MeFi post: Decision on FISA delayed

I'm fine with differences of opinion, and if Obama can support his positions, I'm fine with that. I'm even OK if there is some strategic advantage. There are a few problems with Obama's position, however. First of all, he's not being honest. FISA never expired. The Protect America Act, which he voted against, will expire later this summer. FISA is still in place. In fact, recently a federal court ruled that the Bush administration is not exempt from FISA, the third court to do so. There is no... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:08 PM on July 4, 2008

John Dean's reading of the statute suggests that it immunizes telecom companies against civil lawsuits but not criminal prosecution. It's possible that the Republicans could get this passed, only to have President Obama direct his Attorney General to open an investigation next January.

A bad decision now for the promise of action later is not a good idea, and I'll give you a hint: if we let them get away with this now, there will be no action later.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:12 PM on July 4, 2008

Even if it's not going to do any good? Even if it the bill's going to pass whether he opposes it or not? Even if it helps get John McCain elected?

Tell me, please. What group of voters wants telecom immunity?

This is not a wedge issue. This is a telecom lobbyist issue.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:17 PM on July 4, 2008

I just don't think that a private lawsuit is a good way to address it, though, because lawsuits are only really good for two things in general: recovering pecuniary damages and stopping ongoing harms.

Also for discovery. A lot of the information coming out now due to the civil suits in progress would never have otherwise seen the light of day. That's why the telecoms are urgently trying to get this passed, and that's also why the Bush administration... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:23 PM on July 4, 2008

If you can't see any difference between Obama and McCain, then vote for Nader. That worked out great eight years ago, right?

I don't like being taken for a fool. I thought this guy was straight up. He's pretty far from it.

I can tolerate the political game, but this is serious, because he's putting the shine on a really bad piece of legislation for the sake of moneyed interests.

I've said it before,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:29 PM on July 4, 2008

I consider this abusive. The goal of a lawsuit should be the relief sought--not any collateral damage or costs caused.

I don't know that any of the actual suits are about discovery or considered that a goal. But, as a matter of policy and open government, that's a good reason to keep the existing law in place and not grant telecom immunity, which would halt the cases in progress and quash any future discovery. I can't see why the existing cases should not go forward.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:36 PM on July 4, 2008

Class action lawsuits are very expensive to defend against, even if the actual harm to be redressed is small or the claim relatively meritless.

Are you claiming that any of the current litigation is meritless? Or are you just making a comment about how unfair litigation is to telecom companies who broke the law?
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:37 PM on July 4, 2008

So you think he was bought for less than a tenth of one percent of the total money he's raised? The fact is, he's a politician, and he's running for President of the United States, not President of Daily Kos. He's going to take some positions we don't like, yeah. He's still a significantly more liberal candidate than anyone with a realistic shot at the Oval Office in decades, and he's going to have a sizable majority in the House and a pretty good margin in the Senate.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:42 PM on July 4, 2008

What are the monetary damages associated with having a telecom snoop on you? I don't know if there are statutory damages, but the real damages seem, to me, totally insignificant. What's being redressed is a weird hybrid political/dignitary harm, and I simply don't see the point of it.

So, which case in particular do you have a problem with, and why?
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:43 PM on July 4, 2008

OK, let me ask this way, Steve. Why do you think it should be Congress' duty to halt pending litigation? If the cases are meritless or if there are other problems, then won't the courts deal with it? Why should Congress mess with the court system and its ability to deal with each case as it is brought before it?
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 12:47 PM on July 4, 2008

I see no problem with Congress stopping these suits because Congressional action is quick and cheap, but letting it go through the courts would be slow and expensive.

To whom? A lot of litigation is slow and expensive. I'm not quite seeing why that's an argument against this litigation, per se.

I also don't see why slow, hugely expensive wars are good because they purportedly protect our country, but slow, expensive... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 1:07 PM on July 4, 2008

The point is simply that Congress apparently believes that the costs of these lawsuits are far higher than the plaintiffs should be able to expect to recover, so Congress is going to nip them in the bud.

Really? Where is that being said? Why do the telecoms deserve this sort of special protection? Where does Congress stand up for our rights?

Nobody here is suggesting that wars are good. If you're suggesting that... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 1:25 PM on July 4, 2008

Obama is running the campaign he needs to run to WIN.

That's fine, but if this is it, then he'll have to do it without me. I'll hold my nose and vote for him in November, but don't ask more of me than that, if this is it.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 1:31 PM on July 4, 2008

Practically speaking, the political deals that will be made by BO between now and November in the interests of political expediency and recapturing the Presidency for the Dems, will peg your outrage meter, if this little kerfuffle has already shifted you into the "BS'd by Obama" camp.

