I dunno if it has as much fun when you're an AC? Burning karma is kind of fun once in a while. I don't usually troll or anything but I do go way off topic just to amuse myself and others. Hell, I haven't even done my daily novella yet.;-) Unfortunately, I'm tired and the little lady wanted me to put my toys away ten minutes ago.
I include opportunity as a right. I probably could have been more specific but kind of figured it was included. With equal rights comes equal opportunities. I'm not sure why people expect equal outcomes. We are, biologically, different and certain people will naturally excel at certain things. This doesn't mean that they're not entitled to try or that they're unable to but it does mean we'll get different outcomes. I'm all for giving everyone the chance to do what they want to go in life. I'm just not sure that I'm for propping up failures or lowering standards to achieve some sort of equality that doesn't really make sense.
I hired the best I could. They were from a variety of walks of life. I wanted the best, I got the best. I paid out the ass for them, so to speak. It was worth it. Hell, they weren't even really that expensive. You ever price a serious printer room with a maintenance contract and supplies? Hardware to work with data sets in the TB range in the late 90s? Hell, software licenses for servers? Oracle??? Yeah... Employees were expensive but not really. I digress, however.
We're not going to get equal outcomes. We don't want equal outcomes unless we want to lower the standards. We want equal opportunity which is included in equal rights (by my reckoning).
Hmm... My company had an NDA. I can't imagine that any of my employees would have even signed a non-compete. I signed one when I sold but the price was worth it and they were purchasing all the IP, patents and all, with it so I'd have either had to start anew or go work for someone else in the field and neither was appealing. I can understand why someone would sign one, in your shoes, but I'm not sure they should even be legal in that type of situation. In my case, I am okay with it. I'm not sure how I feel about it in your case. An NDA should be adequate protection.
Oh, I'm not a teacher by trade. I'm just a citizen who managed to sell his business and was able to retire comfortably. I do what I do because it's the right thing to do. I did do some teaching, after retirement, but that was at the collegiate level.
I don't have answers other than what was stated. Do what you can, even if it's just a little. You'll never get perfection. You can try to make it a little better. Even if it's just a little. If we all did that then maybe, just maybe, we can turn things around. We've lost the sense of community. Get out of the city and visit an old New England town. It's even dying there.
Just because I don't have answers doesn't mean I can't see the problem. I do what I can because that's my job. This isn't a holier than thou type of thing. It's not meant to be, at least. It's just what I've chosen and what I think is the start to finding meaningful solutions.
You know... At first I was like... WTF? Then I thought about it. You know? It just might work - the wind speed, well the pressure, is what matters. I wonder if anyone has ever managed this?
Ah well... That's what I get for thinking about your post. "Don't fuck with Billy the Mountain."
Oh, and Ethel was a tree on his shoulder! God that song cracks me up. I'm gonna find it and listen to it. Now to find a telephone booth.
That's one of the many reason the LYING, money-sucking "Climatologists" had to drop the moniker "Global Warming" in favor of the "Well, we can always claim it" name "Climate Change".
You are so not getting invited to Apple Camp this summer.
That will be an order of magnitude stronger and faster! WOOHOO!!! Imma upgrade that bitch.
Anyhow, if folks have yet to try modeling chaotic data sets, well, try humans and vehicular traffic. It's fun (for some definition of fun) but I think humans may be more chaotic than climate. I'm no expert but I'm assuming the climate doesn't get drunk and drive backwards down a one way street with a bunch of cops following it. I could be wrong.
We stopped, entirely, teaching critical thinking. We substituted teaching civics in favor of teaching 'social studies.' The outcome does not surprise me.
Somewhere along the lines, we went from a goal of equal rights to a goal equal outcomes. I can speculate as to where and when but that's immaterial, it's unlikely to change in the near-term. Look at how the focus has changed and the assumption is that if it's not an equal outcome then there's bias in the system. Preferences and individuality be damned - an equal outcome has become mandatory. I'm not sure how we'll achieve that without lowering standards but we'll see.
I don't mind higher taxes - that's why I donate to charities that I approve of. I'd pay more in taxes, willingly, if they were spent to actually help people instead of bombing little brown men and stripping away our rights with overly broad and purposefully vague laws and enforcement. We can debate where the lines should be but, it is my observation, those lines should be moved. I still employ a few people, I pay a lower tax rate than they do. In fact, I don't really get taxed at all until I spend money. It's not really all that fair but I don't see much reason to fund the current system more than it is - they'll just waste it. So, I donate to charities that I agree with. I consider that taxation with representation.
