There is an Arthur C. Clark novel, "The light of other days" that deals with this idea. In the novel, Clark imagines the invention of a device that creates wormholes through which a person may observe anything undetected. He goes on to speculate about the effects that such utter transparency would have on our culture.
Secrets of any sort become a thing of the past causing all sorts of world changing effects from the total remaining of governments and corporations to the end of modesty.
Later in the book they learn to pilot the wormholes back through time. If anyone hears about a camera that can do this, please let me know as I would like to find out who took my wallet last year.
Well, yeah but remember, the presedent is only one guy. Even with his whole cabinet/posse I think that say the starting line of the Leafs would be more than a mach for him.
Respectfully, I must disagree.
So far, I am finding the new section refreshing. It seems to me, that there is a fairly wide spectrum of political views here combined with a generally high level of discourse. Not perfect by any means of course but five minutes at say CNN.com's message boards will leave you gasping for air under the weight of the invective and partisanship displayed by most of the posters. Slashdot posters, so far, are keeping a little further above the fray on balance.
I understand your point about watering down the focus of the board but I feel as if the inclusion of a separate politics section strikes an appropriate balance in this regard
I understand your point to be that you oppose the war (a view that I share) and that neither of the candidates reflect your position on this subject. However, to address your actual question: Does it matter what either candidate did 30 years ago.
On the face of it, perhaps not. However, I would argue that president Bush has invited an examination of his military record for three reasons.
The first is the willingness of his campaign machine to attack Kerry's war record. While Bush has generally avoided slinging this mud directly I think it can be fairly said that he is well aware that it is being done on his behalf and is at least tacitly endorsing this tactic. The Rove political strategy has a long history of taking the low road and I think it is fair that a candidate should be held to the same public scrutiny they seek to cast on their opponent.
The second is that the Bush campaign has made a great deal of the straightforwardness, plain dealing and common touch of their candidate. If there are indeed clear signs of duplicity and privilege in the military service of president Bush this would speak directly to the assertions of the Bush campaign.
Lastly, The general hawkishness of the current administration. The President undertook an increasingly controversial war. If the facts indicate that he took measures to avoid going to war himself, or that he was derelict in his duties as a guardsman, it seems to me that there is a legitimate question of hypocrisy.
I don't mean to suggest that these issues should be of paramount importance to a voter. Many people will vote because they feel their candidate is most likely to implement policies they agree with. However, many voters are concerned with issues of character as well as policy. I think this is reasonable and wise in the correct proportion and I think it is legitimate to examine any part of a candidates history that may provide insight into their character.
Well, I for one appreciate the concern of our Canadian big brother and while we may throw a little fit, I think Canada should do what any self respecting big brother would do: Catch our stupid boyfriend-president alone at school and let him know that if does not stop making us cry Canada is gonna kick his ass.
One tip I have not seen here is this: Assuming that you go with an aftermarket mouse. And assuming that this mouse has the clickable wheel. I suggest you configure said clickable wheel to execute the F9 function of expose' (all windows).
This has resulted in a HUGE increase in productivity for me. It makes the already wonderful Expose' twice as natural and speedy. I can find any of a dozens windows in less than a second. If you go with a mouse with even more buttons, the F11 feature is nice to have at your fingertips also.
Slashdot Mirror
There is an Arthur C. Clark novel, "The light of other days" that deals with this idea. In the novel, Clark imagines the invention of a device that creates wormholes through which a person may observe anything undetected. He goes on to speculate about the effects that such utter transparency would have on our culture.
Secrets of any sort become a thing of the past causing all sorts of world changing effects from the total remaining of governments and corporations to the end of modesty.
Later in the book they learn to pilot the wormholes back through time. If anyone hears about a camera that can do this, please let me know as I would like to find out who took my wallet last year.
Well, yeah but remember, the presedent is only one guy. Even with his whole cabinet/posse I think that say the starting line of the Leafs would be more than a mach for him.
Respectfully, I must disagree. So far, I am finding the new section refreshing. It seems to me, that there is a fairly wide spectrum of political views here combined with a generally high level of discourse. Not perfect by any means of course but five minutes at say CNN.com's message boards will leave you gasping for air under the weight of the invective and partisanship displayed by most of the posters. Slashdot posters, so far, are keeping a little further above the fray on balance. I understand your point about watering down the focus of the board but I feel as if the inclusion of a separate politics section strikes an appropriate balance in this regard
I understand your point to be that you oppose the war (a view that I share) and that neither of the candidates reflect your position on this subject. However, to address your actual question: Does it matter what either candidate did 30 years ago. On the face of it, perhaps not. However, I would argue that president Bush has invited an examination of his military record for three reasons. The first is the willingness of his campaign machine to attack Kerry's war record. While Bush has generally avoided slinging this mud directly I think it can be fairly said that he is well aware that it is being done on his behalf and is at least tacitly endorsing this tactic. The Rove political strategy has a long history of taking the low road and I think it is fair that a candidate should be held to the same public scrutiny they seek to cast on their opponent. The second is that the Bush campaign has made a great deal of the straightforwardness, plain dealing and common touch of their candidate. If there are indeed clear signs of duplicity and privilege in the military service of president Bush this would speak directly to the assertions of the Bush campaign. Lastly, The general hawkishness of the current administration. The President undertook an increasingly controversial war. If the facts indicate that he took measures to avoid going to war himself, or that he was derelict in his duties as a guardsman, it seems to me that there is a legitimate question of hypocrisy. I don't mean to suggest that these issues should be of paramount importance to a voter. Many people will vote because they feel their candidate is most likely to implement policies they agree with. However, many voters are concerned with issues of character as well as policy. I think this is reasonable and wise in the correct proportion and I think it is legitimate to examine any part of a candidates history that may provide insight into their character.
Well, I for one appreciate the concern of our Canadian big brother and while we may throw a little fit, I think Canada should do what any self respecting big brother would do: Catch our stupid boyfriend-president alone at school and let him know that if does not stop making us cry Canada is gonna kick his ass.
One tip I have not seen here is this: Assuming that you go with an aftermarket mouse. And assuming that this mouse has the clickable wheel. I suggest you configure said clickable wheel to execute the F9 function of expose' (all windows). This has resulted in a HUGE increase in productivity for me. It makes the already wonderful Expose' twice as natural and speedy. I can find any of a dozens windows in less than a second. If you go with a mouse with even more buttons, the F11 feature is nice to have at your fingertips also.