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Comment Creep Speak (Score 1) 375

The speed at which NASA gets things done depends upon how deeply they are funded. Since funds come from the US government they have power over the progress of NASA. They have cut funding deeply and left NASA in a hole for a couple of decades. Now, due to Trump's insanity the tax revenues for the US will decline. Obviously when firms like Harley Davidson and Ford effectively leave the US all together the hand writing is on the wall. Trump's trade policies were stated as the reason Harley was leaving the US.

Comment Misleading (Score 1) 105

Technology comes in waves of vast improvements. The notion that a job is not so easy to automate can vanish in a few months when breakthrough X takes place. The greatest buffer to rapid change is financial as the cost of change in investments creates some pain and anxiety. How many machine shops would be so much better off buying a $500,000 five axis milling machine that cuts using water with precise results? The catch is that so far smaller shops just can't buy the good stuff.

Comment Problem (Score 1) 113

I would not mind this tactic if it was used on some of the more brutal governments in this world but have reservations about using it on common criminals and drug lords. In the US we desperately need to know about all kinds of things going on in government. But considering our being the greatest nation in regards to putting people in jails and prisons, the huge economic divide and racial issues we just might be classified as one of the brutal nations. We do not even have a legitimate president in office.

Comment The Hanging (Score 0) 794

Trump will be charged and convicted of numerous crimes. Keep in mind that the investigation could be re-opened or that the Congressional investigation will impeach him. Trump does not have a chance. If he leaves office or is impeached he will be hit with a list of crimes that will bury him. The only hope he has is on the question of intent. I am not at all certain that he is not so ill that he is not capable of forming an intention. His reactions are more spastic than intentional. He also has over 40 civil suits to deal with and more are on the way. I do not see how anyone could fight 40 law suits and still have any kind of job at all, much less as POTUS.

Comment Re:facebook should be shutdoqn (Score 1) 34

Private information is information that is never shared with any other person or entity. When you give out information expect it to be collected and used. The concept of privacy is being bastardized beyond all reason. there are people who claim that no one can make note of a license plate of a car on a public road. The entire reason for a license plate is to allow others to easily identify the drivers.

Comment Re:Or: just charge per call (Score 1) 338

They change phone numbers quicker than many people change their under ware. Catching them involves a bit more. Pretend to go through with the deal and get their phone number and location or delivery address or make an appointment for them to come do their thing such as a carpet cleaning solicitation. When they show up record all that you can and get the plate numbers off of their vehicles. Now you have a way to get at them. Police may not be at all helpful but a lawyer might get quite a few settlements for people who fight back like this.

Comment Re:Regulation (Score 1) 97

Coral Springs Fl. is so whacko that one must get approval for any paint used on a home before painting. We have so many homeless here that we need to allow all kinds of nonsense in order to shelter the homeless and also not restrain where they can camp as they essentially try to drive the poor away by making life impossible for them. A tent or cardboard box is a whole bunch better than nothing at all.

Comment Comes Around Again (Score 2) 375

In the 1950s and 1960s we had several students in my school that had either enormous wealth or power or both. A teacher would be out of his blooming mind to not make certain these kids had really high grades as power and a telephone call could surely end a teacher's employment. I have no way to know if any contact or incentives between teachers and wealthy parents. I believe the system is such that things can happen without anyone ever speaking a word. I do know that our high school football team had one pro player as he tried to recruit me with mention of apartments and cars etc.. He was 21 years old.

Comment Re:Small wheels are crap (Score 4, Interesting) 77

Some people are slow learners when it comes to scooters and even on brands like Vespa which have had gasoline engines for 70 years or so will have new riders flop over sideways at times. It is a balance and perception problem and has nothing to do with the scooters themselves. The larger wheels seen on bicycles is a myth. If you look back to the penny farthing bicycles huge wheels and full size wheels have been common. Today we see that sustaining a speed as well as pedal input effort on a touring bike requires large diameter with very narrow tires. Yet mountain bikes do better with a bit smaller and fatter wheels. Small, 20 inch wheels work fine and can be very strong but they are also slow and require more pedal effort at higher speeds. The best answer for new scooter riders is to dress to crash. Hand, elbow and knee protection and quality head gear make all the difference and the least experienced riders need more safety gear.

Comment Debit Cards (Score 1) 202

If you have debit card with a decent bank you can pay any bill by computer or device. It is super easy and quite safe. Also you can use Pay Pal on that account as well so you have two entities helping you prevent rip offs. My bill paying is automated so two or three minutes a month takes care of all my bill paying needs.

Comment Already Here (Score 1) 130

Somewhere i got the impression that the US Navy is already building an automated war ship. i would be shocked if they have not done so. There is and has been one civilian helicopter making daily deliveries back and forth across the Mexican border for several years. It has no pilot.Obviously if a device can carry mail or whatever it can carry any number of military devices. One good use for automated helicopters is picking up wounded warriors from battlefields far to dangerous to end in a piloted craft. We can only hope that such devices prevent wars.

Comment Don't Be A Chump (Score 2) 130

The human body is the failure point in modern fighters. G forces must be limited for a human to survive. The human can not be on that plane. Further human life support systems take up a lot of space. With robotic warriors no cock pit is required. That space can be used for fuel and weapons. Then there is another cost factor. Ruined or dead airmen and their survivors cost a fortune. No more mangled men and bodies to deal with at all. No human operated aircraft will be able to compete in combat. And it gets better. Ships also are better without sailors. Imagine a mother ship launching a smaller ship for the last 300 miles into a combat zone. The zombie ship needs no humans etc.. Once that zombie is on site it can wage all kinds of war more effectively than a human occupied vessel. In essence the conventional warship becomes a tow boat and fuel and weapons hauler that stands outside the battle arena. These days a small unmanned zombie warship could easily have more fire power than weapons of all types, used by all sides during WW2. And we don't even have to worry about radiation in the combat zone. So far air and water are the easy places for automatons. Land has far more challenges but we will soon see the Army soldiers become a historic oddity. These things are already taking place.

Comment Crime Killer (Score 1) 357

Having DNA of all of us would solve crimes in numbers we can't appreciate. Imagine if the 11,000 children now held illegally by the border patrol could have their parents located by DNA testing. Charging people to post their own DNA however is the wrong way to go. it is the process of deduction rather than surveillance that gives DNA collecting do powerful. If the individual appears to have disappeared being able to quickly find his children and relatives may prevent a criminal from hiding and thus actually prevent crime. If you know you can't get away with it the chances are you'll never do that crime.

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