So no regulations means a perfect world and everyone gets a magical unicorn... Right? Do monopolies sometimes stay monopolies because it is often too expensive to bother to compete? Well, duh... Yeah... Because they got to be monopolies in the first place... And that's a flat a out disingenuous argument against proper regulations. Stop making it look like people hate democracy or are communists because they support reasonable rules of conduct. Arguing against reasonable rules of conduct is what destroys democracies. Nobody is denying any industry a right to be successful. It's what unregulated industries do with their $$$ influence that that is the problem. They use that power and influence to install and support corrupt human refuse the likes of which we see floating around in Washington, passing themselves off as the representatives of the people of this nation... All to allow these monopolies to grow more profitable and influential and recklessly manipulate government to their advantage. Where is the "We the People" in that? Anyone who can't see this is either stupid or deliberately blind to history. You can make up any stupid "free market" nonsensical arguments you want to exemplify "why regulations are evil" and they will still be bullshit... For the simple reason that you are trying to get everyone to ignore human nature... When has creating a system devoid of consequences to select individuals or entities ever benefited the general wellbeing of a society? But then again I suppose that those who try to debunk the need for reasonable regulations, don't care about anything but their own comfort and wellbeing, because they are in one way or another associated with a regulated industry and wish to grab way more then their fair share of the pie, should they get the chance. Please stop making stupid arguments up and just be honest and say "regulations are bad because they are inconvenient to my chosen line of work and prevent me from getting everything I deserve in life at the cost to others life, liberty and pursuit of happiness"... That's a far more honest argument. At least you'll have that one speck of honesty to point to.
Quote: "If you want government to decide who, where, and how you get to participate in the economy, why not just take all ownership away from everyone and just let the government own all business. Sure is funny that the one thing that will always exist is the one thing NO ONE plans to combat, except the founding fathers... they were the only ones."
Uh... Yeah, sure... Asking corporations to abide by reasonable rules of fair play is draconian law that will destroy the economy and end innovation. The standard tired retort of those who fear playing fair or being bound by rules. I love the way corporate shills and blind fools always turn the word "regulation" into a link to socialism or communism. Citizens abide by law. Corporations must have some regulations, because that is their equivalent. People who advocate against regulations are either stupid or wishing to do something illegal or unethical. Criminals and cheats decry law and fair play. Plenty of companies play by the rules and do well, it is always those that wish for an unfair advantage, to exploit consumers and desire no threat of responsibility for their actions, that cry the loudest when they are faced with rules.
The final part of the statement shows a complete or willful misunderstanding of the intentions, beliefs and warnings to future generations that the founding fathers espoused. In their time they fought to bring about a democratic government and wrest power from the monarchy and give it to the people. In our time we must wrest democracy back from those that stole it and flat out bought it from those that never cared for it to begin with. Democracy is much more then doing as you please and answering to to no one.
Pai knows who is behind this, he is committing fraud and excepting bribes from the ISPs and others in one way or another. You would have to be blind and stupid to not see how corrupt and ingenious this clown is. It's really sad that this is what passes for government at this point.
Once upon a time there were these things called demo disks... You could play a level or two... If a game sucked you knew it and didn't buy it. In some cases games that you thought you had no interest in proved to be worth buying. What probably killed that was the idea you could trade it in if it sucked (yeah, but for pennies on the dollar)... Over the years how many games felt like you were doing the beta testing for the developers? Refunds make for better, more complete and thought out games.
Aren't most... Er... All cable providers also ISPs... Seems logical they would want to milk the dying industry for every last drop, install their mouthpiece Mr. Pai to kill net neutrality so they can dictate how the Internet is run and after killing off cable have a totally clean playing field that they absolutely control.... It's probably more complicated than that, but it seems like a feasible root plan...
