[FutureSDguy]

The way you talk and the assumptions you make of my knowledge makes it look like you’re on the losing end of the argument. The letter you post is credible, but it only talks about Gore’s support of the effort that was undertaken by the Dept. of Defense.

FTP is a protocol (hence the P), and happens to also be the name of the application that uses it. Email is a combination of protocols, namely SMTP and POP3. TCP/IP, according to Wiki, was work that was largely done in 1973. Collectively these protocols, along with the physical mediums, define the internet. Al Gore saw that this was a good thing and helped nurture its expansion through funding, but he was not part of its actual R&D. Again, take all of this in context with what Al Gore had said: “I took the INITIATIVE (i.e. I started) of the CREATION (i.e. I was a direct part of its invention) of the internet WHILE I WAS A SENATOR (i.e. 1979 and later)” All three of these points betray the actual facts. He didn’t do that, but rather supported a bill to expand the concurrent use of it.

At the time he made this fallacious statement, the internet exploded into mainstream use–mom and pop were getting on board. The way I see it, he was trying to win votes by capitializing on the popularity of the internet. This is by no means the only case here. Now, as a Gore Apologist, you are probably well aware of lists of documented mistruths and exaggerations, especially in trying to curry the love of voters. He claimed he and his wife were inspirations for the novel Love Story (trying to draw oooohs from soccer moms), which was negated by its author. He claimed he was in the line of fire in Vietnam (trying to appear to be the war hero to voters) when nothing of the sort occurred–in fact he was purposefully kept out of harms way because his job was to be a reporter not a GI. Contrary to what he said, he did not take any part whatsoever in the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill (trying to impress those who were interested in taking big money out of politics) because he couldn’t have: he was no longer senator at the time. Those are the ones that I remember; you can find more here: http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a38dbb84a2e85.htm

[FutureSDguy]

The APRANET evolved into the internet, and I do not see any significant point that divides the two technologies–i.e. it did not “become the internet” at some special point, but rather it happened through the incorporation of various technologies and standardizations such as FTP and email, and, which happened mostly during the 70’s. Nobody is questioning Al Gore’s enthusiasm and support towards the technology. He was attempting to take credit for material development of the internet in an CNN interview when he ran for president, and evidence of that is lacking. He bluffed, and it was called.

It should be completely clear to anyone that when one “takes the initiative in creating something” that that person is the sole propietor behind its existance. Gore could have said “I supported the continued expansion of the internet,” but he did not. The letter by Vinton Cerf, et. al. merely talks about Al Gore’s supportive role in the process of nuturing the expansion. That’s not “creating it” and the subsequent jokes were both rooted in truth and consistent with the general issue of Al Gore not telling truths.

[FutureSDguy]

There seems to be some spin concerning Al Gore’s often-quoted claim that he invented the internet. Al Gore supporters attempt to rewrite history (along with the results of the Florida election count) by trying to reframe the issue as an urban myth based on a verbal distortion: phrase “took the initiative in creating the internet” was replaced with “invented the internet” by a fellow congress person.

I am sure many are aware of Gore’s habit of exaggerating his merits, or at worse is a compulsive fibber. So it’s easy to believe that he would make such a fabrication. In this case, is it true?

The internet came into being in 1969 at DARPA. Al Gore claimed that as a senator he “took the inititive in creating the internet” (his exact words) but he wasn’t a congressman until 1976. While it is true that he was involved in continuing to support and fund it, so were many other people.

So what people were led to believe what Gore said is a lie, and Gore actually said is also a lie.

[FutureSDguy]

Its better to lose on any American issue, whether in war or with domestic policy, so long as the ability to govern of ones political opponent is compromised. It’s the pursuit of power out of selfish ego. Its sad that the threat against America from our own politicians are greater than any foreign entity. Very… very sad.

Iraq is a mess, and we’re there partially due to one person’s ego. But that’s water underneath the bridge. Believing (in good conscience for some, anti-Bushism for others) that a pullout is in the best interests of this nation is wishful myopic thinking.

