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Creators of Scrabble knockoff on Facebook sued
NEW YORK (AP) -- T-R-O-U-B-L-E could loom for a Scrabble knockoff that has become one of the most popular activities on Facebook.
Hasbro Inc., the company that owns the word game's North American rights, sued the creators of the Scrabulous program on Thursday, less than two weeks after the release of an authorized version of Scrabble for Facebook.
Hasbro said in its lawsuit that Scrabulous violates its copyright and trademarks. Separately, Hasbro asked Facebook to block the game.
In the year since Facebook began letting outside developers write Web programs that Facebook members can plug into their personal profile pages, Scrabulous has attracted some half-million daily users, despite efforts by Scrabble's owners to end it.
Video game maker Electronic Arts Inc. released an official version for American and Canadian Facebook users last week as part of a broader, year-old licensing deal with Hasbro, yet Facebook users have continued to spend countless hours on the unauthorized Scrabulous.
Now, Hasbro is trying to stop Scrabulous completely and collect unspecified damages. NEW YORK (AP) -- T-R-O-U-B-L-E could loom for a Scrabble knockoff that has become one of the most popular activities on Facebook. ... more -
Ron Paul comments on the Housing Bill or "The Mother Of All Bailouts"
In addition to throwing economic fundamentals out the window, Paul points out the peculiarities that mortgage brokers must now be fingerprinted and that credit card transactions will now be reported to the I.R.S. CONgress ≠ PROgress.
The following is excerpted from Congressman Paul's Statement on H.R. 3221:
"Madam Speaker, For several years, followers of the Austrian school of economics have warned that unless Congress moved to end the implicit government guarantee of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and took other steps to disengage the US Government from the housing market, America would face a crisis in housing. This crisis would force Congress to chose between authorizing a taxpayer bailout of Fannie and Freddie, and other measures increasing government’s involvement in housing, or restoring a free-market in housing by ending government support for Fannie and Freddie and repealing all laws that interfere in housing. The bursting of the housing bubble, and the recent near-collapse in investor support for Fannie and Freddie has proven my fellow Austrians correct. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, instead of ending the prior interventions in the housing market that are responsible for the current crisis, Congress is increasing the level of government intervention in the housing market. This is the equivalent of giving a drug addict another fix, which will only make the necessary withdrawal more painful.
The provision giving the Treasury Secretary a blank check to purchase Fannie and Freddie stock not only makes the implicit government guarantee of Fannie and Freddie explicit, it represents another unconstitutional delegation of Congress’ Constitutional authority to control the allocation of taxpayer dollars. While the Treasury Secretary has to file a report with Congress, the lack of any effective standards for the expenditure of funds makes it impossible for Congress to perform effective oversight on Treasury’s expenditures.
HR 3221 also takes another troubling step toward the creation of surveillance state by creating a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. This federal database will contain personal information about anyone wishing to work as a “loan originator.” “Loan originator" is defined broadly as anyone who "takes a residential loan application; and offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan for compensation or gain." According to some analysts, this definition is so broad as to cover part-time clerks and real estate agents who receive even minimal compensation from "originators." Additionally, this database forced on industry will be funded by fees paid to the federal banking agencies, yet another costly burden to the American taxpayers.
Among the information that will be collected from loan originators for inclusion in the federal database are fingerprints. Madam Speaker, giving the federal government the power to force Americans who wish to work in real estate to submit their fingerprints to a federal database opens the door to numerous abuses of privacy and civil liberties and establishes a dangerous precedent. Fingerprint databases and background checks have been no deterrent to espionage and fraud among governmental agencies, and will likewise fail to prevent fraud in the real estate market. I am amazed to see some members who are usually outspoken advocates of civil liberties and defenders of the Fourth Amendment support this new threat to privacy."
(End of excerpt)
Full transcript of Congressman Paul's Statement
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2008/cr072408h...
For more information on H.R. 3221 please visit THOMAS (The Library of Congress)
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.03221:
In addition to throwing economic fundamentals out the window, Paul points out the peculiarities that mortgage brokers must now be fing... more -
Should religious schools get public money?
" A federal appeals court ruling that a Christian university in Colorado can receive state scholarship money is the latest in a string of legal victories for religious schools seeking public dollars.
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The most recent case involved Colorado Christian University, a college of 2,000 students in suburban Denver where most students must attend chapel weekly and sign a promise to emulate the life of Jesus and Biblical teachings.
Colorado Christian faculty must sign a statement that that the Bible is the "infallible Word of God."
Students "attending institutions such as CCU who take their faith-based commitment seriously should have an equal opportunity to participate in Colorado's financial aid program," said Paul Cortis, president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
But critics called it the latest example of a worrisome trend.
