"People need people..., and you get screwed up pretty quickly from the lack."
This is completely true. I don't know what you've been through. You don't know what I've been through. But, I can tell you that your conclusion is universally true.
I agree with your moral and ethical claims that the poor (working or not) should be helped. However, I'm not too sure that Government is the best/most efficient entity to tackle the problem. I expect that private, tax-exempt non-profit organizations do a better job due to specialization in addressing specific niches (food, housing, medical care, etc.). Private philanthropy, like private business, will almost always operate more efficiently than an equivalent government entity. So, instead of giving up a certain percentage of my income to help the government combat "insert cause here" I'd much rather donate to a charity/organization of my choosing. I believe in moral absolutes, and I believe that most people are aware of their desires to help their fellow human beings; enough to donate money, time, and themselves. At least, this is what I've observed in my own life.
The main issue with defining "fairness" (which implies justice) is not with coming up with a suitable definition or implementation using ethics and morality. It is with the prevailing moral system itself. Western society seems to be increasingly adherent to a relativistic moral system. The concept of "fairness" is an inconsistent moving target from person to person, and consensus on what is "fair" is difficult to obtain. Then it is subject to change over time. This is why I'd rather "welfare" come from the private sector (non-profs, good neighbors, etc.). "Fairness" would then be left for the individual to determine. At least I can "choose" to donate to organizations which share the same philosophy as me.
Hmm...I have to agree with you about the Axim having superior fonts (I have an X30 advanced), but I have no problems with BBMillbank at size 7. I just tried your recommendation of BB Tall 8, but it kinda' gives me a headache looking at "stretched" fonts after looking at the "non-Tall" version for awhile. To each his own, I guess. Thanks for the Idokorro link. I'll definitely give their apps a whirl.
I wouldn't recommend it. I've got FC4 installed on a similar machine but with a P-III 650 and it's almost unusable. You might be able to get away with a smaller desktop environment (i.e. don't use KDE or Gnome), though. Fedora is built for hardware that was created in the last 5 years. That's my rule of thumb.
I was just correcting the guy that said something about cowards living in Canada. I wasn't implying his parent move anywhere. In fact, I understood your post, but I was just too lazy to say so.
The answer to the question is, "No. It is not Christian." Like all non-Christian cults, the Jehovah's Witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of Christianity. It denies the deity of Christ, His physical resurrection, and salvation by grace. This alone makes it non-Christian. To support its erring doctrines, the Watchtower organization (which is the author and teacher of all official Jehovah's Witness theology), has even altered the Bible to make it agree with its changing and non-Christian teachings.
Typical with cults that use the Bible to support its position is a host of interpretive errors:
* Taking verses out of their immediate context.
* Refusing to read verses in the entire biblical context.
* Inserting their theological presuppositions into the text.
* Altering the Biblical text to suit their needs.
* Latching onto one verse to interpret a host of others.
* Changing the meanings of words.
* Proclaiming some passages to be figurative when they contradict their doctrines.
* Adding to the Word of God.
Additionally, the Jehovah's Witness organization requires of its members regular weekly attendance at their "Bible Study" meetings where they are repeatedly indoctrinated with anti-Christian teachings. This is done by reading the Watchtower magazine, following along with what it says, reading the questions it asks, and reciting the answers it gives. In other words, the Watchtower Organization carefully trains its members to let the Organization do their thinking for them. For confirmation of this, please read Does the Watchtower organization control the JW's thinking?
