An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 18 January 2012
Ann on Bain, Ampad, and Romney….Again
My nickel’s worth: I honestly think there are people making a way bigger deal about this Bain stuff than there should be. As you probably have figured out if you come around often enough, I’m not a big Romney supporter, but seriously, what some politicians know about actually running a business could fit in a thimble. 
Strongest case against Romney a few sheets short of a ream
by Ann Coulter
Mitt Romney has spent more than 20 years in private enterprise, making thousands of business decisions affecting hundreds of companies that led to more than 100,000 new jobs and billions of dollars for employees and investors. So you can see why the left despises him.
Among Romney’s thousands of business decisions, the one I gather his opponents consider his absolute worst was the decision to close a paper plant in Marion, Ind. Which wasn’t his decision at all.
It was labor trouble at the Marion plant of a Bain-acquired company, Ampad, that formed the basis of Teddy Kennedy’s desperate 11th-hour attack on Romney in their 1994 Senate competition. Plant worker Randy Johnson was featured in Kennedy campaign commercials against Romney and disgruntled workers were lavished with Dickensian lachrymosity in The Boston Globe.
In the current presidential campaign, Democrats — and some Republicans — have returned to Ampad and the Marion plant as their case in chief against Romney.
Outsmarting Obama
More Meddling
Senate targets texting in new ‘distracted driving’ program
The Senate begins work this week on a spending bill that would set up a new $10 million grant program aimed at helping states combat “distracted driving,” which focuses on texting behind the wheel.
“While there is no definitive data as to how many distracted driving deaths and injuries are caused by cell phone use and texting, 20 percent of the drivers involved in fatal accidents in 2009 were either using or in the presence of a cell phone at the time of the crash, and there is reason to be concerned about whether the recent rise in distracted driving fatalities is linked to the increasing use of electronic devices,” according to report language for S. 1596, the 2012 spending bill for the Department of Transportation and other agencies.
Pissing away even more of OUR money. Evidently, using said funds to protect our borders, or shoot, just give it back to us, never occurs to Congress. Seriously? “…in the presence of a cell phone…”? I’m “in the presence” of my cell phone every time I get in my truck. And when the Mr is with me, I’m in the presence of TWO! GASP!
Now, don’t get me wrong…I do think ‘distracted driving’ is a fairly serious issue, however, that is not for the federal government to deal with, it is a state issue. The state makes the laws concerning its roads like speed limits, etc. Unfortunately, the feds have used blackmail to push through their agenda. Anyone else remember the forced 55mph debacle? The feds threatened to withhold funds unless the states complied with their rules. Isn’t it odd how the federal government decided to blackmail states with money that came from….the states?
Here’s a novel concept! How about using that large chunk of change, and actually TEACH good driving habits in those public indoctrination centers? Just glancing through this bill, I want to smack the dog fire out of someone. A few trillion here, several billion there, and the occasional million tossed in for good measure.
I think it’s time to remind Congress, once again, who is in charge, because they obviously have forgotten…..THEY WORK FOR US! And we can fire them!
S.968 – PROTECT IP Act of 2011
The Senate MUST scrap this bill, and if they want to actually do the job they were hired to do, go back to the drawing board! I have already voiced my opinion to both my senators, both of whom are co-sponsors (insert appropriate four lettered words here), and my representative, who is a co-sponsor of SOPA (more appropriate four lettered words).
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011’ or the ‘PROTECT IP Act of 2011’.
SEC 3, b
1) IN GENERAL- On application of the Attorney General following the commencement of an action under this section, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or an injunction, in accordance with rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, against the nondomestic domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, or against a registrant of such domain name, or the owner or operator of such Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, to cease and desist from undertaking any further activity as an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, if–
Have they met our current Attorney General? The man is quite off his rocker, and completely anti Constitution. He drops cases that are obviously a violation of our laws, and brings suits against hard working Americans. He’s dangerous. Putting such power in his hands is beyond insane. Putting such power in ANYONE’s hands is beyond comprehension.
Apparently, those we have elected to represent us….don’t. Fortunately, at least one co-sponsor, Marco Rubio, has come to his senses. Will any of the others?
