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Comment Re:The babe from Firefly? (Score 2, Insightful) 834

Lost was originally written to be resolved in a single season. The fact that the "long term game plan" was rewritten repeatedly based upon actor negotiations and popularity doesn't mean that it was wandering randomly.

The difference between Lost and shows like Terminator is not one of planning but rather subplot encapsulation. Once Terminator reached the level of maturity it had in season 2, most single episodes were written with individual plot lines, themes and even styles. These were often intertwined with extended plotlines, but watchable with their own climax and resolutions.

While there were exceptions to this formula, this is the type of serial television that impresses me in the writing department. Most shows that attempt this format have "filler" episodes that alternate with "progression" episodes. The former have their own plots (frequently cutesy) while the latter are watchable only in the context of the entire show. Terminator was one of the few shows that did a good job of breaking this mold.

Am I a fanboi? Maybe against my will. First season was mediocre at best, but in the second season it seemed to come into its own from a writing standpoint.

Comment Re:sure it is (Score 5, Informative) 1079

The concern isn't that he committed libel (crime) by sending out email to a list of people that outed the informant by linking him to a gay personal ad that he probably created (fraud). The problem is that he a suspect in several other crimes including a stolen laptop as detailed in the motion to quash:

http://www.eff.org/files/filenode/inresearchBC/CalixteMemSupport.pdf

While there is probably quite a bit for the defense to attack in how this warrant was obtained, my biggest concern is how it was handled. I suspect the following description is more common than we would like to know:

"... seized, among other things, Mr. Calixte's cell phone, his iPod, computers, disks, and "postit" note on which Calixte was in the process of taking notes about the officers' actions during the search. Christopher left a Property Receipt with Mr. Calixte listing items seized during the search. (Kessel Decl. Ex. C.) The seized post-it note does not appear on that receipt."

That's the type of bullying that makes me sick.

Microsoft

Vista Capable Lawsuit Loses Class-Action Status 172

nandemoari writes "The long-running 'Vista Capable' lawsuit challenging Microsoft's marketing of PCs capable of running only the most basic version of the Windows Vista operating system has reportedly lost its class-action status. Federal judge Marsha Pechman decertified the class-action lawsuit, saying that plaintiffs had failed to show that consumers paid more for PCs with the 'Vista Capable' label than they would have otherwise."
Government

Obama Sides With Bush In Spy Case 906

palegray.net is one of many who writes "President Obama has publicly sided with the Bush administration on the question of whether the President should be allowed to establish warrantless wiretapping programs designed to monitor US citizens. The President has asked a federal judge to stay a ruling that would allow key evidence into the domestic spying case against the government. 'Thursday's filing by the Obama administration marked the first time it officially lodged a court document in the lawsuit asking the courts to rule on the constitutionality of the Bush administration's warrantless-eavesdropping program.'" jamie points out that Obama's views and opinions were made clear through his Senate vote and numerous public statements, but many others see this as a disappointing start to an administration promising transparency and openness.

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