Reason Morning Links: Friedman's Folly, Repealing Rockefeller, Top Cop in Contempt

- Author of new study says at least 93 percent of those imprisoned at Guantanamo were either innocent or soldiers in inter-Muslim civil wars that had nothing to do with jihad against the United States.

- New York moves toward repealing remaining Rockefeller drug laws.

- Chicago police chief found in contempt of federal court for refusing to release names of officers who've been the subject of repeated abuse complaints.

- Obama tax plan may squeeze out charities.

- Karl Rove, Harriet Meiers reverse course, will testify before House committee looking into U.S. attorney firings and DOJ politicization scandal.

- Thomas Friedman's five worst predictions.

Comments

[kilroy]

Thomas Friedman is an oxygen thief.

[Nick]

Wow, Paterson is a dolt. He can't leave well enough alone when it comes to the Assembly bill. He just has to make people plead guilty to being an addict and then proven to be addicted? So a person who is busted for simple possession has to be addicted to avoid harsher sentencing? So stupid. If anything this will make people want to become addicted to avoid jail, meaning they'll do MORE drugs. Brilliant.

[Reinmoose]

IDK Nick, I can't help but see getting rid of the Rockefeller drug laws as a positive. But you're right, they just have to not be replaced with the Patterson drug laws.

[ed]

That Friedman hack job is even hackier than Friedman himself.

[Nick]

Oh no, I agree they need to be repealed, but why mess with the Assembly's better bill? Why add the caveat that someone be addicted to receive a better sentence? Paterson sucks. He's gonna get rolled by any opponent.

If only I thought I had a chance at getting through a tough R primary...

[Daniel]

Part of an "inter-Muslim civil war"? In other words, fighting for the Taliban. Last time I checked we were at war with the Taliban, who you know, were allies with al Qaeda.

[Madbiker]

"Thomas Friedman is an oxygen thief."

seconded, kilroy.

I meet so many people who think Friedman is a genius. I find him insufferable and his readers have either never learned or have forgotten the art of skepticism.

[Untermensch]

While eliminate Rockefeller drug laws is a good idea, the following bit is not so good:

"Before a three-way compromise can be reached, several elements of the governor's plan that are not in the Assembly bill need to be addressed. They include requiring drug offenders to plead guilty as a condition of being sent to treatment and to be certified as addicted before they can enter treatment."

So if you contest your innocence and are convicted, it's off to jail with you buddy. Talk about leverage that will skew the pleas... And if you plead guilty to, say, cocaine possession, but you're unlucky enough to be caught on your first time trying it, you won't be certified as addicted and you'll go to jail, even though the guy who has been a habitual user will get diverted to treatment. At least that's what it looks like, and I find that problematic. So the lessening, while good, will start requiring judges to divine whether people are addicts or not and require an enforced penitence to qualify for the benefit. It's not just enough to say that the laws were ridiculous in the first place and weaken then, they have to maintain powerful ways to coerce behavior and maintain covert discretion to throw people they don't like in jail. So much for the idea of rule of law.

[dbcooper]

Which has less value, an emmy or a Pulitzer?

[JOhn Davis]

Wow, talking about a TRUE Kangaroo Judge and a kangaroo court! What a joke.

RT
http://www.privacy-center.pro.tc

[P Brooks]

Gettleman initially ordered Weis to turn over the information by Feb. 19. Instead, Weis sent a statement one day after the deadline saying the lists would diminish morale and harm some members of the police force by branding them as "repeaters."

"diminish morale"?
"harm some members of the police force"?

Weiss should be put in the pillory, and beaten with bamboo sticks by passers-by. And then dismissed with complete forfeiture of all benefits and pension.

[FrBunny]

If a judge ordered me to pay a fine by Feb 19, and instead I sent a letter on Feb 20 saying that paying the fine would hurt my feelings and possibly brand me as a "lawbreaker", I suspect it would not go well for me.

[Naga Sadow]

FrBunny,

Depends. Is your name Bush?

Obama tax plan may squeeze out charities.

All part of the plan to make all help and happiness come from the federal government. Obama doesn't want any competition.

Goes along with nationalized health care, which will get strong unions to pay for everyone's health care through taxes on their members.

[Warren]

That Friedman hack job is even hackier than Friedman himself.

