Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
realsorien: (Default)
Originally posted by [livejournal.com profile] electricdruid at The fiasco continues

ACTA in a Nutshell –

What is ACTA?  ACTA is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. A new intellectual property enforcement treaty being negotiated by the United States, the European Community, Switzerland, and Japan, with Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mexico, Jordan, Morocco, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada recently announcing that they will join in as well.

Why should you care about ACTA? Initial reports indicate that the treaty will have a very broad scope and will involve new tools targeting “Internet distribution and information technology.”

What is the goal of ACTA? Reportedly the goal is to create new legal standards of intellectual property enforcement, as well as increased international cooperation, an example of which would be an increase in information sharing between signatory countries’ law enforcement agencies.

Essential ACTA Resources

  • Read more about ACTA here: ACTA Fact Sheet
  • Read the authentic version of the ACTA text as of 15 April 2011, as finalized by participating countries here: ACTA Finalized Text
  • Follow the history of the treaty’s formation here: ACTA history
  • Read letters from U.S. Senator Ron Wyden wherein he challenges the constitutionality of ACTA: Letter 1 | Letter 2 | Read the Administration’s Response to Wyden’s First Letter here: Response
  • Watch a short informative video on ACTA: ACTA Video
  • Watch a lulzy video on ACTA: Lulzy Video

Say NO to ACTA. It is essential to spread awareness and get the word out on ACTA.

Via Tumblr

realsorien: (Default)
Just a quote that I found funny, from the site www.fivethirtyeight.com


"Coleman has lost to a professional wrestler, beaten a dead guy, and then tied a comedian. He doesn't have much to lose by fighting this to its bitter conclusion. But it's hard to envision how he'll come up with enough ballots to overtake Franken."

Its not a statement of my position, though I favor Franken and hate StormyNormy... I just love the first sentence, and I'd love it if it applied to a Democrat or an Independent too. ;)
realsorien: (Default)
Referring to the passage of Prop. 8: "It is unfortunate," Schwarzenegger said. "But it is not the end because I think this will go back into the courts. ... It's the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. This falls into the same category."

Here's the full article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/10/gay.marriage.protests.ap/index.html
realsorien: (Default)
As I type this, McCain has conceded the election and Obama currently has a (projected, but pretty solid) 333 Electoral Votes. The Democrats have made advances in both the house and the senate, and thus the news is mostly good.

To my Democrat friends who were worried... Read the subject line.

To my Republican friends. Do likewise.

For neither side is this the end of the world.

And maybe... Its going to be good. Remember though, we have a BIG hole to climb out of, regardless of where faulty lies. Understand that things will take time to set right, and that this was NOT personal, or at least shouldn't have been.
realsorien: (Default)
About what things might make the system in the United States better. The ideas I've had range from tax-reform to election reform to alterations in the structure of Judicial appointments. I'm putting them here, in no particular order for people to comment on.

Tax Reform. I'd like to see some form of flat tax. And I know that it'd temporarily screw a lot of tax-preparers and IRS agents, but this is something that we've really needed for a long time. From what I've heard this is close to what would work: Everyone of working age gets a base exemption of $20,000. That means the first 20k you earn is YOURS. Above that amount, all income regardless of source is taxed at a rate of 19-21%. The most any person's tax-burden could be reduced would be 50%, via charitable or political donations, home-improvement and whatnot. ALL income would be treated the same, save maybe for retirement-fund interest. I KNOW this is a simplistic form, but its sound in its base premise.

Term Limits. All Federal elected positions, House, Senate and President would be restricted to 3 terms or 10 years, whichever is less, consecutive. What this means is that any person could be elected to a particular position for 6 years (House) or 8 years (Senate or President) consecutively; this allows for a half-term for a Senator or President who is seated in case of the death or injury of a predecessor partway through a term. After that time, they couldn't run for that post again until at least one term had passed. One other restriction- in the case of the House and Senate, that would mean no playing 'musical chairs' , either- you do the allowed terms then are OUT of that side of Congress for at least a term. This is a constitutionally sound version of Term-Limits.

Election Reform All Federal elected positions would be subject to runoff elections where the percentage of difference between candidates is less than 2%. In additition, All such offices would be subject both to the 'no-confidence' vote, and to a 'ranked vote' system, thus allowing people to rank the candidates as to preference. This would lead to people having a better chance to express themselves and would yield candidates more in line with the desires of the population.

Next, abolish the Electoral College. We're one of the most literate nations on the face of the Earth- initially, the College was instituted because of the belief that the population of the United States, being mostly illiterate itinerant farmers and settlers, wouldn't be savvy enough to make an informed decision as to who the President should be. THat waas in a time with no rapid communication and limited (by our standards) educational prospects for the common citizen. Today we are quite capable of determining our fate without this conclave of elders holding our collective hands.

