Save the Internet

Ok I am a little ashamed to admit this, but I wasn't really aware of this issue until a friend sent me a link to this site today. Here's an excerpt:

How does this threat to Internet freedom affect you?

Such corporate control of the Web would reduce your choices and stifle the spread of innovative and independent ideas that we've come to expect online. It would throw the digital revolution into reverse. Internet gatekeepers are already discriminating against Web sites and services they don't like:

In May 2008, the Max Planck Institute released a comprehensive study that found both Comcast and Cox Communications to be deceptively blocking access to peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.

In October 2007, the Associated Press busted Comcast for blocking its users' access to peer-to-peer file-sharing networks like BitTorrent and Gnutella. This fraudulent practice is a glaring violation of Net Neutrality.

In September 2007, Verizon was caught banning pro-choice text messages. After a New York Times expose, the phone company reversed its policy, claiming it was a glitch.
In August 2007, AT&T censored a live webcast of a Pearl Jam concert just as lead singer Eddie Vedder criticized President Bush.

In 2006, Time Warner's AOL blocked all emails that mentioned www.dearaol.com -- an advocacy campaign opposing the company's pay-to-send e-mail scheme.

In 2005, Canada's telephone giant Telus blocked customers from visiting a Web site sympathetic to the Telecommunications Workers Union during a contentious labor dispute.

In 2004, North Carolina ISP Madison River blocked their DSL customers from using any rival Web-based phone service.

Shaw, a major Canadian cable, internet, and telephone service company, intentionally downgrades the "quality and reliability" of competing Internet-phone services that their customers might choose -- driving customers to their own phone services not through better services, but by rigging the marketplace.

This is just the beginning. Cable and telco giants want to eliminate the Internet's open road in favor of a tollway that protects their status quo while stifling new ideas and innovation.


Seriously, check it out. I think the freedom of information we have right now is far too precious to let be taken away.

Interesting, random blog.

http://clearerperspective.com/

This is why I love YouTube.

Who knew such awesome old stuff would eventually end up on there?

This (and the millions of other amateur videos like it) is why I don't. 4 stars, really?

Google Bias

So, just out of curiosity - I wanted to see what images popped up first in a Google Images search of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Here is Hillary:

#1: the crazy b*tch shot

#2: The "what went wrong?" shot - including Bill, the Clintons seem to be your average happy hipsters of their day. What happened? p.s. Bill's beard is FANTASTIC.

Now for Obama.

#1: Senate mug shot, pretty standard

#2: Topless shot, yes, that's right. Topless shot.

Now, I know I'm not alone in thinking Obama is a handsome guy - he is! But hot enough to be sandwiched between Penelope Cruz and Hugh Jackman? I don't know...

Anyway, the search pretty much revealed what I expected. The media bias against Hillary (it's pretty obvious) does indeed transcend traditional media outlets. However, I should make it clear that although there's a media bias against Hillary (c'mon - she's old news, Barack is a shiny, happy new and very interesting face), it shouldn't change either the way she runs her campaign or the way the public votes. Haven't we become smart (or jaded) enough to realize there will always be media bias and that we should only count on ourselves for opinion? I mean - 8 years of Fox News later, you think something would have sunk in. Thus, is there a media bias against Hillary Clinton? Yes. Is it the reason for HC losing? Nah, sorry, don't buy it.

Wolfgang's Vault

Mmmmm... rock memorabilia. I remember my dad telling me about Bill Graham's warehouse full of archives several years ago. That man must have had one hell of a life. The sheer volume of it was hard to believe, and now parts are up for sale. Let's hope I get lucky in Vegas...

p.s. There are also recordings of historic concerts available for listening on this site - check it out! You have to register, but other than that - it's free.

Websites to check out once you have some free time

www.openthegovernment.org

www.fedspending.org

www.opencongress.org

Also, download and watch this webcast after March 19.