As for the handful of democrats clapping a the State of the Union address (as someone asked about in another thread). That is partially done to honor the president as should be done. But I bet if you went back and reviewed all the televised State of the Union adddesses, and measured how much “partisan clapping” (where clearly only one side of the aisle is clapping), I’m willing to bet it’s the democrats who are more guilty. It’s more in their nature, where party loyalty outweighs individual conscience–which is what you expect in a minority party, and a party whose constituent base is made of a large range of subgroups rather than the mainstream. Futhermore, half of the claps were on fodder issues like global warming and health care. Nobody is serious about any solutions, just enough talk to get them through to the next election cycle. They were thrown out just to make Democrats smile, who want their consituents to smile. Smiling is what it is all about with these guys, not taking the hard road–taking on issues that are not popular–and doing whats in the health of this country.

The other half of the claps were about troop morale, because no one wants to get caught appearing not to support the troups.

Oh, and the solution for global warming is to put ice cubes on the sun or put up a visor between the earth and the sun. Sorry to break it you fellas.

[FutureSDguy]

Earlier in the thread, renterclint says: “To be honest, I am bitter. The bankers w/ all their cheap $$ have ruined my hometown’s housing market. In two years, if things don’t look different, I’ll be moving as well.”

I will posit that this really isn’t the case. True, banks have contributed to the dramatic rise in the price of the homes (lets say a triping in price over 10 years = +200%). Let’s say that they’re the sole reason. Now take your evil bankers out and just apply a normal 6% appreciation to the value of the home (+79% over 10 years), regardless of the where comps currently stand. You can easily sell your house today on that metric, because it’s super competitive compared to the rest. So the real problem lies in the sellers who *can* sell at the lower appreciation rate, but won’t.

The prices will correct to whats affordabile (before adding the premium of living in S. Cal), because I believe that all markets return to fundamentals. But this is going to happen in lockstep, because people set prices at the margin, which unfortunately is at bubble prices rather than what how real estate should be doing in an average market. Once you have the 10-year owners stop being greedy, the rest will follow.

BTW, it’s okay to be “greedy” on the way up. I believe one should always try to make as much money as they can. But being greedy on the way down is just forestalling the inevitable.

[FutureSDguy]

I found the second picture in that above link strangely symbolic.

[FutureSDguy]

Hard to find jobs in S. America!

[FutureSDguy]

That couple was definitely the kind who spent money as a distraction. Wife gets stressed… remedy was to take a cruise to the Bahamas. Their ethic made me sick and they deserved to have their little (err big) house of cards crumble.

I too thought the show should have focused more on the culture of debt servitude rather than spending so much time talking about the tactics of debt collectors. That’s a completely different topic and it was quite repititive: okay, they’re mean and not acting legally. Let’s talk about debt.

[FutureSDguy]

PC: Yes. I’m finding these older home owners being amazingly greedy.

[FutureSDguy]

I think if you’re operating in a market with a lot of emotion, hype, urgency, etc, then yes, you have to use a leap of faith to decide if you want to join in. But in a market that is grounded in fundamentals (supply and demand) and with less funny-money floating around, then I think the decision can be less of faith and more of sound economics. That’s my hope anyway. Dream on, right?

[FutureSDguy]

Sorry, I (mostly) meant it in jest. FWIW, I like the style of the both of you. It sure beats getting the occasion mails from agents with comments like “It appears as if the market is starting to turn – ever so slightly. Business is noticably picking up for buyer’s brokers like myself.” It also beats the insistency that I am helped on things like job searches and relocations. The more realtors want to be my best friend or try to paint a rosy picture, the less likely I’ll trust them to do what’s in my best interest in the RE market. I am still planning to be in the 50% that buys, but it sure scares the heck out of me. 🙂

[FutureSDguy]

Hmmm, posturing between agents? Isn’t getting the absolutely perfect house everyone’s goal?

[FutureSDguy]

lol, good analogy. I like CNN most of the time, except when it gets ridiculous, as of late.

[FutureSDguy]

I’m boycotting CNN, at least until the midterm elections has passed. That channel is way off the deepend in its political propaganda (like covering Foley EVERYDAY for three weeks) and showing video from our enemies as they shoot down our soldiers. Sorry, that’s just over the top, CNN. I’ll listen to Fox for a while, despite their flaws.

[FutureSDguy]

I think Pasadena is basically saying that if you don’t buy now, prices will be higher later.

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