Senator Wyden Asks DHS To Explain Domain Seizures

Epilepsy by Anonymous Coward · 2011-02-04 04:07 · Score: 3, Funny

Obviously the domains were causing the seizures, that's why they had to be closed!

About time... by mace9984 · 2011-02-04 04:07 · Score: 5, Insightful

He has my vote..

Re:About time... by khr · 2011-02-04 04:47 · Score: 1

I used to vote for him. But now I've moved to New York...
Re:About time... by Transkaren · 2011-02-04 05:32 · Score: 1, Interesting

Yes. And as one of his constituents, he has earned my vote over and over. Same with Peter DeFazio, though he's not quite as good at the tech stuff.

--
-If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.
Re:About time... by sumdumass · 2011-02-04 06:14 · Score: 4, Interesting

And he just got reelected so you know his stand on this isn't posturing for next years election.
He seems genuine and worthy.. even though I typically do not like democrats. I guess he is one of the few good ones left.
Re:About time... by HermMunster · 2011-02-04 08:42 · Score: 2

The thing about his letter...He asked not just questions, but he asked the *right* questions.
I'm sure Holder and the ICE enforcer are aware they are breaking the law. I am wondering how difficult it is to get a special prosecutor. I'm wondering why, after a certain number of American's complain that a special prosecutor isn't automatically assigned. Seems to me that'd be the way to go to get these guys under control.

--
You can lead a man with reason but you can't make him think.
Re:About time... by sortadan · 2011-02-04 09:13 · Score: 1

IANADoctor, but after reading his letter it looks like a terminal case of badassitude to me...
Re:About time... by Obfuscant · 2011-02-04 09:42 · Score: 2

And he just got reelected so you know his stand on this isn't posturing for next years election.
Not next year, but the next time he's up.
He's got to be scared. One of the stalwart undefeatable democrats in his state nearly had his assed whipped by a conservative challenger this year, so he knows the writing is on the wall for him. Add that to the high-tech computer industries in the state and he knows he's got a literate base of voters watching.
As for being a "good one", he's the fellow who made a well-publicized promise not to use negative advertising in his campaign against Gordon Smith, and two days later the ads claiming that Smith killed a teenage kid started airing. (A worker at one of the processing plants Smith's family runs was killed in an accident. The family of the kid appeared in Smith ads supporting him...)
Re:About time... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-02-04 13:25 · Score: 1

The thing about his letter...He asked not just questions, but he asked the *right* questions.
I'm sure Holder and the ICE enforcer are aware they are breaking the law. I am wondering how difficult it is to get a special prosecutor. I'm wondering why, after a certain number of American's complain that a special prosecutor isn't automatically assigned. Seems to me that'd be the way to go to get these guys under control.
And for that - much less the rarity that he is in our government, even though he is not a senator of my state, I decided to take the time to send him a thank you. Besides the fact that he deserves it, it will hopefully ensure he knows that his efforts are noticed and appreciated by the public that our representatives are sworn to serve - especially since he seems to be one of the very few of them who actually remembers and acts on that.
My letter to him:
Dear Senator Wyden,
My name is Robert (), and I am one of the people who oversees the protection of material copyrighted by Retro Film Studios (and other properties that we maintain for other copyright holders). Due to that, I would like to think that I fully understand the dangers and damages that copyright infringement can have on various industries.
With that said, the recent nonsense of domain seizures and lack of following due process - much less the failure of some to simply utilize the tools already in place to combat piracy and intellectual property violations has me thoroughly appalled and disgusted!!
It is thus, with great interest, that I have been following your actions in these matters. Though I know that technically you do not represent me directly (as I am a resident of New York State), *YOUR* actions have the capability to affect this entire nation, and be representative of the rights and needs of this *entire* country.
So, with the utmost admiration, I feel I must thank you for your efforts in these and other regards that will hopefully help ensure that the laws of this country, and the due process supposedly guaranteed to everyone, do not become meaningless.
A most sincere and heartfelt thank you, sir!!!
Best,
Robert
http://www.aibpc.com/
http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/
Re:About time... by Barrinmw · 2011-02-04 16:11 · Score: 1

Thank you for your idea, I also sent him a thank you. I also sent a letter to each of my senators asking them to be more like him when it comes to technological rights.
Re:About time... by segwonk · 2011-02-04 19:45 · Score: 1

"And he just got reelected so you know his stand on this isn't posturing for next years election. He seems genuine and worthy.. even though I typically do not like democrats. I guess he is one of the few good ones left."

Mr. Sumdumass -

I want to say a genuine "thank you" for having the guts to say what you did. I've been watching you spar with other progressives on this site over the years. I'm very liberal so we disagree on a lot of stuff. It's good spectator sport to watch you & spun go at it.

Still, it's tempting for me to dismiss you as narrow minded, but I don't because I'd hate for you to simply dismiss me as same. I'm glad I didn't, and it's cool to hear you give props to Wyden.

Cheers.

--
- ------ Go 'til ya know.
Re:About time... by sumdumass · 2011-02-07 09:11 · Score: 1

I'm not blind to the obvious. I don't have some inborn hatred toward someone for their affiliation either.
And as far as narrow minded, there are things in politics which require that specifically. Most of which are where the government's constitutional role has been breached. Most of my objections to progressives in this site is where they are basically hypocrites in saying the constitution is everything in matters of the first amendment, the forth or fifth amendments, then saying it's just a piece of paper written by old guys wearing wigs which doesn't mean anything when it comes to states rights, the second amendment, and other areas they deem unimportant or would conveniently like to disappear.
And this pattern seems to be instilled in some so called progressives. Take FDR for instance. He actually said

"As a matter of fact and law, the governing rights of the States are all of those which have not been
surrendered to the National Government by the Constitution or its amendments. Wisely or unwisely,
people know that under the Eighteenth Amendment Congress has been given the right to legislate on this particular subject1, but this is not the case in the matter of a great number of other vital problems of government, such as the conduct of public utilities, of banks, of insurance, of business, of agriculture, of education, of social welfare and of a dozen other important features. In these, Washington must not be encouraged to interfere."

in a speech pertaining to the Volstead act some two years before getting elected president and ignoring every principle he just stated in his new deal program. In fact, the initial rejection of the new deal programs cited them as being unconstitutional for the very same reasons FDR cited. It wasn't until after FDR decided to ignore the SCOTUS that they expanded the interstate commerce clause in a deal to save face.
BTW, that speech in it's entirety was printed in the New York Times, March 3, 1930.
So you see, the problem I have which you might consider me being narrow minded is not with the programs or suggestions, it's with the authority the government has in participating in them. IF the constitution was amended and they were given that authority as it has been in the past, then the focus would be on how to best implement those thoughts and ideas. But in general, it seems like they do not want to do that, they want to recreate the constitution's meaning when it suits them and only preserve what they think is suitable to their own goals.
And no, I'm not saying the right or conservatives are much different. It's just less obvious in most situations and a lot of times, they were lemon aid out of the lemons already given to them. Take this recent unconstitutional health care law. They claim it was taken from a republican proposal. A lot of them claim it was Romney care re-branded and others claim it's almost identical to a 1993 counter proposal to Hillary care so the right should be on board. What they are neglecting is that Romney care is a state program in which the state has legitimate authority, and the 1993 proposal went nowhere for a reason.
However, if someone were to amend the constitution, then there would be no constitutional objections to it. Hell, they could even get single payer government care assuming it could be paid for without upsetting most of the population.. And the most ridiculous part of this is that the left seems to cherish the Roe v Wade decision that says the government can't get into the private health care of citizens and forbid abortions, yet they seem to ignore that very essence in stating the reasons why they think the health car law is constitutional. In short, if it is constitutional, then the reasons why would completely negate Roe v. Wade.

At least someone is looking out for us. by noobermin · 2011-02-04 04:08 · Score: 1

I'll remember that name next time the polls come around.

Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by Alyred · 2011-02-04 05:01 · Score: 5, Informative

Wyden and Merkley (Senators from Oregon) both deserve praise for their efforts to put the people back in control of our government and preserve our rights. Merkley (the freshman senator) particularly has shown a strength of character that is unexpected for a first-timer.
Let's hope they stand as an example to the bought-and-paid-for corporatist weasels that currently hold the seats from many other states.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by ColdWetDog · 2011-02-04 05:16 · Score: 1, Troll

Wyden and Merkley (Senators from Oregon) both deserve praise for their efforts to put the people back in control of our government and preserve our rights. Merkley (the freshman senator) particularly has shown a strength of character that is unexpected for a first-timer.
Let's hope they stand as an example to the bought-and-paid-for corporatist weasels that currently hold the seats from many other states.
Which is ironic since Oregon is the poster child for nanny statism. You can't even pump your own gas.