I live in a poor area, not so poor as to be destitute but much of it seems to be by choice. I'm way out in the woods of Maine. We have a small (56 students) elementary school which is part of a larger district but the town opts to keep the elementary school close instead of busing the kids further away. After hemming and hawing to determine which was best, the solitary IT guy is a friend of mine, we decided that the iPod fit the bill. So, I bought all the kids an iPod and the bonus is that they can keep their inexpensive laptops from three years ago when I did that instead. Apple was pretty decent about it and gave me an excellent price - I got a dozen extras as they're expecting to have a few new students next year and some will, inevitably, break.
I imagine that this doesn't work for everyone and everywhere but there's little things you can do to help. If you can ease the burden in one area, perhaps that frees up resources for use in another area? I donate a lot of my old hardware and, when home, I try to donate time as well. They've got their own little computer lab set up and seem to have fun with it. In a couple of years, I'll re-evaluate the landscape and pick a new item to donate. The teachers all make good use of them and the children really appreciate it. I get nommy foods, Christmas cards, Valentines's Day cards, and get invited to plays and stuff. They're absolutely horrific actors and musicians but I go because they're expecting me to take them over to the bowling alley afterwards and buy them pizza.
It's my job. It's what I'm supposed to do. Even if you can only do a little, do that. I'm away from home, I have been for nearly two months, but I still stay in contact. I do think it's nearly time to meander back in that direction but I need to get a few things taken care of first.
I guess, thinking about your comment about blue collar folks, I don't know how to change others. I do know how to change myself. I guess that's my point, really. Do what you can, even if it's just a little. The little bastards appreciate even the smallest of things. I'm going to get the monsters a PA system with auto-tune... (Probably not, their off-key singing and music is part of the charm.)
I'm not admitting to anything but there's someone who will answer to my name, if called, who may have a hobby of finding online printers and sending them a (single) printed piece of paper telling them of the fault. Why they've got them online or with forwarded ports is beyond me. But, you know... Sometimes there are easily accessed routers and whatnot. I don't know anything about anything, of course, but they all *probably* have the default passwords still. If I were to do something like that then I'd obviously update their firmware, I'd be nice like that.
Now, I am not a climate scientist and I won't offer an opinion on this subject at this time. I am, however, a proud holder of a doctorate in Applied Mathematics. In my subset, I worked specifically with traffic modeling. Now, when you have a bunch of data, consider I was working with TB sized data sets in the 90s if you will, you often need art as much as you need science.
How to put this into easy words...
See, we take a data set and crunch it up in a bunch of different ways - then we go and observe reality. You'll *never* get an exact match. We try to get it close. Then you take those number, apply "sophisticated algorithms," and make the data set mimic reality as much as possible. Then, and only then, can you make meaningful determinations. Then, and only then, can you actually look at making changes and predicting outcomes. That, the art, is why I'm retired today.
Now, I can't say that I'm qualified to opine on their work, their outcome, or their presumptive models. I can say that I suspect, and this is just a guess, that they do it in much the same was that I did it. But, what do I know? Except some of their work in the 1990s cited some of my work - specifically with modeling large data sets. It's not my field - I don't know a damned thing about it. However, if they're massaging the data and the data conforms with the observations then that's about the best you're going to get. You'll never get perfection. It doesn't work like that, at least not in my field.
So, there's some anecdotal comments and, perhaps, some insight. I don't really know what the hell they're doing. My only concern is that they risk damaging the reputation of science and plunging us into another dark ages but that's a topic for another thread. Take it for what you will but it's okay to massage data - by itself it's not a bad thing. I can't, and won't, opine with regards to their motives or method and I hope that I've explained this well enough.
The 'experts' are chiming in. *sighs* I do, actually, own a.50 sidearm - it's a stupidly expensive Desert Eagle and entirely a toy that is of no value in the real world. No, no I don't carry that with me. I want to stop a threat - killing is optional and not-preferred. I will, I can, I'd rather not. I had the chance to be in a firefight while enlisted. As I laid down cover fire, and hid my head as best as I could - scared shitless but it was my job and my brothers on the line, I have no idea if I hit anyone. I don't regret it but it doesn't feel good.
