Jim's Fields of Observation

SOPA and PIPA Are Dangerous!

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:16:11 -0500

I was saving my 100^th post for something special, but the urgency of this matter compels me to post now.

Thanks to the actions of some of the biggest sites yesterday you probably have heard of the bills currently under consideration in Congress (SOPA in the House of Representatives, PIPA in the Senate). Their goal is to stop—or at least curb—online piracy. This is a good thing, but the SOPA/PIPA solution couldn’t be more off-base—and dangerous.

Most of the rest of the content of this article comes from Chris Heald’s opinion article on Mashable. I urge you to read the whole article, but here are the main takeaways after the jump.

“Implementing censorship protocols and giving the keys to the government is a scary, scary thing, and SOPA should be opposed simply based on this provision alone.”
“Simply the act of not actively screening every piece of content [on your site] makes you a criminal under SOPA.”
Payment providers and ad networks “are required, upon receiving a claim against a site by a copyright holder…to cut off all services to the accused site within five days, unless they receive a counter-notification from the operator of the accused site. Note that there is no requirement that the accused be notified of said accusation, and thus, they would have no opportunity to provide a counter-notice….The only way to provide a counter-notice is to agree to submit to U.S. jurisdiction…if you are a foreigner (yikes), and to state under penalty of perjury that your product does not fit the definition of an ‘Internet site…dedicated to theft of U.S. property.’”
1. “…[I]t’s nearly impossible to not fit that definition. If you have a comment box, and you state that you aren’t guilty under that definition, you just committed perjury. Enjoy prison.”
“…[I]f you provide that counter-notification that you aren’t an infringing site, but if you can possibly be painted to fit the definition of an infringing site (and again, you will be), you are now liable for all of the attacking party’s attorney fees. By replying, you give them carte blanche to sue you with no cost to themselves.”
“SOPA expands “willful infringement” to include those who don’t understand the law, not just those who understand it and choose to ignore it.”

To summarize:

You don’t have to be a big, mean, nasty criminal — common Internet usage is effectively criminalized under this law.” (Emphasis added)

Under SOPA and PIPA I’m sure this blog post would be illegal since I’m quoting an author’s work, even though I’m giving full credit where credit is due. Take action now to help stop these disastrous bills from becoming law! Contact your Representative and your Senators today! (Locate your members of Congress in upper-right of both sites.)

I’ll leave you with some comments from Lance Ulanoff’s opinion article, also on Mashable.

“Yet the language in SOPA is so irrational that I can only assume that the authors and backers wanted nothing more than to fundamentally change the rules of the web: To shut down the open post fields, kill reposting (goodbye, Tumblr), end shared videos (sorry, YouTube), expand the definition of what it means to infringe (sorry, Twitter, no sharing links that aren’t yours).

“When you turn copyright infringement into a felony and say that anyone can accuse a website of providing “infringing” tools (and apply severe penalties whether or not you do something about it), you are essentially making it impossible for anyone to do anything online without fear of retribution.”

Take action today!

I hope you find this as hilarious as I did. (My wife and...

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:52:44 -0400

I hope you find this as hilarious as I did. (My wife and daughter didn’t think so.)

A Disappointing Road: A Book Review

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:33:00 -0400

A review of After the Hangover: The Conservatives Road to Recovery by R. Emmett Tyrrell

This review is part of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this independent and unbiased review.

Mr. Tyrrell explores the past, present, and future of American conservatism, but mostly the past. After an ambling report of the past full of inane anecdotes that, in my opinion, show more how well he knew some leading conservative figures than provide learnable moments, he provides a cursory, high-level view of his road to recovery for conservatives in the Obama years and beyond.

Frankly, it took me over a year to finish this book. The author repeats himself so much that one could skip the dense chapters 1 through 3 and not miss anything important; had I known that I could have finished the book more quickly. His summary of conservatism’s present is only occasionally interesting, but I liked how he explored the connection between many conservatives’ “Leave Me Alone” attitude and why their “political libido” (as he so often mentions) is so much lower than a modern liberal (as opposed to a classic liberal, a distinction he clarifies in the introduction). His circuitous call to conservatives to embrace and promote ideas and intellectualism can be somewhat inspiring.

Perhaps most disappointing is the way he missed the mark, in my opinion, of the book’s subtitle: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery. That coupled with some of the dust jacket text (e.g. “Conservatives looking for…hope for the future”) led me to believe Mr. Tyrrell would share a detailed plan of action for what conservatives ought to do next; instead the reader is tossed from the table of few scraps that are old-hat to anyone who has spent much time studying conservatives.

This book would be good for any rabid fan of conservatism—such that will gobble up anything any conservative author publishes—or anyone familiar with and appreciative of Mr. Tyrrell’s style. Otherwise read the introduction, then start skimming at chapter 4.

I love our Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden!

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:13:29 -0400

I love our Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden!

Tell me the best thing about your current job . . . and a description of what your dream job would be.

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:15:00 -0400

The best thing about my current job is helping make a difference. At Standard Publishing I make and improve websites that help spread the word about our products that our customers, in turn, use to help others grow closer to Christ.

When I was a young kid I wanted to be a Jedi. Or Superman. I’ll say one of those two is my dream job. :)

what is your favorite memory of/with/about your wonderful mom?

