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Posts Made By:
Tactitus
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Aug 2009, 09:44
Replies:
51
Is Bigger Government Better
Views:
18,491
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Is Bigger Government Better
Yes, I made it very clear that the letter was in reference to the plan then under consideration. As I said initially, some economists were opposed to specific details of the bailout and some were...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Aug 2009, 08:27
Replies:
51
Is Bigger Government Better
Views:
18,491
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Is Bigger Government Better
I didn't say they always worked well, I just said they always worked (in the sense that, sooner or later, they always sorted themselves out). There have been recessions for as long as there have...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Aug 2009, 08:45
Replies:
51
Is Bigger Government Better
Views:
18,491
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Is Bigger Government Better
Much damage happened anyway, or happened even before the bail out; but nobody really knows what would have happened (or for that matter, what may yet happen).
The first question to ask is: how...
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Jul 2009, 19:38
Replies:
51
Is Bigger Government Better
Views:
18,491
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Is Bigger Government Better
The difference though is that stockholders are such mainly by choice (with some possibility of a profit to offset the risk they're taking) whereas taxpayers are not. As a stockholder, if I think GM...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Jun 2009, 18:51
Replies:
33
MP's Expenses (UK politics)
Views:
6,712
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: MP's Expenses (UK politics)
I doubt it.
Pay toilets are an anathema to Americans. Thanks to a successful grass roots campaign, most pay toilets in the US were removed years ago. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Jun 2009, 18:20
Replies:
22
My Dilema
Views:
4,926
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: My Dilema
But did the jury actually hear the dead victim's accusation or just someone else's account of it (i.e., hearsay)? :/
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
19 May 2009, 17:05
Replies:
128
Why changing salvage sucked ass and please change it back next round
Views:
18,956
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Why changing salvage sucked ass and please change it back next round
I wonder if part of the problem is that any salvage formula has to serve more than one master? You want high(er) salvage to reward defenders and you want low(er) salvage to reduce/eliminate...
Forum:
Planetarion Discussions
7 May 2009, 03:05
Replies:
52
Some further observations
Views:
11,707
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Some further observations
PA originally had up to 3-tick attack and up to 6-tick defend (you could always set less and/or recall early). The extra defend ticks didn't help with single attacks (unless you wanted to launch def....
Forum:
General Discussions
1 May 2009, 18:25
Replies:
6
Space, Ink
Views:
2,856
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Space, Ink
Not long. I knew we'd covered this several times in the past, and it was one of the threads that the search found. I just thought that it was amusing that you (assuming you're the same Kenny as in...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 May 2009, 07:35
Replies:
6
Space, Ink
Views:
2,856
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Space, Ink
Out of curiosity, was it this thread (http://pirate.planetarion.com/showthread.php?p=3084262) that burst that bubble?
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
24 Mar 2009, 07:59
Replies:
22
One Roid To Rule Them All *split*
Views:
4,574
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: One Roid To Rule Them All *split*
Light pretty well said most of what I was going to say. There are a lot of features (or remnants of features) that don't make sense anymore because other features have been ripped out. Removing the...
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
22 Mar 2009, 05:21
Replies:
9
Capping, based on value
Views:
3,626
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Capping, based on value
I said 'friends' rather than 'alliance' for a reason. The round 5 tactic worked just as well with non-alliance friends--members of NAPed alliances, friends, even idlers in public channels. :) It was...
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
21 Mar 2009, 23:36
Replies:
9
Capping, based on value
Views:
3,626
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Capping, based on value
I'd be very careful about using a round 5-based capping formula. Round 5 was (in)famous for piggybacking (or reverse piggybacking since it involved 'friendly attackers'). Whenever you couldn't...
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
21 Mar 2009, 23:18
Replies:
14
Finance center diminishing returns
Views:
3,496
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Finance center diminishing returns
It is a cap, your formula just approaches it asymptotically. The incremental bonus will eventually go to zero (how quickly depends on the precision of your arithmetic).
I don't want to belabor the...
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
18 Mar 2009, 20:07
Replies:
14
Finance center diminishing returns
Views:
3,496
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Finance center diminishing returns
Your new formula still has an artificial cap (called 'Cap' interestingly enough). What's the difference between an artificial cap of, say, 50% bonus and an artificial cap of, say, 60 FC? Why does...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Feb 2009, 22:56
Replies:
18
Obama Budget $3.55 Trillion
Views:
4,504
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Obama Budget $3.55 Trillion
No, he's just setting himself up to take credit for something that was going to happen anyway. It's no big deal, he's a politician. If you could put down the dreamy kool-aid for a minute, I'm sure...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Feb 2009, 20:44
Replies:
18
Obama Budget $3.55 Trillion
Views:
4,504
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Obama Budget $3.55 Trillion
I think you're a bit confused about the US budget process. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars were funded off-budget, but the amounts weren't secret. All of our wars start off being funded off-budget (I...
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Feb 2009, 07:05
Replies:
12
Amazing Stimulus
Views:
3,547
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Amazing Stimulus
If you don't believe that governments can end recessions then perhaps you agree that calling this a 'stimulus' bill was, at best, misleading and thus there was no need to rush this bill through...
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Feb 2009, 21:10
Replies:
12
Amazing Stimulus
Views:
3,547
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Amazing Stimulus
Even if you believe any and all government spending stimulates the economy (and I could have sworn that even Keynesians were a bit particular in that regard), the stimulus bill has a long ramp-up...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Feb 2009, 08:41
Replies:
30
A Working Class Hero Once Again
Views:
8,365
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A Working Class Hero Once Again
I don't know. I think Mexicans can and should make that determination for themselves.
I don't know what 'quality of life' means, or if it means the same thing to different people. No one is forcing...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Feb 2009, 07:50
Replies:
30
A Working Class Hero Once Again
Views:
8,365
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A Working Class Hero Once Again
What about it?
I don't know how much Mexicans spend to live in the US and I don't know how much they earn; but I do know that in 2007 they sent 24 billion dollars to Mexico in the form of...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Nov 2008, 18:24
Replies:
120
Sarah Palin
Views:
55,481
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Sarah Palin
He's an Obama/Axelrod drone. In the US, you see them on a lot of forums and commenting on blogs. They're always newly-registered users who only post on political topics. They always claim to be...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Nov 2008, 03:22
Replies:
41
Mathematical Problems
Views:
10,520
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Mathematical Problems
Surely V would be for Vermouth. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Nov 2008, 03:16
Replies:
14
Election Prediction Thread
Views:
5,241
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Election Prediction Thread
I'm not really seeing your point here as most polls are conducted over the telephone and are semi-anonymous* and confidential. They're not much more public than a polling booth from my perspective....
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Oct 2008, 07:57
Replies:
40
Philosexology
Views:
8,372
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Philosexology
This is really orthogonal to the question of abortion, as there is already the technology to select a child's sex without recourse to abortion (in vitro fertilization, for example). In the future...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Sep 2008, 03:52
Replies:
8
WW1 and fire
Views:
2,972
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: WW1 and fire
The use of chemical agents had been technically outlawed by the 1925 Geneva convention, although not all the belligerents had ratified the treaty and some nations ratified the treaty with...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Sep 2008, 07:48
Replies:
17
Piyush Jindal
Views:
5,432
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Piyush Jindal
It was unnecessary only in hindsight. Hurricanes, especially in the Gulf, are just too unpredictable. If you hold off on the evacuation until you're certain it's necessary then you've almost...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Sep 2008, 04:45
Replies:
120
Sarah Palin
Views:
55,481
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Sarah Palin
She's a new face, which the Republicans need. Beyond that, there's an only moderate resume and her gender. I hope she wasn't picked to try to woo the disaffected Hillary voters; Republicans should...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Sep 2008, 02:45
Replies:
7
Back to Work
Views:
2,725
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Back to Work
Aren't you due to retire in a few months? Why are you even back at all (except to clean out desk, tell replacement where bodies are buried, etc)?
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jun 2008, 09:15
Replies:
34
Latest Kyoto Report for EU
Views:
6,559
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Latest Kyoto Report for EU
When costs and uncertainties are high, yes. But feel free to gamble with your own money. :)
I don't buy into the global warming alarmism (having lived through the global cooling alarmism), but...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jun 2008, 10:48
Replies:
3
[linkdump] Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
Views:
2,772
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [linkdump] Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
I found http://graphjam.com/ to be mildly amusing.
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jun 2008, 10:41
Replies:
34
Latest Kyoto Report for EU
Views:
6,559
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Latest Kyoto Report for EU
Um, I was being facetious. Apparently my meager attempt at humor sailed clean over your head. I'll try to aim lower. :)
I have no idea what you're talking about but if this thread is causing you...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Jun 2008, 20:09
Replies:
34
Latest Kyoto Report for EU
Views:
6,559
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Latest Kyoto Report for EU
That's as may be, but Kyoto doesn't require full participation. First, only Annex I (developed) countries have to reduce emissions--meaning that high-CO2-producing industries like steel production by...
Forum:
General Discussions
23 Jun 2008, 22:42
Replies:
34
Latest Kyoto Report for EU
Views:
6,559
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Latest Kyoto Report for EU
Um, sure. But cut by how much and at what cost? The devil is always in those pesky details. :)
I think there are a number of flaws with the Stern Review but the proof here is really in the pudding....
Forum:
General Discussions
30 May 2008, 04:14
Replies:
9
There's Way Too Many People With My Name Out There
Views:
3,593
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: There's Way Too Many People With My Name Out There
Perhaps you created an account with that name some time ago and just forgot?
Then again it's a straightforward permutation of a not uncommon name.
Forum:
General Discussions
21 May 2008, 22:08
Replies:
59
The Spectator
Views:
8,166
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Spectator
These schools sound a lot like what we call charter schools (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_schools) here in the US. They're a variation on the idea of school vouchers...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Apr 2008, 23:37
Replies:
17
Tibet and the Olympics
Views:
3,545
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Tibet and the Olympics
Well it's a symbolic gesture against a symbolic event. This ensures that virtually no one will actually be inconvenienced. ;)
I believe she has only called for a boycott of the opening ceremonies...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Jan 2008, 18:28
Replies:
89
Annoying election process begins.
Views:
11,017
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Annoying election process begins.
But as FDR himself so aptly demonstrated, the Vice-President is only a cerebral hemorrhage away from the Presidency. Vice-Presidents have become far more important and far more engaged than they...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Jan 2008, 05:39
Replies:
89
Annoying election process begins.
Views:
11,017
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Annoying election process begins.
Well, that and history. In the past 100 years, only one President has been elected to office with only Legislative experience (JFK, 1960).
It's been very rare for candidates to win the Presidency...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Jan 2008, 00:38
Replies:
29
Who is the sympathetic one here?
Views:
4,989
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Who is the sympathetic one here?
This seems to be the sort of case that cries out for one of the Judge Judy-type shows. Don't you have some sort of mechanism to alert the media when you have one of these...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Jan 2008, 03:09
Replies:
89
Annoying election process begins.
Views:
11,017
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Annoying election process begins.
I'd say the death march started a year ago, but whatever. The corollary is that the nominations should be wrapped up even longer before the actual conventions, leaving us a pleasant if awkward lull...
Forum:
Strategic Discussions
2 Dec 2007, 23:09
Replies:
21
Salvage
Views:
4,351
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Salvage
Yes it does; but if stealing were to yield a significant net gain then it might not be such a small group.
It's axiomatic that players will seek out advantages and unfortunately in my experience...
Forum:
Strategic Discussions
2 Dec 2007, 21:04
Replies:
21
Salvage
Views:
4,351
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Salvage
The difference, however, is that the ships have not been lost from the game. If the game gives salvage for ships that simply trade hands then it's essentially creating something out of nothing and...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Oct 2007, 01:23
Replies:
178
OiNK closed down...
Views:
24,021
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: OiNK closed down...
They've dropped significantly in the US. Newspaper circulation (daily) peaked in 1984 and has been declining ever since (down nearly 20%). I don't know if that's all due to the internet, but it's...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Aug 2007, 16:00
Replies:
30
The BBC strikes out against stupid conceptions of property
Views:
8,956
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The BBC strikes out against stupid conceptions of property
Why the hell am I paying for it then? :confused:
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Aug 2007, 06:33
Replies:
6
Those crazy Americans
Views:
2,884
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Those crazy Americans
Heh (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-launcher2107aug21,0,3474791.story), it turns out it wasn't a missile or even a missile launcher; just a carrying case for an anti-tank...