--
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by hawguy · 2011-02-04 05:24 · Score: 1

I thought Oregon's gas pump rules had less to do about safety and all to do about job creation?
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by deapbluesea · 2011-02-04 06:11 · Score: 4, Informative

Compulsory link to the broken window fallacy
Forcing gas companies to hire employees to pump gas for you provides jobs for those pumping the gas, but that also means gas costs more in Oregon than other places, and money spent on gas in money not spent on other commercial pursuits. Granted, since it is next to California, Oregon gas prices don't look that bad, but California is a distorted comparison in this case. You'll note that Oregon has the 10th most expensive gas in the nation. I'm sure plenty of people will attempt to rebut this, and a quick look around google/bing (they're the same now, right?) didn't turn up much regarding a linkage between full service and gas prices.
Interestingly, the Oregon ban on self-serve has been challenged several times - by the gas industry. It seems the gas station owners want to cut the personnel cost and sell more gas by lowering the cost. In Oregon a referendum to do so was voted down. It appears the citizens of that state are happy to pay a little more at the pump to provide jobs that could otherwise be spread out amongst other industries.

--
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by deathsquirrel · 2011-02-04 06:23 · Score: 2

Oregon may have relatively high gas prices for the nation but we're smack dab between areas with generally even higher prices. If we fire all the pump workers our prices won't go down. Why should they? They'll just fire the minimum wage workers and pocket the difference. It's not as if we can drive across the river to washington to fill up for less. It's more expensive there for self serve than for full serve in Portland.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by JWSmythe · 2011-02-04 06:26 · Score: 2

I had to drive through Oregon a few times. The first few times, I got out of the car to pump gas. I may as well have been running around naked with an assault rifle screaming "the aliens are coming! Hide the women and children!"
In talking to the attendants, it was all about "safety". People don't know how to pump gas on their own. It's a highly skilled trade that us commoners wouldn't be able to comprehend. {sigh}
I've heard both arguments (safety and jobs). Both are empty arguments. I've been pumping my own fuel for over 20 years. Not I, nor anyone I know, has accidentally blown themselves up by pumping fuel. I've never seen a gas station on fire because someone didn't know how to pump their own gas. Most are unrelated incidents (car caught fire for other reasons, rocket scientist playing with a lighter near the fuel, etc) Some store owners I spoke with complained about the need to hire dedicated fuel dispensing engineers. It makes the fuel cost more, to cover the extra staff's wages. A reduction in fuel costs would be reflected in increases with other jobs. Take a service company for instance. They could hire more staff, if they didn't have to pay as much in fuel costs. There's plenty of other information on this, I don't have to explain it all to a bright audience like this. Simply put, the other 48 states that do allow pumping your own fuel haven't had total economic collapses because kids were being paid minimum wage to pump your gas for you.

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Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by sumdumass · 2011-02-04 06:29 · Score: 3, Interesting

In Oregon a referendum to do so was voted down. It appears the citizens of that state are happy to pay a little more at the pump to provide jobs that could otherwise be spread out amongst other industries.

Well, that or the people who objected couldn't afford the gas to drive to the polling place and vote for the ban of the ban.
Maybe I should move to Oregon so my college and other accreditation wouldn't stand in my way of getting a job pumping gas. Or better yet, I could open a gas station, organize it as a club, sell memberships, make all members volunteer-employees, and sell the gas at lower costs with those volunteer employees pumping it.
Anyways, if that is actually something the people of Oregon want to do, more power to them. I guess my scam would fail. But I have done other things to get around the smoking ban in my state too. A bar I own part of, we purchased an old motor home and parked it in the courtyard of the beer garden. Gutted out the inside, put a cage around the drivers area, and extended out the sides, and put a covered awning going to the side door of the establishment. Now "members" can go into a comfortable, heated environment that escapes the regulation defining building and smoke while drinking any time they want, those that don't smoke can stay inside, and all I have to do is keep the tags current and drive it around the block ever month or so. The bar is a dump, but it's the most popular bar in town.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by Pseudonym+Authority · 2011-02-04 07:04 · Score: 1

Congressmen and Senators have security clearance.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by cheekyjohnson · 2011-02-04 07:52 · Score: 2

Yeah! Instead of having people do useful jobs that require immense amounts of time, effort, or both, have people do jobs that absolutely anyone (or a machine) could do! Let's forget about innovation and the like. Let's just make people do useless things that require almost zero effort, knowledge, or both.

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Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by Hylandr · 2011-02-04 07:53 · Score: 1

Quick search on youtube provides the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WohRAM4_NQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tYO4jvnJHw&feature=related

Also, talk to any fireman, or someone else involved in putting fires out on a regular basis.

- Dan.

--
~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by loners · 2011-02-04 08:44 · Score: 1

Did you check for damage caused by in-attentive individuals driving off with the hose still in the car?
I have seen that more than once.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by JWSmythe · 2011-02-04 09:01 · Score: 1

Now compare that to how many vehicles you've seen over your lifetime. ... or ... compare the number of transactions any given station has, to how many hoses and nozzles they have to replace daily. Weekly? Monthly?
Auto body repair is a huge business. People mess their cars up in all kinds of creative ways all the time. If it was such a common occurrence, it would seem to be one of the top businesses in the country (except for the two states that require an attendant to do it).

--
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by X0563511 · 2011-02-04 09:12 · Score: 2

Yea, someone should invent a kind of break-away device to protect the pumps from damage!

--
For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by SilentChasm · 2011-02-04 09:19 · Score: 3, Informative

Well, that or the people who objected couldn't afford the gas to drive to the polling place and vote for the ban of the ban.
Oregon has a vote by mail system. As in they send you the ballot and you have a couple weeks I believe to fill it out and send it back to them by 1. putting a stamp on it and mailing it or 2. dropping it in a ballot collection box.
It makes it really simple to vote as you don't have to go find a polling place and you don't have to take off work/school/whatever on one specific day with everyone else.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by SETIGuy · 2011-02-04 09:21 · Score: 1

And the gas station will charge you $200 for disconnecting the break-away device. I think it's a great money maker: another form of tax on stupidity.

--
Support SETI@home
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by Obfuscant · 2011-02-04 09:35 · Score: 1

A reduction in fuel costs would be reflected in increases with other jobs. Take a service company for instance. They could hire more staff, if they didn't have to pay as much in fuel costs.
What gives you the crazy idea that a reduction in cost to the gas station owner would result in lower fuel costs to anyone else?
These are the people who routinely jack up the price around major travel holidays and then don't bring it all the way back down following. These are the people who jack up the price on existing stocks whenever the news reports an increase in the cost of crude
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by frozentier · 2011-02-04 09:35 · Score: 1

So, we should get rid of all cashier positions, since people can simply check themselves out. Let's get rid of restaurants and cook positions because anyone can cook for themselves. Right?
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by Obfuscant · 2011-02-04 09:49 · Score: 1

Let's just make people do useless things that require almost zero effort, knowledge, or both.
Nobody makes anyone be a gas station attendant. Running from car to car for an eight or ten hour shift is hardly "zero effort".
Let's face it, there are a large number of people who have essentially zero knowledge, who want to make a bit of extra money (maybe on the side), or who simply don't want to be a part of the 9-5 rat race but do want to eat on a regular basis. Some people even like a job where they get to interact with people (for God know's what reason). "Gas Station Attendant" fits their lifestyle just fine.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by operagost · 2011-02-04 10:27 · Score: 1

Wyden seems pretty opposed to the the right to self-defense and the right to not have to buy health insurance.

--

Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by Pseudonym+Authority · 2011-02-04 10:39 · Score: 1

The title "Congressman" usually refers to representatives, usually.

Come senators, congressmen, please heed the call
....
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by X0563511 · 2011-02-04 11:01 · Score: 1

That's entirely reasonable, considering they have to replace the breakaway, hose, and nozzle. Factor in the labor charges by the pump servicer company (which are not small, btw)

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For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by AmigaHeretic · 2011-02-04 18:39 · Score: 2, Interesting

There are gas stations just as you describe in Oregon. Card lock fuel stations we call them. You get a membership card (basically like a credit card) and you can drive up and pump your own gas. There is no one that works at them at all usually and they're usually near a Wal-Mart.

Thing is the gas isn't any cheaper. That's why people in Oregon vote down the self serve gas initiatives over and over. Because we know we will lose thousands of jobs and the gas prices will just stay the same. Basically moving money from working Oregonians to the pockets of oil execs.
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by AmigaHeretic · 2011-02-04 18:47 · Score: 1

+1 Gas prices will stay the same, we'll lose 1000s of jobs, and heck we won't have people pumping our gas for us.

There is no way they could guarantee the gas prices would come down. If they did it would be for about 6 months before they jack it up again. Then we'll still be paying high prices and doing the gas stations work for them to boot!
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by TheTurtlesMoves · 2011-02-04 23:00 · Score: 1

Do you seriously believe a minimum wage worker will do a better job? As someone who worked at BP for 6 years during college, I assure we are not trained beyond "don't smoke, don't put Diesel in the wrong car".

--
The Grey Goo disaster happened 3 billion years ago. This rock is covered in self replicating machines!
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by cheekyjohnson · 2011-02-05 00:47 · Score: 1

So, we should get rid of all cashier positions, since people can simply check themselves out.
Sure. If people could be trusted, that is.

Let's get rid of restaurants and cook positions because anyone can cook for themselves.
Many people don't have time for such things, and doing this does take time and effort (which I mentioned was an exception). Basically I meant that we don't need useless jobs that could easily be taken over by a machine or be done in two seconds by yourself. This entire "we need more jobs at the cost of actual innovation" fad is incredibly wasteful. If you need more jobs, make them useful to society as a whole (and not just money-wise).