I'd really rather minimum force if force is required. Of course, I have a lot of "tools" in my toolbox. That means I can pick what's best for me. For me, that's just a.22 LR which, honestly, I don't want to be hit with. It'd piss me off and I'd punch the bastard in the head that did it. Which is why I figure I'll fire a second time if they don't stop. Or a third... Or a fourth... And, if I miss, I'm sending minimal force downrange. Misses do happen.
I've pondered this, long and hard. The best solution I can come up with is a.22 LR. It's also perfect for grabbing a rabbit for dinner back home. If I'm actually in a good position then it's also able to take down a deer. It's not my ideal choice but it will work. Like I said, I can choose my tools. I question the need for 17 rounds in a self-defense firearm. I guess it's handy and all but is it required? If you need that many rounds then it *might* be time to just let fate take its course. There's no shame in running away. There's no shame in retreating to a more defensible position - sometimes it's wise to do so.
I mean, hell, if we're going to have the best of the best then I should probably carry around an M4 (or similar). But, I want a reasonable compromise that lets me minimize my risks or the risks of those I care about - even innocent people that I don't know. My responsibility ends somewhere and that line is when I need a hand cannon with more rounds than I can reasonably discharge in a crowd or a hectic situation.
I'm okay with my little pea-shooter. The first round gets their attention, the second makes them think again, and the third is only if they refused to stop being a threat. After that? Oh, I'll empty the magazine. At that point I can just run over and kick you in the nuts. I don't care who you are, you're going to cease to be a threat at that point. Unless, of course, we're talking people with bullet resistant vests in which case, well, I have that whole "run the fuck away" option. I can't prepare for every situation but I can prepare for those where I'm comfortable making the choice to take the risks and to risk taking a life. So, I'm okay with my "pea-shooter."
Anyhow, mod points not required. Thanks. I appreciate the conversation, regardless.
You know, I really only see that happen with cheap ammo. Really. Stop buying Federals at Walmart. Buy yourself some match grade. It's costly but the reliability and cleaner burn is worth it. I think it may have to do with the quality of the weapon, as well. I'm a big fan of Ruger in these regards.
I do have a number of center fire weapons. I can't say that I notice a difference in reliability when I buy quality rounds. Reloading the center fires is nice, however. Anyhow, buy yourself some match grade stuff. Take it out to the range and dump 'em after a few weeks and get more. They're not that expensive and the practice will do you good. Or, you know, shoot what you want. I've not had it fail - ever, and result in any harm. I'm comfortable relying on it. Not to mention, I can cycle a new round into the chamber with a quickness.
I'm no expert but I am happy with my choices and I made them with lots of consideration. You're free to critique them - and I'll listen and give it due consideration. However, reliability hasn't ever been an issue because I keep my firearm well maintained, I buy quality ammo, and I cycle out old ammunition. I live in Maine. I can stop on the side of the road and unload a few magazines if I want - nobody cares. I've never run the numbers but my FTF ratio is pretty damned low. Honestly, I don't recall that ever happening with this pistol.
It's not like rounds sit around aging - well, boxes and boxes of cheap ammo does. I really should unload that stuff but there's no kid's shooting clubs around any more. Maybe a camp will take 'em? I hear that 'complaint' a lot and I have to wonder if these people even own a.22? It's not really an issue. Heck, I have some subsonic rounds that don't even misfire - they do cycle poorly in some heavier firearms. It's not like I'm running around with a Jennings.
Err, did you read my post or are you reading more into it than is in it? No, my expectation is that *some* of the right still wants him dead. I am not one of those people nor am I a Democrat. In fact, I don't really fit that neatly into checkboxes. However, I'm pretty sure some of the right still wants him dead - no matter what he does.
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We get a pretty good number of questions, from folks with these laptops, over on the StackExchange AskUbuntu sub.
You don't actually know any Libertarians or understand the ideology, do you?
I dunno if it has as much fun when you're an AC? Burning karma is kind of fun once in a while. I don't usually troll or anything but I do go way off topic just to amuse myself and others. Hell, I haven't even done my daily novella yet. ;-) Unfortunately, I'm tired and the little lady wanted me to put my toys away ten minutes ago.