Agreed. Team red/blue cheerleaders are farthest removed from sanity when attempting justify the corrupt/stupit/tyrannical actions of their own side. They're on more solid ground when pointing to the corrupt/stupit/tyrannical actions of the other.

[Episiarch]

Which has less value, an emmy or a Pulitzer?

Both.

[robc]

Which has less value, an emmy or a Pulitzer?

Dont know, but both are above a Grammy.

[FrBunny]

The lists include officers with as many as 65 total complaints over the last five years, Taylor said. One list has 199 officers with six or more excessive force complaints, while another includes about 2,500 officers with six or more misconduct complaints, he said.

This wording is tricky. Does the first sentence mean that there is at least one officer on one list with 65 abuse complaints on his record?!

Naga,

Alas, my name is not all privilege-y. Off to the clink for me.

[Warty]

Which has less value, an emmy or a Pulitzer?

Anonymity Guy.

[robc]

So how do I know when I have crossed the line to conspiracy theory style crackpot?

If I wonder if Obama is intentional killing off the charities in order to get more people dependent on the government (instead of thinking that is just an unintended consequence) have I crossed the line? Should I just start drinking the colloidal silver now?

[anon]

It would be interesting to see how many of that "95%" had actually --- you know --- fired on US soldiers. There could not be a more vile enemy for a people to face than those which make up the Taliban and AQ and yet there are people dumb enough to want to make excuses for them. I always wondered what kind of people made excuses for the the Nazis or the Soviets during the WWII and now I know.

[Naga Sadow]

FrBunny,

Could always move to Mississippi. Seems to be incredibly easy to frame others for your crimes here.

[libertarian democrat]

Friedman gave the speech at my graduation. I find his writing and speaking enjoyable, but not particularly enlightening or on target.

[dbcooper]

So how do I know when I have crossed the line to conspiracy theory style crackpot?

If you start replacing I wonder with I know then you can start getting a little worried.

BTW, see nun-chucka thread for UK beer recommendation.

[Episiarch]

Does the first sentence mean that there is at least one officer on one list with 65 abuse complaints on his record?!

That seems to be what it is saying, yes. Are you surprised? I'm not.

[if Krugman, Stiglitz can get o]

"Which has less value, an emmy or a Pulitzer?"

a Nobel

[robc]

If you start replacing I wonder with I know then you can start getting a little worried.

Yeah, that is my problem too. I generally assume incompetence. But, Im leaning towards malice now.

I blame Radley. I cant just assume incompetence when it comes to police actions or the Miss court system either.

[SugarFree]

Threadjack for Pro Libertate: Now taking nominations for coolest SF personal weapon.

[oops...]

...almost forgot about Gore!

[robc]

BTW, see nun-chucka thread for UK beer recommendation.

Was that in reply to something I said in some thread - I really dont remember?

[Naga Sadow]

Threadjack-jack. How knows anything about Savannah, Georgia? I need some info. Apparently I'll be moving their in roughly six months.

[Episiarch]

Double threadjack: give both coolest scifi personal weapon AND coolest scifi weapon of mass destruction/non-small arms weapon.

[Naga Sadow]

That How was supposed to be a Who.

[but, but...]

Oscars are still worth a lot, you have to live in a slum or be buttfucked AND die to get one...

[FrBunny]

Now taking nominations for coolest SF personal weapon.

Lando Calrissian's smile.

[Naga Sadow]

And their was supposed to be a there. Fuck! I gotta pull it together! I'm at lefiti spelling level!

[oops again..]

golly! forgot about Gore again! he really is the exception to every rule....

[robc]

Naga,

The weather sucks. Like really really bad in the summer. 90/90 days are very common (T and %humidity).

They make up for it with food.

Ive never been to Savannah but knew a number of people from there.

[SugarFree]

Epi, I can do both in one:

The Lazy Gun from Iain Banks' Against A Dark Background. When fired at a target, it raises the probability that something unexpected will occur to kill/destroy the target. An unarmed target gets an arrow through the chest. A well armored target might have a safe or anvil dropped on them. When fired at a city, it is obliterated by a comet strike. (The link is spoileriffic for the book, but does tell you a lot more about the gun.)

[robc]

Epi,

Answer to both from same war.

Personal - Tnuctipun spy weapon from The Soft Weapon

Mass destruction - Slaver helmet that destroyed all intelligent life in the galaxy at once

[randy]

hey, Gore didn't die... but you never know what other stuff he's been up to...