The GTA series was once one of my favorite games because of the freedom and openness of the game. Over time they narrowed your freedom in the game, especially for console users and made the game more blatantly monetized. The games may have gotten bigger and better looking, but like every company that "knows better than you" they ignored the long time fan base and did everything they could to alienate long time customers. Given the way they trolled the fans with that stupid viral mural pseudo-mystery in the last game, I hope with this move, the fans finally stop bitching and stop buying. Pushing back and negative press which effects their bottom line is the only way to show them they don't know better then you.
It's so weird how spies, terrorists and people up to no good were ever able to exist and do their thing in the age before the Internet... So I'm guessing that the convenience of the Internet has made it the de facto method of nogoodniks to ply their trade and they all decided to sign an agreement with each other to never again use hand passed notes, secret codes and other traditional methods... Oh... Then her arguments makes total sense.
Sadly, none of this information is ever mentioned in the "popular" media... So only people who actually are knowledgeable about this in the first place are even following this... Everyone is watching the Russian distraction machine masquerading as a president and his train wreck side show of supporting players cavort for the cameras, while the real and lasting damage is being done to education, consumer protection, Internet freedom, environmental protection, worker safety and god knows what else...
Yes RNC, do more to make everyone detest the Republican Party as much as friggin possible... May I suggest hiring mufflerless vans with huge loudspeakers to go through quite neighborhoods at 3 AM blaring your messages of political bliss... I think that's the edge you are looking for... Do it! Do it!
"It shows an astounding level of ignorance about the internet and technology, and seems to be written by technically illiterate people who fall for internet hoaxes and now only think of the internet in terms of what they fear about it." I'm never astounded by the level of ignorance displayed by the ignorant, but it's sometimes the supplemental levels of stupidity that are truly impressive.
Just one more reason to hate Holloywood... $$$$ above all else. To get their pound of flesh, they'll open another new door for people's rights and privacy to be taken away... And if it leads to a few crummy dissidents going to jail or being killed... Well, that's a small price to pay for their comfort and splendor.
Hey, while they are at it sue citrus trees and the prison system for excessive use of orange too... What kind of an insignificant bullshit company does this... Oh yeah, those guys.
This would be troublesome if Russia had ever been a democracy... But this is Russia you are talking about. Aside from getting a new flag, and rebranding themselves as the Russian Federation, nothing much freedom and human rights related has changed there since the old Soviet days. But then again the Republicans have kinda invited the Russians to participate in the workings of our government... So yeah, maybe we should be concerned about what they are doing to their citizens.
So now nobody can use the word "prey" in a video game title or they are depriving Bethesda of their rightful income. Yes, Pete Hines..."cool" does not have anything to do with this... But "stupid" and "greedy" do.
Someone wrote that for him... The Trump version probably went more like:
Hey Jim, I got some papers from Jeff and Rod those attorney general guys... They are saying I aught to fire you as soon as possible. But I want everyone to know I thought of it first. I was way, way ahead of them on this, but I'm gonna give them this one and let them say it was their idea... I think you did a huge job, it was wonderful, but basically I'm firing you right now.
I really appreciate that favor you did for me with the emails, and how you kept telling me that there are no microphones in my meatloaf and that I'm the best president ever... better than Andrew Jackson and Kim Jong Un combined.
Everyone loves me.
I tremendously agree with what those guys at the justice league said and that you are attracting too much attention to stuff that is nobody's business but mine and Mr. Putin's.
It's hugely important that we find someone who'll bring us better ratings and will help Americans forget all this fake news and lies about me. Now that you are outta here, we are gonna need someone that people really like, so do you have Batman or Captain America's phone number?
Well, that's it, good luck, you're fired.
The Donald.
So I wonder who they are gonna install in that position now... Can billionaires with no experience in law enforcement be picked to run the FBI?
