Mike Cohen: Liberty

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 15:56:20 GMT

I will no longer update this site at radio.weblogs.com. I will now be publishing my weblog at http://www.mc-development.com/~mike.

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 20:09:10 GMT

eBay Censors CD-Rs.

Security Alert: eBay Prevents Musician from Selling Own CD-Rs

"George Ziemann, an independent musician, made an album with his band and like many small operators, he then produced copies of the the album on CD-R and attempted to sell them on the Web. He listed copies on his own Web page, on MP3.COM, on garageband.com, and on eBay. All was going well... until eBay abruptly began to de-list the auctions.

Ziemann and his band were the authors, engineers, producers, and publishers of the album, and could prove that they owned the copyright and all other rights to it. Yet, eBay's 'droids' unilaterally removed all of his auctions merely because the item descriptions stated that the recordings were on CD-R media. (This disclosure is important, because some players will not play CD-Rs.)... Despite his repeated attempts to contact eBay and inform them that his products were legal, Ziemann was unable to prevent them from removing his album each time he listed it for sale.

Ziemann speculates, in his detailed account of the incident, that the RIAA has put pressure upon eBay to block sales of all CD-Rs -- not only to exclude illegal copies but to prevent independent musicians from self-publishing." [ExtremeTech]

Guilty by association. This is exactly what I mean when I say that implementation of the RIAA's proposals will leave no room for libraries to circulate material. The RIAA (and MPAA) wants to plug every hole and destroy media that could even possibly allow for open distribution.

I'm still waiting to hear about any kind of acknowledgement or proposal from them that their solutions will provide a means for libraries to circulate digital content. Odd that they are so quiet on this issue when they are so loud on others. Or maybe not. They don't talk about this, so I wish someone would call them on it.

[The Shifted Librarian]

Sun, 20 Oct 2002 16:52:16 GMT

Young voters' disengagement with politics skewing elections

The nation's electorate is rapidly graying, with the cadre of older Americans who plan to take part in the Nov. 5 elections outnumbering people younger than 30 by more than 2 to 1, creating a distorted national politics in which the issues that dominate campaigns and Capitol Hill reflect an ever-smaller slice of the country. This underrepresentation of young voters is becoming more acute: If current trends continue, the number of people 65 and older who vote in midterm elections is likely to exceed that of young adults by a 4 to 1 ratio by 2022. These findings emerge from a study conducted by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University, which surveyed the political beliefs and behavior of Americans of different ages and created a forecast of future elections based on population patterns and recent voting habits. The study shows that young adults hold beliefs quite distinct from those of their parents and grandparents -- more conservative in many of their views of government, more tolerant in many of their social values -- and yet are not expressing them at the polls. The net effect is an accelerating cycle of political disengagement. "If young people don't vote, their issues don't get addressed, which further diminishes their incentive to participate in the process and keeps the downward spiral going," said Thomas Patterson, a Harvard political scientist, who studied public attitudes during the last presidential campaign. "We've got a real disconnect between the rational strategies for candidates to win elections and good strategies for maintaining a healthy democracy." Disaffected and relatively nonpartisan, the country's 45 million young adults are a constituency-in-waiting -- if candidates could capture their imagination. But in the final weeks before the next elections, which will determine which party controls Congress, attempts to capitalize on the potential young vote are rare, while appeals to older people are pervasive. The themes that politicians are emphasizing this season are evident in the advertisements that Wichita residents see on television for their local congressional race. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., has used an ad in which the congressman walks through a hospital corridor as he tells voters, "I'm working to secure prescription drug coverage for seniors, just like we fought to protect their Social Security, their Medicare and their retirement savings." His Democratic challenger, attorney Carlos Nolla, is airing an ad in which an elderly man and woman sit at a table criticizing the incumbent. "The idea to invest Social Security money in the stock market," she says, "could've wiped us out." Those ads reflect a basic political logarithm: Campaign funds are used to target people who are going to vote. "Are people advertising on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer? Absolutely not," said a GOP consultant involved in campaign strategy nationwide, and who requested anonymity. "Any political party that allocated a huge chunk of its resources for a good civic purpose [increasing the participation of young adults] would be malfeasant in its prime duty, which is to win elections." John Chiola, 27, of Goose Creek, S.C., thinks politics is "a game" and most politicians are crooks. "It's all about greed, money, who has the most power, who can manipulate whom," said Chiola, a BellSouth technician. He has never voted and doubts that he ever will. "It seems pointless," he said.