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Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by cheekyjohnson · 2011-02-05 00:49 · Score: 1

Running from car to car for an eight or ten hour shift is hardly "zero effort".
I was speaking of a multitude of useless jobs, not just that one. No, this requires effort, but it's useless and unimaginative. People could do this in a few seconds by themselves.

Let's face it, there are a large number of people who have essentially zero knowledge
They can acquire knowledge, then.

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Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by SETIGuy · 2011-02-05 10:18 · Score: 1

Why would they need to replace the hose and nozzle? It's not like the driver wouldn't notice and bring it back to them.

--
Support SETI@home
Re:At least someone is looking out for us. by X0563511 · 2011-02-08 14:26 · Score: 1

You'd be surprised. Fear of embarrassment or retribution ("you'll pay for that, and our resulting losses!") encourage people to 'disappear' them.

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For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...

Duly filed by commodore64_love · 2011-02-04 04:09 · Score: 2

Eric Holder and John Morton filed the congressman's letter in their circular file. They don't give a frak what congress thinks.

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall

Re:Duly filed by Magada · 2011-02-04 04:32 · Score: 1

18USC242
I bet the good senator has the wherewithal to at least start an investigation.

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Something bad is coming when people are suddenly anxious to tell the truth.
Re:Duly filed by ceriphim · 2011-02-04 04:59 · Score: 1, Offtopic

You can use adult words around here, this isn't Battlestar Galactica. Some choices available to you in lieu of "frak": Crap (if you're feeling PG), shit or fuck (if you're feeling a little more R-rated), or you can even substitute f*ck (think of the children!).
Re:Duly filed by ColdWetDog · 2011-02-04 05:20 · Score: 2

18USC242 I bet the good senator has the wherewithal to at least start an investigation.
OMG No! Not another congressional investigation!

Children will be running in the streets in abject terror. Teeth will be gnashed. Garments rended.

CSpan will have 6 people watching the feed representing a 50% increase from baseline.

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Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Re:Duly filed by hawguy · 2011-02-04 05:32 · Score: 1

You can use adult words around here, this isn't Battlestar Galactica. Some choices available to you in lieu of "frak": Crap (if you're feeling PG), shit or fuck (if you're feeling a little more R-rated), or you can even substitute f*ck (think of the children!).
That's just a load of Feldercarb!
Re:Duly filed by Ja'Achan · 2011-02-04 05:42 · Score: 1

In all honesty, Belgium.
Re:Duly filed by Culture20 · 2011-02-04 06:04 · Score: 1

Given this is a news for nerds site, what's your problem with the usage of frak?
It's from that hip, wanna-be Battlestar Galactica, which was just a space drama with references to the original space opera.
Re:Duly filed by AliasMarlowe · 2011-02-04 06:28 · Score: 1

In all honesty, Belgium.
Hey, there are limits, you know.
Risque words like "fuck" or "cunt" or "cocksucker" are tolerated here, but that B-word is going too far...

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Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
Re:Duly filed by aevan · 2011-02-04 06:40 · Score: 1

Some people prefer the sound of 'frak' for certain contexts. I'll use every other profanity freely (and yes, around children 'cuz rather hypocritical elsewise), but frak just has a more aggressive sound than the 'uh' fuck has.

Leads to some fun dissonant sentences though: "I don't frakken care who she's fucking".
Re:Duly filed by budgenator · 2011-02-04 07:57 · Score: 1

Until budget time comes around, the country is up to it's eyeballs in debt, teetering on the edge of a depression, fighting a long term war in Afghanistan and a long term reconstruction in Iraq and Mexico our southern land boarder neighbor is degenerating into a chaos of drug-lord hooliganism and Human trafficking, now these two asswipes think protecting the profits of the entertainment industry is an effective use of agency resources . I think they are going to be in for a big fucking surprise.

--
Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
Re:Duly filed by budgenator · 2011-02-04 08:07 · Score: 1

... frak just has a more aggressive sound than the 'uh' fuck has.
Then you're not saying it correctly; build up a little explosive pressure in your lungs and bring it up from you diaphragm then let it fly. Any questions, go ask Gunny Ermey, he can make "Oh poor baby" sound aggressive.

--
Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
Re:Duly filed by sconeu · 2011-02-04 08:15 · Score: 1

Isn't this a Serious Screenplay?

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General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
Re:Duly filed by X0563511 · 2011-02-04 09:14 · Score: 1

What the frell does that mean?

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For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
Re:Duly filed by SETIGuy · 2011-02-04 09:26 · Score: 1

It's spelled Felgercarb! Frakking spawn of a she-daggit!

--
Support SETI@home

When you're downloading MP3s... by Drakkenmensch · 2011-02-04 04:12 · Score: 2

... the terrorists have already won? That seems the logic behind the DHS seizing domains at the RIAA's request.

Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by chispito · 2011-02-04 04:19 · Score: 5, Insightful

... the terrorists have already won? That seems the logic behind the DHS seizing domains at the RIAA's request.
I'm pretty sure even if there were never 9-11 hijackers or a DHS, the RIAA and MPAA would have found some other government agency to overstep its bounds and pull this kind of crap. Hooray for the good senator in trying to shed light on it.

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The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by Drakkenmensch · 2011-02-04 04:25 · Score: 1

I'm pretty sure even if there were never 9-11 hijackers or a DHS, the RIAA and MPAA would have found some other government agency to overstep its bounds and pull this kind of crap. Hooray for the good senator in trying to shed light on it.
True that. The best way to send the cockroaches flying into panic is to turn on the kitchen light.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by dkleinsc · 2011-02-04 04:28 · Score: 5, Funny

Weird Al described exactly how dangerous illegal downloading was:

Once in a while maybe you will feel the urge
To break international copyright law
By downloading MP3s from file-sharing sites
Like Morpheus or Grokster or Limewire or KaZaA
But deep in your heart you know the guilt would drive you mad
And the shame would leave a permanent scar
'Cause you start out stealing songs and then you're robbing liquor stores
And sellin' crack and runnin' over school kids with your car
So really all this stuff is protecting the children and stopping drug crimes. Now, who could possibly be against that? Won't somebody please think of the children!

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I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by The+Moof · 2011-02-04 04:44 · Score: 5, Informative

The best part is from TFA. From Wyden's Letter:

In an affidavit written by Special Agent Andrew Reynolds, he uses his ability to download four specific songs on the domain name dajaz1.com as justification for seizure of this domain name. According to press accounts, the songs in question were legally provided to the operator of the domain name for the purpose of distribution.
So it doesn't even matter if the distribution is legal or not anymore.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by spamking · 2011-02-04 04:46 · Score: 1

Just think of all the advertising income the terrorists are making off of their bit torrent servers . . .
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by nitehawk214 · 2011-02-04 04:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

The best part is from TFA. From Wyden's Letter:

In an affidavit written by Special Agent Andrew Reynolds, he uses his ability to download four specific songs on the domain name dajaz1.com as justification for seizure of this domain name. According to press accounts, the songs in question were legally provided to the operator of the domain name for the purpose of distribution.
So it doesn't even matter if the distribution is legal or not anymore.
Of course not. Legally shared songs are an even bigger threat to the RIAA than pirated ones.

--
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by Yetihehe · 2011-02-04 05:06 · Score: 1

But... do you have original CD with this song and receipt from store confirming that you didn't just stole it?

--
Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by Beardo+the+Bearded · 2011-02-04 05:13 · Score: 3, Funny

Don't you remember 9/11?
Terrorists flew downloaded MP3s into the Twin Towers and shot a child porn missile at the pentagon.
For shame, Drakken. It's only been 10 years and you've forgotten the terrible cyber-events brought forward by the e-terrorists.

--

---
ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by Dekker3D · 2011-02-04 05:15 · Score: 1

I'm almost disappointed that he forgot to include child porn in his argument. After all, everyone knows the internet must be destroyed to prevent child porn!
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by dkleinsc · 2011-02-04 05:27 · Score: 3, Informative

Actually, "Don't Download This Song" was put up for free download by Al. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume he secured distribution rights (which isn't as obvious as it sounds, stupid #@)@( record company contracts)

--
I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by hairyfeet · 2011-02-04 05:33 · Score: 1, Offtopic

Don't forget that they've recently grabbed domains that simply linked to where you can watch sports feeds, gotta protect the money those megacorps spent on the superbowl!
What is pathetic is how blatantly the federal arm is used as nothing but free attack dogs for the megacorps. Can't be spending their time and our taxpayer money actually trying to keep our country safe, heaven for fend, no we must insure that these multinational megacorps can enjoy their God given right to ever increasing profit margins! When you see crap like this and read information like how much we've lost thanks to kissing the corporate booty is it any wonder this country is falling on just about every scale you can find? Hell we've lost 42,000 factories in just the last decade!
I give it about another decade tops before the rich in this country get to re-enact the fall of Saigon. You simply can't print your way out of debt without becoming another Zimbabwe and pretty much the only thing keeping the peasants from following Egypt's example is the checks being passed out by the fed. You have an ever growing underclass with no jobs, no hope, and no future. With an ever growing underclass it won't take long before we get our own Lenin or little German to stir the underclasses into following Egypt, my guess is it will be right about the time those checks the fed keeps cranking out won't even buy a loaf of bread.

