The Soapbox
| BobG on Our float needs a theme… | I drive a Dodge Stratus !!! | [READ MORE] |
| Anthony on Guess (Photo from BobG) | I assume you are speaking from personal experience? | [READ MORE] |
| BobG on Guess (Photo from BobG) | that's cuz when idiots get locked up there, they're gonna yell "DAMN!" | [READ MORE] |
| Nick on Guess (Photo from BobG) | Well I would have never guessed that. It really does look like a dam though. | [READ MORE] |
| BobG on Guess (Photo from BobG) | Wow that took a while. (yes, thats what she said...) This is from the 10th floor of the current Wake Co ... | [READ MORE] |
The Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA: I announced my opposition to SOPA in December. Congress should take steps to protect intellectual property, but not at the expense of the openness that facilitates innovation online. The proposed bill would impose a new bureaucratic presence on the internet and eliminate current online copyright protections. Other provisions of the bill are questionable on free speech grounds — for example, the requirement that search engines delete sites deemed in violation of the law from their search results. I was encouraged to see so many get involved as advocates over the past several weeks as websites like Wikipedia and Google echoed what I’ve heard from constituents for some time. My office received hundreds of calls, and I appreciate constituents’ taking time to weigh in.
I know SOPA is technically “on hold” but I thought this was nice to see from someone that represents me.
Governor Perdue: Sierra Nevada Taps NC – Press Release: Gov. Bev Perdue today joined executives from Sierra Neva… bit.ly/zpLeL5
— NC Governor’s Office (@ncgovoffice) January 25, 2012
So I thought this was pretty good news.
The company plans to create 95 full-time jobs as part of the grant and invest $107.5 million during the next five years in Henderson County. In addition the company expects to hire another 80 part-time employees and expects to create about 60 construction and mechanical jobs during its 24-month building phase.
Something the Western part of the state needs.
Jobs – and good beer.
I know that as soon as I start talking about anything that has to do with politics about 90% of my audience leaves for a week. I get it. You either don’t agree with me or don’t want to involve yourself in anything that isn’t part of a Star Wars Lego battle. For those of you that fit that category – click here. For the rest of you – both of you – keep reading.
Here is some info on TC-07-09 which is coming up in front of Raleigh’s Comprehensive Planning Committee this Wednesday. So other than sounding like a cool name for a Stormtrooper what is TC-07-09? Simply put it is a text change that would provide some guidance/regulation to front yard parking. A common sense update for both the environment and the appearance of single family homes in Raleigh. This means regulations for the size of a driveway and parking pad and the use of said driveway and parking pad. If you are saying to yourself – why don’t we already have something like this – you aren’t alone.
What can you do? First stop off here and learn more. This particular text change is going to impact the Southwest/District D area of Raleigh. (Maybe more if it is seen as effective in this area.) Second go to the Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting this Wednesday (5PM Council Chambers Agenda) or email the members of the committee and tell them you support TC-07-09. (Councilors Russ Stephenson (chair), Bonner Gaylord, and Randy Stagner.)
Note: The image here is not a car parked in a Raleigh front yard. It is what I found when I Googled “TC-07-09 Stormtrooper.”
Editor’s Note: I’ve read xkcd for a long time and think it is one of the many things that makes the internet great. This is an awesome post by one of the most humorous geeks out there.
Learn more:
EFF: One-page guide to SOPA
reddit: A technical overview of the SOPA and PIPA bills
DYN: How these bills would break DNS
EFF: Free speech on the web
I know a lot of people who read this blog don’t know what SOPA is or why NOSVC would want you to take a second to think about boycotting it. Let’s hit some background and then some simple ways to avoid supporting a potential law that could be used to limit speech and hurt small companies.
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), also known as H.R. 3261, is a bill that was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011. The bill expands the ability of U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods. Now before the House Judiciary Committee, it builds on the similar PRO-IP Act of 2008 and the corresponding Senate bill, the PROTECT IP Act. [SOURCE]
So what will it do?
The government and corporations will be given expanded powers to block sites.
They can sue search engines to have links to sites removed.
They can cut off funds to websites. They can effectively remove any monetary support to a site. [SOURCE]
Basically speaking it could hurt small sites, bloggers and anyone that doesn’t have the resources to prevent the competition from being seen. Censorship by those that have the resources to make it happen.
What can you do? Stay informed – here is a good place to start and here is another one. Vote in November but vote with your wallet between now and then using this Android App (Or search Android Market for “Boycott SOPA”). Share what you know and speak out.
UPDATE: Another good SOPA/PIPA article - this one is from WordPress.