27 Jan 2012

MEP Marietje Schaake Explains How Europeans Can Stop ACTA


from the Techdirt don't-miss-it dept

As we've been discussing, there's been a lot of misinformation flying around concerning ACTA -- especially in the EU, where it has not yet been officially voted on. While we've tried to explain some of the problems with the agreement, there is still plenty of confusion over what to do about it. Thankfully, Marietje Schaake, a Member of the European Parliament (whose excellent work we've discussed before) has taken to Reddit to provide a lot more detail about the process itself, and what people can do to speak up. It's very useful info, especially for those in Europe (while also being a nice display of how politicians can use Reddit for good purposes). Basically, while ACTA has been signed by many members of the EU, it still needs to be ratified by the European Parliament. That's why there's still some time and why you should pay attention to what Schaake has to say. Here's a snippet:
So what can we do to stop ACTA?

If you are concerned about ACTA, you can convince the EP to vote against ACTA. In November 2010 we proposed an alternative resolution on ACTA, which intended to take away the main concerns. It was voted down by a very slight majority, please see here (the red section represents MEPs voting against our resolution). As you can see, the difference is only 16 votes, out of 736 (or 754 as it stands now). Another text was then voted in favour, which said the Commission should carry on its negotiations.

If you are concerned about ACTA, contact MEPs (from your country or political party), especially targeting the ones who are in the committees who will vote on ACTA in the coming months. You can find their email addresses on the EP website. Perhaps it won't have to come to a blackout!

A Dummies Guide To What Went Wrong In Europe


Some time ago, I posted the above submitted by CuttingEdgeNews. Here's another version from reszatonline for those who prefer literature to video that I just found on ZeroHedge:
The laws of economics for the drinker and banks*
* It’s time again to benefit from my very good friend and occasional co-author Tim Coldwell as a source of ideas and connections. He discovered the following little text for us which allows us to enhance our understanding of economic relations and policy processes, and of the rationale behind current financial regulation.
Helga is the proprietor of a bar...

TSA: THE GREATEST LIARS ON EARTH

A group that makes Pinocchio look honest. TSA officials are seemingly unable to the tell the truth.

'Free Syrian Army' claims Damascus suburb after fierce fighting

There's been a massive demonstration in a town just outside Damascus, that's fallen under the control of the opposition Free Syria Army. Some suburbs have seen nearly two dozen killed in the past two days, and buildings heavily-shelled. RT's Sara Firth has exclusive footage from the besieged town.

Davos Shocked To Hear That Poor People Exist


Tyler Durden's picture

Submitted by Finance Addict
Davos Shocked To Hear That Poor People Exist
Ok, I exaggerate. But that’s my cynical first impression after finding the following diagram in the briefing book for the gathering of the good and the great at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Click for a larger size.)

Pentagon's new budget: Rise of the machines

The Pentagon detailed the Defense Department cuts on Thursday that US President Barack Obama hinted at earlier in the month. While the agenda for the DoD isn’t full of surprises, it exemplifies a trend that the military has seen more and more as of late: droves of drones replacing real-life soldiers.
Under the Pentagon’s new budget plan, America’s war-time arsenal will see a drastic decrease in the number of servicemen, with the DoD instead spending money on robotic unmanned vehicles. Drone aircraft, drone submarines and drone helicopters will be added by the dozens while the US military eliminates around 100,000 positions.

Tortured Freedom: Libya's new rulers resort to old tactics

Several detainees in Libya have died in recent weeks as a result of torture, according to Amnesty International. The human rights group says the crimes were committed by the Libyan military and security forces. The accusations follow similar claims by a French medical aid agency. Thousands of Gaddafi loyalists remain behind bars, now suffering worse atrocities than those handed out under the late Colonel's regime. Source

Americans Oppose War: Government Does Not Care!

With harsh US rhetoric and tensions around Iran's nuclear program snowballing by the hour, American polls nonetheless show that most Americans think a war with Tehran would be a grave mistake. But do the leaders care?

Despite Iran's recent consent to return to negotiations over its atomic work, the Obama administration says war with Tehran is still on the table. Even harsher statements come from some of Washington's hawks like Newt Gingrich, who spoke of breaking the Iranian regime within a year. Source

Australia Day 2012 - riots, protests, cannibalism WTF?

26 January 2012: 'Amnesia Day'. WTF happened? People gathered in front of Old Parliament House to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The peaceful day was suddenly interrupted when someone announced that Tony Abbott was only meters away from the site. (It is important to know that, that very morning, Abbott had made a provocative statement to the press - expressing the opinion that the Embassy should be removed: a statement which, predictably, caused anger among the Embassy crowd). So, upon hearing that Abbott was nearby, a group of people rushed to confront the leader of the Opposition. Within minutes, the crowd had grown and surrounded the glass-walled restaurant, chanting/banging on the windows, disrupting the function (at which PM Julia Gillard also happened to be present). 10 minutes into this rather surreal scenario, Police and Security decided to launch the PM directly from the restaurant into her car - very nearly injuring her - and causing her to lose her shoe. (Commit the memory of that shoe to your minds, dear readers). This sudden event caused the crowd to lose control.

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder discusses the Fed and FOMC - Capital Account

Well, it is day 2 of Davos, and the eurozone crisis remains a main focus. George Soros was recently out with an editorial advocating for more Europe as the solution, while David Cameron, also in attendance at Davos, has been portrayed as a thorn in the side of eurocrats who want to use this crisis as an opportunity to make the dream of ever-closer union a full-fledged reality.