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All 12 Member Countries Sign Off On the TPP (freezenet.ca)

Dangerous_Minds writes: News is surfacing that the TPP has officially been signed by all 12 member countries. This marks the beginning of the final step towards ratification. Freezenet has a quick rundown of what copyright provisions are contained in the agreement, including traffic shaping, site blocking, enforcement of copyright when infringement is "imminent," and a government mandate for ISPs to install backdoors for the purpose of tracking copyright infringement on the Internet.

107 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now any corporation can sure your country, but you can't vote on the selling out of your rights to foreign corporations.

    Are you happy yet?

    Days like this I wish I'd never helped create the Internet or the tools you use, or let it escape from academia.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    1. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2

      Lol, sorry, I mispelled sue.

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      -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    2. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by wardrich86 · · Score: 2

      Why not just fire off the entire government and vote on which corporation you want to run your country? It's basically what's happening now, but we could fire a whole ton of puppets that are taking our money for nothing.

    3. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2

      Actually, I'm one of the one percent, and have voted direct shares. But most of you aren't. You're serfs.

      (thinks)

      No, serfs have rights. At best you're indentured servants.

      --
      -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    4. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by sycodon · · Score: 1

      It's not a treaty, so nothing in it has the force of law.

      If someone can't sue now, they can't sue even after Obama signs it.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    5. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by wardrich86 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Pff, 1%ers don't surf the regular web. I call shens. Shouldn't you be on like... Billiondollardot or something? haha

    6. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by jedidiah · · Score: 2

      > Getting fresh air and spending time with loved ones is still free.

      What fresh air?

      The corporate sovereignty provisions of the TPP have much wider implications than you seem to be willing to acknowledge.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    7. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Gavagai80 · · Score: 1

      It's called an oligarchy.

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      This space intentionally left blank
    8. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by david_thornley · · Score: 1

      I'm not among the 1%, but there are several stocks that I directly own, and have voted. It really doesn't matter.

      The Board is going to decide how the shareholders' votes go. A very large amount of stock is held by institutional investors, who are almost certain to vote as the Board recommends. (After all, there's a lot of interlocking stock ownership going on, and as long as everybody at high levels votes the Boards' way in all companies everybody who matters will get along just fine, right?)

      As a small capitalist, I have effectively no more control over a company than the lower-ranked indentured servants do.

      --
      "When you have eliminated the unacceptable, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truthiness" - Holmes
    9. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      It's not a treaty, so nothing in it has the force of law.

      It *IS* a treaty. An international agreement is a treaty, by definition. That's what treaty means.

      However, it is only a legal treaty in the U.S. if it gets ratified by Congress. And we'd better hope that's not the case.

      Further yet, there's the issue of whether a treaty can override internal U.S. laws. My money is on NO.

    10. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by dcollins117 · · Score: 1

      Days like this I wish I'd never helped create the Internet or the tools you use, or let it escape from academia.

      Cheer up, it's not the tools that are broken. It's greed. Avarice, one of the deadly sins, is wholly responsible for this abominable legislation.

    11. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by rtb61 · · Score: 2

      You also jumped the gun quite a bit. Now the respective countries governments have to review what the selected corporate representatives from each country agreed to and either accept it or reject it, no changes allowed. Pretty much solid indication is, it is going to be rejected and collapse, at which time the lobbying from corporations and the threats from the US government will start.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    12. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Cederic · · Score: 1

      I don't kick puppies, I even walk gingerly around them. After I steal the baby's candy, I give it back. I may take their pacifier and hide it for my own amusement but that's because I'm evil. I give that back too. I've never run over a nun. I've never burned down an orphanage. I've never even cheated on my taxes. I've never pushed an old lady out of the way - my home is up in Maine now and they're particularly stout. I don't cut people off in traffic. I'm not more important than you - I'm not better than you either. I've never once shut down a factory and sent everyone home without pay - nor do I pay anyone or reward anyone who does. I only get one vote and nobody has ever told me that my vote is more important than your vote and, if they did, you'd probably enjoy living in my country as I'm mostly sane. I've never torched a cat, a cow, or even stuck a firecracker in a frog's butt. I never bullied anyone. I'd say I'd never hurt anyone but that'd be a lie. I not only got my degree, I served my country to afford it. I do own a BMW (a couple, actually) but I've never run anyone off the road. I put my pants on one leg at a time - I don't even have a tailor or a butler. I do, technically, have a housekeeper and sometimes she lets me pretend to be the boss. I have a dog and he farts just like your dog. I use the same 'net and the same hardware you use. You probably are using a faster computer (at least video card) than I am. I have a cute girlfriend but she's not a supermodel and she wears jeans and a sweatshirt. She has a purse, it was under $100 from LL Bean and is more like a satchel. I think my credit cards have a limit but I don't know what they are - I don't use them. I don't want to eat your baby, even with salt. I've never once been mean to your mother and I'm sure she's a nice lady. I've never had knowing contact with aliens. I have no idea how to buy a law, or a senator. I don't shop at Walmart but I've been in one. You have a bigger television than I do. You probably have a better stereo than I do. I don't steal. I'm willing to do manual labor. I didn't sacrifice a chicken or even a goat to get to where I am - I just got lucky as all hell. I swear, I smoke cigars, and I don't think I've taken a shower yet today. I didn't burn down a church. I've never taken your retirement fund - none of the people I know personally have done that either. Most of the people I know and associate with are not wealthy, they're fairly average and middle class. I drive my own cars - and wouldn't have it any other way. I use the same software others use - nobody makes me special software unless I pay them or do it myself.

      Do me a favour? Buy a new domain called theonepercent.com (or something, haven't even checked that one) and just put up a single page with that text in a slightly more readable form. It'd be useful to link to people :)

    13. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Cederic · · Score: 1

      argh! close quote error :(

    14. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by KGIII · · Score: 2, Informative

      I guess. I'll give it a bookmark and see what I can come up with over the weekend. If you want, you can reply and let me know and I'll link you to it when it's ready. I'm sure I can find an appropriate site name and hosting is damned near free. Hell, if I get really bored - I'll see if I can do it (with a TLD) and not pay a nickel for it - just to make 'em think a bit more. I imagine that I can do that.

