The last line of this summery is just flame bate...Editors, please edit these things!

The Editor did edit the submission -- to add the flame-bait!

Take a look at Samsung's sales figures and profits. They're both tanking. I'm not saying that's a result of the iPhone 6 though, they'd already started doing that before the iPhone 6 launch.

For the most part, Samsung doesn't really compete with Apple, Samsung competes with the many other manufacturers of Android phones. It's only in the flagship products (Galaxy, Note) where there is competition with Apple, but I don't think that these represent the bulk of Samsung's sales outside the USA.

Apple hasn't really innovated much since Steve left the scene.

And for a long time before Steve left the scene. Apple has been a success by letting other companies release new types of devices and then execute their own version of that type of device. Apple did not create the first portable music player, the first smartphone, the first WIMP interface, etc.. Apple's success has largely been down to executing arguably better versions of devices that already exist in the marketplace. Now, Apple is also benefitting from being perceived as a luxury brand.

Here in New Jersey, we deregulated the energy industry 15 years ago. There are indeed many companies offering to sell electricity to me.

I think that you will find that the infrastructure owner is still regulated and required to cooperate with the generators of electricity (who are deregulated).

The situation that you have is very similar to what many people on /. have called for: companies can own and operate the local loops or provide Internet access (using the local loops), but not both. Alternatively the local loop owners should provide access to the local loops to competitive ISPs, who would ocmpete with the local loop operator to provide cable TV and Internet. This did happen briefly in parts of the USA, but the large cable companies were able to make the system break down.

That is how free markets work. When there is good competition, you have the highest available quality, and the lowest cost, the market will bear.

If you think that there is anything like a free market in providing TV and Internet to consumers, then I have a bridge to sell you. Other countries have forced the owners of the local loops to offer (at near cost) access to alternative suppliers. This has resulted in competition and far lower prices than in the USA.

Cable companies have received both direct and indirect subsidies to build out their infrastructure. The chance of an alternative (other than another incumbent) to that is close to zero.

Why isn't there another company offering to sell electricity or gas to me?

He pointed out the defendant's legal budgets are essentially infinite, and they are more than willing to fight the case to the supreme court. Once you get there, a victory by the plaintiffs are not assured. Remember, these are the guys who handed down Citizen's United. Do you want a new TV now, or a very(!) small chance to get a new car 5-10 years from now? That's what it comes down to.

That's a very good arguement for why the lawyers don't want to argue this further. Not so much for their clients. $5000 is not very much money for each person affected by this, but the millions that the lawyers will get is a lot of money. Furthermore, the lawyers may have to put in 10x the effort to get 10x in damages, which means 10x the fees. As a lawyer, would you:
1. Take the money now and find another lawsuit to work on, or
2. Put in 10x the effort, for the chance of getting 10x the rewards?
Obviously you choose the former.

for the clients, though, the question is rather different: Would you
1. Take a small amount of money now, or
2. Gamble on getting 10x the money, just by being prepared to wait for the money?
That's a very different equation.

National security letter shenanigans would mean that I wouldn't even have any management staff physically in the USA, there would be no staff in the USA to deliver a NSL to.

While NSA letters are bad, what make you think that the same (and worse) isn't already going on in most other countries?

Seriously - bring a package of cookies for the flight crew. .... And it's not a job that's appreciated terribly much - look at the comments in this thread, just for starters - so it goes a long way.

Beyond being polite to the attendants, I don't see any need for any more. It may be a crappy job, but it was their choice to do that job. There are vastly more applicants for the job than people hired.

... and will probably sneak you a non-alcoholic treat at some point during the flight

"non-alcoholic": wow! Actually, politeness may get you an alcoholic drink, but probably only on long-haul flights when the attendants are bored.

Why? "Because in case of an accident it could come off my head and fly through the cabin like a missile."

Obviously she had been watching Peaky Blinders.

Criminals and the insane, for instance, are certainly persons, but may have many of the rights limited and some outright revoked

Or companies, which have most if not all of the rights of natural persons (except for the right to vote), and few of the responsibilities.