..The split is not happening because of MS, it is because of RMS, all holiness to his name.
I disagree. I was unsure of GPLv3 for quite awhile. I read lots of articles and opinions on both sides. I really believe GPL3 and people like RMS, whether you love him or hate him, are important to the long-term survival of FOSS. I understand that people want Linux to be successful and right now we, as a community, are at a pivitol time. Linux has grown and matured and is now poised to claim a respectable percentage of the desktop market. These gains have come slowly and steadily, despite overwhelming odds and powerful enemies. This has happened because of the nature of free software and the GPL.
I believe that we need 'radicals' like RMS in the Free Software Movement to protect against those who would advocate compromise in the name of short term gains, that will in the long run destroy it.
I want FOSS to be around and giving MS sweats for years to come. I want to know that it will still be free, as in both beer and speech, for my kids to experiment with. Not negotiated into corporate mediocrity.
I've been running Mint on my desktop for a year or so. Yes, there is a KDE version but I haven't tried it yet. I did install the XFCE (Beta) version on my old laptop recently and it runs flawlessly.
Not having to futz with the multimedia stuff is a huge plus. I recommend Mint to new users because everything works out of the box. It also uses all the Ubuntu repositories and usually fixes can be found in the friendly Ubuntu forums.
I agree that there needs to be some reflection on what went wrong. Not just Bush, who deserves to be impeached, but the whole damned country needs to take a hard look. How were we so easily manipulated? Were we so blinded by symbols, like God and The Flag that we lost sight of what those things mean?
And what about the Press? One of the last protections against a government out of control. Where was the press in all this? Where was the investigative journalism which could have shown light on the manipulations? The press became a mouth-piece for the Administration, never questioning or looking to closely, lest their loyalty be in doubt.
How about the Democrats, who knew this was a bad war? They were afraid to speak out against the rising war cries. Those who dared put their careers on the line. Few politicians are willing to risk all just because it is the right thing to do.
The courts need to look at how the laws designed to protect us have been turned upside down and how we can find our way back to our guiding light, our Constitution.
We all have some serious questions to ask, and we might not like the answers, but we need to make sure this never, ever happens again.
The people who do buy purely on price (the average big-box American consumer) are usually absolute morons, and are going to require ungodly amounts of support...
Perhaps Dell thinks they may actually have to do less tech support with Linux. What percentage of tech support calls are due to virus/malware infestation? I am sure it is huge. This is a non-issue with Linux. It is rock solid once its up and running, with tens of thousands of safe, mature and free software packages to choose from. I think there may be less tech support for linux loaded boxes.
I vividly remember the Clarence Thomas hearings. I felt only sympathy for Anita Hill, a loyal Republican team player who was publicly ripped to shreds by her own party because it came out that her boss (Clarence Thomas) had been sexually harassing her. I remember the outright accusations that she had come on to him or even that she was insane. The whole thing had the horrible feeling of a 1950s rape trial where they blamed and humiliated the victim.
It was those hearings, more than anything else which made me vow never again to vote for a Republican. I was also ashamed of the spinelessness of the Democrats who were rendered powerless by Thomas's famous whine that he was suffering a 'high tech lynching'. The allegations of racism left them speechless and they folded like a house of cards.
Those hearings, which were supposed to be confirming a Supreme Court Justice, were actually a political farce and we will be paying the price for a long time.
I'm impressed by Obama too...he managed to raise as much cash as Hillary without taking any money from PACs or Lobbyists. Wouldn't it be great to elect a President who doesn't owe favors to any big contributors?
He was one of only a few courageous people to speak out against the war before it was cool. Very few were willing stand up against the Republican whipped up frenzy of flag waving and sudo-patriotism in those months leading up to Iraq.
This is not an ad for Obama, but he is a breath of fresh air in a rather stale room.
By the way, my daughter and son in law recently purchased the $300 Freespire loaded pc from MadTux (above). Neither have ever used Linux before and they love it. Their XP box is rarely used anymore. Linux is no harder to use than Windows when it comes preloaded.
I'll ignore the "unconstitutional" bit, because I live outside the USA and regard your country's worship of its constitution with bemusement. Discussions of what's right and wrong should be based on logical arguments, not on what some bit of paper says...
The Constitution which you regard with 'bemusement' is designed to protect the citizens of the US from a Government out of Control. The first 10 Amendments, known as the Bill of Rights are the foundation of American freedom. That freedom has served as a magnet, food and security provider and inspiration for the world.
The assault on the Constitution by the current Administration is cause for real concern by freedom loving Americans as it can be seen as the greatest threat to those freedoms since our Civil War, 150 years ago.
