Run time optimizations can be (are?) a very bad idea in a kernel, where very often the exact predictability of execution paths makes the difference between a working kernel and a misbehaving one.

It's more than that. Apple also wants to retain the right to sue anyone who uses LLVM/Clang for patent infringement if they deem them a competitive threat.

What's wrong with GCC?

Here are some facts. GCC 4.6.3 Loses to Clang 3.0 50% of the time. GCC 4.6.3 Loses to Clang 3.0 ~18% of the time. Most of the benchmarks use OpenMP which clang doesn't support. GCC 4.6.1 Loses to a prerelease Clang 3.0 ~50% of the time.

Where are you getting this 90% from? Cause it's not from reality.

Some quantum properties might be usable, but quantum computing sounds like snake oil of the worst class.

Of course, there are other encryption schemes that seem to work just fine (e.g. Elliptic curve cryptography) with quantum computing, and there's not much evidence that algorithms other than RSA are broken.

Skimming, kickbacks, outright bribery. Sadly it seems the only way people get anything done in this city is if they can take a slice off the top. The honest guys and small time thieves have little incentive to really push things. The deeply corrupt get an awful lot done. One percent off the top gets to be a larger amount the more they accomplish.

I'm not so sure about that. My home town has always had some issues with corruption, but it seems when we get some good quality corruption going we actually have growth.

It is still better an honest incompetent than an outright criminal in charge. I'm not so sure about that. I'd rather have a competent judge who fixes traffic tickets for his friends than an incompetent one. Of course, worse is one who is both crooked and incompetent.

Is there any chance that this will change in the near future? Another question is how long can Berlusconi stay in power?

we vote for berlusconi because there are no alternatives, the commies had their chance a few years ago and their government blew up after less than 2 years because they couldn't agree on anything even if they were allied he might not be the best option ever, but it's the best we have right now

However the law needs improvements: currently it targets the disseminators (journalists) while the real targets should be the ones who let the information out in the first place (judges and their staff).

Hitler didn't have a laptop in school, and look how THAT turned out!

No, it wreaks of someone getting a kickback under the table.