I'm well aware of the political game, and I'm hardly new to it. I didn't think he'd get coopted this early in it, or at least had hoped he wouldn't.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 2:21 PM on July 4, 2008

The problem is that it can be spun as SOFT ON TERRAH! and turn a bunch of nonvoters into McCain voters, and maybe some Obama voters into nonvoters.

I'd be interested in hearing exactly how that would work. Once you say "voted against immunity from lawsuits," well, that's not soft on terror; then it's about civil liberties and government spying. Even Republicans who truly believe in small government are against that sort of thing. I don't... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 7:05 PM on July 4, 2008

Because his "base" is composed of petulant children who are impossible to please.

Funny how when Bush does this sort of thing the cause of opposing his abuses is considered noble.

You know what? Sucks when Bush does it, and sucks when Obama does it.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 2:16 AM on July 5, 2008

MeFi post: Regrets? I have a few, but then again...

I think it's sort of funny that people are worrying about his future career aspirations and earning capabilities, like they are really concerned on his behalf that his choices might make his life difficult. I don't have any tattoos, and at this point, probably am never going to get any. But I love when people do things like this, fully commit to it. Sure, it might hurt his future prospects, if those prospects include things that require looking like a yuppie. But I know plenty of people with... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 3:13 PM on July 4, 2008

He could have a great resume, but on any position in which he'd have to deal with the public or interact with anyone who was even a little conservative, he's pretty much toast. And as much as we'd like to think that it wouldn't matter, it does. I've seen even little tats matter.

There do exist people in this world for whom those kinds of prospects are really not important. I know it's hard to believe. I guess my bafflement is that, listening to what... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 5:55 PM on July 4, 2008

MeFi post: Former United States Senator Jesse Helms, 1921 - 2008.

We're all just idiots on this bus. I hope, for Jesse's sake, death brings this message home, and he can find his place in the circle. I guess humanity needs people like him for balance, to offset the generous and compassionate.

But I'm glad he's not troubling us anymore.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 1:15 PM on July 4, 2008

MeFi post: WhoTubes?

The guys who say "But we're doing the artists a favor!" are pretty much like the guys who grab your yard gnome and send it off on a trip around the world, so the yard gnome can gain some valuable life experience: I'm dubious about the true motivation of the claim, the suggested outcome of the experiment, and the legality.

I think that's the first time I've ever heard a traveling garden gnome used in a simile.

Thing... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 6:31 PM on July 3, 2008

Not to say it's right or wrong, just not as funny.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 6:32 PM on July 3, 2008

MeFi post: A new jug ships clean

Optimus Chyme writes "damn milk is awesome"

Goat milk is better. Really. It also has far less impact on the environment, and it's easier for many people to digest. But even better if it's unpasteurized, and of course very fresh. I admit the pasteurization process gives it a different texture, but it's OK in coffee.

I live in a small, rural town with a Wal-Mart. Before I lived here, it was easy to boycott them. Not... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 11:21 PM on June 30, 2008

MeFi post: "Of course, neither Simon nor Garfunkle has been identified as a Nautical Expert"

yhbc writes "Seriously though, Roberts couldn't win this one. If he'd quoted the song correctly, there would have been all sorts of hell for him using 'ain't' at all"

No, I don't think so. Anyone who thinks he wouldn't understand grammar simply by using the word "ain't" in a quote isn't fit to make the criticism. If you're quoting Bob Dylan, it's acceptable even to prescriptivists to quote him in his entirety, but I'm not sure it... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 10:42 PM on June 30, 2008

MeFi post: Boing Boing Finds 21st Century Trotsky?

jscalzi writes "Does Boing Boing owe an explanation? No. Would it be smart to offer one? Sure. Does any of this require the full-bore hate-on people here have for Cory in particular? No, not really, and I'm pleased to point that out to folks."

This is a losing battle, however. Cory attracts the attention he does by the person he is. BB is seen as an extension of him, for better or worse, and therefore some unexplained move like this will... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 8:18 PM on June 30, 2008

jscalzi writes "Oh, sure. It comes with the territory he works in. That said, I would prefer he gets crap for the stuff he deserves to get crap for, not for the stuff that he does not. So far, in my opinion, this falls into the latter category."

Well, the Internet is sort of like a big peanut gallery. I've never had much luck trying to change it.

