It probably would have worked out better if one or both of you didn't have a job and you had 4 other kids with 2 other women. The welfare programs are only interested in helping people who don't contribute to society at all. Until I can sign up for my company's health insurance at the end of the year, I've got no options. I make too much to qualify for any benefits, but I sure as hell can't afford private insurance. The words "middle class" are becoming more of a joke with each passing election. We're becoming the haves and the have-nots - and that goes for internet connection as well. As long as the rich and powerful have what they want, the rest of the country can go to hell.

now there's someone with whom I'd like to enjoy a cold brewski.

he quoted your entire post, hardly taking things out of context.

You don't support Snowden.

You speculate that the US govt will likely assassinate Snowden.

What's out of context? This is one of those issues that you either have to be for or against. Being apathetic here will allow the govt to keep trampling our rights, which is just as bad as supporting the assassination of whistleblowers.

You don't know what's best for you, America. Big Brother knows what's best for you.

It's funny because it's true, as much as I wish it weren't. It seems that "smart" infrastructure (power plants, etc.) have laughable levels of security while "dumb" infrastructure (roads, bridges) are pretty much falling apart. Why can't this country do anything right? Why are we surprised when Iran hits back with the exact same tactic we used on them? Why can't we plan more than a day in advance?

and this is why I read BBC. All the "news" media does here is attack their opponents. This country is becoming so divided (in the media anyway) that it's disgusting. Everyone's goal is to outdo the guy before them and make sure their party keeps control.

And yes, this is "news for nerds" because /. is one of the few places left that values privacy for private citizens.

He lives knowing that he will attempt to protect himself. You live hoping the govt will show up to help you. Which is more the "politics of fear?"

Self-reliance is a traditionally "conservative" value and knowing that you can take care of yourself and others inspires confidence, not fear. However, I'm assuming you say "conservative" meaning "Republican." In which case you could apply that idea to either of our two illustrious political parties. At this point they're each pointing at the other and screaming, "They want to take away your freedoms!" Then, they both go and take away our freedoms.

I love my country.

Except that in places where there are outright bans on guns, like Chicago, there hasn't been any effect on the crime rate. No one wants to deal with the underlying problem that American society breeds more violence than the rest of the world.

The customer is merely making the best of the situation. The worker is defrauding 7/11, since she was hired to do a job that she's clearly not capable of doing correctly.

But it ended on a high note. I think that was the point; despite all the bad that had happened to the characters, they were able to overcome it in the end.

I should clarify a few things:

My friends and I all owned our own equipment and one of us worked at the local outdoors shop that sold paintball gear. We generally had a good time when we played together and we played in a variety of places; pay-to-play fields, our local woods and a few big games. The assholes were only encountered when we went to other places to play. One particular memory I have was at a big woods game, a bunch of jackasses wearing bright blue speedball shirts, jeans and sneakers went running off ahead of the pack. We saw them come walking back 2 minutes later because they'd all been shot immediately on their stupid charge.

However, even when we'd play in our own woods, we were looking at spending about $25 for the paint and CO2 and that would usually only last half a day. Not horribly expensive, but it added up quick.

Also, all these comments about how awful it is running through the woods and getting dirty are hilarious. I know it's /. but come on people!

You should be drinking Brawndo if you really care about your performance. It's got electrolytes.

Paintball also involves paying more for one day's entertainment than the average cost of a video game, which can be played over and over.

We all have our hobbies, but once my friends and I all realized how much money we were spending, it wasn't so fun anymore. Also, this activity lets assholes actually shoot at you. There was nothing worse than going to a big game (one of the 24hr scenario ones) and realizing you're surrounded by assholes and your own team has no interests in completing the objectives, they just want to go throw paint around then get back to drinking in the parking lot.

How big are these "fuses"? Can a child choke on them? Yes? Well then, we're going to need to strictly regulate the sale and use of "fuses." And these "fuse boxes" are an important target for terrorists, so this will obviously fall under the DHS.

What's that? No, I actually haven't seen a "fuse" in person, but I understand they have something to do with computers and the "world wide web."

So how many signatures will we need on this petition in order to get another bullshit response? 10 million?