That's probably because war is a means to an end; America's support of Western Europe via the Marshall Plan was a brilliant move that probably earned them more strategic benefit for the financial input (allies and stability against the Soviet Union) than any war could have.
Trying to achieve the same result via direct military means- even if you didn't give a flying fuck about Europe per se- would have been pointless ideology over a more sensible solution. Nothing to do with being "nice".
Very good point, well made. Look at the former USSR countries in Europe; they couldn't wait to get away from the Russian sphere of influence. The Western European countries, however, remain firm US allies, with enough differences of opinion (e.g. over Iraq) to show that they are voluntarily allies, not coerced.
The summary mentions "Bill Langen" and says he has the highest IQ measured and was a personal failure.
I couldn't find a Bill, but I found a Chris Langen. Wikipedia says he was referenced in Outliers...and the article doesn't describe a personal failure to me, rather the opposite, having overcome an abusive childhood to creating a foundation for gifted children to winning big on a gameshow.
For their (and my) defense, the countries composing the European Union are changing a lot more than the states in the USA. Well, even the European countries have changed names/frontiers a lot since I left school (where I had to learn this kind of stuff).
Are you saying you don't pay any attention to news outside your national border?
Now I'm jesting, but it's the same sort of barb cast towards Americans who display a lack of current affairs outside their nation.
Besides I have no clue on how often (for example) the US states' capitals change - for all I know the capital of Florida has moved every time a new party gains control of the state.
This whole topic brings to mind the episode of Friends where Ross couldn't remember the names of all the USA states.
I am not sure how many US citizens could name all the states, but I sure as hell know that very few EU citizens could name all the current member states of the EU...
It's been a long time, but I seem to remember Apple crowing about how easy it was to cut-and-paste from different apps back in the original version of Mac OS. I was impressed with it at the time, so must have been innovative!
My Nokia N96 has a tv decoder built-in (for the new DVB-H standard). However, in all the countries I have travelled to in Europe since I got it, only in Finland (in Turku) could I actually get channels.
If there is a safe, non-patented way to read the FAT32 partition in order to load the ext3 driver, then why can't that safe way be used to access the whole volume formatted as FAT32 and not bother with the ext3 at all?
Install CDs aren't FAT32, AFAIK. ISO 9660 I would have thought.
I'm not entirely sure if you are serious, but it is because the manufacturers can't be arsed to certificate their kit with every OS out there.
That said, I wish I could be confident that 'Vista Compatible' means it works under Vista 64 bit.
The OP is a near-graduate. The economy is tanking.
And your advice is what? If the company's HR monkeys can't do their job properly then the whole company is fucked in the head, and don't deserve him??
I also graduated in the middle of a downturn; it sucks that zillions of shiny happy ex-students are chasing every opportunity - I totally believe that some HR bod will bin the CV/resume based on a 20 second google, after all there will be another dozen in the file next to his.
It's not so much that the company is looking for stupid reasons not to hire, but they are looking for ways to whittle down the short list of people to call for interview.
It sucks to be a graduate, with debits, and missing out on opportunities.
When are you against capital punishment then?
The strongest case against it has always been the 'killing the wrong guy' issue, imho, and this would seem to still have that possibility. Maybe even more so, since it's likely a paper-trail that gave him away. (ie could be forged).
When I was working away from home on a contract, someone passed me some torrented copies of Firefly. I bought the DVDs after that and I know people have bought copies after borrowing the DVDs from me.
Also, sometimes I just can't wait until the powers-that-be release the TV series in my country, or get around to broadcasting it. I'd rather torrent the episode the day after the US broadcast, and then get the DVDs later to see the voice-overs/extras. (Heroes is one, currently The Big Bang Theory is in this category).
Additionally, sometimes the pirated versions are just better than the official releases. Especially if you speak a non-English language, and some kind people have subtitled the torrent for you.
Not just to mention the sometimes the stupid DVD menu navigation just sucks; a DVD +R with avi files are much more convenient than some three-level deep crap.
I'm also a Brit, and every time I travel through Heathrow I get more and more annoyed at the hassle. I need to give my finger prints so that I can transition through a shopping mall??
Slashdot Mirror
As pointed out in several posts WWII was a unique situation; only the US & the Soviets had the technology.
The Soviets did NOT have the technology - their first bomb was detonated in 1949.
Also, I have a hard time believing that they had the bomb and didn't use it against Germany.
That's probably because war is a means to an end; America's support of Western Europe via the Marshall Plan was a brilliant move that probably earned them more strategic benefit for the financial input (allies and stability against the Soviet Union) than any war could have.
Trying to achieve the same result via direct military means- even if you didn't give a flying fuck about Europe per se- would have been pointless ideology over a more sensible solution. Nothing to do with being "nice".