The Witnesses are told they will be persecuted when they go door to door teaching their doctrines. They are further told that this is simply the enemy fighting against God's organization because they are in "the truth." So, when someone disagrees with them, they are conditioned to reflect on what the Watchtower has told them. They then feel confirmed in being in God's true organization on earth (like all cults claim). They are strongly encouraged to have friends and acquaintances that are only JW's, thereby keeping outside examination to a minimum. They are told to shun those who leave their group, that way, there is no way to see why someone has left and no way to find out that they are in error from those who have found the truth in Christ. They are conditioned to shy away from any real biblically knowledgeable person. An example of this is frequently found on the Internet. I was once banned from a Jehovah's Witness chat room after I not only answered their objections to the Trinity and deity of Christ, but challenged them in return. Subsequently, my name was passed around to all other Jehovah's Witness rooms where I was banned from them as well. This is a frequent occurrence on the Internet where the Jehovah's Witnesses are alive and well. It is obvious that critical examination of their doctrines is not encouraged by the Watchtower Organization.
The Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be Christians because they believe they are serving the true and living God. Like many cults, they think they are the only true church on earth. Yet, they deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith.
The Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from looking into Jehovah's Witness history or old Watchtower literature which is replete with contradictions, altered doctrines, and false prophecies. Instead, they are indoctrinated repeatedly against basic Christian doctrines (Trinity, deity of Christ, etc) and into the notion that they alone are the true servants of God and that all others are either in "Christendom" or simply unbelievers.
Primarily, the Jehovah's Witness organization is a mind control organization that uses its people to pass out literature and send in "donations" to the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs t
How does one not remove the base assumptions (morality) [of society] and still hold a belief in relativism without refuting his own belief by the absurdity of it all?
Oh give me a fucking break. The commandments are not the law. The Constitution does not declare the U.S. to be aligned with any religion. Stop forcing your silly beliefs on people.
I say that atheism (atheists) is as much a religion as any theistic point of view. Atheists always "forc[e] [their] silly beliefs on people" just as much as any theist would. In fact, the Atheism religion has done a superb job at infiltrating our government in the last 50 years. Do you see the improvement in the American quality of life?...the topic can spur debate for years on end.
Actually, out here in Palm Springs, CA the Roadrunner installation (cable) from Time Warner out performs any DSL connection out here. The connection is advertised as a 2MB down 400KB up, but many bandwidth tests have shown 2.8MB down and around 700 KB up. Those numbers shatter the marks any of our local DSL providers put up. It may be due to the fact that AOL/Time Warner implmented a fiber connection to each house for internet usage 2 years ago. It's about $8/mo. more than DSL, but well worth it in my opinion.
I think worrying about their evolution is a bit paranoid. Through many years of experimentation no one has actually seen any species "evolve" into another. That's not to say they can't mutate, but in almost all cases the mutations are a hinderance to the organism's survival.
I've heard this argument before so I'll just summarize its rebuttal.
What happens when a competing product, proprietary, comes along and out performs *NIX, MS, and Apple at speed, stability, security, and ease of use? Granted we don't have anything like that right now, but it could happen. Governments should be afforded the same rights as any consumer, and should be allowed to purchase the product that best suits their needs. Since government contracts are a major source of revenue for many firms mandating Open Source software can effectively cripple an entire industry in the mixed market. Innovation is encouraged where free choice prevails.
While it seems quite clear that InterTrust has the upperhand don't you think it devious that they'd wait until MS had DRM in all of their latest products before bringing up a lawsuit? Do you think a judge will notice this?
I whole-heartedly agree with you in that. I just don't believe (as the parent was suggesting) that everyone should be voting on every single issue. Aside from lack of expertise in the given fields, that's just way too much to be voting on. Voting would take months to complete for each individual.
Well...I don't think everyone is educated enough to make responsible decisions about voting for each and every law. Would you want some 18-year-old high school dropout voting about whether or not to increase taxes to curb inflation in a rapidly expanding national economy? I wouldn't want someone who doesn't understand economics making that decision. That's why I elect representatives who do. And seriously...a death penalty for not being your idea of a perfect politician? I say that when you make a single mistake at your job we kill you!
Slashdot Mirror
"People need people..., and you get screwed up pretty quickly from the lack."
This is completely true. I don't know what you've been through. You don't know what I've been through. But, I can tell you that your conclusion is universally true.
