The Industrial Governmental Complex Paradox

from the foxes-guarding-the-henhouse dept

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Filed Under: government, regulation


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  • identicon
    Drizzt, 11 Aug 2011 @ 6:57am

    Daemon & Freedom™

    If you want to have this explained in a two-book thriller, I recommend Daniel Suarez' "Daemon" and "Freedom™" books. Yes, I know, some parts of the book are fictional though others are a surprisingly (for a thriller) accurate description of what happens.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      darryl, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:30am

      Re: Daemon & Freedom™

      fiction !@!!!! get REAL.

      we all know what happens with too little oversight and regulation, we'll you ALL should, dont you watch the news either. or have any idea of what is happening in your country ?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:05am

    2/10. lacks originality and creativity.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:07am

      Re:

      Pardon, but normally we discuss the article's contents, not our own comments....

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:17am

        Re: Re:

        Actually, I was rating the post and your future comments.

        Is DH for "Dark Helmet" or "D--- Head", anyway?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:27am

          Re: Re: Re:

          "Actually, I was rating the post and your future comments."

          Oh, well in that case game on, comrade....

          "Is DH for "Dark Helmet" or "D--- Head", anyway?"

          Tell you what, you can make it stand for whatever you like, mmkay? Does that make you feel better? I would hate to live a life as angry as yours, and I feel sorry for you, so please feel free to think my "name" means whatever will help you feel a little bit better and stop beating your ex-wife? Cool?

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:20am

        Re: Re:

        what, are you telling us what we can say now DH ?

        so the COMMENTS section of this web site are not for your own comments ?

        That will severly restrict you wont it dick head ?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:29am

          Re: Re: Re:

          "what, are you telling us what we can say now DH ?"

          Yes, that's it exactly. And I order you to not comment here ever again. Because I am the comment master...or something....

          "so the COMMENTS section of this web site are not for your own comments ?"

          You forgot to put your name on your comment, ootb....

          "That will severly restrict you wont it dick head ?"

          The only thing that's restricting me is the embolism that threatens my brain whenever I try to parse out "english" written text such as the above....

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Zot-Sindi, 11 Aug 2011 @ 11:44am

          Re: Re: Re:

          so is dick head the new period?

          the weather is so nice today dick head
          oh yes it IS so nice the blue is sooo blue dick head
          im gonna go down to the store and get me some groceries dick head
          cool me too dick head

          dick headetc

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:45am

        Re: Re:

        He's just mad because he wants to sue for infringement. Nobody wants anything he makes, because he's such a loser, and since Nina can compete with his uncreative and unoriginal 'content', he can no longer collect monopoly rents, and get people to praise, the worthless content that he spent one minutes making. He wants his government established monopoly rents so that he can be the only game in town and people can worship and pay monopoly prices on his otherwise worthless content, though his content isn't as worthless as he is.

        He's also mad because he doesn't get paid every time you view Nina's content, anything anyone else does must be infringement and he must get paid for it.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:51am

          Re: Re: Re:

          "He's just mad because he wants to sue for infringement. Nobody wants anything he makes, because he's such a loser, and since Nina can compete with his uncreative and unoriginal 'content', he can no longer collect monopoly rents, and get people to praise, the worthless content that he spent one minutes making."

          Hmm, maybe you're right. Isn't there anything we can do to help him? I mean, I feel really bad that someone could see life in such an angry way. It makes me want to do something to help. Certainly we can't let such a pitiful existence continue without at least trying do something about it....

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:54am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            I say we sue him for something.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:08am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              While ironic, that wouldn't actually help him. Maybe we could pool some resources together to identify whatever DSM documented psycho-somatic illness he has? Maybe we can really HELP him.

              I think that'd make me feel good....

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                rubberpants, 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:18am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                It makes me sad to think about what his days must be like.