[robc]

destroyed all intelligent life

Except the Bandersnatchi, of course.

[Naga Sadow]

Epi,

If I remember my Verner Vinge novels correctly . . . a glowbomb. They leave no survivors.

[David]

Regarding the Chicago Police Chief's withholding of public records, it's long past time that these people were given a modified version of the standard government "voluntary" ultimatum. "If you can't police yourselves, then you can't police us."

It'll never happen, but I would like to see a city totally disband their PD on these grounds, and reform it in a different structure than what they all have now.

[Episiarch]

My weapon of mass destruction:

The Starhammer from Christopher Rowley's Starhammer. It is a device that creates a gravity well in the center of a star, causing it to implode and go supernova. You can destroy entire solar systems with one shot.

[roy]

dammit Naga! it's Vernor.... how many times do i have to tell ya'

[robc]

Also from Niven on mass destruction - the Monk device from The Fourth Profession that causes a star to Nova allowing the monk ship to get the push to the next star system (silly savages who wont build them a launching laser).

[Naga Sadow]

*shakes fist at roy*

Dude! Have you seen how bad my spelling and grammar has been today? Joe's Law is kicking my ass! Cut me some slack, dammit!

[SugarFree]

Transmetropolitan's Bowel Disruptor for a nice, if disgusting, non-lethal weapon. Settings include, Loose, Watery, Prolapse, Shat Into Unconsciousness, Rectal Volcano, and Unspeakable Gut Horror.

[Naga Sadow]

I know purists like SugarFree and Episiarch are gonna knock me but . . . the BFG from Doom would be my personal weapon of choice. I may need to bulk up a little bit to carry it around effectively though. Not an easy task.

[Episiarch]

When fired at a target, it raises the probability that something unexpected will occur to kill/destroy the target.

Probability weapons are always cool. My namesake was used by the Tandu to do high-risk probability jumps that gave them tactical advantages in battle, but they could at times wind up in alternate universes or cease to have ever existed...oops.

[FrBunny]

Settings include, Loose, Watery, Prolapse, Shat Into Unconsciousness, Rectal Volcano, and Unspeakable Gut Horror.

The only thing missing is the bell sound-effect and "Think outside the bun."

[Pete Guither]

Squeeze out charities? Come on. The impact mentioned in the article is negligible. A difference of .35 to .28 in deductions for those who give 28% of charitable giving may have a small impact, but certainly not "squeezing out." Where charities are getting slammed is through the collapse of the market and the loss of huge chunks of their endowments and the fact that the 72% of former charitable giving doesn't have the extra money to give anymore.

This was an obvious back door attempt to oppose a tax increase on the wealthy by making people feel concerned about the poor charities. If you're opposed to tax increases on the wealthy, fine. Say so. But don't give us this crap.

[Naga Sadow]

You know a good non-nuclear doomsday weapon is actually just lying around. We could put rocket motors on asteroids roughly a mile wide and just send em flying on predetermined trajectories at Earth. We should hope the math is correct however.

[Naga Sadow]

I take some of that back. I forgot the whole mass times velocity thingie. I think a mile wide object could wipe out mankind. We could still use it as a Gotterdamerung weapon.

[SugarFree]

FrBunny,

Yes! The Taco Bell Gun.

[Episiarch]

A good personal weapon is the basilisk gun from Charles Stross' The Atrocity Archives.

And another mass destruction: Saberhagen's Berzerkers.

[dbcooper]

Was that in reply to something I said in some thread - I really dont remember?

Nah, was just a follow up on the excellent beer thread from last week. Reprint:

If you want an english beer that makes better use of hops, try something from St Peter's. They have some supermarket distribution in the UK now, and have some pubs, including one in London (The Jerusalem Tavern, Farringdon). Their best bitter is pretty nice.

[Naga Sadow]

Epi,

Finally! Someone names something I actually know. Self replicating spaceships that wipe out the universe. Ah . . .

[SugarFree]

Naga,

Kinetic Kill weapons

[robc]

Pete,

If they want to raise taxes on the wealthy, just do it, dont do it but futzing around with deductions.

By the way, you fell for the biggest lie, they arent reducing the deduction from .35 to .28, that isnt the way deductions work.

They are only allowing 80% of donations to be deductible (an even lower percentage for not yet existent higher tax bracket taxpayers).

