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Skeptical Debunker

Big Content condemns foreign governments that endorse FOSS - 0 views

arstechnica.com/...ernments-that-endorse-foss.ars

open source Special 301 USTR IIPA absurd recommendations self-serving

shared by Skeptical Debunker on 25 Feb 10 - Cached
  • University of Edinburgh law lecturer Andres Guadamuz wrote a blog entry this week highlighting some particularly troubling aspects of the IIPA's 301 recommendations. The organization has condemned Indonesia and several other countries for encouraging government adoption of open source software. According to the IIPA, official government endorsements of open source software create "trade barriers" and restrict "equitable market access" for software companies. The profound absurdity of this accusation is exacerbated by the fact that Indonesia's move towards open source software was almost entirely motivated by a desire to eliminate the use of pirated software within the government IT infrastructure. It's important to understand that Indonesia has not mandated the adoption of open source software or barred government agencies from purchasing proprietary commercial software. The Indonesian government issued a statement in 2009 informing municipal governments that they had to stop using pirated software. The statement said that government agencies must either purchase legally licensed commercial software or switch to free and open source alternatives in order to comply with copyright law. This attempt by Indonesia to promote legal software procurement processes by endorsing the viability of open source software has apparently angered the IIPA. In its 301 recommendations for Indonesia, the IIPA demands that the government rescind its 2009 statement. According to the IIPA, Indonesia's policy "weakens the software industry and undermines its long-term competitiveness" because open source software "encourages a mindset that does not give due consideration to the value to intellectual creations [and] fails to build respect for intellectual property rights." The number of ways in which the IIPA's statements regarding open source software are egregiously misleading and dishonest are too numerous to count. The IIPA seems to have completely missed the fact that there is a very robust ecosystem of commercial software vendors in the open source software market and that open source software is at the heart of some of the most popular consumer electronics products that are sold in the United States. It has clearly become an important part of the US software economy and increasingly serves as an enabler of innovation and technological progress. In light of the profitability of Red Hat and other open source leaders, it seems absurd to contend that open source software adoption will weaken the software industry or reduce its competitiveness. In fact, the emergence of open source software has contributed to creating a more competitive landscape in the software industry by offering alternative business models that enable smaller companies to gain traction against the dominant incumbent players. The IIPA's position is profoundly hypocritical, because many parts of the US government, including the Department of Defense, have issued their own memos endorsing open source software adoption. The IIPA's disingenuous move to equate open source software with piracy reeks of desperation. The BSA and other IIPA members are likely losing sleep over open source software because that development model and approach to licensing will empower developing countries to build their own domestic IT industries, eliminating the need for them to tithe to American software giants. It's another failing of the 301 review, which Big Content wants used to coerce other countries into adopting ever-more-stringent copyright laws.
  • Skeptical Debunker on 25 Feb 10
     
    In accordance with US trade law, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is required to conduct an annual review of the status of foreign intellectual property laws. This review, which is referred to as Special 301, is typically used to denounce countries that have less restrictive copyright policies than the United States. The review process is increasingly dominated by content industry lobbyists who want to subvert US trade policy and make it more favorable to their own interests. We have already noted the targeting of Canada for its supposedly lax copyright laws, but that is not the only nation drawing the ire of Big Content. One of the organizations that plays a key role in influencing the Special 301 review is the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), a powerful coalition that includes the RIAA, the MPAA, and the Business Software Alliance (BSA). The IIPA, which recently published its official recommendations to the USTR for the 2010 edition of the 301 review, has managed to achieve a whole new level of absurdity.
thinkahol *

Fact. There Is a Link Between Cuts and Riots - 0 views

readersupportednews.org/...-a-link-between-cuts-and-riots

Fact. There Is a Link Between Cuts and Riots

shared by thinkahol * on 18 Aug 11 - No Cached
  • thinkahol * on 18 Aug 11
     
    We've studied a century's worth of social unrest and the data suggests austerity measures can lead to riots.
Muslim Academy

Pakistan Most unsafe Place for journalists/newsman - 0 views

muslim-academy.com/unsafe-place-for-media-persons

pakistan most unsafe place for journalists pakistan most unsafe place for newsman pakistan most unsafe place for media persons

shared by Muslim Academy on 04 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Muslim Academy on 04 Jan 13
     
    It is a fact that the media is playing a significant role in every society and culture. Now, the settlement of public agendas has become difficult without the contribution of media. Media bombard us with the latest and fresh information all the day. In the past, only print media were available, but now it has converted into electronic media due to the advancement of technology. Media is working freely only in certain countries and states like Pakistan. Now hundreds of channels are working to amuse the people like entertainment and sports channels. Although, some forces don't like free media in Pakistan like the Taliban and some politicians. They always threaten the media persons. It is reported that three media persons have been killed in Pakistan in the last few months. Similarly, 30 journalists injured by terrorists. In total, 48 media attacks have been reported in the last few months. Journalists are not safe and secure in the Pakistan region. In 2011, more than 25 journalists were kidnapped by terrorists. Journalists receive threats and harassment on a daily basis in Pakistan.
Arabica Robusta