If you really put yourself out there and are yourself provocative,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 8:34 PM on June 30, 2008

Yes, I meant to mix metaphors.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 8:37 PM on June 30, 2008

spiderwire writes "if someone poaches your nuts you say 'thank you'"

If "poaching" is not meant as a euphemism, then, "no, thank you."
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 10:35 PM on June 30, 2008

MeFi post: Now, here's the way I work...

jonmc writes "Not to mention, women are the Zen Fucking Jedi Masters Of The Omniverse at using sex appeal to manipulate people, so the whole 'virtue despoiled by smooth-talking ne'er-do-wells' don't play with me. Tell that shit to the tourists."

Have you read some of his sockpuppet responses, like in the comments on this post?

Dude has some issues. Some of them are legal issues.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 4:56 PM on June 28, 2008

msalt writes "I agree with jonmc generally, but there is something a bit creepy about the PUA thing, a certain cold-heartedness at its ideological core, as if it's WRONG to actually feel for or connect with the woman/target."

For me it comes down to informed consent. If everyone involved knows what's going on, even if they're lying to get there, then that's not so bad. If someone is just lying to get what he or she wants, and not everyone... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 3:29 PM on June 30, 2008

MeFi post: Anger Management Gas Station

Countess Elena writes "So they're encouraging customers to treat retail employees worse than currently? Well, I'm sure it'll work, but . . ."

I've worked at a gas station. I'd gladly take the dunking over working at the counter, given the choice. People getting angry when they're paying at the counter will take it out on you in ways that aren't all that fun.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 9:37 PM on June 29, 2008

MeFi post: Get it all on eBay

Single mother of two girls, ages 14 and 21

Wait, wait, wait ...

A 21-year-old is not a "girl." It almost sounds like she expects someone to support her adult daughter. But it's hard to tell where that's coming from, the reporter or the, er ... seller.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 8:23 PM on June 28, 2008

MeFi post: Totally outrageous!!!

Howard the Duck. I bet Lucas is glad people are holding on to that merchandising.

Those scratch and sniff stickers were very popular among my grade school teachers. I saw all of them at one time or another on various homework assignments. The pizza one is terrible. Vaguely smells like burnt, stale oregano and basil.

My favorites of these were always Wacky Packages stickers, which are mentioned but not featured. More of a '70s thing, but IIRC they... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 11:23 AM on June 26, 2008

Durn Bronzefist writes "I'm still wondering why scratch'n'sniff stickers went away and never came back. Time for a comeback!"

Well, even though I was fascinated with them as a kid, the less typical ones almost always smelled weird or kinda nasty. However, I understand the Chemical IndustryTM has been doing fascinating things with scents, so it could conceivably be much better. I bet they still exist ... yeah, from a Google search most are... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 10:29 PM on June 26, 2008

MeFi post: "If you can't make it good, at least make it look good."

So after more than an hour of craziness and making my programs list garbage and being scared and seeing that Microsoft.com is a terrible website I haven't run Moviemaker and I haven't got the plus package.

He's just imagining the experience of the average user, except he has a lot of patience. I help these people for a living, and the vast majority of them have already given up long before then. Heck, most of them wouldn't know how to get an app... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 10:18 PM on June 26, 2008

MeFi post: George Carlin Dead at 71

I grew up with his albums, I spoke with him on Rockline (remember that?), and saw him three times live in the '80s. I have almost all his albums to this day.

Was really hoping to catch him one more time. This sucks.

I'm really going to miss him.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 11:25 PM on June 22, 2008

jrossi4r writes "I cannot for the life of me remember a single funny thing he said, but I do remember the look of confusion and betrayal on the faces of those couples who had been laughing along so easily just a few moments before. Their collective squirming remains one of the funniest things I have ever seen."

Oh, man, that would have been golden. All three times I saw him was to appreciative fans, so he did his full-fledged touring... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 6:26 PM on June 23, 2008

Geckwoistmeinauto writes "George was a funny guy, especially so when he was young, but that little ejaculation of buzzwords turned me off from him forever."

Well, I do agree that it was one of his weaker pieces, but I forgave him, as he was just coming out of rehab. He had been through it once before, but it was back in the '70s, and this time he was a much older man. Sure, you choose your own road and live with that, but it's sort of a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 6:41 PM on June 23, 2008

Dave Faris writes "Seinfeld eulogizes Carlin"

Thanks for linking to that. I love this, and it definitely reinforces my idea of who he was:

I called him to compliment him on his most recent special on HBO. Seventy years old and he cranks out another hour of great new stuff. He was in a hotel room in Las Vegas getting ready for his show. He was a monster.

