If SOPA should pass, I will be forced to take down this blog and indeed, the entire website. It will also mean free speech will have officially died in the United States, and the golden age of the internet will be over.
I wish this was just over-sensationalist doom-saying. I really do. However, these bills SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) are so overreaching and broad that none will be unaffected. It shifts the burden of proof to the accused, with no penalty for false claims.
This means if any US government or corporate organization wants to censor someone on the internet, they can claim copyright on a portion of their media and get it all removed... Even if they don't actually own the copyright! The content will be taken down, and it will be the burden of the accused to go through the lengthy and expensive process of proving their innocence. It doesn't stop there, even external sites that were found to be linking to the "copyrighted" media can be issued court orders to shut down.
This extends beyond US borders, too. Any foreign sites accused of infringing will be blocked by the newly formed Great Firewall of "New China" (America). Like it or not, many of the world's largest internet companies are based in the United States.
All this to stop online "piracy" which is against the law anyway. We've already seen laws are not going to stop piracy.
Friday, January 13, 2012
«Stop SOPA and PIPA!»
Monday, October 10, 2011
«OWS: It's Growing»
Occupy Wall Street: Too Big to Ignore
Started in Egypt, and has spread across the globe. It's a contagious behavior. It gets to the point that people that otherwise have very little reason to protest or riot have this urge to. I'm not saying the Occupy Wall Street in the US isn't needed. However, and this is probably short-sighted, the riots in London or earlier in Canada were not warranted. With this global uprising spreading all the way to the US, China must be really concerned about it spreading to them.
My take on Occupy Wall Street? Wait and watch. It's unlikely there will be a significant showing in Idaho. The state is too red politically and the protesters are seen as new-age hippies without a cause. That's my main issue with the movement, too. They are pointing out a fundamental problem with capitalism we all already knew exists. However, there's no central solution or call to action. Everyone involved has different ideas. They need a legendary public speaker to unify their movement akin to Martin Luther King Jr. Until they get their act together I'm going to remain an outside observer.
Then there's the possibility of an event that will spark violence. Be it an overzealous protester or an aggressive police display, this is a volatile situation. Protests around the country could turn to riots around the country.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
«Internet Shutdown»
I think the Egyptian government's use of an internet "kill switch" is a prime example of why any government shouldn't have the power to shut down the internet. Keep in mind, there's a bill in the US that they're trying to pass that would give the US a "kill switch" for the internet. In case of a "cyber emergency", whatever that is. Something tells me it's whatever the government would want it to be.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
«Rally Yesterday»
Yesterday I attended the Safe Schools & Fair Employment Rally here in Boise, Idaho. I didn't realize that sexual orientation wasn't protected under discrimination laws in Idaho. Someone that is an otherwise upstanding employee could be fired from their job just for being gay, and have no legal recourse. The rally was to get this changed by Idaho legislation.
I didn't take my main camera, but I got a couple pictures with my iPhone 4... The best camera is the one you have with you.
Here's half the crowd on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building.
I really am glad that I live in US sometimes, I have 1st Amendment rights and I just had to join the people on the steps. Made me feel more like an American somehow. Here's the other half of the crowd.
I think it would be redundant to say I hope the bill passes.
See the rest of “Rally Yesterday”»
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
«California, Don't Disappoint!»
I can't stress this enough.
I don't smoke marijuana, I never have even tried it. I don't live in California so I don't have a vote on the matter. If the days of prohibition back in the 1920s taught us anything, it's that outlawing something creates a black market.
Not to mention the tax income and savings for the state...
For me it's a matter of personal freedom. I make the decision to not smoke it. I think it stinks and is unpleasant to be around, and it makes people act stupid. But so does alcohol. That doesn't mean that just because I personally don't like it no one should be using it. Legalizing pot isn't going to make it okay for people to drive or work under the influence any more than it is for alcohol.
It will actually make it tougher for underage kids to get pot if it is legalized. The current dealers are already breaking the law, so they don't care about the age of their customers. Whereas if it is legalized, ID will be required. Most people would rather take the legal approach if convenient. Illegal dealers won't have nearly the customer base, and not much incentive to continue illegally.
It will still get in the hands of kids, there is no way to stop that. However, I'm willing to bet that it would put a nice dent in their frequency of use.
Please please please... Those of you who can, vote Yes to legalize marijuana. It's no more dangerous or damaging than tobacco or alcohol. Being outlawed causes more problems than it solves.
See the rest of “California, Don't Disappoint!”»
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
«Fuck Texas»
If Texas wants to secede from the union, I say let them! Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
They can declare Christianity as their official national religion, make prayer and creationism mandatory in schools, homosexuality illegal (punishable by death of course), erase Thomas Jefferson from history, and execute death row inmates with a vengeance only surpassed by their god... And all the nation's fundamentalists can move there and be with their own kind1.
Meanwhile, the rest of us can finally get on with our lives unimpeded. Texas would become some sort of militant extremist Christian country, and the rest of the US would become more like Europe. Win-win for all!
