Category Archives: political

Funny article “Open Thread: There’s No Such Thing As Free Content”

Posted on January 23, 2010 by patrick

Hah, funny article. It’s the usual rant that “someone” has to pay for the content. Someone, somewhere ends up putting out money for everything you do online, every piece of news you read, every Web app you use. It takes … Continue reading →

Posted in entertainment, political | Leave a comment

Pride before the fall?

Posted on January 10, 2010 by patrick

Mark Z. (facebook) says everything should be public. Mark Z. does not know about Rebecca Schaeffer. Before she was murdered by a stalker, “no one” cared about the privacy issues around California selling driver license information to anyone. Before identity … Continue reading →

Posted in political | 1 Comment

Diverging Diamonds: A great pedestrian idea!

Posted on December 6, 2009 by patrick

NPR has an article up about Diverging Diamonds. While the Missouri Department of transportation talks about how this is great for vehicles, it is also great for pedestrians: all crossings can be signalled for long crossing times because pedestrians are … Continue reading →

Posted in political, transportation | 1 Comment

Tell Jerry McNerney why we need health care reform

Posted on August 21, 2009 by patrick

Help make the case for health care reform! Tell Jerry McNerney D-CA11 your story. This is mine: I am an entrepreneur starting my own company in Silicon Valley. I am reliant on expensive COBRA coverage for my own health care … Continue reading →

Posted in political, social commentary, starting a company | Leave a comment

Self-sacrifice does not always come from a bullet

Posted on June 26, 2009 by patrick

From an email: On Tuesday at 8 a.m., I will stand trial for speaking three truthful words: “I am gay.” On Tuesday, I will face a panel of colonels who will decide whether or not to fire me — to … Continue reading →

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Open Message to the anti-tax crowd: move

Posted on June 17, 2009 by patrick

Amazon’s definition of “unconstitutional” : “We don’t like it” I love all these people who whine about taxes. Don’t like taxes? Move to Somalia. No functioning government since Bush the First – a libertarian paradise. The anti-tax people complain about … Continue reading →

Posted in political, rants | 5 Comments

Stations do NOT affect train speed

Posted on June 15, 2009 by patrick

Bullshit from an email thread and repeated constantly by the California High-Speed Rail Authority: “Other potential benefits are also intriguing: a probable economic windfall for several cities along the route . . .” and “There will be as many as … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, high-speed-rail, political, random silliness, rants, transportation | 2 Comments

Stop the privatization of social safety net!

Posted on May 27, 2009 by patrick

Can we stop the bleeding heart liberal who sees the symptom but the wrong solution? Problem: In the Great Depression unemployment in the U.S. peaked at 24.9% in 1933. Imperial County today has an unemployment rate of 26.9% closely followed … Continue reading →

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New media same as the old when it comes to getting facts wrong

Posted on March 27, 2009 by patrick

Once again “new” media reporters on blogs has proven no better at getting facts right than “old” media reporters. Mike Arrington over at TechCrunch gets a cheap laugh at a proposal to “ban black cars” by the California Air Resources … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, political, random silliness, rants | Leave a comment

Cry me a river

Posted on March 26, 2009 by patrick

[Crossposted from my comments over on Fred Wilson's blog] Sorry Fred — “Financial McCarthyism” ? McCarthyism was tarring the innocent with innuendo to ruin the accused lives. What is happening now is anything but. AIG, Merrill Lynch, Bank Of America, … Continue reading →

Posted in political, rants | Leave a comment