The only cost that means a damn thing is the number of American lives. The only ones that worry about the $ are overseas or the far left. America has vast wealth. Our capital infrastructure alone is enourmous. China may approach that someday -- a long time from now -- and even then I'm not sure that is a bad thing. If China becomes wealthy, they'll have the same concerns for stability we have. Hopefully their people will wake up before then.
Furthermore, I could give a damn if the world perceives us as arrogant. Perhaps they'll get over it someday -- if not, oh well.
All before 2001 or not in the states. Fact is, the current administration is doing great -- and that makes those abroad that don't like a unipolar world upset; and it makes those on the left domestically jealous. Iraq has been expensive -- more than 2,000 American soldiers -- but that chaos and killing is over there -- not here. And it would have been there and larger if we wouldn't have gone to Iraq anyway. Too bad the world doesn't recognize the sacrifice our sons and daughters have made for them.
Most people in the states don't worry about these "privacy issues." If they ever result in a true infringement of rights, they'll get repealed. Most likely they won't even come close. Why do I really care if someone in the government knows I was in Las Vegas on some date? The answer: I don't. I'd rather just make it easier for them to catch Ali trying to blow up my office.
I'd say we have been very effective fighting terrorism. Have you seen any terrorism here in the states since 9/11? You would like us to model our terrorism fighting on Israel's success??? The dynamic in Vietnam had nothing to do with terrorism and was all about the Cold War. In fact, that comment makes my point -- we should have used a nuke or two across the border in Vietnam.
I'm sure France does have its version of the Bill of Rights. It also has its version of fighting too -- with a white flag, thus, its capital is burning for the upteenth time tonight.
OK, I'll bite. Why would any of this make any difference to you or, for that matter, an American? Contrary to the FUD found here, this is just the collection of information and in no way strips any rights from you (well, you're not American so that's a given) or any American. That information collection gives law enforcement the tools to fight that nasty thing you might have seen in the news: terrorism. By the way -- we do a better job of fighting it than anyone else.
And while we're at it, where is home for you? I suspect you are in better shape when you get off the plane here in the states than you are back in your Euro-hamlet. Do you even have a Bill of Rights? Perhaps you'd like to roast marshmellows in Paris?
I think you are perhaps a bit over-confident in your world view. In a way, I am jealous. It must be comforting to think of the world in a pure "Newtonian" way. I suspect you are young.
Yes, there is a difference. I'm an agnostic -- I respect people's faith even though I don't share it. With all due respect, if you think anything you can't explain with a natural law or physical evidence is superstition, you must live in a very superstitious world.
Please tell me how being against abortion is unscientific. It is a perfectly reasonable, even scientific thing to think that abortion is wrong -- even murder.
You may feel different for scientific reasons too, but lots of people believe abortion is wrong for non-religious reasons. It is even a reasonable thing to take a political position on -- even required.
He said something about a druggist claiming the bible says something about condoms. But for a moment, let's take your response -- give me one example of the "religious right" saying something, anything about condoms in the bible.
You rail against people who believe in something you don't. You sir, are the zealot.
Amazingly workers completely outnumber employers in this country but workers are consistently suckered by issues like abortion,...
But you have to agree that abortion is a valid issue to be "suckered" by. It certainly deserves more debate than work visa crap -- no matter your position. I happen to think it is murder -- and therefore it deserves a hell of a lot of debate. But even if you are pro-choice, you probably think it is "worthy."
I love these salary discussions on slashdot. I'm everything this subculture seems to hate here -- an engineer that moved from a technical discipline to a managerial discipline after getting an MBA. Ever since I got the MBA, my salary has gone up AT LEAST 20% per annum. Excuse me, one year it did not and so I changed my job (read: put my money where my mouth was) and got a 35% increase.
It is my belief that those people that stay technical simply can't deal with the demands of more abstract, ambiguous, and more people-oriented (read: communication) responsibilities.
Want to make more? Earn it by solving real problems -- problems involving the management of people.
Capitalism is simply a way to allocate scare resources. It happens to be the best way, but that is another discussion. To say capitalism or the societies that practice it are evil is just silly. Especially given the demonstrably less effective alternatives. The fact that these other systems fail miserably actually makes a case that they are arguably "evil" in that they subject worthy individuals to a life of poverty.
I don't believe that there is a causitive relationship between human activity and global warming -- and I certainly don't believe there is one between human activity and these storms. Moreover, even if there was one, I wouldn't care or suggest a change in economic/energy policy. We'll adapt just like every other human generation has. Big deal.
Slashdot Mirror
The only cost that means a damn thing is the number of American lives. The only ones that worry about the $ are overseas or the far left. America has vast wealth. Our capital infrastructure alone is enourmous. China may approach that someday -- a long time from now -- and even then I'm not sure that is a bad thing. If China becomes wealthy, they'll have the same concerns for stability we have. Hopefully their people will wake up before then.
Furthermore, I could give a damn if the world perceives us as arrogant. Perhaps they'll get over it someday -- if not, oh well.
