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Josh,
My Apologies, I probably got this stated with my pic in the Sig line. I intended to only have it up for a short while, but when more people started doing the same thing I left it up. I have removed it.
Although I personally love adding a "unique" touch to my messages. It is unfair of me to hog bandwidth in this fashion, much less force another user to go to extra lengths because of my selfishness. Please forgive me.
As an alternative, let me ask Bob a question. It might provide a low bandwidth answer to personalization, since Bob goes back to the early days of BBS he might have a clue of what I'm suggesting.
Bob,
Do you remember BlueWave? The program for gathering and organizing taglines? Allowed you to tailor your tagline to the message you just wrote? Would it be possible to inexpensively create something similar for use here at IH? It would allow personalization without the added bandwidth of messages containing GIF's. give it a thought will you?
Tagline: forerunner of the Sig line. Limited to 72 characters on one line at the end of a BBS message. Many users got very creative with this and tagline databases were created. Users could select from their personal database an appropriate (or inappropriate) tagline before completing their message. Some users became tagline "collecters" with large databases to select from.
No, I am not going to tell you how large my tagline database is.
8>)
The Bird of Prey
Edit: Now this is a grub. My post number 1112. I am user number 2111.
Unless Matt is the head of "your" committee, it is doubtful you'll be able to follow through with your threat.
The Bird of Prey
Poet,
Hope you are feeling better. A while back I was recommending Lord of the Rings as a good movie to see. You were planning on seeing it. Did you ever get to? I only mention this because it got 13 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Art Direction, Cinematography and Costume Design. These were the very things I mentioned in my recommendation. If you haven't seen it,please try to. You'll not regret it.
The Bird of Prey
this is kewl
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=270169
thank you, thank you, thank you.
The Bird of Prey
Hello Fred,
Please forgive my apparent personalization of the issue. It is not my intent to flay you personally. The issues you raise are polarizing enough by themselves, if I've come across as offensive (or nearly so), I apologize. You are a fine individual, presenting thoughtful responses in a free and open environment. You have committed no inappropriate act.
I will agree that we are at decidedly opposite ends of several points in this complex discussion. If the goal is to change one another's mind on these points we should not continue, that path leads to trouble.
If you wish to continue (or begin again) limiting the discussion to a single issue, I will do my best to bring my counterpoint without labeling you personally. However, some of the ideas you present are not new, they have been tried before and failed. That the originators of some of these ideas have been labeled as communists or socialists is unavoidable and should not be construed as an attempt to pass that label to you.
Personally I do not believe you are some wicked Dr. Evil plotting to destroy civilization as we know it. I apologize again if it appears I was doing so in my responses to you.
I wish you well and hope that you will continue to post as you see fit.
JFTR, I do not believe our problem lies with behemoths that have gotten too large and are in need of restraint. Our problem lies elswhere and is both more difficult and simpler to solve than some might expect. I don't espouse to have the final answer, only more questions.
The Bird of Prey
My brother served as a fireman for many years here in Central Florida. I am well aware of the training and supervisory procedures for FD's throughout the Southeast from my interaction with them in designing Fire Sprinkler Systems. To a man they are some of the most safety conscious and dedicated people I have ever met.
I too have a difficult time understanding how this accident got so drastically out of hand. IMHO the DA went looking for a scapegoat and will do whatever it takes to insure he has one. I won't be surprised if after a few months Baird ends up pleaing a lesser charge that results in an extended probation.
Again, without all of the evidence it would be out of line to say he's done nothing wrong, but like you I feel it excessive to raise it to a criminal level.
Needless to say I'll be including him and the victims families in my prayers.
The Bird of Prey
>>But I ain't doing it this weekend. I'm gonna go have a well-deserved nervous breakdown (or a beer) and get back to that kind of stuff on Monday.
Slacker! 8>O
Seriously have a good weekend. You've done good.
The Bird of Prey
Dan,
I've been following this story since you first presented it. It appears to me to be a case of Prosecutoral Extortion. Wherein prosecutors inflate the charge to the most heinous available, with the idea of plea barganing to a more realistic charge. They do this when they "need" a conviction. It is fairly common practice to "browbeat" defendants into accepting a plea when, if they had been charged correctly in the first place, they might have been found Not Guilty of what they end up pleading to.
IMHO, this is a travesty of the justice system.