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Aug 2007, 09:49
Replies:
97
Stupid police officers and the nonsensical comments they make
Views:
13,509
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Stupid police officers and the nonsensical comments they make
The Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) is one of the most well-studied behavior-control policies in the US. Prior to the 1970s, states set their own MLDA and while most states set it at 21, several...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jul 2007, 16:45
Replies:
12
Public opinion pages
Views:
2,774
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Public opinion pages
You mean like forcing them to use typewriters and carbon paper? ;)
But I'm heartily amused by the idea of someone using the internet to spam the dead tree media. :D
Forum:
General Discussions
8 Jul 2007, 02:41
Replies:
20
iphone
Views:
3,132
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: iphone
Apparently not; although someone may come out with iPhone compatible gloves. ;)
I've never been able to use any mobile phone while wearing my winter gloves, so I have no expectations in that...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jul 2007, 04:23
Replies:
20
iphone
Views:
3,132
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: iphone
I'd guess because a stylus wouldn't be able to take advantage of the multitouch screen. Also, the iPhone requires input from something that approximates the electrical characteristics of human skin....
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jun 2007, 07:38
Replies:
11
Oh, Britain, Bastion of anti-corruption.
Views:
2,831
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Oh, Britain, Bastion of anti-corruption.
Erm, that was like 35 years ago; and before the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was passed in 1977 (prior to which, it wasn't a violation of US law to pay bribes to foreign officials). In any case, no...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jun 2007, 03:11
Replies:
56
HIV-man shags underaged girls shocker
Views:
8,376
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: HIV-man shags underaged girls shocker
The Moors took Spain from the Goths, who took it from the Vandals, who took it from the Romans. Roman rule in Spain essentially ended in the fifth century (Justinian re-established a toehold in...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Jun 2007, 03:58
Replies:
53
Working/moving abroad
Views:
7,540
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Working/moving abroad
The key to working in the US is not to start with a work permit or a green card--start with getting a job. If you can get a company to hire you then the paperwork essentially becomes their problem....
Forum:
General Discussions
26 May 2007, 14:05
Replies:
19
Dealing with Young People
Views:
3,034
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Dealing with Young People
They're attorneys. I think we can assume that's a given*. ;)
*Assuming you meant revolves.
Forum:
General Discussions
12 May 2007, 01:36
Replies:
44
Touch-typing
Views:
14,427
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Touch-typing
I learned touch-typing in high school but that was back in the pre-PC days when typewriters roamed the earth. ;)
Given my eventual profession as a computer programmer it turned out to be far more...
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Apr 2007, 08:04
Replies:
86
GD Axis of Evil
Views:
10,955
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: GD Axis of Evil
I don't care about an immigrant's culture or beliefs (although if one of their beliefs is that the world owes them a living then I'd suggest they try another world--or at least a different part of...
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Apr 2007, 23:14
Replies:
23
Identity Confusion
Views:
3,874
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Identity Confusion
So when is he eligible for parole? And does that include the four years already served (assuming he wasn't granted bail)?
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Apr 2007, 05:28
Replies:
131
Best Sci-Fi Movie
Views:
18,048
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Best Sci-Fi Movie
That's pretty much the antithesis of the book. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Apr 2007, 21:49
Replies:
131
Best Sci-Fi Movie
Views:
18,048
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Best Sci-Fi Movie
It got several nominations actually, and not just for 'best special effects' which used to be the token Sci Fi category. It also got nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay, which are...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Apr 2007, 00:34
Replies:
131
Best Sci-Fi Movie
Views:
18,048
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Best Sci-Fi Movie
I mostly agree, but when I first saw it in 1968 it was quite stunning--not especially technically but emotionally. However, that aspect has not stood up.
The biggest thing about 2001 was that it...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Mar 2007, 19:17
Replies:
23
Identity Confusion
Views:
3,874
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Identity Confusion
I believe dda is the prosecution. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Mar 2007, 05:51
Replies:
8
Winter heating costs
Views:
2,534
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Winter heating costs
My utility (gas + electric) bill was $300 last month. :/
I console myself with the fact that it's quite a bit less than Al Gore's monthly utility bill for his pool house...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Mar 2007, 23:31
Replies:
34
what would happen if your mortgage lender went under?
Views:
5,445
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: what would happen if your mortgage lender went under?
In the US, buyers of mortgages are required to honor the terms of the original contract (they are only permitted to adjust certain fees associated with servicing the loan). That said, some mortgages...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Mar 2007, 05:16
Replies:
26
Tuition Fees
Views:
5,128
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Tuition Fees
It's not just the average earnings that are so much higher but also the median earnings. For example, in the US the median salaries for college graduates are 62% higher than for high school...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Mar 2007, 19:35
Replies:
26
Tuition Fees
Views:
5,128
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Tuition Fees
I believe we've covered this before but I don't think higher education needs to be free or even subsidized. In the US, each year of post-secondary education adds, on average, about $225K to your...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Mar 2007, 20:57
Replies:
22
You think it's worth the cost?
Views:
2,929
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: You think it's worth the cost?
A billion dollars is petty cash in the context of the US federal budget (it would amount to about 0.04% of the total budget). If we can afford to waste, er spend, $6.5B (in FY2007 alone) on studying...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Mar 2007, 04:49
Replies:
15
Ahm Hillary Clinton y'all.
Views:
2,493
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Ahm Hillary Clinton y'all.
I think that just proves that Bush's speechwriters are articulate. When he speaks extemporaneously he often lapses into yokum.
With respect to Hillary, she spent nearly 20 years living in...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Mar 2007, 22:36
Replies:
26
The limpwristed excuse for a currency that is the US dollar, and you!
Views:
4,096
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The limpwristed excuse for a currency that is the US dollar, and you!
According to Bankrate.com, the average money market/savings account yield is 3.6%. If you're only getting 0.7% on a "high-yield" savings account you might want to shop for a new bank. My savings...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Feb 2007, 01:02
Replies:
52
Cannabis Cameron
Views:
6,382
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Cannabis Cameron
But did he inhale? ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Feb 2007, 20:26
Replies:
13
Bad news for the Yanks. I feel sorry for you.
Views:
3,278
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Bad news for the Yanks. I feel sorry for you.
Greyhound's pretty hosed to begin with, which is probably why they've been in and out of bankrupcy court the past few years. If the new owners can turn the company around then great; although I...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Feb 2007, 08:10
Replies:
52
Hey DDA where do you get your "gas" from?
Views:
5,038
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hey DDA where do you get your "gas" from?
Here in Minnesota most of our oil comes from Canada. Other than the fact that our local tv stations are apparently required to air episodes of The Red Green Show in exchange, it's been otherwise...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Feb 2007, 07:37
Replies:
86
The Environment
Views:
7,362
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Environment
I don't think the actual problems caused by automobile emissions are that well understood. For example, it's generally accepted that higher concentrations of automobile emissions can aggrevate asthma...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Feb 2007, 05:45
Replies:
86
The Environment
Views:
7,362
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Environment
Externalities can be represented only to the extent that they're known. What's the 'cost' of the pollution generated by my car? How much additional taxes should I pay to represent that? I'm sure I...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Jan 2007, 19:01
Replies:
86
The Environment
Views:
7,362
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Environment
Presumably recycling policies could be amended when that happens though (and in a free market that happens automatically ;)). Most metals are worth recycling today because it's currently cheaper to...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jan 2007, 21:24
Replies:
5
It's Canadian and 22 minutes long
Views:
1,685
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: It's Canadian and 22 minutes long
That sounds about right (http://www.rbcinvest.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/LAC/20070109/COWENT09/Columnists/columnists/columnistsNational/2/2/6/).
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jan 2007, 22:25
Replies:
44
Book Survey
Views:
4,353
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Book Survey
I had no idea how many books I've read, but then I remembered that Amazon keeps receipts online forever and I get at least 80% of my books from them. According to their records I've purchased 152...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Jan 2007, 02:31
Replies:
42
Stupid Bastard American Networks!
Views:
4,214
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Stupid Bastard American Networks!
With many television seasons down to 22 new episodes or even less, that leaves 8+ weeks that have to be filled with either a second rerun or something else.
Yet obviously you are getting them. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jan 2007, 16:50
Replies:
161
OK GD people, which book are you reading now?
Views:
21,977
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: OK GD people, which book are you reading now?
Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris and War Made New by Max Boot.
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Jan 2007, 03:55
Replies:
12
Whatever you do, don't open your Dell PC
Views:
2,502
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Whatever you do, don't open your Dell PC
Whenever I work on a Dell I always start at the Dell website. Their cases are not intuitive, but they usually have decent instructions on how to open the case and replace parts.
On the Dell...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Dec 2006, 17:55
Replies:
53
Saddams death, tragedy or great victory?
Views:
9,515
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Saddams death, tragedy or great victory?
Apparently, Iraqi law prohibits the execution of anyone over the age of 70 (Saddam would have turned 70 in April of 2007), so additional trials would have made it impossible to execute him (absent a...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Dec 2006, 08:37
Replies:
30
Fate?
Views:
2,369
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Fate?
I don't believe in fate, at least not on an individual level. Perhaps mankind as a species is fated to greatness, at least in the long term. Although in the long long term entropy wins and all that's...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Dec 2006, 02:41
Replies:
13
Winter Solstice
Views:
2,739
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Winter Solstice
Yes, I live in Minnesota but we rarely get snow before October. :p
Even then we tend to ignore the stuff that melts right away. We've had a few flakes a couple of times this year but nothing...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Dec 2006, 22:58
Replies:
13
Winter Solstice
Views:
2,739
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Winter Solstice
My hope died today.
(http://flickr.com/photos/71069686@N00/329419764/)
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Dec 2006, 23:11
Replies:
442
A Plane Problem
Views:
59,334
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A Plane Problem
I don't see how that's possible.
A large jetliner generates several hundred thousand of pounds of thrust. The drag due to the tires is a few tens of thousands of pounds. If I'm recalling my...
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Dec 2006, 22:29
Replies:
8
Yo S|K Ax Murder Case
Views:
2,213
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Yo S|K Ax Murder Case
Unless your name is Mike Nifong and you're running for re-election. :(
I love the 'framed by a biker gang' defense though.
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Dec 2006, 05:07
Replies:
14
Bsg
Views:
2,728
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Bsg
I thought the season opener and Exodus Pt. 2 were excellent but everything else (up to The Passage) was mediocre to boring with Hero and Unfinished Business being just plain awful. However, the last...
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Dec 2006, 01:14
Replies:
14
Bsg
Views:
2,728
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Bsg
I was worried Moore and Eick were just going to phone in the third season (six of the first eight episodes just weren't very good imho and some were awful), but it's picking up again. :up:
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Dec 2006, 22:49
Replies:
96
Yo americans
Views:
8,866
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Yo americans
Yeah, that's pretty obvious. Cui bono and all that. Lenders love it too because student loan guarantees eliminate all that nasty paperwork involving evaluation of loan applicants and going after...
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Dec 2006, 07:13
Replies:
39
Iran: Beacon Of Liberty!
Views:
3,242
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Iran: Beacon Of Liberty!
I doubt they could do it in any case. Their planes don't have the range to get to Iran and back without refueling and they don't have all that much in the way of air-to-air refueling capability....
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Dec 2006, 06:18
Replies:
96
Yo americans
Views:
8,866
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Yo americans
Sure you can. They're called interest-free loans. :)
You can reduce or eliminate the interest on pretty much any loan by paying additional money up front. Technically, this is still interest but...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Dec 2006, 01:14
Replies:
96
Yo americans
Views:
8,866
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Yo americans
And it wasn't particularly Vast either, but maybe 2 out of 4 is good enough for a passing grade. :up:
Heh. Conspiracy theories: there's no problem they can't solve! ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Dec 2006, 00:07
Replies:
96
Yo americans
Views:
8,866
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Yo americans
My favorite Hillary Moment was her coining the phrase 'Vast Right Wing Conspiracy' to explain why the various Clinton scandals were all just fabrications by a cabal of her husband's enemies. Even...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Dec 2006, 22:06
Replies:
40
[Jesus]Movie review- The Nativity Story
Views:
7,141
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Jesus]Movie review- The Nativity Story
It was released on December 1st.
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Dec 2006, 19:51
Replies:
21
Going to the USA next year
Views:
4,176
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Going to the USA next year
How much time do you want to spend on this trip? The amount of time you have will allow or limit your choices and routes. Also, what time of the year?
It's pretty hard to cross the US (east<->west)...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Dec 2006, 16:28
Replies:
34
We already knew it
Views:
3,230
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: We already knew it
They're only incompatible if you don't understand them. To wit, your treatment becomes worthless when one of your competitors releases a cure (or even a better/cheaper treatment).
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Dec 2006, 20:40
Replies:
4
Straw Goat
Views:
2,096
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Straw Goat
I should think some homemade napalm would take care of that goat--flame-resistant chemicals and all! I'd even be tempted to throw in some liquid oxygen to see if the frame could be melted.
:devil:
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Dec 2006, 17:36
Replies:
21
gadgets for me for xmas
Views:
3,754
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: gadgets for me for xmas
Nice; but I've already promised her she's not getting any more plushies until she culls her (trust me, extensive) collection.
