Tuesday Open Thread [7.23.13]
Michael Mann is one of the most famous and most referenced scientists on Climate Change. He is the creator of the famous Hockey Stick graph, a graph that the writers at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the National Review used to specifically denigrate by accusing Penn State (at the time wrapped up in the child-abuse coverup business) of covering up research fraud by Dr. Mann. Mann filed a defamation lawsuit against them both and:
Both National Review and the CEI attempted to have the case thrown out. They argued that it met the SLAPP definition of an attempt to silence critics and that Mann’s case fell far short of the standards of defamation of a public figure. Now, a judge has denied both of these attempts, allowing the defamation trial to move forward.
HaHA! Maybe these guys start getting the idea that they can’t just say anything about anyone with impunity.
Britain’s PM is trying to take on the online porn industry by having everyone with a connection to the internet say if they want access to pornography via that connection.
A joint British and American “task force” will be created to tackle obscene websites, while Google and other search engine providers will be required to draw up a “blacklist” of the most depraved and illegal search terms, the Prime Minister will announce.
The initiatives will also include new measures to stop children accidentally stumbling across explicit but legal pornographic images in public places, according to well-placed sources. The six biggest companies providing access to wireless internet in cafés and railway stations have all signed a deal to block legal pornography where children could view it. The roll-out of “family friendly Wi-Fi” is expected to begin from the end of August.
I guess this is OK, but this seems like more theater than anything else. Especially since all of this is supposed to be in response to the availability of child porn. No doubt that child porn should be removed from the planet — but before they do that, let’s get rid of the child pornographers. In any event, my understanding is that the worst of this stuff exists in places Google and other search engines can’t see, so I have no idea how well this will work.
Did you know that there is a remake of COSMOS in process? This time starring Professional Badass Astronomer Neil DeGrasse Tyson — a peak at the trailer:
I LOVED the original Cosmos with Carl Sagan and made a point to try to be in front of a TV to watch it every time it was broadcast. I have high hopes for this one!
What interests you today?
The Simpsons episode where Bart launched a successful website, and was told “You rank #5 in non-porn sites. If you include porn sites, you’re ranked 3,482,954,387th.”
I’ve gotten two right-wing robo-calls today — the first from Newt Gingrich and the second from Ann Coulter. I stayed on long enough to hear AC lead with, “Did you know 53% of college graduates are un-” (She might have said “recent”)
I can’t bring myself to listen to the whole thing — anyone know what this campaign is all about, or does this go on all year round?
How our number got on that list is another mystery.
I haven’t gotten a wingnut robo call in a long time. I think your experience underscores the fact that wing nut welfare system is highly evolved and flush with cash.
Sometimes I wonder if your name and number gets on these lists because some friend or neighbor had highlighted you as a “fellow traveler”. The last poll call I got was from someone taking a survey on religion. The first question asked what church you were affiliated with — when I told him NONE, he said kthanxbye and hung up.
There are a number of robo-caller entities that I have found to be located in Florida, Michigan, California and in Georgetown, Del. Most are privately owned telephone companies calling into the lines of the nationally known providers.
The area codes for the nation are published. The exchange codes for an area are available on the net. The robo starts with area code, adds local exchange and dials numbers in order from -0001 to -9999. If you pick up, they know that they have a live one for calling again. They don’t need your number. The computer works cheap. I got the Gingrich call too. To bad it was a recording so I wasn’t able to tell him what I thought of “Christian” adulterers living in what they consider an abomination.
Have fun, Just type in the calling number into Google and see what comes up from others who have received such calls.