Populism and the enchanted world of 'moderate politics' | openDemocracy - 1 views

www.opendemocracy.net/...0%98moderate-politics%E2%80%99

politics theory populism

shared by Arabica Robusta on 27 Jun 13 - No Cached
  • I essentially question the epistemological flaws surrounding the uses of the notion: when is it safe to call a politician, a political party or movement ‘populist’?
  • The stakes are high because to label someone as ‘populist’ is to imply that s/he is somehow a potential or real enemy of representative democracy. My critic refers to the ‘pernicious effects’ of populism which underlines the notion’s very negative connotation. Let me here reply to Catherine Fieschi’s major criticisms.
  • Cas Mudde, one of the major specialists on the subject, concedes that populism is a ‘thin-centred ideology’.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • According to Michael Freeden’s ‘morphological analysis’, an ideology has its own ‘ineliminable’ core of values exercising control, with logically and culturally adjacent concepts that are further connected to peripheral concepts.
  • To point out that populism does not have the depth and sophistication of a political ideology is in no way an attempt to suggest that this is a ‘wishy-washy’ notion, even less to ‘to discourage analysts’, let alone ‘to bamboozle democrats’ as Catherine Fieschi alleges. No, it simply means testing the epistemological merits of the notion in order to reveal its heuristic limits.
  • In the 1930s, millions marched behind the banners of Fascism and Communism. Today, no one would die for a populist cause. Populism is no ideology simply because it offers no positive worldview. It is just a means to an end, a device to appeal to the masses.
  • Think for a moment: aren’t those amorphous policies of ‘mainstream’ parties responsible for their rising unpopularity and their decreasing credibility? Why should political scientists uncritically use the media clichés about ‘reasonable moderates’ opposing ‘undemocratic radicals/populists’?
  • It is a fact that populists thrive on ‘wounded’ democracies. But ‘wounded’ democracies are imperfectly run polities, where economic inequalities are dire, and where the elites have often broken their promises. Thus let’s not forget who provoked the ‘democratic fracture’ in the first place. Why do some political scientists seem oblivious to the fact that the ‘moderates’ who let down their electorates are mainly responsible for their own demise?
  • Again, the task of the political scientist should not be to condone or condemn this state of affairs, but to try to understand why people feel so disenfranchised. Consequently, the researcher should tackle and discuss the policies which make those populations suffer. Unfortunately, this is not something which most political scientists seem in the least concerned about. ‘Not to laugh, not to lament, not to detest, but to understand’ said Spinoza. Before looking down on the disoriented and angry voters who fall for the demagogues or dismissing all ‘radicals’ as undisputed ‘populists’, it would indeed be worth pausing for a moment to understand how those agents feel and to ask what they want. Political scientists should also wonder why more and more ‘moderate’ voters no longer believe in the enchanted world of ‘moderate politics’.
sunitanaik

What are some unique and interesting facts about Narendra Modi? - 0 views

askopinion.com/ting-facts-about-narendra-modi

PMModi NarendraModi Modi PMIndia

shared by sunitanaik on 05 Dec 16 - No Cached
  • sunitanaik on 05 Dec 16
     
    Narendra Modi, who is the fourteenth and present prime minister of India, decided to demonetize those notes for freeing India from black money and corruption.
  • sunitanaik on 05 Dec 16
     
    Narendra Modi is the first politician to use social media for propagating his election campaign. He is the regular user of social media. He keeps in touch constantly with the people by using the accounts of social media.
Joe La Fleur

Carter to Obama: Same Old Story on Energy Policy - 0 views

www.westernjournalism.com/ame-old-story-on-energy-policy

carter obama story energy policy

shared by Joe La Fleur on 04 May 12 - No Cached
  • Joe La Fleur on 04 May 12
     
    TWEEDLE DEE AND TWEEDLE DUMB. THEY'RE TWIN SONS OF DIFFERENT MOTHERS! A LITTLE FACT CHECKING WILL BEAR OUT THAT RONALD REGAN INHERITED A WORSE MESSFROM CARTER THAN OBAMA DID FROM BUSH.
Muslim Academy

Knowledge of Islam: A complete code of life - 0 views

muslim-academy.com/-islam-a-complete-code-of-life

Knowledge of Islam Islam a Complete code of life Islam

shared by Muslim Academy on 17 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • Muslim Academy on 17 Aug 12
     