      I did have a picture of me (complete with my face!) during the OWS Festival. I was holding a sign that said quite a bit of similar things to that. Note, I was not at the Festivals (protests?) but simply standing in my living room. I'd made the sign and had the picture taken because I was kind of amused by all the signs that were being posted. "I made horrible life choices and now my parent's won't fund me well enough to achieve my irresponsible dreams and I think I deserve a trophy!" (That's not what the sign said. That's what the 99%er signs said.) The picture was up on Fark and then made it to Reddit and is (intentionally) not attached to this username.

      Now, just because it needs saying as this is Slashdot... No, OWS was actually kind of stupid and morally bankrupt as a whole. However, *some* of them had some very good complaints that were legitimate. I can't say that I recollect seeing any good (realistic) solutions being proposed. That's a shame because just noting the viable complaints would have been a good start and they could have actually gotten a more cohesive message across. Instead, they let the zealots, inept, and crazy speak for them and the message they portrayed, to the vast majority of people, was that they were a bunch of people who could not, would not, do anything to better themselves (really better) and were mad about the repercussions of their choices.

      I think my favorite was someone claiming that they had huge college debt, was owed a "well paying job," was owed a refund for their college debt, and that "big business" was to blame. The journalist asked what they majored in and this girl looks at the camera with a proud face and spouts out some arts major or humanities major. I don't recall what it was specifically but I burst out laughing when I watched the clip. I was waiting for someone to tell me that it was actually one of those live art things where they interact with people.

      However, OWS had some legitimate gripes if we took the time to listen to them. The solutions might have been a bit amiss but the lack of a proposed viable solution does not mean there is no problem. Ah, it was a great festival.

      And, if one is curious... I paid for my college by joining the Marines and using the GI Bill. Not just once, twice - I wanted to finish and get my doctorate. What did I major in? Applied Mathematics. It might not be glamorous but when you increase throughput and reduce congestion in traffic (I modeled traffic) across the country, you do a lot for efficiency, productivity, reduction of pollution, and lowering costs. They drove to their OWS events on roads that my company did the consulting, modeling, engineering on (depending on the scale of the project). However, I am where I am today mostly because I got damned lucky and was in the right place, at the right time, while being able to accept risks. I not only am not special, I made more mistakes than needed.

      At any rate, I'll bang out a site like that over the weekend. Just a single domain and a single page? Hmm... Should I do a contact form? I can make it more readable but a part of my point was to make it a solid wall of text. I'd agree, a better readability score would be good. Just lemme know and I've got a few minutes this weekend. I've got a few projects going so something that's quick and easy will be good. Seeing it finished and ready for the world will make me feel more productive.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    15. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Cederic · · Score: 1

      Sure, share a link.
      A contact/feedback form wouldn't hurt - think about whether you want to engage with people that would use it, or whether it's just a way for them to share thoughts one-way.

      But I'd suggest keeping it anonymous, from the domain registration up. As you did on Slashdot, it'd challenge the preconceptions about the 1% rather than be an ego thing.

    16. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by boomer_rehfield · · Score: 1

      >I think my favorite was someone claiming that they had huge college debt, was owed a "well paying job," was owed a refund for their college debt, and that "big business" was to blame. The journalist asked what they majored in and this girl looks at the camera with a proud face and spouts out some arts major or humanities major. I don't recall what it was specifically but I burst out laughing when I watched the clip.

      I remember a good buddy of mine from college that I took engineering classes with. (Years and years ago) I did it for fun as I was aimed for CS. After my military stint I ran into him back in the states and apparently he'd switched his major to philosophy after I left, and that he was currently working as a manager at Jiffy Lube. I don't know if he ever felt entitled to anything like in your story, but it made me think of this because I was so baffled by his choices.

      --
      Carpe Canem - Seize the Dog
    17. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by KGIII · · Score: 2

      That is confusing BUT it's okay - so long as they don't feel like they don't have to accept the consequences of their actions. Maybe your buddy was happier with his major and his job? Maybe he wanted to study something new? I get that and I accept it. Hell, I even think it's important. What I don't think is that our economy is designed to employ them and that they made choices and must accept the consequences of those choices. 'Snot like I'm asking a whole lot here.

      I think the difference, perhaps, might have been that the interviewee was so proud of herself. The lady doing the interview was visually, obviously, disgusted and the interviewee was completely and totally impervious to that. I don't remember exactly what the major was, something like interpretive dance or the likes. At any rate, I doubt there's a huge market for people with their Masters interpreting other people stomping around on stage while a guy on acid plays a combination of banjo, thumb piano, and gongs.

      I looked and there are so many choices that I'm not gonna spend that much time trying to find it again. It was on Fark at the time. I wish I could remember the quotes. You'd die in a giggle fit and for all the wrong reasons. Something like, "I have my masters! I should be making at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars a year! I earned it!"

      And she had people cheering her on... And she had people on Fark who agreed with every word she said. I was baffled. I was flabbergasted. During the OWS Fest, I was careful to use certain verbiage and to do a lot of communicating. I was told that the 1%ers (all of them) needed to be put up against the wall and shot, have their families killed before them, were all criminals, were responsible for the plight of damned near anything you can think of (and some you might overlook), and so many other things. Those were the people representing what actually had a few legitimate gripes.

      *sighs*

      No, no you don't deserve a trophy. You picked a degree in underwater basket weaving. If you'd gone to a trade school and swapped out weaving for welding, you'd be doing pretty well for yourself. No, go take a shower, dye your hair back to normal, remove some of the metal from your face, and fetch me my coffee - please and thank you. And no, I don't really care about the holes in their face or even their hair color - it's just that you're probably gonna have a hard time getting a job with a tattoo on your forehead that says, "Fuck the 1%ers." But I'm sure they still think they've earned a six figure salary or, at least, are owed one even if they've not earned it. Why? I don't know. Because fuck those guys who made some money, that's why!

      The funny thing is, on the scale of things? I don't really have that much money. I gave a whole ton of it away and I use the rest to make more money and give that away. I splurged and bought myself a BMW this past year. Now that my needs are taken care of, if you ignore property taxes, I probably *personally* spend less money on myself than many of them do. It was fun spending for a while but, frankly, I just don't need anything else.

