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Comment Re:I live in NH, this happens a lot. (Score 1) 486

They pull stunts like carrying a pistol standing downtown at a crowded intersection (which is legal), ... push the absolute limit of legal antagonism, then cry victim if the cop gets frustrated and brings them in on some usually-BS charge of disturbing the peace or whatever.

In short, while the details may indicate that the charge is bogus, it's important to understand we have a group of people here in NH who -actively try- to get charged with bogus crap by the police just to make a stink out of it.

Or, put slightly differently, you have people who don't break the law, but your cops just can't stand the idea of somebody not respecting their authoritah, and write tickets for non-offenses.

Sounds like you need a better class of cop. Perhaps you can find a model with a "self-control" upgrade.

Comment Re:For what reason? (Score 1) 390

The right to free speech says absolutely nothing about the right to anonymous free speech. At also says nothing about there not being consequences to your free speech, only that the government won't stop you from saying it.

...an author's decision to remain anonymous, like other decisions concerning omissions or additions to the content of a publication, is an aspect of the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment.

The freedom to publish anonymously extends beyond the literary realm. In Talley, the Court held that the First Amendment protects the distribution of unsigned handbills.... ...

Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority.

McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Comm'n, 514 U.S. 334 (1995)

Comment Re:Expensive cheats (Score 1) 210

No, you don't understand: he's special, so the rules need to contain an exception for him. Rather than following the same simple-to-comprehend directions as everybody else, he needs to be provided with proctors who can screen his incoming messages and pass them along to him. Because, you know, if his server goes down while he's taking the test, he's going to have to call a time-out to go fix it and resume the test when he's done.

Comment Re:Do Sleepy Surgeons Have a Right To Operate? (Score 1) 332

Close. You don't have a right to operate, you have permission to operate, subject, as you say, to informed consent. If you had the right to operate, the patient's consent wouldn't be an issue. You have the right to speak freely, without the consent even of those about or to whom you're speaking. Big difference.

And, as a patient, I would deny consent if I thought you were not competent for whatever reason, be it fatigue, intoxication, or just plain being a lousy doctor. Informed consent requires that the patient understand the risks to which he is being subjected. Your fatigue--or drunkenness, or your six trips to the review board--are a relevant risk.

Comment Re:This is just another waiver (Score 1) 332

And now us doctors will have another reason to be afraid of lawsuits: "Your honor, evidence shows that the defendant was awake for 16 hours straight and did not inform the patient. Thus, he should be found guilty of malpractice!"

And what's wrong with that? The patient has the right to expect his surgeon to perform competently, just as the passenger has a right to expect the airline pilot/bus driver/etc. to perform competently, and to hold him responsible if he is negligent.

If a trucker on a long run gets tired behind the wheel and runs into you, do you want to be able to sue him for damages?

Comment Re:The gap between the old and the new (Score 1) 280

Of course islamic terrorism has replaced IRA terrorism. And for sure CCTV has foiled more terrorist plots in the UK in recent years in than there have been terrorist plots that have been successful.

If your government is anything like ours, it has foiled more terrorist plots in recent years than even existed.

Comment Re:I don't get it. (Score 1) 156

Why is it better for the US Government to pay a corporation to build spacecraft?

People always give the line that corporations are more efficient, but I don't really see why. Not only are they likely to shell out big bucks to their execs, but they also have to get enough money selling products/services to the government to make a profit. NASA doesn't have to make a profit, so they're providing the service to the government at cost.

Saying that private entities are cheaper for the government to use because private entities need to make a profit seems backwards to me.

How many private entities have the ability to either print money or seize money from others through force (taxes)?

That's why the private sector is more efficient: even with profits, private entities still have to work within budgets. Governments don't earn money, governments take money, and if they have cost overruns, they can just take more. Where's the incentive to be efficient?

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