Random Musings

WIPO is considering a treaty that would broadcasters and possibly webcasters a copyright-like protection of 50 years over anything they broadcast. This means that they can take, for example, a video of a Congressional hearing, in the public domain, DRM the hell out of it, and otherwise restrict access to work the creator might want the public to have access to. They could make it impossible for others to distribute it, regardless of the creator’s wishes. This isn’t about signal theft or anything like that. That’s already illegal. This is about undermining the public domain, and consumer-friendly licenses such as Creative Commons. This is pork for middlemen. The US should not sign on to this treaty.

# posted by Dan @ 2:59 PM 0 comments

I received my diploma in the mail today. Cum laude and the Philosophy award. I’m officially done with DeSales University. You know, I’m happy to be going to Pace in a more centralized area (White Plains), but I’m going to miss DeSales. If only I could have had my own room there all three years and/or there were more non-car transportation options (I hate driving), I would have had a much better attitude.

# posted by Dan @ 5:25 PM 0 comments

Could someone tell me what is so “racist” about having English as the USA’s official language? OK, Mexicans and people from other Spanish speaking countries would need to put in some effort to learn English, but wouldn’t French, Germans, Scandinavians, etc? What’s racist about a law that applies equally to everyone?

# posted by Dan @ 2:57 PM 0 comments

I haven’t said anything about the Duke Rape case.

If I could ask Mike Nifong one thing, I’d ask “Where is your evidence?” There is no DNA evidence linking any Duke player to the victim (of course, she is anonymous; it is only the accuseds’ names that get dragged through the mud, regardless of if they’re guilty or innocent). The photo lineup was only of Duke lacrosse players, so anyone she selected had to be a Duke lacrosse player, by definition. This entire case looks like a witch hunt.

# posted by Dan @ 6:57 PM 0 comments

Well, I completed my last move-out from DeSales.

I’m exhausted. Goodbye and good luck to my DeSales friends!

# posted by Dan @ 4:24 PM 0 comments

This is the last day

I will hear the breeze blow

And see the sun set

Over the Lehigh Valley

I am happy to be moving on

But still…

# posted by Dan @ 6:58 PM 0 comments

So Blu-ray might be jacking up the PS3’s price. Typical Sony, infatuated with proprietary technology. ::sigh::

FFXIII looks excellent, so I probably will pick up a PS3, but not until FF comes out, unless there is a major price drop.

# posted by Dan @ 6:02 PM 0 comments

Six. Hundred. Dollars.

What the hell are they thinking?

Sure, they have another system for the “low” price of $500 (forgive my rounding), but that system is crippled, with no apparent upgrade path. The $600 console will likely be the only viable option. $600!! I could buy a (crappy) computer for less than that! This is just going to be Sony’s death knell in the console market for the next decade or so; its N64. If you have Sony stock, I’d dump it before this bomb drops.

$600 for a console-fucking insane.

# posted by Dan @ 3:04 PM 0 comments

Sigh. They’re trying to dictate what we can and can’t do with our TV and radios again.

# posted by Dan @ 3:50 PM 0 comments

I can’t believe they didn’t execute Moussaoui. What mitigating factors could there be to compensate for 3000 deaths. He’s a terrorist and a jihadist; isn’t that enough? If executed, he would have had a chance to sort out his affairs, say goodbye to his loved ones (if he has any), have a last meal, and make his peace with Allah-in short, he’d still get more than he gave his victims. As discussed in this article from Frontpagemag; sparing his life will make the US look weak in the Muslim world. He will also, for the rest of his live, be a rallying point for jihadists. I think the jury made a big mistake.

# posted by Dan @ 3:18 PM 0 comments

Ah, the immigration issue.

I’d like to clear the air on this a little.

First, illegal immigrants are not the only “undocumented workers.” I did some freelance work over the summer (research), and I did not need “documentation” for that. You can be an “undocumented worker” and still be here legally.

Secondly, why should they be called “guest workers”? A “guest” is somebody you invite. Illegal immigrants weren’t invited; they basically shoved their way in.

Thirdly, why are some people trying to play the race card on this? Opposition to illegal immigration isn’t about racism, it’s about national security. We need a secure border to keep terrorists out. We need to know if criminals are trying to enter and live in this country. Now, I have nothing against immigrants; I personally wouldn’t see anything wrong with granting permanent residence status (not H1-B) to anyone who could support themselves, had no criminal record for anything more serious than, say, drug possession, and could speak English. But, as a sovereign nation, we need to control who gets into our country.

# posted by Dan @ 4:49 PM 0 comments