What's wrong with that is that it's a little hard to track down the individual who lit the fireworks AFTER a wildfire has devastated the region. You do understand that fire prevention is the primary reason for these laws, right? (There may be rural areas where the noise frightens livestock, and that would be a legitimate reason for prohibiting their use as well).

Um, remember that phrase "taxation without representation" that got thrown around back then? Parliament did not recognize the colonies' right to petition because there was no colonial representative member. The colonists then did what they could--petitioned the king directly.

I guess that didn't help either.

I should follow up that I do not believe that the sale of the flag should be banned. That would also represent a restriction of free speech. If you can find people who want to make it, and people who want to sell it, you should be able to buy it, just like people should be able to buy other symbols and icons that represent a desire to change the law ("Legalize it!, etc,). I just believe that people aren't thinking carefully enough about what this particular symbol truly represents, and if a majority of the citizens in a State believe it's offensive to display an item over the Capitol, then those people have the right to bring those grievances to the State Government and expect change.

I can't believe we're still dealing with this strawman. I also can't believe you don't see the irony in your own statement. The people of the south wanted "freedom" to deny freedom to others, and you're OK with that?

When some folks finally got enlightened enough to realize that the ownership of human beings is just plain WRONG, a majority of the citizens of the US (which is how our representative democracy works) convinced their legislators and President that "how they saw fit" should be outlawed. They way we effect change in this country is through legislation. If an Army base were to be attacked today for the reasons that Fort Sumter was shelled, we'd call it terrorism. So, yes, the flag was treasonous on the day it was created, and continues to be so because of the "ideals" it represents.

The southern states only considered this "oppressive" because an end to slavery meant lower profits for slave-owners. This is clearly outlined in their secession statements.

Oh, and of course there's always that *one* part of Fantasia that they did have to pay for--Stravinski's "The Rite of Spring." They've managed to convince an appeals court that the original contract (explicitly covering theatrical release only) also licenses all home video distribution, so its copyright has been rendered essentially null for them and them alone. I can think of at least 10 other movies that have never had a DVD or soundtrack CD release because the prevailing legal opinion is that those rights must be negotiated separately.

Open it up? You weren't aware that Disney didn't have to pay anyone for the rights to Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Hercules, Hamlet (The Lion King), Mulan, Pocahontas, Pinocchio, ad infinitum? .

I always use my favorite example of how they abuse copyright--Disney has now held the copyright on *their* version of Alice in Wonderland for more than twice as long as Lewis Carrol did for the original work.

As a resident of Houston who has avoided the sport since they gave the home run title to a cheater, I have to respond to this part of your comment. If THAT was the logic, then while they may not have "deserved" it, implementing security this poor amounts to criminal negligence. There are *plenty* of others who would want the info. You see, there's this little thing called gambling, and small advantages like this is how the pros stay ahead. Strangely enough, these same pros also tend to associate with folks who are part of organized crime.

The fact that the game's (ghosts') responses are completely deterministic. They follow distinct logical rules, and do not make "choices."

Whoosh...

Dr. Noah's bacillus?

Yes. At the very least, the proposed tax should be multiplied by [ (number of axles) - 1 ].

I'm betting it's something similar to the Beer Can House.

Yeah, after three years with a "regular" Eco-Drive, I *really* want the model that sets itself with the Atomic Clock in Denver. I'd never have to touch anything again!

That is absolutely false. From the definition of capital gains:

You are not re-taxed on your original earnings (the "basis"). You are taxed on the growth in value or gain (hence the name).