I agree with your moral and ethical claims that the poor (working or not) should be helped. However, I'm not too sure that Government is the best/most efficient entity to tackle the problem. I expect that private, tax-exempt non-profit organizations do a better job due to specialization in addressing specific niches (food, housing, medical care, etc.). Private philanthropy, like private business, will almost always operate more efficiently than an equivalent government entity. So, instead of giving up a certain percentage of my income to help the government combat "insert cause here" I'd much rather donate to a charity/organization of my choosing. I believe in moral absolutes, and I believe that most people are aware of their desires to help their fellow human beings; enough to donate money, time, and themselves. At least, this is what I've observed in my own life. The main issue with defining "fairness" (which implies justice) is not with coming up with a suitable definition or implementation using ethics and morality. It is with the prevailing moral system itself. Western society seems to be increasingly adherent to a relativistic moral system. The concept of "fairness" is an inconsistent moving target from person to person, and consensus on what is "fair" is difficult to obtain. Then it is subject to change over time. This is why I'd rather "welfare" come from the private sector (non-profs, good neighbors, etc.). "Fairness" would then be left for the individual to determine. At least I can "choose" to donate to organizations which share the same philosophy as me.
agreed
Hmm...I have to agree with you about the Axim having superior fonts (I have an X30 advanced), but I have no problems with BBMillbank at size 7. I just tried your recommendation of BB Tall 8, but it kinda' gives me a headache looking at "stretched" fonts after looking at the "non-Tall" version for awhile. To each his own, I guess. Thanks for the Idokorro link. I'll definitely give their apps a whirl.
I just got my new 7100i two days ago. It has antialiased fonts that are crisp and beautiful. I highly recommend it. Where did you get your SSH client?
I wouldn't recommend it. I've got FC4 installed on a similar machine but with a P-III 650 and it's almost unusable. You might be able to get away with a smaller desktop environment (i.e. don't use KDE or Gnome), though. Fedora is built for hardware that was created in the last 5 years. That's my rule of thumb.
emerge: Error No packages matching weaponsofmassdestruction were found... /$>
I was just correcting the guy that said something about cowards living in Canada. I wasn't implying his parent move anywhere. In fact, I understood your post, but I was just too lazy to say so.
France...buddy. Move to France.
The answer to the question is, "No. It is not Christian." Like all non-Christian cults, the Jehovah's Witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of Christianity. It denies the deity of Christ, His physical resurrection, and salvation by grace. This alone makes it non-Christian. To support its erring doctrines, the Watchtower organization (which is the author and teacher of all official Jehovah's Witness theology), has even altered the Bible to make it agree with its changing and non-Christian teachings. Typical with cults that use the Bible to support its position is a host of interpretive errors: * Taking verses out of their immediate context. * Refusing to read verses in the entire biblical context. * Inserting their theological presuppositions into the text. * Altering the Biblical text to suit their needs. * Latching onto one verse to interpret a host of others. * Changing the meanings of words. * Proclaiming some passages to be figurative when they contradict their doctrines. * Adding to the Word of God. Additionally, the Jehovah's Witness organization requires of its members regular weekly attendance at their "Bible Study" meetings where they are repeatedly indoctrinated with anti-Christian teachings. This is done by reading the Watchtower magazine, following along with what it says, reading the questions it asks, and reciting the answers it gives. In other words, the Watchtower Organization carefully trains its members to let the Organization do their thinking for them. For confirmation of this, please read Does the Watchtower organization control the JW's thinking? The Witnesses are told they will be persecuted when they go door to door teaching their doctrines. They are further told that this is simply the enemy fighting against God's organization because they are in "the truth." So, when someone disagrees with them, they are conditioned to reflect on what the Watchtower has told them. They then feel confirmed in being in God's true organization on earth (like all cults claim). They are strongly encouraged to have friends and acquaintances that are only JW's, thereby keeping outside examination to a minimum. They are told to shun those who leave their group, that way, there is no way to see why someone has left and no way to find out that they are in error from those who have found the truth in Christ. They are conditioned to shy away from any real biblically knowledgeable person. An example of this is frequently found on the Internet. I was once banned from a Jehovah's Witness chat room after I not only answered their objections to the Trinity and deity of Christ, but challenged them in return. Subsequently, my name was passed around to all other Jehovah's Witness rooms where I was banned from them as well. This is a frequent occurrence on the Internet where the Jehovah's Witnesses are alive and well. It is obvious that critical examination of their doctrines is not encouraged by the Watchtower Organization. The Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be Christians because they believe they are serving the true and living God. Like many cults, they think they are the only true church on earth. Yet, they deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith. The Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from looking into Jehovah's Witness history or old Watchtower literature which is replete with contradictions, altered doctrines, and false prophecies. Instead, they are indoctrinated repeatedly against basic Christian doctrines (Trinity, deity of Christ, etc) and into the notion that they alone are the true servants of God and that all others are either in "Christendom" or simply unbelievers. Primarily, the Jehovah's Witness organization is a mind control organization that uses its people to pass out literature and send in "donations" to the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. "Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs t
How does one not remove the base assumptions (morality) [of society] and still hold a belief in relativism without refuting his own belief by the absurdity of it all?