      My girlfriend grew up dirt poor and she doesn't spend shit either. I know, 'cause she keeps telling me what she spent. I find that awkward. I get where it comes from but, still, I tried to avoid it by just giving her the money. "No, hon, I don't need a receipt of even care. *smile* If I gave it to you, and I did, that means it is yours to do with as you wish. If it runs low, let me know." I can't even get her to spend money. :/ Hell, she's still young. Err... I think her purse (handbag really) was about $80 at LL Bean. We ordered it via the mail 'cause I'm not back in Maine and we've only been together since October.

      At any rate... I don't know what the hell is wrong with those people?!? If you took a course in underwater basket weaving and you can turn it into a job that pays enough to live on then that's great! Do what you love! If you can't then, well... Surely you *did* major in something else or

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    18. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      A treaty supersedes all of the laws of the land, which is why it requires Congress to sign off on it, instead of a President's signature.

      False. The Constitution is vague on the issue, saying that both treaties and the Constitution are "the law of the land". However, it's pretty clear that the Constitution only intended for treaties to deal with issues external to the United States (such as foreign trade).

      In its only (to my knowledge) ruling which dealt with this issue, in regard to internal U.S. affairs, Reid v. Covert, SCOTUS ruled that the U.S. Constitution supersedes international treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate.

      The actual "supremacy clause" in the Constitution reads thus:

      This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land;

      The phrases in pursuance thereof and under the authority of the United States clearly indicate that treaties may NOT supersede the Constitution. Because any such treaty, to be lawful, must be in pursuance of implementing the Constitution, and treaties must be made under the authority of the United States government, which is bound to uphold the Constitution.

      So, NO. Claiming that a treaty supersedes internal U.S. laws or the Constitution is just false. It stems from a gross min-reading of the Supremacy Clause, and ignores past Supreme Court ruling on this issue.

      The exception is when a State deals directly with foreign interests (such as international trade). In those cases, treaties do indeed supersede State laws on the matter, because the Federal government has all authority to deal with foreign governments and foreign trade. But that's a very narrow area.

    19. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      s/min-reading/mis-reading

    20. Re:It's official, you all live in a Dictatorship by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Please see my reply to the other responder above. Treaties very definitely do not supersede the Constitution or U.S. laws, except in very particular and narrow circumstances. See the link in that comment, or a few minutes on Google can prove that to you.

  2. Frist! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't forget, we're putting covers on our TPP reports before we send them out now.

  3. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2

    But has it passed Congress yet?

  4. Selling our sovereignty to corporations by Sebby · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The TPP (or as I've seen it referred to - the "Tyrant Protection Plan") is nothing but a sham, no part of it has anything to do with 'trade', and all of it having to do with corporations ensuring their profits, at the cost of those countries' citizens.

    Why else would they be permitted to sue countries/governments over alleged threats to their 'perceived potential profits' due to new laws (such as environment protections laws that might forbid those companies from operating under these new laws) passed by said countries.

    --

    AC comments get piped to /dev/null
    1. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Insightful

      no part of it has anything to do with 'trade', and all of it having to do with corporations ensuring their profits, at the cost of those countries' citizens

      That's what "trade" means these days, didn't you get the memo?

      This whole TPP is basically the foundation of an international corporate bill of rights, which places the demands of corporations into law around the world.

      Pushed by the US government, who are conveniently on the payroll and dedicated to advancing those corporate interests.

      This "treaty" is pretty much the global oligarchy tightening the noose. Entrenching copyright, imaginary property, and making sure to be able to fight governments ability to pass laws is the entire fucking point.

      Citizens? This isn't to benefit us ... unless you mean corporate citizens.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by Sebby · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Time they read this.

      --

      AC comments get piped to /dev/null
    3. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by Aighearach · · Score: 1

      How does enriching corporations with my money not have anything to do with "trade?" It seems to have a bit too much to do with trade if you ask me!

      We have a lot of people opposing this, but if the signal/noise isn't favorable it might not help. We have to get enough rational people not only to oppose the rational paid supporters on the other side, but also to counter-act the irrational nutcases who make us look bad.

    4. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      Or this, which is Jim Balsillie (one of the BlackBerry co-founder who is a billionaire) spelling out why this treaty is a terrible idea (for Canada at least).

      The TPP is selling the fucking farm for some magic beans. It's basically the US allowing corporations to set international policy for their own benefit.

      This is only beneficial to the corporations who paid for it, and the politicians and lobbyists on the payroll to fucking deliver it. It offers pretty much no benefit to the citizens of those countries.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    5. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by l0n3s0m3phr34k · · Score: 1

      At least it makes it easier to identify the people who are first in line up against the wall...

    6. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by Prune · · Score: 1

      Never mind Balsillie. Michael Geist wrote a whole series of very detailed arguments as to why the TPP is an absolutely terrible deal for Canada, with many arguments applying to the rest of the suckers^H^H^H^H^Hpartners who sold out their citizens. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/?s=...

      --
      "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
    7. Re:Selling our sovereignty to corporations by Sebby · · Score: 1

      You still offered nothing to counter his point, AC.

      --

      AC comments get piped to /dev/null
  5. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by DarkOx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Right, because an international agreement negotiated by a Democratic administration is some hope to be blamed on the Republican party.

    Pull your head out of your ass. The Establishment is the problem, If you are remotely considering voting for HRC or Rubio, THIS IS YOUR FAULT.

    Vote Sanders, or Vote Cruz as you like but do not allow HRC or Rubio to get nominated!

    --
    Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
  6. Signed, not Ratified... by Striek · · Score: 5, Informative

    It hasn't been ratified though. There are significant benefits to being an original signatory on any international treaty, and every member country is afraid of being left in the dust if they don't. There are provisions requiring signatories to ratify certain provisions, but it has not been ratified yet, only signed, and there is a big difference.

    The TPP might actually be a net financial gain for the United States - unfortunately, at the expense of other countries involved. A number of provisions in it give an unfair advantage to the US, because they have demanded that these provisions be put in.

    Michael Geist is doing a very good review of all the problems with the TPP, and has been posting daily about it for about a month now. It's a rather Canadian perspective on it, but a good read nonetheless.

    --
    "Government is like fire; a handy servant, but a dangerous master." -- George Washington
    1. Re:Signed, not Ratified... by Aighearach · · Score: 1

      The TPP might actually be a net financial gain for the United States

      Even many who are opposed agree with that statement. The thing is, it also might not. ;) So, not really good financial planning. "You know, this deal doesn't look too bad; you might not even lose your shirt! It is possible you would come out ahead."

