Disqus - Latest Comments for Remixer96

Re: “Internet Freedom”: How Statists Corrupt Our Language

Remixer96 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:55:31 -0000

First, the engagement is always appreciated Berin.

I'll grant you the distinction between glittering generalities and negative terms like cyber-socialism. I was trying to highlight their similar hyperbolic (and polarized) nature rather than their positive or negative tone.

To your point, I would argue that asserting the Internet as a basic right doesn't lead to cyber-socialism any more than asserting water as a basic right leads aqua-socialism. A regulated environment perhaps, but not necessarily communally owned means of production. Profits do still exist in utilities, even if their maneuverability is significantly restricted.

I don't disagree with Adam's and your point that claiming rights like these leads to government intervention with no clear end in sight. Especially at higher and higher network levels, the implications are something that certainly merit consideration. I'm not a fan of positive rights in general, which makes me wary of any argument that starts with them.

However, I still think characterizing that future government intervention as "unlimited control" or socialism without significant support does more harm than good.

Re: “Internet Freedom”: How Statists Corrupt Our Language

bszoka — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:14:20 -0000

I appreciate your sensitivity to name-calling, but if asserting that "The Internet" is a basic right isn't cyber-socialism, what is? The implications of that assertion for policy-making are profound: once a new "human right" is asserted, that right will, of course, trump the mere "interests" of those who build the platforms involved—whether that infrastructure exist in the physical world (broadband "pipes & tubes") or in the cloud (services and applications).

A glittering generality is a bright, shiny happy, vague abstraction that commands positive emotional appeal because of its innocuous blandness. To be sure, one could unfairly throw out negative labels, like "cyber-socialism" (although, again, I don't think I'm being unfair), are not "glittering generalities."

Re: “Internet Freedom”: How Statists Corrupt Our Language

Remixer96 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:09:57 -0000

Berin,

Please don't take the TLF down the path of name-calling and hyperbole. I find the perspective here absolutely invaluable because of its reason, not because of its heat-level.

Accusing the other side of using glittering generalities while leaning on Orwell and the threat of "cyber-socialism" yourself is both unpersuasive and insulting. Stick to the analysis and leave the labels at home.

Re: Optimistic to the Point of Foolishness

LMac36 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:03:36 -0000

It's awesome! It's located on Howell Mill RD, has a cute place to eat outside or you can eat inside (a little loud in there though). They serve tons of different gourmet burgers. The Flip Burger, which I had, is their most basic and it's delicious! They also have more interesting ones with really incredibly ingredients, unusual stuff too. The sides are amazing as well! We ordered four, since they're not too huge, and shared them (vodka battered onion rings, tempura fried asparagus, french fries, and tempura fried okra). The asparagus and fries were my favorite but all were great! And the milkshakes? Such unique flavors. I had the nutella and burnt marshmellow, but tried the Krispy Kreme one someone else ordered. Both were great but the Krispy Kreme does have a bit of a grainy texture, probably because they blended actual donuts? I don't know. There's even a foie gras milkshake but none of us braved that one. :)

Definitely worth trying! We all loved it. Here's the link: http://www.flipburgerboutique.com/ and their menu is on there too.

Re: Optimistic to the Point of Foolishness

Remixer96 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:54:07 -0000

A burger boutique you say? This I gotta hear about.

Re: Change We Can Spare (Guest Voice)

Remixer96 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:33:03 -0000

I believe facts are facts, and CAGW probbaly has a reasonable basis for many of their claims, but bad reasoning is something I can't let slip.

"Never met an earmark they didn't like" is not a statement proven by a handful of sillier earmarks. Presumably those all went back to their districts and benefited their constitutants... that doesn't mean they're in love with the concept of earmark spending.

Second, I was under the impression that the whole basis of Obama's plan was to take money out of the war he would end and put it in infrastructure investment at home. Who thinks Obama's running on a platform of cutting government programs again?

Finally, "wasteful" is completely in the eye of the beholder. The classic double edge of pork is that when others get it it's pork, but when you get it it's bacon... and people like bacon. Is the Iraq War wasteful or necessary? Is the War on Drugs wasteful or necessary? Is a 700 billion bailout for Wall St wasteful or necessary? Call me when you've defined "wasteful" and we can talk.

Re: Fornigate: Why The News Media Is So Much More Hypocritical Than John Edwards

Remixer96 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:25:29 -0000

That comment from Klein really ticks me off.

Infidelity is proof of a disgenuine politics? Why? If I have trouble with my marriage does that mean I care any less about the poor? What twisted reasoning is she using to reach that conclusion?

Just because you don't like things Edwards has done, doesn't mean his political aspirations are any less genuine.

And yes, Edwards is rich now, but that's because he worked hard to get there. He became a lawyer, taking the showiest medical cases that would earn lots of cash. The most honorable thing to do? Debateable. Self-made? Most certainly. I mean good grief, he was the first in his family to graduate college, and now 30 years later he's being decried as one the rich as if he's always been that way?

Give me a break.

Re: John Edwards And The “Too” Americas (Guest Voice)

Remixer96 — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:02:18 -0000

I didn't find this article funny at all. It seems to lavish in discounting everything Edwards attempted to accomplish all because he had an affair with his wife.

To me, that's just not funny. Especially the line about the alternate description of the "too" americas.

Re: More on the super awesome commenting system

Remixer96 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:28:36 -0000

I'm excited to hear about the new commenting system. It seems Disqus has finally started moving to the blogs that I read on a regular basis.

I look forward to seeing if it impacts discussion around here.