Ed Kopp › Comments

"It seems that Massachusett's health care system and options are far more complicated than I originally understood it, but they do have a rather complex system set up so that people who would not normally be able to afford insurance or are not offered insurance by their employer can get insurance. It looks like Commonwealth Care is probably what I was thinking of (it's a subsidized insurance plan), which is itself administered by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, which has a wide variety of functions to enable Mass. residents to get income-appropriate health insurance. You can read about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... ." - Ed Kopp

"I'm no expert on the matter, but as I understand it, Mass. at least offers a public option that's open to all in the state regardless of preexisting conditions. Admittedly, they're still forcing you to buy insurance, but at least they give you an (I would assume affordable) public option in addition to the private ones." - Ed Kopp

"You do know that Jeb isn't governor anymore, right? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... . Also, it appears that Jeb won't be running for Senate (although he may very well change his mind) - http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009... ." - Ed Kopp

So can these people sleep at night? - Larry McGowan

"But if we have government healthcare, they'll have death panels and try to kill our grandparents." Right. While a government-run insurance program would have to be carefully watched to make sure it operates properly, it's safe to say that it has the potential to take care of its insured citizens very well (Medicare), while many thousands (millions I suppose) are being denied... more... - Ed Kopp

Government can't solve the problem. That is not to say it shouldn't try. The problem is greed, pure and simple greed. Hospitals/clinics want to much money, Doctors want to much money, Drug Manufacturers want to much money, new treatments want to much money, insurance wants to much money, its a cumulative thing. Every one wants to be rich at the expense of the largest population bubble... more... - Larry McGowan

That would be so awesome. I do feel really bad for Neill Blomkamp though. He invested five months into the original Halo movie project, and based on his Halo short films and District 9, it looks like he would have done an awesome job. - Ed Kopp

I wouldn't count his effort completely out of the running yet. As I understand there were issues regarding the profitability of this venture as well as Microsoft's involvement (which is another issue). If Spielberg pulls this off, and it is shown Halo can be a cash cow outside the gaming community, Blomkamp would have a platform to push his effort closer to fulfillment. IMHO - Larry McGowan

"I had the good fortune to see 2001 on the big screen at Coolidge Corner Theatre a few years ago. Unfortunately, the film canisters they received were mislabeled, so two parts of the film were interchanged. It was still very enjoyable, and except for a small bit of confusion trying to rearrange the film's events in my head, the error didn't hurt the experience much. It really is a shame that there aren't more theatres willing to show the classics every now and then. Not all of us were alive or old enough to see them when they were first released." - Ed Kopp

"Indeed. I don't think the movie will be quite as powerful once the plot is fully spoiled, but it's still a very relevant, thought-inducing film whether or not the subject matter and plot are new or unique. The way in which the film treats the subject matter is what's most important, with music, sound, scenery, smart directing and producing, and good acting making it a very enjoyable, memorable film, especially for those who love sci-fi or who enjoy pondering philosophical questions." - Ed Kopp

"Well that's unfortunate. Shame on whoever spoiled it (assuming you didn't want to be spoiled), especially so soon after the film's release. I think you'll still really enjoy it though. I really bonded with the characters and felt emotion right along with them, aided well by the music and impressive scenery." - Ed Kopp

"Is the preview your only source for knowing the plot? If so, you might very well be surprised. I had a certain image in my head of the basic plot of the movie based on the trailer, but the actual movie is far more deep and enjoyable than I expected (and I expected a good film). The film did a wonderful job using elements of 2001 while playing on some of your assumptions." - Ed Kopp

"Ah. For some reason I was thinking that you were trying to improve your online sales to make up for less-than-needed sales at your Tarpon Springs store. I didn't realize that things had gotten so bad that you were forced to close up shop. I guess that makes your online business your last, best hope for the soap business. I hope you do well with it. If recent signs are any indication, I'd say that Soapier has a very bright future. I'm not surprised that your store sales were down given the drop-off in tourism and people being more frugal. In fact, I expect that a decent number of shops in Tarpon will be forced to close. While it would be a shame to see any of them go, I really hope that the restaurants don't close too. I go to Tarpon for the Greek restaurants, and the neat shops give you things to do before and after the meal. I have a bad feeling that my much-loved sweet stop, The Fudge Factory, will be closed the next time I make my way over there. Oh, and I was just curious about..." - Ed Kopp

"Ah. For some reason I was thinking that you were trying to improve your online sales to make up for less-than-needed sales at your Tarpon Springs store. I didn't realize that things had gotten so bad that you were forced to close up shop. I guess that makes your online business your last, best hope for the soap business. I hope you do well with it. If recent signs are any indication,... more... - Ed Kopp

"Do you carry the reddit soap at your Tarpon Springs store? I'll be heading over that way in the next few weeks and am very tempted to stop by. I'd be even more tempted if I knew that you had bacon-scented reddit soap ready and waiting. I wonder if an ouzo-scented bar would be popular with the locals. Oh, and do you carry any soaps made from olive oil?" - Ed Kopp

"Are you not allowed to live in a dormitory because of your age? That's the usual way most people go to school half-way across the country, or at least it is for the first year or two." - Ed Kopp

Groovy, man! - Larry McGowan

Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by this song. As you may be able to tell, I've been giving Last.fm's radio feature a try lately and have been pretty impressed on the whole. They use their knowledge of what people listen to so they can recommend artists and songs similar to what you've been listening to, and it seems to have done that very well. I've been listening to some 60's and 70's... more... - Ed Kopp

Interesting app, but wouldn't the IT department be aware of the app installation on corporate PC and flag the user as suspicious? - Larry McGowan

