Although at the beginning of the race, many saw Hillary as the "inevitable nominee" for the Democrats, it seems as if this may not be the case. It seems that, not only did Obama win the votes of his previous supporters (specifically African Americans), but he also won a significant amount of women as well. Even among white voters, where Obama has struggled to keep up with Clinton, Obama nearly beat Clinton to a draw. Just recently, in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., Obama was able to win by wide margins. This push brought him to the head of the Democratic race as Clinton must now struggle to catch up. If people use this string of victories for Obama, it may end up with a bandwagon effect, possibly leading to a clear winner of the Democratic primary. However, if Obama and Clinton stay as close as they currently are (1223 Obama to 1198 Clinton), they may end up with no decisive winner.
Obama sweeps Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Return of Television!
After the 100-day walkout, Hollywood writers finally voted to lift their strike and return to work. They are currently going on a tentative contract that gives the writers $1,200 for the deal's first two years, then 2% of the gross income afterwards. The strike cost Los Angeles county more than $3 billion of lost revenue, compared to the last strike in 1988, which cost $500 million in wages. Although the writers haven't technically voted to agree on the contract, they are starting work once again, meaning that new episodes will hopefully be airing soon. Some shows will be able to get a few new episodes out for the end of the spring season, but others (unfortunately, including Heroes), will opt to wait until the fall in order to have a full season.
Personally, I think this is a great outcome. Besides enjoying new episodes of my favorite TV series (Heroes, Lost, etc.), the writers will now be paid for all of their work.
The fact that an entire industry came to a standstill for three months truly shows the large effect of digital distribution. All sorts of media are beginning to become digitally distributed, and in general, it's becoming a larger and larger issue. The obvious pros are the ease of obtaining media and the lack of a need for giant, cabinet filling cases. On the other hand, digital distribution brings up the issue of piracy. With movies, music, and games all already in an easily accessed digital format, it becomes even easier for anyone to distribute it illegally from their own computer. In turn, the distributors must add various copy-protection software which can, and sometimes will, harm computers (see: StarForce). In any case, hopefully a solution will soon be found.
The article on the writer's strike.
Personally, I think this is a great outcome. Besides enjoying new episodes of my favorite TV series (Heroes, Lost, etc.), the writers will now be paid for all of their work.
The fact that an entire industry came to a standstill for three months truly shows the large effect of digital distribution. All sorts of media are beginning to become digitally distributed, and in general, it's becoming a larger and larger issue. The obvious pros are the ease of obtaining media and the lack of a need for giant, cabinet filling cases. On the other hand, digital distribution brings up the issue of piracy. With movies, music, and games all already in an easily accessed digital format, it becomes even easier for anyone to distribute it illegally from their own computer. In turn, the distributors must add various copy-protection software which can, and sometimes will, harm computers (see: StarForce). In any case, hopefully a solution will soon be found.
The article on the writer's strike.
Obesity
State Rep. John Read (repub.), one of the bill's three authors, says he wasn't trying to offend anybody. "I was trying to shed a little light on the No. 1 problem in
Steve Holland, the Democratic chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, saidhe will "pocket veto" the bill. "It's dead on arrival at my desk."
Although he appreciates the "efforts of my fellow House members to help curb the obesity problem in
About one-third of Americans are obese (30 or more pounds over a healthy weight), and 66% are overweight or obese. Even so, obesity experts are outraged by the bill.
"And what about civil rights? It's totally unenforceable, and you'd be alienating people. Most people who are obese don't want to be that way."
J. Justin Wilson of the Center for Consumer Freedom, a group financed by the restaurant and food industry, said in a statement: "This is the latest example of food cops run amok. Are waiters supposed to carry scales around the restaurant and weigh every customer? Give me a break. What's next? Will waitresses soon be expected to make sure we eat all our veggies?"
Do you think this bill is ridiculous as well?
Do you believe that obesity can be considered a civil rights issue?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Network Neutrality
Network neutrality refers to a principle that is applied to residential broadband networks, and potentially to all networks. A broadband network free of restrictions on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, on the modes of communication allowed, that does not restrict content, sites, or platforms and where communication is not unreasonably degraded by other communication streams would be considered neutral by most observers.
When asked the question "Would you make it a priority in your first year of office to reinstate Net neutrality as the law of the land? And would you pledge to only appoint FCC commissioners that support open Internet principles like Net neutrality?" Barack Obama replied,
"The answer is yes. I am a strong supporter of Net neutrality."
Visit http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9806707-7.html for more information on Obama's views
"Supporters worry that if the government does not enact net neutrality legislation, free speech, innovation, and fair business practices will all be left in jeopardy.
Opponents of net neutrality legislation, including Senator John McCain, say that regulating Internet providers threatens not free speech or fairness, but free market principles."