                Browse to Techdirt first thing in the morning and systematically go through each article to post a disagreeable comment. Then repeatedly refresh the page to watch for replies. It's a simple matter to ignore the thoughtful ones or the replies that make him look like an idiot, while choosing the less skillfully articulated ones or ones with spelling errors to reply to.

                No one should have to live that way.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • icon
                  Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:25am

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                  That's what I'm saying! But how do we help this individual? I'm going through the DSM between work needs to try to diagnose him, but any diagnosis would be from a remote place and so likely to be wrong. It's killing me that we can't help this poor soul get to a place where he's mentally sound and fit, such that he doesn't feel the need to lash out this way.

                  Maybe we could start a foundation? The Dark Helmet Rubber Pants Foundation for emotionally traumatized people with internet access?

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • identicon
                    rubberpants, 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:31am

                    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                    I'll call Angelina Jolie.

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • identicon
                    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:36am

                    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                    I am not at all shocked that you know about rubber pants. I will leave you to wear them as a bold fashion statement as you "share" your beer gut with the world.

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

                    • icon
                      Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:48am

                      Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                      "I will leave you to wear them as a bold fashion statement as you "share" your beer gut with the world."

                      Okay, this is what I love about the internet. It's people like you that I truly want to help. Step 1 is breaking your illusional fantasies which make up your insults.

                      I'm a former college athlete and spend 4-5 nights a week at my local gym. By no means am I super-fit with huge awesome muscles or whatever....but I'm in shape. Are you? Throw your name out here and then we can both put up pictures of ourselves and let the community decide whose in the best shape between us.

                      Side Note: A "Commentors Of Techdirt Calendar" would be a hillariously bad idea. So hillarious, in fact, that it should be done immediately. I'll be readying my banana hammock....

                      link to this | view in chronology ]

                      • identicon
                        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:16am

                        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                        "I'll be readying my banana hammock...."

                        I read this, and an image of Darth Vader in a bright yellow European cut speed O flashed through my mind.... I don't know if I should laugh, cry, or seek professional help.... !

                        link to this | view in chronology ]

                      • identicon
                        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:26am

                        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                        Oh boy, DH whips out his d--k and goes for "I'm bigger than you" contest.

                        Thanks, for my age group, I am in great shape, I play sports regularly, and and I am well within the correct BMI for my size, age, etc. I have no real need to lose a portion of my life in a gym, I rather enjoy the time spent with my son as he grows up. I don't find any great need to waste my life peddling a bike that goes nowhere or lifting a weight only to put it back down and do it again.

                        If that brings value to your life, more power to you. It's incredible to think the amount of wasted effort in it, but hey. I guess at least you fit in the rubber pants better. Just remember to use a little babe powder, otherwise they might chafe your delicate parts.

                        link to this | view in chronology ]

                        • identicon
                          Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:34am

                          Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                          I don't find any great need to waste my life making comments on the internet.

                          link to this | view in chronology ]

                        • icon
                          Dark Helmet (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:35am

                          Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                          "Just remember to use a little babe powder, otherwise they might chafe your delicate parts."

                          Baby powder? Hell no. That's what Goldbond is for.

                          As for the rest, you're the one that brought up the beer gut, not me. And I don't have any kids and like the discipline aspect of going to the gym.

                          Alls I was saying was if you want to throw out insults, pick a better one, because the beer gut thing ain't me, yo. Now, incredibly large ears and nose thanks to my Irish heritage? That'd be a winner....

                          link to this | view in chronology ]

                          • icon
                            Atkray (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 10:10am

                            Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                            We really do need to find help for him he has offspring....

                            THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!

                            link to this | view in chronology ]

                            • identicon
                              Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 10:50am

                              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                              I just wanted to reply to make sure the words got really squeezed over to the right. It looks funny when you scroll through the comments section.

                              link to this | view in chronology ]

                            • identicon
                              Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 4:00pm

                              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                              The government needs to regulate ;)

                              link to this | view in chronology ]

                          • identicon
                            Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 11:05am

                            Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                            Oh no! Are you a ginger too? Yee!