    2. Re:Signed, not Ratified... by liquid_schwartz · · Score: 1

      The TPP might actually be a net financial gain for the United States - unfortunately, at the expense of other countries involved.

      The current pie in the sky all, all lights are green projections from an administration desperate to push this is 0.6% growth. That's the best they could muster when fudging all the numbers in a favorable direction. The US will most assuredly lose on this just like every other first world country. This is NAFTA all over again. My only fond thought is that at some point citizens will get fed up enough to revolt. Vote Bernie or Trump if you want to end these "Free Trade" agreements. Vote Hillary or Rubio if you like bought and paid for politicians.

    3. Re:Signed, not Ratified... by mrchaotica · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The TPP might actually be a net financial gain for the United States

      ...at the cost of a net civil rights loss for United States Citizens. And that's the fucking problem! The whole goddamn thing is an omnibus bill of all the freedom-destroying shit the oligarchs and lobbyists can't jam through Congress halfway-legitimately.

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    4. Re:Signed, not Ratified... by HiThere · · Score: 1

      You are counting the United States as if it were one unified entity. I'm sure it would benefit some parties who normally live in the United States. It would damage a much larger number of citizens. Possibly there would be a net combined monetary gain, but there would not be a net marginal gain. A dollar is worth a lot more to someone barely getting by that it is to someone extremely wealthy.

      The TPP is an ongoing disaster, and anybody who supports it should be considered a traitor to his/her country. And I'm particularly including Hillary Clinton, one of the authors.

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
  7. Trans-Pacific Partnership by Verdatum · · Score: 4, Informative

    Would it have been that hard to expand that initialism? I've got far too many TLAs floating around in my head to be able to figure out what context you are talking about. The inability to introduce a topic properly within a slashdot summary irks me more than all the other stuff people always moan about here.

    1. Re:Trans-Pacific Partnership by arth1 · · Score: 1

      Agreed. Whenever using an abbreviation or acronym that isn't universal, spell it out the first time you use it. And TPP is certainly not an universal abbreviation. The use here isn't even the most common one.
      See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... for a reason why saying TPP without qualifying it is a bad idea, especially on a nerd site.

    2. Re:Trans-Pacific Partnership by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Which has nothing to do with the ability for the submitter or editor to have written the words, "Trans Pacific Partnership," instead of, "TPP," in the summary. Like regular journalists, or any user of the English language, ought to do.

  8. ISDS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Investor-state dispute settlements here we come

    According to The Nation's interpretation of leaked documents in 2012, countries would be required to conform their domestic laws and regulations to the TPP Agreement, which includes provisions on government spending in certain areas
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Pacific_Partnership#Investor.E2.80.93state_arbitration_.28ISDS.29

    Welcome to shadowrun chummer

    1. Re: ISDS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Awesome! I'm gonna choose my class... umm, why is the only option "Slum Dweller"?

  9. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Republicans rule all three branches of our government so that doesn't matter.

    Correct. President Obama is what we would have describe as a Republican President until this century.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  10. + job losses everywhere by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    The latest economics study on the TPP suggests it will "cause some job losses and exacerbate income inequality in each of the dozen participating nations, but especially in the largest — the United States"

    http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/business/international/economists-sharply-split-over-trade-deal-effects.html

    1. Re:+ job losses everywhere by blue9steel · · Score: 2

      So working as intended then?

  11. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No, only Malaysia has ratified.

    It is a silly headline. The 12 countries that agreed to have their negotiators, whose only authority is to negotiate the text, sign what they negotiated. This is not an approval step in any of these countries, or intended to be. It is just a signing ceremony. The news was months ago when they agreed to a text; countries that didn't agree then were not on the list they're using here. They make it sound like all the countries that negotiated signed. Not true at all. The countries that came to a deal, signed the deal as the first step towards referring it to their respective national processes.

    Republicans in the US House have suggested that the only chance they'll have enough votes is if they pass it during the "lame duck" session after this year's Nov election. I agree that is their one chance, but I think they might have a hard time selling it to voters this year and if it is a major election issue then it won't pass the Senate. Elected Republicans mostly like it, but most Republican voters don't.

  12. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by sycodon · · Score: 2

    You are a special kind of troll that we should all cherish.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
  13. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Penguinisto · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ^^This, a million fucking times this!

    Corporatism knows no party, and cares for none but one driving ideology: profit.

    The sooner you partisan asshats get that through your skulls, the better off we'll all be.

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
  14. All Your Copyrights Are Belong To Us! by NotDrWho · · Score: 2

    Just give in to the Hollywood studios, world. It's BLISSS.

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  15. Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I can start respecting copyright at the same level as the average Chinese person does

    With utter contempt

    1. Re:Finally by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      Iirc 90% of all windows computers running in china are non-genuine.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    2. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      And they prefer that compared to 15% more as genuine and the other 75% as Apple or Linux.

  16. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    If you think Cruz isn't supported by the real establishment, you might want to dig a little deeper, past the dislike that the Washington DC political establishment has of him, and take a long hard look at some of the places he's getting his money from. Cruz is not an outsider - he's played a very calculated, cynical game to take on that role because he thinks it's his route to power. The main reason that he's upset the many Republican officeholders that hate his guts is because he's refused to play by their rules, and promoted his own career at their express expense, because he found that running against Washington DC, including the Republicans of Washington DC, would help him win.

  17. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 2, Informative

    You're just shouting, without checking the positions. What if it really is a partisan issue, and Obama is the only high profile Democrat supporting it? Then what?

    Clinton and Sanders are both against the TPP. Not sure why you're spewing anti-Hillary stuff here. Trump is also opposed. Rubio says he is undecided.

    Cruz supports the TPP, but doesn't think that Congress should vote in a lame duck session.

    Even counting withdrawn Democratic candidates, you'll find that Martin O'Malley and Jim Webb both opposed it.

    Presidential candidates supporting the TPP are only: Bush(R), Cruz(R), Kasich(R), Rick Perry(R), Rick Santorum(R), Scott Walker(R)
    Maybe yes are: Rubio(R)(maybe; supported before now says undecided), Rand Paul(R)(opposes Presidential authority to negotiate it, but open to voting for the actual deal)

  18. NOTE TO MODERATORS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Moderators, please note that many of the comments in this thread are a troll replying to himself to make it appear like a conversation. It's one jackass who posts this type of spam on a regular basis, replying to himself as AC. And, of course, he never says anything of substance, just one line nonsense.

