nerdgirl

Verbatim from the report: “The Small Arms Survey project is supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and by contributions from the Governments of Canada, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.” VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Saw it Monday. IMO, screenwriters did a reasonable job balancing fictionalized politics & history with characteristics of a mainstream Hollywood film (i.e., one-liners, fast-pace, etc). Film was too short. Lots of political fodder, as well as proverbial food for thought on the role/advantages of technology in asymmetric/guerilla warfare. Concluded with a strong message on the critical need of education in reconstruction – “winning the peace” – & the failure of governments to see beyond the immediate/lack of attention span in USG. The last two frames (before the credits) are a quote from Rep Wilson: "Those things happened and they were glorious, and then we fucked up the end game." Perhaps a Texas 2nd Congressional articulation, in plain language, of Joseph Nye’s thesis on the importance of soft power (in conjunction with hard power), which has been more recently articulated by the Executive Branch (primarily Defense and State) as stability, security, transition, and reconstruction (SSTR). Film fest suggestion: Late afternoon matinee of "Charlie Wilson’s War" in theater then early dinner at Middle Eastern or Afghan restaurant followed by DVDs (w/couple bottles of Syrah/Shiraz) of "Syriana," "Battle of Algiers," & "Red Dawn." VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Merry-merry!

That's largely the privacy argument: the right to bear arms is a personal right (disentagled from the whole militia status) and restrictions that do not pose an "undo burden" are reasonable. If I was to guess, I'd bet that's going to be the SCOTUS finding on the DC case. The strict interpretationalists (e.g., Justices Scalia & Thomas) will look to the 2nd Amendment ... but in the numbers game to get a majority, it will take those who don't adhere to strict interpretationalism (e.g., Justices Kennedy & Breyer) who are likely (imo) to argue unilateral laws are an "undo burden." Of course, I could be very 'wring.'

It might. I don't have anywhere enough experience (or familiarity w/demographic data) on the Netherlands (compared to USA & Norway). Are the ethnic/religious/cultural minorities in the Netherlands isolated or integrated compared to in the US? And how does one measure that? There should be quantifiable metrics. How has it changed over time? Are rates of violence inversely proportional to stratification/isolation based on ethnic/religios/cultural divisions, i.e., more homeogeneous or more "melting pot" = less violence? What about people per unit land and differences per unit land. In the US, if one controls for the lead issue, are homicide rates (per capita) significantly different in the 1995-now versus other time periods in which ethnic/religious/cultural stratification was greater or less, such as intense waves of immigration versus isolationist time periods? What does the other data on other heterogeneous ethnic/religious/cultural states suggest? The relatively lax drugs laws in the Netherlands versus in the US may make it an interesting test case vis-a-vis Mike's original hypothesis, especially if one starts to consider the impact of black-market activities on crime levels. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

That's another book, in which Rep Wilson also appears: Steve Coll's Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001. Yesterday's Washington Times had a commentary piece: "Conservative officials who served in the Reagan administration are upset by the left-wing slant of the new movie about the covert action program that helped Afghan guerrillas defeat the Soviet army during the 1980s. ""Charlie Wilson's War," out Friday, is based on a book about former Rep. Charles Wilson, Texas Democrat, known widely on Capitol Hill during his tenure as "Good Time Charlie" and who helped fund the semi-secret war that ultimately helped fell the Soviet Union. "The Reagan-era officials said the movie promotes the left-wing myth that the CIA-led operation funded Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda and ultimately produced the attacks of September 11, 2001. "Bin Laden, the officials said, never got CIA funding or weapons, and was not directly involved in Islamist extremist activities until years after the Afghan operation ended after the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989." ""Senior people in the Reagan administration, the president, [CIA Director] Bill Casey, [Defense Secretary Caspar] Weinberger and their aides deserve credit for the successful Afghan covert action program, not just Charlie Wilson," Mr. Ikle (USD Policy ... i think) said in an interview." Seen the movie or read the book, yet? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Anyone seen the film yet? I’m laughing at the one-liners from the trailers and clips: “Why is Congress saying one thing & doing nothing?” “Tradition mostly.” “Well, should we try this scotch or is it going to release sarin gas when we open it?” “Nah, I don’t think so … but open it over there.” George Crile's book, Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History, was fascinating and timely back in 2003. And, one could argue still is. Rep Wilson was an pro-interventionist Democrat representing a district north & east of Houston. He was a former USN Lt who subsequently spent time in the Pentagon doing intelligence work. The real Rep. Charlie Wilson & Joanne Herring: http://www.charliewilsonswar.net/cww-realcharlievid.html. Who is today’s Charlie Wilson? Could a Charlie Wilson even make it in Congress today? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Thanks. Interesting data. Comparing 3 countries: Netherlands, Norway, & USA Households w/firearms: 1.9%, 32.0%, & 41.0% Gun homicides per 1M: 2.7, 3.6, & 62.4. Huge disparity btw Netherlands and Norway in gun possession but the homicides rate are close (if not w/in statistical variance by year; data not given). Norway is a comparatively homogenous state (ethnically, religiously, and economically & beautiful from an out-of-doors perspective!) It may make a case for Mike’s argument that it’s cultural issues, i.e., homogeneous culture may correlate to lower violence … & the gun ownership issue is unrelated. Need some data that reflects other non-gun-related crime and some way to control for the relatively larger heterogeneity in Netherlands, which has a substantial young, non-integrating minority of Northern African and other Muslims (I think it’s close to 10% ....). VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