                            link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • identicon
                    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:01am

                    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                    "but any diagnosis would be from a remote place and so likely to be wrong."

                    That's why we need to sue him. By suing him we can subpoena his IP address and use that information to locate him. That may help us deduce a better diagnosis.

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

                    • identicon
                      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:05pm

                      Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                      Also, we need to locate this user to figure out how we're going to help his/her children!!!

                      link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Nicedoggy, 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:58am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            I just saw a video on Youtube of a guy explaining that the best way to grab a kangaroo is by the tail.

            They keep jumping up and down trying to scape and then you point them in some direction and off they go.

            Have you tried that approach yet?

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Andrew (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 10:36am

        Re: Re:

        LOL!!!!!!!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Zot-Sindi, 11 Aug 2011 @ 11:39am

        Re: Re:

        shoot, i think he's being alittle overgenerous in that case, i wouldn't even give him 1 star for that

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:37am

      Re:

      Your post lacks creativity and originality.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Kaden (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:52am

      Re:

      Still calling you out, son... show us your original creative stuff.

      Put up or shut up.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:17am

    2 out of 10, way too high

    I would not be so generious with 2/10 1.5 out of 20 tops.

    And of course corporations do so well without oversight and regulation !!!!

    like your de regulated banking SNAFU !!

    or have you wiped "sub-prime" out of your memory, or "depression", such as the one you are in now !

    may be nina just does not ever watch the news !!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Donnicton, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:38am

      Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

      Aha, the old 'multiple exclamation points', followed by the reliable 'personal attack'.

      None could ever hope to debate something as skillfully woven together.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      E. Zachary Knight (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:18am

      Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

      I love it when people think the banking industry was somehow "deregulated" and that is why we had a housing bubble.

      I guess if you consider federal mandates to lend to risky individuals to be deregulation, then yes it was deregulated.

      However, in the real world its not.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        crade (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:44am

        Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

        Lol, there was a law that forced them to lend money to people they didn't want to?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          weneedhelp (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:09am

          Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:19am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

            He's not, but I cracked a giggle at you handing him his ass..... brilliant!

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            crade (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:22am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

            No, it's not as funny as I'd hoped. I was hoping for a funnier law. That one seems pretty bland. Anti-discrimination laws? boring.
            That seems to be a pretty tame law actually. According to the link you sent
            "The law, however, emphasizes that an institution's CRA activities should be undertaken in a safe and sound manner, and does not require institutions to make high-risk loans that may bring losses to the institution.[3][4] An institution's CRA compliance record is taken into account by the banking regulatory agencies when the institution seeks to expand through merger, acquisition or branching. The law does not mandate any other penalties for non-compliance with the CRA.[6][9]"
            Boooring.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              weneedhelp (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:43am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

              Did you not follow the revisions? Took a few minuets and cherry picked a few snippets in an attempt to make your point?


              Boooring. Indeed.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                crade (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 10:02am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

                I really didn't have any point.
                I just thought a law that actually forced banks to made bad deals was a funny idea.

                Basically I read some of what you linked to, but I didn't really find anything compelling so I stopped and told you it doesn't seem very compelling. I'm not doing a research paper here. What were you trying to show me?

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • icon
                  weneedhelp (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 1:03pm

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

                  Lol, there was a law that forced them to lend money to people they didn't want to?

                  From your comment above, it appeared that you were denying, or claiming that there were not such laws that forced banks to make questionable loans. I was pointing out that there are.

                  "That seems to be a pretty tame law actually."=
                  Until you follow the revisions.

                  "According to the link you sent
                  "The law, however, emphasizes that an institution's CRA activities should be undertaken in a safe and sound manner, and does not require institutions to make high-risk loans that may bring losses to the institution."
                  Which is untrue when you follow how it was revised.

                  "I'm not doing a research paper here."
                  Silly me for thinking you would want to learn about this kind of stuff.

