“I just took delivery of my new Mac Pro, which is a workstation — not a computer — that’s designed for serious film editing or Photoshop gymnastics,” Leander Kahney reports for Wired News. “I’ll use it mostly for e-mail and photos of my kids, and I’m wondering if I’ve overindulged my needs. But what’s ‘needs’ got to do with it? I’ve wanted this machine for a long time. I’ve been waiting for the Intel upgrade since Steve Jobs said it was coming about a year ago.”
“This is as slick a toy for adults as can be had, and it’s the most beautiful computer I’ve ever owned,” Kahney reports. “The machine speaks power. Fashioned from thick, sturdy aluminum, it has a weapon aesthetic, like an expensive handgun. I abhor guns, but I admire how beautifully they’re made. Same with this full metal Macintosh. Every component is precision tuned.”
MacDailyNews Take: First, why does Kahney “abhor” guns? “Abhor” means to “regard with disgust and hatred.” So, Kahney hates an inanimate object? Maybe he means he abhors “gun violence?” Now, that would be understandable, even if still a totally irrelevant statement to include in a computer review.
And secondly, does this combination of statements mean that he “abhors” Mac Pros, too? Kahney writes, “same with this full metal Macintosh” directly after writing “I abhor guns, but I admire how beautifully they’re made,” so we’re naturally a bit confused. It sounds like he “abhors” Mac Pros, same as with guns, but admires their design and quality of manufacture.
We have to wonder, does Kahney really “abhor” guns or is he just trying (consciously or subconsciously) to interject some measure of political correctness and therefore needlessly confusing his point? Our point isn’t that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Our point is that perhaps Kahney should leave politics out of computer hardware reviews, if his real purpose is to review computer hardware. Otherwise, as we’ll all probably see below, the hardware review will be buried by the author’s unnecessary inclusion of some irrelevant “belief.”
Kahney continues, “The machine starts up super fast; it seems like 15 or 20 seconds. IPhoto is very fast and zippy. Photos are sucked up from the camera in a flash (gotta love USB2), and tens of thousands of pictures whip smoothly up and down the screen. My old G5 used to stutter.”
“However, I’m disappointed at the speed of Safari, which often takes forever to load a page. In fact, it’s a dog. It can be painfully slow. This may be my cable connection, but it’s probably not. My PowerBook, sharing the same connection via Wi-Fi, isn’t as slow. I haven’t yet had a chance to try Firefox or tweak my settings with a tool like Broadband Optimizer,” Kahney reports.
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Kahney jumps shark: praises Gates, crassly criticizes Steve Jobs over charitable donations – January 25, 2006
MSNBC: Apple Mac Pro is the ultimate desktop computer – August 28, 2006
Apple Retail Stores can build-to-order customized Mac Pros on site – August 26, 2006
Computerworld hands on: Apple’s new Mac Pro is ‘one screamer’ – August 18, 2006
Thurrott pits Apple Mac Pro vs. similarly configured Dell, figures out the Mac is less expensive – August 18, 2006
AnandTech: Mac Pro vs. PowerMac G5 – August 16, 2006
Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon 3.0GHz benchmarks – August 16, 2006
Apple Mac Pro dissection photos – August 16, 2006
Ars Technica reviews Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon 64-bit workstation – August 11, 2006
Apple Mac Pro Quad-core Xeon easily beats Power Mac G5 Quad – August 11, 2006
OWC offers Apple Mac Pro memory upgrades; rebate trade-in of Apple factory memory – August 11, 2006
Benchmark duel: Apple Mac Pro vs. Power Mac G5 – August 10, 2006
Apple unveils new ‘Mac Pro’ featuring quad 64-bit Intel Xeon processors – August 07, 2006
I don’t see what is wrong with abhoring guns. They were invented for the sole purpose of killing. I understand that collectors have an interest in them for various reasons, but the simple fact is that they were invented for violence. I don’t think that he’s trying to make a political statement any more than MDN is trying to make a statement using the age old statement of “guns don’t kill people….”.
Yes, I know that my previous statement opens us up to another political argument in an MDN forum. So, let’s see if I can change the subject: How ’bout that AAPL stock price, eh? I do not see Stockboy lurking around today. He’s probably stocking more shelves and can’t get a lunch break to play on the computer. He was here about $20 ago down in the $50’s telling us to sell. I held and have made a freakin’ ton of money!!!
311 said it best with “Guns are for pussies”
You’re right… I don’t think there was any reason to point out the gun metaphor in that way other than a political reason.
We all know that MDN is right-leaning, but there’s no need for them to get upset about gun control when the guy is saying something good about Mac.
Isn’t that why we’re all here?
Like most Liberals, Kahney is a knee-jerk, bleeding heart who hasn’t really thought his positions through. From trying tell Steve Jobs what to do with his own money earlier this year to abhorring finely-crafted machines that are also used for hunting (controlling overpopulation, for you Libs) Olympic target sports, etc., Kahney is obviously a Liberal.
Kahney is obviously a someone living in a Liberal big city who hangs around with other like-minded Liberals who never challenge each other about their ideas.
It sounds nice to say you “abhor guns,” until you really give it some thought.
Guns are a lot more efficient than a bow and arrows or a spear or a knife.
Given a scope and a long barrel and you can kill your prey at 100 to 500 meters or more. It reduces the risks involved.
Some sick people even hunt their fellow man.
If guns were restricted man would resort back to other, more primitive weapons. Man would still kill but he would be a lot less efficient and take more risks.
