statism

Bad cyber security bill CISPA heading back to the House

"Rumors of CISPA’s demise were apparently greatly exaggerated, according to various privacy rights advocates and organizations today. The recently 'deceased' bill is scheduled for a new vote. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) and fellow congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) will reintroduce CISPA this Wednesday, which should bear a striking resemblance to last year’s bill and not the amended version that failed to gain even a senate vote of approval." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBad cyber security bill CISPA heading back to the House

Anti-anxiety drug pollution makes fish fearless and antisocial

"Anti-anxiety drugs find their way into wastewater where they make fish more fearless and antisocial, with potentially serious ecological consequences, researchers said Thursday. Sientists examining perch exposed to the sedative Oxazepam — which, like many medications, passes through the human body — found that it made them more likely to leave their school and strike out on their own. With the use of such drugs on the rise, in Sweden and elsewhere, the researchers said the changes in the fish could be a global phenomenon, adding that more research is necessary before broad-based conclusions can be drawn." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnti-anxiety drug pollution makes fish fearless and antisocial

Save Silicon Valley — abolish patents now

"'Our preferred policy solution is to abolish patents entirely,' Michele Boldrin and David K. Levine wrote in a recently published paper. That statement, of course, flies in the face of the conventional wisdom that patents foster innovation and improve productivity. Both truisms, they say, are wrong. In fact, patents have a 'negative effect on innovation,' they say. Obviously, this is awfully radical, but it's worth noting that 18 months after the largest patent reform legislation in decades -- the America Invents Act -- was signed by President Barack Obama, patent litigation has continued to increase." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSave Silicon Valley — abolish patents now

Welcome to the Future: Congress Takes on 3-D Printing

"This may be the first time 3-D printing is the subject of legislation, but it certainly won’t be the last. The technology allows for the production of objects by depositing thin layers of materials. The process is called additive manufacturing, which stands in opposition to subtractive manufacturing, the traditional process in which objects are produced at factories by making small parts out of larger pieces of material, like sheets of metal. By allowing for the on-demand production of single, customized items, the technology promises to end the system of large factories and long supply chains in the markets for many goods—and to transform the global economy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWelcome to the Future: Congress Takes on 3-D Printing

Wendy McElroy: Print Me A Revolution

"Two men – one in Washington State and the other in South Africa – used open source software to design a series of mechanical hands for a boy whose family could not afford a commercial prosthetic. A group called Defense Distributed have already 'printed' a plastic high capacity ammunition magazine. President Obama is noticing. The Department of Defense has shelled out $30 million to promote 3D printing and the sum is being matched by a group that includes crony-capitalist corporations such as Boeing. Nothing could be more disastrous to the technology than being championed by government promoting the technology, especially in league with crony corporations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWendy McElroy: Print Me A Revolution

Marines, sailors to ‘invade’ Jasper County for training mission

"About 150 Marines and sailors will hold 'realistic urban training' in Jasper County later this week as part of pre-deployment training. Times and exact locations for the training are not being announced. Residents will likely see and hear military vehicles and possibly see aircraft. The Marines and sailors likely will be stationed on ships, and the training is part of a certification for deployment to Mediterranean and African shores. Participants will be in uniform and carry weapons. Some exercises will take place at night. Residents might hear 'popping' sounds as Marines fire blanks. The training has been coordinated with local, county and state agencies and officials." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarines, sailors to ‘invade’ Jasper County for training mission

How Big Was the Tax Hike for Everyone Earning a Paycheck?

"The payroll tax paid by workers increased from 4.2% to 6.2% at the start of the year. The regressive tax is paid by everybody who earns $113,700 annually or less. That means someone making the median income of about $50,000 will pay $1,000 a year more in taxes, or a little more than $19 a week. These receipts are supposed to pay for Social Security and Medicare, but they are actually spent along with all other revenues. I monitor the 260-day moving sum of withheld income and employment taxes deposited at the US Treasury. It was $1,791 billion on December 18. It jumped $25 billion to $1,816 billion on January 18. That’s a significant tax increase." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow Big Was the Tax Hike for Everyone Earning a Paycheck?