"The bottom line is that taxpayers will now end up having to pay for religious indoctrination," said Barry Lynn, executive director of the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The law wasn't discrimination, but "a sensible judgment by Colorado that some colleges are so religious that they cannot expect taxpayers to support them."
The ruling cuts to a conundrum in the First Amendment, which prohibits the state from establishing any religion, but also prohibits religious discrimination. Religious colleges have argued their students shouldn't be deprived of a state benefit everyone else can get."
" A federal appeals court ruling that a Christian university in Colorado can receive state scholarship money is the latest in a string... more -
Inflation Deflation Red-flation Blue-flation
"A debate has been raging for some time among those in the finance industry about whether the United States is currently experiencing inflation, deflation, stagflation, reflation, hyperinflation, or maybe even some other sort of "-flation" that only Dr. Seuss could imagine.
Unfortunately, much of this debate is unproductive because the participants use varying definitions of these terms, and even when they use the same ones, deciding on one simple label might not be sufficient to describe the deeper economic forces at work and what their effects are likely to be. Given the confusion, this article will add some color to the debate by offering usable definitions of the terms inflation and deflation and then attempt to show what is occurring in today's economy."
(End of excerpt)
Full article at link by Matthew Beller// Ludwig von Mises Institute "A debate has been raging for some time among those in the finance industry about whether the United States is currently experiencing ... more -
Is marriage really just for white people?
As part of a CNN series "Black in America" producer Dionne Hill wonders if she'll ever get married. 45% of black women have never married, as opposed to 23%.
This statistic has led her to believe that marriage might be for white people.
I am neither black, nor female, (I am white and male) but I don't think marriage is that important. I mean I support gay marriage, and straight marriage, but only for financial reasons, and maybe for the open bars at the receptions.
But the whole institution doesn't seem that important to me.
What do you think? As part of a CNN series "Black in America" producer Dionne Hill wonders if she'll ever get married. 45% of black women have never marr... more -
US smugglers use Hurricane for cover
Hurricane Dolly, which has been battering the Mexico-Texas border region, had another, non-weather related effect: providing cover for smugglers.
Police seized $8 million worth of marijuana, which was being moved inland under cover of the storm, at a Texas border patrol.
An official at customs and border protection reported that two other attempts at smuggling were discovered, where illegal immigrants were stopped from continuing in Texas. Hurricane Dolly, which has been battering the Mexico-Texas border region, had another, non-weather related effect: providing cover for... more -
Robots in Iraq:Air Strike!
" It looks more Star Wars than Iraq War, an unmanned aerial killer ready to fly its first combat mission in Iraq. But the MQ-9 Reaper is more than just a stunning sight — it may represent the future of combat aviation.
Chesser doesn't pilot the Reaper from inside. Instead, he operates the drone from a cockpit in a reinforced trailer on the ground at Joint Base Balad. The joystick he uses to control the plane looks remarkably like a computer game control.
The Reaper is slated to take over many support missions for ground troops next year that are currently being flown by F-16 fighter jets."
" It looks more Star Wars than Iraq War, an unmanned aerial killer ready to fly its first combat mission in Iraq. But the MQ-9 Reaper ... more -
Bin Laden Driver Faces Life Behind Bars Even if Acquitted
right or wrong? does driving make you an enemy combatant?
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Iraq Veteran Takes On McCain In New Ad
The independent group, VoteVets, will begin running a new television ad this week that features an Iraq war veteran who asserts that if elected, Senator John McCain “would occupy Iraq indefinitely,” against the wishes of the Iraqi people. The independent group, VoteVets, will begin running a new television ad this week that features an Iraq war veteran who asserts that i... more
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A McCain Iraq Chronology in Question
In an interview Tuesday night with Katie Couric, Senator John McCain scolded Senator Barack Obama for getting his history wrong. But it appears that Mr. McCain might himself have inaccurately described the timing of a scene-changing development in Iraq.
Mr. McCain has been critical of Mr. Obama for refusing to acknowledge that the troop buildup had stabilized conditions in Iraq. Rather, Mr. Obama credited the “awakening,” a movement of Sunni Iraqis patrolling their own neighborhoods to root out extremists and members of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. The initiative, backed by the United States, began in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, and has since spread throughout the country, including Baghdad.
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Another Senior Moment from McCain? In an interview Tuesday night with Katie Couric, Senator John McCain scolded Senator Barack Obama for getting his history wrong. But ... more -
How To Tell People They Sound Racist
As everyone talks about race in 2008, you know this conversation will happen sooner or later. So you need to have a proper strategy in place. As everyone talks about race in 2008, you know this conversation will happen sooner or later. So you need to have a proper strategy in... more
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Gore: I can't be talked into a government post!
"Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said he can do more to fight global warming as a private citizen than he could working as a government official even if Barack Obama wins the presidency.
``My own best role is to try to bring about a sea change in public opinion,'' Gore said today on NBC's ``Meet the Press.'' ``Policy makers who know the right thing to do run up against a wall set up all around them by the lobbyists and the special interests,'' he said.
James Carville, a senior strategist for former President Bill Clinton, has said Gore would be in the best position to fight climate change as a vice president or energy czar. Gore today said he couldn't be talked into a government post.
Earlier this week Gore called for the U.S. to produce all its electricity from renewable energy and ``carbon-free sources'' within 10 years. The declining cost of solar, wind and geothermal power, combined with rising oil prices, demonstrates the benefits of renewable energy, he said at a speech in Washington.
The Alliance for Climate Protection, a group Gore founded, estimates it will cost from $1.5 trillion to $3 trillion to transform the U.S. to using only clean electricity sources.
Gore, 60, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, has focused on global warming since losing the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush. In April, the Alliance for Climate Protection, announced it would spend $300 million on a three- year advertising campaign aimed at pushing for new energy policies.
``Our current course is unsustainable,'' Gore said today. ``The climate crisis has to push us as Americans to take this issue out of the old partisan squabbling.''
The U.S. Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, failed to pass legislation last month that was designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Gore said his party has struggled to fight climate change because it only has a 51-49 Senate majority.
``Congress ought to do more,'' he said. ``When you don't have 60 votes in the Senate to overcome filibusters, nothing can happen.'' "Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said he can do more to fight global warming as a private citizen than he could working as a govern... more -
America's Two-Party Monopoly
America's political system is, in my opinion, not the best. We have two major parties, morbidly warped by the money of the nation's elite. We have lost our choice in American politics. In France, there's a chance for any two of a few parties to rise to the top, thanks to their system of two-round elections, where one round determines the two parties to be in the second round. While we have one independent in our senate, European parliaments and other legislative bodies have a rainbow of party colors.
American Democracy is flawed, in my opinion, and unless we act, we will never change it. America's political system is, in my opinion, not the best. We have two major parties, morbidly warped by the money of the nation's e... more -
75% of Americans want to allow openly gay people in the military
A new survey by the Washington Post and ABC News has found that three-quarters of Americans think that openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people should be allowed to serve in the military.
64% of Republicans and nearly two thirds of self-described conservatives backed a change in the current law, as did 57% of white evangelical Protestants and 82% of white Catholics.
It was Republican opposition that forced then-President Bill Clinton to abandon his pledge to allow gay people to serve and signed into law the compromise known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Since 1993 gay people who do not reveal their sexuality can serve, and commanding officers are not meant to ask service personnel about their sexual orientation.
More than 12,000 gay men and women have been discharged under the current law, at an estimated cost of more than $363 million (£182.6m).
The new poll of 1,119 Americans, taken earlier this month, shows how support for gays in the military has steadily increased, from 44% in 1993 to 62% in 2001 to 75% today.
The current policy prohibits anyone who "demonstrates a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" to serve in the US Armed Forces.
An estimated 65,000 lesbian and gay service members serve on active duty and in the reserves of the United States military, according to gay advocacy group the Servicemembers Legal Defence Network.
It said it knows of about 500 gay army members who are serving openly without any consequences.
In March US Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama told leading gay publication The Advocate he supports a repeal of the gay ban and is hopeful it can be achieved.
His Republican opponent John McCain does not favour gays serving openly.
With 75% of the population in support, is it time for the American military to finally change its policy?
A new survey by the Washington Post and ABC News has found that three-quarters of Americans think that openly gay, lesbian and bisexua... more -
Ford to Make Broader Bet on Small Cars
The Ford Motor Company, which devoted itself for nearly 20 years to putting millions of Americans into big pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles, is about to drastically alter its focus to building more small cars.
The struggling automaker, reacting to what it sees as a rapid and permanent shift in consumer tastes brought on by high gas prices, plans to unveil its new direction on Thursday, when it will report quarterly earnings.
Among the changes, Ford is expected to announce that it will convert three of its North American assembly plants from trucks to cars, according to people familiar with the plans.
And as part of the huge bet it is placing on the future direction of the troubled American auto industry, Ford will realign factories to manufacture more fuel-efficient engines and produce six of its next European car models for the United States market.
The company will also end speculation about its Mercury division by making the brand an integral part of its new small-car strategy, according to these people, who spoke on the condition that they not be quoted by name because of the timing of the official announcement on Thursday.
The Ford Motor Company, which devoted itself for nearly 20 years to putting millions of Americans into big pickup trucks and sport-uti... more -
So That's What's In The Special Sauce...
