ACTA:_Procedure_in_the_European_Parliament and ACTA-is-not-dead
La Quadrature du Net is a fantastic site which "aims to alert on government projects that threaten civil liberties on the Internet and to make alternative proposals".
ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) is one of the most pertinent issues currently, posing as it does such a massive threat to civil liberties. An older post on that here.
The political memory section has names, contact details and the voting records of every MEP, by country and by committee. I might even write to some of them, in my naivety. Like Paul Murphy, a Socialist from Dublin. He's on the International Trade Committee (INTA), the main one working on ACTA.
Closer to home (as in, at home), the Copyright Review Committee (set up by Minister Richard Bruton) published a consultation paper in March. "Innovation" is the buzz-word here, how can we nurture it, foster it, encourage it, attract it and its innovative practitioners to Ireland. I'm chomping through the 182-page report - the Department (of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) are accepting submissions from the public, so I might as well.
I'll do a proper post on it once I'm finished.
Showing posts with label Outraaage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outraaage. Show all posts
May 16, 2012
Apr 24, 2012
Youtubery from Rimini
First video of twelve, from the Modern Monetary Theory summit, held in Rimini last February.
As Paolo Barnard explains - "It's an American school of economics[....] We are inviting these economists to Italy to explain to the Italian people how to defend themselves from the financial coup d'etat, how to allow Italy to regain monetary sovereignty, and how to use that monetary sovereignty for the benefit of the majority." Sounds relevant?
Fierce interesting stuff, and gives the lie to the claim that economics is just too complicated for ordinary people to understand.
As Paolo Barnard explains - "It's an American school of economics[....] We are inviting these economists to Italy to explain to the Italian people how to defend themselves from the financial coup d'etat, how to allow Italy to regain monetary sovereignty, and how to use that monetary sovereignty for the benefit of the majority." Sounds relevant?
Fierce interesting stuff, and gives the lie to the claim that economics is just too complicated for ordinary people to understand.
Jan 29, 2012
ACTA gway ourah tha!
Last Friday, the EU countries (with the exception of Germany,The Netherlands, Cyprus and Estonia), signed ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. In the same vein as SOPA and its hangers-on, ACTA is far more scary and far-reaching. Vague and open-ended (of course!), it provides a low threshold for criminal sanctions; 'to “acts” which are for direct commercial advantage but also for, also undefined, “economic advantage” or “aiding and abetting” (also undefined).' (http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number10.1/whats-wrong-with-ACTA - Part 2)
It puts the onus on ISPs (internet service providers) to police their customers' internet usage and offers bland assurances that it'll protect "fundamental principles such as freedom of expression, fair process, and privacy". Soooo, not fundamental rights, not a fair trial, not due process.
Ostensibly on grounds of public health, it goes beyond the digital realm as regards intellectual property. This has implications for generic drugs(drugs whose patent has expired, can be sold without a licence from the original company, much cheaper than brand-name drugs), and seeds.
Negotiations have been shrouded in secrecy since they started three years ago.
In fact, the EU rapporteur on ACTA quit in disgust on Thursday over the process by which the whole thing has been negotiated.
European Digital Rights have a good summary of ACTA on their site, five one-page documents on different aspects.
And then, what to do? La Quadrature du Net have some suggestions -
https://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/How_to_act_against_ACTA
It puts the onus on ISPs (internet service providers) to police their customers' internet usage and offers bland assurances that it'll protect "fundamental principles such as freedom of expression, fair process, and privacy". Soooo, not fundamental rights, not a fair trial, not due process.
Ostensibly on grounds of public health, it goes beyond the digital realm as regards intellectual property. This has implications for generic drugs(drugs whose patent has expired, can be sold without a licence from the original company, much cheaper than brand-name drugs), and seeds.
Negotiations have been shrouded in secrecy since they started three years ago.
In fact, the EU rapporteur on ACTA quit in disgust on Thursday over the process by which the whole thing has been negotiated.
European Digital Rights have a good summary of ACTA on their site, five one-page documents on different aspects.
And then, what to do? La Quadrature du Net have some suggestions -
https://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/How_to_act_against_ACTA
Jan 25, 2012
If you haven't already...
This is an online petition opposing what's been(or being) called SOPA Ireland, or "S.I. No. of 2011 European Communities (Copyright and Related Rights) Regulations 2011.”
Dear Minister Sherlock:
http://stopsopaireland.com/
Dear Minister Sherlock:
I call on you to abandon your proposed enactment of “S.I. No. of 2011 European Communities (Copyright and Related Rights) Regulations 2011.” This legislation subverts the democratic process, favours the special interests of corporations over the rights of individual citizens, will destroy the largest growth sector in the Irish economy, and will subject the citizens of Ireland to unwarranted and unintended censorship.
