Yikes!
Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
I am unfortunately reminded of the contrast between Dukakis and Bentsen.
Personally, being computer illiterate in a world of ubiquitous computing would drive me absolutely mental.
--
There was an Asimov story where what we would call a computer hacker was sentenced to being unable to use a computer. (I've forgotten the name of the story).
We're approaching the day where such a punishment would be more than inconvenient, it would really be a problem.
I am very very happy for Mr. Takei and his RFL
@106:And I'd like to know how DHS had enough skilled employees in SF to immediately start imprisoning people after the bombs when off, if they didn't know the bombs were going to go off. Marcus and friends weren't just a lucky catch, they had lots of people at Treasure Island.
Yes, clearly DHS had a lot of assets already in place. Is Doctorow implying that DHS had an inkling an attack was coming, and was ready for its aftermath in advance?
RE JDC #9:
"The first few infodumps annoyed me a bit because I already knew much of the geekness."
Yes...there did seem to be a bit of "As you know Bob" as Marcus discusses technology a lot in the early going. I don't think it kills the momentum, at least it didn't kill my reading pleasure any.
One criticism I had with the book is that I thought the confrontations between DHS and Marcus' "movement" is that they are too bloodless.
I am too young to remember Kent State--but I can't help feeling that the tactics of Marcus (and those who emulate him) would lead to bloodshed. Of course, i think that would have led to a very different book--one where the DHS wins, and their boot stamps on the face of San Francisco forever.
Thanks for the ARC.
Finally started reading it this morning. Ripping through it.
Scary good, and scary. It "feels" right, and feels like the DHS responses could and would happen.
That's an offer I can't refuse. So I won't. Email from my gmail account sent, Patrick! :)
Only one line of your interview made it into the NPR story this morning, Patrick. But you did make sense. :)
Re Lee 40:The last three Republican presidents have very obviously selected their Veeps as "impeachment insurance" -- make everyone hesitate to initiate impeachment proceedings, no matter how well-warranted, because the heir-apparent would be WORSE.
Is the '96 run of Dole/Kemp an aberration then?
My own concerns extend beyond the pragmatic issues I outlined above, but those are unlikely to resonate with people who consider the death penalty an acceptable form of punishment.
Which is the nut of the problem. However, everyone's suggestions (thank you) for responses and counter arguments should serve me in good stead during the next fracas I get when the subject comes up again.
Disclaimer: I am against the death penalty and always have. However, I live in a family whose members have argued with me on the following points:
1. "Sends a message": If you commit a capital crime, you will die.
2. "Never kill again": If you commit a capital crime and are put to death, there is no way they will ever commit another crime.
3. "Pay for them to live in Jail forever": This is the big one they throw at me. I've tried to argue that life sentences in jail are better than capital punishment. Their counter-argument: "Why should I have my tax dollars give them food and keep them warm in winter for the rest of their life when the person they killed won't enjoy that. And why should the family of the person who was killed have to have their tax dollars go to keep a killer in prison?"
So, I'm happy to hear some counter-arguments I can use.
1971...and I clearly remember Carter being elected President.
Didn't get to see Star Wars in the theater, though. SF was not my parents thing. In fact, the first SW movie I saw in the theater was Return of the Jedi (and that's because my older brother took me).
I was highly surprised that the Great Hinckley Fire didn't make the "Minnesota 150" list that the Minnesota Historical Society has compiled. It seems to have been nominated but didn't quite make the cut. Given some of the odder choices I saw at the exhibit that DID get accepted, it baffles me.
http://www.mnhs.org/exhibits/mn150/"
I thought this webcomic and commentary, the day after his death, was in poor taste myself.
My Elves are Different
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