Author Archives: Joshua

Dear Internet User, You Are Being Watched

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Recently ISP’s have started putting  caps on internet bandwidth governing how much data we can access per month and also putting forth a bill to congress that would allow them to monitor all files and web pages that users access under the guise of filtering child pornography.

In no way do I condone child pornography, but using it as an excuse to pry into our privacy is a little much. Little by little we are losing our freedom and privacy to phone and cable companies.

Here is how the software being considered by ISP’s would work:

Whenever an Internet user searched the Web, attached a file to an e-mail or examined a menu of files using file-sharing software on a peer-to-peer network, the software would compare the hash values of those files against the file registry.

If there were no match, the file would be provided to the user who requested it. But if there were a match, transmission of the file would be blocked. The users would instead receive another image or movie or document, containing only a warning screen.

The following video takes a look at Net Neutrality and examines the possibility of the internet going the way of newspapers and television- being entirely controlled by corporate interests. No more independent media, no more blogs, no more voice.

So What Exaclty is ACORN?

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During this election cycle, the Times reported today, ACORN has deployed thirteen thousand mostly paid workers, who have registered 1.3 million new voters. One or two per cent of these workers turned in sheaves of forms that they filled out themselves with fake names and bogus addresses, and, even though at least a hundred of these workers have already been fired, the forged forms have been submitted to election boards.

Sounds suspicious—unless you know that groups like ACORN are required by law to submit them, even if they’re obvious fakes. This is to prevent funny business, such as trashing forms that look like they might be Republican (or Democratic, as the case may be).

Sounds suspicious—unless you know that ACORN normally sorts through forms, flags those that look fishy, and submits the fishy ones in a separate pile for the convenience of election officials.

From the NEW YORKER

Joe Plumber Does More Interviews than Sarah Palin

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Joe Plumber has only been on the seen for one day and already he has done more interviews than Sarah Palin. Before Wednesdays debate even ended, there were three local news stations parked on Mr Plumber’s lawn waiting to interview him.

If your wondering what all the fuss is about regarding Joe Wurzelbacher (Joe Plumber), here is the video clip that sparked the debate.

Vetiver Signs With Sub Pop

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Sub Pop has gone and bought themselves a Vetiver. They’ve signed Andy Cabic and his band for a new album to be released in early 2009.

In a statement, Sub Pop said “In the parlance of our times, we simply issued some commercial paper to raise the requisite capital and now Vetiver is ours.” File this one under mergers and acquisitions.

After releasing a covers album and a full length or originals on Gnomosong earlier this year, Vetiver will release an album titled Tight Knit on February 3rd on Sub Pop.