I like the idea of algae farms being used to grow biofuels. They can take up minimal space (vertical tanks) and require a relatively small amount of energy input if done right (hell, they can feed on sewage). I see this as a somewhat inefficient, but worthwhile due to some side-benefits, system for creating supplemental fuels.
But to take up crop space, and grow corn or soy specifically in order to burn it in your car? No, that's insane. Even if we ignore the issues with monoculture, soil degradation, compaction, fertilizer runoff, and energy consumption, it's still just a lousy source of energy with almost no side-benefits.
*Some* of the other potential crops can be grown on marginal land not useful for growing much food, such as elephant grass etc., but, really, we need to stop burning things for energy. It's time to really push for alternative means of consumption as well as production.
Why do we call these guys "Patent Trolls" but nobody uses the term "Copyright Trolls" for abusing copyright as a form of censorship or to stifle legal competition?
As a liberal, I consider Dianne Feinstein to be the strongest case for conservative politics out there. She is a disgrace to the United States of America and brings down her party with her unethical antics.
"It's kind of like being hit on the head with a 2x4 about once every few minutes. After a while, you kinda start to *like* it!" - Michael Garibauldi (Babylon 5)
Peace of mind comes from knowing the billions and billions we've spent, and continue to spend, on surveillance has successfully thwarted a cab driver from disobeying the law. If you live in a big city, you know how difficult this can be.
"The whole principle is wrong; it's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't eat steak." - Robert Heinlein - The Man Who Sold the Moon
I'm hoping someone can answer this, because I truly do not know. How did we get this far without putting anything in our system to hold people in government responsible for violating the constitution? How is it that there is no penalty of any kind?
Hah. Seriously, would anyone believe them if they said yes? I certainly wouldn't. I'd come to the border with an encrypted hard-drive filled with 50 gigs of Photoshopped porn featuring the faces of Eric Holder and James Clapper and refuse to give them my password. Let 'em spend the time to decrypt that sucker.
Right because if there's any organization that can be counted on to protect human rights it's one with China, Russia, and the USA with permanent veto powers.
You can't be forced to give up your password to your phone (except, of course, when you can), but you have no protections over your fingerprints, so they could just replicate your fingerprint and open your phone's documents without your approval.
This is my favorite Techdirt post from the day I first joined. It speaks to two things near and dear to my heart, and it does so very plainly but in a way that communicates volumes. I will be sending others here to read it.
The question I think fellows like Gen. Alexander and President Obama should be asked whenever they make a public appearance is this:
"What actions should the NSA be actively prevented from doing, and what would be the appropriate repercussions if its members are found to have done them?"
I'm wondering if the response will be like when President Bush the younger was asked what mistakes he had made and he couldn't think of any.
Or perhaps someone in the government didn't like the idea of an NSA-resistant email service and pulled some strings to illegally thwart legal commerce.
On the post: DailyDirt: Growing Biofuels For Sustainable Energy
But to take up crop space, and grow corn or soy specifically in order to burn it in your car? No, that's insane. Even if we ignore the issues with monoculture, soil degradation, compaction, fertilizer runoff, and energy consumption, it's still just a lousy source of energy with almost no side-benefits.
*Some* of the other potential crops can be grown on marginal land not useful for growing much food, such as elephant grass etc., but, really, we need to stop burning things for energy. It's time to really push for alternative means of consumption as well as production.
On the post: New Anti-Patent Trolling Bill Released
Question for the room....
On the post: People Happily Sign Petition Supporting The 'Orwellian Police State Based On Nazi Germany'
On the post: Dianne Feinstein's Bragging About NSA Surveillance Program May Finally Result In It Being Declared Unconstitutional
A low down dirty shame
On the post: Lawyer Who Gave President Bush Legal Cover For Warrantless Wiretapping Now Claims We'll Come To Love An Intrusive NSA
On the post: James Clapper Says 'Peace Of Mind' Trumps Effectiveness In Evaluating NSA Surveillance
Peace of mind
On the post: NSA's Massive Utah Datacenter Having Serious Electrical Problems: Has Already Had 10 Fiery Explosions
On the post: Every Time A State Tries To 'Protect The Children' Online, It Makes Things Worse
On the post: How A Telecom Helped The Government Spy On Me
Ok, serious question time.
On the post: Comcast's CEO: As Long As I Keep Saying Aereo Is Illegal, Sooner Or Later Someone Will Believe Me, Right?
On the post: Why Won't Eric Holder Guarantee First Amendment Rights For Journalists?
On the post: Sen. Dan Coats Uses His Five Minutes At Intelligence Committee Meeting To Rant About Media And 'Non-Trusting' Public
non-trusting public
On the post: New FBI Director Thinks President Obama's Surveillance Program Is Great
On the post: The Press Lumps Ed Snowden And Chelsea Manning In With Mass Murderers, Actual Spies
On the post: Brazilian President Blasts NSA Spying In Front Of World Leaders -- Including Obama -- At UN
On the post: The NSA Is Also Grabbing Millions Of Credit Card Records
On the post: Apple's Fingerprint ID And How It May Take Away Your 5th Amendment Right To Protect Your Data
Re: Confused
On the post: What The Continuous Flourishing Of New Cocktails Can Teach Us About Intellectual Property
From the depths of my heart, I thank you.
On the post: Profile Of NSA Boss General Keith Alexander Reveals: He Wants All The Data, And He Doesn't Care About The Law
I want this answered.
"What actions should the NSA be actively prevented from doing, and what would be the appropriate repercussions if its members are found to have done them?"
I'm wondering if the response will be like when President Bush the younger was asked what mistakes he had made and he couldn't think of any.
On the post: Insanity: PayPal Freezes Mailpile's Account, Demands Excessive Info To Get Access
Re: Powertrip much?
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