First, I believe in a free market. However, the teleco industry is generally a creature of government created and sanctioned monopolies. To claim that the free market has any position in this (either allowing government supported monopolies to extend their influence and power by bidding on the spectrum or by denying them the ability to bid on the spectrum) is wishful thinking at best.

Actually they do. But it's Vogon poetry.

I'm confused. When technology destroys the business model of the RIAA and MPAA we celebrate and point out that those that refuse to adapt should perish. Even though there are real people with real lives invested in the RIAA and MPAA.

When newspapers try to prop up their businesses by suing Google and putting up firewalls, we point to failed business models and the fact that they should adapt or die. Even though there are real people with real lives owning, operating, and working for the newspapers.

Now when it looks like technology is going to disrupt the business model of the UAW, the grocery clerks, the mail men, or countless others we start screaming that it's wrong? Really?

How about some consistency. Either support all buggy whip manufacturers or adapt to a new world where technology replaces more and more jobs -- freeing people up to pursue other interests.

For several years the companies I've worked for combined sick leave with vacation -- too many people were taking "sick leave" when they just wanted a day off. The people who were honest about it got the short end of the stick. So, rather than demand a doctors note that you were sick, the companies combined sick leave with vacation and called it paid time off.

Now Steve Moron thinks he has 3 weeks "vacation" a year when he really has 3 weeks PTO. When's he's sick, he doesn't want to take vacation and comes in and gets everyone else sick.

The teacher threatened to expel my daughter for making "racist" comments. Who knew that astronomical terms are racist.

I would add "reasonable subscription." Our local DVD rental store had a reasonable rate and we were allowed three DVDs out at one time. The movies of course were "two tier" -- older movies and new releases. Our subscription didn't include new releases. When they tripled the cost of the subscription, we cancelled it (and within two months the store was closed).

Even a blind pig occasionally finds acorns. My oldest made the comment that "children are nothing but a black hole of need." Some PC idiot said "you can't say that, that's racist." The teacher walked by and told her that she wasn't to make such racist comments in the future (and threatened her with explosion).

Universities are no longer liberal institutions where ideas can be freely discussed. Idiocy and censorship do abound. But feel free to shoot the messenger and ignore the problem.

In the 1980's, Unicorn Software had a program for the Apple ][ that allowed the user to read mythology stories -- complete with animated page turning.

First, I mostly agree with you.

If Google is declared a monopoly in one area (search) they can have their business practices in other areas restricted. As a nation, France could ban all of Google from all of France. If Google pulls out of France, would France be able to force their hand with regards to all of Europe via the EU?

The "French" part comes the type of cut of the potato. French cut: sliced lengthwise into long, thin strips.