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ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by hawguy · 2011-02-04 05:35 · Score: 4, Insightful

Of course not. Legally shared songs are an even bigger threat to the RIAA than pirated ones.
Exactly! It's just like when someone distributes free porn, the pay-for-porn distributors suffer!
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/02/03/2216235/Free-Internet-Porn-Is-Legal-Says-California-Appeals-Court
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by Drakkenmensch · 2011-02-04 06:10 · Score: 1

With an ever growing underclass it won't take long before we get our own Lenin or little German to stir the underclasses into following Egypt, my guess is it will be right about the time those checks the fed keeps cranking out won't even buy a loaf of bread.
Technically, he was austrian. Germany was so broke after WWI that they had to IMPORT their new fascist dictator.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by sumdumass · 2011-02-04 06:40 · Score: 2

Well, as long as we are playing the political reality game, Yes, by bush and company who, for all their faults, did not seize domain names like this.
Oh and smaller government doesn't necessarily mean no government powers. It means constitutional limits as well as constitutional support for those government powers. At the risk of turning this into a cliche begging for political flames and trolling, Smaller government, I don't think that means what you think it means.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by daath93 · 2011-02-04 07:01 · Score: 1

H.R. 5005, the homeland security act passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support in the house with only 9 opposing. It wasn't like other bills, say healthcare reform where they literally had to scrape the barell and buy every vote they could to pass it.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by theArtificial · 2011-02-04 08:32 · Score: 1

Technically, he was Austrian.
Germans love to say this, as seemingly implies that it was only him. Let's not forget that he was voted in...

Germany was so broke after WWI that they had to IMPORT their new fascist dictator.
Yes, broke because of France (and others) squeezing very tightly. This also played a big part in WWII, you know when they were crushed and occupied for a few years.

--
Man blir trött av att gå och göra ingenting.
Re:When you're downloading MP3s... by Jesus_666 · 2011-02-05 10:13 · Score: 1

Well, it was him and everyone else. Like every big disaster there was a long chain of circumstances that culminated in a giant meltdown: Hitler unsuccessfully trying to get into art school. Him living in a dormitory which was a hotbed for antisemitism at the time. Him fighting in WWI and getting injured. Things like those form a man.

On the other side we have Germany being so eager to fight someone, anyone, that they agreed to attack anyone Austria attacked. A network of alliances causing all of Europe to get involved. France imposing reparations heavy enough to cause serious economic trouble for Germany. Germans without food, work or a perspective so that anyone offering them food, a job and a chance to get back at France would be someone they'd listen to. The Weimar Republic lacking a lot of safeguards like election thresholds, which lead to an overly fragmented and largely ineffectual parliament - not to forget that half the parties didn't like democracy all that much anyway.

Nazi Germany didn't occur because one guy from Austria was charismatic. It was because one guy from Austria was charismatic and he had picked up a lot of crazy ideas along the way and Germany was poor and we had a traditionalized hatred for France and our democracy was shaky anyway and we were still spoiling for a fight and that crazy Austrian offered easy solutions for complex problems.

Of course that doesn't change that fact that us having been so poor we had to import our dictator makes for a good joke.

--
USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)

Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by eldavojohn · 2011-02-04 04:14 · Score: 5, Insightful

Allow me to answer the questions from the honorable Senator for the DHS which was established to protect me from the terrorists:

concerning the domain seizures and how they impact due process

Basically ICE assumes that since we are now dealing with the 'cyber' prefix, none of the old laws apply that don't specifically call out domain names. So your due process is largely non-existent and we just sorta make it up as we go along. I mean, a lot of the stuff gets reversed. You're actually guilty until proven innocent in our books! If you don't agree with that, it logically follows that you're a terrorist. That's your first warning.

free speech

Ah, yes, 'free speech.' Well, basically our domain seizing takes free speech, bends it over an arcade machine and violently rapes it in front of everyone. It's sort of funny because you'd think you wouldn't be able to rape anyone in public but, well, so far everyone's just been standing around and watching us so ... And I mean we're DHS so what're they gonna do anyway, right? Side note, this is your second warning for asking terrorist questions, Senator.

sovereign rule in foreign countries

Foreign countries? No no no, there are two countries in the world: United States and everybody else. Everybody else gets rules only after our rules are established. And that's strike three, mister.

That's an awful nice schedule you got there, Senator, be a shame if someone were to put you on the No Fly list! wyden.senate.gov will now redirect to DHS and ICE seals until the good Senator can prove he did not import unlicensed pandas in 1978. Terrorists like Wyden make me sick.

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My work here is dung.

Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by MoonBuggy · 2011-02-04 04:20 · Score: 5, Insightful

That's an awful nice schedule you got there, Senator, be a shame if someone were to put you on the No Fly list!
Particularly worrying is the fact that recent developments suggest that they could very easily do exactly that - oversight seems to be pretty much non-existent. Unfortunately, the news media seem less than concerned about this one - I'm not suggesting any government conspiracy, it's just surprising given their common cries of "the sky is falling" to boost sales.
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by Immostlyharmless · 2011-02-04 04:37 · Score: 1

Went to share that first link via facebook and found porn in the thumbnails, Thank you Moonbuggy and Reuters for making my day!
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by DarthVain · 2011-02-04 04:45 · Score: 1

In Canada we usually refer to it as "Snow" but whatever.
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by dkleinsc · 2011-02-04 04:54 · Score: 1

When you said "exactly that", what I thought you were going to refer to was the No-Fly placed on Senator Ted Kennedy years ago.

--
I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by peragrin · 2011-02-04 04:59 · Score: 1

That's because there have been very few high profile mistakes for the media to latch onto. Put Katie Curic, or some other high level news person on the terrorist watch lists and not let her fly anymore and you will start to see change.
The sheeple can scream until they are blue in the face, but until someone gets out there and really starts to talk about it nothing will happen.

--
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by TheLink · 2011-02-04 05:12 · Score: 1

Would it change if the DHS is getting in the way of congressmen who are a threat to the congressweasels?
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- Too many replies beneath your current threshold
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by kevinNCSU · 2011-02-04 05:22 · Score: 2

Congress funds DHS does it not? Maybe just a couple of congressmen have the wherewithal to stand up for foreign domain names that were seized without due process but they ALL have the wherewithal to stand up when they themselves are threatened.
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by wwphx · 2011-02-04 06:06 · Score: 1

Personally, I think all Congresscritters should go through both the full body scanner and the enhanced patdowns every time they fly. It's probably going to be the only way we see that change.

Not related to DHS domain seizure, but still a pleasant thought.

--
When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by Type44Q · 2011-02-04 07:00 · Score: 2

That's an awful nice schedule you got there, Senator, be a shame if someone were to put you on the No Fly list!
I'd venture to guess that that's not how it's done, Kennedy's token, highly-publicized difficulties not withstanding:

Paul Wellstone was the only progressive in the U.S. Senate. Mother Jones magazine once described him as, "The first 1960s radical elected to the U.S. senate." He was also the last. Since defeating incumbent Republican Rudy Boschowitz 12 years ago in a grassroots upset, Wellstone emerged as the strongest, most persistent, most articulate and most vocal Senate opponent of the Bush administration.
In a senate that is one heartbeat away from Republican control, Wellstone was more than just another Democrat. He was often the lone voice standing firm against the status-quo policies of both the Democrats and the Republicans. As such, he earned the special ire of the Bush administration and the Republican Party, who made Wellstone's defeat that party's number one priority this year.
Various White House figures made numerous recent campaign stops in Minnesota to stump for the ailing campaign of Wellstone's Republican opponent, Norm Coleman. Despite being outspent and outgunned, however, polls show that Wellstone's popularity surged after he voted to oppose the Senate resolution authorizing George Bush to wage war in Iraq. He was pulling ahead of Coleman and moving toward a victory that would both be an embarrassment to the Bush administration and to Democratic Quislings such as Hillary Clinton who voted to support "the president."
Then he died.
Wellstone now joins the ranks of other American politicians who died in small plane crashes. Another recent victim was Missouri's former Democratic governor, Mel Carnahan, who lost his life in 2000, three weeks before Election Day, during his Senatorial race against John Ashcroft. Carnahan went on to become the first dead man to win a Senatorial race, humiliating and defeating the unpopular Ashcroft posthumously. Ashcroft, despite his unpopularity, went on to be appointed Attorney General by George W. Bush. Investigators determined that Carnahan's plane went down due to "poor visibility."
Carnahan was the second Missouri politician to die in a small plane crash. The first was Democratic Representative Jerry Litton, whose plane crashed the night he won the Democratic nomination for senate in 1976. His Republican opponent ultimately captured the seat from his successor in November.
While an article in the New York Times on Saturday pointed out the danger politicians face due to their heavy air travel schedules, the death of a senator or member of Congress is still relatively rare, with only one other sitting U.S. Senator, liberal Republican John Heinz, dying in a plane crash since World War II. Heinz, who entered office as an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, later emerged as a strong proponent of health care, social services, public transportation and the environment. He also urged reconciliation with Cuba. He died when the landing gear on his small plane failed to function, and a helicopter dispatched to survey the problem crashed into his plane.
One former senator, John Tower, also died in a small plane crash. Tower was best known as the chair of the Tower Commission, which investigated the Reagan/Bush era Iran/Contra scandal.
Another member of a prominent government commission who died in a small plane crash was former Democratic representative and House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. Boggs was best known as one of the seven members of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The commission found that Lee Harvey Oswald was acting alone when he killed the president. Boggs, it turns out, had "strong doubts" that Oswald acted alone, but went along with the commission findings. Later, in 1971 and 1972, he went public with his doubts. He was presumed dead after the small plane carryi
Re:Gentlemen, It's Time We Put Wyden on ICE by LostAlaska · 2011-02-04 09:22 · Score: 1

Well, it sounds like a whole lot of bull snow to me.

