Yes, I’m still alive–just been really busy…
So, I ran across a disturbing article a few days ago. Many people worried about encroachment on our basic liberties, including myself, tend to throw around the term Orwellian a lot. A new proposal in the UK though takes it to a new level. They actually want to put 24/7 video surveillance inside the homes of the “worst” families. All that’s missing is the monitor showing the face of Big Brother. The UK has become the surveillance society but seriously, what the hell?
Sin Bins for Worst Families [Daily Express]
ArsTechnica has an excellent article laying out why the major ISP’s claims that they need data caps to avoid financial ruin just don’t hold water. Just like their opposition to the various “net neutrality” proposals we continue to see evidence of what we already expected–they are just being greedy.
Now, the libertarian side of me believes in a free capitalist market. But keep in mind that in most areas the major telcos/cable operators have a government-approved and somewhat protected monopoly. That isn’t a free market and the lack of competition means they don’t truly operate at the levels that the “market would bear” without such constructs.
In areas where there is more competition we see things can be done better at some pretty amazing costs. However, the major players are always ready to fiercely protect their restricted markets even lobbying government to actively prohibit municipal and other independent providers. I call foul. For a recent example, just see what Time Warner is doing in North Carolina.
ISP’s costs, revenues don’t support… [ars technica]
Time Warner lobbies government… [neowin]
What do you think?
As a followup to my post from a few days ago, I want to point out an excellent commentary by Glenn Greenwald. Not only is the Obama DOJ embracing telco immunity but are basically claiming the government is immune period! I think we have been duped my friends. Go read Glenn’s analysis now, as usual it is well thought out and documented.
New and worse… [Salon]
I am becoming increasingly disappointed in the Obama administration. It seems that on critical liberties issues, the President is caving. Whether it’s at least tacit approval of the warrantless wiretapping of citizens (link) or promises to defend the immunity of the telcos that enabled warrantless spying (link), this is not the “change” I was hoping for.
Now Mother Jones reports (link) that a bill has been introduced in the Senate that not only would grant the President to shutdown any network (public or private) but also give the Secretary of Commerce cart blanche to access any data regardless of any laws or regulations. Hopefully this insane proposal dies before it ever reaches the Oval Office.
There are a host of other troubling stances as well that I may discuss later. Very, very disappointed. I guess it’s just an impossible dream to have an administration that truly believes in the principles of the Constitution and respects The People.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
- President Barack Obama
Amen Mr. President. I have hope…
Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama. This is a defining moment in US history for many reasons, but it is also good to see that the people have spoken decisively and we will not have a repeat of the election challenges of the recent past.
I have been impressed with this campaign in that the issue of race has not been a major factor. In less than 50 years we have gone from de-facto segregation being the norm (in parts of the country) to an African-American president. Living in a city that experienced racially-motivated riots in the last decade I have a renewed hope that we can put the pain of racial discrimination behind us. So, congratulations to the people for moving on.
I still have concerns about the President-Elect’s policies but I think he was the better choice of the two candidates with a serious chance. He’s got his shot, let’s hope he lives up to the promise.
Just voted (OH), only a 45 minute wait for me. My polling location is divided into two lines however (based on first letter of street name) and the other line was over 2 hours long. This other line is always a lot longer… Bad for them, good for me I guess.
Only saw one major issue while I was there. A voter with an ID that had an old address was told he had to cast provisional ballot which is not exactly correct. If you are in the book you can cast normal ballot, it’s only if they have no record of you that you have to cast provisional. The information provided to the pollworkers is incorrect. It has been mentioned on the local news already. Incidentally it was cleared up on the spot because the voter in question was a trained poll observer and required the clerk to call the Board of Elections.
Now it’s a waiting game…Â If you haven’t made it to the polls, get moving!
A friend of mine has repeatedly criticized me for being dead-set against voting for McCain/Palin. I don’t like either presidential candidate but I am extremely worried about what would happen in another 4 years of Republican control.
The current administration has made quite a sport of shredding the Constitution. My friend wants me to believe it wouldn’t be the same under McCain/Palin, but check out this post by the excellent author Glenn Greenwald. If Palin doesn’t even understand one of the most well-known ammendments, what hope could there be for a return to an administration that respects the foundations of our government?
Sarah Palin Speaks… [Salon.com]
I highly recommend Glenn’s book How Would a Patriot Act?
Although I haven’t yet had a chance to read them, his other books should be interesting as well: Great American Hypocrites
and A Tragic Legacy.
All non-compete employment agreements are now void in California. I think that’s great, we can only hope that it spreads.
I have always felt that non-compete agreements were a bad idea. They don’t really work that well and it’s just another way for corporations to meddle in the lives of their employees. If they are so worried about investments they make in you such as training or certifications, then they should do what a former employer of mine did and specify that you have to repay those costs on a pro-rated basis if you leave (until a certain point.) This should be the only protection for the employer against losing you to someone else. Anything else is just trying to interfere with an individual’s right to make the best choices for their life.
Of course the companies always want as much control as they can get. If they can make it difficult (I don’t think most states allow a complete prohibition on working in your field) for you to leave, then they can treat you however they feel like. Of course in some areas, like where I live, they can also designate you as an “at-will” employee where either party can terminate the employment for any reason. So the catch-22 is you can leave, whenever you want, but you can’t work at a competitor which in some fields can make things quite tricky.
I am also lucky in that non-competes in my state are very hard to enforce although they are still legal. (But it cannot be an undue burden and prevent you from working in your field, just for direct competition.) Still, the threat has to be considered if only for the legal costs of defending yourself if your old employer feels like being difficult.
Bottom line… There will always be employee turnover and it’s just a cost of doing business. If you don’t want to lose people, treat them well and compensate them fairly. It could be worse for the companies, in Western Europe a lot of reductions in staff require government/labor group approval and it’s darn near impossible to fire someone. I’d say that sounds great, but that way lies socialism.
State Supreme Court Rejects Non-compete Clauses [sfgate.com]
I have been watching this issue for a while but this Washington Post article does a good job of summarizing it. All your stuff: laptops, cell phones, papers, etc. can be seized at the border with no suspicion of wrongdoing for as long as they feel like keeping them.
Remind me again, which country is the “land of the free”? Even the courts are an epic failure so far on this one.
Travelers’ Laptops May Be Detained At Border (Washington Post)
E-mail Me