A Christiany-Christian group is boycotting McDonalds over some petty little reasons. McDonalds is supporting gay rights in some mild context. You should definately read some of the comments on their website - it's funny how deluded some of these people are. I wrote a blog about this, by the way. A Christiany-Christian group is boycotting McDonalds over some petty little reasons. McDonalds is supporting gay rights in some mild ... more
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Missouri Man Ambushes Authorities; Kills Paramedic
Ryan Hummert, 22, was shot as he got out of a fire truck on Zephyr near Big Bend Blvd. According to officials, Hummert and his fellow firefighters were responding to a vehicle fire. When they arrived on scene, someone began firing shots at them. Hummert was hit.
Firefighters were pinned behind their fire truck for several hours. The gunman also shot two police officers who responded to the scene. One of those officers was treated and released. Hummert was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
(Taken from Fox 2 News- Saint Louis)
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http://www.kmov.com/video/topvideo-index.html?nvid=2651...
Check the video in the link for more details. I can say as a resident that this is one of the largest shows of police force in a long time. Possibly ever. The gunman has been presumed dead, reportedly inside the burning house while it was on fire.
When you live in a small town, you never expect something like this to happen. More often than not, however, it seems more and more violence has spilled over to the suburbs of America. I would like to know your opinions on this situation, as well as your opinions on violence in America. Ryan Hummert, 22, was shot as he got out of a fire truck on Zephyr near Big Bend Blvd. According to officials, Hummert and his fellow... more -
The Splendor of Natural America: Majestic and Beautiful
Our National Parks keep the wilderness of our country open and free. Long may they protect the beauty of our natural and most precious spaces! Our National Parks keep the wilderness of our country open and free. Long may they protect the beauty of our natural and most precious... more
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Go green: Save the trees
WE, THE inhabitants of earth, have reached that stage where we need to redesign and reconsider our lifestyles for further survival on this planet. If we want the generations to look forward to a healthy and green earth, then we really have to change ourselves at the earliest.
No denying the fact that the forest cover of the whole world has drastically depleted over a period of time owing to the human needs and activities. One contributing factor towards this is the paper industry.
I’m putting forward some of the facts regarding paper:
Worldwide more than 300 million metric tons of paper and paperboard is produced every year.
Of the total global wood harvest for industrial use. 42 per cent goes into paper making and it is expected to reach 50 per cent in the next fifty years.
In our country we have about 600 paper mills producing different varieties of paper.
On an average each one of us uses 700 pounds of paper products every year.
For the production of paper special kind of tree plantations are made called as the managed timberlands.
These managed timberlands comprises of the special kind of trees, which are required for the pulp and paper manufacturing like the softwood tress (pine, fir etc). It means the diverse natural forests have been replaced by these managed plantations (like fast growing conifers), which has a direct impact on the biodiversity of the whole forest.
Designing of the managed timberlands for pulp generation means the loss of valuable wildlife habitats, poor soil quality and ecosystem. They have 90 per cent fewer species than the natural forests.
The managed timberlands often use chemical herbicides and pesticides in order to ensure fast production rates, causing acute environmental pollution.
Paper can be made from a variety of other materials like cotton, hemp, grass and even elephant dung but unfortunately in most parts of the world it is made by sacrificing the trees only.
Paper products are the largest ingredients at a waste disposal sites.
Pulp and paper production industry is the third largest producer of air and water pollutants, waste products and the gases responsible for climatic changes (green house gases).
Pulp and paper production is the largest industrial consumer of energy, water and forest resources.
Huge water consumption involved in paper making process can lead to reduced water levels, required for fish and other aquatic flora and fauna along with alterations in the water temperature.
Air discharges of the pulp industry include certain hormone disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals like the polyclinic aromatic hydrocarbons.
About one fifth of the contents of household dustbins consist of paper and card, of which half is newspapers and magazines.
Industrial nations with 20 per cent of the world's population consume 87 per cent of the world's writing and printing papers. WE, THE inhabitants of earth, have reached that stage where we need to redesign and reconsider our lifestyles for further survival on ... more -
Tropical storm strengthens near US southeast
Tropical storm Christobal (very sophisticated), which formed on saturday, is said to be gaining strength, and moving northeast at around 7mph, towards South Carolina.
However, it is forecast to remain a tropical storm, and according to meteorologists, the worst that can be expected are some heavy showers: it is predicted to rain in excess 5 inches along stretches of the North Carolina coast.
So rather than bringing desruction, friendly young Christobal could simply bring some welcome moisture to the parched lands of eastern North Carolina, which is suffering a "moderate drought". Tropical storm Christobal (very sophisticated), which formed on saturday, is said to be gaining strength, and moving northeast at arou... more
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