And I got my coveted off-topic mod! I luff this game.
Also, having seen your post concerning comedians. If you like highbrow, check out Emo Philips.
Hmm... No? Frank was a Rat Pack. *nods* ;)
I thought I told you, yesterday, to stop picking on the kids???
*chuckles*
Meh, what's the point of accumulating /. Karma if you don't spend it once in a while?
That Obama's a dirty Kenyan negro and needs to get back to Chicago and do some community activism instead of ruining our global environment!
I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. I'm aiming for "off-topic." How 'bout you?
You know the AC really isn't a Climatologist, right?
That's why it's theoretical, duh! ;-)
I include opportunity as a right. I probably could have been more specific but kind of figured it was included. With equal rights comes equal opportunities. I'm not sure why people expect equal outcomes. We are, biologically, different and certain people will naturally excel at certain things. This doesn't mean that they're not entitled to try or that they're unable to but it does mean we'll get different outcomes. I'm all for giving everyone the chance to do what they want to go in life. I'm just not sure that I'm for propping up failures or lowering standards to achieve some sort of equality that doesn't really make sense.
I hired the best I could. They were from a variety of walks of life. I wanted the best, I got the best. I paid out the ass for them, so to speak. It was worth it. Hell, they weren't even really that expensive. You ever price a serious printer room with a maintenance contract and supplies? Hardware to work with data sets in the TB range in the late 90s? Hell, software licenses for servers? Oracle??? Yeah... Employees were expensive but not really. I digress, however.
We're not going to get equal outcomes. We don't want equal outcomes unless we want to lower the standards. We want equal opportunity which is included in equal rights (by my reckoning).
Hmm... My company had an NDA. I can't imagine that any of my employees would have even signed a non-compete. I signed one when I sold but the price was worth it and they were purchasing all the IP, patents and all, with it so I'd have either had to start anew or go work for someone else in the field and neither was appealing. I can understand why someone would sign one, in your shoes, but I'm not sure they should even be legal in that type of situation. In my case, I am okay with it. I'm not sure how I feel about it in your case. An NDA should be adequate protection.
Oh, I'm not a teacher by trade. I'm just a citizen who managed to sell his business and was able to retire comfortably. I do what I do because it's the right thing to do. I did do some teaching, after retirement, but that was at the collegiate level.
I don't have answers other than what was stated. Do what you can, even if it's just a little. You'll never get perfection. You can try to make it a little better. Even if it's just a little. If we all did that then maybe, just maybe, we can turn things around. We've lost the sense of community. Get out of the city and visit an old New England town. It's even dying there.
Just because I don't have answers doesn't mean I can't see the problem. I do what I can because that's my job. This isn't a holier than thou type of thing. It's not meant to be, at least. It's just what I've chosen and what I think is the start to finding meaningful solutions.
You know... At first I was like... WTF? Then I thought about it. You know? It just might work - the wind speed, well the pressure, is what matters. I wonder if anyone has ever managed this?
Ah well... That's what I get for thinking about your post. "Don't fuck with Billy the Mountain."
Oh, and Ethel was a tree on his shoulder! God that song cracks me up. I'm gonna find it and listen to it. Now to find a telephone booth.
Check your script blocking shit. I had to enable some after the most recent down-time. They changed some settings.
That's one of the many reason the LYING, money-sucking "Climatologists" had to drop the moniker "Global Warming" in favor of the "Well, we can always claim it" name "Climate Change".
You are so not getting invited to Apple Camp this summer.
That will be an order of magnitude stronger and faster! WOOHOO!!! Imma upgrade that bitch.
Anyhow, if folks have yet to try modeling chaotic data sets, well, try humans and vehicular traffic. It's fun (for some definition of fun) but I think humans may be more chaotic than climate. I'm no expert but I'm assuming the climate doesn't get drunk and drive backwards down a one way street with a bunch of cops following it. I could be wrong.
We stopped, entirely, teaching critical thinking. We substituted teaching civics in favor of teaching 'social studies.' The outcome does not surprise me.
Somewhere along the lines, we went from a goal of equal rights to a goal equal outcomes. I can speculate as to where and when but that's immaterial, it's unlikely to change in the near-term. Look at how the focus has changed and the assumption is that if it's not an equal outcome then there's bias in the system. Preferences and individuality be damned - an equal outcome has become mandatory. I'm not sure how we'll achieve that without lowering standards but we'll see.