I concur that there is a cultural issue (variable) at play, particularly w/r/t homicide. We’re debating 0.5%, 2%, at most 5% changes in violence levels. If one goes back to historical data: Overall violence has declined dramatically as the impact of religion on western society has decreased and secular & civil-based law has increased. (Now that I’ve got your attention.

Check the homicide rate in Switzerland, especially in the big cities like Berne. Also interesting (to me, at least) to cross reference that with: Relative rankings on crime, e.g., burglaries, in which Switzerland (#13) has a higher burglary rate than the US (#17) (overall incidence, those with guns not specified). The UK (#7), according to the data, has an even higher rate of burglaries. Finland is #5 in buglaries, with a higher per capita rate of gun ownership (56 per 100 people) than Switzerland (46 per 100 people), although less than the US (90 per 100 people). Looking at homicides via firearms: US is #8 w/3.6 firearm associated homicides per 100,000 people. Between Mexico (#7) and Belarus (#9). Anyone know want gun laws are like in either of those states? Switzerland isn't in the top 32. If one compares that with firearms per 100 people (a less than perfect measure of availability), I don’t see any correlation. {Nice graphic attached to 1969912’s post here; derived from primary data here.} Variables that have been found to correlate to high levels of gun ownership are (1) wealthy countries or (2) countries with recent, intense violent conflicts. The former is the case for US & western Europe; the latter reflects the situations in places like Angola and Columbia. See page 21 of the report noted above for a graph showing the range of GDPs and correlation with per capita civilian gun ownership. The authors discuss where that model breaks down, which it does. Where does gun ownership intersect with gun violence? My hypothesis is that there will not be a direct dependency found. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

{raises hand} Of a sort ... when I was 16, my aunt gave me subscriptions to Elle, Seventeen, and some other 'fashion' magazine because I wasn't 'girly' enough in her opinion. (At the time, my reading interest was more Sky & Telescope, Discover, and Backpacker.) It was also the same year I got this present from my dad. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

QuoteShould the government make money in taxing these people? The people lose a bunch of money. The lenders lose a bunch of money.Quote I don't know enough about corporate banking or real estate law & regulations, other than to ask questions. Were lenders previously able to deduct the difference (loss) as a business loss? If so, does the new law allow for those deductions (losses) to be taken twice? I.e., once by the home-seller and once by lender? Looking at the IRS Q&A website, the change in law extends to personal bankruptcy and farm debt. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

I'm one of the minority of young 30s, land-line only folks. I had to turn in my 'CrackBerry' ... uh BlackBerry in August, and it's been darned nice not having an electronic tether.

I think this has already been tried in some variation in the corporate world ... & if I recall correctly, this was one of the charges that one of recent CEO convictions was about (partially). Not the Enron guys. I think it was the guy from Tyco toys ... or maybe one of the WorldCom guys. Sorry, I'm not more specific. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

You'd have to ask a Canadian lawyer type. Different countries; different standards, laws & rules. Is it really a formal legal action? The linked Op-Ed piece contrasted the petition to an actual defamation lawsuit. The Op-Ed notes that the CIC is "submitting" a complaint, which would imply that the complaint has to be accepted for the process to move forward. From what I have read (i.e., thus far only the initial post linked Op-Ed), I (owned very much as my perspective) don't see any merit in the complaint. Otoh, should the group (or any group of citizens) have the right to submit a complaint? Yes. Sounds like it may be tried in the court of public opinion. I am definitely very curious to see how this go forwards. The MacLean's article: "The Future Belongs to Islam" sounds fascinating (to me) and perhaps, intentionally provocative. "The Muslim world has youth, numbers and global ambitions. The West is growing old and enfeebled, and lacks the will to rebuff those who would supplant it. It's the end of the world as we've known it. An excerpt from 'America Alone'." Where does one person's fact and analysis become another's bias? I wonder how the CIC responded to Huntington's Clash of Civilizations? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

