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Journal: Moderation as a Weapon

Journal by fmaxwell



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Journal by Loki_1929



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Journal: RIAA RICO defense...

Journal by Loki_1929






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Journal: H-1B Visas and the Outsourcing of Tech Sector Jobs

Journal by fmaxwell

If you are a U.S. citizen and a technical professional, it's time that you call your Congressional representatives and tell them to eliminate the H-1B visa program. According to the latest (as of 02/09/2003) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, there are about 94,000 unemployed U.S. computer scientists. Yet, at the same time, there are hundreds of thousands of H-1B visa workers holding tech jobs in the U.S. -- often the same jobs for which unemployed U.S. citizens are qualified and available.

At the same time, there are American firms who have outsourced everything from tech support to engineering. These firms pay individuals and companies in other parts of the world to perform tech work formerly done by American workers. When you come in contact with a firm that does this, let them know that you will actively avoid their products and will, instead, buy from firms that employ U.S. citizens.

It is unfair and unreasonable to drive unemployment up and wages down in the tech sector by importing cheap labor and exporting jobs. We should guarantee that our U.S. citizens are gainfully employed before foreign workers are allowed to fill positions.

I am not advocating hostility towards foreign citizens who are just trying to earn a good living. If I were in their position, I would probably do the same thing. What I am against is our government siding with big business by giving desirable jobs away to non-U.S. citizens.

The H-1B visa program and outsourcing are not necessary to remain competitive in a world market. They exist to line the pockets of wealthy CEOs and major stockholders by replacing fairly compensated American tech workers with undercompensated foreign workers.

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Journal: The New America 14

Journal by Loki_1929










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Journal: M2 (MetaModeration

Journal by Loki_1929

"Have you Meta Moderated recently?"


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Journal by Loki_1929

        * 2002-04-06 01:19:53 Comcast.net users blocked from google (articles,news) (rejected)



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Journal: Slashdot and Tech Rants #1

Journal by fmaxwell

"Flamebait" and "Troll" do not mean "I disagree with the author."

"Redundant" does not mean a comment submitted 50ms after a similar one.

Being part of the open source movement does not mean that you just want software for free. It means that you contribute something.

Not all free software is good.

Not all commercial software is bad.

Sometimes Linux is not the best choice.

Sometimes Windows is not the worst choice.

Showing off a few hundred dollars worth of consumer-grade PC parts with Plexiglass window and lighted PC case is just pathetic.

Professionals, like the entire medical community, pick PalmOS handhelds because they work better than Pocket PCs. They are smaller, lighter, have a much longer battery life, and have a more intuitive interface. The far lower cost probably does not concern your average neurosurgeon, but it's an added bonus for many other people.

If you think that a handheld needs to play MP3s, you should hold off buying one until you grow up.

If it's a thrill for you to get "first post" on Slashdot, you need to turn off your computer, take your pasty-white self outside, and interact with human beings.

Installing a store-bought Linux distribution or screwing a PC together does not make you an "3L17E D00D!"

A 14 year old kid with a net worth of $32 who pirated a copy of a $3,000 software package deprived the publisher of $0.

Spam is not "free speech." It is theft and should be outlawed just like junk faxes already are.

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Journal: Traffic Rant #1

Journal by fmaxwell

You know you are a dick when...

...you get in a turn-only lane to pass everyone who's in the correct lane.

...you think that it's more important for you to get to work on time than for those around you to.

...you use entrance ramps to pass cars in traffic jams.

...you cross over solid lines at traffic lights to get a better lane.

...people regularly have to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting you.

...you drive with your seat reclined so far that it looks more like a bed than a seat.

...you change lanes in intersections to get the jump on other cars.

...your idea of a performance car is a lowered Honda Civic with an obnoxiously loud exhaust system.

...people flip you off more than once a day when you pass them.

...you get pissed off when people don't slow down to let you cut in front of them.

...you have an ashtray in your car but throw cigarette butts and ashes out your window to avoid having to clean up after your own disgusting habit.

...you miss your exit and think that you have a right to cut across solid lines to get back to it or, worse, you think that you are entitled to back up on the shoulder to get there.

...your windows are so darkly tinted that it's dangerous to drive your car at night.

...you tailgate people who are going 20 or more over the speed limit.

...you think that temporary spares are for something other than getting your car somewhere to have your flat tire fixed.

...you see a car parked away from all of the other cars and you park right next to it.

...you park in handicapped spots even though you are not handicapped and are not transporting anyone who is.

...you believe that you have a right to drive like an asshole because you are late for something.

...you change lanes more than twice as often as the average person on the road.

--- The End (For Now) ---