The three questions I found most interesting by Zerth · 2011-02-04 04:17 · Score: 3, Interesting

Does the Administration consider whether a domain name operated overseas is in compliance with the domestic law from which the domain name is operated?
What standard does DoJ expect foreign countries to use when determining whether to seize a domain name controlled in the U.S. for copyright infringement?
Does the Administration believe that websites that facilitate discussion about where to find infringing content on the Internet represents speech or the distribution of infringed content? What if the discussion on these websites includes hyperlinks to websites that offer downloadable, infringing content?

I'd find it hilarious if other countries protested by grabbing a few domains that violated laws Americans think are kooky, e.g. Germany confiscating domains that sold Nazi memorabilia.

Re:The three questions I found most interesting by OzPeter · 2011-02-04 04:27 · Score: 4, Insightful

I'd find it hilarious if other countries protested by grabbing a few domains that violated laws Americans think are kooky, e.g. Germany confiscating domains that sold Nazi memorabilia.
Its kind of like when Brazil started finger printing all US citizens who arrived in their country. Which upset said citizens until it was pointed out the the US was doing that to all foreign nationals arriving in the US. At least some people in the world still have balls.

--
I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Nadaka · 2011-02-04 04:33 · Score: 1

Even better, Germany seizing US domains that show images of the nazi flag in a historical context. That is also illegal in Germany from what I hear.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Zorpheus · 2011-02-04 04:38 · Score: 1

I'd find it hilarious if other countries protested by grabbing a few domains that violated laws Americans think are kooky, e.g. Germany confiscating domains that sold Nazi memorabilia.
Well if a domain is registered under .de and is selling nazi symbols it will just be deleted.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by KingMotley · 2011-02-04 05:04 · Score: 1

It would have been hilarious if eBay and other stores *accessible* from France and Germany weren't sued for listing Nazi memorabilia already.
That ship sailed years ago.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by BeeRockxs · 2011-02-04 05:24 · Score: 1

Their german/french subsidiaries where sued.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Nadaka · 2011-02-04 05:26 · Score: 2

What? I am completely failing to make sense of what you are writing in relation to my post.
You lived and died under the nazi flag for a couple decades.
Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.
I was referring to documentaries or fiction taking place in the context of WW2, not "white pride" BS.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by pixelpusher220 · 2011-02-04 05:30 · Score: 4, Informative

*whooosh*

If these domain owners had been 'sued' that would reasonable. Having your say, court of law and all that.

The domains were simply 'taken' by the US without any due process associated with being 'sued'.

--
People in cars cause accidents....accidents in cars cause people :-D
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Nadaka · 2011-02-04 05:32 · Score: 1

Then why does any video game where the enemies are Nazi's have to be edited to remove the symbols before it can be allowed in Germany?
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by daath93 · 2011-02-04 06:02 · Score: 1

wrong, as long as the symbol is clearly not being used towards the revival of said political organization, its fine. it can be used for the making of movies etc. since 2007 the Bundesgerichtshof ruled that you can even display the symbol crossed out.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by corbettw · 2011-02-04 06:45 · Score: 1

Oh please let this happen. I'll post swastikas all over Fark and 4chan.

--
God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Mindcontrolled · 2011-02-04 09:02 · Score: 1

Ahh, never let reality get in the way of some good rant, no? You are aware that Germany has no problem whatsoever with showing Nazi paraphernalia in the context of documentaries or works of art, yes?

--
Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Nadaka · 2011-02-04 09:11 · Score: 1

No, I had no idea. I keep hearing about how every WW2 video game has to be censored to remove the symbols. And there was a recent history channel WW2 documentary that claimed that much of its footage is not allowed to air in Germany.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Mindcontrolled · 2011-02-04 09:48 · Score: 1

The stuff about the documentary is pure bullshit - bit of sensationalism by history channel, I guess. Video games, however... well you got somewhat of a point there. WW2 games are indeed censored here, but that is actually self-censorship in most cases. The law allows the display of Nazi symbols in works of art - however, the question whether video games are covered by that clause has not been conclusively answered by the courts. The gaming industry has no real interest in pursuing the matter in a lengthy trial, which probably would have to go up to the constitutional court, so they avoid the problem.
To be precise, according to Art. 86 StGB, display of Nazi symbols is allowed under following conditions:
"staatsbuergerlichen Aufklaerung, der Abwehr verfassungswidriger Bestrebungen, der Kunst oder der Wissenschaft, der Forschung oder der Lehre, der Berichterstattung ueber Vorgaenge des Zeitgeschehens oder der Geschichte oder aehnlichen Zwecken"
translating to: "civil education, combating anti-constitutional activities, art or science, research and teaching, reporting on current or historical affairs or similar purposes"
Video games should be covered by "similar purposes" with regards to "art". As I said, however, it hasn't really been tested in court.

--
Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by Obfuscant · 2011-02-04 10:01 · Score: 1

Its kind of like when Brazil started finger printing all US citizens who arrived in their country. Which upset said citizens until it was pointed out the the US was doing that to all foreign nationals arriving in the US.
Really? I was upset about the cost of the visa, that they demanded my passport in their possession, and that we had to hire someone in another city to hand-carry the application into one of their consulates, but only mildly -- I wasn't paying for it. I don't even remember anything about fingerprinting so I must not have been very upset about it.
The website was quite upfront about the fee being charged. They said "that's what the US charges our citizens, so we're charging you." Like I said, I wasn't paying the bill, I didn't care. Would I want to go to Brazil for a vacation based on that fee? Nope. Do they care? Nope. The country is too damn hot for my tastes, anyway.
Re:The three questions I found most interesting by KingMotley · 2011-02-04 12:28 · Score: 1

Wrong.

While Yahoo! Auctions is a U.S.-based site, it is accessible from any country in the world. Therefore, it is not yet clear whether sellers are subject only to the laws of the country they are posting from, or whether they must abide by the laws of every country in which the site is accessible.

It was these lawsuits that caused ebay to create a separate ebay.fr.

Probably futile response but... by hsmyers · 2011-02-04 04:39 · Score: 5, Interesting

I wrote Senator Wyden even though he is not mine--- I live in orange county north, i.e. Idaho. Here is what I said:

I believe that your recent letter to John Morton and Eric Holder represents a "still small voice" of resistance in a dangerous slide to corporatism. When former President Eisenhower warned against the military-industrial complex no one listened--- and perhaps rightfully so since the attack on our rights comes not from Northrup and Boeing, but from Hollywood and Walt Disney. It is still an attack designed to eliminate precious rights that all citizens need preserved even if they don't clearly under stand them. I salute your efforts and would like to know how I might help in your efforts.

I don't particularly expect a response and have no idea of what I could do, other than to voice my support. Still as the events of the last month or so have shown, great change comes from critical mass and critical mass is acquired incrementally...

Re:Probably futile response but... by guyminuslife · 2011-02-04 04:50 · Score: 4, Informative

Well, you could write him a check for his re-election campaign. I would but I'm broke.

--
I don't believe in time. It's a grand conspiracy designed to sell watches.
Re:Probably futile response but... by hsmyers · 2011-02-04 05:04 · Score: 2

Will when the time comes--- there by gaining the time to scrape together some funds as I am likewise broke. Hit both the age ceiling and the experience ceiling so have been unemployed for some time now. At the moment words are all I have...
Re:Probably futile response but... by PPH · 2011-02-04 05:10 · Score: 1

I wrote Senator Wyden even though he is not mine--- I live in orange county north, i.e. Idaho. Here is what I said:
I hope his domain name stays up long enough for him to receive all the supporting e-mail.