Moral panic is more about how the "threat" is presented by "vocal panickers"... Most people don't "realize" a thing is a "moral treat" until some righteous watchdog informs them that based on their narrow point of view and need to be heralded as savior of their souls, this threat is of the gravest nature. That's usually where the problems start. But then again at what point is it legitimate concern and not just misinformed panic? The Internet of Things could be a wonderful place where your diabetic glucose monitor orders more test strips for you, evaluating the best prices, keeps your doctor up to date and informs them of any dangerous changes... Or... It could be sharing you medical data without your permission, binding you to a contract for the most crappy expensive test strips and cost you a job when unscrupulous employers decide the don't want to hire people with medical issues and use some program that figures out who might be buying certain medications by what address they receive packages regularly from. Sometimes it's bullshit, and sometimes it's foresight. It's how it plays out in history and what we decided to make of it. Sadly of late, a lot of good ideas and technology have been exploited and abused by people with no morals whatsoever. Two different people can be given the same tools... One will create and add to the quality of life and the other will use it to rob others and cause misery. It's not the tools or technology, but people that cause problems.
1- I have no love for the hotel industry. 2- I have no love for Airbnb, who hopes to supplant the hotel industry so they can do whatever they please too.
Without researching the details beyond the news coverage, the first question that comes to my mind is... Why would you expect immunity, if you knowingly broke the law? Miami forbids short term rentals... The property owners broke the law and admitted it in a public forum because the were hoping to get things changed in their favor. The only possibility of real complaint I could see in this is- 1- If Miami didn't have any rules in place already and these individuals were targeted for future harassment. 2- Someone in official capacity promised them that violators could testify without fear of prosecution. Otherwise they basically walked into it. I get that the hotel industry has a lot at stake by blocking Airbnb's growth... But there are reasons towns and cities make rules like this... Airbnb isn't the poor underdog fighting for your constitutional right to do with your property as you wish... They are looking to make money even if it ruins neighborhoods and apartments and is a nuisance to others. If you honestly think they give a crap about anything other than money, go take a ride on your magical unicorn and think deeply about it. What kind of homeowners rent out their homes to strangers anyway? Not your fun nice neighbors who give a crap about you... It's people who don't live at that address and don't give a rats ass about the others that live around that property. Airbnb wore out it welcome in my area because it was immediately abused. Badly abused. It's easy to say that many towns and cities overreach their authority by with stupid laws and codes... Until you have a party house next door and Airbnb is the one paying the politicians to rewrite the laws and you can do nothing about it. Airbnb and all these other regulation loophole sidestepping websites that allow people to do an end run around existing rules and regulations are not heroes... They are the next generation of corporate bullies and abusers
Perhaps in some cities with strong support for lower income neighborhoods... But from my experiences, outside of examples like that... No, it's the same and often for worse service.
Why should they invest in any upgrades for poor people... They are just... You know... Poor people... What are they gonna do... Complain? Switch providers? Stop voting for corporate installed politicians? Not make campaign contributions? You want to keep your top paying customers happy... The poor folks are just "filler" customers.
Yeah... Let's see how things turn out when all the regulations are gone and they are openly writing the laws without any restrictions or shame...
Lobbying as it is has evolved into legal bribe acceptance.
If it can't be reigned in then democracy, (if isn't already) is finished.
Two good ideas to counter this perversion are presented in previous statements above...
1- Any lawmakers accepting any sort of remuneration in any form should be excluded/barred from voting on or participating in any dealings concerning the industry from which they received the remuneration for a period of ten years (five is too short).
2- Politicians and corporations should be required to fully disclosed and list all "donations" over $25, be they monetary or in goods or services (ex: fundraising brunch, fact finding tour of a Sandals resort etc...) every election cycle and to take out full page ads in newspapers papers, as well as have dedicated pages on "news" websites like CNN (Fox does not rate as anything new-like) disclosing these numbers.
This though would be impossible, because it would it would defeat the purpose of entering politics.
Until some miracle happens, this sort of nonsense where corporations write the rules that govern them, will remain and evolve further.
I would worry less about checking with the government and more about checking accurate sources. But looking for government approval in regards to news is... Uh... Kinda what happens in oppressive regimes. Hmmm... Now who's making whom nauseous...?