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Dec 2006, 17:16
Replies:
21
gadgets for me for xmas
Views:
3,754
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: gadgets for me for xmas
I'm not sure if it qualifies as a gadget but my daughter would love to have one of these (http://www.allerca.com/). She will probably have to settle for one of these...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Dec 2006, 23:48
Replies:
72
I've never been a tryer
Views:
7,862
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I've never been a tryer
Voting to give Dante SQL access so he can graph GD's inexorable decline. :up:
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Dec 2006, 20:46
Replies:
72
I've never been a tryer
Views:
7,862
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I've never been a tryer
Is that because your predictions about how rep would improve the forums have all come true or is it because it's still too early to tell?
Or is it that your reasons were independent of any actual...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Dec 2006, 20:13
Replies:
25
Alexander Litvinenko
Views:
4,928
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Alexander Litvinenko
A rogue agent with some hellacious contacts (it's not like you can get Polonium 210 at Tesco (http://direct.tesco.com/search/default.aspx?search=Polonium+210&confirm.x=0&confirm.y=0)'s).
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Nov 2006, 07:50
Replies:
21
Why can't I own a Canadian?
Views:
3,079
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Why can't I own a Canadian?
I think you might be misremembering because no state disallows second (or more distant) cousin marriages (source (http://ask.yahoo.com/20060223.html)).
Lev. 18 lists all the forbidden...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Nov 2006, 06:45
Replies:
25
Alexander Litvinenko
Views:
4,928
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Alexander Litvinenko
Pretty sloppy handling, imho. If you're going to use an exotic radioactive poison you don't want to leave a bread-crumb-like trail of the stuff the authorities can use to retrace your steps. :/
It...
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Nov 2006, 18:24
Replies:
74
TV Licenses
Views:
6,721
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: TV Licenses
Yes, just as they're free to sell at a loss.
Cost-plus pricing and even selling at a loss can offer some benefits in certain situations; but generally and in the longer-term these are sub-optimal...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Nov 2006, 19:26
Replies:
74
TV Licenses
Views:
6,721
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: TV Licenses
What constitutes "in use" wrt to TVs liable for the license? Does it mean the TV's actually on when the inspectors arrive? Off, but plugged in and ready to go? Unplugged? Boxed up? In the attic? In...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Nov 2006, 04:03
Replies:
14
A Golf Story I'm Actually Interested In
Views:
2,379
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A Golf Story I'm Actually Interested In
So if your ball burns up in the Earth's atmosphere would you treat that as a lost ball? Or could you consider the entire planet a water hazard?
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Nov 2006, 19:44
Replies:
18
Money money money
Views:
2,975
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Money money money
Governments already have their own get-rich-quick scams: state-run lotteries. ;)
I don't think they've led to any lowering of taxes though. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Nov 2006, 19:14
Replies:
69
Hi..!! I've registered because of problem..
Views:
7,384
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hi..!! I've registered because of problem..
You'll forgive us then if we take your criticism of our electoral choices in the spirit in which it is given. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Nov 2006, 16:50
Replies:
69
Hi..!! I've registered because of problem..
Views:
7,384
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hi..!! I've registered because of problem..
John Howard has been mentioned a fair bit in the US press. He's been a fairly vocal supporter of President Bush and the GWOT.
I thought you wanted Bush to win...
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Nov 2006, 16:25
Replies:
89
Jesus rejected for Christmas
Views:
8,226
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Jesus rejected for Christmas
That doesn't sound like a very successful product/business plan to me.
Not being able to give their product away doesn't seem like especially good publicity, but maybe they're from the 'any...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Nov 2006, 23:01
Replies:
89
Jesus rejected for Christmas
Views:
8,226
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Jesus rejected for Christmas
I'm guessing the marketplace has rejected Jesus as well; otherwise the company probably wouldn't be trying to donate 4000 of them to Toys for Tots (can you say tax write-off?). ;)
That would add...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Nov 2006, 16:36
Replies:
9
It's official: Democrats win the senate too
Views:
2,279
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: It's official: Democrats win the senate too
The big thing that control of the Senate adds is the ability to block judicial appointments, although the Democrats were able to do a fairly good job on that front even as a minority (at least for...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Nov 2006, 17:40
Replies:
26
Nancy Pelosi
Views:
3,072
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Nancy Pelosi
You haven't presented one.
The Democrats won, especially the Senate, because they ran a lot of conservative candidates. Bob Casey, Jim Webb (former Navy Secretary under Reagan), etc. Their big...
Forum:
General Discussions
8 Nov 2006, 21:35
Replies:
26
Nancy Pelosi
Views:
3,072
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Nancy Pelosi
Well, in the event of the deaths of the President and Vice President, the Speaker of the House gets the job. :/
I, for one, welcome our new Democratic overlords....
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Nov 2006, 21:03
Replies:
18
Simple Fun about world k
Views:
2,725
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Simple Fun about world k
I don't think the bot's intent is to outwit you or forum admins per se; I think the intent is to outwit the automatic defenses that forum admins have put in place on most forums (for example, the...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Nov 2006, 17:21
Replies:
78
Secret Santa!
Views:
8,464
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Secret Santa!
Yes. (http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/tornadoes_alley.htm)
I've only seen (in person) one tornado (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/06/14/tornado/) in my life. It was scary, but I was...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Nov 2006, 17:11
Replies:
11
Saddam`s burial plot.
Views:
2,620
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Saddam`s burial plot.
I presume he'll be buried in his family cemetery located just outside Tikrit (where his two sons are also buried).
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Nov 2006, 20:07
Replies:
68
It's time to talk about games you're waiting for!
Views:
9,317
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: It's time to talk about games you're waiting for!
Medieval II: Total War.
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Nov 2006, 16:08
Replies:
20
World Financial Group
Views:
5,837
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: World Financial Group
Unless you're old or disabled, you're almost certainly worth more alive than dead (think of all your future earnings). On the other hand, your beneficiaries might not want to wait. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Oct 2006, 23:40
Replies:
17
How much do you know about Halloween?
Views:
3,158
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: How much do you know about Halloween?
5/10 :/
And on a Halloween-related note: The top ten best ghost photographs ever taken
(http://theknightshift.blogspot.com/2005/10/top-ten-best-ghost-photographs-ever.html)
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Oct 2006, 06:36
Replies:
10
[spoilers] Who's been watching BSG S3?
Views:
1,890
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [spoilers] Who's been watching BSG S3?
Season 3 is pretty good so far (I'm through Collaborators).
I'm glad they killed off Tigh's wife. I never liked her much anyway, but more importantly a series with armed conflict needs casualties...
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Oct 2006, 18:32
Replies:
108
654,965 Dead Iraqis Later
Views:
9,544
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 654,965 Dead Iraqis Later
It wasn't just the right who criticized this study. Iraq Body Count (http://www.iraqbodycount.org/press/pr14.php) had some serious questions about it as well (I think IBCs numbers are a bit suspect...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Oct 2006, 08:02
Replies:
13
I personally think we should send them into space
Views:
3,016
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I personally think we should send them into space
The prisons on land during that era weren't very nice places either. Conditions on prison hulks were often better.
The first English prison hulks were temporary holding prisons for convicts...
Forum:
Hardware and Tech Support
20 Oct 2006, 18:22
Replies:
9
Wireless Networking
Views:
11,674
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Wireless Networking
An ordinary (wood and plaster) ceiling shouldn't be a problem. My wireless router, located on the ground floor, works throughout my 3-story house and out into the (detached) garage.
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Oct 2006, 20:37
Replies:
14
Last time it was bouncing balls...
Views:
3,047
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Last time it was bouncing balls...
The clown ruined it for me.
The previous 'bouncing balls' advert radiated a jaunty optimism, with the balls (seemingly representing technological innovation in general and Sony's new product in...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Oct 2006, 02:28
Replies:
63
NK performs successful nuclear weapon test; World: "uh oh"
Views:
8,232
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: NK performs successful nuclear weapon test; World: "uh oh"
I don't see how reaching out to the North Korean people is possible. They're living under the boot of a brutal dictatorship that controls all the media. Even if you could reach the people, what would...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Oct 2006, 15:20
Replies:
63
NK performs successful nuclear weapon test; World: "uh oh"
Views:
8,232
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: NK performs successful nuclear weapon test; World: "uh oh"
And the most likely to sell them, given that weapons are pretty much their only cash crop.
That's true in the short term, but as NK perfects their long range missile technology that equation will...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Oct 2006, 18:43
Replies:
55
World of Warcraft Southpark episode
Views:
7,862
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: World of Warcraft Southpark episode
I've never played WoW and I liked it (I rarely watch South Park either). I'm sure you could do the more-or-less same story about a lot of online games (like PA for example).
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Oct 2006, 19:05
Replies:
88
Another School Shooting
Views:
7,299
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Another School Shooting
Most school shooters don't run out of ammo, targets or hatred. They are killed by the police or kill themselves when the police are coming into the room (they're often absurdly overarmed--the...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Oct 2006, 07:18
Replies:
22
Revocation of Independence
Views:
5,338
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Revocation of Independence
Mistwraith and hyfe seemed to like it.
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Oct 2006, 00:53
Replies:
22
Revocation of Independence
Views:
5,338
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Revocation of Independence
I don't mind a good joke but how about some new material? This joke was moderately funny when it was topical, but that was what--six years ago? :(
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Oct 2006, 20:53
Replies:
24
The Alpha Male Confrontation
Views:
4,819
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Alpha Male Confrontation
Indeed. In that context, TK's buffoonery was an act of kindness! ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Sep 2006, 23:00
Replies:
8
5us
Views:
2,617
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 5us
Obviously some people* think so. The whole paradigm of television is evolving to more and more channels with smaller and smaller audiences. How many channels is too many? How small an audience is too...
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Sep 2006, 02:53
Replies:
8
I can't believe you guys still post here
Views:
2,865
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I can't believe you guys still post here
Fixed it I have! </yoda-pedantry>
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Sep 2006, 21:36
Replies:
23
60 Circuits
Views:
5,081
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 60 Circuits
Happy Birthday! (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/birthday-dirge-faq/)
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Sep 2006, 17:48
Replies:
14
The pro-Israeli lobby strikes again.
Views:
2,762
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The pro-Israeli lobby strikes again.
I think that virtually all of the 'pro-Israel lobby' meme is so far over the top that it is anti-semetic. The idea that jews control various political parties and even entire western countries, far...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Sep 2006, 14:18
Replies:
18
7/7 Bombings
Views:
2,576
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 7/7 Bombings
And the counter book (http://www.amazon.com/Debunking-11-Myths-Conspiracy-Theories/dp/158816635X).
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Sep 2006, 19:57
Replies:
65
Odd moms
Views:
10,310
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Odd moms
As decided by whom?
Um, the example of not being a mindless drone who believes in following all the rules because the State knows best? ;)
The most interesting line in the article was:
So...
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Sep 2006, 18:34
Replies:
45
Oh that wacky Pope!
Views:
5,000
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Oh that wacky Pope!
I see religion more as an incidental than a cause. I'd divide the world along pro-reason and anti-reason lines with religion being just one of the many anti-reason variants. Many non-religious...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Sep 2006, 18:42
Replies:
19
A sense of purpuose
Views:
3,045
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A sense of purpuose
Hm... sense of purpose lacking... contemplating a government career...
Oh yeah, this should be good. :)
Please don't ever get a pet!
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Sep 2006, 21:20
Replies:
30
Someone explain to me UK politics
Views:
3,136
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Someone explain to me UK politics
Depends who's actually running the show I guess; but yeah. In general, though, I think term limits are the win. Left to their own devices, politicians will almost always want to hang on too long. :/...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Sep 2006, 21:58
Replies:
31
What do you like to eat when on barbeque?
Views:
6,444
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: What do you like to eat when on barbeque?
I think just about everything tastes better grilled but especially fresh fish: Walleye or Salmon. When we were vacationing in Hawaii I grilled some Mahimahi and Ono... very tasty. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Sep 2006, 18:28
Replies:
54
omg NOOOOOOOOO
Views:
6,562
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: omg NOOOOOOOOO
Crikey!
:(
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Aug 2006, 02:02
Replies:
27
Violent porn banned :(((
Views:
3,816
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Violent porn banned :(((
In the kingdom of the blind there is no crime?
I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to it than that. And if a mere human-shaped target is enough to break down mental barriers than what about FPS...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Aug 2006, 19:37
Replies:
27
Violent porn banned :(((
Views:
3,816
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Violent porn banned :(((
Should misogynistic books and song lyrics also be banned?