Sponsor
SenatorPatrick LeahyD-VT
- Sen. Lamar Alexander [R, TN]
Added May 25, 2011 - Sen. Kelly Ayotte [R, NH]
Added June 27, 2011 - Sen. Michael Bennet [D, CO]
Added July 25, 2011 - Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM]
Added October 19, 2011 - Sen. Richard Blumenthal [D, CT]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Roy Blunt [R, MO]
Added May 23, 2011 - Sen. John Boozman [R, AR]
Added June 15, 2011 - Sen. Barbara Boxer [D, CA]
Added December 12, 2011 - Sen. Sherrod Brown [D, OH]
Added October 20, 2011 - Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D, MD]
Added July 13, 2011 - Sen. Robert Casey [D, PA]
Added September 07, 2011 - Sen. Saxby Chambliss [R, GA]
Added November 02, 2011 - Sen. Thad Cochran [R, MS]
Added June 23, 2011 - Sen. Chris Coons [D, DE]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Bob Corker [R, TN]
Added June 09, 2011 - Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL]
Added June 30, 2011 - Sen. Michael Enzi [R, WY]
Added September 07, 2011 - Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D, CA]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Al Franken [D, MN]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY]
Added May 26, 2011 - Sen. Lindsey Graham [R, SC]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Charles Grassley [R, IA]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Kay Hagan [D, NC]
Added July 05, 2011 - Sen. Orrin Hatch [R, UT]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. John Isakson [R, GA]
Added November 02, 2011 - Sen. Tim Johnson [D, SD]
Added October 03, 2011 - Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D, MN]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Herbert Kohl [D, WI]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA]
Added October 17, 2011 - Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I, CT]
Added July 07, 2011 - Sen. John McCain [R, AZ]
Added July 26, 2011 - Sen. Robert Menéndez [D, NJ]
Added October 31, 2011 - Sen. Jerry Moran [R, KS]
Added June 23, 2011
Wthdrawn June 27, 2011 - Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL]
Added September 23, 2011 - Sen. James Risch [R, ID]
Added November 07, 2011 - Sen. Marco Rubio [R, FL]
Added May 26, 2011 - Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY]
Added May 12, 2011 - Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH]
Added June 30, 2011 - Sen. Tom Udall [D, NM]
Added July 07, 2011 - Sen. David Vitter [R, LA]
Added November 07, 2011 - Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI]
Added May 12, 2011
H.R.3261 – Stop Online Piracy Act
There is good reason to be extremely wary of this bill. The wording of many of the items in the bill should give EVERYONE pause. An example in SOPA:
Sec.1, Title 1, Definitions
Sec. 105. Immunity for taking voluntary action against sites that endanger public health.
I’ve no doubt the writers of this bill was considering the numerous jihadi websites, or others that promote violence, but what about Burger King? Many people seem to think that fast food restaurants ‘endanger public health’. Food nazis have been on the rampage for a while now, attempting to control what people decide to have for lunch. So, if I took advertising, which I don’t, and won’t, and Burger King wanted to put an ad on my site, the government could shut me down for accepting such an ad.
In Sec. 2, a, 1:
FIRST AMENDMENT- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impose a prior restraint on free speech or the press protected under the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.
Not true. See example above. If I accept an ad from someone the government doesn’t like, they can shut me down, which would be violating MY right to free speech! Not only would they shut me down, but anyone who is connected to this site behind the scenes, like the host we pay to run our sites. That would include silent E, and Ick.
Read the entire bill. It’s more than a bit disturbing. Congress has, over the years, whittled away our God given rights, for the purpose of control. This is just one more step in the process. My description may be extremely simplistic, but I’m sure you get the idea. Stopping theft of intellectual property isn’t a bad thing, but this is not the way to do it!
Write your Congress critter, and both your Senators. If your Rep is on this list of sponsors, rip them a new one! Let them know we do NOT approve of their sponsorship!
Sponsor
Representative
Lamar SmithR-TX
- Rep. Mark Amodei [R, NV-2]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. Joe Baca [D, CA-43]
Added December 07, 2011 - Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
Added November 14, 2011 - Rep. Karen Bass [D, CA-33]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. Howard Berman [D, CA-28]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn [R, TN-7]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R, CA-45]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. John Carter [R, TX-31]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. Steven Chabot [R, OH-1]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Judy Chu [D, CA-32]
Added November 30, 2011 - Rep. John Conyers [D, MI-14]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Jim Cooper [D, TN-5]
Added December 12, 2011 - Rep. Ted Deutch [D, FL-19]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Elton Gallegly [R, CA-24]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Robert Goodlatte [R, VA-6]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Tim Griffin [R, AR-2]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Tim Holden [D, PA-17]
Added November 30, 2011 - Rep. Peter King [R, NY-3]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. John Larson [D, CT-1]
Added November 30, 2011 - Rep. Ben Luján [D, NM-3]
Added November 14, 2011 - Rep. Thomas Marino [R, PA-10]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. Alan Nunnelee [R, MS-1]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. William Owens [D, NY-23]
Added November 14, 2011 - Rep. Ben Quayle [R, AZ-3]
Added December 13, 2011 - Rep. Dennis Ross [R, FL-12]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Steve Scalise [R, LA-1]
Added November 14, 2011 - Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-29]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Brad Sherman [D, CA-27]
Added December 07, 2011 - Rep. Lee Terry [R, NE-2]
Added October 26, 2011 - Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D, FL-20]
Added November 03, 2011 - Rep. Melvin Watt [D, NC-12]
Added November 03, 2011
“…or abridging the freedom of speech…”
An Internet Blackout Over SOPA and PIPA
The Foundry
As of midnight, Wikipedia is shut down for 24 hours, and hundreds of other popular websites have gone dark right along with it. They are standing together in protest of two controversial pieces of legislation that threaten Internet security and undermine the freedom of speech all in an effort to crack down on online “piracy” — the illegal distribution of copyrighted material.
Hollywood, the music industry, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have gone to bat on behalf of the proposed laws on the grounds that they will help protect valuable copyrighted property. And while the goal is laudable, the ends don’t justify the means. The Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act have far-reaching consequences for the Internet’s infrastructure, individual liberties, and innovation in the digital age.
