You are correct by stating that this is a sad state of affairs.
However, your statement that we have descended into a system "where politicians are no longer in contact with their constituency and Special Interest Groups(SIG) are able to purchase laws", is making the flawed assumption that politicians weren't always controlled by those who truly were empowered (money).
I think it has always been this way (I bring up the Electoral College as proof), and we are (as a society) gradually becoming more aware of the reality that controls us. The sad thing is that we are (mostly) actively participating in this by selling out for some level of personal comfort.
I offer one small consolation though. One of the sponsors of the DMCA is MO Senator John Ashcroft (I can still remember him stumping with the line that "This will protect little Suzy's posted artwork from being stolen online").
Well, the MO race was tightly contested until 2 weeks ago when Gov. Carnahan died in a plane crash. I'm happy to report that Ashcroft is now losing his reelection bid to a dead man.
For me the irony is that the only Republicrat I'm voting for this year is deceased. Now there is a statement for the two party system!
Don't worry too much about them removing all of our rights from the Internet, because they will. It is inevitable. They have to as all other power structures (MPAA, RIAA...) will always fight to retain their power.
I say not to worry because in another twenty years, Gen X will firmly hold the reins of power, and we have a tool that no other generation has ever had before.
An uncontrollable global voice.
(8?>
Unfortunately Rob Glaser cut his teeth at Microsoft. Fortunately, Real Networks will be taken over once it is obvious that M$ has won again. If we are lucky it will be aol, (keep the herd in one place). (8?>
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Hey Bobo, you better check your facts. Dmitry didn't sell squat.
Sorry about the lack of white space, forgot about them ole html formatting tags.
You are correct by stating that this is a sad state of affairs. However, your statement that we have descended into a system "where politicians are no longer in contact with their constituency and Special Interest Groups(SIG) are able to purchase laws", is making the flawed assumption that politicians weren't always controlled by those who truly were empowered (money). I think it has always been this way (I bring up the Electoral College as proof), and we are (as a society) gradually becoming more aware of the reality that controls us. The sad thing is that we are (mostly) actively participating in this by selling out for some level of personal comfort. I offer one small consolation though. One of the sponsors of the DMCA is MO Senator John Ashcroft (I can still remember him stumping with the line that "This will protect little Suzy's posted artwork from being stolen online"). Well, the MO race was tightly contested until 2 weeks ago when Gov. Carnahan died in a plane crash. I'm happy to report that Ashcroft is now losing his reelection bid to a dead man. For me the irony is that the only Republicrat I'm voting for this year is deceased. Now there is a statement for the two party system! Don't worry too much about them removing all of our rights from the Internet, because they will. It is inevitable. They have to as all other power structures (MPAA, RIAA...) will always fight to retain their power. I say not to worry because in another twenty years, Gen X will firmly hold the reins of power, and we have a tool that no other generation has ever had before. An uncontrollable global voice. (8?>
Unfortunately Rob Glaser cut his teeth at Microsoft. Fortunately, Real Networks will be taken over once it is obvious that M$ has won again. If we are lucky it will be aol, (keep the herd in one place). (8?>