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:12:12 -0400

Probably the earliest memory I have of you…er, my mom :) is the time I needed help making a craft of Noah’s ark using paper plates. She bravely sacrificed herself for me by cutting her hand with the scissors (so badly she needed stitches) so I wouldn’t need to. What a sweet mom!

staff: Clark went on a harrowing bulldog walk last weekend that...

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:25:10 -0400

Showing us the way home

staff:

Clark went on a harrowing bulldog walk last weekend that lasted nearly 30 minutes and spanned fifteen blocks!

Some moments deserve more than one angle. That’s why we’re ecstatic to give Photosets a huge upgrade today, giving you new levels of control to tell your stories the way you want to.

1) Photoset photos now open in all their high-res glory on the Dashboard and on your blog.

2) You can now pick a layout for your photos to tell the right story.

3) Tumblr Themes can now make Photosets look and work any way you please with a host of new theme variables:
{block:Photoset}
    
    {PhotoCount}
    
    
    {PhotosetLayout}
    
    
    {JSPhotosetLayout}
    
    
    {block:Photos}
        {PhotoURL-500}
        
        {block:HighRes}
            {PhotoURL-HighRes}
        {/block:HighRes}
        
        {Caption}
        
        {block:Exif} ... {/block:Exif}
    {/block:Photos}
{/block:Photoset}
Enjoy!

Brotherly Affection

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 11:18:28 -0400

The title really should be “Brotherly (and Sisterly) Affection”.

In an increasingly uncaring world the people who invest themselves in your life are the ones that matter most.

I haven’t been to college in 10 years and yet I still have several professors who still know my name and will take the time for even a brief conversation when chance encounters occur. And I don’t think they realize how those tiny gestures mean the world to me. These are people I literally paid money to learn from and they interact with me and show they care.

This, my friends, is Christ’s body at work here on earth. People who shouldn’t care (I’ve been just one of hundreds, probably thousands of students from throughout their careers) do. “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, English Standard Version)

So thank you, Jon Weatherly, Tom Thatcher, Jay Kidwell, Evelyn Taylor, and the others who’ve so richly blessed my life life in college and since! Thank you very much!

I’d like to thank my wife for pointing out Boba...

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:55:00 -0400

I’d like to thank my wife for pointing out Boba Fett’s visor looks like a thong and forever ruining this character for me.

lydiaisamom:

I <3 Boba Fett!

assortedhearts:

“Day 55” - Assorted Hearts

randomyesusefulno: Did you hear a click? I REALLY hope this is...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:27:35 -0400

randomyesusefulno:

Did you hear a click?

I REALLY hope this is not staged!

Does this mean I won?!

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:23:26 -0400

Does this mean I won?!

McVities Chocolate Biscuit cake or Why it’s good to be the...

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:42:38 -0400

McVities Chocolate Biscuit cake or Why it’s good to be the [almost] king.

What do you think of my new Android avatar? Make your own with...

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:00:06 -0400

What do you think of my new Android avatar? Make your own with the great Androidify app!

"I hear, ‘A true friend is someone who accepts me as I am.’ This is dangerous garbage to believe. A..."

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:35:46 -0400

““I hear, ‘A true friend is someone who accepts me as I am.’ This is dangerous garbage to believe. A true friend is someone who accepts you as you are? The kid who works the drive-thru at your local fast-food restaurant accepts you as you are — because he doesn’t care anything about you. A true friend holds you to a higher standard — he or she expects you to do what you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it. A true friend makes you better by his or her presence.””

- Andy Andrews, Mastering the Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success (via lydiaisamom)

He Is Risen Indeed!

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:49:58 -0400

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Wishing you all the blessings of Resurrection Day!

“Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe. Lyrics

The Breastplate of Saint Patrick

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:16:00 -0400

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! And thanks to Wikipedia for saving me a lot of typing!

"The Simple Joy of Being Smart"

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:00:08 -0400

What do Mensa and McDonald’s have in common? Apparently smart people are integral to both.

According to the latest drivel for McDonald’s - their $1 breakfast menu, to be precise - enjoying a cheap breakfast makes you smart enough to handle “difficult” relationship issues and to do so through deception. Nice. And, of course, the man comes out especially needing to be reminded of how choosing McDonald’s make him smart, because (as we are so often told on TV) men are stupid.

Dear McDonald’s advertising people: a true, simple joy of being smart is seeing the lighted sack of manure you’re putting on our steps. Well, not a joy.

Updated Messiah and What We Should Do About It

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:00:08 -0400

In an effort to make Handel’s Messiah more accessible to a younger audience, Grant Woolard recorded this auto-tuned version of the seventh chorus: “And He shall purify the sons of Levi”.

I can appreciate his attempt to “freshen up” Messiah - and I do find some humor in this video - but I am disappointed at the overall message.

This is a great chorus that speaks to God’s promise to make us acceptable and capable of having a relationship with him; Mr. Woolard couldn’t care less, so he cleans his ear and plays paddle ball and does a number of other things.

The important take-away here, in my opinion, is not so much what he was thinking when he created this video. I believe the important objective is to ask ourselves, “Is there any of this attitude in my relationship with my Redeemer?” May it never be! As the song previous to this one asks, “Who may abide the day of His coming?…For He is like a refiner’s fire.”

Thanks to Michael Hyatt for posting this video.

This is sort of long (about 28 minutes), but very funny and...

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:52:54 -0400

This is sort of long (about 28 minutes), but very funny and prescient.

Why the Force is strong with this one

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:07:00 -0500

Why the Force is strong with this one