--
Have gnu, will travel.
Re:Probably futile response but... by Rossman · 2011-02-04 05:10 · Score: 1

Sometimes critical mass is achieved in a fraction of a second!
Re:Probably futile response but... by zwede · 2011-02-04 05:10 · Score: 1

I salute your effort in supporting the good senator, but it would have been better had you checked on the definition of the word "corporatism" before sending it.
From wikipedia:
Corporatism, also known as corporativism, is a system of economic, political, or social organization that views a community as a body based upon organic social solidarity and functional distinction and roles among individuals.[1][2] The term corporatism is based on the Latin word "corpus" meaning "body".[2] Formal corporatist models are based upon the contract of corporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, military, patronage, scientific, or religious affiliations, into a collective body.[3]
The word you were probably looking for is Oligarchy:
he oligarchy (from Greek , oligarkhía[1]) is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, corporate, or military control. The word oligarchy is from the Greek words "" (olígos), "a few"[2] and the verb "" (archo), "to rule, to govern, to command".[3] Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next.
Re:Probably futile response but... by KermodeBear · 2011-02-04 05:23 · Score: 2

I wrote in support of him as an Ohio resident. I very rarely contact representatives outside of my district, but when one of them does something spectacular I will anyway. I encourage others to do so as well.
When an elected official does something that you strongly support or oppose you should let them know - especially if that person is in your district. How else are they supposed to know if what they're doing is pissing people off or making them happy?
A lot of us fill out a ballot then go home and bitch and moan until the next time we fill out a ballot. Then we go home and bitch and moan some more.
If you want to fix things (for your own personal understanding of "fix") you need to be more involved than that.

--
Love sees no species.
Re:Probably futile response but... by NFN_NLN · 2011-02-04 05:29 · Score: 2

I salute your effort in supporting the good senator, but it would have been better had you checked on the definition of the word "corporatism" before sending it.
Meh, it's a moot point. He'll skim over or just read the first sentence, much like I did with your post.
Re:Probably futile response but... by daath93 · 2011-02-04 06:12 · Score: 1, Interesting

i live in his district,voted against him because he was the last vote needed for health care reform,and knowing this would piss constituents off immediately turned around and asked for an exemption from the individual mandate for the state. he isnt wacky crazy far left, and we could do worse. I would have preferred that Jim Huffman won because he is a Constitutional scholar at Lewis and Clark university but sadly Oregon is far too liberal for that.
Re:Probably futile response but... by hsmyers · 2011-02-04 08:22 · Score: 1

Citation please--- show me where Northrup has done anything that can be construed as an attack on freedom of speech.
Re:Probably futile response but... by Obfuscant · 2011-02-04 10:12 · Score: 1

Meh, it's a moot point. One of his overworked and underpaid aides will skim over or just read the first sentence, much like I did with your post.
There, fixed that for 'ya. Continuing: and then the aide will put a tick mark in the "likes you" column regarding anything similar to this topic on the tally sheet, just like he does with every letter they get, even the negative ones.
I've written him. I've gotten the 'thanks for your support' form letter reply.
Re:Probably futile response but... by jwhitener · 2011-02-04 13:14 · Score: 1

Oregon is pretty dark blue. He'll get re-elected.
It'd be better to fund a close race in some other state.
Re:Probably futile response but... by Jesus_666 · 2011-02-05 10:27 · Score: 1

At the moment words are all I have...
Write a book. It might actually sell and whether it does or not, at least you will have written a book.

--
USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)

Re:Whoring bitch by royallthefourth · 2011-02-04 04:40 · Score: 1

What if she does die, as you suggest? The system will still be in place and will create a new one just like her.

Only by replacing the existing social order can we replace the conditions caused by it.

Re:Whoring bitch by I3OI3 · 2011-02-04 04:42 · Score: 3, Funny

And that, children, is why you shouldn't keep your Slashdot password on a stickie by your keyboard.

Murder is bad by Cajun+Hell · 2011-02-04 04:44 · Score: 4, Insightful

Murder is bad. I mean, really bad and it has all sorts of negative consequences to our society, and government needs to something about it.

Therefore, suspected murderers shouldn't have due process.

Looks like airtight logic to me! Anyone see a problem with it?

--
"Believe me!" -- Donald Trump

Re:Murder is bad by corbettw · 2011-02-04 05:17 · Score: 2

The only thing surprising about that is that some asshat somewhere hasn't suggested it.

--
God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
Re:Murder is bad by daath93 · 2011-02-04 06:18 · Score: 1

Here in portland oregon there is a coalition of crazy lefties who want police who shoot people in the line of duty to be fired with no due process. so no, you have to be an actual dangerous criminal to get sympathy from the left. Fortunately Wyden is actually reasonably centrist on many subjects.
Re:Murder is bad by Anonymous Coward · 2011-02-04 06:32 · Score: 1

Sure. No one has successfully proven that trading bits on the internet for the purpose of increasing access to cultural works is actually bad for society, and several have shown that it has a positive effect on the economy.
But data trading isn't the real bogeyman here. They have to make up some fanciful narrative about invisible cloud pirates stealing from them, because the real story is that they're afraid of technology and the changes it brings to the world. The things they thought were true no longer are and they're understandably scared of that.
Re:Murder is bad by cdrguru · 2011-02-04 07:21 · Score: 1

The problem with that thinking is that today there is a well established process for dealing with international murder investigations. Let's say you kill someone and run off to Israel. Israel may not agree with the policies of the country where the murder was committed, but the person will get tried, somehow. Same thing with just about everywhere else. Let's say you pick a country without any extradition process at all - Venezuela. Still, for murder you will face justice pretty much no matter what.
Unfortunately, if I put up a web site advertising counterfeit and illegal goods, like let's say Viagra and Vicodin without a prescription, there is virtually no possiblity of my being forced to do anything across international borders. Many countries view such things as meaningless because there is no concern about "online" anything. Also, many countries view legal requests from the US as just so much wastepaper. So if my web site is hosted in Netherlands and my fake drug company is based in Morocco or Bulgaria nobody is going to be able to do anything about it. I suppose after a couple of people die from fake drugs you might be able to hire a lawyer in the proper country to file some sort of lawsuit - except finding someone that will go up against any sort of organized crime activity in these sorts of places is pretty rare.
You see, there is this thing call "civilization" and in many parts of the world what you consider to be "civilized" is in pretty short supply. There just isn't enough to go around as it is and trying to exercise any sort of "rights" from outside is pointless and futile. OK, for murder there are some exceptions - nobody likes murder. But ripping off Americans and Europeans is just part of the national pastime. They are supposed to lose money on bogus schemes, fake goods and the like.
Re:Murder is bad by jahudabudy · 2011-02-04 08:03 · Score: 1

Question: if there is no due process (i.e. investigation into the killing), what makes you think the person killed was a dangerous criminal?

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...sometimes, in order to hurt someone very badly, you have to tell that person terrible lies. - PA
Re:Murder is bad by Chelloveck · 2011-02-04 08:03 · Score: 1

Oh? Replace "murderer" with "terrorist" and we're already there.

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Chelloveck
I give up on debugging. From now on, SIGSEGV is a feature.
Re:Murder is bad by daath93 · 2011-02-04 08:41 · Score: 1

In one of the most recent cases that they are freaking out over the guy was brandishing a weapon had blood all over him and charged at the cops when they told him to drop the weapon.
Re:Murder is bad by bill_mcgonigle · 2011-02-04 10:34 · Score: 1

Looks like airtight logic to me! Anyone see a problem with it?
I'm confused - how are corporate profits negatively impacted by ordinary murders?

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My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)

Re:A Pointless Exercise by dannymac63 · 2011-02-04 04:46 · Score: 1

Since when do people with such obvious mental deficiencies have time to rant on Slashdot?

Oh. :-(

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Insert witty comment here.

This and the story about Anniston Ala by al0ha · 2011-02-04 04:49 · Score: 3

show just how many people there are in the US who either don't give a flying F about the principal of Free Speech or don't understand the Constitution.

Luckily for us they are the minority, as the Tea Bagger movement has so effectively demonstrated. Even so, constant vigilance people!

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Did you ever wake up in the morning, with a Zombie Woof behind your eyes? -- FZ

Re:This and the story about Anniston Ala by MickyTheIdiot · 2011-02-04 05:06 · Score: 3, Insightful

Oh no... clearly the majority of people in the US are contented idiots or just more concerned about themselves and their lawns. Most people I know wouldn't care if half their city blew up as long as there was still food at the grocery store. It's why basically the powerful can do what they want... there isn't a knowledgeable base or voters to stand up and fight and make sure someone who really wants to lead the country and not use office as a chance to line their pockets with corporate cash. (And even if these imbeciles in Congress aren't getting paid right now, they will get a paid off down the road with a cushy job or the like. They are ALL getting paid by corporate cash now or later.)
Re:This and the story about Anniston Ala by KingMotley · 2011-02-04 05:07 · Score: 2

Not everything revolves around Free Speech. It is however quite ridiculous how few people actually understand what Free Speech is and what is and is NOT protected.
Re:This and the story about Anniston Ala by guyminuslife · 2011-02-04 05:29 · Score: 1

You're right, this isn't primarily a free speech issue, it's a due process issue. Which is arguably more important, although less well-defined.