BTW, I am not saying that the FAFC in this case did nothing wrong. But manslaughter? give me a break.
The Bird of Prey
A hearty Congratualations to Jorj on this weeks win!
I take some solace that I was within ten points of the actual close 3 times this week (and last) which ain't too shabby. If JXM still considers me a valid prognosticator I will gladly join him in a "joint" prognositcation endeavor.
As long as it ain't a gin joint! or that other well known "joint"! 8>)
One more thing, I'd rather finish second to a different picker every week and make a little money than to win once and never be heard from again!
The Bird of Prey
As they come down the stretch it's bbgold and The One and Only Poet comming down to the wire!
The Bird of Prey
So it appears...
got anything relevant to say about SVED? looks like a good place to start!
The Bird of Prey
Man, talk about a stream of conciousness!
Only question you asked that I have an answer for was...
>>Say, what does Iambic Pentameter mean?
http://pages.prodigy.com/Firesheets/imbcpent.htm
The Bird of Prey
Ssshhhhh!
Be vewy vewy quiet! I'm hunting fo' wiberaws! Elmer Fudd
The Bird of Prey
>>It didn't make any sense, but it had a nice beat.
And you could dance to it!
Give it a 72!
The Bird of Prey
Fred,
Feel free to call me Dave.
I can see that we have two very differing views of the effects of taxation on entities and economies. Rather than blast off on a long drawn out tirade, let's see if I can simplify things a bit.
Point #1
It is not the job of government to legislate or control individual morals and ethics. While it might seem a desirable thing to do for the "good of the people", the end result is usually "bad" for all but a chosen few people. Take away any individual freedom to choose and you pave the way for the removal of all freedom.
Point #2
All progressive taxation systems are socialistic by nature and seek to redistribute wealth from one class to another. As such those entities targeted by the progressive structure will do everything possible to undermine the effects of the progressive structure on their property. All entities will use all legal means and some entities will resort to illegal means to avoid having the wealth they have stored being raided and redistributed.
Your proposal is a progressive system of taxation that, if I read correctly, would be an additional tax over and above any that might be due to the entities country of origin. Its purpose as stated is to curtail the oversized monopolistic entity from absorbing resources beyond its capacity to recycle them back into the community, if I understand your proposal correctly.
For example, If you found yourself nearing the end of a tax year and expecting to fall just a few hundred dollars over the amount topping the 15% tax bracket (putting you in the 28% bracket) would you not do everything in your power to find a way to keep your income below the threshold? If not, what about your neighbor? Or perhaps your competitor?
If I understand correctly some entities would be subject to tax rates (between the US tax and proposed Citizenship tax) of 90%. It is possible that the proposed Citizenship tax would force a large number of entities into bankruptcy. Unless there are ways around it. If there are ways around it, (if not at first, there will be) then what is the point of having it in the first place? Given the choice going under or finding a way around it I doubt it is much of a stretch to think that a vast majority will opt for finding a way around it.
Point #3
By instituting a flat taxation system without loopholes, deductions, exceptions, etc. the opportunity for unfair exploitation of the progressive system with its inherent loopholes, deductions, exceptions, etc. is greatly reduced.
Also the flat taxation system addresses the issue of proper funding for the various needs of the government by providing a more stable base from which to predict future tax revenues. (EX: If the tax rate were 15% and based on revenue (profit or income) and the GNP can be expected to grow by 3%, then the tax revenue can also be expected to grow by 3%). With a more stable base and a sound "no deficit" spending policy, lawmakers would be forced to meet the needs of the community instead of trying to ensure their powerbase.
Point #4
Though I didn't say this before…
Show of hands, "Who wants a bigger Global version of the IRS?"
Or did you think it would be easy to manage the collection of all that money?
Couple of things from your post directly…
>> g) "One need only to poll the CEO's and BOD's of the Fortune 500 companies to learn this lesson."
Oh, c'mon, BOP. That's as bad as putting a fox to guard a hen-house. Among the Fortune 500 companies are some of the greatest exploiters of our resources extant.
I was simply pointing out how the "foxes", as you describe them, would react to the imposition of a new tax code and expense to their businesses. I will agree that some F500 companies are terrible exploiters. But your plan would punish not only the exploiters, but those that are performing appropriately as well.