    Islam is a religion of truth. It is the complete code of life that teaches us everything about the life in this world and how to live it so that we can earn a place in heavens in the life after death. History shows that Muslims have been the most civilized people in the whole world, because of the teachings and rules of the religion Islam. Even when it was revealed on the Prophet and he started inviting everyone to accept Islam, no one was forced in fact they were given a congregational lecture about the truth and lie giving them enough knowledge to make a wise choice. This tolerance was the first reason why the number of people that accepted to Learn Islam rapidly grew in the early Islamic history. It is not at all a difficult religion as most people from other religions and beliefs around the world think it is. It merely teaches the simplest way of leading our lives in the best way. The best thing about Islam is that it not only is specific to the religion based matters but also provides complete guidance in the various other aspects of life that makes it easier to lead a successful life.
Muslim Academy

Islamic Organizations in Russia - 0 views

muslim-academy.com/slamic-organizations-in-russia

Organizations in Russia Islamic

shared by Muslim Academy on 31 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • Muslim Academy on 31 Aug 12
     
    Islamic organizations in Russia The first official Islamic organization in Russia appeared in 1788, when by decree of Catherine II was created by the Orenburg Mohammedan Spiritual Assembly, engaged in the construction of mosques and marital affairs. However, after the revolution of a mosque in 1917, as the Orthodox Church, were closed, and the clergy was subjected to repression. Many Muslim organizations formed in Central Asia and the North Caucasus during the Great Patriotic War were split during the "perestroika" (1980-1990). In 1994 was created by the Supreme Coordinating Center of Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia (DUMR private commercial enterprise), which lasted four years and in 1998 joined the newly formed Council of Muftis of Russia. On the territory of European Russia and Siberia after the collapse of the Soviet Union announced the creation of new autonomous organizations. In 1996 the First Congress of the leaders of the Muslim Board of Russia, where it was decided to set up the Council of Muftis of Russia. A year later the organization was established Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Asian part of Russia. In 1998, the Conference North spiritual offices in Nazran, it was decided to establish the Higher Coordination Centre of North Caucasus Muslims, some of whose members initially included, also a member of the Council of Muftis of Russia. However, because of the differences, was forced to leave. In 2009-2010, decided to join forces to achieve unity of Russian Muslims and strengthen the traditional Islamic religious principles of the Muslim nation. However, by the great success it has not resulted. To date, the Russian equivalent approved two Muslim organizations that claim to the national character: TsDUM (Central Muslim Spiritual Board of Russia) and CMP (Council of Muftis of Russia). Each of them combines a number of relatively independent of the Spiritual Board of Muslims, based on the principle of administrative division. Beyo
Muslim Academy

Work and Faith Relationship in Islam - 0 views

muslim-academy.com/nd-faith-relationship-in-islam

faith in islam faith of islam work faith separation

shared by Muslim Academy on 03 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Muslim Academy on 03 Sep 12
     
    In our current hyper-productive, "time-is-money" motivated community, the idea of a "9 to 5″ working hours doesn't really are available any longer. The time spent at work, whether at the office or any other place, often competing the time spent targeted on anything else in our lifestyle. With the convenience of technology, work has crept into the sides of our everyday living and essentially obliterated the stability between the public and private dichotomies that were once clearly separated. From Islamic Point of View As Muslims, the fact that Islam is a way of lifestyle and not just a perception, punches an even greater wrench into the frustrating complexness of keeping personal perception levels and discussing work circumstances. From arranged wishes and guidelines of modesty, to a month of going on a fast and limited sex connections, God-consciousness prevails in all that a exercising Islamic does. So, when work seems to leak over into lifestyle and individuals are frustrated from providing perception into the office, how does a Islamic reunite the requirements of the office without limiting his or her faith?
Muslim Academy

Democratic State or Islamic State - 0 views

muslim-academy.com/ocratic-state-or-islamic-state

Islamic State Democratic State or Islamic State

shared by Muslim Academy on 08 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Muslim Academy on 08 Sep 12
     
    What is the relation between Islam and democracy? This is a burning question of this era de facto. There has been already a term "Islamic democracy". This term seems to demand something to add in Islam to be democratic or somehow it means that democracy is very different view where Islam lacks the core insight of democracy. What is the governmental view of Islam? What Islam thinks about the system of government in Islamic state? Does the system ensure the democratic right of the people or more than the so called democratic right? The questions are often and frequently asked by the Muslims as well as Non-Muslims. However, the truth is very significant. Islam is not alike democracy. When you hear about that you get a bad idea and get a sudden shock that Islam is not alike democracy! But let me be a little more specific. The fact is that, Islam is not alike democracy because Islam ensures the rights of the people far better than the western ideas of democracy. The governments of Islamic ages proved what the government system Islam says to adhere. If you notice about the governmental system of Khelfat-e-rasheda, you will get the point how honest they were with their promise and pledges. They ensured all the democratic right of the people. But they were not confined within the system we understand as the unique democratic system rather they were far more better and benevolent ruler of the people.
thinkahol *