For your further 'bemusement' I offer this quick reference to our Bill of Rights:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
"..Two sides of the same coin, my friend. Two sides of the same coin...
I hear this a lot, but really do you believe that if Bush & Co had not won the Whitehouse in 2000 that we would be in Iraq right now? Do you really think that Gore had the same obsession with Sadaam Hussain as the NeoCons? Do you think that the Democrats would have blocked Health Care reform or protected oil company profits to give them the highest quarter profits for any company ever?
It's true that Democrats have their own flavors of corruption, but to say they are the same is ridiculous to me and often just an excuse not to vote.
OK, enough. Yes, grandmas do install servers. I've got four beautiful grandbabies and a Linux webserver which I set up almost 3 years ago. I have been running Linux on my desktop for about 5 years, I actually remember 'dependency hell'.
I understand that this phantom 'grandma' is a stereotypical inexperienced user, but its a new year, so lets pick someone else to be the idiot. Like blondes or Republicans. Thanks.
I really only have one complaint about Gonzales, and that is his statements in support of removing court oversight from the "war on terror", and his attempts at trying to expand police powers through the "war on drugs", although this isn't unique to him."
What I have against Gonzalez is this 50 page memo, written by Gonzalez as Counsel to the President. It is filled with legal perversions to justify torture and use of any means short of causing 'organ failure or death' as interrogation methods.
Hmmm. Lets see, attempting to remove court oversight from the 'war on terror', attempting to expand police powers, and justifying torture. This is why the thought of this man as a Supreme Court Justice is so scary. Read the memo. Its a real eye-opener.
Credit reports have huge consequences in real life. They effect getting a job, an apartment, a cell phone, bank account, renting a car, and eventually buyng a house. Credit Reporting Companies should not have so much power over your life. With all the problems with identity fraud, how can these companies be sure of the accuracy of their information? They can't and they don't care. It's up to you to make sure its accurate and to keep an eye on your credit history forever. You can get a copy of your credit report once a year for free (supposedly) but how can you keep an eye on it constantly?
There is also the problem of medical bills effecting credit. Medical bills are beyond most peoples control and they are an example of a horribly failed medical system, not the fault of the unfortunate uninsured (or under-insured) reciepient. Simply put, medical bills should not be allowed to be used against you on a credit report, and you shouldn't be able to be sued over them.
Well gosh, I guess we should all try to be just like you and your colleagues. We should all try to speak like you because obviously you have such a wonderful grasp of the English language and are able to express yourself so articulately without profanity.
Well, guess what? I dont give a damn about your opinion regarding profanity and couldn't really care less if snobs like yourself value my point when I use it.
I agree that excessive use makes you look childish and boorish, but your post makes you sound like an elitist and a jerk.
Try watching The News Hour on PBS. Interesting, unbiased, fluff-free. Follow up with 'Frontline' (also on PBS) for some of the best investigative journalism/documentaries anywhere. There is still quality stuff out there, but you may need to get away from the commercial networks to find it.
'Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them.'
This sounds a lot like what our Government is doing. Speak up now or shut up forever.
Considering that EFF's aims are entirely contradictory to the aims of the government, I wonder if donating to EFF places one at higher risk of appearing on watch lists. If I were the government, I'd certainly use EFF support as an indication of political unreliability.
Not sure why you were modded a 'troll' as you certainly are correct. I sent the EFF a check when they first filed the lawsuit. I had respected what they did for some time and decided it was time to put up or shut up.
Yes, I am concerned about being on some 'watch list'. I have never felt I had to hide my feelings toward the government, that to speak out is a right and responsibility of being an American. However, something dark and scary has crept into the scene. I catch myself looking over my shoulder to see who is listening. Pausing before I speak. Worried that what I post may someday be used against me.
It seems to me that these are the very times we need to speak up. We, as lovers of the Constitution need to protect it from those who would trample and twist it to fit their own agenda. The scarier and more oppressive this Administration becomes, the more we all need to stand up and be counted.
I would love to have a 'Linux Shop' near me. A place to get hardware that I know will work with my OS. A place to buy books and magazines about Linux, pick up a disto for 5 bux instead of downloading it, and perhaps most importantly, a place to talk with other people who know and use Linux. I have geeky friends and family, but they would have no clue about apt-get vs. rpm or any ideas on how to get compiz on XGL working. In the right location, I think a Linux shop could do ok.
"You know, the one that will happen between Nov 2006 and Nov 2008 - the one that will necessitate martial law and the suspension of federal elections..."
