Dark Helmet 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Suburban Express Wants Round 3: Re-Files Against Customers

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 24 Jun, 2013 @ 09:01pm

    HAWKS WIN

    HAWKS WIN!!!!

  • On the post: David Gregory Suggests Glenn Greenwald May Be A Criminal For Doing Journalism

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 24 Jun, 2013 @ 05:45am

    Re:

    "David is clearly not Tim Russert. I don't know who would have been a good replacement for Tim, but David Gregory has destroyed the credibility of Meet the Press. I don't even watch it anymore."

    You're absolutely right that Russert was far better than Gregory, but as someone who watches MTP regularly, I thought this was a bit unfair. Gregory's interview style is, was, and always has been to approach a guest from the polar opposite viewpoint. He's an antagonist that way. This question was simply taking the line of the NSA apologists and giving his guest the opportunity to respond as if the question was posed directly.

    The better point, in my opinion, would be to have said that Gregory's interview style gives shelter to the opinion that there is a debate to be had on the subject of journalists aiding and abetting criminals when that shouldn't even be up for debate at all....

  • On the post: Trading Lives For Freedom Is The American Way

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 21 Jun, 2013 @ 02:26pm

    Re: Debbie Downer

    "I used to like TJ a lot so I'll start with him. The fact is that if you ever read about Thomas Jefferson, you remember that he wrote in the Declaration that "All men are created equal"."

    Yes, you cannot deal with Jefferson without dealing with his hypocrisy concerning slavery. That he actually was in favor of abolishing slavery in the Constitution doesn't absolve him of owning slaves himself. With that said, writing off the rest of his accomplishments is a stunning act of stupidity. The man was a brilliant lawyer, doubled the land area of the United States in the space of one day, was a botanist, politician, laid siege to Tripoli, and most importantly was the co-author of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom, the very basis for the 1st Amendment. It's the very basis for the most important freedoms this country affords.

    As for Patrick Henry, his quote seemed apt regardless of his more checkered backstory....

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 02:16pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    "So what you are saying is that you are making about $1250/mo. for (hopefully) no more than 80 hours."

    You're assumptions are STILL wrong and the chief error is this 80 hours a month business. It's really more like 25-35....

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 01:33pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    "I think that an entry level wage for a writer is probably around $30,000."

    If you're full time, in-house employee, perhaps. I'm neither. Nor are most of the other writers here. Could we agree that for part timey work, that number should be about half?

    "Then most companies contribute modestly toward health insurance, so call that $4,000."

    You said you assumed I'm independent, which I am. Therefore benefits aren't included and I wouldn't need them even if they were, so I'm glad they aren't.

    " Assuming the writer worked 40 hours per week to produce those articles, I'd say a minimum of $3200/moth for an inexperienced writer and double that for an experienced one."

    You're not very good at math. You started at $30k/year, or $2500/month. Benefits are moot since I'm an independent contractor and we can cut your expectations in half since I'm part time, not full time. Payroll taxes are meaningless as well, since the only thing that matters is gross salary (for the purposes of payment discussions, I mean). What you arrive at is your suggestion, essentially, that a writer like me should make roughly $1250/month here.

    Let me assure you, my payment meets your expectations. Glad you agree I'm compensated appropriately. Can we move on now?

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 11:52am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    "Some how he manages to ignore that he's doing the same thing. He's making money on others work and not paying (or paying a pittance)."

    Look, let's make this really simple. First, you keep saying no payment is made. This is 100% false. As to the pittance argument, establish some goal posts. Let's say a writer here is contracted to post somewhere between 5-10 articles a week. What would be a fair monthly compensation for that?

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 09:49am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    "Multiple? No just one."

    It's multiple.

    "And if he gets paid $1 per article or a similar pittance, that is no different than unpaid IMHO."

    The amount is far more substantial than that by an order of magnitude. Your point is invalid.

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 08:57am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    I don't believe I provided enough lines to read between, but whatever. By your tone I can tell you've come to the discussion with your own presuppositions and that nothing will assuage you of them. It's been said it isn't what you think but how you think that's important. I fear for you, as a result....