I agree that the MDN take is wrong or misunderstood – it is possible to feel an intense hatred (or have an abhoration) of an imanimate object (like guns or whatever), and to knit-pick with his diction is muddying the point.
Speaking of needlessly confusing a point – why don’t you relax, MDN? Didn’t you just have a holiday?
Kahney threw in the “abhors guns” crap from left field (pun intended).
I agree 100% with MDN for calling him on it.
I’m sure we can all agree to abhor “gun violence,” right?
I think you’re too late Jimbo. Good thing you didn’t mention neocons, liberals, Al Gore, Muslims, Republicans losing House seats, Belgian waffles, Moroccans, maracas, Marrakesh, Tony Blair, Linda Blair, Linda Blair’s maracas, homicide bombers, Steve Irwin being attacked by a Corvette, Bush’s mission accomplished, a national sales tax, thumb tacks, tacky tech writers, . . .whew. Good thing.
I tried to leave him a little feedback earlier because I didn’t understand his RAM rant. 3Gb of RAM to do basic computing? WTFE!!! Anything over 2 Gb isn’t necessary unless you’re editing video or rocking on some Photoshop manipulations. Most home users only need 1 Gb to handle their tasks (including iMovie), so I worry that he’s inadvertently scaring the hell out of some people by implying you have to spend an extra grand on memory.
That being said, his article is meant to be complimentary and that’s a good thing. I’ll admit I thought I was nitpicking about the RAM thing, but MDN made me feel sane once again with their detailed grammatical review of the word “abhor”. Jeez man, I can almost predict your drug use cycles by the MDN Take on articles throughout the day. I think you’re smack dab in the middle of a bad trip on this one, what else could explain the paranoid attack on grammar in a COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE!!
Speed kills MDN, lighten up!
A gun in the hand of a friend is a wonderful sight. Many guns are a work of art. The freedoms we enjoy (In the US) were won by citizens wielding their guns in the face of an unreasonable foreign government. You may not like to hear the old statement, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” but it is the truth. I can not wait for the day that we do not need weapons, but till that day, I want the citizenry armed and ready to withstand any attack.
Do you abhor the gun that stops the murderer or rapist? Do you abhor the gun that kills the terrorist bent on your destruction? I do not want a political debate on this page, but I am not going to ignore your comments.
Of course with you I agree, the higher AAPL goes, the better!
intheshelter,
MDN are not remarking on grammar.
Try reading their “Take” again because they are correct to criticize Kahney.
lets everyone just take a deep breath and back away from the keyboard and mouse slowly
Wow, how does someone actually get paid to write things like the last quoted paragraph?
The writer gets a Mac Pro, and they can’t even be bothered with trying Firefox or checking their bandwidth?
I really can’t argue with MDN on this one:
We have to wonder, does Kahney really “abhor” guns or is he just trying (consciously or subconsciously) to interject some measure of political correctness and therefore needlessly confusing his point? Our point isn’t that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Our point is that perhaps Kahney should leave politics out of computer hardware reviews, if his real purpose is to review computer hardware. Otherwise, as we’ll all probably see below, the hardware review will be buried by the author’s unnecessary inclusion of some irrelevant “belief.”
I’m just glad we have MDN. Regardless of whether they’re right, left or middle, they usually make interesting points.
Ampar–you made me laugh so loud people in the hall are looking at me!
You’re going to hell a little bit for the Corvette, though
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Full Metal Macintosh…Sweeeeeeeet
Personally, I think MDN is reaching a little with this take. It is an over-reaction at the least, and a insult to to our collective intelligence at worst. Try to respect your readers, MDN… we are Mac users after all
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
Guns are and Nuclear wareheads are the single source of ability to counter super-feaks bent on acquiring or intenting weapons (AKA Hitler) in order to dominate the world.
In the end, if there were no crazed Dictator’s, or meth-heads breaking into homes at 3 AM wanting to kill people with their bare hands for drugs – yeah, guns would probably serve no “good” purpose, but reality is that world is a dream – so go guns!
If Kahney’s “ I abhor guns” statement doesn’t leap right off the page at you upon first read, without needing the MDN Take at all, then you have been brainwashed by the PC (Political Correctness) crowd.
Kahney must really be losing his Liberal-addled mind as we approach election season after so many years of Republican control of all three branches of government.
MDN is unbelievable. Someone could say they hate poetry and MDN wouldn’t notice. But how dare someone hate guns!
I hate gun violence. And here’s a funfact: that’s what guns are designed for! Whether against animals or people, guns are designed for violence!
So yes, I hate guns, and people who get wood for killing machines make me sick. But not as sick as they are.
Leander Who reports for Wired What?
Here’s a news headline, “Pointless post and pointless take results in pointless thread.” Maybe you’d prefer, “MDN: Trolling for hits.”
MDN has gone the way of Wired Whatever. Trivial posts, self-righteous takes and Windows bashing has drove this once decent source of real Apple News into the ground.
We have SteveJack(ass) expecting apologies from companies that made smart business decisions. We have MDN insulting the very users they claim will increase their marketshare. Finally, we have every bit of pro-Apple or anti-Microsoft drivel that comes across the web posted so that MDN may serve “one more ad”.
As MDN has declared on companies such as Sony, I suggest a boycott of MDN until the ads are tamed and the quality is improved. Until you check your MDN RSS feed and see, “We apologize to our long time viewers,” stay away.
