Friday, March 04, 2005
The Internet is threatened.
A campaign finance law is to be extended to the internet, and, in the process, political punditry online is threatened. Outrageous.
How can the government place a value on a blog that praises some politician?
How do we measure that? Design fees, that sort of thing? The FEC did an advisory opinion in the late 1990s (in the Leo Smith case) that I don't think we'd hold to today, saying that if you owned a computer, you'd have to calculate what percentage of the computer cost and electricity went to political advocacy.
It seems absurd, but that's what the commission did. And that's the direction Judge Kollar-Kotelly would have us move in. Line drawing is going to be an inherently very difficult task. And then we'll be pushed to go further. Why can this person do it, but not that person?
If the FEC succeeds in silencing the political debate online, fascism will have won. This is outrageously unconstitutional, oppresses freedom of speech, and will be challenged.
How can the government place a value on a blog that praises some politician?
How do we measure that? Design fees, that sort of thing? The FEC did an advisory opinion in the late 1990s (in the Leo Smith case) that I don't think we'd hold to today, saying that if you owned a computer, you'd have to calculate what percentage of the computer cost and electricity went to political advocacy.
It seems absurd, but that's what the commission did. And that's the direction Judge Kollar-Kotelly would have us move in. Line drawing is going to be an inherently very difficult task. And then we'll be pushed to go further. Why can this person do it, but not that person?
If the FEC succeeds in silencing the political debate online, fascism will have won. This is outrageously unconstitutional, oppresses freedom of speech, and will be challenged.
# posted by scorpiorising : 5:48 AM |
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Hillary Clinton favors outsourcing...
if it wins her friends with the power brokers in India. Looks like I may never vote in another presidential election. She is free trade all the way.
From the Asian Times article on her recent trip to India:
Hillary clears outsourcing air
Hillary Clinton made it apparent where she stood on outsourcing during
her India visit, in an attempt perhaps to clear the Indian misgivings
received during the Kerry campaign. "There is no way to legislate
against reality. Outsourcing will continue," she told an audience of
Indian big-wigs. She pointed out that there were 3 billion people who
feel left behind and are trying to attack the modern world in the hope
of turning the clock back on globalization. "It is not far-fetched to
imagine ... if the Indian miracle would be the one of choice of those
who feel left behind," said Hillary.
Hillary has been at the forefront in defending free trade and
outsourcing. During the height of the anti-outsourcing backlash in the
US last year, she faced considerable flak for defending Indian software
giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for opening a center in Buffalo,
New York. "We are not against all outsourcing; we are not in favor of
putting up fences," Hillary said firmly, despite inevitably invoking
the ire of the anti-free trade brigade.
Hillary further clarified her position during her recent visit as well
as solutions that could be beneficial to both countries. She urged
Indian industries to invest more in the US to allay negative
outpourings over outsourcing of American jobs to India. "I have to be
frank. People in my country are losing their jobs and the US
policymakers need to address this issue," she said. She ruled out that
the anti-India feeling was a reflexive reaction, and explained that the
feeling was more because of the imbalance in trade between the two
countries, which in turn caused anguish among Americans about the
nature of the economic relationship.
"In 2003, US merchandise exports to India was $5 billion, while India
exports to the US was $13.8 billion. Though the US understood that the
economic vibrancy of India was in its own interest, there are people
who feel left behind and might stir up negative feelings against India
because they do not understand the economic benefits of outsourcing,"
"If the feeling was to be arrested, Indian companies should invest more
in the US to create a balance in trade relations," she said. Hillary
added that she had personally wooed Indian companies to establish
partnerships with American counterparts. "In June 2002, TCS partnered
with the University of Buffalo to bring patented research to the market
place. I would like to see more of such partnerships," she said.
From the Asian Times article on her recent trip to India:
Hillary clears outsourcing air
Hillary Clinton made it apparent where she stood on outsourcing during
her India visit, in an attempt perhaps to clear the Indian misgivings
received during the Kerry campaign. "There is no way to legislate
against reality. Outsourcing will continue," she told an audience of
Indian big-wigs. She pointed out that there were 3 billion people who
feel left behind and are trying to attack the modern world in the hope
of turning the clock back on globalization. "It is not far-fetched to
imagine ... if the Indian miracle would be the one of choice of those
who feel left behind," said Hillary.
Hillary has been at the forefront in defending free trade and
outsourcing. During the height of the anti-outsourcing backlash in the
US last year, she faced considerable flak for defending Indian software
giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for opening a center in Buffalo,
New York. "We are not against all outsourcing; we are not in favor of
putting up fences," Hillary said firmly, despite inevitably invoking
the ire of the anti-free trade brigade.
Hillary further clarified her position during her recent visit as well
as solutions that could be beneficial to both countries. She urged
Indian industries to invest more in the US to allay negative
outpourings over outsourcing of American jobs to India. "I have to be
frank. People in my country are losing their jobs and the US
policymakers need to address this issue," she said. She ruled out that
the anti-India feeling was a reflexive reaction, and explained that the
feeling was more because of the imbalance in trade between the two
countries, which in turn caused anguish among Americans about the
nature of the economic relationship.
"In 2003, US merchandise exports to India was $5 billion, while India
exports to the US was $13.8 billion. Though the US understood that the
economic vibrancy of India was in its own interest, there are people
who feel left behind and might stir up negative feelings against India
because they do not understand the economic benefits of outsourcing,"
"If the feeling was to be arrested, Indian companies should invest more
in the US to create a balance in trade relations," she said. Hillary
added that she had personally wooed Indian companies to establish
partnerships with American counterparts. "In June 2002, TCS partnered
with the University of Buffalo to bring patented research to the market
place. I would like to see more of such partnerships," she said.
# posted by scorpiorising : 7:08 AM |
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