Unfortunately, this is scarily plausible. I cannot imagine the neo-cons giving up power willingly. They know they are in for a beating, perhaps an impeachment. They will do what they must do to maintain control. Afterall, they couldn't care less for inconviences like the Constitution and Civil Rights, and now they have the Supremes to give the kiss of legitimacy to their 'ends justify the means' mentality.
I remember when installing aps in Linux was a lesson in patience and frustration. Sometimes they worked, sometimes not. Sometimes you could figure out all the dependencies, sometimes not.
The amazing fact is in just a few years Linux has come to a point where the biggest complaint for installing software is whether Package Manager is a more intuitive name than Add/Remove Programs! I love watching this OS mature before my eyes.
Now, we need to take seriously the issues of multi-media and proprietory plugins like flash and java that make the web work. Lets face it, editing repositories, installing codecs, downloading/installing tar.gz files, etc. is still a hurdle for new users. However, I have the utmost confidence that in a few years, these issues will be as dead as the 'dependency hell' some of us remember not too fondly.
"...5) Identifying CIA case officer to scare a whistle blower
So far, Novak is the only "journalist" who has put anyone in potential danger, and we know the leak came out of the Vice President's office."
Thank you for the reminder that the only 'dangerous leak' came from the White House itself. For the obvious disregard this Administration has for the Constitution, the law, the courts, the Congress, or pretty much any type of oversight, it is only the press standing between the People and a regime which is obsessed with power, secrecy and an attitude that 'anything goes as long as you don't get caught.'
Sure, they don't like the press talking about faked evidence of WMDs, torture, secret prisons and detentions, warrantless spying, and on and on, but the press needs to keep talking because in this warped Administration, they are the only check/balance we have left.
"It was introduced by a Congressman.
Let me go ahead and repeat that for you, since nobody ever understands that.
A CONGRESSMAN...
The reason that "the Bush Administration" gets away with this is because you're looking in the wrong place. This is called "the legislature," and it really hasn't got a damn thing to do with who is the President.
The article said:
"The draft legislation, created by the Bush administration and backed by Rep. Lamar Smith, already enjoys the support of large copyright holders such as the Recording Industry Association of America. Smith, a Texas Republican, is the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees intellectual-property law."
So, clearly the Bush Administration's fingerprints are all over this.
Slashdot Mirror
If you choose not to vote, you don't get to bitch about the results of the election. Now go sit quietly while we decide whats best for you.
..The split is not happening because of MS, it is because of RMS, all holiness to his name.
I disagree. I was unsure of GPLv3 for quite awhile. I read lots of articles and opinions on both sides. I really believe GPL3 and people like RMS, whether you love him or hate him, are important to the long-term survival of FOSS. I understand that people want Linux to be successful and right now we, as a community, are at a pivitol time. Linux has grown and matured and is now poised to claim a respectable percentage of the desktop market. These gains have come slowly and steadily, despite overwhelming odds and powerful enemies. This has happened because of the nature of free software and the GPL.
I believe that we need 'radicals' like RMS in the Free Software Movement to protect against those who would advocate compromise in the name of short term gains, that will in the long run destroy it.
I want FOSS to be around and giving MS sweats for years to come. I want to know that it will still be free, as in both beer and speech, for my kids to experiment with. Not negotiated into corporate mediocrity.
I've been running Mint on my desktop for a year or so. Yes, there is a KDE version but I haven't tried it yet. I did install the XFCE (Beta) version on my old laptop recently and it runs flawlessly.
Not having to futz with the multimedia stuff is a huge plus. I recommend Mint to new users because everything works out of the box. It also uses all the Ubuntu repositories and usually fixes can be found in the friendly Ubuntu forums.
I agree that there needs to be some reflection on what went wrong. Not just Bush, who deserves to be impeached, but the whole damned country needs to take a hard look. How were we so easily manipulated? Were we so blinded by symbols, like God and The Flag that we lost sight of what those things mean?
And what about the Press? One of the last protections against a government out of control. Where was the press in all this? Where was the investigative journalism which could have shown light on the manipulations? The press became a mouth-piece for the Administration, never questioning or looking to closely, lest their loyalty be in doubt.
How about the Democrats, who knew this was a bad war? They were afraid to speak out against the rising war cries. Those who dared put their careers on the line. Few politicians are willing to risk all just because it is the right thing to do.
The courts need to look at how the laws designed to protect us have been turned upside down and how we can find our way back to our guiding light, our Constitution.
We all have some serious questions to ask, and we might not like the answers, but we need to make sure this never, ever happens again.
The people who do buy purely on price (the average big-box American consumer) are usually absolute morons, and are going to require ungodly amounts of support...
