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01 Jul 2010 21:34

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Tech: The RIAA: The Viacom/YouTube decision is “bad public policy”

  • So says the group that sues suburban mothers for stealing two dozen songs. President Cary Sherman says that the ruling “will actually discourage service providers from taking steps to minimize the illegal exchange of copyrighted works on their sites.” To that, we say, make it easier to exchange content legally and you won’t have an issue. Fewer lawsuits (actually, wait, no lawsuits), more cool things like Lala and Rdio. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Jul 2010 10:23

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World: Cuban cause celebré Elian Gonzalez: Thanks for the help, America!

  • Thanks to the help of a big part of the American people and of our people, today I’m with my father, and that is everything.
  • Elian Gonzalez • Looking back on that crazy raid that defined U.S./Cuba diplomatic relations about a decade ago. Seriously, it holds a place next to the Terri Schiavo case in terms of complete worse-than-it-needed-to-be theatrics. Gonzalez, now 16, is studying to become a Cuban military officer. Julius was considering a similar career path, except he doesn’t live in a communist regime. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Jun 2010 22:14

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Culture: M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender” bends towards total fail

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Jun 2010 21:50

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Politics: You happy, National Enquirer? Al Gore massage case reopened

  • Because it’s going to go somewhere … yeah. Thanks to all the new attention the massage/sexual assault report has been getting, the Portland Police Department reopened the case today. Gore’s people are optimistic that it won’t hurt the former presidential wannabe, with one spokesperson saying reopened the case “will only benefit Mr. Gore.” In other news, we wonder what fellow National Enquirer-outed presidential wannabe (and Lindsay Lohan wannabe) John Edwards has been up to lately … source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Jun 2010 11:17

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Tech, World: Who blinked first in the Google vs. China search stand-off?

  • Google did, but not too much. The search giant angered China by re-directing to its free-speech-allowing Hong Kong site, threatening to revoke its business license. So, to prevent that, Google will force Chinese users to click on an image before going to the Hong Kong site, which is annoying but likely gets around China’s problems. Will it work? Good question. China is finicky. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Jun 2010 11:36

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U.S.: Was it the blackened shrimp? New Orleans chef sues BP

  • Much of plaintiff’s business is based on the unique quality of Louisiana seafood, as well as the chain of delivery of that resource from the initial harvester (be it fisherman, oyster grower or shrimper). Because this chain of delivery cannot be maintained, plaintiff’s business has been, and continues to be, materially damaged.
  • Lawyer Serena Pollack • Representing prominent New Orleans chef Susan Spicer in a lawsuit against BP. See, Spicer is seeking class action status for restaurants like her Bayona, located in the city’s historic French Quarter. She’s seeking compensatory and punitive damages against BP. The Food Network and Bravo personality will have to get in line, though – her suit is one of over 250 against the company. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Jun 2010 09:59

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World: Understatement: The G20 protests have gotten out of control

  • 412 number of total arrests as a result of the G20 summit
  • 300+ of those arrests came yesterday alone (whoa) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

25 Jun 2010 22:20

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Politics: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer thinks illegal immigrants are drug mules

  • Well, we all know that the majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules.
  • Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer • Saying the kind of thing that’s a weeeeeeeeeee bit controversial, but considering her record as governor, that wouldn’t be anything new. Brewer went even further, saying this: “So they are criminals. They’re breaking the law when they are trespassing and they’re criminals when they pack the marijuana and the drugs on their backs.” We offer the same advice to her that we have to Rand Paul in the past: Keep quiet or people might think you’re crazy. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Jun 2010 11:09

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U.S.: Bad news, guys: Peter Orszag is steppin’ down from the White House

Why we love ol’ Petey: He’s the first White House budget chief whose love life overshadowed his job. How did THAT happen? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 4 Comments • Permalink

22 Jun 2010 11:03

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Biz: Nooooo … really? Oil companies want deepwater drilling ban to end

  • There are things the administration could implement today that would allow the industry to go back to work tomorrow without an arbitrary six-month time limit.
  • Transocean CEO Steven Newman • Arguing that the U.S. should back off its somewhat controversial deepwater drilling ban. (His company ran the Deepwater Horizon.) He’s not alone – the BBC quotes Chevron and BP execs (not Tony Hayward) saying similar things. The oil industry is pushing against the regulations and a court decision about the drilling ban is forthcoming. Haley Barbour got a lot of crap about making a similar statement recently, despite the fact that BP is paying workers who have been laid off due to the spill. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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