Deductions dont reduce taxes paid, they reduce taxable income (which then leads to less taxes paid). What they are doing is saying that you cant deduct all of your donations if you are "rich".

[SugarFree]

John Barnes' Timeline Wars has the SHAKK. It fires microscopic self-propelled smart bullets that hit a living target at Mach 10, burrow up nerve pathways to the brain and spiral until they slow down. When fired at a structure or vehicle, they spiral as soon as they hit something. The gun fires in single shot, full auto, and a six shot hex pattern. You reload it by jamming dirt, glass, pennies (anything really) in it and it spits back out what it doesn't want and makes ammo with the rest.

[robc]

In addition to the Berserkers, you have the self-replicating devices in Bear's The Forge of God, which I think has the best Earth destruction description I have ever read.

Oh, BTW, I though the sequel Anvil of Stars sucked.

[Naga Sadow]

SugarFree,

I should have known someone had already thought of it. I'm still gonna keep that one around for later. Can never have to many ideas for a doomsday weapon.

[robc]

jamming dirt, glass, pennies

I read that as "jamming dirt, glass penises". I blame the story from yesterday.

[P Brooks]

dont do it but futzing around with deductions.

Don't futz around, eliminate them all!

[Elemenope]

Berzerkers are just douchey.

[robc]

Naga,

Heinlein used it in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It was easy for the moon to throw rocks on Earth. Hard for the Earth to attack back.

[SugarFree]

Professor Farnsworth: Doomsday device? Ah, now the ball's in Farnsworth's court!

[Farnsworth presses a button, revealing an arsenal of doomsday weapons.]

Professor Farnsworth: I suppose I could part with one and still be feared?

[Naga Sadow]

Timeout people. Do curving bullets qualify as a sci fi personal weapon or ability?

[robc]

Don't futz around, eliminate them all!

Sure, thats fine too.

[Naga Sadow]

robc,

I never did trust those people on the moon.

[robc]

curving bullets

Can someone explain the physics of this to me? Are they designed to not spin in the barrel? Even so, wouldnt that cause knuckling instead of curving?

[Pro Libertate]

Damn you robc! The soft weapon was mine!

Hmmm, how about the tasp?

[SugarFree]

Neal Asher's Polity novels have a large assortment of crazy guns, including an APW (Anti-Proton Weapon) that looks like black lightning tearing apart the sky and the Sin Gun that opens up a meter-wide event horizon black hole in the target that immediately evaporates.

[robc]

Pro Lib,

Is a pleasure giving device really a weapon?

Are you a puppeteer?

[Pro Libertate]

Worked for Nessus, didn't it?

[Luna shall be free!]

yeh! let's drop rice on them from the moon!

[Pro Lbiertate]

I have one: the force blade from the Lucky Starr novels. It can go through any matter.

[robc]

Worked for Nessus, didn't it?

Did it?

Much like trying to use Teela Brown as a personal protection device, his ideas tended to backfire on him.

[Naga Sadow]

robc,

My WWII history is a bit rusty but . . . the Germans had an attachment for small arms that could enable you to fire around corners. They even managed to adapt it to some cannons. Link.

[Episiarch]

I myself am partial to plasma rifles in the 40-watt range.

[Pro Libertate]

robc,

Remember, Nessus was trying to control two humans and a Kzin, not disable them. If he'd used the tasp to full effect, well, I don't think he'd have had any trouble.

Flashlight laser.

[Naga Sadow as Eviromental Acti]

Epi,

Whats the carbon footprint on a plasma rifle? Tsk, tsk.

*shakes head*

[robc]

Naga,

I dont think that actually cause the bullet to curve in mid air, just changes the direction before it leaves the barrel. You stick the front around the corner then fire.

[robc]

Flashlight laser.

Flashlight "fired" from inside a time enhancer field. Instant x-rays.

[Naga Sadow as joe]

*moves goalposts*

Who said anything about mid air?

[Pro Libertate]

I can't think of anything specific beyond the .75 mm recoilless, but surely the Stainless Steel Rat had some good weaponry.

robc,

Niven had some great ideas, yes. I like that short story.

[robc]

Pro Lib,

He was using their will power as a weapon against them, not the tasp.

