Decibating the Healthcare Reform Debate, Murdochiating the Internet & More for Thursday, August 6, 2009

You see, the reason we've decided to go on the defensive against Rupert Murdoch's "Internet-pay initiative" is that basically it goes against the Common Good. For example, Mr. Murdoch has signalled that you will have to pay his admittedly Right Wing-ideologue news and webcasts and other media for reading, viewing and use of the same. That seems unfair, when reading today's news we found the following information: Lead-based Consumer Paint Remains A Global Public Health Threat and Marine Pest Species Costing Billions In Damage To Fisheries, Coastal Communities And Infrastructure Are Spreading. Do you really think that you have to pay Mr. Murdoch (whose compensation is already around $ 30,000,000/year) and Fox News Corporation to read such vital and important information?

We think this is the beginning-of-the-end for huge, monopolistic media and corporations that have decided to charge us and you, the public, private monies for vital public information in regards to your health, your money, your well-being and your existence. This goes against any of the concepts that we feel are familiar to those in a democracy. Democratic thought-processes have trained us to think that we have a Right-to-Know (RTK). Of course, we are expanding on the original concept that the public has a right to know of any potential chemical hazards that are in our backyards, our homes and our neighborhoods. You already have a government right to know that much.

Mr. Murdoch and Fox have been given the right to make huge monopolies and media corporations. Now he has decided we should have to pay for the privilege to have access to that monopoly's news and media and output. Some of this is justifiable. Artistic and copyrighted works are protected under law. But, the reading and viewing of RTK material is our right and a right that we should not have to pay for. Yes, we know, this is "loophole, loopy" politics. It is also a wedge to win back your right to information that is rightfully yours. Mr. Murdoch, if successful, will have you paying money, cash and so on for that right - or at least part of it.

If this course of action cannot be undone, we at least think that Fox Corporation should be legally required to provide free, public information vital under the RTK concept. He/they have already been paid for this by being given the right to form excessively large and controlling monopolies. We suggest that if this course of action is taken, some violation of the public trust will have occurred and will continue to occur under these circumstances. The other "news" - Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Bill O'Reilly and the rest - you can pay for - because its not necessary and not covered under any concept of RTK. Of course, this should create a large-type bureaucratic mess that will require Fox News or some agency appointed to oversee them and regulate which news and information can and cannot be free. That will, of course, create a giant headache for Fox and Mr. Murdoch. That's OK, as we've said, they've already been given the privilege of creating this huge monopoly which may prove to be their own Frankenstein's monster. On the plus side, a new huge bureaucracy which decides which news and information has to be paid and which has to be free will create innumerable jobs. Which will ultimately be good for the economy. Hurrah!

Spontaneous Health-Care Protests or Right-Wing Calculation? (MSNBC Countdown)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#32289252

Decibate

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/08/decibate.html

Common good

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_good

Making sense of the recession: the cost of food and fuel, and the global impact

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/business/2007/creditcrunch/default.stm

U.S. mulls ‘bad bank’ to aid mortgage giants

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32309615/ns/business-washington_post/

Biggest recession blunders

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1111060

Rule issued to police oil price manipulation

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32314715/ns/business-oil_and_energy/

Russian submarines sighted off East Coast

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/05/russian.submarines/index.html

Russian Submarine K-152 Nerpa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_submarine_K-152_Nerpa

Hunger hits Detroit's middle class

http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/06/news/economy/detroit_food/index.htm?cnn=yes

Extra £50bn for UK economy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8187360.stm

Clinton threatens Eritrea action

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8186781.stm

Eritrea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrea

Uighur unrest shows China's failures: Dalai Lama

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre57539q-us-tibet-dalailama/

14th Dalai Lama

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Dalai_Lama

India to execute 2003 bomb trio

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8186871.stm

Ahmadinejad calls for unity in crisis-torn Iran

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/08/05/iran.ahmadinejad.inauguration/index.html

2009 Iranian Election Protests

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Iranian_election_protests

Iran bans Mecca visits over flu

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8187187.stm

Hajj

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj

Sustainable Agriculture: Perennial Plants Produce More; Landscape Diversity Creates Habitat For Pest Enemies

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804071358.htm

Sustainable agriculture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_agriculture

Iowa 911 call center is first to accept texts

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32303244/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/