Here to sign:http://stopsopaireland.com/
Aug 9, 2011
Mar 1, 2011
The XX-Chromosome Question
A few weeks ago, Kathleen Lynch, Professor of Equality Studies Department in UCD, went onto Vincent Browne's night-time talk-show. In the course of the programme, she made some not-too-out-there comments about the lack of critical journalism in this country and the general conservative/right-wing slant in the media in Ireland, a slant that is so endemic and ingrained that it has become accepted as objective truth. She was subjected to a torrent of abuse on Twitter, some of it overtly sexist.
Transcript of the exchange on Vincent Browne, and the ensuing distastefulness.
She was interviewed on Mediabite last week, and part of the interview touched on the events of the week before.
Quite a long interview, but worth the read.
I got asked recently to take part in a gig organised by The Irish Feminist Network on the 8th of March. By the time I got back to them, the bill had been filled, but it still got me to thinking. A gig on International Women's Day, consisting of a solely female line-up - how do I feel about that? Eehhh, fine, no problem there. Sometimes a quota, or favourable discrimination, is needed to assist a minority group (especially if the minority includes 50% of the population). Will the sound engineer be a woman too?
The Women's Audio Mission are a San Francisco-based organisation that provide training, support, and general "you can do it!" for women and girls looking to work in production and recording. Hmm, I wonder about starting such a thing here. A few years in the future, but there's no harm in thinking about it now.
There is, of course, a wider issue here. As ever, eh. More chewing on this bone will follow.
Transcript of the exchange on Vincent Browne, and the ensuing distastefulness.
She was interviewed on Mediabite last week, and part of the interview touched on the events of the week before.
Quite a long interview, but worth the read.
I got asked recently to take part in a gig organised by The Irish Feminist Network on the 8th of March. By the time I got back to them, the bill had been filled, but it still got me to thinking. A gig on International Women's Day, consisting of a solely female line-up - how do I feel about that? Eehhh, fine, no problem there. Sometimes a quota, or favourable discrimination, is needed to assist a minority group (especially if the minority includes 50% of the population). Will the sound engineer be a woman too?
The Women's Audio Mission are a San Francisco-based organisation that provide training, support, and general "you can do it!" for women and girls looking to work in production and recording. Hmm, I wonder about starting such a thing here. A few years in the future, but there's no harm in thinking about it now.
There is, of course, a wider issue here. As ever, eh. More chewing on this bone will follow.
Jan 29, 2011
Pump Up The Jams
Read this! An antidote to all that on the telly and in the news. Some fine, thought-provoking writing to be read there.
Jan 27, 2011
What is Social Partnership?
A big fat euphemism.
A means by which gouty, be-combovered auld fellas in pinstriped suits can breeze in and out of the Dáil with impunity while a savage Finance Bill is being "debated", scuttling past a mere handful of (very polite) protesters for evening drinks in Buswell's. A means by which citizens and voters are completely disenfranchised and alienated by the political system, made feel that their actions mean nothing and their views mean less. To the point that, as a citizen, taking action or having a view is considered a complete waste of time.
"Sure what can we do? Sure aren't they all the same? Sure wouldn't we all do the same in that position? Now, let's stop thinking about this, indulge in some retail therapy, and spend our way outta this mess!!"
There are many things that cause me to seethe, but shamfakery freedomspeak has to be one of the worst. Adam Curtis describes it wonderfully in The Trap (watch it! It's blemmin great!!), but to sum it up - "be free to indulge all the you's that you can be, with Lenor fabric softener". As a freedom agnostic (I believe it might exist, but I don't know anyone who's ever experienced it. Chief Gaoler, of course, being that brain there up inside your own head), I take massive issue with this fragile, all-but-unattainable wonder being used to sell me a load of shit I don't want or need, be it fabric softener, a satellite TV subscription, a stupid-looking car, or a fizzy drink.
It's most insidious in financial institution advertising land, that grimmest of the grim. Because there is a frisson of....maybe...just maybe....when I'm in my sixties, lightly tanned, a jersey knotted around my shoulders...on my yacht...a bouncy golden retriever chasing a bright red ball... "More money," they whisper at you from behind the pot plants in the bank, "and more money again, and you'll be sooo freeeeee..."
He's a world away from Adam Curtis's indepth analysis and measured delivery, but Michael Moore is another one for this. Capitalism - A Love Story has a short sequence of "be all the free you's and me's that we all want to be free to be - together with Bank X" ads, followed by people being booted out of their homes, victims of the vagaries of a stock market they'd invested in of their own free will. The stock market, that sentient, surprisingly jittery being, presumably took a notion that it didn't want to finance the dreams of thousands of throwing a bright red ball for a bouncy labrador on a yacht (or, yknow, having a pension to retire on, or still living in the house they'd bought to grow old in. Whatever). It can be a bit moody sometimes, that stock market.
Which brings us back to the gouty auld fellas nipping across the road to Buswell's. "Sure won't you have that mortgage for the plasterboard house outside Athlone paid off in thirty years now? Things might be a bit tighter with the pay-cuts and all, but your kids will emigrate as soon as they can so there'll be less mouths to feed anyway." Gentlemen, another job done with aplomb!