Very good point, well made. Look at the former USSR countries in Europe; they couldn't wait to get away from the Russian sphere of influence. The Western European countries, however, remain firm US allies, with enough differences of opinion (e.g. over Iraq) to show that they are voluntarily allies, not coerced.
The Chinese (or Russians), on the other hand, would have almost certainly launched an invasion of some kind. Why do you think nobody messes with them?
Nobody messes with the Russians?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beslan_school_hostage_crisis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis
And the whole Georgian War which happened recently could be viewed in a similar fashion.
We in the UK used to call it the "independent nuclear deterrent". Guess that phrase has shown to be wrong; independent my left tit.
I couldn't find a Bill, but I found a Chris Langen. Wikipedia says he was referenced in Outliers...and the article doesn't describe a personal failure to me, rather the opposite, having overcome an abusive childhood to creating a foundation for gifted children to winning big on a gameshow.
Trailer-trash Dog Brainonaire movie anyone? :-)
My monitors typically outlast my computers...
For their (and my) defense, the countries composing the European Union are changing a lot more than the states in the USA. Well, even the European countries have changed names/frontiers a lot since I left school (where I had to learn this kind of stuff).
Are you saying you don't pay any attention to news outside your national border?
Now I'm jesting, but it's the same sort of barb cast towards Americans who display a lack of current affairs outside their nation.
Besides I have no clue on how often (for example) the US states' capitals change - for all I know the capital of Florida has moved every time a new party gains control of the state.
Tell you what, you demonstrate your knowledge of the U.S. legal system, and we'll grade you on your performance.
Actually, I am constantly amazed by the people who seem to think that everywhere operates under US laws - I blame Columbo.
I am not sure how many US citizens could name all the states, but I sure as hell know that very few EU citizens could name all the current member states of the EU...
You have to pay a church tax?!? WTF!
I think I might frame the parent post!
It's been a long time, but I seem to remember Apple crowing about how easy it was to cut-and-paste from different apps back in the original version of Mac OS. I was impressed with it at the time, so must have been innovative!
My Nokia N96 has a tv decoder built-in (for the new DVB-H standard). However, in all the countries I have travelled to in Europe since I got it, only in Finland (in Turku) could I actually get channels.
But does the Panasonic phone do cut-n-paste? I am flabbergasted that this is not possible on an iphone as standard. Or has there been an update?
If there is a safe, non-patented way to read the FAT32 partition in order to load the ext3 driver, then why can't that safe way be used to access the whole volume formatted as FAT32 and not bother with the ext3 at all?
Install CDs aren't FAT32, AFAIK. ISO 9660 I would have thought.
Do you work for Sony?
How does that work?
I'm not entirely sure if you are serious, but it is because the manufacturers can't be arsed to certificate their kit with every OS out there. That said, I wish I could be confident that 'Vista Compatible' means it works under Vista 64 bit.
Incorrect. It also removes those individuals who are deems too big of a threat to society to be allowed to roam free.
I don't think anyone suggests people who commit horrible crimes of murders etc should be allowed to roam free.
Not executing != roam free
But it at least locking 'em up for 40+ years allows for the possibility of miscarriages of justice being rectified.
Capital punishment deters sane, reasonable people - which aren't the kind of people that commit capital crimes.
What the judge at the centre of this article isn't sane or reasonable?
I know, I know, you're not the one arguing he should be executed. Some people, eh?
And your advice is what? If the company's HR monkeys can't do their job properly then the whole company is fucked in the head, and don't deserve him??
I also graduated in the middle of a downturn; it sucks that zillions of shiny happy ex-students are chasing every opportunity - I totally believe that some HR bod will bin the CV/resume based on a 20 second google, after all there will be another dozen in the file next to his.
It's not so much that the company is looking for stupid reasons not to hire, but they are looking for ways to whittle down the short list of people to call for interview.
It sucks to be a graduate, with debits, and missing out on opportunities.
Just curious.
Also, sometimes I just can't wait until the powers-that-be release the TV series in my country, or get around to broadcasting it. I'd rather torrent the episode the day after the US broadcast, and then get the DVDs later to see the voice-overs/extras. (Heroes is one, currently The Big Bang Theory is in this category).
Additionally, sometimes the pirated versions are just better than the official releases. Especially if you speak a non-English language, and some kind people have subtitled the torrent for you.
Not just to mention the sometimes the stupid DVD menu navigation just sucks; a DVD +R with avi files are much more convenient than some three-level deep crap.
(mostly because of corrupt politicians like Putin it must be said)
Really? I'd thought one of his strengths was supposed to be his personal incorruptibility.
I'm also a Brit, and every time I travel through Heathrow I get more and more annoyed at the hassle. I need to give my finger prints so that I can transition through a shopping mall??