Dead serious. Obviously, you have injected way too much slashdot. But hey -- I'll bite again -- please point out the irony.
All before 2001 or not in the states. Fact is, the current administration is doing great -- and that makes those abroad that don't like a unipolar world upset; and it makes those on the left domestically jealous. Iraq has been expensive -- more than 2,000 American soldiers -- but that chaos and killing is over there -- not here. And it would have been there and larger if we wouldn't have gone to Iraq anyway. Too bad the world doesn't recognize the sacrifice our sons and daughters have made for them.
Most people in the states don't worry about these "privacy issues." If they ever result in a true infringement of rights, they'll get repealed. Most likely they won't even come close. Why do I really care if someone in the government knows I was in Las Vegas on some date? The answer: I don't. I'd rather just make it easier for them to catch Ali trying to blow up my office.
I'd say we have been very effective fighting terrorism. Have you seen any terrorism here in the states since 9/11? You would like us to model our terrorism fighting on Israel's success??? The dynamic in Vietnam had nothing to do with terrorism and was all about the Cold War. In fact, that comment makes my point -- we should have used a nuke or two across the border in Vietnam.
I'm sure France does have its version of the Bill of Rights. It also has its version of fighting too -- with a white flag, thus, its capital is burning for the upteenth time tonight.
Label me troll, jingoist, whatever...
OK, I'll bite. Why would any of this make any difference to you or, for that matter, an American? Contrary to the FUD found here, this is just the collection of information and in no way strips any rights from you (well, you're not American so that's a given) or any American. That information collection gives law enforcement the tools to fight that nasty thing you might have seen in the news: terrorism. By the way -- we do a better job of fighting it than anyone else.
And while we're at it, where is home for you? I suspect you are in better shape when you get off the plane here in the states than you are back in your Euro-hamlet. Do you even have a Bill of Rights? Perhaps you'd like to roast marshmellows in Paris?
You have no privacy. Get over it.
You think there will be a civil war in China?
Better than having drive-through abortions.
And science believed the sun rotated around the earth at one time...your point?
Woo hoo! A reasonable person on Slashdot!
I think you are perhaps a bit over-confident in your world view. In a way, I am jealous. It must be comforting to think of the world in a pure "Newtonian" way. I suspect you are young.
Yes, and california is the model of success.
PS: we're
Yes, there is a difference. I'm an agnostic -- I respect people's faith even though I don't share it. With all due respect, if you think anything you can't explain with a natural law or physical evidence is superstition, you must live in a very superstitious world.
Oh yeah -- that's an insightful post... Lots of insightful facts to back up those insightful conclusions.
What pro- "science" and "intellectual" banana republic are you from?
Since when is someone's religious faith an indictment of ignorance? Are you saying religious faith = superstition? That seems a bit over the top...
Please tell me how being against abortion is unscientific. It is a perfectly reasonable, even scientific thing to think that abortion is wrong -- even murder.
You may feel different for scientific reasons too, but lots of people believe abortion is wrong for non-religious reasons. It is even a reasonable thing to take a political position on -- even required.
Or perhaps I misunderstood your point.
He said something about a druggist claiming the bible says something about condoms. But for a moment, let's take your response -- give me one example of the "religious right" saying something, anything about condoms in the bible.
You rail against people who believe in something you don't. You sir, are the zealot.
Please tell me where the bible speaks of condoms. I'm sure it speaks of pre-marital sex, but that's certainly not the same thing.
Of course, you're probably speaking in hyperbole -- in both sentences.
But you have to agree that abortion is a valid issue to be "suckered" by. It certainly deserves more debate than work visa crap -- no matter your position. I happen to think it is murder -- and therefore it deserves a hell of a lot of debate. But even if you are pro-choice, you probably think it is "worthy."
I'll leave the gay bashing issue alone for now...
I could make you cry, but I won't.
By the way, could you come down to my office and pick up your performance appraisal?
Touche!
I love these salary discussions on slashdot. I'm everything this subculture seems to hate here -- an engineer that moved from a technical discipline to a managerial discipline after getting an MBA. Ever since I got the MBA, my salary has gone up AT LEAST 20% per annum. Excuse me, one year it did not and so I changed my job (read: put my money where my mouth was) and got a 35% increase.
It is my belief that those people that stay technical simply can't deal with the demands of more abstract, ambiguous, and more people-oriented (read: communication) responsibilities.
Want to make more? Earn it by solving real problems -- problems involving the management of people.
Capitalism is simply a way to allocate scare resources. It happens to be the best way, but that is another discussion. To say capitalism or the societies that practice it are evil is just silly. Especially given the demonstrably less effective alternatives. The fact that these other systems fail miserably actually makes a case that they are arguably "evil" in that they subject worthy individuals to a life of poverty.
I think you should realize one thing: the US can and will invade any country we deem necessary. If you don't like it, you should find another planet.
I don't believe that there is a causitive relationship between human activity and global warming -- and I certainly don't believe there is one between human activity and these storms. Moreover, even if there was one, I wouldn't care or suggest a change in economic/energy policy. We'll adapt just like every other human generation has. Big deal.