    Here's one example: http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=8657315&cid=51359929 (posting about how Republicans want people to die)
    Another example: http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=8685139cid=51400945 (making BS claims about Facebook tolerating and promoting gun violence)
    Yet another: http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=8700601&cid=51428235 (Claiming that Republicans are always tracking and spying on everyone)

    There are others. It's almost certainly one assclown who ought to be banned or at least modded into oblivion. I'm hoping the new owners get rid of some of the shit like this. I don't really mind real trolls that post on-topic stuff. Some of it's actually pretty damn funny. Even some of the old -1 logged-in posters like cyborg_monkey were entertaining. Besides, they didn't waste mod points because they were already at -1 and you could easily avoid reading them. But I'd like to see really stupid nonsense like this go away. As one user said, real trolls would either make us laugh or piss us off; this guy does neither and is just a waste.

  19. Oh please let it pass. by Areyoukiddingme · · Score: 5, Interesting

    According to Michael Geist, TPP requires implementation of a DMCA-style take-down notice system, while eliminating the good faith belief requirement. Oh please oh please let it pass. YouTube? I'm sorry, it infringes. All of it. Vevo? Infringing. Take it down. Redtube? Infringing. Take it down. If TPP is implemented, it is our duty to see to it that no automated take-down system in any of the 12 countries will work anymore. And it will be legal.

    Finally all those spam botnets will have a productive use.

    1. Re:Oh please let it pass. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Why stop at the streaming services? How about every newspaper, every movie studios home page, also Netflix. (Is it limited to web pages or can I file a take-down notice to a Cinema?)

    2. Re:Oh please let it pass. by BitwiseX · · Score: 1

      Redtube? Infringing. Take it down.

      You sold me. How do I stop this?

    3. Re:Oh please let it pass. by KGIII · · Score: 1

      How do I stop this?

      You're gonna need a five gallon pail of marmalade, three spoons from a virgin's kitchen, a shotgun, and a yak. When you acquire those things, let me know and I'll tell you the next step.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    4. Re:Oh please let it pass. by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I'm going to operate under the assumption that you own duck tape. If you don't own duck tape, you probably shouldn't be here. Next, you need to give all (other) donations to a favored charity - except for exactly 14.5" of duck tape and the ones from the post above that you've accumulated for this task.

      You won't need clothing or a baseball card collection where you're going.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    5. Re:Oh please let it pass. by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Heh... I used to think that too! Alas, we're wrong.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      Note the name? Yup... It says "Duct." However, scroll down to the history section. It comes from "duck" cloth. Also, most brands of "duct tape" aren't really good for ducts - you want special duct tape that's got actual aluminum on it.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  20. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by kozchris1 · · Score: 1

    Or vote for Gary Johnson! https://www.garyjohnson2016.co...

  21. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Bartles · · Score: 4, Informative

    Cruz does not support TPP. He does support TPA. Get your facts straight.

  22. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Hillary being "against" it is hilarious because you have to remember that this thing has been going on long enough that she literally was involved in negotiating it. Her hands are already all over the TPP. The only reason she's "against" it is because Bernie is against it. Once Bernie loses the nomination (and he will, democracy doesn't mean shit to the DNC), she'll forget all about being "against" the TPP.

  23. allow âoedestructionâ orders.... by mark-t · · Score: 1
    I noted this among the copyright provisions

    allow âoedestructionâ orders of any product circumvents copy protection

    What if the thing that is enabling circumvention is the fact that somebody is smart? Do they destroy every programmable product that person owns, or do they destroy the person?

  24. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Gavagai80 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Clinton and Sanders are both against the TPP. Not sure why you're spewing anti-Hillary stuff here.

    Clinton was in favor of the TPP until recently when she realized she has to be against it to win the primary. There's every reason to think she'd be for it again if elected.

    --
    This space intentionally left blank
  25. The Age of Cyberpunk with its Corporate Socialism by Qbertino · · Score: 2

    We're headed deaper into the world of cyberpunk once more with all its hallmarks, including corporate socialism (corporates reap gain, citziens/taxpayers pay loss). TPP is just another step along the way. ... I wonder when there will be a counter movement. ... Right now everyone get's bored when I try to explain software and algorithm patents to them.Or they simply believe it doesn't exist.

    Whatever happens, I want a cyberdeck and Kanedas bike from Akira. ... And a tank with a few clones of me so I don't grow old. :-)

    --
    We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca
  26. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by dmbasso · · Score: 1

    I vote for Cave Johnson, with Lemons for VP.

    --
    `echo $[0x853204FA81]|tr 0-9 ionbsdeaml`@gmail.com
  27. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Talderas · · Score: 1

    Be careful. VP Lemons might burn down your house.

    --
    "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
  28. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by omnichad · · Score: 1

    being involved in negotiating doesn't give you much control over its contents. There's only so much one person can do when there are this many parties involved.

  29. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by reboot246 · · Score: 1

    In short, we've been screwed again.

    While both Democrats and Republicans just love screwing us, they usually do it in different ways. This time they're arm and arm together screwing us.

  30. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 2

    This time they're arm and arm together screwing us.

    Nope. Most Democrats oppose the TPP because the unions oppose it. Many Republicans oppose it because Obama is for it. It will not pass, or even be voted on, until after the election. If Bernie wins, TPP is dead. If Hillary wins, it may be dead because Bernie has forced her to take a stand against it. If Trump wins, it is likely dead. If an establishment Republican wins, it will have a good chance of being ratified.

  31. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Bartles · · Score: 1

    So who does have control over it's contents? You've just eliminated both the people that did have control and the people that didn't. Good luck with that argument.

  32. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by david_thornley · · Score: 1

    I think there's enough blame to go around, so I'm being bipartisan. The Democrats cannot pass this without a lot of Republican help, and I'm going to blame everyone involved.

    --
    "When you have eliminated the unacceptable, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truthiness" - Holmes
  33. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by omnichad · · Score: 2

    Have you never tried to do any sort of group project (college comes to mind for me) where you have no way (or authority) to fix everyone else's stupid?