>> a) "The solution presented would do nothing to prevent another Enron. The next Enron would still occur, just under a different set of rules."
First and foremost, my suggestion was not developed to prevent "an Enron". Enron was not even a gleam in Kenneth Lay's eye when I formulated these ideas. I cited some Enron material because it was a timely topic when I was writing, and because it showed an instance of "... the rogues' most effective and long-lasting method ..." of "... influencing those who make the laws intended to control them ..."
It is important to recognize the Enron is not the disease, Enron is just a symptom of it.
I think it is inaccurate to say, "The solution would do nothing to prevent another Enron." It would, at the very least, make it much more difficult for a single entity to gain control of such a large portion of a market.
You used Enron as an example of the symptoms. Your proposal seeks to treat the disease as exemplified by Enron. I could have used Drexel Burnham or any other large-scale scandal from the last twenty years. I followed your lead in using Enron as an example. It is bad form to chide one's opponent for continuing a theme you began.
>> b) "In fact, because of the progressive nature of the tax, the likelihood of impropriety is increased."
I don't see any logic in this assertion. Smaller entities, under the duress of greater competition, would (probably) make stronger efforts to root out impropriety. The phrase "lean and mean" comes to mind.
Another phrase comes to mind, Survival of the fittest. In this, as in many arenas "the Fittest" may not always be "Good". Any entity able to get a leg up on the competition, by any means, will do so in order to survive.
Another point to consider…
Smaller entities, under the duress of greater competition, would (probably) be too busy simply trying to survive to make any efforts to root out impropriety.
But all of this really boils down to this.
By making it prohibitively expensive to be successful, you remove the incentive for doing so. By removing the incentive you also remove the desire to be successful. As a result humans will become unproductive.
This has been proven countless times, as various entities have tried to make everyone "Equal". While we are all born Equal, we do not remain Equal. Each of us will respond to life's challenges according to his talents. Remove the rewards for being talented and watch the soul shrivel before your eyes.
A shining example of the failure of the "communal" system and at the same time a resounding shout of the success of the Free Market system is the story of the first two years of an American Settlement. Their original system was communal, planned sharing of all production equally. Trouble was no one bothered to producing anything beyond what they could use themselves. Unfortunately not everyone was successful at meeting their own needs and because of the "sharing" arrangement everyone suffered and many starved to death that first year. Had it not been for some compassionate Natives the Colony would not have survived that first year. As the survivors emerged from that winter a new plan was instituted. Anyone could keep or sell whatever they produced. This smaller group actually produced enough not only for the colony to thrive, but they had enough excess to trade with the Natives. You can read all about it if you delve deeply into the history of the first Pilgrim Colony.
Good Luck in your New Business venture.
The Bird of Prey
>>I will now see IF I can change the Header to BCR Board here:
Send your request to IHadmin Matt Brown. I am sure he will help you out.
And I'll still be here any company you can call "Bard" interests me! 8>)
actually it does look like it might be worth my time what ever they called it.
The Bird of Prey
I've never noticed it myself...
Course that could be becuase the browser window ends at the bottom of favorite boards. By the time I scroll down the glitch has already passed.
The Bird of Prey
The Philosophers Song
By Eric Idle
Immanuel Kant was a real pissant
Who was very rarely stable.
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar
Who could think you under the table.
David Hume could out-consume
Wilhelm Freidrich Hegel,
And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel.
There's nothing Nietzche couldn't teach ya
'Bout the raising of the wrist.
Socrates, himself, was permanently pissed.
John Stuart Mill, of his own free will,
On half a pint of shandy was particularly ill.
Plato, they say, could stick it away--
Half a crate of whisky every day.
Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle.
Hobbes was fond of his dram,
And René Descartes was a drunken fart.
'I drink, therefore I am.'
Yes, Socrates, himself, is particularly missed,
A lovely little thinker,
But a bugger when he's pissed.
The Bird of Prey
OK
B I R D OF P R E Y
2+9+18+4+15+6+16+18+5+25 = 118
11.8 per letter
The Bird of Prey
Works for me!
Who gets top billing?
BTW, congrats, good call today.
The Bird of Prey
Maybe JXM should start a newsletter...he's looking pretty good down the stretch!
The Bird of Prey
I hope she enjoys it all her life as much as she does now. She is a sweet kid.