On the post: Lawsuits Pile Up For CenturyLink After Years Of Bogus Fees, Fraudulent Billing
Regulations are the devils playground...
Do monopolies sometimes stay monopolies because it is often too expensive to bother to compete?
Well, duh... Yeah...
Because they got to be monopolies in the first place...
And that's a flat a out disingenuous argument against proper regulations.
Stop making it look like people hate democracy or are communists because they support reasonable rules of conduct.
Arguing against reasonable rules of conduct is what destroys democracies.
Nobody is denying any industry a right to be successful.
It's what unregulated industries do with their $$$ influence that that is the problem.
They use that power and influence to install and support corrupt human refuse the likes of which we see floating around in Washington, passing themselves off as the representatives of the people of this nation...
All to allow these monopolies to grow more profitable and influential and recklessly manipulate government to their advantage.
Where is the "We the People" in that?
Anyone who can't see this is either stupid or deliberately blind to history.
You can make up any stupid "free market" nonsensical arguments you want to exemplify "why regulations are evil" and they will still be bullshit...
For the simple reason that you are trying to get everyone to ignore human nature...
When has creating a system devoid of consequences to select individuals or entities ever benefited the general wellbeing of a society?
But then again I suppose that those who try to debunk the need for reasonable regulations, don't care about anything but their own comfort and wellbeing, because they are in one way or another associated with a regulated industry and wish to grab way more then their fair share of the pie, should they get the chance.
Please stop making stupid arguments up and just be honest and say "regulations are bad because they are inconvenient to my chosen line of work and prevent me from getting everything I deserve in life at the cost to others life, liberty and pursuit of happiness"...
That's a far more honest argument.
At least you'll have that one speck of honesty to point to.
On the post: Senator Wyden To FCC Chair Pai: Hey, Stop Lying About What I Said To Undermine Net Neutrality
Re:
Uh... Yeah, sure... Asking corporations to abide by reasonable rules of fair play is draconian law that will destroy the economy and end innovation.
The standard tired retort of those who fear playing fair or being bound by rules.
I love the way corporate shills and blind fools always turn the word "regulation" into a link to socialism or communism.
Citizens abide by law.
Corporations must have some regulations, because that is their equivalent.
People who advocate against regulations are either stupid or wishing to do something illegal or unethical.
Criminals and cheats decry law and fair play.
Plenty of companies play by the rules and do well, it is always those that wish for an unfair advantage, to exploit consumers and desire no threat of responsibility for their actions, that cry the loudest when they are faced with rules.
The final part of the statement shows a complete or willful misunderstanding of the intentions, beliefs and warnings to future generations that the founding fathers espoused.
In their time they fought to bring about a democratic government and wrest power from the monarchy and give it to the people.
In our time we must wrest democracy back from those that stole it and flat out bought it from those that never cared for it to begin with.
Democracy is much more then doing as you please and answering to to no one.
On the post: The FCC Insists It Can't Stop Impostors From Lying About My Views On Net Neutrality
You would have to be blind and stupid to not see how corrupt and ingenious this clown is.
It's really sad that this is what passes for government at this point.
On the post: How One Game Developer Views Steam's Refund Policy As A Boon In The Face Of Over $4 Million In Refunds
If a game sucked you knew it and didn't buy it.
In some cases games that you thought you had no interest in proved to be worth buying.
What probably killed that was the idea you could trade it in if it sucked (yeah, but for pennies on the dollar)...
Over the years how many games felt like you were doing the beta testing for the developers?
Refunds make for better, more complete and thought out games.
On the post: 80% Of Cord Cutters Leave Because Of High Cable TV Prices, But The Industry Still Refuses To Compete On Price
It's probably more complicated than that, but it seems like a feasible root plan...
On the post: Decade-Old GTA4 Modding Tool Suddenly Taken Down After Take-Two Interactive's Threat
Typical greedy-blind cluelessness
Over time they narrowed your freedom in the game, especially for console users and made the game more blatantly monetized.