Twitter outage clamps tweets, cause 'unknown'

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32315051/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Statement from Twitter on denial of service attack

http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/06/statement-from-twitter-on-denial-of-service-attack/

DoS Attack

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial_of_service_attack

Stolen laptop holds Army Guard members' data

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32304147/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Murdoch signals end of free news

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8186701.stm

Rupert Murdoch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Murdoch

Foxate or Foxurp

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/08/foxate-or-foxurp.html

Murdochiate or Murdurp

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/08/murdochiate-or-murdurp.html

Murdochiate / Murdurp: The unfortunate portmanteau of Murdoch and usurpate/usurp. The usurpation of the "free" internet by ideologues and the "right" to charge fees, funds, and so on for the use/viewing/reading of the news and the internet. (1) The usurpation of any form of media (digital or otherwise) for the purely profit-motivated. (2) The usurpation of any form of media (digital or otherwise) for the profit motive of promoting a Right Wing, conservative or other form of ideology. (3) The usurpation of any form of media (digital or otherwise) for profit and against the Common Good.

common good, conservate, fox, ideologue, internet, m, media, murdoch, murdochiate, murdurp, right wing, usurp

Tax Avoidance & Compensation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Murdoch#Tax_Avoidance

Hollywood Gets Mixed Reviews In History Class, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805171112.htm

'Gun giveaway' for Harley customers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8186847.stm

Lead-based Consumer Paint Remains A Global Public Health Threat

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804094641.htm

Lead paint

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_paint

Marine Pest Species Costing Billions In Damage To Fisheries, Coastal Communities And Infrastructure Are Spreading

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090726092331.htm

Invasive Species

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species

For Friday, January 23, 2009

'Cast White Phosphorus!' image licensed under Creative Commons by illuminating9_11

Suspected US missile strikes kill 18 in Pakistan

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan;_ylt=Aj9LI85gr58NyR8_DD8C7ems0NUE

UK in recession as economy slides

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7846266.stm

UK in recession after worst GDP drop in 30 years

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50m2au-us-britain-economy/

Report: Former Gitmo prisoner fights again

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28800516/

Ex-Gitmo Detainee May Be Al Qaeda Leader

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/23/terror/main4749326.shtml

Stem Cell OK Gives Paraplegics New Hope

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6714423&page=1


Green light for US stem cell work

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7847450.stm

FDA allows first test of human stem cell therapy

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50m2u9-us-stemcells/

Analysis: Abrupt end to 'war on terror'

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28807952/

Obama asks lawmakers to back stimulus bill

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_economy;_ylt=AnMcS5t6gcImBY3D_fWXqvqs0NUE

Obama removes restrictions on abortion funding

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50m3pq-us-obama-abortion/

FDA: 31M lbs of peanut products recalled

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090122/ap_on_he_me/med_salmonella_outbreak;_ylt=AkAwtFIC91VYqnghi7pexnqs0NUE

Peanut product recall keeps spreading

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28749159/

Peanut popularity complicates salmonella probe

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/23/peanut.probe.salmonella/index.html

Kentucky leads nation in smoking deaths

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28801743/

Obama acts fast on Mideast, but substance familiar

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50m32g-us-obama-arabs/

Did Israel Use A Banned Weapon?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/22/eveningnews/main4748346.shtml

Retailers at risk of closing

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1019193

GE profit down 44 percent, shares fall premarket

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50m2nc-us-ge/

Russia says ready to work with U.S. on Afghanistan

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50m3da-us-russia-usa-afghan/

Rwanda arrests Congo rebel leader

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7846339.stm

Group: Migrants abandoned at sea

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28810185/

Spain's jobless rate hits 13.9%

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7846895.stm

Red Tape: Credit card hackers find new targets

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/01/credit-card-hac.html

Judge orders Illinois TB patient into isolation

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090122/ap_on_re_us/tuberculosis_patient;_ylt=ApbxgrJuzNljVGMsulsh5wKs0NUE

Racial Bias Can Be Reduced By Teaching People To Differentiate Facial Features Better In Individuals Of A Different Race

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090120204759.htm

China closes 1,250 sites in online porn crackdown

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_hi_te/as_china_pornography;_ylt=AjCQP55lTeSVMYt_acxxgj6s0NUE

