oh time #1

For its own sake, we have to point out an overlooked little moment from tonight’s Democratic presidential debate on CNN…

Howlin’ Wolf Blitzer tells the candidates that (and I paraphrase, though I have italicized the key words that Wolf actually used):

There are Americans who look at the two of you and see a dream ticket for the White House…

And who does CNN cut to in the audience? Stevie Wonder.

Oh, television. To hell with the writers…you can’t script a moment like that.

tick tick tick…

Giuliani: out. Edwards: out. Huckabee: out…wait? What? Not out? And…and…is that Ron Paul in that article? Whatever.

As “presidential hopeful” becomes an increasingly elite category, the knock-down, drag-out, till-the-end cage match that is our country’s election process will deal its final death blow on Nov. 11th. Because, you know… There can be only one.

In the meantime, check out where candidates stand (or stood) in relation to First Amendment issues.

Brought to you by The First Amendment Center.

the chosen network

Israeli president says social networks can be used to fight the spread of antisemitism. Absolutely. Also, never ever pass up a chance to use alliteration, so…we’ve got your T-shirts right here!

at one fell swoop

Ars Technica: Possible sanctions against RIAA lawyers.

Dumping a load of John Does who share the same ISP into one single lawsuit has made things simpler (and cheaper) for music industry lawyers for quite some time. We’re glad a judge has finally questioned their fallible logic: “They share the same ISP therefore they engage in the same behavior.”

Sneaky, sneaky.

rollin’ bones

Some late hump day fun: drugs and dinosaurs!

First song ’bout gettin’ high with dinosaurs. You’re welcome, Internet.

Perfect. Thanks to Ben for finding this. Here’s the official page for it.

a false dichotomy

Wired commentary: Security vs. Privacy – A False Dichotomy. [via]

The article is chock full of great links to other excellent reads. Check out Bruce Schneier’s website here.

ain’t I litigious enough?

Guardian Unlimted: It’s time to overhaul copyright. [via]

From the article:

We copy each other to learn and to improve – it’s one of the things that makes us human, because we’re a lot better at it than chimps.

We absolutely agree, even though it’s a sweeping generalization that doesn’t necessarily hold true for all humans…or all chimps, for that matter.

I can’t even begin to imagine how much money I owe Mick Jagger & Co. for the many, many, many times I’ve battled intoxication and poor karaoke sound systems in order to “ape” his high notes in “Beast of Burden.”

And now I’ve said it online. And now they will sue me.

I can shrug it off!

A Case for Censorship #1 — “After the Gold Rush”

Call me Ben. Consider me the jester to SD&IF’s regal court. I’ll pop up now and then to cavort and caper like a trained monkey, spreading mirth and joy while Tony wrestles heady issues to the ground and subdues them as if handling a rampaging, yet lovable trained circus bear.

“Now Ben,” you say. “Surely you’re not uncouth enough to suggest—in this liberated and forward-thinking forum, no less—that censorship could somehow be beneficial.” I chuckle softly, “Following ‘Party All the Time’ no-one suspected that there could be anything worse than one Eddie Murphy but here we are post-Norbit, so I must regrettably present A Case for Censorship…”

cheeky business

Ars Technica: FCC “spanks” ABC – ‘Keep Your Pants On.’

Sofachip: What about Dennis Franz’s butt?

I know what you’re thinking: Is sd&if actually discussing Dennis Franz’s butt?

Yes. Yes we are.

audit this, suckers!

Gotta love cyberactivism: a group of hackers—simply referred to as Anonymous—has declared war on the Church of Scientology.

According to Wired, they have, among other things, been flooding servers and fax machines and barraging offices with prank calls.They are also encouraging people to host secretive Scientology documents online in order to make them publicly available.

In a statement released yesterday, Anonymous cites Scientology’s misuse of copyright and trademark law as reasons for the attack. They are also concerned with the threat Scientology—and the Church’s widespread censorship of critics—poses to free speech.

“Knowledge is free,” the above video (an Anonymous release that has seen heavy play on YouTube) states. “We are Anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget.”