Politics

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prop8-supreme-court20-2008nov20,0,2453702.story The California Supreme Court agreed today to review legal challenges to Prop. 8, the voter initiative that restored a ban on same-sex marriage, but refused to permit gay weddings to resume pending a ruling. The court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage on May 15 in a 4-3 historic decision. Opponents of gay marriage gathered enough signatures to place Proposition 8 on the ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. Gay rights advocates argue that the measure was actually a constitutional revision, instead of a more limited amendment. A revision of the state Constitutio…

In light of the NSA data gathering (discussed here), here's an important question: Is metadata private? (I will answer when I have some more time)

There is I think an interesting issue concerning what constitutes an "unresonable search and seizure". If warrants are issued based upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, what should be the result if the basis for the search, the "oath or affirmation" is a lie? Some years ago while I was driving I was pulled over by the police who requested to see my license and registration. To make trouble for me someone (I have a pretty good idea of who it was) had reported to the police that my car had been stolen, hence the police believed that I was the driver of a stolen automobile. The police had "invaded my privacy" by pulling me over and requesting identificati…

The Federation of American Scientists' "Project on Government Secrecy" Updated news and reports concerning government secrecy, a project of the Federation of American Scientists.

Given the fact that quite recently there are proposals for "the right to be forgotten" in the EU, the EU may not let this go so easily. Also, the EU and Germany have more than once raised privacy issues with large corporations. It is my opinion that the USA (and therefore the NSA) has no rights to snoop around any European data. I know that the data often goes through US-based data centers, and is handled by US corporations, and that if you read the US laws, this is not against the law. But I never voted for those laws, and I do have rights. This has been mainstream news in most (if not all) EU countries, and I notice an old sentiment coming back that I last saw when …

In speaking of some special scope of human science, we categorise the problems in two scopes: 1.Cultural 2. Economical But the intervene of these two sacopes are higher. In fact clearly in the chapter of culture we have a subsection of economiy and in the chapter of econmy we should have a subsection of culture. The problem arise more when under a heavy cultural environments mathematical models of economy do not work. So, the first thing which come in mind is: The cultural points are so important here, which we should consider them as a parameter in our economical theories. If we do not do that, irregularities arises intensively, and some times it changes…

Excuse my ignorance 'cos I'm from the wrong side of the pond but is the SCOTUS politically independent? If not then their opinion might be as valid as that of the NRA.

We've been amending our Constitution every so often, and I'd say we're about due for amendment #28. If you could amend the Constitution, how would you amend it? Do you think your proposed amendment has a snowball's chance in hell of passing? I'll collect the more popular proposals later for a poll. My suggestion: Every 10 years since a law was enacted, it must go back to the legislature for renewal. Unless voted for by at least 40 votes in the Senate it shall be stricken from the laws. Will it pass? One can only dream...

If Obamacare is such a great idea, why shouldn't it apply to our lawmakers and their staff? http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/obamacare-exemption-lawmakers-aides-90610.html Why does anything need to be done? Obamacare is awesome! Hypocrites? Why would anyone think that? We all know that those in government are better than the rest of us. Right? Well for this to be true one has to assume that those in government have brains, which is a stretch. Now why would anyone want to flee the amazing benefits of Obamacare? It's fun to watch the White House try to delay Obamacare mandates due to come into effect next year in the hope of winning t…

I was reading a novel about byzantine era of 800 a.d. of wolfgang amadeus mozart. In it the cast of the novel is not fiction but real people who once were the court of byzantine empire. The ministers constituted mainly italians noble men and spanish dignitaries! The head of byzantine empire was surprisingly not a britisher monarch, but king joseph of austria who in other words was called the 'chancellor of germany.' The ruler of england monarch was king george V generations but never proclaimed itself emperor of their imperialist countries nor the ruler of byzantine empire! They both were superheaded by archbishop of the church! The kingsmead byzantine empire army constit…

Hello people of the internet, my friends, acquaintances, family members - Many of us love our country - and don't get me wrong: Nice resources, Nice land, kind people, but however many are brainwashed by low grade propoganda. What CISPA will do: - Allow searches of databases and computers without warrants. - Allow EVERYTHING you send to be put into a database; your secrets, card numbers, software This bill is has been or is close to being passed at 10:54 PM April 18 Some sources claim this has passed the senate, at this point even a presidential veto could be overridden. CISPA Documentation: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c112:4:./temp/~c112Lh9L…

The United States Military is in the process of the planning and installation of the Free Electron Laser Defense System which at first will be installed on all U.S. Carriers starting with the new Gerald R. Ford and J.F.K. as well as this Laser will be installed on all Aegis Cruisers. This Laser is not effected by atmosphere and on Carriers will use a Networked Supercomputing Target and Acquisioning system as well as be supplied power by the carriers 2 A1B Nuclear Reactors which will allow the Laser sufficient power to vaporize any target in Air, Space, Land or Sea. Discover Magazine has reported that this Nuclear Reactor power supplied Free Electron Laser can vap…

