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User: voice_of_all_reason

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  1. Re:Refund on Marquette Dental Student Suspended For Blogging · · Score: 1

    They cannot simply decide to throw someone out because he writes something they disagree with.

    I can guarantee you, completely and without a doubt, that every single college on earth has a phrase somewhere along the lines of "must uphold conduct in accordance with (insert college name here) standards." Huge gaping clause the size of a hallway, indeed.

    Now, a university policy stating that all female students have to provide nude photos on demand would not be legal, even if it were in the university policy guide, since such a requirement would be against the law.

    They sure can, if it's a private institution. Sex/race discrimination laws don't apply there. Case in point: the boy scouts won the case to fire gay scoutmasters.

  2. Re:Refund on Marquette Dental Student Suspended For Blogging · · Score: 1

    Because the states have chosen to implement housing discrimination laws, but not education discrimination laws. Well, some might -- based on gender or race, but not on action.

    Your analogy is more like Frodo refusing to sell Bag End to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins because she was a gossiping twit. If this were Middle Earth, he'd be well within his rights.

  3. Re:Freedom is a two-way street on Marquette Dental Student Suspended For Blogging · · Score: 1

    Mao would love this.

    Why conquer schools under the boot of the government when they'll do your work for you?

  4. Interesting on Why We Fight · · Score: 1

    There is an appealing simplicity in it all. In Age of Empires II, I usually just park my trebuchets outside the city and clear out their entire range before moving on, even if the mission doesn't require it.

  5. Re:Refund on Marquette Dental Student Suspended For Blogging · · Score: 1

    The US Constitution guarentees that you will not suffer the consequences of censorship nor retaliation for what you say - that is freedom of speech

    Unfortunately, that only applies to the federal government (and state governments, by judicial decision). The college can hide a line in it's policy guide (who actually reads the whole thing) stating that all female students have to provide nude photos on demand. And it'd be perfectly legal.

    Not agreeing with it, just saying that's what it is. Private institutions can pretty much put anything in their student agreements (or even the squirmy "we may change these terms at any time" clause) and tell you to take a hike if you violate them.

  6. They forgot three... on Google's Ten Golden Rules · · Score: 0

    -Crush your enemies
    -See them driven before you
    -Hear the lamentation of the women

  7. Hmm on Google Fixes IE Bug · · Score: -1, Troll

    Who didn't see this coming a mile away?

    It's okay if Google has access to my hard drive AND the internet, right? They do no evil!

  8. "how many more people could be listening..." on NYT Opinion Piece on DRM And P2P · · Score: 0, Troll

    Um, we are listening to your music. We're just not paying. That's the point.

  9. Re:Product Placement vs. Blatant Ads on Study Finds In-Game Ads Work · · Score: 1

    but integrated ads aren't nearly as bad as some of the alternatives.

    It might factor into whether or not something you make is seen as "art" 100 years from now or just schlocky mass-produced crap. Would the Mona Lisa be as famous if you could see a "Mario's Pizza!" sign out the window?

  10. Whoa, stop the presses. on Study Finds In-Game Ads Work · · Score: 2, Insightful

    In other news, Spyware also increases sales and brand awareness. It's still a scummy thing to do.

  11. Re:Umm on Microsoft Plays 'Big Brother' With Xbox Live · · Score: 1

    Funny, that's exactly the response pirates use to Microsoft.

    Them: But stealing windows isn't hurting you! You have enough money to make it for free!

    Billy: Not the point. It's the principle of the thing.

  12. Re:Umm on Microsoft Plays 'Big Brother' With Xbox Live · · Score: 1

    Because both have liscence agreements that are purposely obfuscated in order to prevent you from easily learning everything you are agreeing to.

  13. Re:Why .xxx won't work on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 1

    1) I tried many different paragraphs to try and refute your arguement that domains may not be property, but can't! It just is, dammit :)

    2) Can easily be shown to be true by showing the correlation in prices between what .coms are auctioned for versus what .infos or any of the newfangled sites sold for.

    3) Dang, I hate when I confuse government and private enterprise. Still, I imagine they have a clause that "any violation of ICANN rules is grounds for relinquishing of domain", and everyone's got to be in violation of at least one rule

    So yeah, they might get away with it. Especially since no one likes porn webmasters, so it's easy to do rotten things to them.

  14. Re:Umm on Microsoft Plays 'Big Brother' With Xbox Live · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Personally, the feeling is more like "They're doing something they know most people would rather not submit to, and some people are fanatically opposed to. But the information makes them money -- more than it does alienate users. So screw the customers."

  15. Re:Why not just open the floodgates ... on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 1

    nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; - 5th amendment

    Though yeah, you're right. The "presumed" bit is somewhat essential to the maxim.

  16. Re:Umm on Microsoft Plays 'Big Brother' With Xbox Live · · Score: 1

    I'd imagine that Microsoft collects the data even if you choose not to appear online. You're invisible to other users, but not to them. Oh my, no.

  17. Re:Why .xxx won't work on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 1

    That's the only question? What about your right to not have property taken away from you because of new laws.

    Emminent Domains explains the Fifth Amendment's "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation" clause. Note there's especially no allowance there to take private property for other private use.

    But, hey. This is the era of black hole federalism. I forgot it's already been ruled legal by the Supreme Court!

  18. Re:Why not just open the floodgates ... on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 1

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    Learn it, love it, live it.

    The cornerstone of our country (supposedly)

  19. Bad news... on Are three cores better than two? · · Score: 4, Funny

    As a senior Death Star Engineer, I don't think this is such a good idea at all. Despire the Governor's claims that the rebellion poses no threat, having not one, but three massive vulnerabilities on our defenses is only asking for a "small, one-man fighter" to score a direct hit.

  20. Re:Why .xxx won't work on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 1

    Small moves, Ellie?

    Actually, this sounds pretty straightforward. Except for the part where they deluge the domain with so many restrictions that pr0n becomes effectively illegal.

    "And we shall have peace..."

  21. Re:Seeking to balance the interests of who? on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 1, Funny

    Why should anyone have a say in guiding those billions of buying decisions

    That's exactly what the ICANN board members are thinking. "Why should anyone else have a say when I want to do it this way!"

  22. Why .xxx won't work on ICANN Meeting Passes on .com, .xxx decisions · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you're not going to mandate that adult content can only be hosted on .xxx, then it will be useless for the reasons the fundies want. You know, that bit about not being forced to give up property of your .com domain?

    On the other hand, if you were hoping for a burgeoning directory of naughty stuff, then yes, you're boned :(

  23. Re:'06 pre-election FUD; most games are adults on Video Games Seriously Harmful to Children? · · Score: 1

    Super Mario 3 cost $50, and my dad drove out on my birthday to get it because I'd gotten an excellent report card the day before.

    Don't remember much about him bringing home Atari games, but I think they were around the same price. In no way were video games ever "kids toys." I didn't have a job until high school, but $6 an hour (less after taxes) still didn't allow games into the budget :(

  24. The rest of the world seems to be forgetting... on ICANN Plays Down U.S. Influence · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you're not with America, you're against us.

    //too subtle?

  25. Re:Searchable ads on Tivo? on Tivo To Also Offer Ads Your Way · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'll direct you to this helpful timeline for capitalism:

    Step 1 - Free, no ads
    Step 2 - Free, with ads
    Step 3 - Pay, no ads
    Step 4 - Pay, with ads

    Tivo is between steps 3 and 4 right now. As with every other service, it will soon be at step 4.