Further, All campaigns for whatever position, House, Senate or President should be limited to a maximum of 4 months campaign time, 6 months in the case of a presidential campaign. All viable candidates (or the 6 most viable) will receive federal funding for their races, including a total of 6 television ads and 12 radio ads. Airtime will also be provided for said ads, and all moneys shall come from a general fund. No individual or personal funds shall be allowed. Hopefully, this would level the playing field and remove the money-equation at least to some extent. Of all my ideas this is the one that admittedly needs a LOT of work and refinement.

Judicial Reform Really, for the most part the system works here. What I'd suggest is having the major Bar Associations be required to recommend their choices for Circuit and Supreme Court positions to the President, rather than the President making the choice and decision as a reward for political allies as seems to be the developing tendency. The President would have to choose from these recommendations, or reject them; if the list is rejected then a second set of recommendations would be presented. Thereafter the normal confirmation process currently in place would be used.

Social Security Reform. First off, remove Social Security from the General Fund by Amendment to the Constitution and forever separate it so that it can't be used as a 'slush' or 'hedge' fund by Congress or the President to support or cover spending by the Government. Next, institute a restoration plan, perhaps an additional 2-cents-a-gallon tax on all liquid fuels or similar, that feeds directly to the Social Security Fund. It wuldn't be fast, but it would eventually stabilize it.

Health Care Reform. Force all HMO's and other profit-oriented structures to divest all ownership in hospitals and clinics, providing temporary support for those facilities as needed. Have some of the facilities remain in private hands, but have a certain number in each city mandated to be in Government hands. These facilities would provide medical care to those who can't afford insurance and would be trauma centers and emergency-response centers. Put limits on the premiums required for malpractice insurance, and put controls on drud pricing. I know a lot of people don't like that idea because its 'government interference', but given that the majority of drug-development money actually comes from the government and NOT from the sale-price of medications, I think its warranted and needed. Too many go without in the US, when they shouldn't have to.

Anyway, these are just some of my ideas. Some are better than others, but its what I came up with for now. Some can be applied on a State level as well. :)
realsorien: (Default)
This is pretty close to why I don't worry like some do about the political situation in the United States. While it DOES take a while for things to happen, the balance does re-center itself. We now have a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, A Senate which might have a 1-seat Democratic majority or a tie, a majority of Governorships going to the Democrats, and Rumsfeld has stepped down.

On the bad side, a bunch of illigitimate amendments and referendums passed affecting the rights of people living in same-sex partnerships and/or civil unions. I expect the Wisconsin one to die quickly, as it does far more than I think was aimed for. Basically, it nukes people who were joined as partners by the state as well 'same sex' partners. It won't last a year.

Here in Minnesota we DID elect one fruitcake, Michelle Bachman (R) to the House of Representatives. She goes the extremist-Republican line of anti-gay, anti-abortion, and essentially is a shrill, bitter harridan. The governor race here is still undecided to my knowledge, tho the Republican Pawlenty has a 1% lead over Mike Hatch, the Democrat.

We'll see how things shake out. But one thing is pretty certain- with Bachman out of state politics, there'll be no more serious attempts to ban gay marriage or civil unions here. :)

Oh- the House and Senate of Minnesota BOTH went Democrat.

From all of what I've said above some might think I'm bashing the Republicans. I'm not. If a Republican is in office, does a good job and actually expresses the tenets of the Republican Party, AND supports the needs and desires of his or her constituency, I've no problem. I DID vote for Governor Arne Carlson here twice, after all.

But when they start supporting an ideological agenda out of step with the desires of the majority? THEN I object. The so-called 'New Republicans' and the 'New Right' have done great harm to the Nation, and the people just told them in no uncertain terms what they thought of the performance.

I don't think the changes are over. I think its just starting.
realsorien: (Default)
You know, I made a response to something [livejournal.com profile] nauta said in response to [livejournal.com profile] joshuwain's admittedly over-the-top initial posting about voting... And since I put it up I've been thinking about it. And getting rather more irritated.

You see, we in the States vote for higher state offices and federal positions once every two years. If you count the primary votes, that means we have the right and opportunity to express our position and opinions on our leadership every two years, and can cause things to change of whatever is currently being done displeases us.

In actuality, less than half of the population actually expresses that right and opportunity.

Its ONE OR TWO FUCKING HOURS (at most!) EVERY TWO FUCKING YEARS. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?