Of course, the world would be fucked... If Texas secedes, Chuck Norris would become Supreme Arch-Theocrat of Texas.
1: You know I hold no personal contempt toward you, Looney.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
«2010 4th of July Parade (Photo Heavy)»
The annual 4th of July parade in Ketchikan, Alaska. Although judging by how it started, I almost thought I was in Iraq or Afghanistan with all the armed soldiers marching down the street. Click an image to view full.
Then it appeared I was in Canada.
Prince Rupert, BC to be exact.
Or maybe I was in Scotland? I vote the Misty Thistle Pipes and Drums as the best performance in the parade.
Now I appear to be watching a political rally. There were floats for both Bill Walker and Lisa Murkowski (not pictured). I vote the Bill Walker float as the ugliest in the parade.
Wait, did I take a wrong turn and end up on the highway to Hell? Seriously, why was this even in the parade?
*sigh* Advertising for the new Twili- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING DRIVING THE TRUCK!?
The Ketchikan Fire Department at their best.
A McDonald's meal, in MY parade? It's more likely than you think... At least I know I'm in America now, where the fast food goes strait to the hips.
After the parade there were hordes of people at the booths. I'm not sure why, all the booths were pretty lame.
You may notice these pictures were taken in 2 different locations. I watched the parade where it first started. Then I walked through town, catching back up to the beginning of the parade and watched it again. Yeah... I had nothing better to do that day.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
«TEDsters»
In TED talk by Michael Sandel, he asked the audience by show of hands who thought state recognized marriage should only be a traditional marriage between 1 man and 1 woman: 2 people raided their hands. Then he asked by show of hands how many favored the inclusion of same-sex marriage: nearly the entire audience raised their hands.
In another TED talk by Richard Dawkins he mentioned that he was (pardon the expression) preaching to the choir about atheism. 90% of the intelligentsia are atheists. This is an inverse of the general population.
TEDsters are my kind of people...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
«Not a Difficult Concept»
It would have worked even if they showed a fetus in its first stages of development. I don't call it a human until it could live on its own without being a biological parasite inside its mother. That isn't to say I expect it to be able to find its own food. Rather, all its major bodily functions should work and be able to keep itself alive.
Even then, a baby doesn't have sapience.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
«SPR Venn Diagram»
here's a Venn diagram showing how stupidity, politics, and religion overlap.
The funny thing is, I already had blog tags for all 3.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
«Talk of the Bridge, Again»
Now that Sarah Palin is out of the equation, there's renewed talk about building the bridge to our airport.
We have a $28 million literal "road to nowhere" over there, built to connect to where the bridge would have been. Palin only stopped the bridge to try to make herself look good. She was "for it before she was against it." Once there was a national public outcry (based on misinformation) she changed to the "popular" side.
We need something, the current ferry system is just not cutting it. There's the options of new ferries or a bridge. New ferries would only delay the problem, and you'd still have the issue of trying to catch the ferry in time so you can get to airport security in time. Meanwhile a bridge would not only provide a much needed hard-link to our airport, but it would open up all that flat land for development. And that's what this town needs to thrive.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
«Then There Are Moments...»
Oh, man... The news article I linked to in my previous post today left out the best part.
President Obama Pardons White House Turkey
At time index 2:25 in the video:
See the rest of “Then There Are Moments...”»You know there's certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office... Then there are moments like this where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland.
«A Turkey Named Courage»
Obama's first pardon: A turkey named Courage
PETA took Obama's joke literally. They congratulated Obama's children and made them honorary members of PETA Kids.Thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha - because I was planning to eat this sucker - Courage will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate.
What exactly is the point of the tradition of pardoning a turkey every year? From what I read, the turkey is doomed to a fate worse than death: to spend the rest of his life at the Disneyland theme park. I'm with PETA on this one, it should have been sent to a sanctuary... Or just became Thanksgiving dinner. I mean, come on... It's a turkey!
See the rest of “A Turkey Named Courage”»
Thursday, October 15, 2009
«There Goes My Cop-out»
Let me first say that I disagree with and condemn the Selective Service System. I only registered when I turned 18 because I was extorted by the government; by law I had to. I thought there was a law that says anything signed while under coercion or intimidation is not lawful. I guess the government is exempt when they're the ones doing the coercion.
Anyway, I was forced to register for the Selective Service. However, if it came down to it and they reinstated the draft, I'll do whatever I can to get out of it.
I can't really claim it's against my religion, since I don't have one. Even the draft wouldn't make me fake believing in a religion. However, I would consider claiming I'm homosexual (or at least bisexual) due to the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Thanks to Obama's recent vow, that may no longer be an option. Obama promised to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Ok, that's a good thing. It's another step towards equal rights and diminishing the blatant discrimination against sexual orientations other than heterosexuality. Good for Obama (if he follows through).
