Well, I meant to point out that it is indeed NOT less likely to occur in TX because of loose gun laws. Although I am not a fan of gun control, I don’t think any measure is going to stop a nutbag from killing people.

I think the results are showing what most of us on the site agree on – free speech is paramount. Although I am disappointed in many media sources to show their spin on an issue, the fact remains that forcing anyone to report a certain way under the law is suspect.

I would, however, support a Media Industry board of ethics, by which an outlet could gain certification.

I agree you are on the right track. Although I have no basis, I would say it is reasonable to prefer that the liberal mindset is geared more towards tv/internet media (and maybe written) whereas the conservative mindset is geared more towards radio.

You can also think of the key issues – it is easy to talk about conservative hot issues on the radio (taxes and gays?) whereas liberal issues do better with pictures (social equity). Please take the gross generalization with a grain of salt, but I think the point is still representative of why you have this divide in the medias.

The right that people often overlook is the right to not do business with someone you find displeasurable. From opposite sides of an opinion, you can see it as bigotry or standing for what you believe in. Either way, there is no reason that eHarmony should be FORCED to offer their services to any variety of alternate lifestyles if they choose not to. If anything, Wikipedia list many of eHarmony’s competitors, I am sure that some of them have would offer adequate service.

Unhinged is our 21st-century euphemism for being bat-guano loony now?

"Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither." In the rare case the reader of this site does not know the quote, that is Benjamin Franklin.

You sound like you are of the Michael Moore ilk, so I will point out the part in Fahrenheit 9-11 (I believe, although it may have been Bowling for Columbine) that he goes to Canada and asks people about their gun ownership. Canada’s percentage of gun owners far surpasses the US, yet they have FAR fewer shootings.

Although I am an advocate of the second amendment, I would have to argue your point on one basis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Whitman

Have you taken time to read ‘Richard McBeef’? They have it over on the smoking gun. Anyway, I would disagree with the psychologist that released him as not a threat to others. Sure, many teenagers do writings like this, when their angst is getting the best of them during puberty, but few continue with it into their twenties. I would argue that such writings show an obvious disconnect with reality, a violent streak, and present a threat when exhibited by a twenty three year old, simply due to the strengthened resolve of an older person.

We will have to agree to disagree on the gas system, since just as much as your reaction is ‘heck yes’, mine is ‘heck no’.

In addition, the mischievous side of me is already trying to devise ways to set it off in abstentia in the houses of people I don’t like…

You personally do not have fear? I believe strongly in a God that controls my fate, but I still feel fear, whether I think I should or not. Fear is not optional. Some people are able to act amongst fear, but most of the time they were strengthened by previous high stress situations.

Have you ever been robbed at gunpoint? It is much scarier than you may think. As easy as it is to say that you would attack from your cube or office, it takes a special programming of the brain to actually keep cool in high stress situations like this and make a rational choice. Victims of violent situations almost always say the same thing: ‘I couldn’t believe it was happening to me.’ Even amongst martial artist and returned soldiers that fight back against an attacker say they experienced detachment and disbelief while they were reacting, but that the previous training came through even though their ‘mind wasn’t doing it’. I think it is vain to say ‘I would have done this or that’ – it is not simple.

I wanted to pose this question on an intellectual forum not solely devoted to technology to see the various responses from the tech geek and non-tech geek alike.

Have you ever considered switching to Linux? Have you switched? If not, what is holding you back?

I also would like to know what are perceived as the true advantages (adaptation, low/zero cost, free software, etc) verses the disadvantages (compatibility, lack of familiarity, lack of warranty, etc)of Linux/OS of choice.