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 08:42am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    Well, first, I don't generally talk about my income level in public from any of my professional roles, here or elsewhere.

    That said, isn't the amount irrelevant to the discussion? The question was paid vs. unpaid, not an argument over the balance sheet...

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 08:13am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    "Judging by his other comments in this thread, I assume he's talking about you guys who write the articles for the site."

    Well, then he isn't just an idiot, he's absolutely factually incorrect as well....

  • On the post: Hollywood Studios Keep Saying Its Employees Must Get Paid, And Now May Be Forced To Pay Its Interns

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 06:03am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: @"PaulT", compulsive yapper.

    "btw, citation required for the fact that they're not getting paid"

    I'd also like to clarify whether he's saying those of us that write for the site are unpaid, or if he's referring to comments....

  • On the post: Senator Lindsey Graham Defends NSA Surveillance By Arguing About Something Entirely Different

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 18 Jun, 2013 @ 01:17pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Strangely, mine fully understands "Everybody Poops". I fear Average Joe would shit all over that one too, as it were....

  • On the post: Senator Lindsey Graham Defends NSA Surveillance By Arguing About Something Entirely Different

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 18 Jun, 2013 @ 12:46pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    "Oh, so he's not running because he's been called out for being wrong and he knows it yet doesn't want to admit it?"

    No, he's not bothering with you because commenter and all around smart dude Karl in the very first post you referenced in your link SHREDDED your entire argument and attempted to explain why you were wrong. That you didn't take the point is as surprising as when my dog doesn't understand Voltaire....

  • On the post: Philippine Record Labels Get Government To Play Whac-A-Mole With Kickass Torrents

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 18 Jun, 2013 @ 03:18am

    Re: Re: Wrong animal. Pirates are RATS eating the seed corn.

    "I'd suggest you take this information and create the more accurate game "Whack-a-Rat," but you'll probably run afoul of the original copyright holder."

    You know, sadly, there was originally another Sam 'n Max reference in the article, with "puke" being "yuke", but it was edited out by someone who never played the game :(

  • On the post: Dear Politicians: Exposing US Dirty Laundry Isn't Aiding The Enemy

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 14 Jun, 2013 @ 03:50am

    Re: note

    You must have missed the part of the linked article where he says attacks on the mainland of China happen regularly. No worries, I understand. After all, it's quite easy to miss if you don't bother to read....

  • On the post: Hear That Deafening Silence From AT&T And Verizon About NSA Surveillance?

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 13 Jun, 2013 @ 11:55am

    Re: Re: Re: Oooh, softball! -- Hear Mike ranting about Google's surveillance?

    Agreed. Recall the allegory about how every attempt to censor another is the erecting of a prison bar for your own speech....

  • On the post: Rep. Peter King Says Reporters Should Be Prosecuted For Reporting On Government Leaks

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 12 Jun, 2013 @ 01:02pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Yup...

    Impossible. First, King is too old to run for President. Second, you can't get elected after directly supporting the IRA and indirectly supporting FARQ. Even this country isn't THAT fucking stupid....

  • On the post: Rep. Peter King Says Reporters Should Be Prosecuted For Reporting On Government Leaks

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 12 Jun, 2013 @ 12:31pm

    Re: Re: Re: Yup...

    I'm surprised nobody has yet brought up Mr. King's lecturing everyone on the need for national security intrusions on our privacy, and questioning exactly how that jives with his previous direct support for at least one terrorist organization and indirect support for a second.

    This man is an absolute religiously motivated SNAKE....

  • On the post: Sony At E3: Look How Unlike Microsoft We Are!

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 12 Jun, 2013 @ 06:12am

    Re: It's a cheap shot, but I can't resist

    People still play the EA sports titles?

  • On the post: Rep. Peter King Says Reporters Should Be Prosecuted For Reporting On Government Leaks

    Dark Helmet ( profile ), 12 Jun, 2013 @ 10:17am

    Yup...

    Sounds like treason to me....

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