I don't think so, but of course this differs between demographics. In my experience it has become completely natural to "add someone on Facebook" instead of asking their telephone number. Also all the local competition here (Sweden) has been marginalized.
Well. Speed is absolutely essential during CQB, sometimes to the point where a grenade is to slow. Grenades with PETN are already powerful enough. Especially during room clearing, when you don't want penetration through the walls. I don't think it's a very good fit.
I personally draw the line where ones success becomes dependent on the misfortune of others. From that viewpoint I don't really know of any systems or societies that does this, except maybe estate/inheritance taxes.
It also doesn't seem to lower the crime rate. [...] There were more social programs and money pumped into that city than any other, yet the murder rate is #2 in the US.
This should be pretty obvious to most HN readers, but I'm reminding people anyway. "Correlation does not imply causation".
I hope not. Unfortunately the US doesn't have the best "track record" for respecting other countries laws. Off the top of my head the "extraordinary rendition" program and the SWIFT data records comes to mind.
I'm not familiar with the USDA recommendations, but from quickly looking at them[1] I can't see what would be so wrong.
[1] http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm