The US Supreme Court has agreed, in its coming session, to hear an appeal in the case of Gonzalez v. Google. The case deals with one aspect of “the 26 words that created the Internet” — Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. As is usually the case when Section 230 comes up, the pundit-media industrial … Continue reading Note to SCOTUS: Section 230 is an Acknowledgement of Reality, Not a “Liability Shield”
Category: Libertarian Advocacy Journalism
Imperial Delusion is the Enemy of Peace and Prosperity
As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its eighth month, the European Union scrambles for energy to heat its homes and power its industry in the coming winter, the US and China continue to rattle sabers at each other over Taiwan, and smaller actual and potential conflicts rage around the world, it seems like a good time to take stock of two old, busted, worn-out terms: “American hegemony” and “unipolar world.”
Does Sparing the Rod Really Spoil the Child?
If the strop taught me anything, it was the false lesson that instant resort to violence “works.” I suspect I’m not dead, in prison, or an alcoholic in spite of, not because of, the strop.
Joe Biden’s Battle is a Fascist versus Fascist Cage Match
“What we’re seeing now is either the beginning or the death knell of an extreme MAGA philosophy,” US president Joe Biden warned on August 25. “It’s not just Trump, it’s the entire philosophy that underpins the — I’m going to say something — it’s like semi-fascism.” A week later, in Philadelphia, he expanded on his … Continue reading Joe Biden’s Battle for “the Soul of This Nation” is a Fascist versus Fascist Cage Match
More Young Americans are Using Cannabis and Hallucinogens; That’s Good News
Both of these “drug” categories have a history of use as long as the history of humanity, with known medical and mental benefits, few negative side effects, and virtually no correlation to violent behaviors.
Don’t Wait: Get Into the Encryption Habit Now
In a mostly unencrypted world, encrypted communications (of most kinds — there are exceptions) tend to stand out. In such an environment, it’s not unlikely that at some point, encryption will itself be deemed “suspicious” and its use treated as grounds for investigations and searches.
How Would a “National Divorce” Work?
The “national divorce” talk has only increased since then, and of course there’s nothing new about the concept. As you may recall from high school history classes, hundreds of thousands died in a war over the last attempt at such a thing in the mid-19th century.
One Screen, Two Movies? Think Again
Both sides are seeing what they want to see. Each side is convinced that they’re with the “good guys” while the other side’s supporters are mentally deranged and violently criminal. Why can’t both sides be at least partially right?
Cracker Barrel’s Offering a New Sausage Option. The Response is Bananas.
In an effort to keep up with the times and serve a profitable market segment, southern-style comfort-food restaurant chain Cracker Barrel recently added a new item to its menu.
“Net Neutrality” is Back. It’s Still a Corporate Welfare Scam and Internet Censorship Enabling Act.
On July 28, US Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with US Representative Doris Matsui (D-HI) introduced a bill to reclassify Internet Service Providers from Title I “information services” to Title II “common carrier services.” Why this bill? Because the term “Net Neutrality” polls well among those who don’t bother to look into the details.