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Aug 2006, 07:12
Replies:
39
crazed christians
Views:
4,085
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: crazed christians
The Temple Tax was a long-standing institution, probably dating from the exodus out of Egypt:
Jesus himself pays the Temple Tax (actually, he instructs Peter to pay for both of them):
I guess...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Aug 2006, 00:35
Replies:
20
Pluto :(
Views:
3,321
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Pluto :(
Too late; the probe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Horizons) is already on the way. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Aug 2006, 20:38
Replies:
39
crazed christians
Views:
4,085
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: crazed christians
The money changers were in the temple primarily to facilitate payment of the temple tax, which was mandatory for all--rich or poor. The tax was 1/2 shekel per year for each male at or over the age of...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Aug 2006, 22:15
Replies:
45
So what do we do?
Views:
5,387
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: So what do we do?
There are some technological solutions (http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/MSD-NMR-sensor.html) to the problem of identifying liquids or any suspect substances (even non-invasive searches of...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Aug 2006, 23:55
Replies:
9
Politics American Style
Views:
2,352
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Politics American Style
It was a primary election (for the Democratic Party nomination), not an actual election. Lieberman will run as an independent in November and most of the polls show him well ahead in a three-way race...
Forum:
General Discussions
28 Jul 2006, 22:43
Replies:
35
[Tour de France] Floyd Landis in 'super stage' drug shocker
Views:
4,829
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Tour de France] Floyd Landis in 'super stage' drug shocker
The odd thing is that testosterone takes time (several weeks) to build up muscle tissue. It would have had little effect in the short term. Given that Landis passed six previous drug tests during the...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jul 2006, 15:35
Replies:
194
The Big Ol' War Thread
Views:
14,839
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Big Ol' War Thread
Thanks, I love you too. :)
Um, no. Observation of conflict is not their mandate. They're there to prevent conflict, to act as peacekeepers, to "restore international peace and security" (a job at...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jul 2006, 06:43
Replies:
194
The Big Ol' War Thread
Views:
14,839
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Big Ol' War Thread
Well, if you're in a fight, and I step between you and your opponent (not to try to stop you, mind you, just to 'observe') and I get punched in the nose--then yeah, I'd blame myself.
None of...
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Jul 2006, 04:36
Replies:
194
The Big Ol' War Thread
Views:
14,839
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Big Ol' War Thread
I blame the UN.
Predictably, UN forces have come under fire from both Hezbollah and the IDF. The "peacekeepers" shouldn't still be in southern Lebanon anyway as they have been unable or unwilling...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Jul 2006, 02:22
Replies:
92
I need a hobby
Views:
8,085
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I need a hobby
Start a twine ball (http://www.thom.org/gallery/set/twine.html).
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Jul 2006, 00:12
Replies:
23
Is the Cold War Over?
Views:
3,843
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Is the Cold War Over?
He was a bit of a nutjob though. ;)
Also, it's a lot easier to turn your nose up at internal combustion when you don't have much access to oil. If Germany had won the war, that would almost...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Jul 2006, 20:06
Replies:
17
[politics]Stupid president makes moronic decision
Views:
3,447
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [politics]Stupid president makes moronic decision
The FDA adds about $800M to the cost of every new drug developed and several years delay before they reach market. This means drugs are more expensive and thousands of people die every year waiting...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Jul 2006, 15:35
Replies:
14
Indonesian tsunami
Views:
2,468
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Indonesian tsunami
There have been dozens of aftershocks though. Perhaps one was large enough to trigger a panic but not a tsunami?
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Jul 2006, 14:59
Replies:
17
[politics]Stupid president makes moronic decision
Views:
3,447
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [politics]Stupid president makes moronic decision
This is George Bush's first veto.
Obviously, it's more common when the President and the Congress are of different political parties.
A veto is overridden only by a two-thirds majority in...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Jul 2006, 13:09
Replies:
14
Indonesian tsunami
Views:
2,468
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Indonesian tsunami
Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, so perhaps they felt the earthquake.
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Jul 2006, 22:31
Replies:
62
Heating Up
Views:
6,742
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Heating Up
Sunday here in Minnesota was pretty bad with temps near 100°F/38°C and 90% relative humidity. :(
Today it's a balmy 87°F/30°C with the humidity only in the low 80s. After Sunday it feels brisk,...
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Jul 2006, 17:21
Replies:
194
The Big Ol' War Thread
Views:
14,839
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Big Ol' War Thread
On April 17, 2006 nine people were killed and at least 40 wounded in a suicide bombing near the old central bus station in Tel Aviv. The blast ripped through Falafel Rosh Ha'ir (the same restaurant...
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Jul 2006, 05:02
Replies:
194
The Big Ol' War Thread
Views:
14,839
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Big Ol' War Thread
Yes, well, some of these states have signed peace treaties with Israel presumably because they're tired of fighting (or possibly tired of losing). The previous strategy of declaring war on Israel en...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Jul 2006, 08:33
Replies:
194
The Big Ol' War Thread
Views:
14,839
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Big Ol' War Thread
Hezbollah gets much of their money from Iran and much of their weapons from Syria. Hezbollah essentially rules southern Lebanon as a state within a state (it's a no-go zone for the Lebanese army)....
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jul 2006, 16:50
Replies:
253
40 Days of Indefatigable Copying and Pasting
Views:
31,964
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 40 Days of Infallible Proofs
You always want to play the gimmick card. :(
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jul 2006, 16:43
Replies:
94
Favourite Quote from a movie
Views:
14,252
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Favourite Quote from a movie
A few of my favorites.
From Species:
Xavier: We decided to make it female so it would be more docile and controllable.
Preston: More docile and controllable, eh? You guys don't get out much....
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jul 2006, 02:25
Replies:
253
40 Days of Indefatigable Copying and Pasting
Views:
31,964
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 40 Days of Infallible Proofs
"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" -Acts 1:3
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jul 2006, 23:52
Replies:
112
Working with a sex offender, could you do it?
Views:
9,002
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Working with a sex offender, could you do it?
What if there were such a high demand for robbery videos that people start robbing banks just to make the videos?
A camera can be a passive recorder of something that was going to happen anyway...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jul 2006, 22:30
Replies:
72
Labour, Tony Blair, Authoritarianism and erosion of civil liberties
Views:
6,769
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Labour, Tony Blair, Authoritarianism and erosion of civil liberties
It's probably just a camera... connected to a computer with some sophisticated facial recognition software.
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jul 2006, 17:07
Replies:
112
Working with a sex offender, could you do it?
Views:
9,002
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Working with a sex offender, could you do it?
Are there any sure ways (outside of the bullet through the head)? All we have are a range of options, none of which appears to be 100% effective.
As an aside, voluntary castration has been...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jul 2006, 16:07
Replies:
8
Probationary Employment Periods
Views:
2,044
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Probationary Employment Periods
Would workers have to give 90 days' notice before leaving?
I've almost always been employed 'at will', meaning that I work without a specific contract and can be fired pretty much for any...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Jul 2006, 20:05
Replies:
22
What a horrible job
Views:
3,137
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: What a horrible job
Maybe working in retail isn't the place for you.
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Jul 2006, 01:55
Replies:
6
Tory Immigration Policy
Views:
2,177
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Tory Immigration Policy
Indeed. Our one-time amnesty in 1986 was so popular that we're now debating our sixth (or is it the seventh?) amnesty program. :(
<yoda>If once you start down the amnesty path, forever will it...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Jul 2006, 19:26
Replies:
179
Overkill with Negative Rep
Views:
15,331
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Overkill with Negative Rep
Er, so rep can prevent bad posters from becoming bad posters in the first place?! :confused: I don't see how this sort of unverifiable claim is helpful.
Your original supposition (that rep can...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Jul 2006, 15:14
Replies:
179
Overkill with Negative Rep
Views:
15,331
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Overkill with Negative Rep
Are there any posters who've actually turned their rep around (large negative -> large positive)?
I think the null hypothesis has to be that rep has no effect on post/poster quality and the burden...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Jul 2006, 07:38
Replies:
26
Leaving Stuff to the last minute
Views:
3,042
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Leaving Stuff to the last minute
Well, survival.
There's certainly a call for long slow processes lasting months or even years (think farming or raising children). They might be more physical than mental, but do procrastinators...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Jul 2006, 07:22
Replies:
17
This is a great sight.
Views:
2,688
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: This is a great sight.
I've camped there! :up:
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Jul 2006, 07:15
Replies:
56
'Bunks for Drunks'
Views:
6,459
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 'Bunks for Drunks'
Their illness is not being treated though. :(
I guess what bothers me about this particular program is that there's no requirement to undergo any sort of treatment. Usually shelter is offered as...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jul 2006, 03:04
Replies:
43
Wanker of the Month - July Nominations
Views:
6,290
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Wanker of the Month - July Nominations
Or stealing Chinese trains (http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/korea/articles/20060705.aspx)! :)
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jul 2006, 01:14
Replies:
43
Wanker of the Month - July Nominations
Views:
6,290
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Wanker of the Month - July Nominations
Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (sponsor of the Bridge to Nowhere (http://pirate.planetarion.com/showthread.php?p=2948831&)) for his acute understanding of how the internet works...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Jun 2006, 18:08
Replies:
159
Re: Israel
Views:
10,835
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel
When I say useless I mean useless, both defensively and offensively. Their nuclear weapons, their antiaircraft missiles, their long-range cruise missiles, their submarines, etc. All useless for...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Jun 2006, 16:40
Replies:
159
Re: Israel
Views:
10,835
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel
I think it's a perfectly good term that not only addresses the nature of the conflict but also helps explain why advanced military hardware isn't decisive.
But nitpicking aside my point remains:...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Jun 2006, 16:06
Replies:
159
Re: Israel
Views:
10,835
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel
Israel has the seventh largest standing army in the region (as of 1999), behind Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia). Worldwide, Israel ranks 32nd. (Source...
Forum:
General Discussions
28 Jun 2006, 22:47
Replies:
159
Re: Israel
Views:
10,835
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel
I don't think Europe has much tough talk or implied military threats left in them (see Iran). All they have left are a few carrots but frankly those are a dime a dozen.
Well turn that question...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jun 2006, 22:27
Replies:
59
Because Theology is important
Views:
4,041
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Because Theology is important
Well there are not a lot of alternative currencies available; although I should mention that I can go 2-3 weeks purely on credit cards alone. \o/
I guess the fact that I can only go a few hours...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jun 2006, 20:08
Replies:
59
Because Theology is important
Views:
4,041
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Because Theology is important
Isn't that usually the person (typically in upper management) who insists on having a meeting? :(
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Jun 2006, 20:35
Replies:
9
US caught with hands in cookie jar and now angry at media
Views:
1,630
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: US caught with hands in cookie jar and now angry at media
Counterterrorism operations are necessarily going to involve spying on people (unless you think we can persuade these terrorist groups to mail us their plans ahead of time) and spying necessarily...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jun 2006, 18:36
Replies:
9
US caught with hands in cookie jar and now angry at media
Views:
1,630
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: US caught with hands in cookie jar and now angry at media
The NYT didn't find out about this program by diligently digging through publicly available documents available to everyone; they found out about it because government employees within the program...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jun 2006, 05:20
Replies:
9
US caught with hands in cookie jar and now angry at media
Views:
1,630
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: US caught with hands in cookie jar and now angry at media
In it's expose, the New York Times conceded that the program was both legal and effective at capturing terrorists and shutting down their money transfers. In a subsequent editorial, the NYT justified...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Jun 2006, 06:44
Replies:
25
Yahwe Explains ... What a crime is.
Views:
2,340
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Yahwe Explains ... What a crime is.
49 states allow a Victim Impact Statement. I believe only a handful of states still have jury sentencing in non-capital cases. Due to a Supreme Court decision, capital punishment can only be imposed...
Forum:
Planetarion Discussions
23 Jun 2006, 17:21
Replies:
49
Historical Round Data
Views:
4,671
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Historical Round Data
IIRC, the base cost for R5 was $10 for two accounts (I think there were also larger packages (5, 10, or 20) available for up to a full galaxy worth of accounts). I think the idea was to force...
Forum:
General Discussions
23 Jun 2006, 00:28
Replies:
76
Paedophile policy 'not media-led'
Views:
5,302
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Paedophile policy 'not media-led'
Force in those cases where it would be a violation of the terms of their parole for them to be living in certain areas so they'd be sent back to jail (and if there aren't such restrictions then there...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Jun 2006, 16:29
Replies:
76
Paedophile policy 'not media-led'
Views:
5,302
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Paedophile policy 'not media-led'
In my community, the information in the database seems to be mostly used to force child predators to relocate after they're discovered living next to a daycare center or some such. Some of it might...
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Jun 2006, 04:13
Replies:
152
The world in 50 years; Predictions?
Views:
8,315
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The world in 50 years; Predictions?
Well here's one reference ( http://english.people.com.cn/200512/07/eng20051207_226299.html) from the beloved severely incompetent Chinese media. :)
Other than voting in shari’a law I don't think...
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Jun 2006, 23:22
Replies:
152
The world in 50 years; Predictions?
Views:
8,315
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The world in 50 years; Predictions?
