In many cases, government-mandated certification does nothing to protect the customer, but is merely used by those already _in_ the business to keep new competition _out_.
The Institute for Justice (http://www.ij.org/index.shtml) has won several court cases that blew the old boys' network out of the water (http://www.ij.org/cases/index.html).
Why should you have to be a licensed mortician just to sell somebody a casket? Why do you need a full cosmetology license just to braid somebody's hair?
There are other ways to insure that businesses do a competent and thorough job. Goverment approval should not be a requirement.
When we started talking of marriage, I asked my lady whether she wanted a diamond or something else as an engagement ring. She said that she didn't know yet, but offered a surprising question in return: "Do you want an engagement ring?"
I pointed out that an engagement ring on a man was unusual, but would be neat. Then she reminded me that traditional Claddagh rings serve for both engagement and wedding rings.
The traditional claddagh design has a heart, held by two hands, with a crown on top of the heart. I think this is also called the "Royal Claddagh". There is also a "Finnian Claddagh" that lacks the crown, for obvious reasons.
Claddagh rings date from 17th century Ireland.
Worn on the right hand, heart facing out, the ring indicates that the wearer is available (I offer my heart to you). Worn on right hand with the heart facing inwards indicates that you are engaged. The Claddagh as a wedding ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing inwards.
Both my lady and I have some Irish blood, and we like quaint old customs. [This was well before the renewed interest in things Celtic.]
The most common, and probably most traditional claddagh rings are all metal. We chose to have rings custom-made with gems in them.
My wife's ring is white gold; the heart is a ruby as red as blood. My ring is yellow gold, with an emerald as green as the forest.
Now.. if only we could get those same brilliant minds working on a compiler that produces a single executable that works on both platforms, and shares as much code as possible.
I suspect that.NET will be a big boost to virus writers. They can write parts in VB and parts in C#, and glom it all together.
"...how do these guys figure that $315 million will be enough money to create this system?"
First, this disguised national ID card piggybacks on the state drivers' licenses. So you don't need one per citizen, just one per driver. So maybe they are allocating $1/card.:-)
Second, the feds won't actually be doing any of the _work_. They are merely blackmailing the states into doing it: "Add this to your drivers' licenses or lose those juicy highway funds."
It's called an "unfunded mandate", and shifts the real cost to a place that most people won't look.
The average driver probably won't even know why his license renewal fee went up $20, or think to blame the feds.
Slashdot Mirror
In many cases, government-mandated certification does nothing to protect the customer, but is merely used by those already _in_ the business to keep new competition _out_.
The Institute for Justice (http://www.ij.org/index.shtml) has won several court cases that blew the old boys' network out of the water (http://www.ij.org/cases/index.html).
Why should you have to be a licensed mortician just to sell somebody a casket? Why do you need a full cosmetology license just to braid somebody's hair?
There are other ways to insure that businesses do a competent and thorough job. Goverment approval should not be a requirement.
I pointed out that an engagement ring on a man was unusual, but would be neat. Then she reminded me that traditional Claddagh rings serve for both engagement and wedding rings.
The traditional claddagh design has a heart, held by two hands, with a crown on top of the heart. I think this is also called the "Royal Claddagh". There is also a "Finnian Claddagh" that lacks the crown, for obvious reasons.
Claddagh rings date from 17th century Ireland. Worn on the right hand, heart facing out, the ring indicates that the wearer is available (I offer my heart to you). Worn on right hand with the heart facing inwards indicates that you are engaged. The Claddagh as a wedding ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing inwards.
Both my lady and I have some Irish blood, and we like quaint old customs. [This was well before the renewed interest in things Celtic.]
The most common, and probably most traditional claddagh rings are all metal. We chose to have rings custom-made with gems in them.
My wife's ring is white gold; the heart is a ruby as red as blood. My ring is yellow gold, with an emerald as green as the forest.
Diamonds? Pah! Everybody has those.
And .NET is getting ported to other platforms...
How many warez for an eye patch?
What an interesting way to say "Right now, they're 30 years old."
The life-size Millenium Falcon was a lot of fun.
I hear for their next project, they're building a life-size Death Star.
"...how do these guys figure that $315 million will be enough money to create this system?" First, this disguised national ID card piggybacks on the state drivers' licenses. So you don't need one per citizen, just one per driver. So maybe they are allocating $1/card. :-)
Second, the feds won't actually be doing any of the _work_. They are merely blackmailing the states into doing it: "Add this to your drivers' licenses or lose those juicy highway funds."
It's called an "unfunded mandate", and shifts the real cost to a place that most people won't look.
The average driver probably won't even know why his license renewal fee went up $20, or think to blame the feds.