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Comment Re:Liquids on planes (Score 1) 560

Oh yes? And what if they wanted to stipulate that only white people could fly on their planes? Or only men? Or only the non-handicapped?

Well, those wouldn't be okay, because such discrimination is illegal, even for a private company. Why is it illegal? Because the people being subjected to discrimination stood up and fought against it. Which is exactly what needs to happen if this further infringement on our constitutional rights is to be stopped.

Comment Re:Explained by a Simple Formula (Score 2, Interesting) 944

I posit that one of the most prized products of Capitalism and the
free market is to reduce the cost for the end consumer and raise
the quality of the products and services.

Funny how a system designed to concentrate wealth in those who already control is does so little for the end consumers.

Funny how most of the time, an unregulated market increases the cost of items taht should be dirt-cheap, until they're an unaffordable luxury to most people.

And how the quality of the products and services doesn't matter, so long as you can dupe or force people into buying it.

In fact, non-free software (e.g., Windows and other Microsoft wares) is a great example of this. Is Office 7 worth $400? Nope, but because it's a free market, the price gets inflated to this point. Is Vista a good product? Nope, but because the industry is regulated only by those in control of it (i.e. Microsoft) hundreds of thousands of people were essentially forced to buy it anyway.

I fail to see how capitalism, a system which places power in the hands of those seeking only to promote their own profit, and who see the people in the system simply as another resource to be exploited, is supposed to benefit anyone other than those who control the wealth, and hence the power.

Remember, the "free market" is not free. It is manipulated like a puppet by those who hold the reins, those who do not care about your wellbeing or options in life.

Comment Re:This is great! (Score 2, Insightful) 174

Soon, the human race will never again need to have a sense of direction, thanks to our GPS-and-wifi-triangulation-capable overlords!

Right, just like how Plato said in Phaedrus that writing would rid us of our need for a memory.
Or like how radio ended the era of live musical performances.
Or like how cars and elevators have made walking obsolete.

Honestly, technology does change our lives, but it doesn't make such integral parts of them a thing of the past... technophobes just like to squawk that they will.

Comment Re:Missing option: (Score 2, Insightful) 804

The thing is, 99 times out of 100 it ISN'T the right choice, but it may seem, in moments of depression, like the ONLY choice. Would you stop an incredibly drunk man from jumping in front of a bus? Depression can be just as perception-altering as any drug. By enabling medics & police to restrain someone about to make what is literally the biggest mistake of their life, we can prevent those 99% of cases in which is outcome is just as tragic as a murder.

However, I do agree that there should be processes in place in which the sound of mind can legally consent to suicide, and be able to do so i the most painless way possible.

Comment Re:Decriminalization in Light of the Drug War (Score 1) 640

Instead, of course, we have the alcohol industry, capable of predatory advertising, campaign donations, etc etc.

I'm not at all arguing against legalization/decriminalization, or saying that substances are best left in the hands of criminals. But it's important to recognize that socially-acceptable drug cartels (e.g. corporations) have their downsides, too.
The Courts

Arizona Judge Tells Sheriff "Reveal Password Or Face Contempt" 624

An anonymous reader writes "Four days ago, deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona conducted a raid against the county government building hosting computers for a law enforcement database. After threatening to arrest county employees who would stop them, the officers proceeded to secure the room and promptly changed passwords on many of the servers. In a hearing on Friday, a Superior Court judge threatened to hold members of the Sheriff's Office in contempt if they did not reveal the passwords by next Wednesday. Following this, the Sheriff's Office claimed to be conducting an investigation against other Superior Court judges. Courts have asked for passwords before, but never under conditions like this."

Comment Dead Wrong (Score 1) 215

I hate to make this claim without being able to cite my sources, but my access to research databases has been cut off since graduating...

But this flies against the past 20 years of research. Nearly all studies show a strong NEGATIVE correlation between nearly all types of mental illness and creativity (as measured using a variety of scales). Schizophrenia and depression are the two that leap to mind. I know there's this popular idea that the crazies are more creative (or vice versa), but it's simply not true...

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