News Stories

[Nosauz]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

No. It is not for Amazon to decide what material is and is not up to some arbitrary moral standard imported from another culture. Amazon is a store; they sell published works. They abide by the laws of the country in which they sell. They are under absolutely no obligation, moral or otherwise, to stop selling things just because you don't like the contents. Where are they supposed to draw the line? Who is going to do the content review of thousands upon thousands of works to figure out which works should be banned? Whose standard are they supposed to adhere to? Yours? "America's"? Shall we start burning these heretical books as well? No, this is the epitome of short-sighted, poorly-conceived, bigoted moral-crusading stupidity, and Amazon should certainly have no part in it.

This is the problem with the world in general, the inability to tolerate one another. Believe in sky cake, the idea that someone can be the arbiter of morality when it's clear that morals at least at this point in time seem to be relativistic and not standard. Also if you say that "pedo rags" are ban able, what about rape porn, violent video games, violent movies, movies that promote infidelity because marriage is an institution recognized by the government? This is the problem of legislating morality, everybody is willing to impose on others but when it comes to these peoples liked medium they become hypocrites because "their" likes are somehow above someone else's morality. I know stating slippery slope propositions is often frowned upon, but this is the one real threat in the muting of speech/thought that does not conform to a standard especially one based on emotion or fear.

[ganbaru]

Former Kosovo health ministry official charged in international organ-trafficking scheme
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1796245/

Victims were promised up to $20,000, while recipients were required to pay between $110,000 and $137,000.

Even taking into account of the cost of the operation, the profit was evident.

[flying ^]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

No. It is not for Amazon to decide what material is and is not up to some arbitrary moral standard imported from another culture. Amazon is a store; they sell published works. They abide by the laws of the country in which they sell. They are under absolutely no obligation, moral or otherwise, to stop selling things just because you don't like the contents. Where are they supposed to draw the line? Who is going to do the content review of thousands upon thousands of works to figure out which works should be banned? Whose standard are they supposed to adhere to? Yours? "America's"? Shall we start burning these heretical books as well? No, this is the epitome of short-sighted, poorly-conceived, bigoted moral-crusading stupidity, and Amazon should certainly have no part in it.

(i'll double dip this time)

There are private corporations that make decisions based around the relationships they build with their customer base. That means that consumers can have a say in the product offerings (because they're part of the relationship, see). A whole slug of Amazon customers spoke up and said that they would not make purchases at Amazon if that book stayed up. Amazon decided they would rather retain those customers than sell a book on pedophilia. They are a business, and they have employees who depend on Amazon's profits for their livelihood. A large-scale boycott could hurt thousands of individual employees, not just a faceless demon corporation. Moms and dads shopping for the holiday season from now until Christmas pack a massive amount of buying power, and if I were Amazon I'd be more concerned about upsetting them than anyone else.

before someone utters the word censorship, this is not it in how it relates to the 1st amendment. The government did not ban this book from being sold. Amazon made a decision as a private corporation, for whatever reason, not to sell a guide to pedophilia. This is completely within their rights. They also cannot be forced to sell material that they do not feel is aligned with their corporate identity. Now, if Congress passes a law that no literature on pedophilia can ever be sold ever, then that's censorship.

[ganbaru]

Supporters prepare for Suu Kyi release in Myanmar
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1796153/
I do wonder how long she will be let out before being put into custody again.

[killer3000ad]

Woman verbally abuses US postal worker with racial slurs, postman gets fired
We've only got the postman's side of the story so far. Woman signed for a letter, then realised it was addressed to her husband and demanded her signature back. When the postman refused she started hurling racial abuse at him. After the incident, the postman was fired without a reason being given, according to him.

Spoiler for 1st part:

Spoiler for 2nd part, she gets really nasty:

[Kamui4356]

Originally Posted by killer3000ad

Woman verbally abuses US postal worker with racial slurs, postman gets fired
We've only got the postman's side of the story so far. Woman signed for a letter, then realised it was addressed to her husband and demanded her signature back. When the postman refused she started hurling racial abuse at him. After the incident, the postman was fired without a reason being given, according to him.

Spoiler for 1st part:

Spoiler for 2nd part, she gets really nasty:

Wait... She was harrassing the guy and calling him a n***** because she signed for her husband's mail, which she is legally allowed to do, and wanted to take her signature back? The fuck is wrong with her? Now there really isn't a clear shot of the alleged slap there, but if she hit him, she should be arrested. But of course she babysits for one of the cops, so of course no charges are going to be filled. Can't have a cop arresting his friends.

[flying ^]

In a very literal sense, she did communicate exactly what she was thinking, so maybe she's actually a great speech coach
http://www.mediaite.com/online/who-i...inks-it-knows/

[ChainLegacy]

That is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. What a freaking nutcase.

[MrTerrorist]

Starz Develops Live-Action Remake of Noir Action Anime

I very excited about this, also:

Originally Posted by darkchibi07

I would like them to keep the implied lesbianism!

Yes indeed. Or maybe.... a little bit more.

[ganbaru]

Originally Posted by MrTerrorist

Starz Develops Live-Action Remake of Noir Action Anime

I very excited about this, also:



Yes indeed. Or maybe.... a little bit more.

Not sure about this, given the age the main characters.

U.N. council gets Sudan report that infuriated China
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...6AB52Q20101112
China is getting angry again ... for not much this time.