I say that atheism (atheists) is as much a religion as any theistic point of view. Atheists always "forc[e] [their] silly beliefs on people" just as much as any theist would. In fact, the Atheism religion has done a superb job at infiltrating our government in the last 50 years. Do you see the improvement in the American quality of life? ...the topic can spur debate for years on end.
Actually, out here in Palm Springs, CA the Roadrunner installation (cable) from Time Warner out performs any DSL connection out here. The connection is advertised as a 2MB down 400KB up, but many bandwidth tests have shown 2.8MB down and around 700 KB up. Those numbers shatter the marks any of our local DSL providers put up. It may be due to the fact that AOL/Time Warner implmented a fiber connection to each house for internet usage 2 years ago. It's about $8/mo. more than DSL, but well worth it in my opinion.
I think worrying about their evolution is a bit paranoid. Through many years of experimentation no one has actually seen any species "evolve" into another. That's not to say they can't mutate, but in almost all cases the mutations are a hinderance to the organism's survival.
...and he can be seen on MTV having billiards dropped 8 stories into his crotch.
I used one to try to install Gentoo in under week.
#launch -v 10 Launching in 10 seconds... Launching in 9 seconds... Launching in 8 seconds... Launching in 7 seconds... Launching in 6 seconds... Launching in 5 seconds... Launching in 4 seconds... Launching in 3 seconds... Launching in 2 seconds... Launching in 1 second... Kernel panic: CRC error 11 telnet: remote host disconnected [root@mybox#]
I've heard this argument before so I'll just summarize its rebuttal. What happens when a competing product, proprietary, comes along and out performs *NIX, MS, and Apple at speed, stability, security, and ease of use? Granted we don't have anything like that right now, but it could happen. Governments should be afforded the same rights as any consumer, and should be allowed to purchase the product that best suits their needs. Since government contracts are a major source of revenue for many firms mandating Open Source software can effectively cripple an entire industry in the mixed market. Innovation is encouraged where free choice prevails.
While it seems quite clear that InterTrust has the upperhand don't you think it devious that they'd wait until MS had DRM in all of their latest products before bringing up a lawsuit? Do you think a judge will notice this?
I whole-heartedly agree with you in that. I just don't believe (as the parent was suggesting) that everyone should be voting on every single issue. Aside from lack of expertise in the given fields, that's just way too much to be voting on. Voting would take months to complete for each individual.
Well...I don't think everyone is educated enough to make responsible decisions about voting for each and every law. Would you want some 18-year-old high school dropout voting about whether or not to increase taxes to curb inflation in a rapidly expanding national economy? I wouldn't want someone who doesn't understand economics making that decision. That's why I elect representatives who do. And seriously...a death penalty for not being your idea of a perfect politician? I say that when you make a single mistake at your job we kill you!