Perhaps Dell thinks they may actually have to do less tech support with Linux. What percentage of tech support calls are due to virus/malware infestation? I am sure it is huge. This is a non-issue with Linux. It is rock solid once its up and running, with tens of thousands of safe, mature and free software packages to choose from. I think there may be less tech support for linux loaded boxes.
I vividly remember the Clarence Thomas hearings. I felt only sympathy for Anita Hill, a loyal Republican team player who was publicly ripped to shreds by her own party because it came out that her boss (Clarence Thomas) had been sexually harassing her. I remember the outright accusations that she had come on to him or even that she was insane. The whole thing had the horrible feeling of a 1950s rape trial where they blamed and humiliated the victim.
It was those hearings, more than anything else which made me vow never again to vote for a Republican. I was also ashamed of the spinelessness of the Democrats who were rendered powerless by Thomas's famous whine that he was suffering a 'high tech lynching'. The allegations of racism left them speechless and they folded like a house of cards.
Those hearings, which were supposed to be confirming a Supreme Court Justice, were actually a political farce and we will be paying the price for a long time.
I'm impressed by Obama too...he managed to raise as much cash as Hillary without taking any money from PACs or Lobbyists. Wouldn't it be great to elect a President who doesn't owe favors to any big contributors?
He was one of only a few courageous people to speak out against the war before it was cool. Very few were willing stand up against the Republican whipped up frenzy of flag waving and sudo-patriotism in those months leading up to Iraq.
This is not an ad for Obama, but he is a breath of fresh air in a rather stale room.
"...Like WHO?
The only "linux on laptop" companies I know about take standard big-brand-name laptops renames them, puts Linux on them and then doubles the price..."
Well, heres two:
http://www.shoprcubed.com/
http://store.madtux.org/
By the way, my daughter and son in law recently purchased the $300 Freespire loaded pc from MadTux (above). Neither have ever used Linux before and they love it. Their XP box is rarely used anymore. Linux is no harder to use than Windows when it comes preloaded.
I'll ignore the "unconstitutional" bit, because I live outside the USA and regard your country's worship of its constitution with bemusement. Discussions of what's right and wrong should be based on logical arguments, not on what some bit of paper says...
The Constitution which you regard with 'bemusement' is designed to protect the citizens of the US from a Government out of Control. The first 10 Amendments, known as the Bill of Rights are the foundation of American freedom. That freedom has served as a magnet, food and security provider and inspiration for the world.
The assault on the Constitution by the current Administration is cause for real concern by freedom loving Americans as it can be seen as the greatest threat to those freedoms since our Civil War, 150 years ago.
For your further 'bemusement' I offer this quick reference to our Bill of Rights:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Here's Asimov's take on that idea
"..Two sides of the same coin, my friend. Two sides of the same coin...
I hear this a lot, but really do you believe that if Bush & Co had not won the Whitehouse in 2000 that we would be in Iraq right now? Do you really think that Gore had the same obsession with Sadaam Hussain as the NeoCons? Do you think that the Democrats would have blocked Health Care reform or protected oil company profits to give them the highest quarter profits for any company ever?
It's true that Democrats have their own flavors of corruption, but to say they are the same is ridiculous to me and often just an excuse not to vote.
OK, enough. Yes, grandmas do install servers. I've got four beautiful grandbabies and a Linux webserver which I set up almost 3 years ago. I have been running Linux on my desktop for about 5 years, I actually remember 'dependency hell'.
I understand that this phantom 'grandma' is a stereotypical inexperienced user, but its a new year, so lets pick someone else to be the idiot. Like blondes or Republicans. Thanks.
I really only have one complaint about Gonzales, and that is his statements in support of removing court oversight from the "war on terror", and his attempts at trying to expand police powers through the "war on drugs", although this isn't unique to him."
What I have against Gonzalez is this 50 page memo, written by Gonzalez as Counsel to the President. It is filled with legal perversions to justify torture and use of any means short of causing 'organ failure or death' as interrogation methods.
Hmmm. Lets see, attempting to remove court oversight from the 'war on terror', attempting to expand police powers, and justifying torture. This is why the thought of this man as a Supreme Court Justice is so scary. Read the memo. Its a real eye-opener.
Credit reports have huge consequences in real life. They effect getting a job, an apartment, a cell phone, bank account, renting a car, and eventually buyng a house. Credit Reporting Companies should not have so much power over your life. With all the problems with identity fraud, how can these companies be sure of the accuracy of their information? They can't and they don't care. It's up to you to make sure its accurate and to keep an eye on your credit history forever. You can get a copy of your credit report once a year for free (supposedly) but how can you keep an eye on it constantly?