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I don't believe in time. It's a grand conspiracy designed to sell watches.
Re:This and the story about Anniston Ala by daath93 · 2011-02-04 06:21 · Score: 1

I don't much care for the tea party, but anyone who calls anyone a tea bagger just completely loses any respect as someone capable of rational and coherent political discussion and debate. Good show.
Re:This and the story about Anniston Ala by daath93 · 2011-02-04 06:27 · Score: 1

Speech is protected so long as it does not violate anyone elses constitutional rights, which is how hate speech got slipped in there. Personally i don't find inflammatory speech to violate anyone's rights because i was raised under the sticks and stones principle. Ive never been a supporter that software being traded illegally is freedom of speech, but neither is it terrorism. Its a civil mater.
Re:This and the story about Anniston Ala by halivar · 2011-02-04 07:22 · Score: 1

In modern politics, it is necessary to consider the opposition either evil or stupid. Believing otherwise would require thoughtful consideration of their positions, which is way too hard for the average American.

Time to Godwin by jimmydevice · 2011-02-04 04:54 · Score: 5, Insightful

I hate to point this out, But isn't "homeland security" going down the same path those guys in brown shirts tried some 80 years ago?
Even their names, "homeland security" and ICE sound Orwellian.

People from Oregon may be kooky ( I was born and lived there for 30 years ) but they believe in freedom, The real kind, not the plastic,
corporate centric mommy state the feds have crapped out since 911.
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Every morning is a Smirnoff morning., but I'm having beer for breakfast.

Re:Time to Godwin by Runaway1956 · 2011-02-04 05:05 · Score: 1

Live free, or die, baby. I've not succumbed, nor do I intend to. They'll have to kill me first. What was it Ben said? "Those who would trade essential liberties for security, deserve neither?" Or something real close to it.

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"Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br
Re:Time to Godwin by shadowofwind · 2011-02-04 05:49 · Score: 1

People from Oregon may be kooky ( I was born and lived there for 30 years ) but they believe in freedom.
I lived in Oregon for ~20 years. For historical reasons, Oregon doesn't have much of a defense industry, and consequently not much vested interest in the fear-of-terrorists business. In certain regards Oregon is arguably less authoritarian than other places, but overall, authoritarianism seems to me to be about as strong there as elsewhere in the US.
Here's a couple of anecdotes as examples....An acquaintance of a friend who lived in the 'historic district' in Albany, Oregon, needed to replace his windows. The Albany historic district is basically just a normal neighborhood with relatively old houses that isn't a slum. He bought new windows, and took his old ones out. But then a neighbor ratted him out, and his new windows were judged insufficiently historic. He couldn't put the old ones back, and he couldn't afford to buy another set immediately, so then he had no windows at all. I know another man who tried to build his own house in the country with a drain in the bathroom floor, like is common in some European countries, and the state government wouldn't let him do it because it wasn't according to code. What kind of freedom is it when you can't make an improvement to your own house which you own? These are both zoning examples, but I could give others.
Re:Time to Godwin by hey! · 2011-02-04 06:07 · Score: 1

But isn't "homeland security" going down the same path those guys in brown shirts tried some 80 years ago?
No. That doesn't mean they aren't doing bad things.
There's nothing wrong with Nazi analogies, as long as they're specific and substantive. Calling anything detrimental to freedom Nazism just makes your defense of freedom sound silly.

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Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
Re:Time to Godwin by dkleinsc · 2011-02-04 06:16 · Score: 1

You don't need to go back to the brownshirts to get the gist of what these guys are up to. You could just as easily point to every single authoritarian regime that's existed in modern times from the USSR to the Chinese Communist Party to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee to Fidel Castro to Hosni Mubarak
The basics: 1. Spy on your own people so you know who's dissenting from the government. 2. Use whatever means at your disposal to suppress those who are dissenting. 3. If you get caught, enjoy the scare you just gave to anyone else who's dissenting, and say that whatever horrible thing you did was necessary to maintain national security. 4. Build up an system where people who are in the oppressive regime are far better off than those who aren't, so that the normal folks who want to get ahead in life are motivated to join up. 5. If possible, get the population arguing about things that don't matter much in the grand scheme of things (e.g. gay marriage)

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I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
Re:Time to Godwin by daath93 · 2011-02-04 06:33 · Score: 1

people in portland oregon, the states controlling majority, (ive lived here 36 years) are cooky and believe in socialism and in swallowing all available funds to payroll state workers and build light rail projects for one city. The state is being swallowed by debt and businesses are leaving in truckloads. bicyclists have automatic right of way regardless of what laws they break, police are fired for doing their jobs of protecting people, and our child molesting mayor is a national embarasment. the freedom loving part of this state doesnt count.
Re:Time to Godwin by jimmydevice · 2011-02-04 06:43 · Score: 1

Oregon has terrible land use laws. Other than the state land use laws to protect farm land from development (that worked well, with development all down the Willamette valley), most of this historical preservation crap comes from local govs. and the outsiders calling the shots that moved here in the 70-80 from northern cal. I can relate, My family owned 40 acres outside Turner, The smallest parcel that could be sold was 20 acres and non-farm structures (a house) could not be built on the property.
Re:Time to Godwin by sznupi · 2011-02-04 08:51 · Score: 1

~5. Make them believe in blatant lies; repetition is largely sufficient / pick those which are already popular among large segments.

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One that hath name thou can not otter
Re:Time to Godwin by sznupi · 2011-02-04 08:54 · Score: 1

Stands, somewhat. In Belarus.

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One that hath name thou can not otter
Re:Time to Godwin by bsDaemon · 2011-02-04 09:25 · Score: 1

No, the Brown Shirts were the SA. They were basically violent, drunken, out-of-work soldiers used as street muscle to fight Communists up to the point where the NSDAP attained State power. These people are more like the Gestapo, part of the SD, which was part of the SS. They worse black uniforms.
Re:Time to Godwin by Spykk · 2011-02-04 11:00 · Score: 2

I hate to point this out, But isn't "homeland security" going down the same path those guys in brown shirts tried some 80 years ago?
Homeland Security may have its issues, but comparing them to UPS is uncalled for.
Re:Time to Godwin by Obfuscant · 2011-02-04 11:33 · Score: 1

Homeland Security may have its issues, but comparing them to UPS is uncalled for.
Yeah, UPS is much worse. I've yet to have a DHS agent break into my house to hide a package and not leave an note telling me where he hid it.
Re:Time to Godwin by n6kuy · 2011-02-04 17:18 · Score: 1

That would be a DHL agent...

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If you disagree with me on social issues, then it's pretty clear that you are a narrow-minded bigot.

Re:Whoring bitch by MickyTheIdiot · 2011-02-04 04:58 · Score: 2

It's not her, it's our one-party political climate. Both parties are corporatist and if you get rid of her there are about a million corporate latkeys ready to take her place.

Re:Blame Bush? by Nadaka · 2011-02-04 05:01 · Score: 1

No. I would expect the holders of the domain to face extraordinary rendition to abu grabe and then be tortured to death under bush.

Re:A Pointless Exercise by nitehawk214 · 2011-02-04 05:02 · Score: 1

Since when do people with such obvious mental deficiencies have time to rant on Slashdot?

Oh. :-(

It is a requirement.

Wait...

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I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust

Recent International Issue by jdev · 2011-02-04 05:05 · Score: 3, Interesting

Considering ICE just seized a Spanish domain that was deemed legal in Spain, I hope this gets more attention. The government is totally out of control here.

Re:Recent International Issue by corbettw · 2011-02-04 07:06 · Score: 1

The government is totally out of control.
FTFY. No qualifications are needed on that statement.

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God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
Re:Recent International Issue by SheeEttin · 2011-02-04 17:25 · Score: 1

Not quite--last time I checked, the generic TLDs were administered ICANN, a US organization. (Apparently, they're even associated with the United States Government.)

Re:Whoring bitch by Hatta · 2011-02-04 05:08 · Score: 2

Try to keep your sexist bigotry and legitimate political outrage separate. Thanks!

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Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!

Don't forget to write by whistlingtony · 2011-02-04 05:14 · Score: 1

http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/ Write him and tell him you appreciate it. Especially since it's not even time for elections yet... :D If you don't live in Oregon, write your rep and tell them that you see something like this and that it actually matters to you... And that you'll remember this come time to vote. http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

Re:Don't forget to write by sconeu · 2011-02-04 08:17 · Score: 1

Unfortunately, both of my senators are bought and paid for by Disney (Boxer and Feinstein).

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General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.

Re:Whoring bitch by Hatta · 2011-02-04 05:34 · Score: 2

I'm not complaining because I'm offended. I'm complaining because your (quite important) message will be less effective because of it. It's easy to read the last sentence of your post and write the whole thing off as the rantings of someone who hates women in power. Don't give people that opportunity. Stay on message.

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Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!

Re:Whoring bitch by MonsterTrimble · 2011-02-04 05:43 · Score: 4, Funny

Whitesnake

*BLINKS*

or whatever it is that today's teeny-boppers download

*Looks at the calender* Seriously, of all the bands you could have pulled out, WHITESNAKE?!?

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I call it 'The Aristocrats'

It's all about the Superbowl by bradley13 · 2011-02-04 06:02 · Score: 5, Interesting

Following links from TFA, we find this fascinating quote: "Law enforcement officials picked this week to shut down the sites for a reason. The Superbowl, the most-watched sporting event of the year, is this Sunday. ICE wants to make sure football fans who planned on going online to watch the big game turn to legitamate broadcasters instead."

