Posts by FletcherB
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Having followed the links and read the "discussions" at Wikipedia.... it strikes me a slighlt bizzaire/ironic, that one of the main things that will help justify and ensure the continued availability of the kiwi Foo Camp wiki entryl, is references to articles in the MSM that help to prove that a) the event did indeed take place, and b) is actually of note... and includes the comment along the lines of..."if the MSM hasnt reported on it in five days, then they probably wont".
It occurs to me, that the people who might actually write such an article about it in the MSM, are the very ones writing/promoting for the continued existence of the wiki entry...
Now, I find both you, Russell, and Juha, completely legitamate and "above board" and I dont want to suggest any improprietry on your behalf, but it seems a strange position for Wikipedai to be taking that essentially encourages "forging" of proof, to continue the existance of the entry.
I guess the only defence, is that Wiki doesnt realise the people making the entry are in fact two of our most pre-emineint technology journalists, and also I guess even if you were both completely bananas or in cahoots to comit some sort of fraudulent exercise... at least getting it past your MSM editors is some sort of test/proof of notability?
I guess all I'm saying is, I hope after what is obviously a bruising experience with the editors, you can see the comedy of the situation also...
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Merc said
I think you'll find that the really big U.S. philanthropists are donating to avoid tax.
Really? You dont think, that just maybe, they realise that after a certain level of $$$, when you own all the luxury goods/properties/art/hobby items that you can possibly use or want.... that having more $$ in the bank is pointless, so you might as well give it away?
Once you have more money than you can possibly have a use for (I'm thinking Mr Gates, Buffet, etc.).... there is no personal "cost" in giving it away.... you've already got everything you aspire to... so presuming you are still earning/creating more wealth, you can either make your bank balance bigger to absolutely NILL effect.... or you can give it away.... which might:
a) actually help people
b) direct that help to where you see it being more worthwhile/deserving/effective
c) make you feel better about yourself
d) make others think better of yourself?There may be tax advantages, I'm not sure? But once you are uber-rich, theres not alot else even semi-sensible you can do but give it away, as far as I can see?
I can see the tax advantage argument for the moderately to very rich... but for those mega-names, who want for absoluely nothing, I dont see it?
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"If that's not a capital gains tax, I don't know what is."
No, its a capital tax, not a capital gain tax.
Proof.... if it has a zero rise in value next year, does he pay no rates? I doubt it....
Lack of capital gains tax IS the reason property investment is so popular... so assuming it continues to "double every ten years" (not a safe assumption by any means).... its not the ~8% it appears to be, but more like 11or12% in real terms.Then you add in the fact that as the yeild is indeed negative (ie, the interest on the loan cost you more than than the rent you receive) it can actually reduce the tax you pay on your take-home income from your day-job.
Is it ethical? Is it sustainable long term? I dont know.... its certainly popular, and its certainly working (so far) for many of my friends...
Personally, I think a capitil gains tax on any property you dont personally live in would go a long way to easing the situation.
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And I hope we get it right...
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Thanks for that, I nearly cried reading it.
A couple of elections ago, I came to the conclusion that the only one I trusted to do what he said he would do, was promising things I didnt want. (I was thinking of Anderton).
Now, I'm not even sure I'd trust him?
it comes down to not beleiveing they will or can do everything they proclaim, but having a gut feeling of whose basic aims are more closely aligned with your own, and thinking/hoping that when they (almost inevitably have to) make liars of themselves, they will do it in ways least objectionable to yourseelf, or on policies you care less about, and are pragmatic in ways you can cope with, idealogically.
Hardly a perfect system.
I have voted labour in the last few elections, not because I support them implicitly, but simply I found them less objectionable than the alternatives. Mr Key, as you suggest while seeming shiney and new, is hard to read (so far)... If I felt like I knew him better, (and I liked what I saw) he could turn that around. I dont know if theres a large group who feel this way, or if most people are more keenly aligned one way over another... but the two major parties are so close, that there only needs to be a few of us change our minds to swing it...
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Adrian.... you seem to mis-understand what television is all about...
You seem to think it is for your entertainment? It is for delivering your eyballs to the advertisements.
:(
Of course, as more and more of us go about finding our own sources for the stupid entertainy bits in between the adds... they might have to change thier business model?
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and I'm waiting for the day L-Ron comes out and says "Zing! Fooled you all!".
Hmmm.... if he can do that, I'll become an instant beleiver... he is dead, after-all *
*The book "The Barefaced Messiah" claims scientologists deny he is dead.... but the only one I've had a chance to discuss this with said thats changed and they now do beleive he's dead? -
I currently have a Windows Media Player program running on my Mac.... whats the problem? It "looks and feels" just like the one that runs on my PC...
Sure, I had to download it...... but "Windows Media Player does not support Macs" appears incorrect, no? -
.... safer communities together! :)
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I'm certain Brash was followed throughout the campaign....
Theres those people with the cameras and microphones for a start.... and then the ones with little note-pads writing down everything he said...
Andthen they told the public about it on TV/radio/newspapers!
Its a conspiracy, I tell you!