I find this extemely discouraging. I feel that it's more important than ever to get rid of the older generation of politicians who don't represent mainstream America. I believe most Americans are far more libertarian in their beliefs than the social conservatives in power who promote the war on drugs and abstinance only education. Young people can turn this country around if they vote.

Thu, 17 Oct 2002 21:10:18 GMT

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) [~] A judge Thursday threw out the convictions of two boys found guilty in the slaying of their father, who was bludgeoned with a baseball bat as he slept. Circuit Judge Frank Bell ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys to try to resolve the case. He said he would order a new trial for Alex and Derek King, ages 13 and 14, if the talks failed. Alex was 12 and Derek 13 on Nov. 26 when their father was killed and his house set on fire in nearby Cantonment. The brothers were facing prison terms of 20 years to life under state sentencing guidelines because they were tried as adults rather than juveniles. They were convicted of arson and second-degree murder without a weapon. The victim, Terry King, 40, died from blows to the head with an aluminum baseball bat. The six-member jury concluded an adult co-defendant, Ricky Chavis, wielded the weapon but that the boys were accomplices by letting him in the house. Jury forewoman Lynne Schwarz said at a courthouse rally for the boys prior to the hearing that she never thought the jury's verdict would result in prison time for the boys. "We always thought that there was going to be some kind of rehabilitation, that the boys were going to be taken somewhere where they could have a new life and learn to be productive citizens," said Schwarz, 52. "We never thought that these boys committed the crime. Never." Jurors were shocked when they found out a separate jury had acquitted Chavis, a convicted child molester, a week before the boys were tried, Schwarz said. His verdict was sealed until the brothers' trial ended. Both juries heard detailed taped confessions the boys gave police after the killing, but both said Chavis had nothing to do with it. The brothers later changed their story, claiming Chavis committed the murder while they hid in the trunk of his car. Both testified against him but only Alex took the witness stand in the boys' trial. Chavis is facing two more trials. One is on a charge of sexually molesting Alex and the other is on charges of evidence tampering and being an accomplice after the fact to murder.

Thu, 17 Oct 2002 02:24:38 GMT

ACLU Acts Against Patriot Act. The American Civil Liberties Union has had enough of some aspects of the Bush administration's Patriot Act, and it's launching a visible, nationwide campaign against it. By Julia Scheeres. [Wired News]

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 21:13:35 GMT

Red Hat recently published a security patch that, thanks to the infamous Digital Millenium Copyright and Suppression of Free Speech Act can only be explained fully to people not within US borders. [Daypop Top 40]

Red Hat has struck a small blow against the DMCA, by publishing a security patch which can only be explained fully to people who are not within US jurisdiction. The company's position here seems to be not altogether voluntary - according to a spokesman "it is bizarre, and unfortunately something Red Hat cannot easily do much about," but like it or not Red Hat has been recruited to the campaign to make the DMCA look ridiculous.

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 04:22:07 GMT

Unattended Laptop on Plane Triggers Military-Jet Evacuation. A United Airlines flight from New York City landed under military escort after a crew member found an unattended laptop computer under a seat, an airline spokeswoman said. The computer posed no danger, officials said. Passengers were evacuated as a precaution as soon as the plane landed Monday evening at... [Lockergnome's Bits and Bytes] The terrorists have won, and this proves it. We're in such a state of hysteria that the slightest thing will set off a mass panic. Let's have a bit of common sense, OK?

Sat, 12 Oct 2002 01:30:49 GMT

This is kind of old, but it's amusing in light of Harry Belafonte's recent remarks about Colin Powell.

Sat, 12 Oct 2002 01:18:33 GMT

Carter wins Nobel Peace Prize

Only the third US President to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, after Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter had an imperfect presidency, followed by a lengthy career as an ambassador for peace on behalf of the United States. His political fortune rose in the aftermath of the two humiliating defeats for the US, the war in Vietnam, and the Watergate scandal and Ford's pardon of Nixon. Carter was the first presidential candidate I voted for. Like many others, I came to see him as a weak president, but in later years came to appreciate his values of honesty, hard work, and an uncompromising sense of what's right. It's unfortunate that his award was tainted by politics from the awarding committee, but the award stands on its own. As an American I am proud that Jimmy Carter, who represents what's good about my country, is this year's Nobel Laureate. [Scripting News] Carter became a great statesman after he left office, and is one of the very few ex-presidents who actually did good work instead of trying to make money from his office. I really hope Carter tries to negotiate peace with Iraq - I think he's one of the few people who could do it.

Fri, 11 Oct 2002 19:11:15 GMT

A Sad Day for America. CNN: Senate approves Iraq war resolution. 'The president praised the congressional action, declaring "America speaks with one voice."' I'm not... [Aaron Swartz: The Weblog] I'm really disgusted by this situation. War with Iraq would be a disaster.

Fri, 11 Oct 2002 16:13:59 GMT

More EFF News Items.

Robbing the Future Dan Bricklin, co-inventor of Visicalc, discusses how DRM will "break the chain" of archival techniques that has existed for thousands of years.

Tuning Out the Customer Fortune.com's David Kirkpatrick on how the media industry's defensive posture on digital piracy is damaging their long-term interests.

You've Got Dissent! Chinese dissident use of the Internet and Beijing's counter- strategies. [MacMegasite]

Fri, 11 Oct 2002 00:52:42 GMT

The State of Florida Sanctions Child Abuse Florida's Escambia County Assistant Prosecutor, David Rimmer exhibits unethical and immoral treatment of a 13-year-old-sexual abuse victim in blatant display of child abuse during recent murder trial. When did the state of Florida start to sanction child abuse? Pensacola, FL, October 9, 2002 [~] Concerned citizens are outraged over the blatant display of child abuse exhibited by Florida's Assistant Prosecutor David Rimmer. Mr. Rimmer flagrantly disregarded the standard practice of requiring the testimony given by minors or victims of sexual abuse to be made during a courtroom session closed to the public. He recently called a 13-year-old victim of sexual abuse to testify on national television. This took place during the murder trial accusing a convicted child molester of killing the boy's father. Additionally, the same defendant is charged with molesting the 13-year-old. There is little question that Mr. Rimmer intended that this victim be cast in the least favorable light to the jury and used his authority and power to humiliate and degrade the underage victim of a convicted child molester. Mr. Rimmer presented Alex King, a child victim of sexual abuse, in a courtroom to offer testimony against the defendant, Ricky Chavis. Alex King was forced to give testimony with both arms and legs shackled while dressed in his county jail uniform. This child was required to answer questions regarding his "sexual relationship" with the defendant which not only got into specifics, but also included reading "love notes" the child victim wrote. Florida law prohibits a "consensual sexual relationship" between a 13-year-old child and a 40-year-old adult, calling it statutory rape. It was Mr. Rimmers' obligation to insist that this testimony, by this child sexual abuse victim, be given in a closed session rather than parading a young boy shackled in handcuffs around the courtroom. Unfortunately, Alex King[base ']s testimony was broadcast to millions of television viewers. State sanctioned child abuse must be stopped. Mr. Rimmer[base ']s unethical and immoral treatment of a 13-year-old victim of sexual abuse is not acceptable. He must be held responsible for his actions and be charged for child abuse. Alex and his 14-year-old brother Derek King are in the Escambia jail awaiting their sentencing for being found guilty of second-degree murder without a weapon and arson. According to the jury, the boys opened the door of their home and allowed the murderer of their father to enter. The minimum sentence for this crime is 22 years to life. Don[base ']t let Florida[base ']s legal system fail Alex and Derek. Starting with one voice, laws can be changed. Show your support by attending a rally for Alex and Derek before a hearing motion for a new trial on October 17. Attend the rally and please stay for the hearing at 1:00 p.m. in Pensacola. Rally Date: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: In front of the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building 190 Government Street Pensacola, Florida Additional ways to show support for Alex and Derek are to sign the online petitions for Governor Bush and the Honorable Judge Bell requesting justice for the King Brothers at http://www.petitiononline.com/Kingboys/ and http://www.e-thepeople.org/a-national/petition/3642/view. Defense donations are being accepted for Alex and Derek at the Bank of Pensacola. Please make checks payable to Bank of Pensacola, Alex and Derek King, Account #050016, Attn: Alicia Steele, P.O. Box 12966, Pensacola, FL 32591. You can also visit the King Brothers store at www.cafepress.com/kingbrothers. Concerned citizens from around the world have formed a coalition to seek justice for Derek and Alex King and others. Working together with Rev. Thomas Masters and his Under Our Wings Organization, it is our goal to bring justice to the legal system in Florida. This coalition will not stop until justice is reached in the King Brothers case. For more information, visit www.derekandalexking.org or http://home.triad.rr.com/seekjustice/. Everything you've ever heard about corruption in the South is true. There's a real "good ole boys" network going on here. The boys were allowed to waive their rights and gave their confession to a deputy sheriff who was a friend of Rick Chavis with no other adults and no attorney present. The clothes the boys wore the night of the crime were washed and never tested for evidence. Chavis was allowed to visit the scene after the crime since he was a friend of some of the firemen. Rimmer purposely lied to the jury. The more I read about this case, the more I find wrong with it. We need to clean house here and get rid of the corrupt officials.