  34. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Bartles · · Score: 1

    I have done plenty of group projects. It works best when you reasonably present good ideas, work with others, and show respect. We all encounter stupid people in our lives. That is normal. If everyone you meet is stupid, then chances are you're the stupid one.

    Again, if the people negotiating weren't responsible for it's contents, and the people not negotiating can't be responsible, then who is responsible for it's contents?

  35. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by camg188 · · Score: 1

    What does religion have to do with it?
    Do you mean a philosophy by which you try to live your life and help make life and death decisions with? In that case, then everything with everybody has to do with religion.

  36. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Unfortunately Congress already preapproved it. They don't need to vote on it again. Let that sink in... The Republicans preapproved a deal by Obama, before it was even done, and before reading any text from it. This is how much money is involved and how corrupt it is.

  37. Oblivious people should never vote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    TPP is the "Trans-Pacific Partnership" trade treaty that is a massive scam to hand the sovereignty of many nations to multinational corporations. It lets the super-rich move labor and products around tax-free while using that total mobility to escape local laws, regulations, oversight and public scrutiny. There is NOTHING in the thousands of pages to increase democratic functions, and everything that multinationals and the super-rich who have private jets and armed private security and who hang-out at Davos want.

    TPP has been a major international and political issue for well over a year (and was being worked-on less-publicly for much longer) so anybody on the half of the planet who is affected and yet does not know about it is a willful idiot who should never be allowed near a voting booth.

  38. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by no-body · · Score: 1

    Republicans rule all three branches of our government so that doesn't matter.

    So, and? Looks like people who can vote need to learn a lesson, just a question how long it takes and what gets destroyed in the meantime.

    Can't milk a hungry cow and the Elysium implementations possible now still are on this planets surface. Not the first time a population gets decimated by some cause - climate change (ice age 70 k years ago), overuse in connection with lack of knowledge etc. Maya sure may not had the knowledge which is available now:

    http://science.nasa.gov/scienc...

    "We modeled the worst and best case scenarios: 100 percent deforestation in the Maya area and no deforestation," says Sever. "The results were eye opening. Loss of all the trees caused a 3-5 degree rise in temperature and a 20-30 percent decrease in rainfall."

    One would think something has changed by then....

  39. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by HiThere · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, but Hillary was one of the authors of the TPP. And in the debate she didn't say she wouldn't support it when asked, she just waffled.

    --

    I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
  40. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2

    >> If Hillary wins, it may be dead because Bernie has forced her to take a stand against it.

    You must be new here. Nothing pivots like a Clinton in office.

  41. WTF is TPP? by Jack+Griffin · · Score: 1

    Read the summary as if, like me, you have no idea what 'TPP' is or means.
    Editorial fail.

  42. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by flopsquad · · Score: 1

    Nothing pivots like a Clinton in office.

    Hakeem Olajuwon?

    --
    Nothing posted to /. has ever been legal advice, including this.
  43. Re:allow 'destruction' orders.... by PincushionMan · · Score: 1

    What if the thing that is enabling circumvention is the fact that somebody is smart? Do they destroy every programmable product that person owns, or do they destroy the person?

    Well, people have been asking for it, and now, here it is, the Corporate Death Penalty! Coming soon to a city-state near you. We can eliminate threats to Intellectual Property and not tie up the local court systems. We can handle these recalcitrant individuals ourselves. We will have justice for our IP, it has rights, you know, it says so in the TPP. . .
    Wait, what!? You wanted the ability to use it on Corporations? Citizen, no! These institutions are the job creators. Destroying them would be hazardous to local and the global economies. You may have victory against us, but in the meantime, you'd have wars, famine, plague, and pestilence because we wouldn't be around to provide for you. You shouldn't want that - no one really wants that. If you do, well, you should see the company doctor. It's provided here, in your wage-slave contract. Don't worry, your contract provides you with six hours of free time per week, with an additional whole day++ off. ++24 hour 'day off' period will typically be surrounded by 2 12-hr work periods. You are expected to sleep a minimum of 6 hours after every 12 hour work period, and at least 6 hours before a 12 hour work period. Remember, a sleepy worker, is an unproductive worker, and unproductive workers will receive only 1/2 pay.
    And remember, you cannot destroy us, for we are too big to fail!

    This view of your future brought has been brought to courtesy of the TPP, and underwritten by East Asian Motors.

  44. Re:The Age of Cyberpunk with its Corporate Sociali by KGIII · · Score: 1

    I am a bit of a student of history. I am not, by trade, a historian. However, it is my observation that the pendulum swings in (at least) two directions. The further it swings in any direction, the further it swings back.

    So, if history is any indication as to social, political, or economic events, and I think it is, there will be a backlash and it probably won't be pretty. It's quite likely that it will take some years and some push but the people will fight back eventually.

    If you knock someone down in the corner and then keep kicking them, they'll eventually get up and fight back - and be mighty pissed. Well, not everyone. Some folks will not only take it but lick the boots that kick them while asking for more. I'll let you speculate as to whom that might be but, rest assured, they exist.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  45. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by djinn6 · · Score: 1

    The DNC does not have that kind of power. If they shove Clinton through by stomping on Bernie, a lot of his supporters will simply not vote on election day, effectively handing the presidency to the Republicans.

  46. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Boronx · · Score: 1

    And they only did it that way so they could like they opposed it later.

  47. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Boronx · · Score: 1

    I lot of these guys would rather have a Rubio than Sanders.

  48. But Good for Austrailian Farmers by aberglas · · Score: 1

    Who will now be able to sell dozens and dozens of Kg of sugar to the US, provided it does not compete with US farmers...

  49. Re:The Age of Cyberpunk with its Corporate Sociali by Lennie · · Score: 1

    Hi KGill. :-)

    Some of the things I'm seeing:
    - Google and Apple, Facebook/Whatsapp not yet cooperating with getting rid of encryption
    - lots of open source encryption tools
    - slowly but surely we are seeing some more open source hardware projects
    - Bitcoin and the follow altcoins exist - some even have some coinjoin system (anonymity)
    - OpenBazaar exists (not full anonymity yet) - open trade, no borders
    - decentralized DNS with .bit exist

    So at least some of the tools are in place...

    --
    New things are always on the horizon
  50. Re:The Age of Cyberpunk with its Corporate Sociali by KGIII · · Score: 2

    Hello there, Lennie.