Addendum: Big ups to Eadaoin for freedomspeak pointers!
A means by which gouty, be-combovered auld fellas in pinstriped suits can breeze in and out of the Dáil with impunity while a savage Finance Bill is being "debated", scuttling past a mere handful of (very polite) protesters for evening drinks in Buswell's. A means by which citizens and voters are completely disenfranchised and alienated by the political system, made feel that their actions mean nothing and their views mean less. To the point that, as a citizen, taking action or having a view is considered a complete waste of time.
"Sure what can we do? Sure aren't they all the same? Sure wouldn't we all do the same in that position? Now, let's stop thinking about this, indulge in some retail therapy, and spend our way outta this mess!!"
There are many things that cause me to seethe, but shamfakery freedomspeak has to be one of the worst. Adam Curtis describes it wonderfully in The Trap (watch it! It's blemmin great!!), but to sum it up - "be free to indulge all the you's that you can be, with Lenor fabric softener". As a freedom agnostic (I believe it might exist, but I don't know anyone who's ever experienced it. Chief Gaoler, of course, being that brain there up inside your own head), I take massive issue with this fragile, all-but-unattainable wonder being used to sell me a load of shit I don't want or need, be it fabric softener, a satellite TV subscription, a stupid-looking car, or a fizzy drink.
It's most insidious in financial institution advertising land, that grimmest of the grim. Because there is a frisson of....maybe...just maybe....when I'm in my sixties, lightly tanned, a jersey knotted around my shoulders...on my yacht...a bouncy golden retriever chasing a bright red ball... "More money," they whisper at you from behind the pot plants in the bank, "and more money again, and you'll be sooo freeeeee..."
He's a world away from Adam Curtis's indepth analysis and measured delivery, but Michael Moore is another one for this. Capitalism - A Love Story has a short sequence of "be all the free you's and me's that we all want to be free to be - together with Bank X" ads, followed by people being booted out of their homes, victims of the vagaries of a stock market they'd invested in of their own free will. The stock market, that sentient, surprisingly jittery being, presumably took a notion that it didn't want to finance the dreams of thousands of throwing a bright red ball for a bouncy labrador on a yacht (or, yknow, having a pension to retire on, or still living in the house they'd bought to grow old in. Whatever). It can be a bit moody sometimes, that stock market.
Which brings us back to the gouty auld fellas nipping across the road to Buswell's. "Sure won't you have that mortgage for the plasterboard house outside Athlone paid off in thirty years now? Things might be a bit tighter with the pay-cuts and all, but your kids will emigrate as soon as they can so there'll be less mouths to feed anyway." Gentlemen, another job done with aplomb!
Addendum: Big ups to Eadaoin for freedomspeak pointers!
Nov 3, 2010
Mildly Peeved
It's all about to kick off... Finally, the people who got the country in the mess it's in are going to be brought to book. For too long, the financial health of Ireland has been threatened by those sick and/or in hospital, by students, by school-children (especially those with special needs), not to mention people with families earning princely wages that have kept them in Sunday supplements and budget airfare for far too long. Apologies for the clunky rhetorical mallet...
Tomorrow (3rd of November) at 12.30 p.m., The National Student March takes place. I'd make an educated guess (hweh!) that the words on everyone's lips are, "Don't cut education, you bloody idiots, how the hell will anything ever change if you do???" It begins at the Ambassador Theatre at the top of O'Connell St in Dublin. The following day (4th of November), all day, outside the Department of Health and Children (Hawkins St, Dublin, behind the Screen Cinema), there's a protest against health spending cuts. Obviously the daddy of them all will take place on the 7th of December (B-B-B-Budget Day!!!); starts from the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin at 7 p.m.
Now, I'm no firebrand, and I'm no disgruntled Greek citizen, but now the time has come that I feel obliged to be present at these events. Sorry, by the way, for a Dublin-centric slant to this post, but eeehhh, that's where I live and that's where most of the limos do be driving and most of the vol-au-vents do be hurtling down ministerial gullets.
Tomorrow (3rd of November) at 12.30 p.m., The National Student March takes place. I'd make an educated guess (hweh!) that the words on everyone's lips are, "Don't cut education, you bloody idiots, how the hell will anything ever change if you do???" It begins at the Ambassador Theatre at the top of O'Connell St in Dublin. The following day (4th of November), all day, outside the Department of Health and Children (Hawkins St, Dublin, behind the Screen Cinema), there's a protest against health spending cuts. Obviously the daddy of them all will take place on the 7th of December (B-B-B-Budget Day!!!); starts from the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin at 7 p.m.
Now, I'm no firebrand, and I'm no disgruntled Greek citizen, but now the time has come that I feel obliged to be present at these events. Sorry, by the way, for a Dublin-centric slant to this post, but eeehhh, that's where I live and that's where most of the limos do be driving and most of the vol-au-vents do be hurtling down ministerial gullets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)