Thu, 10 Oct 2002 20:51:55 GMT

Mr. Swartz Goes to Washington. In which I see the Bookmobile, go to the Superparty, wait in line until 2AM, almost miss getting to the... [Aaron Swartz: The Weblog] I really respect Aaron - he's one of the most brilliant people I know of any age. Young people like him (as well as Justin, Adam, and Jeremiah) are our hope for the future, and I think they'll do a much better job of running the world than our generation did.

Thu, 10 Oct 2002 15:47:26 GMT

Interesting interview with Malian singer Salif Keita, in which he talks about the rise of political Islam & music piracy.

Banning Eyre: I've read that political Islam is on the rise in Mali? Are you saying this is getting worse? Or is it something that was always there? Salif Keita: It's there. It's there, and it's getting stronger and stronger. I will tell you why. The ones who control music piracy in Mali are religious leaders. The biggest mafia of pirates are the religious ones. Sean Barlow: The marabouts? S.K.: The followers of the marabouts, the friends of marabouts. So that the population will not hear those who struggle against piracy, what do they do? The make counter-propaganda. "You mustn't listen [to the musicians who complain]. These are Kaffirs!" You understand the game? That's it. And as they know that Mali is 90% Muslim, they know people will listen to the marabouts, and then they profit from the musicians. They pirate their records. They've brought in the customs service. They've brought in the army. They've brought in the police. It's a big game, and it's killing us. Often I feel like finding a new profession. SB.: But people still hear music on the radio. They still go to concerts. No one can stop that. S.K.: No, they can't prevent the average Malian musician. But I will tell you this: Mali is run from the mosques. I am sorry to tell you this. In fact, the president we have now, we are counting him, but this is someone who does not listen to the people. He would like to change things. But when? You have to have a free hand to make changes. It's religious politics that dominate there. It's a catastrophe. It's very dangerous. Me, I talk, but others are afraid to talk about this. I'm not afraid. I don't care. I've done nothing wrong. I don't earn my living there; I earn my living abroad. I'm not a griot tapping on the door of a marabout when I need to eat. No. I eat elsewhere. And so I speak out. But others are afraid to speak, because it's a real mafia. It's true. B.E.: That's serious. S.K.: It's very serious, and this is the only real problem in Mali. That's it. B.E.: And you think this is worse than when I was living there in 1996. S.K.: It's worse now. There are radicals now. They want to make Mali an Islamic country, like Nigeria. With Sharia, everything. It's dangerous. For me, I'm not worried. My god is everywhere for me. But poor Mali! If that happens, we are ruined. The whole region is ruined. B.E.: So how can you fight against that? S.K.: Ah, me? I can't fight it alone. But in general, you have to come up with a strategy. Salif Keita cannot do that. B.E.: Even if he is God. S.K.: Even if he is God. You know, God never speaks in the end. [LAUGHS] He never speaks. SB.: This is interesting, Salif. You were just talking about the tolerance in Mali, the (cousinage). S.K.: Mali is an ancient civilization, dressed up by religion. When you speak about God there[sigma] Hey wait, you must know what I have said before, about misery. You mustn't forget that spirituality says that God is there. God is a remedy against misery. This is a philosophy that keeps the poor in line, that maintains poverty. It's not that religion is bad. It's the interpretation, the way it is used. That closes the door. Me, I'm a Muslim. I don't hide that. I know that God gave me a good head, to serve me, to allow me to reflect, and to allow me to go and find food to eat[sigma] But this is our biggest problem in Mali. I even heard this talk from Samassa. You know Samassa, the producer? B.E.: The cassette producer. Yes. S.K.: He's the biggest pirate of all, along with Sylla productions. Samassa came to my house. He said, "Salif, we want Mali to become an Islamic country." Ah, no! B.E.: Really? And this was recently. S.K.: Six months ago. That's dangerous. Thieves like him! No, that is dangerous. I am afraid of that. It's when I think of that, I say, "Poor Mali." We had a chance. We became a democratic country. If we could have continued like that, we would have a real chance, more even than the countries on the coast. Because what is a country? A country is a way of thinking. But if that escapes us--and there is a risk that that will escape us...