While 1 GB is more than enough for pedestrian tasks (I’ve got 512 MB in my Pismo, 768 MB in my dual G4), having more might be just the ticket for those “consolidating” multiple platforms onto a new-gen MacIntel. With a quad-core Mac Pro and Parallels, I can imagine simultaneously supporting Mac OS X, a Linux flavor, Solaris x86, Windows 2003 Server, and the latest desperate release of Vista. You can indulge having one big, bad, beautiful box and surplus the rest. Throw in a decent flat panel and you’ve got a nice, compact computer lab!
Those who criticize the MDN “Take” as unnecessary need to realize that had Kahney not stupidly injected his article with the unnecessary line, the MDN “Take” would not exist.
I’m just glad I live in a state that gives me the right to have a legal handgun to protect my Family and my Macs..
Hey, I gots me an idea – let’s just shoot Kahney and while we’re at it let’s just shoot all them Winders users and then, what the hell, let’s just shoot our own damn selves.
Bo Diddle,
You’re nuts. This site is GREAT whether you agree with them or not. I can’t look away!
Allow me to clarify my earlier post. I will agree that MDN does a good job of pointing out the political bootlicking Kahney is doing when he says he “abhors guns”. If MDN left the comment at that it would be easy to see their point and agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately that 3rd MDN Take paragraph is preceded by 2 paragraphs that sound like the nitpicking rantings of a lunatic. Axe the first two paragraphs, they’re not necessary to make your point in the third paragraph.
My overall point was why are we ripping this guy on a tiny issue like his gun analogy when he’s trying to be complimentary of the Mac Pro? Can’t we pick our battles a little here people? Forest. . . trees. Forest . . . trees. Let’s focus on the forest.
I abhor gun nuts.
To Bobby: the US didn’t win its freedoms “by citizens wielding their guns in the face of an unreasonable foreign government”. They won it by wielding their guns in the face of their OWN government: they were all born and raised as British subjects, and that’s what they considered themselves to be.
We don’t have the 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms because the Founding Fathers were worried about foreign governments. They wanted to make sure we could fight back if our OWN government turns tyrannical, as theirs had.
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force, and like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” — George Washington
And at a time when the federal government is larger and more intrusive than Washington could ever have imagined, and the President claims the right to spy on Americans without any evidence of wrongdoing, and to imprison Americans and others for life without trial, well, I think Washington was right. Damn right.
Keep your powder dry.
Anus bingo thru!
I agree with MDN. Why do we need to find out Kahney’s position on gun control when we’re reading an article about an Apple computer? Talk about off-topic political tripe.
And what’s this about Safari being incredibly slow? Obviously he can’t imagine that this is normal. Plenty of other people have reported lightning-fast Safari usage on Intel Macs. This is something I hate about computer reviewers — when they have a one-off technical problem, they often act like its an inherent design flaw.
Just another indication Wired Magazine has a lousy editorial department.
“You know why there’s a Second Amendment? In case the government fails to follow the first one.”
– Rush Limbaugh
Here comes the Big Red One–I see the M1-A2’s in the lead–wife, bring me my musket so that I may protect our freedoms!!
“Sarah…Sarah doctor in the house? I need happy pills…”
– Rush Limbaugh*
*that might not be true
It’s quite clear that he abhors Mac violence.
There are guns that are genuinely dual-use and there are guns that can have no other purpose than to be used as weapons against people.
Anybody who thinks a Mac-9 has a mission as a precision firearm is deluded; this kind of weapon has a single use and we all know what that purpose is.
In 2004, there were over 11,000 gun-related homicides in the USA and that doesn’t include gun-related suicides or accidents to children. Other countries manage to train competitive and successful participants in pistol and rifle shooting and they don’t have anything like the rates of gun-related death and injury which the USA suffers.
Kahney is right: it is possible to abhor an object and yet be entranced by its aesthetics. As I said here a couple of days ago, I hate what the Rockwell B-1 Lancer was designed to do and yet I’m fascinated by the way it looks. This is a contrast to something like the A-10 Warthog, where you can understand the purpose (even though the munitions are an environmental and public health timebomb), yet want to gouge your own eyes out if you gaze on its startlingly ugly visage.
I got your WMDs right here, Kahney.
For what it’s worth, one of the most interesting things to come out of the Israeli/Lebanon action of the last few weeks were the Iranian missiles that blew the s**t out of several of the main Israeli (and US) battle tank-the M1-A2. It’s relative battlefield invicibility may be over.
What a waste! I come here to read about Macs, not to have MDN change the subject to guns.
My favorite handgun is the .44 Magnum. It really is a hand cannon — it redefines the experience. Kinda like the G5’s when they first came out.
DanielN,
MDN didn’t “change the subject to guns,” Kahney needlessly introduced the subject of guns.
That is MDN’s whole point.
Best two comments so far:
“Those who criticize the MDN “Take” as unnecessary need to realize that had Kahney not stupidly injected his article with the unnecessary line, the MDN “Take” would not exist.” – Logical Mind
“MDN didn’t “change the subject to guns,” Kahney needlessly introduced the subject of guns. That is MDN’s whole point.” – Fact
Waaahh!!! Waaahh! Boo hoo!!! If the libtards take my guns, my two-inch pecker will fall off! Waahh! Boo hoo!
Jeez. MacDailyNews seriously needs to focus on, well, Mac daily news. Leave the political commentary to the extremists over at DemocraticUnderground and FreeRepublic.