I don't mind higher taxes - that's why I donate to charities that I approve of. I'd pay more in taxes, willingly, if they were spent to actually help people instead of bombing little brown men and stripping away our rights with overly broad and purposefully vague laws and enforcement. We can debate where the lines should be but, it is my observation, those lines should be moved. I still employ a few people, I pay a lower tax rate than they do. In fact, I don't really get taxed at all until I spend money. It's not really all that fair but I don't see much reason to fund the current system more than it is - they'll just waste it. So, I donate to charities that I agree with. I consider that taxation with representation.
I live in a poor area, not so poor as to be destitute but much of it seems to be by choice. I'm way out in the woods of Maine. We have a small (56 students) elementary school which is part of a larger district but the town opts to keep the elementary school close instead of busing the kids further away. After hemming and hawing to determine which was best, the solitary IT guy is a friend of mine, we decided that the iPod fit the bill. So, I bought all the kids an iPod and the bonus is that they can keep their inexpensive laptops from three years ago when I did that instead. Apple was pretty decent about it and gave me an excellent price - I got a dozen extras as they're expecting to have a few new students next year and some will, inevitably, break.
I imagine that this doesn't work for everyone and everywhere but there's little things you can do to help. If you can ease the burden in one area, perhaps that frees up resources for use in another area? I donate a lot of my old hardware and, when home, I try to donate time as well. They've got their own little computer lab set up and seem to have fun with it. In a couple of years, I'll re-evaluate the landscape and pick a new item to donate. The teachers all make good use of them and the children really appreciate it. I get nommy foods, Christmas cards, Valentines's Day cards, and get invited to plays and stuff. They're absolutely horrific actors and musicians but I go because they're expecting me to take them over to the bowling alley afterwards and buy them pizza.
It's my job. It's what I'm supposed to do. Even if you can only do a little, do that. I'm away from home, I have been for nearly two months, but I still stay in contact. I do think it's nearly time to meander back in that direction but I need to get a few things taken care of first.
I guess, thinking about your comment about blue collar folks, I don't know how to change others. I do know how to change myself. I guess that's my point, really. Do what you can, even if it's just a little. The little bastards appreciate even the smallest of things. I'm going to get the monsters a PA system with auto-tune... (Probably not, their off-key singing and music is part of the charm.)
That's because your PS3 is racist and deserves it.
I'm not admitting to anything but there's someone who will answer to my name, if called, who may have a hobby of finding online printers and sending them a (single) printed piece of paper telling them of the fault. Why they've got them online or with forwarded ports is beyond me. But, you know... Sometimes there are easily accessed routers and whatnot. I don't know anything about anything, of course, but they all *probably* have the default passwords still. If I were to do something like that then I'd obviously update their firmware, I'd be nice like that.
Now, I am not a climate scientist and I won't offer an opinion on this subject at this time. I am, however, a proud holder of a doctorate in Applied Mathematics. In my subset, I worked specifically with traffic modeling. Now, when you have a bunch of data, consider I was working with TB sized data sets in the 90s if you will, you often need art as much as you need science.
How to put this into easy words...
See, we take a data set and crunch it up in a bunch of different ways - then we go and observe reality. You'll *never* get an exact match. We try to get it close. Then you take those number, apply "sophisticated algorithms," and make the data set mimic reality as much as possible. Then, and only then, can you make meaningful determinations. Then, and only then, can you actually look at making changes and predicting outcomes. That, the art, is why I'm retired today.
Now, I can't say that I'm qualified to opine on their work, their outcome, or their presumptive models. I can say that I suspect, and this is just a guess, that they do it in much the same was that I did it. But, what do I know? Except some of their work in the 1990s cited some of my work - specifically with modeling large data sets. It's not my field - I don't know a damned thing about it. However, if they're massaging the data and the data conforms with the observations then that's about the best you're going to get. You'll never get perfection. It doesn't work like that, at least not in my field.
So, there's some anecdotal comments and, perhaps, some insight. I don't really know what the hell they're doing. My only concern is that they risk damaging the reputation of science and plunging us into another dark ages but that's a topic for another thread. Take it for what you will but it's okay to massage data - by itself it's not a bad thing. I can't, and won't, opine with regards to their motives or method and I hope that I've explained this well enough.
