Thanks to "stodge" for his comments here at PB. They always provide new information, at least new information for me. (View Post)

A general point about initiatives: They can be used to overcome the power of "intense minorities" in legislatures. Assuming, of course, they have high turnouts. For example: If I were tryin… (View Post)

On printers: A few months ago, MS$ asked me if I would recommend Microsoft Windows to others. Having some spare time, I answered, saying it would depend. For example, if the person was a teenager wan… (View Post)

Since my copy of Asimov's original Foundation Trilogy is three steps away from my desk, I picked it up to answer the question MattW raised. Briefly, Salvor Hardin, the first Mayor of Terminus, i… (View Post)

Today I received a piece of mail that reminds of the many in our world who are kind, even to strangers. It is a catalog from Heifer International, which donates farm animals to needy people in much o… (View Post)