To call her dumb is being charitable. I would not judge a dumb person. I suspect that, like many on the right, she is a intelligent woman willfully playing to her (dumb) base.

While I do like the sound of that, what if there was a secondary device, or another person with a suicide vest preparing for more damage ? When you hold authorities accountable for your security, its in their best interest to act defensively. Where there is no accountability, well who cares ? Russia doesn't have a good record regarding fighting urban terrorism anyway, lest you forget the hostage crisis a few years ago where they gassed their own people in a ridiculous show of strength.

precisely. The accident didn't almost happen. It couldn't have happened because of the safety precautions.

It's like asking why the electricity prices haven't decreased. Its a utility like any other. The cost is for infrastructure and people to support that. The falling cost of technology only marginally affects the cost of providing this service.

You stole my words. Now we are never getting out. The Afgan warlords and the American corp-burtons will loot to country and the Afgans will never see the benefits. Whatever you say about the Theo/Autocrcy of Saudi Arabia, at least the King had the foresight to build is country and spread the oil wealth. The only poor people in Saudi are the poor immigrants from South East Asia.

Yes, this is a result of the first generation immigrants trying to make sure that their kids have a comfortable life, even if it comes at the cost of being mediocre. The Indian education system, is sadly based on rote (memory), rather than creativity and analytical thinking. That fits very well being able to memorize gazillion words and reproduce. Having said that, its wrong to believe that the public education system will be able to cater to every student. It should be the responsibility of the parent as well as the school system. No one (Other than an exceptional teacher) will care about the well being of your child, than you. And if you don't, then don't blame the school system. As bad and wasteful as it is, it has got the basics right.

for roku.. At least my roku can do hd

I will second that. Here is a nice video from google tech talk that explains it all. like many new ideas, we may never know how good it is till its been tried out at some scale. I am pretty sure metro rail had its share of skeptics with the idea was first floated.

1. Passing of a quiz that has comprehensive questions on foreign policy ?
2. Passing of a language test ensuring you can speak in full sentences ?
3. Passing of a mental stability test conducted by a panel of psychiatrists ?