Disagree. There's no shortage of energy, particularily coal and nuclear. Solar, wind, etc. are becoming more competitive, although they're not yet. Energy might become more expensive, but growing...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Jun 2006, 22:06
Replies:
8
Some wonderful health news
Views:
1,513
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Some wonderful health news
If you have any doubts about your mental well-being you can always seek professional help.
Better living through chemistry etc.
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jun 2006, 17:32
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
He's banned for life but will be eligible for parole in eighteen months.
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jun 2006, 15:52
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
And an explanation on how it happened! ;)
Thanks JBG!
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Jun 2006, 15:27
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
I wouldn't assume that. I got the email but my account had also pos repped idi. :/
On a related note, we now have three stickied announcements on passwords: how it was done, apology, and change...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jun 2006, 18:21
Replies:
67
B&Q and the AC Unit that never was (a story!) - a milf features \o/
Views:
8,385
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: B&Q and the AC Unit that never was (a story!) - a milf features \o/
Getting a too-large A/C is a classic mistake. And if it hadn't been your mother, then something else would have been your undoing; e.g.:
You'd have gotten the unit up to your room and discovered...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Jun 2006, 19:14
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
The problem with pos repping yourself is that it looks a lot like you do care.
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Jun 2006, 18:33
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Ha! I have one of those too.
All this for some rep points? How pathetic.
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Jun 2006, 18:06
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Depends what they did with it I guess. Deleting all my posts or posting lots of stupid comments* would be mildly annoying.
*More stupid than usual, obviously.
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Jun 2006, 17:20
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Buy him Pepsi and KFC until he turns himself in.
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Jun 2006, 16:46
Replies:
282
Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Views:
25,053
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Account on Planetarion Forums locked out
Hm, I got one of those too.
Received: from stats.jolt.co.uk (...); Thu, 8 Jun 2006 12:36:18 -0700
The person trying to log into your account had the following IP address:
212.112.242.89
...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Jun 2006, 01:14
Replies:
28
'Gotcha'?
Views:
1,916
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: 'Gotcha'?
The CENTCOM press release credits tips from senior leaders inside Zarqawi's organization.* I'd say his successor's job just got a whole lot more interesting. ;)
*Of course that could be...
Forum:
General Discussions
8 Jun 2006, 02:09
Replies:
53
Couldnt make this up
Views:
4,410
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Couldnt make this up
Why didn't they arrest him immediately? Or would that have been too confrontational?
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jun 2006, 16:26
Replies:
16
Music industry gets on high horse...
Views:
1,829
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Music industry gets on high horse...
Sorry, it's just such a blindingly obvious point that I assumed you wouldn't have bothered to mention it unless you were being ironic. My apologies.
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jun 2006, 15:30
Replies:
16
Music industry gets on high horse...
Views:
1,829
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Music industry gets on high horse...
I think we can assume that most people enter into contracts because they believe it's in their best interests. Who are you to say otherwise? That's not to say artists wouldn't like a better deal (who...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jun 2006, 02:03
Replies:
36
The End is Nigh
Views:
2,405
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The End is Nigh
It's a bit like 1999 all over again. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Jun 2006, 18:55
Replies:
32
Equality
Views:
2,827
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Equality
No Child Left Behind has been mostly rhetoric until this year, which is the first year that the results start to count (in terms of holding schools accountable).
Well we're all waiting for that...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Jun 2006, 07:13
Replies:
32
Equality
Views:
2,827
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Equality
I think you are confusing wealth with resources. Resources, by themselves, aren't worth much. A barrel of oil or a ton of iron ore is worth about $70, but only to someone who owns an oil refinery or...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 May 2006, 23:19
Replies:
26
Hitler, That's Who!
Views:
2,477
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hitler, That's Who!
I like acro's threads; although I don't understand what's he's on about in half of them (which sounds bad I suppose but actually puts him ahead of many others).
Re: Gore. He is/was considered...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 May 2006, 15:18
Replies:
18
Very interesting site; I assure you.
Views:
3,124
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Very interesting site; I assure you.
Interesting. Only one view (West) available for my house though. My car's parked out front so I could have been at home. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
30 May 2006, 00:34
Replies:
8
[Debreu] Veni
Views:
2,199
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Debreu] Vidi
I think (hope!) you want the RP forum. End of the hall on the left.
N.B. Links to search results don't work after a short time.
Forum:
General Discussions
28 May 2006, 05:29
Replies:
31
the BBC
Views:
2,883
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: the BBC
Well they make some of their own (http://pbskids.org/rogers/) too.
Forum:
General Discussions
27 May 2006, 23:53
Replies:
31
the BBC
Views:
2,883
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: the BBC
We have BBC America in the US as a subscription channel on most cable systems (I don't have cable so I don't get it) so people basically have to pay for it.
The PBS network (our BBC Lite)...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 May 2006, 17:35
Replies:
3
Last day at the office
Views:
1,616
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Last day at the office
I think those curtains would have been punishment enough.
Forum:
General Discussions
25 May 2006, 21:05
Replies:
170
Plastic Brilliance
Views:
10,723
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Plastic Brilliance
Pictures would be nice. Those avatar thingys seem to have worked out OK. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
24 May 2006, 16:09
Replies:
35
Big Oil Profits
Views:
2,699
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Big Oil Profits
If oil companies were simply middlemen, then yeah, one wouldn't expect their profits to go up or down much based on the price of oil (demand being fairly inelastic, at least in the short term)....
Forum:
General Discussions
22 May 2006, 05:28
Replies:
51
We haven't had a book thread in a while
Views:
6,416
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: We haven't had a book thread in a while
That series is OK, although it doesn't add much to the classic send-a-modern-aircraft-carrier-back-to-Pearl-Harbor-in-1941 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080736/) story. The contrast between the...
Forum:
General Discussions
17 May 2006, 14:51
Replies:
32
Sooo, I am 40 today
Views:
4,417
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Sooo, I am 40 today
40 seems a lot younger now then it did when I started posting here.
Forum:
General Discussions
16 May 2006, 17:55
Replies:
16
We often think...
Views:
2,354
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: We often think...
I suspect the US wanted to reward Gaddafi for giving up his WMD programs and for acknowledging (some) Libyan involvement in a number of bombings during the 1980s (including the Berlin nightclub...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 May 2006, 23:19
Replies:
52
Those hijackers granted temporary asylum
Views:
4,090
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Those hijackers granted temporary asylum
Hijackers put innocent people at risk. The implicit message is: it's OK to risk the lives of other random innocent people in order to save your own. While I can sympathize with those trapped in...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 May 2006, 03:20
Replies:
3
NSA - phone calls list
Views:
1,997
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: NSA - phone calls list
[/quote]
Gah, it's annoying that Franklin is so frequently misquoted. The correct quote is:
The misquote equates any liberty with any safety, which is silly. The correct quote is not so foolish...
Forum:
General Discussions
8 May 2006, 21:35
Replies:
23
I'm Off The UN Bandwagon
Views:
2,354
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I'm Off The UN Bandwagon
Taiwan was a (founding) member of the UN but was kicked out (in violation of the UNs own charter). The Vatican is also not a member, but that is apparently by their own choice. Palestine is a not a...
Forum:
General Discussions
8 May 2006, 17:44
Replies:
23
I'm Off The UN Bandwagon
Views:
2,354
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I'm Off The UN Bandwagon
Works for me! :)
If by "good work" you mean that some of the money actually gets to where it's intended, then sure. But compared to most private agencies the UN is shockingly inefficient. An...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 May 2006, 19:32
Replies:
36
Hell is..
Views:
2,986
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hell is..
Hell is a teenaged son and a menopausal wife with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
5 May 2006, 15:24
Replies:
61
Poll:
Wanker of the Month - April Voting
Views:
4,906
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Wanker of the Month - April Nominations
Patrick Kennedy (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14506626.htm)
Forum:
General Discussions
2 May 2006, 15:58
Replies:
51
[very long]Peak Oil
Views:
3,506
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [very long]Peak Oil
The article may be new but the 'peak oil' idea (hysteria) has been around for a while. We even had a thread (http://pirate.planetarion.com/showthread.php?t=189738&) about it a couple of months ago.
...
Forum:
Planetarion Suggestions
26 Apr 2006, 23:35
Replies:
3
Time Zones
Views:
1,959
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Time Zones
Anything related to clock time is subject to error due to the occasional stopped ticker (hopefully rare, but it can happen). If you add in time zones then you can get additional errors due to...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Apr 2006, 01:14
Replies:
32
[rant]Idiots Stockton Style
Views:
3,638
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [rant]Idiots Stockton Style
The shitness of the festival is the entire point! Some examples from my state:
The Eelpout Festival (http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/)
The Spam Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAM_Jam)
The...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Apr 2006, 01:12
Replies:
57
What extension are you?
Views:
5,341
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: What extension are you?
.*
Wildcard.
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Apr 2006, 18:06
Replies:
32
If you ever wanted to Find out more about Qdeathstar
Views:
3,321
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: If you ever wanted to Find out more about Qdeathstar
Still stuck at $2.04 though. Maybe if you threw in the rest of your life?
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Apr 2006, 16:20
Replies:
23
Disney
Views:
2,670
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Disney
I'm not sure why that's such a bad thing, at least as long as we have broadcasting. I suspect many people aren't all that keen on being offended. I should confess, however, that I watch very little...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Apr 2006, 22:35
Replies:
6
motivation
Views:
2,084
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: motivation
I like their podcasts (http://www.despair.com/demotivators/spin.html) too. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Mar 2006, 17:48
Replies:
66
Battlestar Galactica
Views:
6,691
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Battlestar Galactica
There's virtually nothing in the finale that can't be undone (even without resorting to a "dream" plot device). I expect our plucky band of survivors will be back in space fleeing the cylons before...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Mar 2006, 06:41
Replies:
18
Punk ass cops
Views:
2,543
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Punk ass cops
The license plate and/or the tabs that are affixed to the corners of the plates to indicate that the annual registration fee on the vehicle has been paid.
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Mar 2006, 02:11
Replies:
15
The best Beatles album is Rubber Soul
Views:
2,615
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The best Beatles album is Rubber Soul
I'd have to go with Revolver.
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Mar 2006, 23:26
Replies:
13
St. Paul evicts Easter Bunny
Views:
2,029
Posted By
Tactitus
St. Paul evicts Easter Bunny
A bit of political correctness from my city hall, as reported in the local paper (http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/14163580.htm):
No word yet on when the name of our city will...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Mar 2006, 21:36
Replies:
14
Kember Freed
Views:
2,354
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Kember Freed
The Scotsman (http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=458062006) had some of the details of the rescue:
I wonder if they got warrants first? ;)
Hm, so extreme interrogation techniques may have...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Mar 2006, 21:11
Replies:
22
[uk] in the interestings of avoiding maternal wrath
Views:
2,644
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [uk] in the interestings of avoiding maternal wrath
And if you have younger children, you have to shepherd them through the gift purchase/creation process. :(
My mother's 86 and still hanging in there. :)
She's on her second pacemaker though. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Mar 2006, 15:59
Replies:
30
looking for a word
Views:
2,716
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: looking for a word
spurious, specious, fallacious (thesaurus.com (http://www.thesaurus.com) is your friend :))
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Mar 2006, 22:22
Replies:
45
Go Bush Go!
Views:
4,342
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Go Bush Go!
My share of the national debt is about $30,000.00--about the average price of a new car.
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Mar 2006, 21:01
Replies:
79
Do not Panic. Do not Run. Step calmly into your pre-prepared coffin.
Views:
4,207
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Do not Panic. Do not Run. Step calmly into your pre-prepared coffin.
People used to say shit like that all the time during the cold war. I sometimes wonder if any of them later remembered to be embarrassed at having been wrong?
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Mar 2006, 17:23
Replies:
82
Israel prison break
Views:
5,133
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel prison break
Of course, but the point is that having nuclear weapons wasn't sufficient to deter attacks.
It's still not 'proven' or even publicly acknowledged by Israel today, but it was well understood long...
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Mar 2006, 06:00
Replies:
82
Israel prison break
Views:
5,133
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel prison break
And yet Egypt and Syria did just that--they attacked Israel in 1973 (Israel had the bomb by the late '60s, possibly even at the time of the Six-Day war but certainly by the time of the Yom Kippur...
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Mar 2006, 20:38
Replies:
26
dda Goes Down in Flames
Views:
1,809
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: dda Goes Down in Flames
Too bad. I thought he should have gotten a manslaughter conviction. :/
Ah well, on to the wrongful death suit.
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Mar 2006, 16:09
Replies:
50
This thread is not about abortion
Views:
3,799
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: This thread is not about abortion
Agree.
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Mar 2006, 02:45
Replies:
82
Israel prison break
Views:
5,133
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Israel prison break
Just another day in Hamastan.
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Mar 2006, 23:21
Replies:
41
[BBC]JJ's Idea of a good weekend?
