Comments on: Morning Links

By: Cynical in CA

Cynical in CA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:07:48 +0000

“Upon learning of his son’s death, the elder Mr. Alipour was told the family had to pay an equivalent of $3,000 as a “bullet fee”—a fee for the bullet used by security forces—before taking the body back, relatives said.”

Behold the State in all its awesomeness.

The State will kill your child and bill you for the bullet.

Behold the awesome power of the State!

By: Blackberry Etiquette, Pt. II | Matt Eventoff

Blackberry Etiquette, Pt. II | Matt Eventoff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:27:19 +0000

[...] at The Agitator, they question why there is a debate at all: “Count me among those who find it irritating [...]

By: Aspasia

Aspasia — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:11:24 +0000

As a recent former business school student (changed my major), our professor allowed laptops in the classroom. About 75% of the time I was reading articles here at The Agitator, checking email or on Facebook. Didn’t need to take notes because there was nothing that needed to be written down. I finished the class with an A-, and a minus only because I ditched a couple of times because, well, I knew I wasn’t missing anything.

By: Michael Chaney

Michael Chaney — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:09:58 +0000

In the cop story, they also drove off without the food, so it wasn’t robbery. Pulling a gun on somebody like that is still a crime.

As usual, I’m as concerned that his buddy isn’t also being charged, as he should have done something.

By: Zargon

Zargon — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:19:18 +0000

Scientology makes it hard for me to be a live and let live Libertartian. A corporation that is a cult to it’s employees is as bad a government that is a cult for it’s citizens.

You don’t have to be a member of a cult, but you do have to be a subject of a government.

If you defy your government, you’re dead. If you defy your cult, you have at least a chance of defending yourself or escaping, except to the extent the cult borrows the power of the government.

By: Aresen

Aresen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:36:23 +0000

@ colson # 24

Read Orwell’s Animal Farm

By: Mattocracy

Mattocracy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:34:04 +0000

#6 | Dave Krueger | June 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Neda is going to be the Tank Man of this event. She’ll be the most iconic figure to come out of it.

I hope you’re right.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:29:13 +0000

Hey now, I went to RPI, of course this was before the age of laptops but I would say that may be a different situation. There are two problems with high tech schools and paying attn.

First a lot of lecture time is spent handling student questions on math/science concepts. As such the speed that portion of the class is covered is dictated by the people who just don’t get it. As one who normally picks things up quickly, these are a complete waste of time.

A bigger problem with technology schools is the professors all have 2 jobs. One is teaching, and the other is research. Research is what brings in the money (from a professor’s perspective) and teaching is the grind you have to do. So there were several extremely bad teachers who presumbably were bringing in big research bucks. I don’t feel sorry for them at all.

Of course in my case I usually just skipped the lectures unless I had to be in the area anyway.

By: KBCraig

KBCraig — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:35:50 +0000

When trying to talk to a texting-obsessed person, only a strong belief in the Non-Aggression Principle keeps me from slapping the phone out of their hands and stomping it to pieces.

By: colson

colson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:34:33 +0000

@Iran: Funny how the Islamic “revolution” kinda takes on the guise of the Shah’s rule after a few decades. In other words, they traded “Shah” for “Ayatollah” and got the same bag of nuts.

By: Marta Rose

Marta Rose — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:29:09 +0000

our new pastor who starts in august was recently leading the congregation in devotions at a “meet and greet” a couple of weekends ago. he was talking to us, and as he did, he pulled out his blackberry and started fiddling with it. i could see the looks of dismay traveling around the room until he asked for a volunteer to read the scripture, and then handed her the blackberry! there was a palpable sigh of relief!

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:28:51 +0000

The only way this crap with cops ends is to ensure that they don’t go home after they pull those stunts. Prison, hospital or morgue, I no longer care, as long as they’re off the street and unable to terrorize people anymore.

Lawsuits don’t work, disciplinary actions is a joke, it’s time to rub their noses in the shit they leave on the floor.

By: Tokin42

Tokin42 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:13:59 +0000

RE: Iran:

Obama statement today: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history

Was that really so hard to say? I’m expecting apologies from a lot of you a-holes (sarcasm)

By: Marty

Marty — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:52:57 +0000

re the terrible Iran stories- ‘Upon learning of his son’s death, the elder Mr. Alipour was told the family had to pay an equivalent of $3,000 as a “bullet fee”—a fee for the bullet used by security forces—before taking the body back, relatives said.’

In addition to paying the salaries of the men who murdered his son, he also has to pay a fee for them to murder him… what a horrific example of govt logic.

By: t. reed

t. reed — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:52:41 +0000

Krueger at #3 is wrong.

If Krueger pulls a gun at McD’s, his employer wouldn’t fire him. His employer would find that this is a “training issue.”

In this particular case, police internal investigation will conclude that the cop was only “cleaning his firearm” while waiting respectfully for his food. You say he was “pointing” the firearm. I say he was “holding it up to the light” to check for dirt, etc.

Maybe the poor cop was having a McD’s Hambergerler post traumatic flash-back.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:45:25 +0000

The Blackberry article isn’t debating whether or not using one is due to people being board. Its asking if its rude to be using one when people are talking to you. Whether or not that person is putting on a presentation, or personally one on one doesn’t matter. Its considered in good manners to give that person your attention, not be flicking screens playing racing games on your newest gizmo. If I’m having a conversation with someone (perspective client or good friend) I don’t want to see them taking out half a dozen pieces of technology and start ignoring me while hitting buttons. Some of you point out that presentations can be boring, but think of it from the presenters perspective. Why putting on a good presentation if all your going to get back in return is a bunch of bowed heads hitting buttons.

By: Aresen

Aresen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:27:27 +0000

@ Bernard # 12

Note that they failed to beat the crap out of the kid, pin him to the ground and taser him.

If they don’t follow the proper procedure, they shouldn’t be in the ~~Schutz-Staffel~~ police.

By: Aresen

Aresen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:22:15 +0000

8 | Mattocracy | June 23rd, 2009 at 11:04 am

I wonder if Kim Jong Il would make a good scientologist?

Let’s put him in a volcano and find out.

By: claude

claude — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:16:00 +0000

“Iranian government trying to prevent Neda Soltan from becoming a martyr.’

Then perhaps they shouldnt have made her one. RIP Neda. :-(

By: Don McPherson

Don McPherson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:15:35 +0000

Ponder this: If Iranian civilians were allowed to possess firearms how much less shit would they have to put up with?