They didnt want to be slaves to the tasp, so they obeyed. 🙂

[SugarFree]

Which novel had the epee that was a monofilament line held rigid by piezoelectric effect? Similar to the force blade in that it could cut through most anything. Like the trick thumb of the clone ninja in "Johnny Mnemonic" was a weight for a monofilament whip. (Yes, the movie sucked and screwed the concept up. I'm talking about the story.)

[Naga Sadow]

Pro Lib,

Go ahead and get it outta your system. Make the Star Wars references.

[Episiarch]

The alien weapon Hive Hand in Half-Life could fire around corners.

[robc]

As is obvious, Im a big Niven fan. Great stories, great aliens, great devices, great settings, bad character development.

[SugarFree]

Naga and robc,

The Corner Shot

Not a mid-air curve, of course.

[Naga Sadow]

SugarFree!!!! What!!! It was based on a story? Also, that movie rocked pretty hard. Do gooding hippies getting their heads loped off with a finger laser, eeeeeeeevviiiiiiill corporation goons, and a fucked up dolphin. Teh AWESome!!

[d\'oh]

Dr. Stadler's Project-X

(It's for the children!)

[Episiarch]

Which novel had the epee that was a monofilament line held rigid by piezoelectric effect?

All I can remember is when the Pierson's Puppeteer in Ringworld gets its head cut off by a monofilament wire strung in an alley as a trap.

Also, Starhammer had monofilament switchblades.

[robc]

Which novel had the epee that was a monofilament line held rigid by piezoelectric effect? Similar to the force blade in that it could cut through most anything.

Niven had both a sinclair molecule chain and shadow square thread that had that kind of effect. But they were both much longer than an epee. The Shadow square thread held the giant squares in place that created day/night patterns on the Ringworld. Really really long pieces of thread.

[SugarFree]

And monofilament lines are probably how the Cube opening scene is done, even if they don't elaborate.

[robc]

Epi,

That was Nessus that got his head cut off. He had the other, of course, plus the brain isnt in their heads, so no big loss.

And the monofilament used was shadow square thread.

[himym...]

cuts thanksgiving turkey with lightsabre....

[robc]

Okay, Ringworld move please.

Thanks much.

[robc]

movie dammit.

[SugarFree]

And for crazy guns you can actually play with, the Ratchet and Clank series for Playstation is unparalleled.

Guns that turn your opponents into sheep, ducks, cows. Black hole guns. Guns that fire homing circular saw blades. Guns that fire fractal bombs, that break into smaller bombs and bounce after your enemies. A liquid nitrogen gun. And, of course, The Agents of Dread.

[Naga Sadow]

For Pro Lib:

It slices, it dices, it cuts your Thanksgiving turkey!

[P Brooks]

Don't forget the gun with the "memory" function from The Fifth Element.

[Episiarch]

I'm still waiting for David Fincher to finish Rendezvous with Rama, rob.

[robc]

SugarFree,

Also fun guns, any weapon from the Paranoia RPG. Especially ones straight out of R&D.

[prolefeed]

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner sought to assure concerned senators Wednesday that taking away some of that group's tax break won't have a significant impact on their giving.

Because intelligent, high-earning people do not adjust their allocation of resources in reaction to an increase in taxes -- everyone knows that, right?

The bullshit is flowing fast and furious here.

[Naga Sadow]

Seems that the sci fi gun thread jack is over. Now, I'm calling you all my brain trust. Besides, robc, does anyone know anything about Savannah, Georgia?

[robc]

If anyone is willing to give me a $billion or so, Im willing to invest half in a movie studio to make science fiction movies correctly.

I think I will make a profit even not pandering like the current studios do.

[P Brooks]

Because intelligent, high-earning people do not adjust their allocation of resources in reaction to an increase in taxes -- everyone knows that, right?

Totalitarian Barbie sez:

"Dynamic analysis is hard!"

[SugarFree]

Naga,

Savannah

[jsh]

Taxes and destructive weaponry on the same thread. Makes sense to me. 🙂

[P Brooks]

does anyone know anything about Savannah, Georgia?

I know at least as much as I *want* to know about Savannah, Georgia.

[Naga Sadow]

SugarFree you clown! I need on the ground info. Where are the bad neighborhoods? How much does pot cost over there? What are the liquor laws there? High sales taxes? High gas taxes? When do the bars close? How much is tuition for universities in Georgia? Etc.

[Episiarch]

rob, let's see what Tim Minear does with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.