The Bird of Prey
Thanks for your help!
Of course this is a good word game to play anytime you're bored. Just change the number or the category or both!
I'm surprised I got it that fast. Now my niece can do a report on Gibbons and get a good grade. Did I mention she's a heck of a tennis player too! Top 70 in the under ten set in the state and she's only eight!
The Bird of Prey
Take your time. It is not a pressing matter. Besides a well thought out response increases all of our chances of learning something.
The Bird of Prey
Got it!
G I B B O N
7 9 2 2 15 14 = 49
The Bird of Prey
eliminate;
cheetah giraffe gorilla manatee jaguar koala owl otter rhino snake shark seal snail sheep wolf
The Bird of Prey
eliminate
yak, mule, lion, badger
The Bird of Prey
That reminds me,
My niece has a project (3rd grader) where she has to figure out the name of an animal whose letters add up to 49 (per the a=1, b=2, etc formula). Her teacher said family assistance was allowed. Anyone want to play a game?
Already eliminated
bird
donkey
cow
horse
monkey
whale
eagle
beagle
dog
dragon
The Bird of Prey
Well that will certainly make things crowded around my picks, especially if I am close tomorrow!
BTW, was everyone waiting on me before picking tonight?
Except JXM of course. He would never follow. Especially me. 8>)
The Bird of Prey
~~~~~~COMPX Thursday's Close (Feb 7, 2002):~~~~
Previous day close = 1812.71
1781 JXM
1789 BoP
1 point above BOP's guess! Muell
Please! I was only kidding about the "Guru" thing!
Let me get it right within 10 pts a couple of months in a row and we can disuss "guru" status...maybe.
I am quite certain I'll be humbled in the near future. 8>)
The Bird of Prey
In a search for the world's Oldest Man
the researchers traveled far and wide, visiting modern nursing homes and remote villages. Finally as they returned from their long trip they found themselves in that great haven for older people Miami Beach. Since they still had some time left they began scouring the city to see if they had a suitible candidate for the oldest man in the world.
One of the younger researchers spotted an extremely aged appearing gentlmen lying against a palm tree in a park not far from the beach. The researchers hurriedly approached the man. upon closer inspection they discovered that his skin was more wrinkled than any previous subject. His hair, what little there was, was whiter than any other subject in there study. Further, during this entire inspection the subject remained asleep, no subject had done so before. All of the researchers agreed this must be the oldest man they had or ever would encounter. They gently roused the fellow to inform him of their findings and to ask what he attributed his longevity.
His reply...
"Well, I smoked 4 packs a day, drank a fifth a day and chased women my entire life."
The researchers were astonished! How could one have lived such a lifestyle and achieved such longevity? It counter every bit of known research on the subject. At Last one of the younger researchers asked the old man this question...
"Just how old are you?"
His reply...
"thirty-five."
The Bird of Prey
EZ,
go ahead and vote...next week it could be you hitting the numbers!
The Bird of Prey
I wouldn't have it any other way!
The Bird of Prey
Dang! I'd better get started then! I'll get everything rolling in a week or so...once I've firmly established my "guru" status by picking here. Then unfortuantely I'll have to keep my picks for subscribers only in order to maintain the value of the Newsletter. 8>)
this should be fun!
The Bird of Prey
Josh,
if no multiple winner, then closest to the hole.
If multiple winner, it should be obvious! if there is a closest to the hole that isn't the mulitple winner then they should get an honorable mention.
that should keep everybody happy!
The Bird of Prey
If you do that you'll need to subscribe to my brand new newsletter. Which will feature my calls by midnight the day before for only $49.95 a month! 8>)
BTW, does this mean I'm going to jail now?
The Bird of Prey
I have a question...
which should count more...
closest to the hole?
or number of wins in the week?
The Bird of Prey
I guess we'll know for sure in about two minutes
Whether or not I'll be going to jail for winning too often!
The Bird of Prey
As they head down the stretch
it's Fabio and BoP up front with xxrayeyes close behind!
The Bird of Prey
What this thread needs is a play by play announcer!
Something like this...
As they come down to the wire its BoP and xxrayeyes neck and neck. Fabio and Muell still have an outside shot should things change dramatically with JXM being somewhat of a longshot. The rest of the pack are too far out at this point.
Just having fun! Enjoy!
The Bird of Prey