An interesting speech:
So, when can we leave the UN?!?!?
That whole organization is corrupt to the core…
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The Dr. Dawg saga continues…
June 15, 2012 — xanthippaLast year, I reported on the courtroom proceedings in the defamation lawsuit John Baglow (aka Dr. Dawg) had brought against Connie and Mark Fournier: part 1 and part 2.
The judge in that hearing dismissed it in a summary judgment for the Fourniers. (In his ruling, it seemed clear to me that the judge did not think Mr. Baglow had handled things well…)
John Baglow appealed.
Now, a panel of 3 judges has ruled that Dr. Dawg will have his day in court:
‘Questions about what constitutes defamation in the caustic world of blogging have not been addressed by Canadian courts “in any significant way,” Blair noted. It means, he said, that a full-blown trial is needed to explore key questions…
‘
In other words, the case may indeed be vexatious, but the judges want to make new laws to govern the internet – and plan to do it on the Fourniers’ dime!
Ayayayayay!
When I know the details of when/where the case will be heard by the court, I’ll update this post.
UPDATE: While there is still no word of the court date/time, I have received a comment on this from Connie Fournier:
‘This case will be going to a full-blown trial now and there will be expert witnesses and a full examination of the role of defamation law in the blogosphere. This is of critical importance to any Canadian who operates a website where visitors are allowed to post comments. If the law stands as it is, anyone who operates such a site should have $50,000 in the bank so that they can defend themselves when Spockluver sues CaptKirkFan for defaming his online persona.’
Good news/bad news in the field of electronic communication
June 14, 2012 — xanthippaThe bad new is – predictably – coming from legislators. This time, in the UK.
They are introducing a bill which would force all internet service providers (ISPs) to monitor, log and store all electronic communication. But more than just that: they would also collect data about the physical electronic equipment used in the communication, who is communicating with whom and a long list of other intrusive measures. And, yes – physical communication would be similarly monitored, copying addresses from envelopes and packages and keeping the info for the government’s reference…
But, don’t worry! Home Office Secretary Theresa May said:
“Unless you are a criminal, then you’ve nothing to worry about from this new law.”
Ooooooh, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy…
OK, so the governments all over the world are using the fact that we are all distracted by the looming economic crisis (created by their corruption) to impose ever more intrusive surveillance on us.
And we should not worry, unless we are criminals!
Until, that is, the government decides that holding the views we hold makes us criminals…
Well, before we all get too depressed, let me get to the good news – predictably, from the world of science and technology.
While quantum cryptography has not quite delivered the desired level of security through encrypted communication that many of us had hoped it would, it seems that emerging technology based on the good old second law of thermodynamics just might give us a glimmer of hope!
‘Once again the secrecy is guaranteed by the laws of physics but instead of quantum mechanics, Kish and co say the second law of thermodynamics provides the necessary underwriting. That’s the same law that prohibits perpetual motion machines powered by heat from the environment.’
The goal of achieving securely encrypted communication is always to make sure the two parties communicating can decrypt the signal but anyone intercepting the message would lack the tools to decode it. This newly announced method sounds great and secure.
Let’s hope it becomes generally used by ‘everyone’ before surveillance laws leave us frightened and silenced!
UKIP Nigel Farage on Spanish Bailout- The genius of Mutual indebtedness – June 2012
June 14, 2012 — xanthippa
Sure, I like the cheaper gas – but the reason for the price drop is, at best, troubling…
Xanthippa's Chamberpot 