I was hoping to see him tonight at the Broward Center, but it looks like I probably won't be able to make it.

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 15:35:05 GMT

WSJ. This isn't good:

WASHINGTON -- Pressed by Congress, the Central Intelligence Agency disclosed previously classified reports and testimony suggesting that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein may mount terrorist attacks against the U.S. with chemical and biological weapons if he concludes American military action is inevitable.

[John Robb's Radio Weblog]

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 02:19:29 GMT

Lofgren vows to protect consumers in the fight over digital rights management. [Hack the Planet] Bravo! At least we have someone on our side.

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 04:17:51 GMT

First Blood is Spilled at Record Industry Hearings - The War is On!!!. Music Dish: First Blood is Spilled at Record Industry Hearings - The War is On!!! "By contract, artists are prohibited from showing royalty statements to third parties." What!? [Hack the Planet]

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 02:28:33 GMT

Random: How Well Would You Do on the INS Test?. How well would most natural-born US citizens do on the INS citizenship test? [Morons Dot Org] NOTE: the form doesn't render correctly in Chimera

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 01:02:36 GMT

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 16:11:21 GMT

WSJ. Wired. The music industry is set to launch an ad campaign against P2P file sharing. "People going into computers"??

Ms. Spears, for example, is quoted in the ad saying: "Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD? It's the same thing: People going into the computers and logging on and stealing our music."

[John Robb's Radio Weblog] She proves again what an airhead she is. If file sharing means an end to manufactured pop, maybe it's a good thing. The recording industry is producing crap and trying to sell it at inflated prices. I think the audience is smart enough to reject it. If quality music was available at a reasonable price, people would buy it. They're just tired of the junk they're being sold and they've stopped buying it.

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 14:39:44 GMT

Child advocates target prosecution of juveniles as adults By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press Posted September 26 2002 PENSACOLA · Opponents of prosecuting children as adults have formed a national advocacy group in response to the trial of two Florida Panhandle boys convicted of killing their father. Under Our Wings was formed during a conference call Tuesday night among 19 participants from California to New York. "When we start prosecuting our children as adults, people know that something is wrong with that," said the Rev. Thomas Masters, the group president. "Now the problem is, how do you fix it? That's what we want to present." Masters, pastor of the New Macedonia Baptist Church in Rivera Beach, became an advocate on the issue when a member of his congregation, 13-year-old Nathaniel Brazill, was prosecuted as an adult for fatally shooting a Lake Worth teacher in 2000. Brazill was sentenced when he was 14 to 28 years in prison for second-degree murder. The catalyst for the new organization, however, was the Pensacola trial three weeks ago of Alex and Derek King. They were 12 and 13 when their father, Terry King, 40, was beaten to death with an aluminum baseball bat on Nov. 26. Firefighters found the body inside the family' burning home in nearby Cantonment. Many Under Our Wings members have been circulating a petition urging that the brothers, convicted of arson and second-degree murder without a weapon, be sentenced "as the children that they are rather than as the adults that they are not."