Anti-Counterfeiting Money

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0901-anticounterfeiting_money.htm

Obama musicians were live but the music you heard was not

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7846472.stm

Revisiting The Anthrax Attacks Of 2001

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122100832.htm

Farmers slash planting due to drought

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28808767/

Study: Western forests dying at increasing rate

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_sc/sci_dying_forests;_ylt=Al8ip1lYQtlRHNEtW22lifys0NUE

Antarctica Warming More Than Thought

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090121144049.htm

Treeline Advances In Canada’s Arctic

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122162332.htm

French farmers raise stink over U.S. tariff on Roquefort cheese

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/01/23/roquefort-cheese.html

Nigerian police detain goat over armed robbery

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_nigeria_robbery_goat;_ylt=AioynFHg9u.Kjhk6wRZjDhHtiBIF

Citigroup job cull to hit 75,000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7733575.stm

Experts: Economy sailing into worse waters

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27753395/

Goldman CEO, execs give up 2008 bonus

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27755847/

Industrial output rebounds in October

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27767305/

Recession-proof? Maybe not this time

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27756228/

U.S. is in a 14-month recession, forecasters say

http://www.yahoo.com/s/988589

US 'already in recession'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7733092.stm

Japanese economy now in recession

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7732733.stm

Obama to CBS: Security, economy are priorities

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27756752/

Obama says he will do 'whatever it takes' on economy

http://www.yahoo.com/s/988561

Transparency laws 'may stop Obama using e-mail'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7733210.stm

Outrage Over China Forced Abortion Case

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6256644&page=1

Pirates capture Saudi oil tanker

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7733482.stm

UK identities sold for £80 online

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7732569.stm

Card capers A look inside the world of hi-tech identity theft

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7733201.stm

Sneaky companies cut size, not price

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/11/17/lawrence.small.size.cnn

What says 'hire me!' to employers

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/11/17/cb.what.says.hire.me/index.html

Gulf War illness is real, new federal report says

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/11/17/gulf.war.illness.study/index.html

Gulf War Syndrome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War_illness

Would You Buy a Used Economy from this Man?

Humorous Henry Paulson image licensed under Creative Commons by kelnishi

Would you buy a used economy from this man? Did he just kidnap the bailout and the US banking system at the same time? We think we find the humorous image by kelnishi quite compelling at this time. We're trying to wrap our heads around this one.

So, Congress got the $ 700 Bn needed for the bailout - which we thought was mainly going to the banks to prop up our failing financial infrastructure. Isn't this the definition of non-management? Look, if you or us procured a budget for FY 2009, and we didn't spend it on the capital in the plan, we'd lose our job(s) - wouldn't we? You're supposed to stick the financial planning and the budget as promised. In effect, you have formed a contract between you and the person(s), institution(s) providing the funding. That contract is supposed to be inviolable.

So, has Mr. Paulson violated an otherwise inviolable contract between himself and his government? This is not just a mere ethics violation. It is far more deeply troubling than that. Or, should we give him a chance? Maybe the new plan (if there really is one, or if they really ever was a plan) will work out? No, we doubt it to the highest degree. We are waiting to hear from Congress and Mr. Obama and possibly even Mr. Biden on this one. We know we are going to hear from many world leaders on this one. Maybe Mr. Paulson will be brought before the World Court in The Hague.

Pelosi calls for US auto bail-out

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7724325.stm

Running on empty, GM's fate debated

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27671594/

Big Three Bailout? Not So Fast

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/12/politics/otherpeoplesmoney/main4595068.shtml

New disclosure rules for mortgage unveiled

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27677026/

Why Mortgage Rescue Plans Aren't Enough

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6233526&page=1

Paulson: Bailout focus to be less on banks

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27677764/

Lawmakers Demand to See Bailout Chief

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/WallStreet/story?id=6230441&page=1

A New Way To Avoid Bankruptcy

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/11/eveningnews/main4594081.shtml?source=mostpop_story

Bank says UK in serious recession

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7724215.stm

UK experts give blackouts warning

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7723239.stm

Good tidings! Toy recalls down before holidays

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27677920/

Sudan declares Darfur ceasefire

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7724220.stm

30 percent of Alaska ballots still uncounted

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27677265/

For Monday, November 3, 2008

"Early Voting 2008" image licensed under Creative Commons by NCreedplayer

Election Day (USA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_Day_(United_States)