I find that inexcusable and disagree unilaterally with the Police Chief's assertion that the taser, a non-lethal weapon (or "less than lethal" - the moniker the DOJ prefers), was designed for such situations: According to the Director of the DOJ's National Institute of Justice (NIJ): "Less-than-lethal weapons were developed to provide law enforcement, corrections, and military personnel with an alternative to lethal force [emphasis nerdgirl]. They are designed to temporarily incapacitate, confuse, delay, or restrain an adversary in a variety of situations. They have been used primarily in on-the-street confrontations and suicide interventions, but have also been applied in riots, prison disturbances, and hostage rescues. Less-than-lethal weapons are most often used when: (1) lethal force is not appropriate, (2) lethal force is justified but lesser force may subdue the aggressor, and (3) lethal force is justified but its use could cause collateral effects, such as injury to bystanders or unacceptable damage to property and environment." In this case, the use of the taser fails under (1), (2), & (3). In the video, the civilian is clearly backing away (even if arms are "flailing"), and the LEO is clearly moving forward. The civilian was not the "aggressor." Regardless, NLWs are an "alternative to lethal" not an alternative to good, professional law enforcement. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Crichton's _State of Fear_ or _Prey_? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Nope ... I'm a grey goo denier. It's more controversial -- in some ways -- than climate change, e.g. Nanotechnology: [Eric] Drexler and [Richard] Smalley make the case for and against 'molecular assemblers' Caught a bootie on very small 182 step, launching a 4-way -- shoe goo would have been helpful. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

On the "Energy Dept" or on the Main Energy Dept Forestal (sp?) Building downtown DC? The Pentagon has solar farm in front of it -- as you drive into South Parking from Arlington (110). The only I could find on the web was http://capitalsungroup.com/pentagontube.htm. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Such as? Cut to the RRW program was in this omnibus bill, yes? (the Sen Domenici connection) VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Don't get too hung up on the 'goo' questions. Back in 2003, 'green' (bio-nanotech gray goo) and 'red' goo ("weaponized" gray goo) hadn't yet been dubbed. I don't endorse any of the goo notions (violate 2nd Law of Thermodynamics & problems with viscous flow, i.e. Reynolds number, in fluids like air) unless they're shot out of a silly-string like dispenser ... and smell good. Drexler has professionally reemphasized the fundamental limits of physics relating to nano-engineered devices, emphatically distanced himself from the self-replicating ‘nano-bots’ notion, and now acknowledges the unexpected and unintended hyperbole that arose with the “grey goo” concept. See Drexler's “The Road to Advanced Nanotechnologies,” presentation at the National Academy of Sciences Sackler Colloquia on Nanomaterials in Biology and Medicine: Promises and Perils,” Washington, D.C. 10-11 April 2007. Brief and audio available through: http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageNavigator/SACKLER__nanoprobes_program. At approximately 30 minutes into talk (Slide 32), Drexler profusely apologizes for his unintended role in promulgating the nanotechnology to nanomachines to nanofabricators to replicators to nanobugs. A number of non-governmental groups, however, have emerged the main proponents (and sometimes critics) of the notional concept of molecular nanotechnology, e.g., The Foresight Institute (http://www.foresight.org/), the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing (http://www.imm.org/), Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (http://www.crnano.org/), and The Lifeboat Foundation (http://lifeboat.com/ex/main). There were lots of other small to medium technical quibbles that would really just be nit-picking (& since I'm not paid to nit-pick, aka subject-matter-expert in this case nor was it a Speaker's Corner poll ...). VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Do you have a link to the bill? I know that Senator Domenici (R-NM), known as "St Pete" to Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs, stayed back in DC last week for the debate/voting (when he was scheduled to be in Albuquerque). VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

Let's dance! Is that the “Future Desk Warrior” variant of the Army’s Future Force Warrior? A couple years ago, a colleague & I joked about that after three days of “Death by PowerPoint” (during a program review) … although I must admit that I am an active member of the PowerPoint tribe, with my PowerPoint Ranger tab. [tongue firmly in cheek] Perhaps someone will initiate legislation for PowerPoint control ... then only criminals will have PowerPoint. [removing tongue from cheek] /Marg

Know a 'little'. Only got 9/10 .. missed the last one. /Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying

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