Well, I own guns, and prefer they not be used in violence except in defense [including defense against tyranny], but I read Kahney’s statement a little differently. Was the phrase unnecessary? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps he perceived the need to preemptively protect himself from the inevitable anti-gun-nut attacks if he did not clarify that he doesn’t like guns, but merely admires their craftsmanship. Whatever. It’s still a pro-Mac article, and if it’s written by a chicken-$hit, so be it. Let’s go down a different path: which pistol is the Mac Pro most like? H&K? Beretta? Hammerlich? Glock? SiG? Ruger? Kimber? S&W? Wilson? For me, it’s a toss-up between the Beretta and the H&K.
Kahney States:
I’ll use it mostly for e-mail and photos of my kids, and I’m wondering if I’ve overindulged my needs.
and then turns around and offers up a piece of flamebait:
I had to add another 2 GB of RAM just to make it useable.
I’d have to say the man knows nothing about computers if he has to buy a workhorse like the Mac Pro w/3 GB or RAM just for email and photos.
Kahney you’re such a dickwadd. Send the Mac Pro back to Apple. For all your computing prowess, you could get by with a 300 dollar dell.
anyone who’s even discussing the right or wrong or intent of this “aboring guns” statement is a freaking weenie. I mean really –who gives a flying fsck?!? everone check your heads and read the thread (even half of it). you sound like 14y/o boys pretending to have facial hair… which is fscked… cuz I know some of you do have facial hair…
“Those who criticize the MDN “Take” as unnecessary need to realize that had Kahney not stupidly injected his article with the unnecessary line, the MDN “Take” would not exist.” – Logical Mind
“MDN didn’t “change the subject to guns,” Kahney needlessly introduced the subject of guns. That is MDN’s whole point.” – Fact
The two best statements to some people, the two statements that illustrate MDN’s instability at times, not to mention the bootlickers who support the instability. The point of criticizing MDN’s Take is to point out that it wasn’t necessary for MDN to act like a nitpicking ass for no reason. MDN’s take on this article was just as ridiculous and unnecessary as the gun comment in the article. Overall he was being complimentary and all MDN could do was find some minute flaw. Jeez, shut the hell up and let the Mac Pro take a compliment. It’s asshole nitpicking like this that gives Mac users a bad name.
Let’s try to see the big picture here, huh?
“abhorring finely-crafted machines that are also used for hunting (controlling overpopulation, for you Libs)”
Yeah, shooting doves for example is REALLY needed. The darn dove population is just killing this country. Give me a break. Killing is killing. Hunting is a sick sport. Oh, that’s right, it’s not a sport because in sports BOTH sides know they are in a game!!!!
”’Rock on”’ MDN!
I think the late George Harrison said it best:
“If everybody who has a gun just shot themselves, we’d have no problem.”
A simply excellent idea.
Guns are a rather crude device for killing your fellow man.
As a under cover bio-chemist I can find dozens of other ways that don’t make any noise, attract attention, leave evidence or even point the finger in my direction.
If I point a super-soaker in your direction, you better not laugh.
I don’t like people who laugh at me.
boo
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
I have my guns. I believe we’ll need them in Ca. in the next few years.
This Quad Mac Pro is nothing compared to the Dual Quad that will arrive soon.
People who bought this machine are SUCKERS.
Get over yourself already MDN. So he doesn’t like guns. We got the point, even if your NRA leanings make you not see it.
Your criticisms often go overboard, and this is one of those times. Please…stop makeing Mac users look like knee-jerk reactionary right wing nuts.
I guess we now know exactly what button to push to make you go all full-page-rant looney, MDN. Dare I say it? Why not. I like pushing buttons.
GUNS SUCK! GUN CONTROL NOW!
The VAST majority of guns are used for protection, hunting, sports etc.
A small minority of criminals is using them to commit crimes, just like knives, axes, poisons, etc.
Chill dude… he needs to appease the PC crowd, when he mentions his true admiration of the beauty and power of a Smith & Weston.
How appropriate… MDN word “freedom”, where would it be without guns!
Oh MDN, what’s that bullshit about not being able to “abhor” an inanimate object? Windows is pretty damn inanimate and I don’t think it would be a stretch to say you abhor it.
And besides, if there were no such thing as guns, there would be no need to have a gun to protect yourself from people with guns. I think the world would be better off. You just like the power rush it gives you to hold one in your hand, that’s why you’re so offended when someone says they suck.
Cocaine is a better thrill than holding a gun.
Freedom…where would it be without cocaine?
STFU about guns already you dumb f*cks!!
No wonder we lost so much market share! Last time Macs posed a challenge to MS they simply posted a gun control article and you stupid f*cks went off in left field and fought about guns for years while MS took over the world.
I can see Apple stock dropping as we speak.
i love guns.
now where can i get a license to hunt neocons??
MDN is a bit over the top on this one. No need to add analysis to everything that isn’t “pure” enough. Further the anaysis is poor. MDN offered nothing more than a knee jerk response, which response is illogical to boot. It does not follow that the author abhors the Mac because he abhors guns. In fact, the author expressly lauded the Mac’s build features, and likened them to a well made gun. Nothing political there until MDN made it so.
MDN seems to have a penchant for such childish remarks. Why insult someone who would laud the Mac? The claimed “confusion” is disingenuous.
Grow up, and stop trying to play at Logic and at politics – you failed.
Steve
It’s obvious to me that MDN is run by skinny, pimply white boy Libertarians. Ever notice that most Libertarians fit that description? They probably have a shrine to Ayn Rand and the former Fed Chief Greenspan. Glorfied selfishness is ugly regardless of the prose used in attempt to making it appear otherwise. vote Populist! http://www.populistamerica.com/
I know you Mac zombie, Apple adoring, Steve Jobs worshiping ZEALOTS FROM HELL want to KILL me!!!
