Steve Dougherty's Blog

There is an agreement in the works that encourages international copyright enfringement cooperation, makes infringement punishable without a complaint from rightholders, and vastly expands the power of customs to seize suspected infringing material. It also, according to BoingBoing, the outlaws P2P file transfer, regardless of transfered content. This is outrageous. Of course, it also wants ISPs to help, and assures immunity. Disgusting.

The government can now search and seize your computer if you are suspected of copyright infringment! Seriously!

Here’s a BBC video that just shakes the foundation of my understanding of global terrorism. Al-Qaeda is a myth!

The order of the day.

California and Florida fight local fruit + veggie growers.

Scientist predicts global warming is past the tipping point and we’re all doomed.

EDIT: ISPs and other non-regulated communications industries are providing insufficient service. Many staple ingredients’ costs are skyrocketing due to high transportation (read: diesel) costs. PBS has a piece on the suppression of whistleblowing as well as telecom companies getting immunity for what they insist was simply their patriotic duty. Whoever becomes president will have one heck of a mess to clean up.

Wow. We’re just sinking further and further. When will we hit bottom?

Police killed a lady, then said she choked herself to death with a 2-inch handcuff chain. Link.

The war in Iraq will soon be going on for 5 years, longer than either of the world wars. It’s now conservatively estimated to cost the United States alone $3 trillion. Link.

There’s also a study out saying that Daylight Savings Time costs more energy in heating and cooling than it saves in lighting. Link.

Secret detention camps? Martial law? Detention of animal rights activists and 2nd amendment supporters? Seems like the president is turning himself into a dictator!

This time Keith rips Bush’s arguments that FISA is essential (at least for a year) to shreds. Video here.

I have two links:

“Synthetic Sea” and a 2007 international privacy report.

Has a powerful special comment on the Iran NIE. Clicky.

First, an article on how fascism has taken over the country.

Next, a video (5 parts) on the fundamental corruption in our banking systems and the underlying instability of the world economy. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.