The 'experts' are chiming in. *sighs* I do, actually, own a .50 sidearm - it's a stupidly expensive Desert Eagle and entirely a toy that is of no value in the real world. No, no I don't carry that with me. I want to stop a threat - killing is optional and not-preferred. I will, I can, I'd rather not. I had the chance to be in a firefight while enlisted. As I laid down cover fire, and hid my head as best as I could - scared shitless but it was my job and my brothers on the line, I have no idea if I hit anyone. I don't regret it but it doesn't feel good.
I'd really rather minimum force if force is required. Of course, I have a lot of "tools" in my toolbox. That means I can pick what's best for me. For me, that's just a .22 LR which, honestly, I don't want to be hit with. It'd piss me off and I'd punch the bastard in the head that did it. Which is why I figure I'll fire a second time if they don't stop. Or a third... Or a fourth... And, if I miss, I'm sending minimal force downrange. Misses do happen.
I've pondered this, long and hard. The best solution I can come up with is a .22 LR. It's also perfect for grabbing a rabbit for dinner back home. If I'm actually in a good position then it's also able to take down a deer. It's not my ideal choice but it will work. Like I said, I can choose my tools. I question the need for 17 rounds in a self-defense firearm. I guess it's handy and all but is it required? If you need that many rounds then it *might* be time to just let fate take its course. There's no shame in running away. There's no shame in retreating to a more defensible position - sometimes it's wise to do so.
I mean, hell, if we're going to have the best of the best then I should probably carry around an M4 (or similar). But, I want a reasonable compromise that lets me minimize my risks or the risks of those I care about - even innocent people that I don't know. My responsibility ends somewhere and that line is when I need a hand cannon with more rounds than I can reasonably discharge in a crowd or a hectic situation.
I'm okay with my little pea-shooter. The first round gets their attention, the second makes them think again, and the third is only if they refused to stop being a threat. After that? Oh, I'll empty the magazine. At that point I can just run over and kick you in the nuts. I don't care who you are, you're going to cease to be a threat at that point. Unless, of course, we're talking people with bullet resistant vests in which case, well, I have that whole "run the fuck away" option. I can't prepare for every situation but I can prepare for those where I'm comfortable making the choice to take the risks and to risk taking a life. So, I'm okay with my "pea-shooter."
Anyhow, mod points not required. Thanks. I appreciate the conversation, regardless.
You know, I really only see that happen with cheap ammo. Really. Stop buying Federals at Walmart. Buy yourself some match grade. It's costly but the reliability and cleaner burn is worth it. I think it may have to do with the quality of the weapon, as well. I'm a big fan of Ruger in these regards.
I do have a number of center fire weapons. I can't say that I notice a difference in reliability when I buy quality rounds. Reloading the center fires is nice, however. Anyhow, buy yourself some match grade stuff. Take it out to the range and dump 'em after a few weeks and get more. They're not that expensive and the practice will do you good. Or, you know, shoot what you want. I've not had it fail - ever, and result in any harm. I'm comfortable relying on it. Not to mention, I can cycle a new round into the chamber with a quickness.
I'm no expert but I am happy with my choices and I made them with lots of consideration. You're free to critique them - and I'll listen and give it due consideration. However, reliability hasn't ever been an issue because I keep my firearm well maintained, I buy quality ammo, and I cycle out old ammunition. I live in Maine. I can stop on the side of the road and unload a few magazines if I want - nobody cares. I've never run the numbers but my FTF ratio is pretty damned low. Honestly, I don't recall that ever happening with this pistol.
It's not like rounds sit around aging - well, boxes and boxes of cheap ammo does. I really should unload that stuff but there's no kid's shooting clubs around any more. Maybe a camp will take 'em? I hear that 'complaint' a lot and I have to wonder if these people even own a .22? It's not really an issue. Heck, I have some subsonic rounds that don't even misfire - they do cycle poorly in some heavier firearms. It's not like I'm running around with a Jennings.
Err, did you read my post or are you reading more into it than is in it? No, my expectation is that *some* of the right still wants him dead. I am not one of those people nor am I a Democrat. In fact, I don't really fit that neatly into checkboxes. However, I'm pretty sure some of the right still wants him dead - no matter what he does.