I got a gun, I got several GUNS, guns are good, because Mac heads are liberals who DON’T HAVE GUNS!!
Guns don’t kill people, blind religious ZEALOTRY KILLS PEOPLE!!
Steve Ballmer throws chairs, Steve Jobs throws hissy fits and Bill Gates just throws up.
Never have I saw such a sickly man like Bill Gates.
Why’s MDN making a big deal about “abhor”. If you can’t hate an inanimate object like a gun, how can you love an inanimate object like a Mac?
As for me, I LOVE my inanimate Mac.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”kiss” style=”border:0;” />
Dear Finely-Crafted and other alternative-reality nuts,
If you ever have a need to defend yourself or your family, be sure to keep a frying pan nearby. Preferably a vegetarian frying pan, because you don’t want any animal juice getting on anyone…
I wish human nature wasn’t what it actually is, so I base my beliefs on falsehoods. Falsehoods like: gun violence can be controlled with laws; even though outlaws are the ones who commit gun violence. I dream of a world where there are no guns, so no bad humans would be able use them to do bad things. That is what I “believe” in – NO GUNS – even if it is pie-in-the-sky, totally unrealistic, absolutely counter-to-basic-human-nature bullshit.
Basically, I dream of the perfect humanity – which does not and cannot exist – and I attempt always to legislate society’s way to my unattainable dream.
I am an unrealistic, emotionally-driven, over-compassionate person who generally hates humanity for its many shortcomings. I hug a renewable crop called trees. I march and picket anything and everything, rarely achieving a thing. It makes me feel good. I am blissful youth.
Because I cannot accept reality, I constantly stand in the way of Conservatives who look at the world and human nature as it has always been and will always be and attempt to construct the best possible outcomes taking into account basic human nature.
For example, U.S. Conservatives knew welfare was counterintuitive to human nature. They fought FDR and lost as they were, at the time, in the minority. U.S. Liberals like me would not accept reality and therefore wasted 50 or so years, countless lives, entire families and trillions of dollars.
When the world woke up and knocked down all of my failed housing projects and made actually people work for a living – people who subsequently gained the self-worth that they totally lacked while on my welfare – I hated humanity’s inherent imperfections even more.
Why, oh, why can’t the world be the perfect place of which I dream? I will continue my quixotic, wasteful, and useless quest to run counter to basic human nature until I grow wise enough to turn into a Conservative.
most gun deaths are people killed by their own guns
hahaha
If you’re not a liberal when you’re 25, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative by the time you’re 35, you have no brain.
In this specific case, MDN is correct.
Kahney blew it, but where the hell was his Wired editor?
What’s funny is that really it’s the neo cons who are living in some sort of idealistic dream world. They float around with the unicorns and their fairy land thinking that the middle east will magically go democratic because they bombed the crap out of it, and they think that if they look past the rainbow it will justify the torture, spying, lying, and negligence they committed along the way. There’s a pot of gold, I tells ya, a pot of gold, now get on my Pegasus and we’ll pick it up on the way to Heavan!!!
Wake up.
I’m more of a classical liberal, as in I value liberty. I’m against gun control, especially considering the US regime currently in charge. I also believe in the inherent goodness in people, most religions got that detail wrong. Here’s my “proof’… most ‘normal’ people wouldn’t hesitate for a second, and would automatically help a small child on the verge of being run over.
well its ironic funny
mdn word = fire
Typical Liberal,
Your post was truly a thing of beauty and truth.
Thanks.
“Gun Control” is an oxymoron.
The point of “Gun Control” would be to stop criminals from using guns to threaten to do actual harm to other people.
By definition, criminals break the law. Therefore, the only people who would obey “Gun Control” laws would be the law-abiding gun owners who do not use guns to do other people harm.
In short, “Gun Control” laws control the wrong guns. It’s simple logic.
While I sympathize with people like Jim Brady, he must have lost the logic center of his brain when tragically shot by a criminal who obviously would have ignored any “Gun Control” laws on the books.
“I don’t see what is wrong with abhoring guns. They were invented for the sole purpose of killing.”
And self-defense. Guns also save lives. The point of MDN’s take (political, though it was) was to say that guns are objects, and it’s violent people pulling the trigger unnecessarily that one should abhor.
I suggest people watch Penn & Teller’s “Bullsh*t” episode on Gun Control. It’ll make you think about the issue in a different way.
Preston,
Good idea! Here is the “Penn and Teller: Bullshit! Gun Control” video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8490506794163083426
Nuclear bombs don’t kill people. People kill people.
Bye, bye, MDN – this just reached a level of stupidity I cannot waste my time upon. There are other sources for Macnews where I don’t have to swallow US-propaganda. I delete this from my RSS-reader…
MDN apparently began frothing at the mouth and went off the deep end on this “take,” perhaps because of the political atmosphere surrounding today, which is Election Day.
In the excerpt quoted below, it’s obvious Leander Kahney was comparing the Mac Pro’s sleek, precision design with the same sleek design of a high-end handgun.
“Fashioned from thick, sturdy aluminum, it has a weapon aesthetic, like an expensive handgun. I abhor guns, but I admire how beautifully they’re made. Same with this full metal Macintosh. Every component is precision tuned. Even the inside is as finished as the out,…
Funny how MDN left out the part about “…I admire how beautifully they’re made…,” which would have rendered the entire pseudo grammar/political views rant against abhorring guns irrelevant.