Views:
5,234
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [BBC]JJ's Idea of a good weekend?
I've found a couple of kids in the back seat arguing/fighting to be rather distracting.
"Daaad, Tony poked me."
"Did not."
"Did to."
"Did not!"
"Did to!"
...
After a while, you start...
Forum:
General Discussions
8 Mar 2006, 17:17
Replies:
91
So, whose lectures are cancelled tomorrow then?
Views:
15,939
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: So, whose lectures are cancelled tomorrow then?
Who doesn't have a job like that? :confused:
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Mar 2006, 23:38
Replies:
20
dda's trial continues
Views:
1,537
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: dda's trial continues
You can post a property bond, at least in some cases/jurisdictions. I imagine it's a more complicated procedure though. Banks are in the business of loaning money, so it's probably faster/easier to...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Mar 2006, 20:56
Replies:
69
Glitter
Views:
3,915
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Glitter
Should the length of prison terms reflect the accused's age? Obviously younger people can 'afford' to spend more time in prison. ;)
And I thought you were in favor of rehabilitation, not...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Mar 2006, 19:19
Replies:
20
dda's trial continues
Views:
1,537
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: dda's trial continues
I'm pretty sure bail amounts are not completely random. :p
And already asked and answered (http://pirate.planetarion.com/showthread.php?p=2980549&#post2980549). :)
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Mar 2006, 15:45
Replies:
11
Guantanamo Again
Views:
1,432
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Guantanamo Again
I think the deal is that if the Taliban and al Qaeda surrender then their captured solders go free (that's the usual arrangement in warfare), but I can't see why bin Laden and Mullah Omar would do...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Mar 2006, 05:46
Replies:
6
watching snooker on eurosport
Views:
1,771
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: watching snooker on eurosport
I'd have to go with Bob Ross (http://www.bobross.com/). He actually makes Mister Rogers seem hyperactive! I'd recommend Bob Ross for any insomnia. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Mar 2006, 22:33
Replies:
34
"Sheila's Wheels"
Views:
2,574
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: "Sheila's Wheels"
Um, no. The page you linked to [page 4] only talks about annuities, but on previous pages it says women will pay "more than men for some health insurance" [page 1], they will pay "substantially more"...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Mar 2006, 03:39
Replies:
34
"Sheila's Wheels"
Views:
2,574
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: "Sheila's Wheels"
Health insurance.
Women also pay more for retirement annuities, although that's because they tend to live longer. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Feb 2006, 05:55
Replies:
34
American Taliban
Views:
3,098
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: American Taliban
I believe it was promised* to them by God (as relayed by Moses) right before Moses dies and Israel enters the "Promised Land." See Deuteronomy.
*Well technically a covenant.
Forum:
General Discussions
23 Feb 2006, 19:14
Replies:
54
Selfishness v Society
Views:
3,895
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Selfishness v Society
On the general question, I think people have the right to disobey unjust laws. Of course, they must also accept the consequences. Rosa Parks' refusal to obey the law and sit in the back of the bus...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Feb 2006, 21:00
Replies:
10
Bush doesn't get it.
Views:
1,600
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Bush doesn't get it.
Actually it's in my signature, not my post, so quoting my post was kind of pointless. :)
It's a hotmail account with so much über spam filtering enabled that I'm not sure anything even can get...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Feb 2006, 19:58
Replies:
10
Bush doesn't get it.
Views:
1,600
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Bush doesn't get it.
I don't understand this controversy, tbh.
UAE-owned planes fly into our country every day. Cargo that has been shipped through UAE-owned ports enters our harbors every day. UAE visitors arrive...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Feb 2006, 23:02
Replies:
15
I am a prayer warrior!
Views:
2,563
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I am a prayer warrior!
Another reason not to watch reality tv shows (if one needed any more). :/
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Feb 2006, 22:31
Replies:
23
Freedom of speech?
Views:
2,561
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Freedom of speech?
I'm sure that Jews and Muslims would agree that one is worse than the other. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Feb 2006, 22:20
Replies:
106
to increase activity 2 (political compass again)
Views:
8,307
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: to increase activity 2 (political compass again)
Economic Left/Right: 8.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.21
As in the past I couldn't really answer a lot of the questions, so some of my responses were essentially random. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Feb 2006, 22:00
Replies:
6
The Night Sky
Views:
1,603
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Night Sky
I grew up outside a small town with a breathtaking view of the night sky. Unfortunately it was in Minnesota so much of the time it was either too cold to loiter outside or else warm enough such that...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Feb 2006, 21:32
Replies:
15
Left at school.
Views:
2,463
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Left at school.
Are you sure school wasn't closed due to President's Day? That's why my children didn't have school today.
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Feb 2006, 16:44
Replies:
58
[Rant] Ex-Girlfriend
Views:
6,225
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Rant] Ex-Girlfriend
When love's first bloom
Withers to manic disorder
It's time to consider
A restraining order
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Feb 2006, 23:57
Replies:
6
Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar) have died
Views:
2,091
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar) have died
:(
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Feb 2006, 08:09
Replies:
282
Poll:
Total smoking ban passed (previously "Get in my son")
Views:
16,289
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Total smoking ban passed (previously "Get in my son")
Sadly, my city is considering a similar ban. :(
Beyond the tyranny of the majority argument, it is curious that while so many nonsmokers say how much they hate smoke it doesn't seem to effect...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Feb 2006, 02:46
Replies:
19
Deadly Dick Strikes Again!
Views:
3,250
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Deadly Dick Strikes Again!
Hunting with Dick Cheney or a car ride with Ted Kennedy? :/
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Feb 2006, 02:38
Replies:
18
Peak Oil
Views:
2,092
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Peak Oil
One artifact of higher oil prices* is that unconventional oil sources such as tar sands, oil shale, coal gassification, etc become economically viable. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Feb 2006, 18:23
Replies:
157
Who broke the forums?
Views:
11,346
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Who broke the forums?
It's fixed in Opera and IE; it's still broken in Firefox and Safari.
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Feb 2006, 18:10
Replies:
157
Who broke the forums?
Views:
11,346
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Who broke the forums?
The page header is messed up on Dreammaker. It's been messed up for a couple of years on non-IE browsers but now it's messed up on IE too. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Feb 2006, 17:53
Replies:
24
bushis officially, a complete and total muppet
Views:
2,433
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: bushis officially, a complete and total muppet
Tax revenues grew by 14% last year (due to economic growth). In spite of tax cuts, tax revenues are still growing faster than the economy. Unfortunately, federal spending is growing even faster. We...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Feb 2006, 07:30
Replies:
24
bushis officially, a complete and total muppet
Views:
2,433
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: bushis officially, a complete and total muppet
Why is that mad, particularily during wartime?
And social spending isn't really decreasing. The "big cuts" in healthcare are primarily a slight reduction in the rate of growth in Medicare from an...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Feb 2006, 22:44
Replies:
23
Place Your Bets
Views:
3,592
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Place Your Bets
There will be no invasion. Not anytime soon. Probably not ever.
First, we will do down the sanctions road, although it's not at all clear that the UN Security Council will even approve sanctions....
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Feb 2006, 08:25
Replies:
61
[BBC news]were they right?
Views:
5,307
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [BBC news]were they right?
I don't think they did anything wrong by publishing them. This entire controversy* started when a Danish author complained that he couldn't find an artist brave enough to illustrate his upcoming book...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Jan 2006, 21:27
Replies:
87
Supreme Court Justice confirmed.
Views:
5,990
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Supreme Court Justice confirmed.
No, it used to be only the party holding the Presidency. The Senate, even if controlled by the other party, used to confirm any reasonably qualified candidate. That's started to change in the past 20...
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Jan 2006, 21:16
Replies:
13
Fascism Alive and Well in America
Views:
2,115
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Fascism Alive and Well in America
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika#Swastika_usage_and_controversies) the building itself predates WWII.
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jan 2006, 21:08
Replies:
41
Sattelite images of your home?
Views:
3,236
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Sattelite images of your home?
My house (neighborhood) (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&q=&near=Saint+Paul,+MN&btnG=Search&t=k&ll=44.944484,-93.141291&spn=0.001944,0.005381&t=k)
My daughter's elementary school...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jan 2006, 20:35
Replies:
39
Terrorist Regime appears to be going into Power
Views:
3,209
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Terrorist Regime appears to be going into Power
Hamas is still rated as a terrorist organization (by the EU and the US, amongst others).
Virtually no one would deal with the PLO until they recognized Israel's right to exist and renounced...
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jan 2006, 15:50
Replies:
70
Even the Vatican say Intelligent Design is a load of crap!
Views:
7,950
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Even the Vatican say Intelligent Design is a load of crap!
Perhaps, but it's still a gross mischaracterization to equate those who aren't strongly against something as being favorable towards it.
Quoted for irony.
Forum:
General Discussions
25 Jan 2006, 00:24
Replies:
70
Even the Vatican say Intelligent Design is a load of crap!
Views:
7,950
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Even the Vatican say Intelligent Design is a load of crap!
I don't know what "favorable" means here, but I can guess. Many of the US polls* I've seen ask--for example--if creationism and ID should be taught in schools alongside evolution. The positive...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Jan 2006, 20:12
Replies:
39
Have you ever seen your mothers dildo?
Views:
3,181
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Have you ever seen your mothers dildo?
Not really, no.
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Jan 2006, 20:04
Replies:
39
Have you ever seen your mothers dildo?
Views:
3,181
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Have you ever seen your mothers dildo?
I think my mere existence is sufficient incriminating evidence that my parents had sex. There're also my brothers and sister so clearly they were repeat offenders. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Jan 2006, 19:43
Replies:
5
[BBC news] place your bets now...
Views:
1,994
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [BBC news] place your bets now...
Everyone knows he did something stupid. Firing him would just be political correctness.
Of course, he did send it to journalists... :p
Forum:
General Discussions
23 Jan 2006, 07:45
Replies:
66
Battlestar Galactica
Views:
6,691
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Battlestar Galactica
She dissed him, but she didn't betray him. Not in the way he's betrayed everyone else time and time again. :/ At most he thinks she doesn't trust him, but then it's not like he's ever her (or anyone...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Jan 2006, 16:26
Replies:
71
Euromillions
Views:
7,022
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Euromillions
All your long-lost relatives. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Jan 2006, 18:32
Replies:
25
Bin Laden offers truce.
Views:
2,827
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Bin Laden offers truce.
Frankly it wouldn't make any difference to me.
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Jan 2006, 20:55
Replies:
9
[BBC News Link] Hahahahahahahaha
Views:
1,654
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [BBC News Link] Hahahahahahahaha
Russia wants Iran to stop enriching uranium. They'd prefer the Iranians accept their proposal to sell them enriched uranium ($$$), but if the Iranians continue to refuse then I think they will...
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Jan 2006, 15:43
Replies:
27
So now we can rocket-attack pakistani villages without asking the CIA to do it
Views:
1,970
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: So now we can rocket-attack pakistani villages without asking the CIA to do it
Mass bombings are so 20th Century.
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Jan 2006, 15:40
Replies:
8
Take the Global Warming Test
Views:
2,212
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Take the Global Warming Test
I'm not sure what level of rigor is appropriate for an 'internet test,' but I thought it was at least light years ahead of most of tripe that's written about global warming (admittedly a low bar).
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Jan 2006, 18:57
Replies:
17
[BBC Link] Stampede Again
Views:
2,577
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [BBC Link] Stampede Again
According to Islam, anyone who dies on the way to, or during, the Hajj is a martyr and goes to heaven; so no worries. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Jan 2006, 06:57
Replies:
46
I was wondering what you pro-abortionists thought of this
Views:
3,234
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I was wondering what you pro-abortionists thought of this
Yes. A society with such a strong preference for one sex over the other is arguably already unbalanced. Without the abortion option it just manifests itself in other ways (children of the unwanted...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Jan 2006, 19:00
Replies:
45
This Bird Flu Paranoidemic
Views:
4,120
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: This Bird Flu Paranoidemic
Intelligent design? :D :p
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Jan 2006, 08:44
Replies:
4
Burning down the mouse...
Views:
1,760
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Burning down the mouse...
I wonder if there really was a mouse or if the fool just burned down his house all by himself? :)
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Jan 2006, 04:10
Replies:
66
National Stereotypes
Views:
8,211
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: National Stereotypes
Kim Il Sung invented the Zerg rush in 1950! :D
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Jan 2006, 17:42
Replies:
29
I'm not sure why no thread was made about this....
Views:
3,109
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I'm not sure why no thread was made about this....
Well, at least strong enough to swallow a bitter pill. I don't think a weak government is ever going to be able to negotiate--and get their people to accept--a real settlement in the middle east*....
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Jan 2006, 17:11
Replies:
29
I'm not sure why no thread was made about this....
