Posted 8:54 PM by Gerald Klaas

Posted 8:52 PM by Gerald Klaas
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has started a petition to Congress asking them to fix the law and stop the RIAA pursuit of filesharers.

We respect reasonable copyright law, but we strongly oppose copyright enforcement that comes at the expense of privacy, due process and fair application of the law.

They had hoped to get 10,000 signatures this weekend. By Saturday evening they're already over 21,000.

Posted 4:45 PM by Gerald Klaas
Been a busy week. Actually, for computer security guys, it's been a busy couple of weeks. (Thanks for the job security Microsoft!!)

So today I got around to sending Larken's Questions off to the Department of the Treasury and the IRS Commissioner. I also sent a copy to my Congressman Ose's office. Ose hasn't gotten answers to ANY of the WTP questions, nor the questions I asked during his Town Hall meetings in March and August, but I still want him to know that I'm thinking of him.

Thanks Doug for the link check, I fixed the Walter Williams link. <blush>me</blush>

Posted 1:49 PM by Gerald Klaas

The RIAA claims that downloading an MP3 from an internet file sharing network such as KaZaa or Morpheus, is the same as stealing a CD.

However, according to a recent AOL poll more that 85% of the people polled disagree. It seems as if the RIAA is now out of touch with American culture.

Although I'm not one of the 85%, quoted in the study, I do think the RIAA is hastening their own doom with the file swapping lawsuits. As a business, you can't abuse your customers and expect them to stay loyal. This article suggests it's time for a new licensing scheme. I suggest putting out copies of songs that have advertisement headers and trailers, then only go after swappers who delete the headers and trailers before sharing. If it works for radio, I think it can work online.

Posted 8:30 AM by Gerald Klaas
Great Walter Williams column today.

Some might argue, but falsely so, that the problem with people exercising their liberty to drive without seatbelts, ride motorcycles without helmets or eat in unhealthy ways is that if they become injured or sick, society will be burdened with higher health-care costs. That's not a problem of liberty, but one of socialism.

That's usually the last line in my discussions with budding socialists who think the State should pick up yet another parental duty for the citizens.

They:But if people don't (insert choice: wear seatbelts, wear helmets, have car insurance, stop smoking, avoid fast food) it will cost me money to pay for their hospital visits.

Me:And that's the best argument against Universal Health Care. It gives everyone a financial interest in the life of their neighbor.

Then I pick what I think is the most unhealthy thing that person does and use it in an example, "So Joe, if you don't stop bungie jumping, (drinking margaritas, driving a tin can car, etc.), I'll be stuck with your medical bills. By your logic, there should be a law against bungie jumping." Generally they stop talking to me about then.

Posted 9:25 AM by Gerald Klaas
The Supreme Court is reviewing the McCain-Feingold law. I don't see how they can rule any other way than that it's a First Amendment violation. It's an unfortunate truth that as long as politicians make decisions that direct billions of dollars in spending, the beneficiaries of this spending will find a way to increase their chances of winning the loot (or "plunder" in Bastiat-speak). It matters not what the reformers try to do about "campaign funding", they will not be able to control independent expenditures, unless, of course they repeal the First Amendment completely.