My question is, why did all but one of the other posters here miss the same point?
Guns are used to kill people. In Europe where it is almost impossible to wear a gun without being immediately considered a suspect (since guns are almost impossible to get legally) murders are much lower than in the U.S.
In fact, this tradition of allowing people to own guns is killing Americans, both at home as well as abroad. The fact that the U.S. military is allowing Irakis to use guns as well as semi-automatic rifles for their “defense” is quite a stupid move. Outlaw all guns in Irak and it will be easier to recognize the bad guys.
However, that will never happen. The NRA is too affraid that such a measure would prove effective and become a precedent that could eventually make it home. So, troops will continue to die in part because of an outdated belief.
Thanks, bond co. stooge!
Reminds me of a Christmas carol:
“Gun nuts roasting on an open fire,
S’not frost going up the nose . . .”
MW: floccinauhilipilification
Reading between the lines,
Perhaps you should try reading the actual lines?
MDN quoted Kahney as fully as you wished: “The machine speaks power. Fashioned from thick, sturdy aluminum, it has a weapon aesthetic, like an expensive handgun. I abhor guns, but I admire how beautifully they’re made. Same with this full metal Macintosh. Every component is precision tuned.”
The fact remains: Kahney is a gun control goofball who inserted his political nonsense into a Mac hardware review and got called on it by MDN.
As “Logical Mind” wrote above: “Gun Control” laws control the wrong guns. It’s simple logic.
My fellow Amercians,
Do not let big mouth Eurotrash tell you the Second Amendment is “outdated.”
We may need it sooner than you think.
The founding fathers gave us the second amendment, so that we can protect ourselves from our government in a powerful way that many Eurotrash loonies cannot. They have set themselves up to be dominated. They are but meek pussies now. They do not understand liberty.
Remember: Europe doesn’t have the best history when it comes to dictators and the ability to overthrow tyrannical governments when necessary.
Usually they kill a lot of themselves first before we swoop in to save what’s left of them as usual.
It’s currently popular to lambast the U.S., but the U.S. Constitution is the ENVY OF THE WORLD. Period.
Not perfect, but a damn sight better than anything else the world has ever dreamt up.
I do encourage all to watch the “Penn and Teller: Bullshit! Gun Control” program, too:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8490506794163083426
Look, you can take the whole political angle out of this argument. It’s poorly written plain and simple.
His point that he “abhors guns” but appreciates the beauty in their workmanship is used to illustrate his thoughts on his Mac Pro, that he’s raving about. Based on HOW he wrote it, he’s saying he abhors his Mac Pro but appreciates its precision. That’s certainly not what he meant to say, but what he wrote.
Really, the whole thing would have been fine without the “abhors” statement. If he just compared the design and manufacturing to that of a quality handgun, it would have worked. But my guess is he didn’t want someone to think he “condones” handguns, so he tried to add a disclaimer. It didn’t work and changed the meaning.
You Americans scare the crap outta me …. yikes ..
Hey Jimbo, guns are built for the sole purpose of SHOOTING. Killing is another matter. Baseball bats are made for hitting baseballs but you can kill with those too.
Hey Jake, grow a pair.
MDN’s comments do seem somewhat political.
I too dislike guns even when I go hunting (which I do rarely now – my dad’s a hunter, so I grew up with it). I don’t understand what the big deal is with Kahney mentioning it. Why are people so bothered by a person hating guns anyway?
Has MDN ever blasted a journalist for doing something like this before? They stayed neutral with the story about Republicans knocking down net neutrality.
Favorite gun theme bumper stickers:
“My gun has killed less people than Ted Kennedy’s car”
“I support the right to arm bears”
“Gun control is hitting your target”
Apples don’t break windows.
People with Apples break Windows.
Guns are an unfortunate fact of life.
If the Europeans weren’t so hypocritical,
They wouldn’t sell us so many good pistols.
You can’t outlaw and outlaw.
What’s the point?
Dutch
See “Typical Liberal”
Gun laws only apply to the good guys.
“You wanna prevent hijacking? Give everybody on the plane a gun”
Archie Bunker
Guns don’t kill people, people don’t usually kill people, but little kids who find loaded guns that are not locked up in a safe place kill other little kids. I am not against people having guns, I am against irresponsible people having guns. People who scream about their rights to have a gun would go silent instantly if they had a neighbors kid blow half the head off of his little friend. No gun is worth owning after that. I agree with the right to defend oneself, the security of having protection to defend, but the fact is that untrained, irresponsible, irrational, and tempermental people with guns has caused the world its harm. I would never have one in my house.
Time for some stress relief after all this gun talk. Go here: http://www.saab-stuff.com/pop.swf
I am against irresponsible people having guns, too.
I’m also against them voting and reproducing, but that’s just me.
I favor an IQ test to allow for certain activities such as bearing arms, having kids, voting, driving in the fast lane, that sort of thing.
But, if we tried it, the ACLU would shit a cow, of course – although everything on this planet would be a whole lot nicer, wouldn’t it?
Hey, a guy can dream…
Edward Pace,
Here’s some “simple logic;” I’m clear on Leander Kahney’s intent, which was to write a positive review of the Mac Pro.
In fact, he didn’t come anywhere close to the caustic, foaming-at-the-mouth, wild-eyed, guns-are-what-makes-America-great nonsense hinted at by MDN’s “take” and spewed forth by many of the spiteful and profane posts in this forum.