[robc]

Epi

Mistress is probably easier to make into a movie than Ringworld, so that is a good sign.

[roy]

what?
Epi,
Please details on that...when? who?

[Pro Libertate]

Naga,

Star Wars? Not really. I like the blaster and the light saber, but neither is very original.

I said this yesterday, but from the science fiction-lite category, I do like the phaser. The TOS pistol and the TOS phaser rifle, especially. Adjustable death and non-death. Set phasers to fun!

Oh, what about the laser from Space: 1999?

[JW]

Shit, I'm late to the party. robc and Epi took all of mine. ProL, I'm disappointed. Naga... :::shakes head:::

OK, I'll throw in Six from BSG, but only if you're Baltar.

"What, I get to screw her endlessly *and* kill 12 billion people, effectively wiping out the entire civilization? Is this some sort of "cake or death" question?"

[Boston]

Most Savannah bars stay open until 3 am on Saturday but close at 1 or 2 am the rest of the week. Savannah is also known for the famous Savannah to-go cup, because city ordinances allow for open containers on the street. Most restaurants and bars provide plastic cups for patrons to take their beverages to go.

[Episiarch]

roy, actually, it looks like it is dead again. Shit. I actually trust Fincher to possibly pull it off.

[Pro Libertate]

Does the monolith count?

[Naga Sadow]

Pro Lib,

LMAO! Here you go kiddies! I got phasers for all of you. Now remember to not hit that button.

[Episiarch]

Mistress is probably easier to make into a movie than Ringworld, so that is a good sign.

Virtually the entire story takes place in 1/6 earth gravity. How is that easy? You can't write it out (artificial gravity!), because it's central to why they can't go back to Earth.

[Naga Sadow]

JW,

Ouch. That hurt bro. I did link to this earlier so I should get a grudging nod at least.

[roy]

damn! got my hopes up....

at least it looks that on the Fantasy front there's some progress....Song of Ice and Fire.... but i give up on sci-fi.

[Naga Sadow]

Boston,

Really? Hmmmm. Maybe I can still be a bartender there as well. I was really worried I would have to get a real job.

[Pro Libertate]

Episiarch,

It's doable. I just rewatched the From the Earth to the Moon series and watched a little "making of" vignette that showed how they simulated lunar gravity. Not too bad, and I'm sure we could do it better today.

I'm not sure this qualifies, but how about the Green Lantern's ring?

[JW]

Naga--Oh no you don't. I'm only that stupid a couple of times.

Just for that, I'm dropping a ratthing in your pants.

[Naga Sadow]

JW,

Damn!!! I've become predictable!

[JW]

It's doable. I just rewatched the From the Earth to the Moon series and watched a little "making of" vignette that showed how they simulated lunar gravity. Not too bad, and I'm sure we could do it better today.

Vomit Comet. Apollo 13 was filmed in that IIRC.

[Episiarch]

I suppose, ProL. What a pain in the ass, though, for the actors. Who wants to bet Nathan Fillian gets cast as Manny?

[Pro Libertate]

Naga,

And no one will click your links. Not a good thing on these here Intertubes.

[Pro Libertate]

JW,

That's zero-g. Not going to work for lunar settings.

[Episiarch]

Vomit Comet. Apollo 13 was filmed in that IIRC.

You can't film a lunar colony in the Vomit Comet. You'd have to have an earthbound solution. What did they do in FTEttM, ProL?

[Naga Sadow]

Pro Lib,

True. I've been thinking I should retire it anyway. I'm just waiting for the next fad. Besides, I really don't link to much stuff. I suck at it.

[Vidi]

"inter-Muslim civil wars"

intra?

[Boston]

I forget, was it Naga who linked to the moving Rick Astley thing?

[Naga Sadow]

Boston,

My apologies. It was aimed in jest at JW.

[JW]

That's zero-g. Not going to work for lunar settings.

Good point. What did they do?

[Pro Libertate]

Episiarch,

Harnesses and helium balloons gauged to simulate 1/6 G (I think Mythbusters used something similar, though less high-end for their we-so-went-to-the-Moon-bitches episode).

[Boston]

Naga,

I didn't even look at the link posted in this thread. I had just remembered that link when Pro Lib said that no one clicks on your links.