NBC/WSJ poll: Obama holds significant lead

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27488250/

US rivals in final dash for votes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7704869.stm

McCain v Obama - who's ahead in the polls

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7360265.stm

McMathematics: Can John McCain Prove the Pollsters Wrong?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1

Obama's Numbers Crest w/ One Day Left

http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/story?id=6166666&page=1

Obama campaign: The Cleansing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/

McCain campaign: Too European

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/matthewprice/2008/11/too_european.html

What You Need to Know on Election Day

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=6166407

What To Watch For On Election Night

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/02/sunday/main4563868.shtml

Record voter registration, lack of poll workers and confusion over ID law threaten smooth election

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7686438.stm

Off to the polls: The irrational side of voting

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081103/sc_livescience/offtothepollstheirrationalsideofvoting;_ylt=AmT97Nt7G_0NjUINBidMdp2s0NUE



Recession Nation: All but Alaska at Risk

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6158877&page=1

Newsweek: United States' affluence under attack

http://www.newsweek.com/id/166821

Uncashed Savings Bonds Waiting for You?

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PersonalFinance/story?id=6158021

Manufacturing activity falls to 26-year low

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27516596/

Out Of Work, Out Of Insurance, Out Of Luck

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/03/health/main4564800.shtml

Eurozone is on verge of recession

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7705835.stm

Circuit City to pull plug on 155 U.S. stores

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27515440/

UN aid convoy arrives in DR Congo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7705419.stm

For Saturday, November 1, 2008

China, India fear 'huge' economic impact

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27486986/

National Debt Soars $500B In Under A Month

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/31/politics/main4562416.shtml

Evidence of a recession piles higher with new data

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081101/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/financial_meltdown;_ylt=AhbjDwMAl3XqGE0AmNtU50us0NUE

Melamine may already be in global food chain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27475689/

US campaign enters final weekend

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7703845.stm

Candidates vow to aid ailing auto industry

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27476286/

Obama 'unaware of illegal aunt'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7704052.stm

Justice Ordered To Produce Wiretap Memos

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/01/national/main4562971.shtml

Bolivia Suspends U.S. Anti-Drug Efforts

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/01/world/main4562978.shtml

Schwarzenegger backs McCain

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7703688.stm

How the states stack up - for Obama

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7693060.stm

Palin Medical Wait, Day 11: Why the Delay?

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/11/day-six-and-sti.html

Libya's Gaddafi pitches tent in Kremlin garden

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081101/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_russia_libya_tent;_ylt=AtB0BcuP1U0vzRvRScwHejrtiBIF

For Friday, October 31, 2008

"Sarah Palin Costume Warning" image licensed under Creative Commons by Jamison

Chinese melamine scandal widens

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7701477.stm

Matt Frei: McCain is fighting the last war against a new enemy

Obama 'makes chief-of-staff move'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7701387.stm

NYT poll: Palin hurting McCain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27463861/

With Friends Like These: Bush, Palin Dragging on McCain

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=6154800&page=1

Former secretary of state says Palin not ready for top job

http://www.yahoo.com/s/979871




Voter registration smashes records

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27459551/

Astronauts To Vote From Space

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030194230.htm

Expedition 18

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_18

Daughter of Slave Votes, Recalls Struggle

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=6153625&page=1

10 choke points for Election Day

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27464554/

White House Makes Final Push To Deregulate

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/31/politics/washingtonpost/main4560169.shtml

Economic downturn may be picking up speed

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27461847/

Recession fears grip US consumers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7702224.stm

Consumer sentiment takes biggest dive ever

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27472218/

Stuck in a Mortgage Mess? 'Modify' It!

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6150841&page=1

Six States Lead 'Underwater' Homeowners

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/wireStory?id=6152414



Ford bets on new pickup, rehires workers


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27470642/

Justice Department investigating American Express

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081031/ap_on_bi_ge/american_express_doj_investigation;_ylt=AopMp3CvJLuHqISpK9cLgfWs0NUE

Newsweek: Inside the hunt for bin Laden in Tora Bora

http://www.newsweek.com/id/166553

More Delays in Nuclear Detection at Borders

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6155832&page=1