Views:
3,109
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I'm not sure why no thread was made about this....
It's not clear what will happen with his new party (Kadima). It could still survive and be a major player in Israeli politics, although probably not what it could have been.
Israel is the poster...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Jan 2006, 16:41
Replies:
70
Double standards ahoy
Views:
4,921
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Double standards ahoy
People's 'notion' of a free market often amounts to little more than what benefits them directly. Rules against discounting and monopolies aren't there to support the a free market, they're there to...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Jan 2006, 00:36
Replies:
70
Double standards ahoy
Views:
4,921
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Double standards ahoy
They don't have to block it. They can restrict the flow or divert some of it (essentially, tax it). When you ship your products across another country's territory then it's really in your best...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Jan 2006, 21:39
Replies:
70
Double standards ahoy
Views:
4,921
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Double standards ahoy
All Gazprom customers are equal, but some Gazprom customers are more equal than others. ;) The message here is clear: former soviet republics that defer to Moscow get cheap gas, former soviet...
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Jan 2006, 20:31
Replies:
55
so what are you doing tonight?
Views:
4,868
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: so what are you doing tonight?
In the US, television stations have shown It's A Wonderful Life (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/) over and over and over during the holidays for years and years. Any and all appreciation for...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Dec 2005, 16:54
Replies:
55
so what are you doing tonight?
Views:
4,868
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: so what are you doing tonight?
We usually stay up until midnight watching videos with the kids. I think tonight's double-header will feature The Great Escape (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057115/) and Chicken Run...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Dec 2005, 16:38
Replies:
9
stella bock
Views:
2,818
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: stella bock
Hmmm (http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20020923.me.streetcar.vid1.ram)
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Dec 2005, 00:34
Replies:
38
Kyoto
Views:
3,571
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Kyoto
I don't see the point of converting from coal to oil (actually gas, I think) first then; but yeah, nuclear would be the best option (assuming he can actually pull it off). George Bush wants the US to...
Forum:
General Discussions
28 Dec 2005, 23:48
Replies:
38
Kyoto
Views:
3,571
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Kyoto
That doesn't seem like much of a long term (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=129) solution. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Dec 2005, 19:23
Replies:
50
Merry Christmas everyone
Views:
5,537
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Merry Christmas everyone
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all! :)
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Dec 2005, 19:20
Replies:
41
Multicultural societies
Views:
3,484
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Multicultural societies
Canada (5.9 migrants per 1000 population) and Australia (3.9) both have higher legal* immigration rates than the US (3.3), but we're all immigrant countries. I don't think it's too surprising that...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Dec 2005, 09:07
Replies:
41
Multicultural societies
Views:
3,484
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Multicultural societies
Say what? If you're referring to the Minuteman Project (the largest and best organized group, by far), they've got maybe 500 volunteers.
If we don't have many immigrants here in the north then why...
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Dec 2005, 22:46
Replies:
66
Battlestar Galactica
Views:
6,691
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Battlestar Galactica
They probably make more selling them on iTunes than on DVD, but it's all good. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Dec 2005, 19:34
Replies:
66
Battlestar Galactica
Views:
6,691
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Battlestar Galactica
Yeah, you can pre-order it now on Amazon (avail. in January IIRC). They make so much more money on DVD sales that broadcasting is becoming a loss-leader. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Dec 2005, 00:31
Replies:
66
Battlestar Galactica
Views:
6,691
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Battlestar Galactica
I often feel that way about GD. :/
With respect to BG, I assume the series is entering a period of moral ambiguity--when the badduns start acting a little bit good and the gooduns start acting a...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Dec 2005, 18:16
Replies:
25
Hes at it again
Views:
3,244
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hes at it again
Hehe, it's one of those words that has a different meaning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_%28verb%29) depending on which side of the Atlantic you're on.
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Dec 2005, 18:05
Replies:
25
Hes at it again
Views:
3,244
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hes at it again
The latter. Without cloture, debate cannot be ended. The bill can be filibustered until either the proponents agree to table it or the opponents collapse from exhaustion...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Dec 2005, 17:50
Replies:
25
Hes at it again
Views:
3,244
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hes at it again
Actually, it's a vote on a motion to limit or end debate (cloture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloture)). Most legislative bodies have them (or else a fixed time limit for debate). The Senate's...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Dec 2005, 07:23
Replies:
25
Hes at it again
Views:
3,244
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hes at it again
Whatever. :) It doesn't seem like much of an improvement though.
I have no problem with people changing their minds, although I think politicians owe the public an explanation as to why they...
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Dec 2005, 03:21
Replies:
25
Hes at it again
Views:
3,244
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hes at it again
Ah... the temporary insanity plea.
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Dec 2005, 20:53
Replies:
25
Hes at it again
Views:
3,244
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Hes at it again
If that's true, then why did these politicians vote for it the first time? :confused:
Are they going to invoke the popular 'Bush tricked us' defense (an oldie but a goodie) or perhaps the 'we...
Forum:
General Discussions
19 Dec 2005, 18:19
Replies:
22
Is this theft?
Views:
3,341
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Is this theft?
These might make sense (energy wise) if you put them in front of stop signs or other areas where cars need to slow down/stop. It could capture some of the energy that would otherwise go towards...
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Dec 2005, 06:24
Replies:
15
Terror Laws
Views:
2,925
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Terror Laws
Or the job will be subcontracted out to other countries...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Dec 2005, 18:04
Replies:
18
Polar Bear Cubs Are Objectively Cute
Views:
2,544
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Polar Bear Cubs Are Objectively Cute
Don't predators generally go for the old, sick and young though? Lions kill young zebras (because the adults are faster/smarter), hyenas kill lion cubs (mostly because the adults are too hard to...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Dec 2005, 15:37
Replies:
50
Holocaust? What Holocaust?
Views:
3,559
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Holocaust? What Holocaust?
There's no way a country of 5 million jews is going to invade a country of 65 million muslims, even if they had a shared border. A surgical strike or two, maybe, but Israel is not a threat to invade...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Dec 2005, 05:13
Replies:
1
A nice theory I found
Views:
1,688
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A nice theory I found
I don't think the ancients were nearly as agreed on this 'one thing' as you suggest. The dual kings of Sparta and the dual consuls of the Roman Republic are but two examples of states opting not to...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Dec 2005, 21:04
Replies:
67
Stanley "Tookie" Williams (hey dda!)
Views:
6,592
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Stanley "Tookie" Williams (hey dda!)
More useful to whom? Who gets to decide which inmates on death row are useful and which are not? And by what standard?
And what does it mean to say that someone is more useful alive than dead? At...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Dec 2005, 16:24
Replies:
67
Stanley "Tookie" Williams (hey dda!)
Views:
6,592
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Stanley "Tookie" Williams (hey dda!)
I can't really see how people can say he was rehabilitated.
He never apologized for the crimes he was sentenced for. He always maintained his innocence, so fair enough, but then it's a question...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Dec 2005, 15:13
Replies:
66
Battlestar Galactica
Views:
6,691
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Battlestar Galactica
SciFi channel has recently announced (http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?category=0&id=33290) that season 3 of Battlestar Galactica is a go. \o/
After my son and I finished Babylon 5, I...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Dec 2005, 01:13
Replies:
63
What are you currently reading?
Views:
4,782
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: What are you currently reading?
A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin (good intro on the origins of the modern middle east)
The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman
A War Like No Other by Victor Davis Hanson
Forum:
General Discussions
8 Dec 2005, 18:41
Replies:
39
There is a special hell waiting for cops who shoot innocents dead
Views:
3,358
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: There is a special hell waiting for cops who shoot innocents dead
Yes.
Some of the more common homemade explosives are isomers of acetone peroxide* which aren't very stable but have the advantage of being easily synthesized from readily-available chemicals (if...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Dec 2005, 22:54
Replies:
5
Imdb
Views:
3,088
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Imdb
Well they say (http://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?cost) they're supported by revenue from advertisers (they don't mention if they're breaking even or making a profit). They also have their premium...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Dec 2005, 03:50
Replies:
17
the french
Views:
2,825
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: the french
Somewhat pyrrhic victories, though. Boney lost over two thirds of his army before he ever reached Moscow. He was winning and advancing, but he was losing men he couldn't replace. The Russian army, on...
Forum:
General Discussions
4 Dec 2005, 00:57
Replies:
17
the french
Views:
2,825
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: the french
Good point (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=French+military+victories&btnI=I%27m+Feeling+Lucky)!
(an oldie, I know, but a goodie)
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Dec 2005, 22:29
Replies:
44
Sony are bastards
Views:
4,328
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Sony are bastards
Yes, that's how I read it too; but I assumed that included their charge for looking at it.
Of course, if they weren't up front about such a charge then their bad.
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Dec 2005, 15:59
Replies:
44
Sony are bastards
Views:
4,328
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Sony are bastards
Could the broken power port have caused a surge...?
I suspect the £12 just covers shipping and insurance.
I've never used Sony, but most computer repair places I'm familiar with will charge a...
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Dec 2005, 06:58
Replies:
4
Can someone do me a favour.
Views:
2,032
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Can someone do me a favour.
Heh, I just gave my copy of that book to my son to read. It's pretty good. :)
Baen makes several of their books available as free downloads, as well as sample chapters plus some of their...
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Nov 2005, 22:23
Replies:
37
Cnn
Views:
6,186
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Cnn
Sounds like they were 'locked and loaded'. :eek:
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Nov 2005, 00:06
Replies:
90
Royalty
Views:
5,662
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Royalty
Or how about watery tarts distributing swords? I've always liked that one. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Nov 2005, 07:11
Replies:
40
Slowly but surly children are sinking deeper into the mire...
Views:
3,626
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Slowly but surly children are sinking deeper into the mire...
But who decides what is deserving to be taught? And as soon as you conclude there's only one right curriculum then how can you enforce that without some sort of state sanction? Whatever authority the...
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Nov 2005, 20:51
Replies:
40
Slowly but surly children are sinking deeper into the mire...
Views:
3,626
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Slowly but surly children are sinking deeper into the mire...
I'm not sure there's any meaningful curriculum that everyone would agree is true. Someone would find fault with some aspect of every one, because of intelligent design or political correctness or...
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Nov 2005, 18:21
Replies:
14
Apparently Americans Are Fat And Lazy
Views:
2,167
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Apparently Americans Are Fat And Lazy
Is it a duplex? Multiple family dwellings are generally poor pickings for trick-or-treaters, especially when they have a shared entrance. You have to go through an outer door, which sometimes is...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Nov 2005, 08:02
Replies:
9
Uninteresting newslinked drivel
Views:
2,198
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Uninteresting newslinked drivel
And here I thought 'manage to mangle' was such a lovely alliteration. :(
Too late, the beeb has changed the caption. Somebody must have woken up the night editor.
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Nov 2005, 04:26
Replies:
9
Uninteresting newslinked drivel
Views:
2,198
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Uninteresting newslinked drivel
How did they manage to mangle Dorothy Koch into Doro Cock?
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Nov 2005, 02:22
Replies:
27
Porn in your library
Views:
2,793
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Porn in your library
Late fees!
We get a fair number of DVDs from the library (free :)) and usually end up returning about a quarter of them late (not free :().
The library loves us. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Oct 2005, 18:14
Replies:
37
Killing palestinian terrorists
Views:
3,644
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Killing palestinian terrorists
Rockets can be guided to the target; cannon shells can't.
These attacks are probably conducted from a mile or more away (otherwise the terrorists would see the helicopter and disperse/flee/etc)....
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Oct 2005, 05:29
Replies:
52
How to Discuss American Politics without bashing America
Views:
4,371
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: How to Discuss American Politics without bashing America
The conventional wisdom used to be that high voter turnout favored the Democrats, but the last Presidental election kind of blew that out of the water (voter turnout was the highest in 36 years).
Forum:
General Discussions
28 Oct 2005, 21:06
Replies:
52
How to Discuss American Politics without bashing America
Views:
4,371
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: How to Discuss American Politics without bashing America
Didn't they get Martha Stewart for that? ;)
I find the whole thing baffling. The entire Washington establishment couldn't function without leaked information (they were even leaking the status of...
Forum:
General Discussions
28 Oct 2005, 16:19
Replies:
53
Quick and Nasty - A GD Challenge
Views:
6,713
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Quick and Nasty - A GD Challenge
referrer
redressed/redresses
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Oct 2005, 17:44
Replies:
48
Soldiers spreading democracy
Views:
3,876
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Soldiers spreading democracy
[/i]
I don't think we've seen that in quite some time. Iraqi soldiers were in the front lines in Tal-Afar and reportedly (http://www.dod.mil/transcripts/2005/tr20050913-3901.html) did quite well....
Forum:
General Discussions
22 Oct 2005, 18:59
Replies:
3
A Bridge to Nowhere
Views:
2,265
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A Bridge to Nowhere
Actually, it will be the federal government spending the $220 million. :/
It would have been cheaper to buy each of the island's residents his or her own airplane. :(
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Oct 2005, 15:43
Replies:
31
The Beginning......
