The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act was written in response to 1983's War Games, according to EFF attorney Marcia Hofmann. Not only is it stone age in origin, much of its sweeping power rests in one ill-defined phrase -- unauthorized access -- and one contract clause -- terms of service. Yes, this is a law that is both civil and criminal in nature. Those nuggets came from a … [Read more...] about On Prosecutors, Power and Vague Law
Stepping Up On Voting Rights: Rutherford B.Hayes
Historic Tidbit: The campaign of Martin Van Buren's use of the term"okay" (simply "O.K" in those days) made the word part of the everyday America lexicon And Teddy Roosevelt's use of the phrase "good to the last drop" upon trying Maxwell House Coffee became an enduring term still used today? See. For everything, there is a story. By Scott Crass Following the election, … [Read more...] about Stepping Up On Voting Rights: Rutherford B.Hayes
Sequester, Held in Contempt
WASHINGTON -- I hate the sequester, beginning with its name. "Sequester" is a verb, not a noun. This ridiculous exercise is not just unwise and unproductive, but ungrammatical as well. I hate the way the sequester diverts attention from issues that actually matter, like unemployment, gun violence, climate change, failing schools and the need to spur economic growth. I … [Read more...] about Sequester, Held in Contempt
Jeb Bush Flip Flops Twice On Immigration (UPDATED)
Hey, it's not even 2016 yet and we're already able to watch Olympics level flip flops from an Oval Office hopeful: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) told MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Tuesday that he would support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants “if you can craft that in law where you can have a path to citizenship where there isn’t an incentive for people to … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Flip Flops Twice On Immigration (UPDATED)
House Divided (Cartoon)
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CBS Poll: Americans Feel Sequester Will Impact Them As Partisans Blame Other Party (UPDATED)
A new CBS poll finds most Americans believe they will feel the sequester and both sides will get blamed for the situation but Republicans are being blamed more -- as partisans reliably blame the other party: A CBS News Poll conducted as the sequester cuts were about to begin finds that most (53 percent) percent say they personally will be affected by the cuts in the … [Read more...] about CBS Poll: Americans Feel Sequester Will Impact Them As Partisans Blame Other Party (UPDATED)
N. Korea Threatens to Scrap Armistice Accord
N. Korea threatens to scrap armistice accord (via AFP) North Korea threatened Tuesday to scrap the armistice which ended the Korean War in 1953, citing US moves to impose sanctions for its nuclear test and tensions over South Korean-US exercises. The threat came amid reports from the United Nations that China and the United States have reached agreement… … [Read more...] about N. Korea Threatens to Scrap Armistice Accord
As a Loser, Romney Does Not Disappoint
The man who promised to kill Big Bird is now devoting his foundation to children. In defeat, Mitt Romney is still the same shape shifter Americans knew so well before last Election Day. He reappears on Fox, clueless as ever to explain that darned 47 percent again, “What I said is not what I believe” and concede “We weren't effective in taking my message primarily to minority … [Read more...] about As a Loser, Romney Does Not Disappoint
The 3 Things Holding Up John Brennan’s Nomination
Here. One wonders how long a shadow these three things will cast on history's evaluation of the Obama Administration, not to mention policy decisions taken by future administrations. [My personal blog is here.] … [Read more...] about The 3 Things Holding Up John Brennan’s Nomination
Blame (Cartoon)
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Despite Budget Cloud, Obama Kick Starts Second Term Agenda
Despite budget cloud, Obama kick starts second term agenda (via AFP) US President Barack Obama sought Monday to shield his ambitious second-term agenda from the poisoned political aftermath of a budget fight with Republicans that triggered an $85 billion austerity hit. Obama gathered his cabinet for their first meeting since his second inauguration and vowed to press… … [Read more...] about Despite Budget Cloud, Obama Kick Starts Second Term Agenda
Nearly 3,000 Wild Great Apes ‘Stolen’ Each Year: UN
Nearly 3,000 wild great apes 'stolen' each year: UN (via AFP) Almost 3,000 great apes are killed or captured in the wild each year because of rampant illegal trade, according to a new UN report released Monday that voiced fears for their survival. More than 22,000 great apes are estimated to have been lost to the illicit trade between 2005 and 2011, according… … [Read more...] about Nearly 3,000 Wild Great Apes ‘Stolen’ Each Year: UN
The Sequester in a ‘Word Cloud’
For some weird reason I like “word counts” and the new “word clouds” used to illustrate the most frequently used words and phrases politicians and others use in their speeches and in describing what comes to mind when certain issues are brought up. For example, during the 2012 Presidential campaign, the New York Times kept track of the number of times speakers at both … [Read more...] about The Sequester in a ‘Word Cloud’
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Comforts The Afflicted
(The scene opens in a Goldman Sachs washroom. Mr. B., a top company executive, has entered and rushes into his private Stall #8. A few moments later washroom attendant Selig Cartwright hears pathetic sobbing coming from the stall. He stands outside its door and asks:) Are you O.K, Mr. B? Is the video player in there on the blink again? Did I forget to put the latest issue of … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Comforts The Afflicted
Polarization, Church and Country
WASHINGTON -- What do the Roman Catholic Church and the American political system have in common? Both are divided into factions that neither trust nor understand each other, and both confront a crisis of governance. Divisions in the church are usually seen as mimicking those of secular politics. Conservatives or traditionalists are pitted against liberals or … [Read more...] about Polarization, Church and Country
Ashley Judd Could Win
It's unfair to think Judd couldn't win simply on her own merits -- she's bright, she's well-informed, she's energetic, and she's liked by many. But Mitch McConnell's standing in the polls is certainly a consideration. The Hill reported that Judd met with leaders of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in Washington last month to discuss a possible run … [Read more...] about Ashley Judd Could Win
A Grieving Father’s Plea
WASHINGTON -- Most of our top elected officials probably didn't notice -- they were too busy making fools of themselves over an idiotic budget "crisis" of their own manufacture -- but something worth remembering happened in Washington last week: A grieving parent pleaded softly for a ban on military-style weapons like the one used to kill his son. Members of the Senate … [Read more...] about A Grieving Father’s Plea
Quote of the Day: Mitt Romney Can’t Move On and Reveals His Fatal Political Flaw
I can't even comment on First Read's take on former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Fox News interview since First Read says it all. But I will offer two quickies: (1) Romney is unable to move on. (2) There will be no group of GOPers within the party battling to keep Romney's principles and political spirit alive. How can you keep alive that which is … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Mitt Romney Can’t Move On and Reveals His Fatal Political Flaw
Does Mitt Romney Have a Political Life after Losing the Presidency?
Does Mitt Romney have a political life after losing the presidency? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Rebuilding your political life after a failed presidential bid is tough under any circumstances – especially so if you don’t have, say, a seat in the US Senate or the governor’s office to go back to, as John McCain, John Kerry, and Michael Dukakis did. It can take months – … [Read more...] about Does Mitt Romney Have a Political Life after Losing the Presidency?
Ex Pope Putting His Feet Up (Cartoon)
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