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Comment Re:So let's see.... (Score 1) 925

Actually - you're really on point. Let's take a look at the current government.

Roads - should be privatized ($x/mile driven)

Yes - we have this. They are called toll roads - see NJ turn pike, and may tunnels and bridges. The person using it pays, great idea. Honestly, the gas tax is also a roads usage based tax (hence the discount for farm diesel)

Water supply - should be privatized ($x/gallon taken into the house)

I'm sorry - you don't pay a water utility based on consumption now? Where do you live?

Sewage treatment - should be privatized ($x/gallon taken out of the house)

Check - my sewer bill is on the same bill as water. And my parents have a well and septic tank. No fee for them, because they are "off the grid" - More common than you think.

Police - should be privatized ($x/call to 911 etc)

Actually, that's a damn good idea if you bill them after the service. Police do this now in some states with the "accident fee" - call the cops to the scene of a car accident and you get a bill for 500 dollars.

Fire department - should be privatized ($x upfront to have your fire put out, but the neighbors can chip in so their houses won't be next)

I'm sorry - you've never heard of a fire department fee? Check your homeowners policy - your insurance company pays it for you. Many areas are still "subscription" - ever given money to a volunteer fire department? Yup - that's what you're paying for.

Army - should be privatized (don't want that North Korean missile [popsci.com] landing in your backyard? I hope you have the money to pay for it)

Actually national defense is one of the few responsibilities of a federal government - check the constitution when you get pouncing on it.

Schools - should be privatized ($x/day of school, and of course for missing school, turning in homework, missing homework etc)

Correct - I went to private school and so did my parents. Their parents worked hard to put 8 kids into catholic school. My grandparents went to catholic school too, they remember tuition cards that the nun stamped every week.

Power (including lease of the lines that feed your house) - should be privatized

Um - it is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Electric_Deregulation

Even before that I paid power bills to a private utility.

Street lighting - should be privatized (why not charge neighborhoods for the privilege of light?)

I see you've never gotten a bill from a homeowners association? What do you think that pays for?

Garbage collection - should be privatized ($x/lbs of garbage, extra charges if you don't sort everything perfectly)

Yup - we have to pay for that too, as I recall it's $100 every three months for the privilege of BFI to pick up my two cans. No charge for recyclables though.

Ambulance - should be privatized (got mugged, wallet and ID stolen, head smashed in? Too bad - if you don't have the cash or picture ID to show that you're covered, the EMTs won't help you)

I see you haven't taken a ride in one lately. A few weeks after, look out for a bill of about $1000.

Role Playing (Games)

Dungeons & Dragons Online Goes Free-To-Play 178

Dungeons & Dragons Online developer Turbine has announced that they'll be launching a new version of the game, called Eberron Unlimited, which makes it free to play, with the option of using micro-transactions to buy certain items and customize characters. Players will also be able to earn points through normal play that they can spend in the DDO Store. There's an additional option to pay a normal subscription fee for priority access to servers, a monthly allotment of points for the store, and extra character slots. Further details and a sign-up for the beta are available at the game's website.
Image

Paro the Therapeutic Robot Baby Seal 52

Mike writes "Paro is a therapeutic baby seal robot that is exploring new dimensions in animal therapy. Created to act as a companion for hospital patients and the elderly, the adorable baby harp seal bot aims to increase relaxation and decrease stress. Paro can sense and respond to its immediate environment through five integrated sensors that detect touch, light, sound, temperature, and posture, and it is even capable of learning and responding to a name."
The Almighty Buck

Submission + - Why Does Ebay Insult Customers? (barrisbilt.com)

Ralph Riccardi writes: "I am presently having a dispute with eBay over the fact that I mistakenly listed a car 2 minutes before their promo went in effect. (I am EDT, they use PDT). I ask for a credit ($39) and they reply with 2 emails that are both insulting and condescending in tone. This is not about the money, but rather the way a huge company in the middle of some serious competition issues treats the customers that made them the success they are. I wonder if the powers that be at eBay know about any of this questionable customer service, or in fact, set these policies. I will gladly forward all the emails to you or post them on my blog if you are interested. Feel free to contact me for any additional information. Also, I have not responded to the second email yet. Thanks for taking the time to look this over.
Ralph Riccardi"

Patents

Submission + - Researchers claim GM corn is dangerous for humans

miahfost writes: "Gene-modified corn MON 863 which has recently been approved for the European market should immediately be forbidden claims the French research group CRII-GEN, who recently completed the only independent analysis of Monsanto's test data for the corn. MON 863, designed to produce a pesticide through gene manipulation, when fed to female rats increased the levels of sugar and fat in their bloodstream. The GM corn also increased the size and weight of the liver as well as impaired kidney function. In male rats the liver shrunk. Note that toxic substances often affect the different sexes differently though the study was too short to identify specific illness that the GM corn was causing, however detoxification organs were clearly being affected. Here is the report in French CRII-GEN report. Here is an article in Swedish: SvD article."
Apple

OS X Kernel Overview 28

Don Negro writes: "Found this on Apple's Developer site. A solid overview of the OS X kernel - what bits are Mach, what bits are BSD - and a good level a detail. This is the first installment. As they say in the introduction 'Only you can prevent kernel panics.'"

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