Ten Million Families Sliding Toward Foreclosure » Counterpunch: Tells the Fac... - 0 views

www.counterpunch.org/...ies-sliding-toward-foreclosure

Ten Million Families Sliding Toward Foreclosure » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts Names

shared by thinkahol * on 11 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • thinkahol * on 11 Nov 11
     
    President Obama, he says, "seems to be playing a sly double game-protecting banks from sharing the pain while proclaiming sympathy for embattled homeowners." Greider adds, "The government, in effect, has been sheltering banks from facing the hard truth about their condition." Banks may be valuing mortgages or mortgage bonds at 85 cents on the dollar when their true market value is closer to 30 cents. "That strengthens the case for a general and orderly write-down now: if many of these loans aren't ever going to be rapid, then the assets now claimed by the banks are imaginary."
thinkahol *

Things That Make Me Angry | Thinkahol's Blog - 0 views

thinkahol.wordpress.com/...things-that-make-me-angry

Things That Make Me Angry | Thinkahol's Blog

shared by thinkahol * on 12 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • thinkahol * on 12 Nov 11
     
    Wall Street Isn't Winning - It's Cheating The two-tiered justice system: an illustration 9/10/2001: Rumsfeld says $2.3 TRILLION Missing from Pentagon  The due-process-free assassination of U.S. citizens is now reality The Quiet Coup "the finance industry has effectively captured our government" What OWS is about + data behind the movement Data privacy is now extinct in the U.S. "The problem that confronts us is that every living system in the biosphere is in decline and the rate of decline is accelerating. There isn't one peer-reviewed scientific article that's been published in the last 20 years that contradicts that statement. Living systems are coral reefs. They're our climatic stability, forest cover, the oceans themselves, aquifers, water, the conditions of the soil, biodiversity. They go on and on as they get more specific. But the fact is, there isn't one living system that is stable or is improving. And those living systems provide the basis for all life." The 1% are the very best destroyers of wealth the world has ever seen The prison industry in the United States: big business or a new form of slavery? How the GOP Became the Party of the Rich: The inside story of how the Republicans abandoned the poor and the middle class to pursue their relentless agenda of tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent
Joe La Fleur

10 Facts Revealing Conspiracy Behind Aurora Shooters - BlackListedNews.com - 0 views

www.blacklistednews.com/...M.html

facts conspiracy behind aurora

shared by Joe La Fleur on 05 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • Joe La Fleur on 05 Aug 12
     
    ANOTHER ERIC HOLDER JUSTICE DEPARTMANT SCANDAL
Joe La Fleur

10 Facts Revealing Conspiracy Behind Aurora Shooters - BlackListedNews.com - 0 views

www.blacklistednews.com/...M.html

facts conspiracy behind aurora

shared by Joe La Fleur on 09 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • Joe La Fleur on 09 Aug 12
     
    MURDER TO PUSH GUN CONTROL POLITICAL AGENDA
thinkahol *

Open proposal to US higher education: end oligarchy economics, save trillions with educ... - 0 views

www.examiner.com/rillions-with-education-3-of-4

economic government oligarchy corporate cartel fiat money wall street takeover

shared by thinkahol * on 29 May 10 - Cached
  • thinkahol * on 29 May 10
     
    Economics: I'm going to discuss trillions of dollars in a moment. As an economics teacher, I understand numbers this large are extremely difficult to imagine. If you are among the majority with this difficulty, I recommend that you follow the expert testimony that paints the picture, and know that success in this area of public education transformation that unleashes trillions of our dollars for human creative capacity in unimaginable power is sufficient to end the current economic crisis. This is the longest section of my briefing. If you tire in reading, please consider that at trillions of dollars of annual public benefits, you literally have nothing more valuable to do than understand the following facts and ideas. Harvard's Linda Bilmes co-authored a paper with Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz estimating the long-term costs of current US wars at now $3 to $5 trillion ($30-$50,000 per US household of $50,000/year income), with total debt increase since 2001 of over $10 trillion. Remember, as demonstrated by the evidence disclosed by our own government, all the reasons Americans were told to go to war were known to be lies as they were told and applicable law proves these wars Orwellian unlawful. Just down the Charles River from Harvard, MIT's Simon Johnson (and former Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund) describes our economy being lead by gambling oligarchs who have captured government as in banana republics (his words), and might plunge the US into an economy worse than the Great Depression. From his article under the telling title, The Quiet Coup: "Elite business interests-financiers, in the case of the U.S.-played a central role in creating the crisis, making ever-larger gambles, with the implicit backing of the government, until the inevitable collapse. More alarming, they are now using their influence to prevent precisely the sorts of reforms that are needed, and fast, to pull the economy out of its nosedive. The govern
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