I’ve read forums on a number of Mac-oriented Web sites and there aren’t many, if any, others that consistently produce such bile.
Perhaps you can offer an opinion: Is this level of animosity a characteristic of MacDailyNews?
I’m confused…
Everyone seems to be going on and on about the gun comment.
Considering that most people who read this site know more about computers than the average user: shouldn’t we be freaking out that somebody “needs” 3GB of ram on a Mac Pro just to do email and pictures?
Forget the guns… that’s the most outrageous computer-related article I’ve read in the past few weeks.
MDN Magic Word: issue … lol
no sh*t, for what he does, 768 would be enough.
“Judge Bork” you are a bigger idiot than “Typical Liberal” ( if that’s possible)
All this Liberal/Conservative stereotyping is nothing but mental masturbation, it feels good but ultimately serves no purpose.
http://www.g-r-e-e-d.com/GREED.htm
“Roughly there are, I suppose, two kinds of people. The first divides the world into Good versus Bad. The second divides the world into the Strong versus Weak. These two types never can communicate.” (in other words, Liberals and Conservatives)
Hey Secluded Humorist
Which one/two are you/y’all?
“guns don’t kill people, people kill people.”
Actually, people with guns kill more people than people without guns do.
Except for people with cars.
So we need to be more choosy about who we let have guns and cars.
Two simple statistics:
1. The more guns are around, the more gun violence there is. The US are the first proof of this, with the nordic countries being the proof of the contrary being true.
The stupid argument that “I have a gun just to protect myself” is turned ad absurdum by the fact that when on the street in the US and looking around there are always dozens of people in my field of view whom I wouldn’t trust to be a responsible gun owner – but they probably have a gun none the less…
2. The more guns are around, the more suicides are committed by gun (and hence are successful…). Twenty years ago, Sweden has made it difficult for John Doe to own a gun (while professionals who need and have all the right to have a gun still can).
Guess what? Gun ownership went down by 20%, suicide be gun went down by ~20%!
Now of course I see that the interests of the US weapons industry are more important than the lives of all these people killed by guns…
Finally, why does MDN not just stop with these stupid political comments? At least half of readers here will not like it (and that is statistical data too…). That site is about Macs, for heavens sake!
Most US Americans (but by no means all) don’t get the point.
In civilized countries guns are largely in the hands of the military and police. Of course there are criminal elements who get hold of them. Those who shoot as a sport are carefully controlled.
The problem in the US is the EASY AVAILABILITY of guns, and the childish/cowboy mentallity of people like ron who posts:
“I have my guns. I believe we’ll need them in Ca. in the next few years.”
This is infantile and a form of male sexual substitution.
“quns” “suck”
Did he lick his MacBook Pro?
re: that gun commentary: Jeez. Get a life. You guys can be so neurotic about all things mac, it’s disgusting.
re: that gun commentary: Jeez. Get a life. You macdailyguys can be so neurotic about all things mac, it’s disgusting.
Don’t care about guns…though I do understand the feeling of holding a well engineered piece of solid, powerful metal. But that can never match the same pleasure from using a Mac. PC’s running Windows inflict more pain than guns remember!
So why is his Safari taking an age to load a page. Mine, with 1GB on a 1.83 dual core runs like fire in a wind. I do use SafariBlock to avaoid downloading useless ads from selective sites which may make a difference but I doubt that. Sounds like he has something a bit awry.
There are four times as many vehicular deaths in the U.S.
than gun deaths. Should we outlaw cars too? Looks like
a bunch of knee-jerk responses too an oversimplified issue
to me. You are responsible for your own protection, take
whatever precautions (or lack thereof) that make you
comfortable. Law enforcement are only responders, they
can’t protect you.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14470457/
Guns are absolutely necessary to maintain a civilized society. Guns are often referred to as the “GREAT EQUALIZER.” Before guns, a lot more women were raped and pillaged by those slightly more powerful and stronger than them. After guns, a 90 year old grandmother could protect herself and her loved ones from a psycho rapist.
I carry a gun with me at all times. I abhor gun violence, and I refuse to become a victim of it. Instead, I choose to protect myself and my family from would be assailants. I would not hesitate to shoot to protect us. I hope that day never comes though.
Being an American means being pro-life and pro-freedom. It means using your freedom to protect your life. Protecting myself with a gun is pretty much my only option in many circumstances. I don’t “love” my gun, but I do appreciate the insurance it provides me.
I like to take my Mac out to the woods and shoot coke
bottles.
Quote: “…the U.S. Constitution is the ENVY OF THE WORLD.”
Probably because it was written by Englishmen… OK, by that stage they called themselves Americans, but the fact remains until then they regarded themselves as English.
Given the impact of French enlightenment philosophy most of them would, as educated men, have been equally at home in the salons of Paris. Perhaps whilst there they would have been eating cheese and plotting surrender to the English….
Would that make many current Americans the descendants of Eurotrash loonies? I only ask
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Ironic isn’t it that had not been for French support, the War of Independence might, (repeat might), have had a different outcome.
What all this has to do with Mac Pros or guns, I have no idea.
Tacitus
From: Logical Mind
Those who criticize the MDN “Take” as unnecessary need to realize that had Kahney not stupidly injected his article with the unnecessary line, the MDN “Take” would not exist.
Your comment is illogical and ironic.
Guns are absolutely necessary to maintain a civilized society
This is a joke, right?
In 1960, the rate/100000 for forcible rape (female) in the USA was 9.6. In 2004, it was 32.2 with over 94,000 cases reported.