                  Just responding to what you wrote.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • icon
                    crade (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 1:52pm

                    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

                    No, I wasn't denying anything, my post really means just what it says, that I didn't know there was one and I thought it's funny that there might be such a law. I was indeed hoping for some info about the law(s) being referred to, but the result in your links that you gave with no explanation was dissapointing.

                    "Silly me for thinking you would want to learn about this kind of stuff. "
                    You're right, forget it I don't care what you are trying to say anymore. Sheesh, it's like pulling teeth.

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            XD, 11 Aug 2011 @ 10:10am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

            Only at you. FTFA
            "Economists, including those from the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, dispute this contention. The Federal Reserve, having examined the evidence, holds that empirical research has not validated any relationship between the CRA and the 2008 financial crisis.[108] At the FDIC, Chair Sheila Bair delivered remarks noting that the majority of subprime loans originated from lenders not regulated by the CRA, calling it a "scapegoat" and declaring it "NOT guilty."[109]

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Nicedoggy, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:08am

        Re: Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

        It was deregulated in the very real sense that some very important safeguards were removed in the name of the "free market", that is how it was sold to the public for us to accept the changes and don't get upset about it.

        Regulation can be good or bad just like no regulation at all can turn to crap too.

        So, you need to understand that, people got burned and are not going to let "deregulation" rule that sector anytime soon.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Zot-Sindi, 11 Aug 2011 @ 11:47am

      Re: 2 out of 10, way too high

      I would not be so generious with 2/10 1.5 out of 20 tops.


      you're right, i wouldn't give your post .5 out of 50, how about .00002 out of 100?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The Old Man, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:31am

    Wonderfully Circular Very XINU

    Simple and Witty

    A laugh, a cry, a laugh

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:45am

    See, this is why I prefer shills to trolls. Both groups make my jaw drop in disbelief, but at least I can read the shills' posts without getting a headache.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 7:49am

      Re:

      So which one is Nina?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:08am

        Re: Re:

        I KNOW YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I?!?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        rubberpants, 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:11am

        Re: Re:

        I see what you did there. See, he was referring to you and those like you, but then you turned it right around to imply that he was talking about Nina.

        You make the world a better place. Never change.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        el_segfaulto (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 8:39am

        Re: Re:

        I am Nina! (Should've posted as AC...)

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          known coward, 12 Aug 2011 @ 10:13am

          Re: Re: Re:

          No I am Nina !


          (ok i am really not nina, i was just thinking we could all do a I am sparticus kinda thing. Nice cartoon though, i would take credit for it if i thought i could get away with it).

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Zot-Sindi, 11 Aug 2011 @ 11:42am

        Re: Re:

        she's the one shaking her head in disappointment at all both of 'em

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 1:00pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          No, that is because it's all slightly beyond the simplistic world of making meaningless cartoons that restate the obvious in a manner that the Techdirt choir can understand.

          Perhaps one day you guys will figure out Nina is using you to boost her popularity. She isn't here to entertain you!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Stuart (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:02am

    ummmm

    it seems that I am missing a few post. I see answers to the trolls but not the trolls questions. DH for President!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Nicedoggy, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:10am

    This one is so true.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:44am

    Atlas Shrugged

    Many people dismiss "Atlas Shrugged" as libertarian drivel but, among other things, it does criticize this exact situation.

    If you haven't read it, give it a try. (Skip over the mushy quasi-romantic parts and it won't be such a long slog)

    You'll see that it condemns the exact situation that we find ourselves in today in the US - a good old boy's club where the people in large corporations, government agencies, academia, and the executive branch itself just rotate between positions every few years.

    Wall Street/Mega banks -> Treasury Department -> Federal Reserve -> University -> Wall Street/Mega banks...

    This pattern can also be found in the many other "regulatory" environments like transportation, commerce, justice, defense, etc...

    What a way to run a railroad... Oh, wait - those guys are in on it as well.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2011 @ 9:03pm

    Great cartoon, simple and objective.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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