I see exactly four reasons for not voting. Apathy, Stupidity, Age and Being incapable due to a medical situation. Only the last two are an excuse.

Or are you all happy letting other assholes decide what your world will be like?

And to the rest of the world. We who actually vote here are sorry that our system is fucked up by people who don't seem to give a damn. And I apoligise to friends whom don't vote that I'm pissing off here, but goddamn it, this IS important!
realsorien: (Alternate)
I just got back from voting, with [livejournal.com profile] ataramos and [livejournal.com profile] zxizaraxii. I'm going to bed now, but first, this message:

VOTE!!!!!

Thanks. Seriously.

If more of the people of the U.S. would actually take the 5 minutes or so it takes to vote, maybe we'd not be in the mess we're in now.

Vote!

Sep. 12th, 2006 07:25 am
realsorien: (Alternate)
Okay, the Minnesota Primary Elections are today. If you're in Minnesota, get to the polls and express your choices! Here, we don't have primaries segregated by party-affiliation, but you can only vote for one party when you're at the polls- this is, after all, just the initial run to determine the final slate of candidates. I was the first one at our polling place, mostly cos my hours are so screwy. :)

In any event, I voted. Here's to change!
realsorien: (Default)
For those who wish to have the House Judiciary Committee to investigate and hold full hearings on the 2004 presidential election, send in an email via the following website: http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/contact.html

A friend on line mentioned this, and I did so. If you wanna make a change, or at least some difference, follow the link. :)
realsorien: (Default)
[livejournal.com profile] joshuwain and [livejournal.com profile] ataramos both posted on this, and here is my two cents...

If CBS and NBC wanna support racism and social discrimination by refusing to air this 'controversial' ad, then they damn well should lose viewership over it.

Here is the UCS site: http://www.stillspeaking.com/

I have emailed CBS on this already, telling them that they've lost a straight, white male agnostic viewer over this stupidity. Their email is: Diversity@cbs.com

I'll be emailing NBC with the same message.

Asshats. Oy. Or better yet... CHICKENSHITS.

Note that I'm NOT religious. But DAMN, a Church that accepts people as Christ intended, without recrimination or prejudice? Almost makes me reconsider. Almost.

I WILL support them, though.
realsorien: (Default)
I found this on [livejournal.com profile] danshrugs, and decided to take it- I wasn't all that surprised. :)

Liberal
Where do you fall on the liberal - conservative political spectrum? (United States)

brought to you by Quizilla
realsorien: (Default)
Hooboy. I'm gonna preface this with a statement- Normally, I'm not one to get involved in politics. Politicians generally tick me off, and I usually have found that things usually work themselves out, eventually. That being said...

Today, I called 35 (34- one of the numbers I had was a wrong #) Minnesota state Senators. Why? Because i wanted to express my opposition to the Idea of banning gay marriage in an amendment to the state Constitution. Usually, I let this stuff slide- after all, as was written in an editorial piece in the Star-Tribune the other day, '50 years from now gays will marry and nobody will even blink'.

However...

In yesterdays paper, there was a FULL PAGE ad taken out by the Minnesota Family Council asking people to contact a list of Democratic Senators to push the Minnesota Marriage Amendment (the aforementioned gay-marriage ban) forward. This narked me off. What narked me off the MOST was this line: "Marriage is between one man and one woman, always has been and always will be."

BULL-SHIT!!!

MOST of the patriarchs of the Old Testament had at LEAST two wives! Bugger THIS noise. Lies piss me off.

So, I called. Here is basically what I said.

Hello. My name is Mike Heinsohn, and I currently live in Northeast Minneapolis. I am calling to say that the Amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota should never reach a vote. Any such ban on consentual non-harmful behavior violates the U.S. Constitutional protections of Freedom of Speech and Expression. In principle, it also violates the Separation of Church and State, as the primary opposition is along religious lines. Please, as a straight male voter, I ask you to stop this Amendment and any similar legislation. Thank you for listening.

On 9 of the calls, I got a 'full mailbox' message. I was able to leave messages with all the rest save one- The idiots put the wrong number down. :P

I got LIVE PEOPLE on four calls.

If you're reading this and are in Minnesota, PLEASE call your Representatives and Senators. Banning gay marriage is stupid. and on a cynical note- Gay marriage means more tax dollars as married couples without kids face the so-called marriage tax...

Whee-effin-ha. :)

Damn, this is a long post. (giggle!)

Profile

realsorien: (Default)
realsorien

May 2023

S M T W T F S
 123 456
78910111213
14151617 181920
21222324252627
28293031   

Most Popular Tags

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Style Credit

Page generated Jul. 10th, 2025 10:43 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios