Righthavens brilliance was to approach copyright owners and say, look, why should you split this wealth with high-fee IP enforcement attorneys? Righthaven can get you a better deal. Wait cut out the law firms that suck at the teat of fake IP litigation driven by attorneys fees and make-believe statutory damages?
While much has been made about RH going after an autistic, disabled blogger as being the catalyst, what got things rolling was RH's going after the Democratic Underground (DU) site. Once DU got targeted, there was an endless stream of pro bono legal assistance.
The intellectual-property industry didn't wake up and realize it was being... undercut... by RH until well into the process.
#6
It gives me great joy to see Righthaven laid low. But the only reason they are getting it in the ass is that their agreement with the copyright holders was incredibly dumb. If the copyright holders themselves had brought suit then we (the bloggers) would be fucked.
This is a law that needs to be repealed and buried. Send a note to your Congress critter to make it so. Today we are at the height of our power on this. In the future the copyright corporations will crush us all if they can.
[Dawn] WE in Yemen are no less thirsty for freedom and dignity than our brothers and sisters in Tunis. After the fall of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, our own vigils took a new direction when thousands of young people went on to the streets.
They reached their climax with the fall of the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011... , when millions of Yemenis called for the departure of the dictator, President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh ... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it... . Many in the Arab world were worried about our uprising. Everyone knew that the country is awash with weapons. It was feared that the revolution would descend into violence and distort the image of the other Arab uprisings.
But the Yemeni revolution surprised everyone with its astonishingly peaceful nature. This peacefulness exposed the unrestrained brutality of the regime towards the revolutionaries. They met the bullets of the regime with bare chests, preferring to guard their revolution rather than be lured into the quagmire of violence. A thousand deaders fell and thousands more were maimed, yet not one revolutionary raised a weapon in the face of the butchers.
What is truly regrettable, though, is that the world has not shown the least interest in what the Saleh regime does with Yemen and its revolutionaries. Despite this huge number of deaders, despite the transformation of the country into a huge prison where citizens struggle to get even a drink of water for their children, and despite the use of heavy weapons against civilians, Saleh's regime did not even receive a token verbal condemnation from the United Nations ...boodling on the grand scale... or other world governments -- despite our calls to impose sanctions. Yet harsh sanctions were imposed on other regimes that committed lesser crimes.
We in Yemen look forward to a clear stand from the UN, world governments and civil society organizations in condemning the violence of Saleh's regime. We would like to see definite measures to deter him from the violence he is perpetrating against his people and halt the actions of security forces that are led by his son and nephews. They have demonstrated in the clearest manner how instruments of the state can be commandeered in the interests of an individual.
Today we need a concerted international effort that would result in freezing the assets of the ruling family, which are estimated at $10bn. Saleh and his relatives plundered the public coffers during the last three decades of his abuse of power.
And there must be no let-up in the pursuit of members of Saleh's regime for the crimes they have committed against peaceful demonstrators, which can be classified as crimes against humanity. It is the duty of the European commission and member states of the European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... to uphold the principles of human rights ...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions... and the rejection of corruption.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/04/2011 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Same words can have very different meanings when used by different people, let alone Peoples.
Rantburg has a number of corrections and clarifications concerning the ongoing story of Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) leader Humberto Moreira and his role in the run up of Coahuila's public debt when he was governor.
Previous stories posted at Rantburg after October 27th state a Mexican treasurer's report that Coahuila is the most heavily indebted state in Mexico in absolute terms.
That is not true.
Coahuila is the fourth most heavily indebted state in absolute terms, but the most heavily indebted state in terms of per capita and as a percentage of the state's gross domestic product. The Rantburg report dated for October 27th which states the original claim is accurate. However, subsequent references state in error that Coahuila's total debt is the largest in Mexico. Those errors have been since corrected in both Rantburg's version as well as the archived version.
Also, in an edition of Animal Politico, the Mexican Secretaria de Hacienda y Publico Credito, the Finance Ministry, reportedly released a report concerning total indebtedness of all 32 Mexican states and political entities on October 26th.
In a Thursday post, Animal Politico said the original report was in fact released July 29th. The article which provided a link to a scribd.com version of the report was dated October 24th. The reference to the report was presumably reiterated without any reference to the date of the original report.
The story of Moreira's role in the unprecedented run up of public debt of Coahuila is still very much a moving target and may well be with us for some time to come. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the leadership of Mexico's Partido Accion Nacional (PAN), PRI's bitterest rival, does not want Moreira to step down, rather to continue being PAN's whipping boy for the 2012 presidential elections.
One last note: We will try as best we can to italicize Spanish names of government agencies and the like with a subsequent English transliteration of what the name means. Constraints of time and other factors often do not allow us to adhere to that standard, so if you have a question, please feel free to enquire.
The information about a possible disruption of military supplies that appeared in the national newspaper "Yediot Ahronot" and was reprinted by other publications could not remain unnoticed
So basically everyone is retelling the story in Yedioth Ahronot, adding nothing new except background. It would be really helpful if someone authoritative in the German government, like the Defence or Foreign Minister, were to state unequivocally that this is nonsense...or not, as the case may be.
On the other hand, I understand the German government is a bit distracted by that kerfuffle in Greece...
#3
They probably cant afford to subsidise Israel anymore.
So? Israel can afford to pay for what was previously subsidized, though they may not want to. The question is, whether there is any other source to verify the accusation that Germany is holding the subs hostage to elicite a change in Israeli behaviour.
#6
German Anger Over Israeli Settlements Could Cost Israel a Submarine
Last time around, German anger of the continued existence of Jews led to the killing of half of the world's Jewish population. By depriving Israel of a deterrent second strike capability, maybe they're trying to finish the job - except this time, they will appear to have cleaner hands.
#3
Bush, the moment the war turned into nation building. Thinking we can lead these turd world countries into civil society by anything other than example is a fool's errand.
A nationwide survey released Thursday by the Anti-Defamation League found that 15% of the country holds deeply anti-Semitic views and as the economy worsens that number appears to be growing.
19% answered probably true to the statement Jews have too much control/influence on Wall Street, a five percentage point increase since 2009.
14% agreed with the statement that "Jews have too much power in the U.S. today," an increase from 13% in 2009.
15% agreed Jews are "more willing to use shady practices."
16% agreed that Jewish "business people are so shrewd, others don't have a chance."
Other anti-Jewish canards continue to be believed by millions of Americans.
Some 31% believe the Jews were responsible for crucifying Christ. And 30% a percentage that has stayed steady since 1964 insist Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America.
Nearly half of all respondents agreed with the statement that Jews "stick together more than other Americans. And a quarter of the country says Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.
The survey found that the most-educated Americans were the least prejudiced and foreign-born Hispanics were more likely to hate Jews than U.S. born Hispanics.
Some 29% of the African-Americans surveyed expressed strong anti-Semitic views.
On the plus side, even the anti-Semites gave Jews credit for their strong faith in God (79%), being big on family (84%), and for contributing to American cultural (64%).
The telephone survey of 1,754 adults was done in October. The trouble is that Abraham Foxman, director of the ADL, has utterly subverted the ADL to the Democrat party platform, far ahead of Jewish interests. This makes the purpose of this poll questionable, at best.
#2
Very small sample.I would like to see where they purchased their list. Who answers the home phone nowadays. I would also like to see where in this country it was done. I agree "as the economy worsens that number appears to be growing". Anyone who is even thought to have any wealth is a target with the signals sent by this administration. Just substitute Asian, or White I'd bet similar results. "most-educated Americans were the least prejudiced" I don't believe that for a second.
Hey, wait. With a population of 300 million, 35 million is only about 12%. I'm willing to bet that for any given topic, you can find 12% of the population that hate it. We *are* a passionate people, after all.
Add in the sampling issues Dale mentions, and I call shenanigans on the whole thing. Makes a nice scary headline, though.
#4
I could be really rude and suggest that most of the anti-Semitism comes from the progressive left, and that (to answer Dale's question) the list they used came from the Democratic Underground...
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/04/2011 13:39 Comments ||
Top||
#5
That's what, like one-in-eight?
Even with the small sample size, that's a pretty good score, if ya ask me.
And still getting that bad rap for the crucifixion, I see. Hello - Roman punishment, guys. The Jews would have stoned him, more than likely.
#6
I really would like to see such data mapped out. Same with other 'hatreds'. The left loves to point fingers calling the red states hillbillies and racists. Lets find out. I suspect most on Rantburg wouldn't be surprised when the MSM's dog ate their results.
#8
"And still getting that bad rap for the crucifixion, I see."
I've never understood that. The Italians (Romans) crucified Jesus, even after the local Itanian "leader" stated he was innocent. So why don't the haters hate the Italians and instead make them Pope?
For that matter, IIUC Jesus had to die to save other people (Christians) from their sins, so why aren't they thanking the people who killed him? After all, without his death/resurrection they wouldn't have a religion.
Why, other than idiocy, I mean.
Posted by: Barbara ||
11/04/2011 15:40 Comments ||
Top||
#9
Barbara: The Romans, as the Greeks before them, found that trying to stuff their religions down the Jews' throats created more trouble than it was worth (see Maccabees). Greek and Roman religion had a muddle of arbitrary, fallible gods who had to be placated and who could zap a person for no reason worse than the divine equivalent of a hangover. The Greeks and Romans couldn't understand a people who would face death rather than deny a God who spells out His expectations and tells His people "I have loved you with an everlasting love." So the Romans gave the Jews a sort of free pass to practice their faith without having to offer sacrifices to "The genius of Caesar".
The Jews tended to stick to their own communities and deal as little as possible with their Greek, Roman, and other neighbors. Often the neighbors were insulted by this. Other times, the Jews got along at least politely with their neighbors; and the neighbors became very interested in hearing about their God. A lot of Gentiles practiced the Jewish Law, at least in part.
Pontius Pilate was a political hack, who had gotten himself into deep trouble because he tried to set up a Roman Standard in the Temple. This act of blazing stupidity caused a riot. Tiberius and the Roman Senate didn't like governors who did stupid things that provoked riots.
The political hacks among the Jewish elders included the Saducees, who were very rich and powerful and paid lip service to the Law but didn't give a flying damn about actually following it; and the Pharisees, who used legal hairsplitting to reduce the Mosaic Law to the reductio ad absurdem in their efforts to apply the Law to every single situation. So when Jesus criticized them, the politicians were terrified. The Sadducees didn't want anybody rocking the boat and the Pharisees were furious that Jesus questioned their personal righteousness. They were also terrified that the popular movement that threatened their own authority would threaten the safety of Judea and Galilee.
So they knew just how to force Pilate into carrying out their wishes. Pilate's career and life would have been over if another riot broke out. (Pilate screwed up a later assignment, was cashiered and ordered to commit suicide by Caligula)
The tragic issues of hatred of Jews in Europe stems partly from the Roman-era's Jews' tendency to isolate themselves from their "unclean" neighbors and partly to people confusing the actions of the political powers with the action of the nation as a whole.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/04/2011 17:20 Comments ||
Top||
#11
Ask Foxman. Every last one of these haters is a Christian fundie. Muslims...pretty mellow and no trouble on that end.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey ||
11/04/2011 17:52 Comments ||
Top||
#12
I think if Jesus came back today in just about any country of the world and started talking the way he did the first time around, he would still get killed.
#13
Israel, Germany, France, UK, Italy, US, Egypt, Soddy Arabia, Mexico. You name it. It is not just a Jewish thing. There are always gonna be people like the Pharisees and Sadducees who cannot allow the truth to be told.
