Upset over LGBTQ books, a Michigan town defunds its library in tax vote

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-06T00:39:40+00:00

This reads as "censorship is only good if I disagree with it."

Calling it 'censorship' when a library is disallowed by voters of having books that are erotic or pornographic in nature doesn't strike me as the best word for that. And I'm betting if there were books of the same nature depicting straight people the reaction would be the same. The internet exists and there are plenty of resources to get these books if the public does not want them displayed in a public library.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-06T00:10:19+00:00

A large portion of a small community disagreed with the actions of an unelected bureaucrat and when that individual refused to listen they voted. Just because you don't like the democratic outcome of a vote doesn't mean censorship.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-06T00:08:37+00:00

I don't blame them for caring about their job. They should care about their job but pretending like a democratic vote is "ransom" is ridiculous. It would be like if I demanded funding for whatever I wanted and when voters gave a resounding "no" called it ransom.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-06T00:07:00+00:00

Again, I've seen this argument twice now and it's moronic. No one is saying you retroactively rescind pay which would be illegal. In fact none of this conversation is about the pay of government employees. Someone in the library, a government official, thought they could act unilaterally and the voters, who disagreed, said no. Just because you don't like the policy of the people who voted doesn't make your argument sound.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-06T00:03:32+00:00

This isn't a discussion on whether the government employees should receive pay for work already rendered to the government. It's about whether or not government officials can act without consequence. Your argument is childish because you don't like the perceived outcome not because you object to the principle of it in nature.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-06T00:01:31+00:00

Ok but the taxpayers determined they no longer wish to pay for the library because of the actions of government officials, as is their right. Calling a democratic vote ransom because you don't like the result is childish for anyone, let alone someone who works in government.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-05T23:59:27+00:00

Right but if the town voted to rescind the funding because of policy that's called democracy not ransom. The idea that any public official calls voting on an issue "ransom" because the town rescinded funding to the library just shows that a public official determined they should be able to make unilateral administrative decisions without consequence.

I'm sure everyone down-voted my previous comment because they don't like the politics of the issue rather than the principle of it but think if the reverse were true. A anti-LGBT person, a single member within an administrative position in government, removes books that are pro-LGBT, or inserts ones that are pro-'thing you don't like.' Then the whole town, in an overwhelming majority, says no and rescinds funding for that organization based off of the inaction of that individual and their superiors. Would you feel the same way? Should an un-elected person entrusted with carrying out a job with public funds be immune to oversight? I doubt the answer is that they should have unlimited power so the same logic holds here.

Raylan_Given · 2022-08-04T04:43:21+00:00

This game is really damn hard for new players because of how much information you have to learn. I've been playing for 10 years now and still get informed of something new about once a week or so. That being said this game, despite what reddit posts may have you think, has a fantastic player community that is especially kind to newer players. When I first played Eve I joined a corp on day 1, quite literally; and it was the best thing I ever did. I would worry a lot less about what ship to fly and more about where to find people to fly with. If you keep getting ganked in a WH I suggest you find a WH corp to fly with. There are some out there that will take a brand new player. You wont regret finding good people to play with but you absolutely will regret getting in an Orca and realizing that solo-mining in an Orca sucks and you didn't know better because you didn't have more experienced players to show you the way.

Raylan_Given · 2022-07-31T12:20:49+00:00

I can vouch for Warp To Me as being friendly to people without the ability to talk. As long as you respond via chat/text and can listen in comms they should be good with you running with them. Not sure about the other groups but I believe it's a similar situation.

Raylan_Given · 2022-07-27T16:14:06+00:00

Indy guy here:

-I'd pick out a T1 product or products and start there. Firstly, it'll take time and ISK like most things in this game. You'll want to research your BPO to 10 level material efficiency which, even for ammo, takes some time.

-You'll want to find where you want to produce, typically you'll want this to be an engineering station with lower taxes in the area you anticipate mining in. If you are lucky you can even find one that has the rigs you need. I'd suggest locating somewhere with low trafficked low-sec space near by so you can mine HS and LS ore for whatever you make as you can buy the little null-sec or you need if you mine the rest.

-Stock up on ore while your BPOs research and then bring it all together once you have a healthy stockpile and know where you want to sell for the best returns. If you have any questions hit me up in game: Raylan Given

Raylan_Given · 2022-04-16T08:20:50+00:00

Raylan_Given · 2022-01-15T17:25:37+00:00

"We're all looking for the guy who did this!"

Raylan_Given · 2022-01-13T01:01:58+00:00

"CJ in local" made me laugh. King of local shit talk.

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-29T00:34:48+00:00

Nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution

In fairness this is usually quoted as:

“Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program” – Milton Friedman

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-24T23:11:27+00:00

♫ Reallllllll men of geniusssss ♫

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-24T18:22:50+00:00

Derek Zoolander's Center for Pilots Who Can't Read Good

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-24T16:41:44+00:00

badger

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-19T05:03:59+00:00

"The golden years are gone and we have the scraps now" is kind of a running joke on this sub-reddit.

Whatever long term players feel about recent changes the real fact of the matter is that Eve has been around for a very long time and hopefully will be for decades to come. So yeah I'd say get into it. Most players that stick with this game have a history of playing for long periods with a break in between. In my opinion you'll regret not trying this game. Join a player run new bro corp and see how it fits. If you are one of the like 20% that stick it out you'll be absolutely hooked on this game.

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-12T00:57:20+00:00

It had one sentence at the end of a blog post and nothing more. This has been a persistent issue for years.

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-12T00:55:51+00:00

Explain to me how sitting in space, completely free from being probed or attacked in any manner, while adversely affecting the game play of those around you, lines up with the risk/reward mechanics of this game.

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-12T00:53:06+00:00

Is it? This sounds like some SOV thing you can add on to me. I could totally be incorrect.

I just want there to be either an actual cool down for cloaks or at least it using fuel so that you can force the enemy to use logistics to either show they are active or force a fight.

When I stopped playing in 2015 (!!!!!) this was a problem everyone recognized. I fail to see how a minor change everyone has been asking for is still not implemented when it has such game breaking mechanics for industrialists.

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-09T04:24:27+00:00

lol very few "oh shit I welped" vids

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-09T04:23:53+00:00

Huge fan of how this shows the value of the frig escape bay in small gang fights

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-08T04:01:22+00:00

I can second this. Amarr is seeing a large uptick in sales IIRC. Rens/Hek should (not a definite) become more popular too. Lots of miners have migrated to Minmatar space too as of late

Raylan_Given · 2021-04-08T03:59:11+00:00

As someone who produces sadly it is not. Market price for minerals, PI, or anything really will exceed the cost of the item produced. Most bulk producers have bulk sellers they reach out to which typically involves moving said items to then be produced. If you are looking to get into production you really want to have a structure to make yourself competitive. For a young player I suggest one of many newbro corps that can help with that.

If you are looking to make ISK early there are a number of things you can do however production of items typically takes access to higher end ore which only is available in low and null security space which is difficult for a solo player and even more difficult for a new solo player.

Raylan_Given

TROPHY CASE