows what, e.g., "We accuse __________ of copyright infringement!" Not that I'm paranoid or cynical -- I AM. It may be a bad habit or out and out neurosis, but I can't help but look for worst-case scenarios whenever congress gets "busy" these days. Oh, to be blissfully ignorant again...
* Or invisible cloud-dwelling super-being of your choice. Your mileage may vary.
It's time for the citizens of that fair nation to show us what they got. Time to whip out the vote and make things perfectly clear. Write a letter. Make a sign. Anything.
Off-topic, I know, but in response to the rhetorical question: "Do cops get a percentage cut of any drug money they capture?"
Personally? Not exactly -- legally, anyway -- but...
Correct. Also, has anyone ever had a complete stranger walk right up to you while in line; ask you some inane question as if they know you... and then join the line next to you as if you're their buddy holding a place for them? Happened to me at the Philadelphia airport. Unbelievable.
For the record, I just looked up at the guy for a few seconds, gestured over my shoulder, then said: "There's a line. Do you mind waiting?" He actually had the nerve to look shocked and annoyed. [Also, that will win you lot's of kudos from those close enough to hear.]
Slashdot Mirror
I've watched Russia Today on a number of occasions and Aljazeera -- frequently, as well as Fox, Cnn, MSNB, AND listened to Boortz, Limbaugh, Hannity, The Young Turks, NPR, BBC, ad nauseum. Have you?
In fact, you just did. With the ol' chestnut of many an apologist by saying: "Well, look at THOSE guys. Over there. They're MUCH worse than me." The unfinished part: "So what *I'M* doing should be OK by you."
"Some people say" Facebook and Linked-In are considering doing this -- to their users. New business plan?
I'll add one or two to your list above:
1) Upkeep: Maintaining an aircraft != maintaining a car -- by a LONG shot. How many times have *I* or someone I know ignored needed work/replacement of parts on the power train or things like tires, breaks, etc. go FAR longer than recommended due to procrastination, finances, or sheer cluelessness. At least on terra firma, if your poorly maintained engine/vehicle craps out, you can [mostly] safely "roll to a stop" on the shoulder. At 5k, 10k, or 20k feet in the air? Not so much
2) Drivers who are "good enough and focused enough" to pass the skills and written tests to qualify. Once they hit the road w/out an instructor with clipboard beside them it's THUNDERDOME. Imagine that man/woman/kid just off your wing flying like they drive: one hand F'booking or E-baying on the iPhone or even the on-board, heads-up display browser screen; maybe using a regular handset mobile phone -- regardless of the law that says "Use only hands-free VOX-phone whilst flying;" etc.. [How are cops gonna' enforce that one with multitudes of air-borne commuters all over the sky? I'm sure we have some invasive technology for that, but still...]
Gee, THANX, Forbes for clearing that up for me. This one is straight from the "DUH!?! Institute:" Ready? Here it comes. Wait for it...
How about the "fact" that the lazy or disabled or unskilled or just plain f$ckin' stupid ones STAYED THE F$CK HOME?!? They were unable to or just plain couldn't be bothered to move thousands of miles with no means to go through the extensive rectal examination that is "emmigration ---> immigration???" Can't believe I have to explain this so often...
Oh, I beg to f$cking differ. Here in the good ol' US, he has made a bundle on feel-good ads by Boeing and the like. I'm sure it doesn't hurt his standing and business with such pricks since he regularly beats the war drums for any and all world conflicts -- i.e., insane wars for insane profits.
Really? The "everybody does it so move along, nothing to see here folks" defense? Sheesh...
A sin tax error...
You mean like THIS guy? http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.111497703.jpg
You are the proverbial wind beneath my wings.
"Land of The FEE..." FTFY.
by your friendly Prison Industrial Complex. Motto: "Incarceration cures all!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison–industrial_complex
... by your friendly Prison Industrial Complex; pushing the notion that incarceration is a fix for every social ill. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison%E2%80%93industrial_complex
I just assumed Emily Badger isn't her real name. ;-)
Quoth Idiomatick: "Which is why it probably won't happen."
2010 election cycle already in gear.
Step 1: Gin up the fund-raising machine and get those lobbyists to open their wallets.
Step 2: Introduce new threat to current price-gouging, consumer-raping, Thunderdome-like absence of reasonable regulation.
Step 3: Profit!
"It's a funny country when the random blogger on the interwebs is held to a higher standard than those that govern. "
Indeed. But you'll find that lawmakers -- as well as government functions/functionaries -- are often exempted from their own legislation. Link below gives some examples. [Not one of my favourite sources but found it quickly...]
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967427,00.html
Quite correct. So smoke if ya' got em'. It's for the children...
Speaking of jailing anyone or everyone, this is the seatbelt "Click-It or Ticket" crap just waaaaaaaaaaaay worse. E.g., if pulled over on the road by the police for any reason -- or NO reason -- a routine traffic stop sometimes leads to a stack of tickets or worse. During the 80's one could argue in court - sometimes successfully -- that the initial stop wasn't warranted [actions by the SPOTUS in the recent past not withstanding]. Get used to hearing "I didn't see a seatbelt on the driver or passenger" early and often. Viola -- instant justification to stop ANYONE for ANYTHING.
Now to the present: Need a reason to search / question / detain some person or persons? Maybe deprive them of their computer(s); business, financial, or personal info; or perhaps other property? Seems anyone with an internet connection may be fair game for God* knows what, e.g., "We accuse __________ of copyright infringement!" Not that I'm paranoid or cynical -- I AM. It may be a bad habit or out and out neurosis, but I can't help but look for worst-case scenarios whenever congress gets "busy" these days. Oh, to be blissfully ignorant again...
* Or invisible cloud-dwelling super-being of your choice. Your mileage may vary.
Win an "argument?" Sorry. This is abuse...
How 'bout a really scathing website? Oh, wait...
What makes you think you'll have time to come back and fix it later?"
[Anyone have an attribution for this [probably inexact] quote? TIA.]
Which idiots? Those in "fly over" states you said not to insult? No prob...
Off-topic, I know, but in response to the rhetorical question: "Do cops get a percentage cut of any drug money they capture?" Personally? Not exactly -- legally, anyway -- but ...
Cops rake in millions from drug busts
Report: Cops Keeping Drug Money
Correct. Also, has anyone ever had a complete stranger walk right up to you while in line; ask you some inane question as if they know you... and then join the line next to you as if you're their buddy holding a place for them? Happened to me at the Philadelphia airport. Unbelievable.
For the record, I just looked up at the guy for a few seconds, gestured over my shoulder, then said: "There's a line. Do you mind waiting?" He actually had the nerve to look shocked and annoyed. [Also, that will win you lot's of kudos from those close enough to hear.]
think = thank. Damn...