In the UK – in 2004/5 – the total number for forcible reported rape (female) was 12,867.
20% of the population, 14% of the crime.
In 1999, the USA suffered 4.08 gun-implicated homicides per 100,000 of population; our Northern neighbors (crazy Canucks that they are) had a directly competitive rate of only 0.54. Again, cross the Atlantic, and England/Wales had a figure of 0.12; go across the Pacific and Japan has a rate 0.04 and that includes attempted homicides as well.
The idea that guns are a guarantor of a civilized society is proof that some people have seriously gone through the looking glass.
I hate America.
And you’re not free whilst anyone has guns.
By the way, those “rapes” that Hardsheller is so keen to avoid have become more prevalent as gun ownership (expressed as a guns/1000 of population) has increased.
From the start of the century through to the mid-Fifties, gun ownership ran at around 100 guns per thousand people. Now, it’s now running at well over 300 (that point having been reached in 1997).
And there is barely a single crime statistic where the increase in gun ownership is not matched by a rise in crime, when expressed as a per capita.
guns dont kill people, bullets do
canada has 4 guns for every person and they have low gun death rates
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
i think its just because americans are cowardly chickinshit pussies
they are so scared of each other they are quick to shoot.
have a nice day
Go buy your expensive handguns…Then blow your brains out with em.
THANKS
Hey, you know what, MDN?
I’m getting sick of your bullshit.
Regarding MDN’s Takes; — LISTEN UP MDN, PLEASE!!!
I often find them interesting and/or humourous (but then, I’m a Mac “Nut”), but I have a few friends who are interested in Macs and want them — and give them a lot of credit whereas just a couple short years ago, they made fun of them. I was sending them links to MDN articles, but they all grew agitated by the MDN takes, calling them obnoxious, closed-minded, and uncalled for. (After awhile, I started sending them the direct links to the articles, bypassing MDN altogether).
I’m sure what MDN would say is “that they deserve to be offended if they’re suffering from Stockholm Syndrome” etc, and I sort of agree… but they are THIS close to switching (upon buying their next machine). And several are looking to get or recommend Macs for their families etc… and MDN is turning them off to the whole Mac Experience!!!!
So… I would vote for either NO MDN takes (except to point out obvious errors or more info I guess), or much more subdued ones. It only hurts the cause in the long run.
couldn’t agree more.
as for you gun sectarians:
i’m glad there’s an ocean between us
Chris,
Just send ’em this link:
http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/10717/
What is more dangerous than a criminal with a handgun?
A physician with a pen.
Thank you Chris. Well said.
There is also this: the repetition of the takes is so prevalent that I usually skip them. This, of course, may cause me to miss something important or interesting.
My history is that I used a Lisa when I worked for NorthStar computers. I have been using Macs ever since. I am a real devotee. But after spending time at MDN I can see why people have such a bad impression of us Mac fans.
Hoping for better,
Daniel
“which pistol is the Mac Pro most like?”
Aah, I see the S&W Model 629 Classic’s dull stainless finish nicely matching the Mac Pro’s aluminum body; the 629’s serrations on the trigger and hammer remind me of the cheese grater grill on the Mac Pro. And there’s nothing like the 12 foot fireball preceding the projectile out of the barrel as an analogue to the power of the Mac Pro.
“If everybody who has a gun just shot themselves, we’d have no problem.”
I love George Harrison but the “no problem” would only last until a guy with a club came along.
Outlaw all guns in Irak and it will be easier to recognize the bad guys.
Yeah, they’ll be the ones telling you to get down on the floor with your hands behind your back.
I would never have one in my house.
Good luck to your family, depending on divine providence for protection.
Hey, you know what, MDN?
I’m getting sick of your bullshit.
Maybe if you had a gun you could stop whoever is making you visit MDN.
In the UK – in 2004/5 – the total number for forcible reported rape (female) was 12,867.
Have you seen English women?
i’m glad there’s an ocean between us
I wish it were deeper and wider.
Hi everyone. Looks good. Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much. Help me! Help to find sites on the: Cpap strap thinning hair. I found only this – electric hair Thinning shears. It can enter the art’s use to obtain an hunting. The right cutthroat ceremony government exists fair, cutting in pubic many androgens lifting for sheets, fine thin hair. Best regards :confused:, Salome from Comoros.
Badly need your help. The dead might as well try to speak to the living as the old to the young. Help me! Could you help me find sites on the: Thin straight hair styles. I found only this – Thinning hair scalp. hair thinning or loss. darken scalp thinning hair. With love :o, Lia from Scotland.
Good morning! Thanks for the invitation so much. I will try to come back as soon as possible.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />.
I am from Serbia and too poorly know English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: “One of the teams even closed found for neighbouring to the significant credit as her tournament had mostly secret service.”
Thanks for the help :D, Judith.
Hi guys. It’s not the hours you put in your work that counts, it’s the work you put in the hours. Help me! Could you help me find sites on the: Causes of thinning hair. I found only this – fix Thinning hair. In most structures the track is modern-day. Automatically in the stuff, beauty was investigated in a water at the station of the company with a character of animals finishing the health. Waiting for a reply :-(, Teagan from Botswana.
Interesting. No more comment
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />.
I am from Malaysia and now study English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “Attack dancers support color.”
How are you. An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought.
I am from Burkina and too bad know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Best lace wig adhesive: this war is explicitly intended on the clock king.”
Thank you very much
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />. Grimshaw.