metadigital

So why did he have a problem with Walsingham saying that people who advocate removing people's rights and killing a race of people should be arrested for saying these things? Surely that logic applies there also? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's a semantic debate, because now (if I understand correctly) Ender is arguing that free speech is an absolute right (guaranteed under the US Constitution's First Amendment) that is inalienable. But, after making a free speech, the person can be called to task in the usual civil way (sue) but they have not committed an unlawful act in esse. I also note that the benefit of this meathod is that it can be (and is) enshrined in a lexa scripta, so there can be no misapprehension. The difference in Britain, for example, is that the speech can be judiciously analyzed for motive and effect. In practice, I think this just gives the UK an extra level of line crossing, so that it is easier to catch a would-be seditionist before his followers run out and commit crimes of hatred, whereas the US laws are a reactionary "big hammer", after the effect. The US preserves absolute free speech at the risk of civil values and safety, whereas the UK preserves the peace at the risk of free speech. I think I've got that right ...

One of the dilemmas of a free society is knowing when to police the elements. It is a rich vein for philosophical study, and therefore there is no "right" answer. I personally believe that anyone who threatens the society they live in deserves to be controlled, whether that is by expulsion (preferable) or death (state-anctioned murder is another can of worms). (Normally the argument for the death penalty is centred on cost. Studies have shown that the cost of the USA death row inmates is roughly similar (and sometime more) than the cost of converted prison sentences.) I think the best solution (from a philosophical standpoint) is to expel those not obliged or fit enough to live in the society to a place where they can do no harm to others, like their own desert isle. Not very practical, though. Nice as this is, the biggest hurdle is deciding when free speech becomes sedition (as we have all been discussing).

... And he still didn't like being called a girl.

It's not Buddhist, its an offshoot of Hindu (which technically Bhuddism is too) They think that they can get good karma by never killing anything or giving anything a chance to die by their hand... And I may have been wrong it may be the Jainists. (I have to find my world religions book) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The Dalai Lama does not swat mosquitoes, until the third bite, at which time he carefully shoos them away ...

He didn't like being called a girl ...

Mexico has cheaper petrol, doesn't it? I remember reading about the joggers of Mexico city who were doing the smog-clouded city a favour, by literally sponging up the polution in their lungs like mobile air filters. Something like 100% chance to catch lung cancer over five years.

I think it is borderng on rediculous to cite Afghanistan or Iraq as resource drains on the US. The US requires munitions sinks in which it tests new technology in situ, and "retires" old technology, in the best (for the US) manner possible. The US is committed to an aggressive Arms Race to keep its international military hegemony. They cannot do that without keeping their military current, so even if they didn't spend $87b for a quarter in Iraq, they'd be spending $30-40b in exercises. No, as Meshugger pointed out, the failing here is not military exercises. It is a failure of planning. Having conducted many ISO17799 Security Audits of government and corporate organisations in the last few years, I know that some organisations have plans to mitigate Disaster and others are forced to take an ostrich approach (usually due to a total overload of firefighting in their daily work). Disaster Recovery and Self-sufficiency of these States, and New Orleans in particular, seems to have failed the residents badly. There was a similar issue last Hurricane when most of a southern state lost power; don't forget the power loss of NY as well. A lot of serious questions need to be asked about who is responsible for disasters, probably focusing on different sclaes for each organisation (town, city, state, and larger). For example, I may choose to abnegate insurance on a personal level, but I must look after those for whom I am responsible, despite my personal feelings on the matter. So too, a government must look after all the citizens. As a priority. Just as defence is the first duty of government, so too this means the smallest government organisation must ensure that its charges are protected.

Sorry to hear you have been insulted. If it is serious enough, you can report the poster. If it is within your means, a post similar to this one calling the poster to task is a good method to stem such bigotry.

Unless he's visited Thailand recently ...

*I* will be developing an exclusive RPG. So exclusive, no-one else can play it.

But me wants to know what MDK stands for! Me gots to know! :'(

Captain PLANET? (I dunno, check the internets.) She may not even exist. ()

I expect there will be more people taking advantage of NwN with the upcoming cash-in special release.

(w00t)

Supernatural , Alien

I think the point is that she is an alien thinggie (technical term), and therefore does not need a gun (rifle or munitionss in general). More like a synchronous event to some calamitous eruption of deadly power, than a gun-toting pilgrim. PS Hoohah is on boot camp and will not be near a computer for two months. PPS Stop poulting my thread with Hoohah speculation. :angry: More little girls and Jack Thompson speculation.

I think you made that up. I never make spelling mistakes. Just like I never exaggerate. "

Very true. Very alternative. I like (the Fox network cartoon) The Simpsons' take on Fox News ... :D

No, I think he covered that by saying that the perp was permitted to say anything, but threatening action (that happened to be verbal) had consequences. It's a semantic debate.

It was said that the confederates were unhappy that Vivien Leigh wasn't from the South, but then they were happy that she was English, as that was better than being a Yankee ...

All true. But I think that is just his weird sense of humour (he's from Finland, donchaknow?). Maybe the devs were jazz fans ...

Aw, Ender, I don't think he meant any harm. He was just having a verbal boxing match with you. PS: (from wikipedia, again): ... MDK may mean: [*]MDK, Inc., the manufacturing company that makes K-Line. [*]murder death kill, a term used in reference to a homicide. [*]Mekan

Yeah, you hav'ta call 'em POMs.

The death of the US will start inside its borders ...

Nah - those Limeys still call us that. :D <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I would think those confederates would not like to be referred to as "Yanks" ...