#14
Oh, I know the story and the backstory, mom. I'm still waiting for a logical explanation as to (a) why Christians blame the Jews instead of the Romans/Italians, who did the actual killing, and (b) why they're not thankful for the death so they can be redeemed.
Without that logical explanation (for which I'm not holding my breath), looks like bigotry to me.
Posted by: Barbara ||
11/04/2011 18:16 Comments ||
Top||
#15
Mom: and the Pharisees, who used legal hairsplitting to reduce the Mosaic Law to the reductio ad absurdem in their efforts to apply the Law to every single situation.
Oh, so they're Democrats...
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/04/2011 18:26 Comments ||
Top||
#16
@Barbara -
a) Because in 3 of the 4 Gospels, Pilate is described as only reluctantly executing Jesus at the demand of the Jewish Sanhedrin.
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/04/2011 20:30 Comments ||
Top||
#20
Shit, 15% of the U.S. think that aliens are among us. Hey I have and idea, let's do a survey in Pakistan on Jew hate. And Iran. And the Magic Kingdom. And Algeria. And France.
#24
Man do I hate these advocacy groups - especially the ethinic ones like the ADL, SPL, NAACP, GLAAD, Bill Donohue and hundreds of others. We've come so far in this country, but these organizations depend on funding and publicity so they have no incentives to recognize progress, and every reason to promote alarm and crisis.
They actually exacerbate the problem by making these accusations, bolstering suspicions and emnity (no likes being called a bigot) among non-members of their group, encouraging a sense of victimhood and persecution among members of their group and just raising resentments in general.
One more thing, stereotypes do exist, and in general, I feel they should be.....a source of great comedy.
Posted by: DJ Curtis C ||
11/04/2011 22:23 Comments ||
Top||
#25
A few small corrections, mom:
1. The Sadducees were Bibilical Law originalists, hewing to those laws laid out by God in the Five Books of Moses, the Torah, aka "the Written Law" but not accepting the modifications developed by the rabbis starting during the First Exile (6th century BCE). Many of the Temple priests (but not all) hewed to this interpretation, but so did a great many others, both in the Jewish provinces and community of exile which stretched from Spain to India, and south into Africa. The Sadducees cared only about God's Law, which delineated not only which animal sacrifices were to be made when, but also required that slaves and animals be given the Sabbath as a day of rest as well as their Jewish masters.
No question that the high priests were quite well off and by all accounts had become quite corrupt... and some were very lax indeed in their personal observance of the Law, even hanging out with the Romans in their gymnasia. But given that even the sweepers in the Temple were of the priestly tribe of Levi, and that quite a few commoners didn't hold with the rabbinic innovations, it seems quite likely that a sizeable contingent of Sadducees had a good deal more children than money to feed them with.
There are still groups of Jews who stick only to the Written Law. The Karaites come to mind, but there are others, some of which claim direct descent from the Sadducees of old.
2. I am a Pharisee. The Pharisees are the rabbinic Jews, who follow the Oral Law, written and argued over in the Talmud and the Mishnah...and in rabbinic arguments which continue to this day. The purpose of these arguments is to understand how ancient laws in the Torah can best be observed in light of the changed times -- the first discussions were about the substitution of charity and prayer for sacrifices in the Temple which was destroyed in 586 BCE. In the past century there has been extensive discussion about whether turning on and off electricity constitutes work which should not be done on the Sabbath; I believe the conclusion was that since people must work to ensure that electricity is produced, turning it on or off is the same as having as servant light or douse a candle, although it is likely I'm wrong about the details of the argument, never having studied the Oral Law in detail. Nowadays there is a wide range of observance which falls within accepted Judaism, from Ultra-Orthodox so hairsplitting they will eat nothing but fresh-picked fruit at another's table to those who happily eat pork with lobster sauce for lunch on Yom Kippur, while the rest of us fast.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it...
Rantburg has a number of corrections and clarifications concerning the ongoing story of Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) leader Humberto Moreira and his role in the run up of Coahuila's public debt when he was governor.