    You raise some interesting points. All quite true for those - which does overlap in other areas. So, maybe? At least I think I get what you're saying. This might be a bit long but I'll do my best to be concise and articulate.

    If you don't mind, and treat these as rhetorical in all or in part if you prefer - though I do welcome a reply, if I ask a question or two?

    Do we, as a citizenry, have enough impetus to act?
    Will we, in viable numbers, actually act and make changes to our own habits?
    Have we reached a point where action is of dire importance?
    Are we, as a group, so disenfranchised, disillusioned, and jaded that we are willing to risk persecution?

    Bread and circuses (beer and television) go a long ways, Lennie. Throws in some creature comforts, some modicum of freedom (even if only a matter of perspective) of choice, fear, and cowardice (I can think of no better word)... Then, well... Pithy, yes... We've still got tools, we still have options. Will we use those options before it is too late?

    The sooner the pendulum can be swung back the better and the less destructive those swings will be. It's a bit like speed-wobbles on a bicycle or a skateboard. It's hard to tell, from my perspective, how far we've come. I'm inside looking inside - not outside and looking in. How much is too much? When do we make use of those tools with an adoption rate large enough to matter? When do we begin the deconstruction process and do we need to? What will that look like? When it comes time to throw stones, which side will you be on?

    So, those aren't really rhetorical but you can interpret them as such. Buggered if I've got all the answers. I know that, historically, things like the French Revolution look good on paper but that actually lead to a horrific time and didn't really start to die down until Napoleon. For a while, it was pretty damned crazy - including changing calendar dates, use of shaming, forced adherence to social standards, encouraging spying on ones neighbor, and a whole lot of head removal.

    Why do I mention the French Revolution? Well, it wasn't quite like a lot of people expected and it's not really covered well in history. No sides were innocent but one side is a bit better able to whitewash the history because they still had their heads. That leads back to the question - which side will you be on?

    At any rate, the tools are there. Some people are not actively abetting and those people have some sway - but how hard will they push when push comes to shove and the pendulum swings a bit further still? The less the pendulum moves, the less force it has when it swings back. Entropy is the natural thing - it will swing back for the foreseeable future. For all our pomp and circumstance, I can think of no greater arrogance than that displayed by those who believe we are at the pinnacle of morals and education. Well, except maybe that displayed by those who would deem themselves your master.

    During WWII and the Siege of Stalingrad, it was not uncommon for roving groups of young men to gather in groups to accost the old and feeble. They'd do so simply to steal their bread. One journalist, from that time, retells a story about a lady who came upon such a lad, by himself that time, who'd done such a thing. When she came across him, he was down on the ground and being beaten to a pulp by the witnesses. She realized what was happening and joined in with the group who was beating that boy. Somehow, in the mix, she managed to get that piece of bread - small, some 50g, in her hands and she did not recollect how. Then, again without knowing how - while still a part of the group kicking the thief, she proceeded to stuff that purloined bread into her mouth and eat it - others noticed and where aghast but, seemingly, unsurprised. Which side will you be on when the stones are thrown?

    It's all rather complex, I'd say. The less swing to the pendulum, the better and more prosperous the society seems to be. That can be extrapolated to those who advocate

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  51. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Muad'Dave · · Score: 1

    The RIAA/MPAA actually become a mafia entity with enforcers ...

    Oh, so it's historical sci-fi then?

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
  52. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by omnichad · · Score: 1

    It works best when you reasonably present good ideas, work with others, and show respect.

    And you can only control yourself. Not the other people in the group.

    Again, if the people negotiating weren't responsible for it's contents

    I never said that. I said that a dissenting person can't be held responsible for contents that they didn't agree to- what could they have done about it? Some of the other people negotiating are responsible.

  53. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 2

    No, Congress gave the President "fast-track trade promotion authority" which allows the President improved power to negotiate because it ties Congress' hands so that they can only ratify or reject a trade agreement; they can't modify it, and in the Senate they can't filibuster. They still have to vote "yes" for it to be ratified. ;)

    Congress improved the likelihood of passing a trade agreement in general by preventing themselves from getting in the way with parliamentary procedure. As somebody who dislikes the agreement I think that is great, they've backed themselves into a corner and they're going to have to have public debate on the actual subject being decided! I don't think that leads to passage of this thing. If it was popular, this would aid passage; since it is unpopular, it harms passage.

    The main reason for it was so that the negotiators could tell the other countries, "this is the real deal that Congress is going to ratify." In past rounds of negotiation, Congress has often passed bills changing the details of the American implementation of trade deals. That possibility meant that other countries weren't believing that the details would hold up, and so not wanting to compromise. It is hard to do a compromise on specific issues if the other side might change the rules later.

    The fast-track trade rules are not bad law, and they don't prevent Congress from fulfilling its role. It just prevents them from bungling around and exceeding it on this issue. Don't assume that because you're against this or other specific trade agreements that the "trade promotion authority" bill was automatically bad. Congress sucking less is good, even where you still want them to vote no.

  54. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 1

    I did get my facts straight. He did a bunch of work promoting the TPP, and the TPA last year.

    He obfuscated his TPA support by voting yes to stop debate and override the filibuster, but then he let it pass without even voting, so he could mask his support since. That is the facts of his record on this, he talks out both sides of his mouth, but he does support it.

    If he wants to change his opinion, it takes more than saying so at a campaign stop in Iowa during a contentious primary. He needs to do like he did in support, and make a formal statement that retracts his support. Then he'll change columns on lists. Right now the best you can argue is that, "Cruz flip-flopped on that, I promise!"

    But look, even after flip-flopping on TPA, he still said he might support TPP. He was never opposed to it. He said at a couple campaign stops recently that he was against it, but he had said both things prior to TPA, and his votes in the Senate when TPA was passed were to assist it in passing without even voting on it in the end, even though he was there and helping it overcome the filibuster. That is after he claimed to oppose it, after having supported it.

    So, no. Get your facts straight.

  55. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 1

    Clinton was undecided, when she was Secretary of State it was her job to support whatever trade deals her boss, the President, was having negotiated. The deal was not yet actually negotiated though. Secretary of State is a diplomatic role, not a political role; they are not even supposed to be providing their opinions, they provide the official US Government opinions, because they're not elected they're appointed.

