Category Archives: politics

Letter to Tony Clement

Posted on 2010-11-18 by alan

Here’s what I wrote re Net Neutrality and Usage-Based Billing: The public internet has provided a wonderful stimulus to the economic and cultural life of our country and the entire world. But that stimulus depends on its equal accessibility to … Continue reading →

Posted in politics, web | Tagged net neutrality, usage-based billing | Leave a comment

What’s Wrong With Usage-Based Billing?

Posted on 2010-11-03 by alan

The folks at OpenMedia.ca are concerned about the recent CRTC ruling to allw Bell to apply usage-based-billing to independent ISPs. But I don’t se the problem. So long as everyone gets the same speed of sevice regardless of data type … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, web | Leave a comment

To CBC re banning of CC licensed material

Posted on 2010-10-09 by alan

Re : CBC Bans Use of Creative Commons Music on Podcasts.

Posted in arts and culture, canada, copyright | Leave a comment

Moore vs Lavallee on iPod “tax”

Posted on 2010-09-23 by alan

Howard Knopf reports on the exchange between James Moore and Carolyn Lavalleeon about inclusion of iPods in the Canadian media tax. The idea of a tax on ipods is no more “toxic” or “dumb” than the one that presently exists … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged ipod tax, media levy | Leave a comment

Dawkins on Ratzinger on Godlesness

Posted on 2010-09-22 by alan

If the pope [1] can blame Hitler [2] on godlessness and atheist extremism, then it is not surprising that the truly godless might have something to say in response: the full text; the video.

Posted in politics, religion | Tagged dawkins ratzinger pope | Leave a comment

More Music Industry Copyright Madness

Posted on 2010-09-15 by alan

From Michael Geist – Cdn Music Industry Assoc Chair: Format Shifting, User Generated Content Keep Piracy Sites Going. According to J.P. Ellson, the Chair of the Canadian Council of Music Industry Association and board member of the industry’s Balanced Copyright … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged format shifting, user-generated content | 1 Comment

Save the Long Gun Registry

Posted on 2010-09-13 by alan

In Canada, there is a law requiring the registration of all firearms, with a period of amnesty having been provided for failure to register hunting rifles and other “long guns”. The amnesty period is due to expire in May, and … Continue reading →

Posted in canada | Tagged firearms, long gun registry | Leave a comment

CRTC consultation on Obligation to Serve

Posted on 2010-08-10 by alan

For what it’s worth, here is the main point I made in my submission today: with regard to the question about ensuring access for all Canadians, I said: CRTC should set national rate caps for broadband access via both telephone … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, web | Leave a comment

Collateral Murder

Posted on 2010-06-09 by alan

Arrest over leaked video of US gunship attack – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). The video really is shocking – especially since nothing I could see (except the camera) looked remotely like a weapon to me. But the former soldier … Continue reading →

Posted in photography, usa | Tagged Iraq, war | Leave a comment

Vaisakhi parade risky for MP Ujjal Dosanjh and MLA Dave Hayer: organizer

Posted on 2010-04-18 by alan

Vaisakhi parade risky for MP Ujjal Dosanjh and MLA Dave Hayer: organizer. I have often enjoyed the Vaisakhi parade, but the criteria for a parade permit are based largely on the possibility of ensuring public safety. I wouldn’t want to … Continue reading →

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LRB · Joseph Stiglitz · The Non-Existent Hand

Posted on 2010-04-18 by alan

LRB · Joseph Stiglitz · The Non-Existent Hand. One comment in particular rang a bell for me. Often the use of a mathematical model is considered as giving predictions greater credibility when all it really does is ensure that they … Continue reading →

Posted in economics, mathematics, politics | Tagged keynes, stiglitz | Leave a comment

iPod Levy Proposal Makes Sense

Posted on 2010-03-30 by alan

Michael Geist – Angus Defends iPod Levy Proposal. IF the “Canadian solution” of a media levy is valid (and I think it is), then there is no logical reason to distinguish in any way between different types of digital memory. … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright, technology | Leave a comment

Copyright Consultations

Posted on 2009-09-15 by alan

Well I have finally got around to putting in my views at 8:50pm in Vancouver – which is still 10 minutes before midnight in Ottawa so should be within the 48 hour extension that was announced on the Copyright Consultations … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged ccConsult-Canada | Leave a comment

Stephen Hawking . . .

Posted on 2009-08-15 by alan

. . . would have died long ago if he had lived in the UK – or so said an anti-medicare US “thinktank” (the Investors Business Daily) until Jay Bookman and others pointed out that . . . he does!

Posted in usa | Tagged medicare, usa | Leave a comment

Access Copyright Charging for Public Domain Material

Posted on 2009-07-28 by alan

If this is how those who give pious lectures about respecting the rights and “property” of their clients act with regard to the rights and property of the rest of us, is it any wonder that many people refuse to … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged hypocricy | Leave a comment

The NDP on copyright

Posted on 2009-07-28 by alan

Charlie Angus has an article in the Straight.com on copyright reform.

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged ndp | Leave a comment

The Return of Captain Copyright?

Posted on 2009-07-28 by alan

Michael Geist notes that the CIPO is Launching another campaign “Promoting Respect for IP Rights”. But, as I commented on his post, although respect for the Law is an essential foundation for a safe society, the best way to achieve … Continue reading →