Mon, 23 Sep 2002 19:28:10 GMT

NYT. "High-Altitude Rambos" The security insanity continues. This is a wild tale of how things done in the name of security can potentially be as dangerous as what it attempts to prevent.

r. Bob Rajcoomar, a U.S. citizen and former military physician from Lake Worth, Fla., found himself handcuffed and taken into custody last month in one of the many episodes of hysteria to erupt on board airliners in the U.S. since the Sept. 11 attacks....

"We have to take a look at what we're doing in the name of security," said Dr. Rajcoomar. "So many men and women have fought and died for freedom in this great country, and now we are in danger of ruining that in the name of security." Hear, hear!

[John Robb's Radio Weblog]

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 19:41:12 GMT

OT: A Miscarriage of Justice. I usually avoid posting non-music related items here, but I'm outraged by the total breakdown of our legal system that occurred in this case, and the blatant human rights violations. [WorldBeatPlanet]

Thu, 19 Sep 2002 15:11:18 GMT

I received this email from Joyce Tracy. Any lawyers who are reading this, please contact her or let them know at derekandalexking.org.

Yes I am please with the wait in the sentencing, we are tryng to get some other legal issues in the case worked out. This is was very complex case even before the trial began. but it seems that no one is interested in knowing the real truth. I may have already said that. Anyway about them signing their rghts away...last week a man from CA called to tell me of his interest in the case. He does documentries about children and help get families back together. This is his first of this nature but it intriged him so much that he called. After talking to me, he asked if I would give him an interview if he came to Pensacola. He was here today and told me that until he talked to me he wasn''t sure if wanted to do this, but after hearing what I had to say about some of the legal issues, he just had to come. He will be back in Oct. to finish it up. I don't usually give interviews, but I felt that I should do this one. ( I also did a People's magazine thing which should be released Oce 10). The reason I'm telling you all of this is the fact about the boys signing thier rights away. I told that in my statement and also about when Rick and Reggie the deputy sheriff who is also a friend of Rick, took the boys to the police station, they both knew what they were doing to the boys, not to have a family member present and especially legal council. I only live 4 blocks from the Sheriff's Dept. And Rick know where I live. My son Greg called down there, he heard it from a policeman who works as a security guard at my sons work. He was told that if they needed him they would call. He left work right then and went down there but no one would let him in, altho the banged on the door for a long time and stood outside even longer. And that was before the boys statements were even started. How could the legal document hold when one is so young. That's the big question. I'm asking every one that I e-mail about the boys if they know of a good attorney or private invertigator who wants to take a very complicated.case pro bona, please tell him to contact me. This is national so he can live anywhere and be of service. Any takers?

Thu, 19 Sep 2002 14:08:29 GMT

Sentencing delayed for King brothers

(PENSACOLA, Fla.) September 18 - A judge is considering granting a new trial for Alex and Derek King, the two young brothers convicted of killing their father. The judge delayed sentencing Wednesday to consider the defense request and to give doctors more time to examine the boys. Prosecutors say 13-year-old Alex and 14-year-old Derek smashed their dad's head with a baseball bat as he slept in a recliner and then set the house on fire. The brothers were charged with first-degree murder. A jury convicted them of second-degree without a weapon and of arson. Jurors said later that they thought a family friend and convicted child molester, Ricky Chavis, committed the crime. Chavis was acquitted of first-degree murder before the boys' trial, but the jurors did not know the verdict until they convicted the boys. The jurors say they were shocked to find that Chavis was found innocent.