Well, it looks like there’s *some* sort of state of emergency in Pakistan, the constitution has been suspended, and a number of media outlets have been shut down. But reliable information beyond that has been hard to come by. If you’re interested in following these events, I suggest adding Geo.tv to your source list. Pakistan focused satellite channel, but based in Dubai (so beyond the reach of the gov’t).
Month: November 2007
Looks like Mitt Romney is actually doing something useful.  I’ve long worried that copyright law would be used to control and shape not just creative expression, but public debate. Fox is attempting to do just that, with its claims that none of the candidates can use footage from the GOP debate that it broadcast. Romney doesn’t like it, and is fighting that, arguing that fair use rights prevents Fox from exercising full control over the footage. What’s good for Romney also happens to be good for you and me. These debates, as sad as they might be, are smack in the center of the ongoing public political conversation that the Constitution protects. No one should be able to control the content of that public conversation by asserting a private copyright claim.
As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t think that iPods/headphones have any place in crowded athletic situations. Apparently the USA Track & Field Association agrees: it has announced a rule change for its sanctioned events – no more iPods/headphones. Intentionally blocking out the signals that someone is next to or behind you isn’t just a bad idea for yourself, but those around you. I’d like to think that common courtesy would keep people from creating these dangerous situations for others (nevermind themselves), but it looks like it won’t. Why not? Thoughtful people like this:
“To ban them outright is just stupid, and if they want to disqualify me, they can,†Jennifer Lamkins, a teacher from Long Beach Calif., said before running the Marine Corps Marathon. “If they are banning them because we can’t hear directions, does that mean they should ban deaf people, too?â€
Really. It’s that sort of person that requires implementation (and enforcement!) of a rule. Common courtesy is just too much to expect, it seems.