> Specific technology mandates or bans are a bad idea. Well said.
> However, rules requiring a certain efficiency of lighting would make sense. Maybe. There are dozens of styles of light bulbs. I don't know where to buy LED nightlight bulbs or CFL oven bulbs.
What makes more sense to me is to leverage the power of capitalism. You could do that with a sin tax - on energy inefficient lighting, or energy inefficient anything. Even simpler, put a sin tax on energy itself.
The phrase "a step in the right direction" is an admission that the law is flawed. In this case, the contributor admits the law is toothless regarding censorship, and privacy is only enforced selectively, as dictated by the US government.
This may help Silicon Valley, but it does little for the global struggle for freedom.
In reading clause 220, I don't see what the fuss is about. As far as I can tell, this really is about regulating those who are paid specifically to generate "grassroots" action.
From the text of the bill:
(18) PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying' means any paid attempt in support of lobbying contacts on behalf of a client to influence the general public or segments thereof to contact one or more covered legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress as a whole) to urge such officials (or Congress) to take specific action with respect to a matter described in section 3(8)(A),....
`(B) PAID ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SEGMENTS THEREOF- The term `paid attempt to influence the general public or segments thereof' does not include an attempt to influence directed at less than 500 members of the general public.
...
`(19) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRM- The term `grassroots lobbying firm' means a person or entity that--
`(A) is retained by 1 or more clients to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying on behalf of such clients; and
`(B) receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $25,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period.'.
Once officials are elected, they do not protect freedoms; they protect their jobs.
Party ideologies quickly go out the window, as we witnessed with the Republicans supersizing gov't with runaway deficit spending. The main differences between political parties are the differences in who funds them. And the bulk of the money comes from wealthy commercial interests who fund incumbents, regardless of party.
If you manage to get a majority of any non-Republicrats in power, you'll learn that within a term or two the system corrupts even them.
> it is likely that children are being exploited in one way or another Really? You mean kids don't like being kidnapped, enslaved, and raped?
Get a clue, dude. Child Pornography is the most vile and evil industry hell has concocted. Maybe there's a cure for pedophiles; if so, please cure them. But until then, the children's needs trump the pedophiles', and most certainly trump their exploiters. Those who'd rape a child for profit deserve the most severe justice.
Every civil society feels this very strongly, and rightly so. Unfortunately, that's why societies tolerate their government eroding civil rights - in the name of fighting child porn.
> He is free to travel by foot, bike, motorcycle, car, boat, or other device
> himself while not violating applicable pedestrian or traffic laws, or by
> bus or train, entirely anonymously.
I'm white and nerdy, and apparently, really suspicious-looking. Because I have been stopped by police and asked for ID while walking (you match someone's description), bicycling, and while driving a car. I have also been obliged to show ID before I could buy bus, train, and boat tickets.
> prevent what companies do with their own infrastructure
In most cases, "their own infrastructure" was taxpayer-subsidized, with an expectation of taxpayer benefit. I've got no problem with people laying dark fiber and leasing it out, or tiered internet access packages from your local ISP. But the internet backbone is different. When the backbone favors megabuck traffic over non-customers', you've broken the internet.
I'm the lead software developer on critical carrier infrastructure software. I get vague market requirements, no spec, and despite repeated requests my company won't send me to customer sites to see how they use the software. Most input from the field is not forwarded to me. I deliver a product I'm reasonably proud of, but whether it's what customers want, I couldn't say. If it's not, don't blame me.
Slashdot Mirror
Does Swiss Cheese have more holes when its package is opened or when it is closed?
> Specific technology mandates or bans are a bad idea.
Well said.
> However, rules requiring a certain efficiency of lighting would make sense.
Maybe. There are dozens of styles of light bulbs. I don't know where to buy LED nightlight bulbs or CFL oven bulbs.
What makes more sense to me is to leverage the power of capitalism. You could do that with a sin tax - on energy inefficient lighting, or energy inefficient anything. Even simpler, put a sin tax on energy itself.
The phrase "a step in the right direction" is an admission that the law is flawed. In this case, the contributor admits the law is toothless regarding censorship, and privacy is only enforced selectively, as dictated by the US government.
This may help Silicon Valley, but it does little for the global struggle for freedom.
> Our BIOS folks were instructed to lock it out without
> reason other than the fact that we don't test it.
Be like my company - just sell it, and the customers will tell you if anything's wrong.
Once officials are elected, they do not protect freedoms; they protect their jobs.
Party ideologies quickly go out the window, as we witnessed with the Republicans supersizing gov't with runaway deficit spending. The main differences between political parties are the differences in who funds them. And the bulk of the money comes from wealthy commercial interests who fund incumbents, regardless of party.
If you manage to get a majority of any non-Republicrats in power, you'll learn that within a term or two the system corrupts even them.
Your proposal to accelerate opaque particulate pollution to catch up with greenhouse gas pollution is most wise.
> it is likely that children are being exploited in one way or another
Really? You mean kids don't like being kidnapped, enslaved, and raped?
Get a clue, dude. Child Pornography is the most vile and evil industry hell has concocted. Maybe there's a cure for pedophiles; if so, please cure them. But until then, the children's needs trump the pedophiles', and most certainly trump their exploiters. Those who'd rape a child for profit deserve the most severe justice.
Every civil society feels this very strongly, and rightly so. Unfortunately, that's why societies tolerate their government eroding civil rights - in the name of fighting child porn.
Let's do it again. Now please grep for donations to the ACLU...
> He is free to travel by foot, bike, motorcycle, car, boat, or other device
> himself while not violating applicable pedestrian or traffic laws, or by
> bus or train, entirely anonymously.
I'm white and nerdy, and apparently, really suspicious-looking. Because I have been stopped by police and asked for ID while walking (you match someone's description), bicycling, and while driving a car. I have also been obliged to show ID before I could buy bus, train, and boat tickets.
But, of course, I live in the USA.
> prevent what companies do with their own infrastructure
In most cases, "their own infrastructure" was taxpayer-subsidized, with an expectation of taxpayer benefit. I've got no problem with people laying dark fiber and leasing it out, or tiered internet access packages from your local ISP. But the internet backbone is different. When the backbone favors megabuck traffic over non-customers', you've broken the internet.
I'm the lead software developer on critical carrier infrastructure software. I get vague market requirements, no spec, and despite repeated requests my company won't send me to customer sites to see how they use the software. Most input from the field is not forwarded to me. I deliver a product I'm reasonably proud of, but whether it's what customers want, I couldn't say. If it's not, don't blame me.
Yes, Popular Mechanics is an excellent source for far eastern intelligence. I also often consult Cycling Today and Good Housekeeping.
I get my mindless plot-holed terrorism fantasies from the US Govt.