Yes, I expect that the IT departments of larger companies would be have sufficient knowledge and ability through software and otherwise to find out about such a program. Smaller businesses, especially those without IT departments, would probably not notice such an app. Even beyond the possible at-work uses, I could see this app being very useful at home. For example, if you're looking... more... - Ed Kopp

"[Star Trek (2009)](http://www.imdb.com/title...)" - Ed Kopp

"It's too bad neither Harvard nor MIT are in Boston. They are admittedly right across the river from it, but they are actually in Cambridge. Now, if a Harvard grad were to say he went to school "in the Boston area," that would be correct. You would think that Harvard graduates would know better." - Ed Kopp

That's a great film. If you haven't seen it already, you're in for a real treat. Even if you have seen it, I'm sure you will enjoy it. This is Lucas at his most creative, full of social critique, out-of-the-box thinking, and effects used to add to the film instead of replacing the film. - Ed Kopp

I've seen it, but not in a while. I also had forgotten that my netflix queue connects to my friendfeed. I need to get on here more. - Sam

I know I'm old... I remember my father's teaching. When doing wrong to someone, say your sorry and do what it takes to make to make amends. Its good to know government lives by these old-fashioned standards as well (sarcasm)! And one wonders "what is wrong with young people"? Look to our examples! - Larry McGowan

Yes, it really does make one sad to think about how inefficient and downright wrong and immoral our government, both local and federal, can be at times. If everyone would just try to to what is right by himself and his fellow man, things would be a lot better. It seems we're still a ways away from that ideal. As you said, it doesn't help when today's youth have such poor examples to... more... - Ed Kopp

I will try to take-in a matinee this weekend! - Larry McGowan

You'll have a great time. Even if you don't like the story and characters (which is extremely unlikely), you'll be in awe of the sound and visuals. I thought that going to warp was impressive before, but this time you really, really feel it. You almost feel like you should be wearing a seatbelt. - Ed Kopp

Just got home from the 10pm show at the Southdale AMC. Loved it! :) - Julie Silverman

I am SO looking forward to Rock Band Beatles edition. I would say they must have passed the audition. - Larry McGowan

I've never been into Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but I think the Beatles edition should be a ton of fun. I imagine that some songs will be rather difficult though, which should make for a bit of a challenge. I expect that version will be quite the hit when it's released. Personally, I'm looking forward to the new CDs (as you can tell). I already have most of the albums on CD, and given my... more... - Ed Kopp

Looks like you're still having some FriendFeed/Facebook import issues. This time you imported someone else's note and it wasn't mine. I don't import my Facebook notes into friendfeed, so I couldn't tell you if the problem is restricted to your account or if it's more common. - Ed Kopp

Yes, it is ugly. I may resort to breaking all links 'tween the apps and reinstall one-at-a-time. But I really love the idea of posting once in all apps. - Larry McGowan

Wow, this is Ed Kopp's post...how did FF link this to me? - Larry McGowan

It would seem the new friendfeed has some kinks to work out. It correctly imported that story to my feed from my blog, but for some reason imported the facebook note version of it (facebook autoimports from my blog) into your feed. They seem to think that a note from my feed is a note from your feed, but that's obviously not right. I've noticed that they took out the ability to add... more... - Ed Kopp

You have GOT 2 BE KIDDING! Such ill informed people (Morons). Do I need 2 be any clearer how I really feel? When your lied 2 by religious and political leaders, and have no free press, I guess such stupidity is bound to happen. - Larry McGowan

Americans with our free press and less religious lying can be a bit crazy at times as well, but I agree that this is simply ridiculous. Anyone with even a basic understanding of this disease knows that massacring a country's pigs will do absolutely nothing. Besides, it's wrong in so many ways: the needless waste of life, the waste of food, and the destruction of the livelihoods of many Egyptians who rely on pig farming for their income. This world sure can be crazy sometimes. - Ed Kopp

OMG Its like having you woman on a makeover show. Sexy, but has the function improved? - Larry McGowan

Indeed. You can dress up friendfeed as much as you like, but it's still more or less the same site underneath. In some cases, the extra polish can make it even harder to enjoy the true site. - Ed Kopp

The moon has gravity, less than earth, no atmosphere. It would fall to the Moon surface. - Larry McGowan

It must have been incredible to watch that when it was originally on TV. As much as I enjoy largely growing up in the age of the internet and watching it grow from its early years (before CSS styling was available and back when Amazon was a bookstore) to what it is now and will be, I can't help but wish I had seen the moonlanding and other events firsthand. It also would have been nice growing up in the age of such musical talent, when you can see multiple incredible bands of the 60's and 70's for cheap. - Ed Kopp

Interesting part of this argument is the carving of Mt. Rushmore damaged a holy site. The entire Black Hills area is the holy site. So one could believe the Native American creating the Crazy Horse monument is also defiling the sacred land. If this is true it further indicates how the white man's influence, or more likely "progress", has corrupted the balance of things. (I don't accept all this, but it is a random thought thet entered my mind.) - Larry McGowan

I wasn't aware of that. Religious site or not, I think I would prefer natural wonders be left to themselves and man-made wonders be made in a non-important area (ecologically speaking) that will have minimal impact on the environment. The original Mount Rushmore was pretty enough and should be enjoyed as it was. The carving of our original leaders into the rock is especially amusing given their distaste for royalty and the power and devotion associated with it. - Ed Kopp

"Not a fan of Rue McClanahan, or just not in that way?" - Ed Kopp

"Xanadu & Roller Boogie" - Ed Kopp

"XP Media Center Edition 2004" - Ed Kopp

""I invented the internet." - Al Gore did not say it" - Ed Kopp