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by Nosauz

This is the problem with the world in general, the inability to tolerate one another. Believe in sky cake, the idea that someone can be the arbiter of morality when it's clear that morals at least at this point in time seem to be relativistic and not standard. Also if you say that "pedo rags" are ban able, what about rape porn, violent video games, violent movies, movies that promote infidelity because marriage is an institution recognized by the government? This is the problem of legislating morality, everybody is willing to impose on others but when it comes to these peoples liked medium they become hypocrites because "their" likes are somehow above someone else's morality. I know stating slippery slope propositions is often frowned upon, but this is the one real threat in the muting of speech/thought that does not conform to a standard especially one based on emotion or fear.

Really interesting book that is getting a lot of mileage with influential people and policy types... worth a look:

The Watchman's Rattle by Rebecca Costa
(Thinking our way out of Extinction)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...778XQEEK1R2YWJ


edit: oh and this is one of a series but some of the funniest (aka tragic) explanations of the Fed and other issues I've ever seen.
(two robo-bears explain Everything, but in this issue they cover Quantitative Easing by the Fed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUY1...layer_embedded

[ganbaru]

Ireland in aid talks with EU, rescue likely
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...6AB0P420101112

Isn't true than Portugal also might need the same kind of help ?

[Azumanga Davo]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Ireland in aid talks with EU, rescue likely
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...6AB0P420101112

Isn't true than Portugal also might need the same kind of help ?

Basically the list would read Ireland, Portugal, Spain and maybe even Italy to add to the list. The thing in common with all four nations would be the need to import most of it's resources. Another problem, one that affects Italy the most, is the fact that one half of the nation (in Italy it's the industrial north) props up the other half (the rural south).

That's just how I would predict it though. Although there are poorer nations in the EU than those mentioned, they tend to stay within their means a bit better.

[ChainLegacy]

Originally Posted by Vexx

edit: oh and this is one of a series but some of the funniest (aka tragic) explanations of the Fed and other issues I've ever seen.
(two robo-bears explain Everything, but in this issue they cover Quantitative Easing by the Fed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUY1...layer_embedded

Sad how much truth you get out of two animated bear cartoons and how many lies we get out of supposedly credible news outlets . The fed will be our downfall...

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Vexx

edit: oh and this is one of a series but some of the funniest (aka tragic) explanations of the Fed and other issues I've ever seen.
(two robo-bears explain Everything, but in this issue they cover Quantitative Easing by the Fed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUY1...layer_embedded

It isn't just in US, it is everywhere else in the world.

Practically, all the jargon used is what I am taught in my current school now under business communication. And yeah, that is what I write for exam to score an A.

[ChainLegacy]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

It isn't just in US, it is everywhere else in the world.

Practically, all the jargon used is what I am taught in my current school now under business communication. And yeah, that is what I write for exam to score an A.

At least Singapore is actually taking steps for austerity. Your country is actually preparing for inflation, mine's making it even worse . Not only that but Singapore holds far more savings to stimulate future growth...

[SeijiSensei]

Everything you need to know about the "missile" launch

[Bri]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Ireland in aid talks with EU, rescue likely
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...6AB0P420101112

Isn't true than Portugal also might need the same kind of help ?

It's possible, but not very likely. Portugal hasn't got any bond sales planned till end of the year so they are fine for now. The raising borrowing rates for Ireland, Spain and Portugal were the result of markets getting twitchy over German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s proposal for a permanent rescue mechanism as of 2013 that would involve restructuring with losses for private holders of sovereign debt. European ministers at the G-20 are now trying to talk down fears for an Irish rescue. It's ironic that news reporting, like Reuters here, might actually affect the likelihood of a rescue.

Originally Posted by Vexx

edit: oh and this is one of a series but some of the funniest (aka tragic) explanations of the Fed and other issues I've ever seen.
(two robo-bears explain Everything, but in this issue they cover Quantitative Easing by the Fed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUY1...layer_embedded

It's easy to mock this for it's blatant use half truths, personal attacks and other debating tricks, but it stops being funny when I see how easily people get mislead in search of "simple answers".

[Vexx]

The thing to remember with the "two bears" series is that anyone can create these cartoons using the tools. So some are better than others.

However, you aren't really defending the Fed as being all that helpful or not in the pocket of particular interests rather than the overall economy in the last 20 odd years, are you?

[Bri]

Originally Posted by Vexx

However, you aren't really defending the Fed as being all that helpful or not in the pocket of particular interests rather than the overall economy in the last 20 odd years, are you?

Heh no, I'm not that naive.

Still regardless of the influence of Wall Street and other lobby groups, the fed is pretty effective on the operational side of things and I do not believe the current policy of the Fed is wrong, based on what I know of economics. (Nor do I think that Bernanke is a nitwit as he is one of the foremost academics on systemic failures, after Schwartz and Friedman. Making him currently about the most qualified person around for the job. Not that this should be confused with infallibility).

In direct response to your question: I think uncontrolled financial deregulation, partly induced by private interests, created an environment that allowed the managements of financial institutions, driven by very short term profit motives, to lead the economy to ruin. The fed, the government and (the lobby from) the financial sector all share blame for this mess. The reinterpretation of the Glass-Steagall act by the Fed in 1986 can be seen as the start of this development. So no, I don't think they have been the most positive or neutral influence in recent decades on the development of the financial system. What is often forgotten is that congress forced the dual mandate on the fed in the 1977 amendment of the FR act (in contrast to the ECB which only has to worry about price stability). Unfortunately nuance is often lost in this type of discussion.

For those interested:

http://www.openthegovernment.org/otg...ne-2009-07.pdf gives imo a fairly neutral comment on the developments in financial deregulation that lead the post 2k economic crises.