[Seward]

Naga Shadow,

They were originally created for I believe either a tank or some other armored vehicle which they forgot to put gun ports on. You basically poke the thing out of the hatch and fire around the perimeter of the vehicle. The bullets often shattered as they were curving around the barrel, which in this case was a good thing since it acted a bit like an automatic shotgun at that point.

[robc]

Just read the first 30 pages of Minear's Mistress script. I recognize the names but not the story. Not a good sign.

[Seward]

Pete,

Well, I don't think it is really important if what you claim is the case or not. Our tax system is fundamentally dysfunctional in large measure because it is so byzantine and fractured. All this does is make it a bit more complex. If the Obama administration had half a brain they'd realize that making it more complex is simply self-defeating and that over the long term it simply encourages the lottery like aspects of our tax system.

[robc]

Okay, I recognize the story, but the divergences seem larger than necessary.

[Episiarch]

Just read the first 30 pages of Minear's Mistress script. I recognize the names but not the story. Not a good sign.

You're never going to get it just the way you want it. Minear earned some trust with Firefly. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Pro Libertate]

Okay, I have to mention the lirpa and the ahn'woon, because I just bought an old high school friend of mine a gag birthday gift: the Star Trek Amok Time Kirk and Spock Action Figures. Man, I can hear the "Star Trek Fightin' Music" just thinking about it.

[robc]

Epi,

I dont expect everything to be perfect, but it isnt getting any better. The changes seem more like Starship Troopers than Lord of the Rings.

I want LOTR type fidelity to the original work. Yeah, cuts have to be made, some other stuff changed around, but I recognized the freakin' scenes.

The Starship Troopers comparison is probably a bit unfair. But, ST was an enjoyable movie (on some level) as long as you didnt expect Starship Troopers.

I think the same probably applies. Minear has probably written a good script, but it isnt Mistress.

[JW]

ProL--That's excellent. I have to get those.

FWIW, I *always* have the fight music in my head.

[Episiarch]

Man, I can hear the "Star Trek Fightin' Music" just thinking about it.

Incorrect, ProL. That's the Decapodian national anthem.

[robc]

As far as I can tell so far, they cut out Mannie's family.

[The Wine Commonsewer (You can]

Truth is that rich people's itemized tax deductions are already limited, which includes charitable donations.

[Episiarch]

As far as I can tell so far, they cut out Mannie's family.

They have 2 hours to do a lunar revolution. Having to explain completely new family structures is dead weight.

"You're right, Professor. We might not be a traditional family like the Murphys next door or the lesbian coven across the street, but we are a family and That Guy understands that."

I'm not defending here, I'm just saying you need to see the finished result.

[robc]

Okay between pages 35 and 50 the script improves some - including the family appearing on page 47.

[robc]

Okay, skimmed ahead another 25 pages or so and seems much more on track.

Just not thrilled with the way he got Mannie/Wye/Prof together.

[robc]

Anyway, at this point I will say good enough and take back my Starship Troopers comparison as unfair.

[BG]

What, nothing about the indictment of Omar al-Bashir (the Sudanese head of state) by the ICC? Reason hasn't gotten aruond to this story yet?

Well immerse that in your water and drink it.

http://optimum.net/News/AP/Article?articleId=532537&categoryId=9

(Scroll down in the article for the reference.)

[BG]

Correction: "aruond" should be "around".

[Citizen Nothing]

Did anyone yet tell Naga that downtown Savannah, like New Orleans, the Strip in Vegas and Key West, has no open container law?

[Citizen Nothing]

Correction - Key West does have an open container law but seldom enforces it.

[R C Dean]

Now taking nominations for coolest SF personal weapon.

Late to the party, I know, but I didn't see anyone mention the nuclear-powered gatling gun from Snow Crash. Firing, if I recall, depleted uranium slugs.

Appropriately named "Reason." Because everyone listens to Reason.

[kwais]

Hey so what is un original about the light saber?

Is it in an earlier movie?

I had never heard of before or since of a laser sword that you can stop bullets with by knowing already where they are going to be.

I think it is a pretty cool idea actually. And the only possible way that humans (or human clones) can beat robots.

[political power...]

ultima ratio regum!

[roy]

read the whole "mistress.." script.... not half bad for a 2hr movie adaptation... doesn't shy away from most taboo subjects... no way a major studio will produce it...

[s]

"...And the only possible way that humans (or human clones) can beat robots."

well, having your own robots to fight robots could also work....
...also...hackers