The games may have gotten bigger and better looking, but like every company that "knows better than you" they ignored the long time fan base and did everything they could to alienate long time customers.
Given the way they trolled the fans with that stupid viral mural pseudo-mystery in the last game, I hope with this move, the fans finally stop bitching and stop buying.
Pushing back and negative press which effects their bottom line is the only way to show them they don't know better then you.
On the post: Theresa May Tries To Push Forward With Plans To Kill Encryption, While Her Party Plots Via Encrypted Whatsapp
So I'm guessing that the convenience of the Internet has made it the de facto method of nogoodniks to ply their trade and they all decided to sign an agreement with each other to never again use hand passed notes, secret codes and other traditional methods...
Oh... Then her arguments makes total sense.
And plus 10 for the hypocrisy.
On the post: Congress Busted Using Cable Lobbyist Talking Points In Attacks On Net Neutrality
On the post: RNC, Chamber Of Commerce Want Robocallers To Be Able To Spam Your Voicemail Without Your Phone Ringing
On the post: Theresa May Plans To Regulate, Tax And Censor The Internet
An astounding level of ignorance...
I'm never astounded by the level of ignorance displayed by the ignorant, but it's sometimes the supplemental levels of stupidity that are truly impressive.
On the post: Hollywood Helps China Set Up National Surveillance And Censorship System To Tackle Copyright Infringement
To get their pound of flesh, they'll open another new door for people's rights and privacy to be taken away... And if it leads to a few crummy dissidents going to jail or being killed... Well, that's a small price to pay for their comfort and splendor.
On the post: Tough Mudder Threatens Local Rotary Club Over 'Significant Use Of The Color Orange'
On the post: Ruslan Sokolovsky Gets 3 And A Half Years Suspended Sentence And A Conviction For Playing Pokemon In A Church
But then again the Republicans have kinda invited the Russians to participate in the workings of our government... So yeah, maybe we should be concerned about what they are doing to their citizens.
On the post: Bethesda's Pete Hines Shrugs His Shoulders About Trademark Dispute With No Matter Studios
Yes, Pete Hines..."cool" does not have anything to do with this... But "stupid" and "greedy" do.
On the post: Trump Fires FBI Director Comey
Someone wrote that for him... The Trump version probably went more like:
Hey Jim,
I got some papers from Jeff and Rod those attorney general guys... They are saying I aught to fire you as soon as possible. But I want everyone to know I thought of it first.
I was way, way ahead of them on this, but I'm gonna give them this one and let them say it was their idea... I think you did a huge job, it was wonderful, but basically I'm firing you right now.
I really appreciate that favor you did for me with the emails, and how you kept telling me that there are no microphones in my meatloaf and that I'm the best president ever... better than Andrew Jackson and Kim Jong Un combined.
Everyone loves me.
I tremendously agree with what those guys at the justice league said and that you are attracting too much attention to stuff that is nobody's business but mine and Mr. Putin's.
It's hugely important that we find someone who'll bring us better ratings and will help Americans forget all this fake news and lies about me. Now that you are outta here, we are gonna need someone that people really like, so do you have Batman or Captain America's phone number?
Well, that's it, good luck, you're fired.
The Donald.
So I wonder who they are gonna install in that position now... Can billionaires with no experience in law enforcement be picked to run the FBI?
On the post: How Moral Panics Can Turn Into Therapeutic Tools: The Dungeons And Dragons Edition
Most people don't "realize" a thing is a "moral treat" until some righteous watchdog informs them that based on their narrow point of view and need to be heralded as savior of their souls, this threat is of the gravest nature.
That's usually where the problems start.
But then again at what point is it legitimate concern and not just misinformed panic?
The Internet of Things could be a wonderful place where your diabetic glucose monitor orders more test strips for you, evaluating the best prices, keeps your doctor up to date and informs them of any dangerous changes... Or... It could be sharing you medical data without your permission, binding you to a contract for the most crappy expensive test strips and cost you a job when unscrupulous employers decide the don't want to hire people with medical issues and use some program that figures out who might be buying certain medications by what address they receive packages regularly from.
