CLibertyC

A patent on watching ads online? No problem, says top patent court

"The Electronic Frontier Foundation started fighting against the Ultramercial patent in 2011, filing a brief with the appeals court stating that '[m]erely filing a patent application covering an idea that takes place on the Internet (especially without explaining any of the programming steps) does not somehow make an abstract idea (which is unpatentable) somehow not abstract (so it is patentable).' In its reaction to the ruling Friday, the EFF said, 'It's time for the Supreme Court to step in and tell the Federal Circuit once and for all that abstract ideas—such as a process for viewing ads before accessing copyrighted content—are unpatentable.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA patent on watching ads online? No problem, says top patent court

Bifurcation Nation

"Many observers focus on the economic causes of the widening wealth inequality, but the divide appears to be both cultural and financial. Author Charles Murray describes a cultural divide that informs the political and economic divides that are obvious to all. What Murray suggests is not that upward social mobility has ceased, but that it's become more difficult for the have-nots to join the haves, not necessarily for lack of opportunity but for the values-based reasons he describes. The resentment toward the privileged class that is bubbling up suggests people don't need to read a lengthy sociological study to sense the divide is widening." Continue reading →

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The Land of the Blind: The Illusion of Freedom in America

"Consider how quickly the government’s attack dogs went from defending the NSA’s warrantless mass surveillance of Americans’ phone calls to targeting and punishing any and all parties involved in the 'leak' of sensitive information, including labeling Snowden a traitor, charging him with espionage and warning foreign governments against giving him refuge. President Obama has begun preaching about the need for Americans to 'trust' their government, insisting that the NSA’s surveillance is perfectly legal with no acknowledgment of the fact that the leak shed much-needed light on government corruption, illicit programs and treachery." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Land of the Blind: The Illusion of Freedom in America

The Military May Drive You to Suicide

"The simple truth is this: During my first deployment, I was made to participate in things, the enormity of which is hard to describe. War crimes, crimes against humanity. Though I did not participate willingly, and made what I thought was my best effort to stop these events, there are some things that a person simply can not come back from. I take some pride in that, actually, as to move on in life after being part of such a thing would be the mark of a sociopath in my mind. These things go far beyond what most are even aware of. To force me to do these things and then participate in the ensuing coverup is more than any government has the right to demand." Continue reading →

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Bulgarian protesters: ‘Even if we are smiling, we are angry’

"The spark that ignited this latest crisis in the EU’s poorest country was the Socialist-backed government’s decision earlier this month to appoint a 32-year-old media mogul to head a powerful state security authority. For the protesters, this showed that the new administration was in cahoots with the same old powerful business interests and that its promises of a new era of transparency and accountability were lies. Even though the government quickly reversed the security chief decision, between 7,000 and 10,000 people have taken part in daily demonstrations since June 14 – marching and dancing, shouting and singing along Sofia’s boulevards every evening." Continue reading →

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Sen. Lindsey Graham: Support immigration bill since with it “we’ve practically militarized the border”

"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday encouraged Republicans to support comprehensive immigration reform because a recent amendment 'practically militarized the border.' According to Roll Call, a so-called 'border surge' amendment would double the number of border agents to 40,000, complete 700 miles of new border fencing, deploy drones and other sensors, fully implement E-Verify and increase tracking on visas. 'I’ve been hearing for years, let’s secure the border, let’s regain our sovereignty.' 'This whole border security amendment, I think, is the most aggressive attempt to control the southern border and regain our sovereignty.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSen. Lindsey Graham: Support immigration bill since with it “we’ve practically militarized the border”

The daily smart pill that can remember all your passwords

"The tiny swallowable capsules contain a minute chip that transmits an individual’s personal details. Electronic devices will be able to read the unique signal, ending the need for passwords and paper forms of ID, such as passports - and freeing users from such mundane tasks as recalling countless codes and security answers. Already approved by the both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators, the ingestible sensor is powered by a battery using the acid in the wearer’s stomach. It then sends a tiny signal that can be read by mobile devices and allows them to verify the identity of an individual." Continue reading →

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Is the National Security Agency behind Bitcoin?

"Recently a 1996 NSA report surfaced, ‘predicting’ a crypto-cyber unit eerily close to Bitcoin. The NSA report goes deeply into the challenges a crypto currency faces and lists the various security and implicated regulatory risks. Amazingly, a key writer of the report is called Tatsuaki Okamoto. In the Bitcoin community this has been picked up as remarkably similar to Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym of the enigmatic developer of Bitcoin. An interesting issue is In-Q-Tel’s involvement. In-Q-Tel is the ‘not for profit’ investment arm of the CIA. In-Q-Tel is investing or planning on investing in Bitcoin, presumably by buying some of them." Continue reading →

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Former Clinton, Cameron Advisors: ‘Why Bitcoin is on the money’

"This phenomenon is part of a wider trend towards networked and globalised power structures that tend to undermine the nation state-based systems to which we have grown accustomed. Last week, the world’s most powerful nations grappled with the complexity of a global tax system. But almost unnoticed, the rise of digital currencies like BitCoin threatens to render obsolete even the modest progress made by the G8. BitCoin's distributed network structure makes it hard for any one country or group of countries to regulate its activities. Opportunities for larger players are presented by immediate and secure value transfer, delivered anonymously and at next-to-zero cost." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Clinton, Cameron Advisors: ‘Why Bitcoin is on the money’