... He worked over an idea... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 5:30 PM on June 24, 2008

ZachsMind writes "Okay, sure, Jerry Seinfeld writes a eulogy. Big deal! Seinfeld is a shadow of what Carlin might have become if he'd never met Lenny Bruce: cringeworthy just to think about."

Yeah, but he knows that and said as much. Still, both these guys work hard at their craft and consider comedy to be their lifelong career, so it's good to hear the younger guy give credit where it's due, and I think he's expected to say something.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 5:59 PM on June 24, 2008

MeFi post: You've gotta hope / That there's someone for you / Strange as you are

In this hat, I imagine the only thing missing is a sardonic look. This cat is missing the ability to express her extreme displeasure and embarrassment, and that is something of a handicap for a cat.

Somewhere in there is a Michael Jackson joke, but I'm not going to touch it.

Chase is pretty amazing, but still probably takes a little while to get used to that face poking at yours first thing in the morning. It does look painful. I take their word... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 9:33 PM on June 23, 2008

Burhanistan writes "I don't know much, but I know that it's really bad form to mock disfigurement like this."

It's OK, cats don't need to save face.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 9:38 PM on June 23, 2008

MeFi post: Fighting the curse of the face-eating tumour

"his religious prohibition on blood transfusions that has so far hampered his search for treatment"

Alrighty then. Good luck with all that.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 9:36 PM on June 23, 2008

MeFi post: Crack Lung

Pastabagel writes "Avril Lavigne writes her own songs too, or at least she shares a writing credit on most of them, as does Winehouse. And she's written more songs than Winehouse, and has charted astronomically with a lot of them. And she also wrote Kelly Clarkson's hit song as well. But she isn't troubled, isn't visibly a drug addict and therefore isn't a valid artist?"

Well, no, not because of that.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 8:31 PM on June 23, 2008

jonmc writes "*cough*"

Joni Mitchell, too.
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 8:35 PM on June 23, 2008

MeFi post: Photographing gay weddings: a moral quandry?

quonsar writes "but it's not that simple. it's not about "doing business with gay people". it's about participating and facilitating an activity which the businessman feels is wrong. the businessman may have no qualms about purchasing staples from a gay grocer: the act of providing produce is not controversial in spiritual terms, and a devout person would not feel he was violating his principles in supporting that activity. however, he ought not be labeled a bigot when... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 5:17 PM on June 20, 2008

bugmuncher writes "But both are personal expression..."

Not in all cases (i.e., not all wedding photographers consider themselves "artists" in any sense), and in any event, the law doesn't make that sort of distinction. So, if your friends think that they are immune to such laws while providing a service, they are incorrect from a legal standpoint. Their personal objections on the basis of artistic expression don't really matter... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 6:46 PM on June 22, 2008

bugmuncher writes "To me, it depends on what service your employer offers. If it is garbage collection agency, there is no idea expressed through tangible creative work, so working with them can't be considered a violation of free expression rights."

The anti-discrimination laws do not curtail artistic expression. They only regulate how you may provide services to the public. You are still free to express yourself as you see fit, but not... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 6:49 PM on June 22, 2008

MeFi post: Sign, Sign, everywhere a sign.

five fresh fish writes "Germany has 'minimum speed limit' signs. Oh, how we desperately need those in Canada."

Taos, too. Seems like about half the people here drive whatever way they damn please and have been doing that since the beginning of time, so the posted signs are ignored. They set the pace for the traffic here. About 25% are hopelessly lost tourists, overwhelmed by the European-like streets, unable to find their turn or to make a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 1:54 PM on June 22, 2008

MeFi post: Your quest awaits!

sonascope writes "I remember when the first Dragon's Lair machines showed up in the arcade of my local mall and how it seemed to me at the time that it represented the thin edge of the wedge of superficial gloss completely trumping actual game design."

Yeah, that's about how I felt. It drew me in a few times, but it wasn't fun to actually play. I mostly stuck to Defender, Tempest, Zaxxon, Zelda, etc. I ruled Defender, but it took a lot of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 10:49 PM on June 21, 2008

MeFi post: Three times as many killed as once thought in 50 years of conflicts, new analysis suggests.

Inspector.Gadget writes "Well, by definition it couldn't have been because the Holocaust had already begun. But it was certainly fought in large part to end the Holocaust."

No, I don't think so. I mean, I guess that was a nice side effect, but it's not accurate to say we fought WWII in large or small part to end the Holocaust, even with a generous reading of history.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by krinklyfig at 9:01 PM on June 21, 2008

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