Views:
3,784
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The Beginning......
I started playing PA early in R1. I began posting on the forums mostly to ask about some of the many quirks* in the game. Eventually I was asked to help mod some of the forums and hung out a lot on...
Forum:
General Discussions
18 Oct 2005, 17:36
Replies:
66
Are we going to war with Iran?
Views:
4,718
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Are we going to war with Iran?
Considering the IAEA's abysmal track record, yes.
Considering the Nobel Peace Prize committee, no.
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Oct 2005, 18:35
Replies:
26
I'm Not Sure That Cursive Handwriting Gets All The Disrespect It Deserves
Views:
2,531
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I'm Not Sure That Cursive Handwriting Gets All The Disrespect It Deserves
As a child, I loved learning cursive because it was the form used by adults (back when people actually wrote out letters to each other as their primary means of communication with those they didn't...
Forum:
General Discussions
17 Oct 2005, 16:10
Replies:
24
[Rant] Spitting feathers
Views:
2,221
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Rant] Spitting feathers
Solar power has an enormous advantage over nuclear power in that home solar systems are already relatively affordable (obviously not everyone can afford them, but many people can). So the best way to...
Forum:
General Discussions
15 Oct 2005, 01:47
Replies:
28
Saddam Hussein coming to a cinema near you
Views:
2,325
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Saddam Hussein coming to a cinema near you
Ah, but under the previous Iraqi constitution Saddam, as President, had full immunity. He printed his own 'get out of jail free' card and look--it's signed by the President of Iraq!
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Oct 2005, 18:31
Replies:
33
Your Next Car Accident
Views:
3,740
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Your Next Car Accident
I suspect my next accident will be a lot like the previous four. :(
I'll be sitting at an uncontrolled intersection waiting to turn left*, with my turn signal on thankyouverymuch, and some...
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Oct 2005, 00:51
Replies:
134
Scrap Rep
Views:
9,170
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Scrap Rep
I'm afraid that says more about why you should never be given mod powers than it does about the current mods or the system. :p I've neg-repped mods (well, Kura) and haven't been cast into the outer...
Forum:
General Discussions
12 Oct 2005, 19:51
Replies:
50
GD Awards
Views:
7,546
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: GD Awards
It still works for me! :)
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Oct 2005, 15:14
Replies:
30
[Firefly] Serenity Trailer
Views:
3,094
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Firefly] Serenity Trailer
I'd take that with a very large grain of salt simply because so much of the revenue from movies now comes from sources other than the box office. The original Firefly didn't do that well on TV (for...
Forum:
General Discussions
9 Oct 2005, 17:14
Replies:
75
Get paid to improve America
Views:
6,810
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Get paid to improve America
Does this mean they've run out of ideas? :/
Excellent. We'll send them to your country. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Oct 2005, 20:05
Replies:
48
Would be being born blind and deaf be that bad?
Views:
3,880
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Would be being born blind and deaf be that bad?
You should see/read The Miracle Worker. :)
Forum:
General Discussions
7 Oct 2005, 19:50
Replies:
30
[Firefly] Serenity Trailer
Views:
3,094
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: [Firefly] Serenity Trailer
I saw Serenity on Monday night and I thought it was excellent. The movie was pretty faithful to Firefly without (apparently) being confusing for those who missed the TV series. An ongoing TV series,...
Forum:
General Discussions
6 Oct 2005, 16:00
Replies:
28
If God was real...would you love and obey?
Views:
2,655
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: If God was real...would you love and obey?
God got religion! :)
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Oct 2005, 06:27
Replies:
30
Katrina, Rita and Racisim
Views:
3,263
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Katrina, Rita and Racisim
I said inefficient, not incompetent. Big difference.
You mean besides Cromwell?
And tyrany can arise without a dictator. Britain did a pretty good job of oppressing us with just a king and...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Oct 2005, 02:05
Replies:
17
Its My Internet, Dammit
Views:
2,361
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Its My Internet, Dammit
The question is who has ultimate authority over the Internet's master routing directories (IP addresses and domain names). The US turned over most of the authority to a private organization with...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Oct 2005, 01:42
Replies:
30
Katrina, Rita and Racisim
Views:
3,263
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Katrina, Rita and Racisim
That's rather the point. The idea of federalism is that power is divided amongst multiple levels of government, both to prevent any level of government from getting too much power but also to put...
Forum:
General Discussions
30 Sep 2005, 07:05
Replies:
30
Katrina, Rita and Racisim
Views:
3,263
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Katrina, Rita and Racisim
Heh. That has to be one of the worst examples ever. The PM of the time was Neville Chamberlain who had hit bottom two years earlier--and just kept digging. :/
How many ships did Neville lose?...
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Sep 2005, 15:13
Replies:
18
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Views:
2,223
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
The medical profession obviously did, except they chose latin. ;)
Forum:
General Discussions
28 Sep 2005, 18:41
Replies:
19
um... can someone help
Views:
2,289
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: um... can someone help
Well, you can always do a whois (http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jhtml) on the domain name. Parts of email headers can be forged, though, so if they want money for some...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Sep 2005, 15:22
Replies:
8
look what i found
Views:
1,977
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: look what i found
Because a treasure of this size and value probably can't be excavated and removed without attracting public attention anyway. You can't just stick 600 barrels of treasure in your pocket, hop a boat...
Forum:
General Discussions
24 Sep 2005, 01:00
Replies:
65
Proud to be an American
Views:
5,039
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Proud to be an American
Gallup obviously disagrees with you. From their FAQ (http://media.gallup.com/PDF/FAQ/HowArePolls.pdf):
Beyond that, the ordering and wording of questions probably has more influence than sample...
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Sep 2005, 18:46
Replies:
28
Whatever happened to POTW?
Views:
2,968
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Whatever happened to POTW?
Whatever happened to Mr. Garibaldi?
Forum:
General Discussions
21 Sep 2005, 03:05
Replies:
81
CGI Kiddie Porn!!!
Views:
8,862
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: CGI Kiddie Porn!!!
Cigarette commercials are banned from television though. The First Amendment doesn't seem to have the reach it used to. :(
Forum:
General Discussions
20 Sep 2005, 06:22
Replies:
81
CGI Kiddie Porn!!!
Views:
8,862
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: CGI Kiddie Porn!!!
I'm not sure I'd equate legalizing something with encouraging it; at least, that's one of the arguments that pops up when discussing the legal status of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, gambling,...
Forum:
General Discussions
16 Sep 2005, 05:59
Replies:
31
About Countries Selling Their Natural Resources
Views:
2,566
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: About Countries Selling Their Natural Resources
If I recall correctly, the US government leases drilling rights on federal land to the highest bidder. Of course, winning bidders have to pay all exploration, drilling, pumping, and transportation...
Forum:
General Discussions
14 Sep 2005, 19:29
Replies:
43
Multi-Layered Failures
Views:
3,578
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Multi-Layered Failures
Alberto Gonzales?
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Sep 2005, 22:02
Replies:
38
New Neg Rep System
Views:
3,413
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: New Neg Rep System
Yeah, it's 'math' in the US.
btw, do you folks use 'econs' or 'econ'?
Exponentials go both ways. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Sep 2005, 16:22
Replies:
22
I'd prefer it to be Bush
Views:
2,880
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: I'd prefer it to be Bush
I think Brown was toast as soon as the revelations came out that he'd padded his resume. Some of his statements didn't help either. I don't expect a political appointee to actually know anything but...
Forum:
General Discussions
5 Sep 2005, 09:03
Replies:
32
Americans Cared Deeply for Katrina Victims
Views:
3,954
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Americans Cared Deeply for Katrina Victims
Easily done. US armed forces killed in Vietnam consisted of 12.5% blacks (source: http://www.archives.gov/research/vietnam-war/casualty-statistics.html#race). Black soldier fatality percentages were...
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Sep 2005, 08:12
Replies:
77
A matter of contention
Views:
5,719
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A matter of contention
I don't know if the President has the authority to issue such an order and I don't think it's his job to be doing so. Local officials (mayors and Governors) are more directly accountable to the...
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Sep 2005, 18:05
Replies:
217
USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
Views:
17,373
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
I think it's more than somewhat questionable, but unfortunately there's rarely any sense of urgency for major policy changes. It usually takes a disaster to seize the public and political attention...
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Sep 2005, 16:37
Replies:
18
The shape of things to come
Views:
2,436
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The shape of things to come
Quoted for truth. :/
P.S. I'd add the Senate too.
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Sep 2005, 16:30
Replies:
217
USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
Views:
17,373
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
It doesn't appear that funding would have made any difference (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-050901corps,1,7189346.story), since the actual levee that gave way had already been...
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Sep 2005, 04:02
Replies:
217
USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
Views:
17,373
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
Blame the French! :p
The city was (slightly) above sea level originally when it was built on the natural levees of the Mississippi. The long term effects of the river raising it's bed through silt...
Forum:
General Discussions
1 Sep 2005, 15:37
Replies:
217
USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
Views:
17,373
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
I don't believe that the relationship between global warming and hurricanes is that well understood. Furthermore, there's little evidence that either the number or severity of hurricanes is...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Aug 2005, 08:44
Replies:
217
USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
Views:
17,373
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: USA can blame themselves for Katrina?
After you you adjust US gasoline prices for inflation, it's currently only two-thirds of it's all-time high price--still a bargain. Gasoline is cheaper than milk, 'bottled' water, vegetable oil,...
Forum:
General Discussions
31 Aug 2005, 07:01
Replies:
77
A matter of contention
Views:
5,719
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: A matter of contention
Works for me if that's what the Puerto Ricans want. The last plebiscite (http://electionspuertorico.org/1998/summary.html) was inconclusive.
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Aug 2005, 06:53
Replies:
15
Good Bye New Orleans?
Views:
2,444
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Good Bye New Orleans?
That was sorted two centuries ago. We no longer use the original French name: la Nouvelle Orléans*. :)
*Yeah, it should have been Nouveaux Orléans--it was transgendered at birth. :/
Forum:
General Discussions
23 Aug 2005, 14:58
Replies:
10
The funniest thing I have read in a long time
Views:
2,538
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: The funniest thing I have read in a long time
:up: :)
Forum:
General Discussions
13 Aug 2005, 19:22
Replies:
46
American Guilt
Views:
2,983
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: American Guilt
Not in historical context (adjusting for inflation and the growth of the US economy), no. The US budget, as a percentage of GDP was much higher during WWII (~40% of GDP). It was also higher in the...
Forum:
General Discussions
11 Aug 2005, 16:54
Replies:
21
Must be a slow news day
Views:
2,263
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Must be a slow news day
Some cats have no luck. :(
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Aug 2005, 21:09
Replies:
46
When Your Kid(s) Is (Are) Being Born
Views:
2,787
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: When Your Kid(s) Is (Are) Being Born
I was in the delivery room for both of mine. There really wasn't much for me to do, but it was interesting.
For #1, I mostly stood around and tried to be helpful during the ensuing train wreck....
Forum:
General Discussions
10 Aug 2005, 09:42
Replies:
33
US Army world tour - new dates to be confirmed
Views:
3,379
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: US Army world tour - new dates to be confirmed
Really? This data point would seem to fit right on the curve with their other activities (http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/proxy-groups.htm). :/
Forum:
General Discussions
3 Aug 2005, 20:33
Replies:
14
Children playing
Views:
2,482
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Children playing
I wouldn't call a two pound rock a small stone. And sending someone to the hospital for stitches probably makes it a police matter. Resisting arrest was a nice touch.
In any event, the trial has...
Forum:
General Discussions
2 Aug 2005, 00:39
Replies:
48
What if i dont want any of it?
Views:
3,743
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: What if i dont want any of it?
President of what? Or doesn't it matter?
Forum:
General Discussions
29 Jul 2005, 15:42
Replies:
56
open source
Views:
4,757
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: open source
I think the contradiction exists only if you don't believe in intellectual property. If you believe in IP then of course the state should protect your rights to your IP (just as the state should...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jul 2005, 02:12
Replies:
35
Mecca and Medina
Views:
4,663
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Mecca and Medina
Not at all. Mr. Noorzai said "people in Tancredo's position need to watch their words when it comes to sacred religious sites and texts." I simply pointed out that some prominent muslims have said...
Forum:
General Discussions
27 Jul 2005, 01:24
Replies:
35
Mecca and Medina
Views:
4,663
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Mecca and Medina
Where exactly did I condemn every adherent of a religion? :confused:
Forum:
General Discussions
26 Jul 2005, 20:57
Replies:
35
Mecca and Medina
Views:
4,663
Posted By
Tactitus
Re: Mecca and Medina
I don't believe anyone here was suggesting otherwise; at least I certainly wasn't.
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