I am running KDE 4.9 off the backports PPA on Ubuntu 12.04. I had my reservations, but after two weeks of fiddling with the settings (Praise the Goddess Madoka for the blinding array of options) I have finally attained the desktop interface of my dreams. After the disaster of installing the supposedly stable kubuntu-desktop a year ago, I figured why not go for the latest package instead, and it was in hindsight a much better choice.

I am willing to donate to this cause, despite being umemployed.

You will need to cite the "not ecologically sound part". I have on hand a few journals that do scientifically quantify the ecological impact of an animal-based diet versus a non-animal-based diet for humans. I am a vegan by virtue of the scientific arguments, and the ecological argument is bar far the most soundly proven. http://www.ajcn.org/content/89/5/1699S.full.pdf http://www.ajcn.org/content/78/3/660S.full.pdf http://www.ajcn.org/content/78/3/664S.full That said, I do wish to point out that at no point in my post did I mention caging an animal for the entirety of its life - but simply to correct a view I find misleading that somehow a scientifically established balanced diet from non-animal sources is inferior to that of animal-based feed (and as a volunteer for the SPCA, I can confidently say some of the well-known products can cause kidney failure if you were to only feed your cat with those products, and they are neutered males). Your arguments that seeks to disparage vegan products as "industrial mush" and "chemical additives" smacks of hypocricy when you consider the animal-based stuff you do put into your cat's face, or whenever you visit the vet.

I read the scientific guidelines for a vegetarian and a vegan diet and followed them. Not hard to follow instructions as long as one knows how to read.

Why is this modded -1? This is a rational scientific response to the assertions of the parent post?

Right, but why would you abuse an animal by giving it un-natural chemical crap like that?

All food items consumed can be broken down to their constituent chemicals. Simply because a configuration comes from a non-animal source doesn't automatically make it inferior to one derived from animals. In fact, denying any possibility of a balanced diet to be constructed based on scientific principles through an assertion of the use of chemistry and biology is rather dishonest.

I knew it was pretty bad, but reading this just put me off buying any works of art unless I know every single penny I am spending goes directly to the artist or is under the artist's control.

Doctor Who reference to chameleon circuits! If only I had mod points.

Another additional concern is the compulsory purchase of a biometric USB device which apparently allows securer access to the email service.

Those signing up for the controversial 1 Malaysia email service will have to buy a USB biometric device sold by Tricubes Bhd or go to any National Registration Department (NRD) office to get their account activated, the company said today. Tricubes chief executive Khairun Zainal Mokhtar said the USB device would also allow myemail.my users opt for the more secure end-to-end data encryption for an additional fee, which he described as "a fraction of the cost".

And if this previous description of the CEO by a disgruntled executive is any indication, I would rather trust Google rather than my government to handle my email.

Elections to the Federal level are different from elections at the State Level in Malaysia. https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Malaysia#Governance The people in Penang for example vote for the secular Democratic Action Party. The very religious Kelantan votes for PAS, and PKR capitalises upon the reputation of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar and basically argues for the same things the DAP argues for. The ruling coalition known as the Barisan Nasional frequently destroys instruments of civil liberty including a just publicised attempt to censor the Internet. It is hardly a choice of the people choosing their governments when their governments gives them no safe outlet to oppose them.

http://www.burkavision.co.uk/www.facebook.com

If you don't go to other men's funerals they won't go to yours. -- Clarence Day