“Free World” is a Cold War–era term often used by the U.S. and its allies to describe those countries that were not in the sphere of influence of, or allied with communist states, particularly the Soviet Union or the People’s Republic of China, but which showed a strong commitment to ideologies of liberalism and capitalism. It is often used interchangeably with “First World”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_World The term usually refers to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, and organizations such as the European Union and NATO. In addition, the “Free World” includes the Commonwealth realms, Japan, Israel, and India. The “Le…

Why is it that British monarchy came from so far across the globe in across 800 a.d. to built this castle of Queen Victoria in bombay india??? Uploaded with ImageShack.us ' Then the queen victoria that we know was just for namesake in 1650s! And the british monarchy 200 years weren't years from 1759 to 1947 !? It was something from 670 a.d. to 1560 a.d.!!! So is it a mystery as to whom it belonged and who were the rulers? And how life had been back then? And why is it they chose bombay to built such a big castle? Was the byzantine queen victoria herself lived in this castle? Then the indians were working under british administration for centuries d…

Different political entities or kingdoms in the past were created because of difference in culture, language and economies. There was trade between different kingdoms but, they all maintained different cultural practices. But, now we have a global economy, an almost common language ( English ) and a global culture based on this global language. So, for me it seems it seems illogical that we have different political systems when we now are moving towards a global culture. A global government would foster better understanding among humans and lead us to greater scientific heights. So, do you think it is time we have a global government ?

You do realise that half the American population feels the complete opposite? I still don't see how the freedom to to get an abortion is an advancement towards the freedom of humanity, anymore than the freedom to own slaves promoted the freedom of humanity.

http://www.care2.com/causes/the-u-s-is-spending-your-money-killing-innocent-wildlife.html If you are American, look into what is happening to wolves in America, in particular. Even newly introduced foundation stock, still wearing tracker collars, shot, pregnant, or set upon by dogs for entertainment

Several countries in the world are currently in the process of making ordinary incandescent light bulbs illegal. The USA, Australia, and the UK, have all already had laws come into effect that limit the manufacture or sale of certain wattages of the bulbs. Argentina has already made the sale of incandescent bulbs illegal. In the USA, manufacture of the 100 and 70 watt bulbs are already illegal, and manufacture of both the 60 and 40 watts will, under the current law, be also be illegal in 2014. The whole intention of these laws are to reduce the consumption of energy. But does this really make sense? There are, for example, other ways to reduce energy consumpti…

I found online this monitor where the climate/carbon related costs are roughly assessed. It looks interesting. http://daraint.org/climate-vulnerability-monitor/climate-vulnerability-monitor-2012/data/

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-25/which-fast-food-chain-is-the-most-religious

So, if you needed any more proof that the average US citizen is being run over by corporate greed, I got something for you. I read this and flames shot out of my ears, acid dripped from my mouth, and laser beams shot from my eyes. http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-08/offshore-cash-hoard-expands-by-183-billion-at-companies.html It estimated that if this money was held in the US, and properly taxed, it would cover the sequester for an entire year. GE is the worst offender at 83 billion. They payed 1.8% taxes over a ten year period. Who is picking up the slack? Thats right the average American. This isnt anything new, but more and more corporations a…

We have a new problem now that GM wants to restructure, "yet again". It's said that government don't want to interfere, but will Obamas ignorant crew get their sorry asses out of the mix before doom and gloom strikes again? http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-04-28/business/36871442_1_gm-bonds-fritz-henderson-richard-wagoner

I've always found the concept of American poverty as rather humorous. Poor Americans can only be considered poor comparing them to other well off Americans. It requires a comparison because people with a house, air conditioning, car, food, clothing, TV, cell phones, game systems and etc can only be considered "poor" when compared to someone else with a nice house, nice air conditiong, nice car, nice food, great clothing, incredible TV, the latest cell phones and game systems. From my experience - a class of which I've spent most of life - they typically have the same stuff as well off Americans...except that it's asthetically displeasing and certainly not optimal. …

This seems like such a no brainer, why don't we hear about it? The problem is America is grossly overweight, and sickly, due for the most part in unhealthy living habits. Why not put a big tax on junk food, and use it to subsidize fruits, veges, and other quality nutritional food? Then poor people will better afford healthier food, and can't afford junk food. Also there should be a tax break for being very healthy, and not needing expensive health care.

Can anyone provide me with good arguments supporting the prohibition of drugs? Here are my arguments against the prohibition: 1. Prohibiting drugs increases violence. Murder rates dropped significantly when the USA ended it's prohibition of alcohol in the 1930's. 2. The prohibition of drugs is counter productive, it results in the funding of organized crime, terrorists and corrupt politicians. 3. The prohibition of drugs is hypocrisy, alcohol and tobacco are more dangerous than most drugs yet they are legal. The danger posed by drugs has been grossly exaggerated. 4. Many drug users are otherwise law abiding people, criminalizing them is unfair and a waste of police re…