Another Strike Against Facebook

Like a lot of people, I have a Facebook Page. I don't post a lot of stuff there because of my deep distrust of the organization. I only use it to make contacts, direct people to my websites and show solidarity with other people on issues and so forth. I don't upload videos or photos unless I am willing to put them in the public domain.

Here is more disturbing news about Facebook from Mashable:

The Consumerist has noticed a seemingly slight but very important (and disturbing) change in Facebook’s terms of service, regarding user-generated content.

In short, all of the content you’ve ever uploaded on Facebook can be used, modified or even sublicensed by Facebook in every possible way - even if you quit the service.

The TOS says the following:

You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform or display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof.

It also used to contain another bit that is now missing.

You may remove your User Content from the Site at any time. If you choose to remove your User Content, the license granted above will automatically expire, however you acknowledge that the Company may retain archived copies of your User Content.

This is also reinforced by the “Termination” section:

The following sections will survive any termination of your use of the Facebook Service: Prohibited Conduct, User Content, Your Privacy Practices, Gift Credits, Ownership; Proprietary Rights, Licenses, Submissions, User Disputes; Complaints, Indemnity, General Disclaimers, Limitation on Liability, Termination and Changes to the Facebook Service, Arbitration, Governing Law; Venue and Jurisdiction and Other.

Sure, most users don’t really care (or think they don’t care) about all this, but the idea that you now cannot stop Facebook from using your content should you ever want to is frightening to say the least.

Read More

On the Speed Limit and Consequences

I have seen a number of cars around here that do this, and I admit to doing it myself if someone behind me is tailgating NASCAR-style. I just slow my speed to match the car beside me for as long as I can. 

Of course, I have an F-350 Super Duty Diesel, so there isn't much on the road that can push me out of the way. 

If the Highway Patrol would enforce the speed limit, idiots would not think that they had the right to blow through at their preferred speed.  

I witnessed an accident after a pickup blew past me in Maggie Valley in 2007, and here is the photo of the aftermath:

And a photo of the car they hit, severely injuring the woman inside. Luckily, I was there, and able to render First Aid and open her airway:

So, if you are one of those drivers, think before you react angrily to others on the road, and slow down. It might just save you some fuel, grief, and keep those around you safe.

Read More

Marijuana Testicular Cancer Link

I'm gonna file this story in the "Poetic Justice File"...

The study of 369 men, published in the journal Cancer, found being a regular marijuana user doubled the risk compared to those who never smoked it.

The results suggest that it may be linked to the most aggressive form of the cancer.

A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said that no previous studies had found a link between marijuana and the disease.

Dude, these scientists are just working for the man.  A Random Paul Pot Head --Campaign for Liberty Institute

Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in younger men, with approximately 2,000 new cases each year in the UK.

Incidence in Europe and North America is far higher than in some other parts of the world, and has been rising steadily for no apparent reason.

Known risk factors for the cancer include previous injuries to the testicles, a family history of the disease, or suffering from undescended testicles as a young child.

The study from scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle is the first to look specifically at marijuana use in relation to the disease.

They studied 369 men aged 18 to 44, who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer, and quizzed them about marijuana use.

Their replies were compared to those from almost 1,000 apparently healthy control subjects.

Even after adjusting the figures to take account of the other known risk factors, marijuana use remained a clear risk factor for testicular cancer.

Just being a marijuana smoker seemed to carry a 70% extra risk, while those who smoked it regularly, or had smoked from an early age, had twice the risk compared to those who had never smoked it.

Source: BBC

Read More

Obama Prefers Desert Rose to Hail to the Chief

Veteran CBS Radio White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports that President Obama is relaxing more than the dress code at the presidential mansion. Pomp is giving way to piano-bar pop:

"On Day One of his presidency, everywhere Mr. Obama went they played "Hail to the Chief" for him – but not since. In fact the U.S. Marine Band's duties at the White House over the last 10 days appear to have been dramatically downsized.

Instead of the usual contingent of trumpets, tubas and drums, a single piano player now provides musical interludes before and after the president's appearance.

And the tunes have little connection to the military marching music of John Phillips Souza [sic] that is the usual accompaniment to presidential appearances. These days the pianist's repertoire includes Cole Porter's "Night and Day" and Sting’s "Desert Rose."

"He's not a 'Pomp and Circumstance' kind of guy," says press secretary Robert Gibbs of the new president."

To many Americans, this excessive informality suggests a real distaste for "official" or "patriotic" music, not to mention the Marine band that plays it.

Source: Theodore's World

Good Grief! This guy has no respect for the office, the country or the traditions that made us a great nation.

To the people who voted for this guy...don't come crying to me when (and it will) all comes crashing down around your ears.

Read More

BARF ALERT! McCain may be Obama's secret weapon

I think I may get sick...

 

Obama also faces the reality of needing at least one Republican senator to join him to break filibusters. Many speculate that three moderate Republicans will provide the necessary Senate votes and the imprimatur of bipartisanship.

Still, Obama and the GOP moderates will not produce the kind of post-partisan harmony that Obama promised and the public now expects.

But I believe Obama has an ace in the hole among Senate Republicans. This unlikely ace can deliver not only the GOP moderates needed to break a filibuster, but also the stamp of bipartisanship: the 2008 GOP standard bearer, John McCain.

McCain was once the mainstream media darling, back when he joined Democrats on a host of issues. He prized his maverick moniker and used it to propel himself onto the national scene in the 2000 Republican presidential primary. Early in the Bush years, he shored up his status as the media's favorite Republican by opposing Bush on taxes and the environment.

But this love fest came to a halt when McCain became the front-runner for the GOP nomination. First he began to sound more like a conservative by altering his stands on immigration, the environment and taxes. Then he named Sarah Palin his running mate. It was too much for a media that had fallen head over heels for Obama. The media had a new darling.

In McCain's mind, however, losing the presidency will not be the final chapter of his life story. He knows the path to "Big Media" redemption. Working with the man who vanquished him in November will show them all the real McCain again.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Hat Tip: Matt Drudge

I had better not comment on this story, except to say that I blame the Republican Parties in the early primary states for giving us John McCain as our nominee by holding open primaries where people who are not registered Republicans get to choose the nominee of the Republican Party. 

This has got to stop, or why have a party and a platform that is distinct from any other?

Read More

Here Come the Replicators!!!

Oh. Dear.




Is it too late to stop this madness before they take over?

Source: Oobject
Hat Tip: @bencrowder

Read More

A Report From The First Anniversary of President Obama's Election as President

As we approach the first anniversary of the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, I find myself looking back at the last ten months. It's been a historic time, as we are reminded on an almost daily basis -- and, occasionally, as historically good as the media and the Democrats tell us.

Yes, I know it would be more fair and traditional to wait until the end of the year, or the anniversary of President Obama's inauguration, to sum things up, but I want to get a jump on things. And by things, I mean "all the other pundits."

On domestic matters, it should have come as no great surprise that President Obama would largely cede control of the agenda to Congress. His entire career up to the presidency was based on the "go along to get along" principle with his party leadership; at no point did he ever challenge the powers that be in the Illinois legislature or in the Senate. If he couldn't find it in himself to back them, he arranged to vote "present" or miss the vote entirely. Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi, secure in their electoral gains, made it abundantly clear after the election that they would be pushing their own plans forward at the earliest opportunity -- and President Obama, apparently not wanting to start a fight within his own party so soon after his victory, didn't contradict them.

And it's not been pretty.

Source: Wizbang

AAIIIEEEE!!!! Noooo000000OOOOOOOO0000000ooooooo!

Read More