    Post Secretary of State, when she is giving her own opinions, she started out undecided but hopeful, and as soon as the details of the agreement started leaking, she was opposed. She's been solidly opposed to it.

    "You know, take the trade deal. I did say, when I was secretary of state, three years ago, that I hoped it would be the gold standard. It was just finally negotiated last week, and in looking at it, it didn't meet my standards. My standards for more new, good jobs for Americans, for raising wages for Americans. And I want to make sure that I can look into the eyes of any middle-class American and say, `this will help raise your wages.' And I concluded I could not." --Hillary Clinton, during the Democatic Party debates

    Fact-checking isn't even hard. https://ballotpedia.org/2016_p...

    She didn't change her position for the primary, that is a silly accusation. Was she supporting it during the TPA debate? No, she was already opposing it. When she was Secretary of State and made statements in support, she had also been told that they were going to include strong worker rights protections, and environmental protections, neither of which are included. None of the people who supported the idea of the deal before it was negotiated were told the deal would be as it actually is; they were told it would have the worker and environmental protections that past trade agreements lacked. Lots and lots of people would have supported a deal that had the right sort of protections, because trade barriers are often bad. The deal that was negotiated does a lot of other things, and almost none of those hopeful early supporters are supporting the deal.

    Clinton has opposed the deal consistently since it was actually negotiated and existed as a thing with known details.

  56. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Gr8Apes · · Score: 1

    And don't forget that Cruz has direct insider ties to Wallstreet's biggest bunch of crooks: Goldman Sachs.

    --
    The cesspool just got a check and balance.
  57. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Bartles · · Score: 1

    Goldman Sachs? Are you serious? It's not like he was paid (bribed) $675,000 for three speeches to GS. How many former GS executive have worked for the Obama Administration? You can't complain now, if you didn't complain before.

  58. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by Gr8Apes · · Score: 1

    How many of our previous politicians had a spouse that was a relatively high level Goldman Sachs employee while running on an anti-establishment platform?

    --
    The cesspool just got a check and balance.
  59. Re:The Age of Cyberpunk with its Corporate Sociali by Lennie · · Score: 1

    Insomniac ? I hope you don't have that regularly, if so I suggest you do something about that. Less caffeine and less stress ?

    OK, I'll be the first to admit it. I'm no expert, I suggest you talk to one.

    I'm also not completely sane at this moment, this is the morning after a night on the town, their is still a lot of alcohol in my body. ;-)

    Anyway, about the topic at hand...

    Yes, I do think about it like a pendulum as well and about how far it can or will be pushed in one way (maybe even multiple pendulums). I think most people would really want to avoid full on revolution. Because it's hard to predict the outcome. Take for example the Arab spring. Also look at ISIS/IS/ISIL/Daesh they came out of the chaos largely created by the US (but that is a whole different topic).

    Maybe I'm wrong, but I think at least some people in government get it.

    Sometimes when I see police in countries like the US get more and heavier arms, I'm thinking someone is preparing for that future in a very negative way.

    But let's look at the positive.

    Let's take for example the people that claim that automation will take our jobs:
    https://www.technologyreview.c...

    Maybe they are wrong, but one thing is correct, technology can cause a lot of change and it probably will. Maybe even accelerate.

    When talking about that, you'd always keep in mind what Voltaire said: Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice and need.

    Then you look at what people in some governments are trying to do:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

    From a US perspective you'd think it's some kind of socialist system, but a lot of the ideas behind that came from the US from people like: Friedrich Hayek, Richard Nixon and Milton Friedman. Or as Andrew McAfee likes to say with a big smile: frothing-at-the-mouth socialists ;-)

    In Europe we now have a bunch of organisations, countries and cities looking seriously into this and testing it in real life again.

    From a pure technology perspective, I can see technology solving the need problem.

    If energy prices do really keep falling like they have with capturing the energy from wind and solar light and heat then it will get easier (=cheaper). Take for example the Sahara Forest Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    Energy storage is also still improving too: http://rameznaam.com/2013/09/2...

    They seem to be on a Moore's Law like trajectory.

    They might claim to be the first:
    http://inhabitat.com/worlds-fi...

    But automatic milking also has been doing very well for how long ? over 10 years now ?

    If you combine: cheap energy, cheap clean water, cheap electronics/communication, cheap energy storage, cheap food production
    you get a very potent mix to solve a large part of the problem of need that Voltaire talked about. In the documentary I linked they also talk about cheap health care (I hope so). Those are some very positive trends.

    Cheap technology also seems to create a more decentralized future, so maybe in that sense Bitcoin/OpenBazaar and solar panels are similar.

    I'm from Europe, I personally don't see the state as my enemy like some people in the US or some in Bitcoin do. For example I think of the government as the biggest VC funder/risk taker of them all. Who would spend more than 10 years on fundamental research with a high amount of risk of failure and then give it away for free (simple example: Internet, funded by ARPA now called DARPA. I don't know if it was considered a risky endeavour at the time, but it's an ex

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    New things are always on the horizon
  60. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 1

    You might want to look up the word "literally." It literally does not mean what you say here.

  61. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 1

    So, surely you recognize that somebody who wasn't involved in the negotiations at all, but worked for one of the parties in the negotiations when the negotiations had started, but had not worked for that organization for a few years when the agreement was made would not know anything at all about it.

    At least certainly less than any of the people who had ever been in the room... ;)

  62. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by Aighearach · · Score: 1

    She wasn't even a dissenting member, she was never even a trade negotiator, and wasn't working for the government at the late stage when the compromises were being worked out.

    She said it was going to be great before it was negotiated, when she worked for the government. Then they negotiated it, and by then she didn't work for the government. She got the details recently, same as the rest of us, and she has opposed it since the first real details were leaking out early last year.

    I'm not sure what his angle is here. She quite simply has nothing to do with this deal, and the entire reason to discuss her stance on it has to do with if she would sign it as President.

  63. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

    If Hillary wins, it may be dead because Bernie has forced her to take a stand against it.

    Do you really believe campaign propaganda?

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    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  64. Re: The Republicans are destroying our lives by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

    ...who is responsible for it's contents?

    Industries seeking cheap/free labor, indefinite copyright, and special protections from the state. They are the ones who wrote the bill.

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    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  65. Re:The Republicans are destroying our lives by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

    Which obviously means she supports it but can't say so yet until the election is secured.

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    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”