Who needs due process? Just follow the money...

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Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.

Re:It's all about the Superbowl by 517714 · 2011-02-04 09:14 · Score: 1

"They also want to make sure no other thieves have time to launch and promote similar sites."
I think "other" in this case means other than the NFL which is a racketeering enterprise. The timing of the move will mean fewer streams, but greater profits for those sources, and isn't that what government is really all about the concentration of wealth in hands of as few as possible? I am certain that a Google search on Sunday will be sufficient.

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The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.

Re:Whoring bitch by Runaway1956 · 2011-02-04 06:05 · Score: 1

Sorry, but the local radio station was playing that stupid song about the woman obsessed with 1985 when I left work. She wanted to shake her ass on the hood of Whitesnake's car, or something like that. I know, crazy word association, or whatever, LOL The girls in MY generation were obsessed with the Beatles and Michael Jackson, and Donny Osmond, among others.

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"Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br

DNS is the Achilles Heel of the Internet by Joe+U · 2011-02-04 06:09 · Score: 3, Interesting

DNS is the Achilles Heel of the Internet. If the Internet is going to be controlled, DNS is going to be the most likely way to do it.

A few Senators are not going to stop this trend. It's going to get worse. It's good to see that someone is paying attention, but I don't see anything that can be done to fix the basic flaw with DNS. DNS is controlled by one group that you can't trust.

So, yet again, I'm calling all the smart people out there, lets start talking about replacing DNS once and for all.

Anyone?

Re:DNS is the Achilles Heel of the Internet by Joe+U · 2011-02-04 07:27 · Score: 1

Seriously, get a job or a hobby or something.
I got it! I can be an idiot distractor. I'll tell you how it works shortly, just keep refreshing this link all day.
Re:DNS is the Achilles Heel of the Internet by fnj · 2011-02-04 18:58 · Score: 2

Let's get one thing straight. DNS is not the problem; our government is. If the government didn't use DNS manipulation to further their evil purpose, they would use something else. They would just lock up the site owner, or put out a hit on him or send a hellfire missile if he is not in US territory. This is what you get when you cease to be vigilant about an agency (national government) whose power is inherently unlimited. The system of constitutional limits on that power only works when the people are vigilant and put their fist down.
Re:DNS is the Achilles Heel of the Internet by mdm42 · 2011-02-04 20:25 · Score: 1

http://dot-p2p.org/ for just one of many of the projects going on.

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New mod option wanted: -1 DrunkenRambling
Re:DNS is the Achilles Heel of the Internet by Deefburger · 2011-02-05 02:56 · Score: 1

Yes. Not just DNS but ad-hoc P2P as well. We need a layered protocol like TCP/IP that isn't centralized in any way that is monolithic. All lookup and routing must be ad-hoc and on-the-fly.

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Most people are mostly good most of the time.

Re:Whoring bitch by jimmydevice · 2011-02-04 06:11 · Score: 1

Why is this modded troll -1? It's a bit volatile, but basically the truth,

You insensitive pundit by Anonymous Coward · 2011-02-04 06:22 · Score: 1

My hate is bi-partisan!

Exactly by ThatsNotPudding · 2011-02-04 06:24 · Score: 4, Informative

Remember folks: EVERYONE in the House who was pro-Net Neutrality was removed from power via massive corporate campaign donations (which are now unlimited because of our Wing Nut Supreme Court).

Re:Exactly by chispito · 2011-02-04 07:03 · Score: 1

Remember folks: EVERYONE in the House who was pro-Net Neutrality was removed from power via massive corporate campaign donations (which are now unlimited because of our Wing Nut Supreme Court).
Just because Republicans tend to get more corporate donations and Democrats tend to get more union donations doesn't mean Net Neutrality had any meaningful impact on the 2010 election cycle.

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The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
Re:Exactly by jwhitener · 2011-02-04 13:17 · Score: 1

Well, we still have Al Franken and Bernie Sanders in the Senate to hopefully raise enough awareness to stop any crazy house bills from passing. (Not likely, but one can hope).
Re:Exactly by fnj · 2011-02-04 18:50 · Score: 1

How does it feel to be out of step with reality?

Good use of taxpayer funds by DHS? by yt8znu35 · 2011-02-04 06:24 · Score: 1

How are these questionable seizures of domains making us safer?

Re:Good use of taxpayer funds by DHS? by corbettw · 2011-02-04 07:09 · Score: 1

Why do you assume safety of citizens is the primary goal of the DHS?

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God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.

The reply by darth+dickinson · 2011-02-04 06:36 · Score: 2

And AG Holder's reply:

"Why did we seize them? Because SHUT UP, that's why!"

Re:Whoring bitch by GameboyRMH · 2011-02-04 07:08 · Score: 1

So if you use a gender-specific insult you're sexist now? If so, is "prostitute" gender-neutral enough for you, just out of curiosity?

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"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel

Re:Whoring bitch by treeves · 2011-02-04 07:29 · Score: 1

Justin Bieber, naturally.

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...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.

Commerce by MrEricSir · 2011-02-04 07:30 · Score: 1

How can one be expected to do online business in a country where a domain can be rescinded at any time?

This is EXACTLY the same thing that happened to Google in China.

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There's no -1 for "I don't get it."

Wyden sure seems to support net neutrality by PIPBoy3000 · 2011-02-04 07:33 · Score: 1

Wyden to Block Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality(2006)
Protecting mobile privacy(now)

I got to vote for him too.

Re:Blame Bush? by Culture20 · 2011-02-04 07:49 · Score: 2

tortured to death under bush

Snoo-snoo? Sign me up!

Re:Whoring bitch by HiThere · 2011-02-04 08:58 · Score: 1

You are being silly. The grandparent's point was quite valid.

If you wish to communicate an important message with maximal effect, it's best to not use language that will cause a part of your audience to reject it without thought.

In this case the idea of "whoring" or "prostitute" is such a term. Perhaps you could compare them to someone less respectable, like a telephone solicitor or spammer. (Yeah, it doesn't seem to work as well.)

In this culture the idea that you are referring to seems to be inherently sex-linked, even though there's no obvious reason that it should be so. Even just saying that "Napolitano has sold herself body and soul to the RIAA and MPAA" sounds inextricably sexist, even though there's no logical reason that it should do so. And if you just said "Napolitano has sold her soul to the RIAA and MPAA" it would sound pathetically fundamentalist christian. Or, if it didn't strike you that way, it wouldn't sound as intense as you appear to mean it to sound.

So saying "Napolitano is a whore for the RIAA and MPAA" may be the best that can be done to communicate your feeling, even though it alienates a part of your audience.

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I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.

Re:A Pointless Exercise by HiThere · 2011-02-04 09:02 · Score: 1

Well, that's a bit over the top, though the general idea seems correct.

OTOH, I have trouble naming a president since Eisenhower of which this wasn't true. And I'm not sure about Eisenhower. He may have been "a lovable old duffer with a cabinet full of snakes", or he may have chosen them and guided them. I was too young to tell.

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I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.

Re:A Pointless Exercise by HiThere · 2011-02-04 09:05 · Score: 1

How about "He's ineffectual when it comes to doing anything to help the citizenry, but hell on wheels at helping the corporations."?

Anyone who thinks he's out to defend the rights of the citizenry should remember that he voted for FISA *WHILE* running for the presidency.

OTOH, McCain/Palin would probably have been worse, and possibly much worse.

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I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.

I live in Portland by whistlingtony · 2011-02-04 10:02 · Score: 1

I live in Portland and it's a nice city. Yes, it IS the controlling majority for the state. Why? Because a LOT of the people live there? Crazy, I know.... Most of the poeple I work with are actually conservatives though... or libertarians. Lets face it, the MAX is a good thing. I use it a lot, just to avoid parking. Oh, and it goes through Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, and Hillsboro... so... yeah. I don't see many businesses leaving. The city has a great DIY/startup vibe and people WANT to work here, because it's kind of an awesome place. Ok, some of the cyclists do ride a little stupid. Police are fined when the shoot an unarmed suspect, which is frankly how it should be... Ok, and I don't think anyone actually cares about the Mayor, but that was pretty stupid of him. If you hate it so much, why don't you move away? 36 years is a long time to stay somewhere you hate.

Re:I live in Portland by daath93 · 2011-02-04 11:21 · Score: 1

Born here, have a solid job. The states unemployment hasnt gone down in 3 years, we just re-elected a governor for a 3rd term who is actually responsible for most of the problems the state is currently in (such as the PERS problem), and if the trains weren't paid for by taxes i'd have no problem, but the problem is that METRO's only solution to traffic is to build trains, screw buses, screw road expansion. Pay for trains and street cars at $30million/mile and then subsidize each rider's fare with $2 in taxes. Businesses that can are moving to Washington where they don't have to pay state income tax which the libs in portland have proven time and again that as long as the bottom 50% doesnt have to pay taxes, screw the job creators (as they said with 56 and 57).

and if you don't care that an elected official is a child molester, then you have larger problems than I do for choosing to live here.

In Soviet America by marxus · 2011-02-06 17:46 · Score: 1

In Soviet America... oh wait. Never mind.

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