I'll just have to find some other way to dodge the draft if it is reinstated. Maybe I could at least get a non-combat listing due to my bad left eye and thus bad depth-perception. Problem is, I hate the military mentality. I'm afraid I wouldn't blindly follow orders without understanding them or seeing a point for it. Maybe I'll just skip the country or go to a federal prison instead...
Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
Monday, October 12, 2009
«Motivational Monday: Obama, Baby»
I felt like changing it to "DO NOTHING / Receive award for it." I guess Obama has did some stuff, but that's his job, isn't it?
Friday, October 9, 2009
«Obama's Nobel Peace Prize»
He ended the war in...um...Iraq. No, wait. No no, he ended the one in Afghanistan...er, I mean the War on Drugs. No, not that one either... Well, he made peace. Peace by...um...hmm...well, he did something. I think. Um... fixed the economy? No. Not quite. ...At all.
Seriously, what the hell did Obama do to warrant even being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize? Let alone win it? The best I can figure, it's because he's not George Bush. The whole world was so tired of Bush that they're happy to have anyone else.
Don't get me wrong, I like Obama as President. I voted for him. I just don't think he's that good.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
«Religulous»
So I saw the movie Religulous. I have to say, it was entirely one-sided and biased toward Atheism. Bill Maher didn't give anyone much of a chance to make sense... Although they wouldn't have anyway.
Basically, it's not going to accomplish a whole lot. With religious folk, it'll just piss them off and/or they'll just shrug it off as blasphemy (totally ignoring the actual arguments); and it will just reinforce an already Atheist's point of view. It's too blunt and disrespectful to actually change anyone's mind.
I'm not sure how long it'll stay there, but right now it's been posted in its entirety on Google Video:
Religulous
*facepalm* Can you believe he actually said that!? Although by the expression on his face after, I think he realized what he just said. I think that was my favorite part.You don't have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate, though.
Father Reginald Foster, a Senior Vatican Priest, was quite a character. I liked that guy. I wish more religious people saw religion that way. If they did, religion just might not be such the problem it is today.
I love how the public relations lady almost has Bill Maher thrown out of the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida. "Because of what he is and because of the types of show that he does." That's great... The Vatican threw him out, I wounder why not the Jesus amusement park? The Amusement Park Jesus poses the question "What if you're wrong?", implying Pascal's Wager. I've always disputed that by saying there's many religions, and every God seems to be a jealous God. If you pick the wrong one you're still going to burn. There is no "safe wager."
The dude with the funny hat out on the sidewalk preaching the beliefs of Scientology, I guarantee he's not affiliated with the actual "church" (cult1) of Scientology. They only reveal the Xenu/volcano/H-bomb story after you've been properly indoctrinated (brainwashed), because it sounds far too crazy to anyone else (because it is). It's a protected "secret" that's even been copyrighted and is fiercely protected.
It's funny when he also gets kicked off the Mormon grounds. Mormon fuzz... I have to say, I didn't expect this level of intolerance from the Mormons.
Heh, I like the Jewish guy that spends his time bypassing the Sabbath. Dare I say (completely politically incorrectly) that he's a typical Jew? By that guy's standards, the Bible would have had to have been an entire library of books just listing the specific things that are not allowed on the Sabbath. The guy's quite the inventor. Not only did he invent the contraptions, but he invented the need for them as well!
As a testament to how sneaky those Jews are... That Jewish camera man made it past the defenses and into the Dome of the Rock! What if that guy was secretly the Jewish Messiah? He made it past the wall! OMGWTFBBQ! And they're so tolerant that they have a "special corner" for women. lol.
Remember, the End Times are going to occur exactly at the Winter Solstice of 2012. No need to plan beyond that time. No need to plan for the future generation.
1: Let it be clear that I have no problem with the beliefs themselves (crazy as they may be) of Scientology. They're no more crazy than any other religion. The guy with the funny hat out on the sidewalk I have no issues with. It is the corrupt origination, the "Church" of Scientology that I call the cult, that I have issues with.
See the rest of “Religulous”»
Thursday, July 23, 2009
«Penn Says: The Free Market»
Penn Says: Viewer Mail - The Free Market
Yeah, in a Utopian world maybe... In the real world corporations will do anything to cut manufacturing costs, even at the expense of their customers' health. Then bribe the private "consumer reports" companies. The problem with private consumer reports is that all they can do is report; they can't enforce.
Without some government oversight there will come to rise a single company as a monopoly of a particular product or service, able to force/buy out competitors. There will not be any alternatives, so customers will have to make due with whatever quality of product is available.
I'd like to call myself a Libertarian, too. But I'm also a realist that knows we don't live in a Utopia, and never will.
Monday, April 6, 2009
«Motivational Monday: C-c-c-combo Breaker!»
Good ol' Obama. We all love combo breakers.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
«It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No, it's Obama!»
They've even named an elementary school after Obama. Let's just not forget that he is only a man...
To my foreign readers (I know there's a few of you), has your opinion of the United States changed at all since Obama took the presidency? How so? Or is it still too soon to tell? Leave your answers in the comments.
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