Sometimes it's bullshit, and sometimes it's foresight.
It's how it plays out in history and what we decided to make of it.
Sadly of late, a lot of good ideas and technology have been exploited and abused by people with no morals whatsoever.
Two different people can be given the same tools... One will create and add to the quality of life and the other will use it to rob others and cause misery.
It's not the tools or technology, but people that cause problems.
On the post: Miami Officials Promise To Crack Down On Airbnb Homeowners Who Spoke Up About Bad Regulations
2- I have no love for Airbnb, who hopes to supplant the hotel industry so they can do whatever they please too.
Without researching the details beyond the news coverage, the first question that comes to my mind is...
Why would you expect immunity, if you knowingly broke the law?
Miami forbids short term rentals... The property owners broke the law and admitted it in a public forum because the were hoping to get things changed in their favor.
The only possibility of real complaint I could see in this is-
1- If Miami didn't have any rules in place already and these individuals were targeted for future harassment.
2- Someone in official capacity promised them that violators could testify without fear of prosecution.
Otherwise they basically walked into it.
I get that the hotel industry has a lot at stake by blocking Airbnb's growth... But there are reasons towns and cities make rules like this...
Airbnb isn't the poor underdog fighting for your constitutional right to do with your property as you wish...
They are looking to make money even if it ruins neighborhoods and apartments and is a nuisance to others.
If you honestly think they give a crap about anything other than money, go take a ride on your magical unicorn and think deeply about it.
What kind of homeowners rent out their homes to strangers anyway?
Not your fun nice neighbors who give a crap about you...
It's people who don't live at that address and don't give a rats ass about the others that live around that property.
Airbnb wore out it welcome in my area because it was immediately abused.
Badly abused.
It's easy to say that many towns and cities overreach their authority by with stupid laws and codes...
Until you have a party house next door and Airbnb is the one paying the politicians to rewrite the laws and you can do nothing about it.
Airbnb and all these other regulation loophole sidestepping websites that allow people to do an end run around existing rules and regulations are not heroes... They are the next generation of corporate bullies and abusers
On the post: AT&T Takes Heat For Avoiding Broadband Upgrades For Poor Areas
Re: Do poor areas pay less?
No, it's the same and often for worse service.
Why should they invest in any upgrades for poor people... They are just... You know... Poor people...
What are they gonna do... Complain?
Switch providers?
Stop voting for corporate installed politicians?
Not make campaign contributions?
You want to keep your top paying customers happy... The poor folks are just "filler" customers.
Yeah... Let's see how things turn out when all the regulations are gone and they are openly writing the laws without any restrictions or shame...
I have a good feeling about this.
On the post: Maine The Latest State To Try And Let Giant Broadband Providers Write Shitty, Protectionist State Law
Re: Re: Re: 3 wishes
If it can't be reigned in then democracy, (if isn't already) is finished.
Two good ideas to counter this perversion are presented in previous statements above...
1- Any lawmakers accepting any sort of remuneration in any form should be excluded/barred from voting on or participating in any dealings concerning the industry from which they received the remuneration for a period of ten years (five is too short).
2- Politicians and corporations should be required to fully disclosed and list all "donations" over $25, be they monetary or in goods or services (ex: fundraising brunch, fact finding tour of a Sandals resort etc...) every election cycle and to take out full page ads in newspapers papers, as well as have dedicated pages on "news" websites like CNN (Fox does not rate as anything new-like) disclosing these numbers.
This though would be impossible, because it would it would defeat the purpose of entering politics.
Until some miracle happens, this sort of nonsense where corporations write the rules that govern them, will remain and evolve further.
On the post: James Comey Says Real Journalists Check With The Government Before Publication
But looking for government approval in regards to news is... Uh... Kinda what happens in oppressive regimes.
Hmmm... Now who's making whom nauseous...?
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