There is also the problem of medical bills effecting credit. Medical bills are beyond most peoples control and they are an example of a horribly failed medical system, not the fault of the unfortunate uninsured (or under-insured) reciepient. Simply put, medical bills should not be allowed to be used against you on a credit report, and you shouldn't be able to be sued over them.
Well gosh, I guess we should all try to be just like you and your colleagues. We should all try to speak like you because obviously you have such a wonderful grasp of the English language and are able to express yourself so articulately without profanity.
Well, guess what? I dont give a damn about your opinion regarding profanity and couldn't really care less if snobs like yourself value my point when I use it.
I agree that excessive use makes you look childish and boorish, but your post makes you sound like an elitist and a jerk.
Try watching The News Hour on PBS. Interesting, unbiased, fluff-free. Follow up with 'Frontline' (also on PBS) for some of the best investigative journalism/documentaries anywhere. There is still quality stuff out there, but you may need to get away from the commercial networks to find it.
'Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them.'
This sounds a lot like what our Government is doing. Speak up now or shut up forever.
Not sure why you were modded a 'troll' as you certainly are correct. I sent the EFF a check when they first filed the lawsuit. I had respected what they did for some time and decided it was time to put up or shut up.
Yes, I am concerned about being on some 'watch list'. I have never felt I had to hide my feelings toward the government, that to speak out is a right and responsibility of being an American. However, something dark and scary has crept into the scene. I catch myself looking over my shoulder to see who is listening. Pausing before I speak. Worried that what I post may someday be used against me.
It seems to me that these are the very times we need to speak up. We, as lovers of the Constitution need to protect it from those who would trample and twist it to fit their own agenda. The scarier and more oppressive this Administration becomes, the more we all need to stand up and be counted.
I would love to have a 'Linux Shop' near me. A place to get hardware that I know will work with my OS. A place to buy books and magazines about Linux, pick up a disto for 5 bux instead of downloading it, and perhaps most importantly, a place to talk with other people who know and use Linux. I have geeky friends and family, but they would have no clue about apt-get vs. rpm or any ideas on how to get compiz on XGL working.
In the right location, I think a Linux shop could do ok.
Unfortunately, this is scarily plausible. I cannot imagine the neo-cons giving up power willingly. They know they are in for a beating, perhaps an impeachment. They will do what they must do to maintain control. Afterall, they couldn't care less for inconviences like the Constitution and Civil Rights, and now they have the Supremes to give the kiss of legitimacy to their 'ends justify the means' mentality.
Hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Bullshit. What someone says on their own time on their own website is called free speech. The School Authorities are way over the line here.
There goes another civil liberty slip-sliding away.
Feel free to sacrifice your own liberties, leave mine the hell alone.
Thank you Wired News for trampling what justice system we have left."
I guess we should hold them to the same standard the rest of us live under now:
"If you have nothing to hide, then what are you afraid of?"
The amazing fact is in just a few years Linux has come to a point where the biggest complaint for installing software is whether Package Manager is a more intuitive name than Add/Remove Programs! I love watching this OS mature before my eyes.
Now, we need to take seriously the issues of multi-media and proprietory plugins like flash and java that make the web work. Lets face it, editing repositories, installing codecs, downloading/installing tar.gz files, etc. is still a hurdle for new users. However, I have the utmost confidence that in a few years, these issues will be as dead as the 'dependency hell' some of us remember not too fondly.
So far, Novak is the only "journalist" who has put anyone in potential danger, and we know the leak came out of the Vice President's office."
Thank you for the reminder that the only 'dangerous leak' came from the White House itself. For the obvious disregard this Administration has for the Constitution, the law, the courts, the Congress, or pretty much any type of oversight, it is only the press standing between the People and a regime which is obsessed with power, secrecy and an attitude that 'anything goes as long as you don't get caught.'
Sure, they don't like the press talking about faked evidence of WMDs, torture, secret prisons and detentions, warrantless spying, and on and on, but the press needs to keep talking because in this warped Administration, they are the only check/balance we have left.
You said:
"It was introduced by a Congressman.
Let me go ahead and repeat that for you, since nobody ever understands that.
A CONGRESSMAN...
The reason that "the Bush Administration" gets away with this is because you're looking in the wrong place. This is called "the legislature," and it really hasn't got a damn thing to do with who is the President.
The article said:
"The draft legislation, created by the Bush administration and backed by Rep. Lamar Smith, already enjoys the support of large copyright holders such as the Recording Industry Association of America. Smith, a Texas Republican, is the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees intellectual-property law."
So, clearly the Bush Administration's fingerprints are all over this.