And for other candidates views on Network Neutrality visit
<http://www.laptopmag.com/Features/Where-the-Presidential-Candidates-Stand-on-Technology-Issues.htm?Page=2>
As an network dependent generation what are your views on network neutrality?
When asked the question "Would you make it a priority in your first year of office to reinstate Net neutrality as the law of the land? And would you pledge to only appoint FCC commissioners that support open Internet principles like Net neutrality?" Barack Obama replied,
"The answer is yes. I am a strong supporter of Net neutrality."
Visit http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9806707-7.html for more information on Obama's views
"Supporters worry that if the government does not enact net neutrality legislation, free speech, innovation, and fair business practices will all be left in jeopardy.
Opponents of net neutrality legislation, including Senator John McCain, say that regulating Internet providers threatens not free speech or fairness, but free market principles."
And for other candidates views on Network Neutrality visit
<http://www.laptopmag.com/Features/Where-the-Presidential-Candidates-Stand-on-Technology-Issues.htm?Page=2>
As an network dependent generation what are your views on network neutrality?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
On superdelegates
Or, as they are officially known, "unpledged delgates" or PLEOs-Party Leaders and Elected Officials. Both parties have them, but for whatever reason, the term "superdelegate" has stuck only to the Democrats. You've probably read something about them in some kind of news source, but for those who haven't, they are delegates to each party's national convention who can vote for any candidate they wish regardless of the voting in their state (or any other state). McCain's large lead on the Republican side has made them a non-issue, but because Clinton and Obama are so close, there has been a lot of speculation that they could end up deciding the Democratic nomination. Also, superdelegates compose about 20% of the Dems' total and less than 10% of the Republican convention voters.
According to Democratic party rules, the following people are superdelegates:
The individuals recognized as members of the DNC (as set forth in Article Three, Sections 2 and 3 of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States); and,
The Democratic President and the Democratic Vice President of the United States, if applicable; and,
All Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives and all Democratic members of the United States Senate; and,
The Democratic Governor, if applicable; and,
All former Democratic Presidents, all former Democratic Vice Presidents, all former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee.
Superdelegates were created in the 80's in response to party leaders feeling a loss of control after the upswing in primaries; however, they never really worked out that way, as no recent candidate has won a nomination without winning most of the primaries. (Howard Dean was a superdelegate favorite...) Many say that if the superdelegates decide the nominee, it will be undemocratic and the party voters will be dissatisfied. Of course, the counterargument is that party leaders should have some say-it's their party, after all. As of now Clinton has a fairly good lead among superdelegates, but that could always change-there are no official pledges, and they can change their minds at any time. No matter what happens, the Democratic National Convention will probably end up as more than a four-day infomercial...
According to Democratic party rules, the following people are superdelegates:
The individuals recognized as members of the DNC (as set forth in Article Three, Sections 2 and 3 of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States); and,
The Democratic President and the Democratic Vice President of the United States, if applicable; and,
All Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives and all Democratic members of the United States Senate; and,
The Democratic Governor, if applicable; and,
All former Democratic Presidents, all former Democratic Vice Presidents, all former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee.
Superdelegates were created in the 80's in response to party leaders feeling a loss of control after the upswing in primaries; however, they never really worked out that way, as no recent candidate has won a nomination without winning most of the primaries. (Howard Dean was a superdelegate favorite...) Many say that if the superdelegates decide the nominee, it will be undemocratic and the party voters will be dissatisfied. Of course, the counterargument is that party leaders should have some say-it's their party, after all. As of now Clinton has a fairly good lead among superdelegates, but that could always change-there are no official pledges, and they can change their minds at any time. No matter what happens, the Democratic National Convention will probably end up as more than a four-day infomercial...
Friday, February 8, 2008
No more debates for Clinton?
After MSNBC anchor David Shuster made an inappropriate comment about Hillary Clinton "pimping" Chelsea Clinton out to celebrities by making her call them on her behalf, Hillary Clinton is considering never debating on MSNBC ever again. Clinton and Obama are scheduled for a debate February 26th before the Ohio Primary. Clinton's communications director, Howard Wolfson, believes that they will never debate on MSNBC ever again because Wolfson called Shuster's comments "beneath contempt."
Do you believe that this is a smart move for Clinton? It looks good for Hillary to back up her family and stand up for her daughter, but is missing out on debates that could potentially help her candidacy for president the right way to do it? What do you guys think?
Do you believe that this is a smart move for Clinton? It looks good for Hillary to back up her family and stand up for her daughter, but is missing out on debates that could potentially help her candidacy for president the right way to do it? What do you guys think?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Romney Drops out!
Republican candidate Mitt Romney dropped out of the race today. After Romney's disappointing show on Super Tuesday, Mitt Romney believed it was time to drop out of the race. He said that he believes if he were to stay in the race any longer, it would only help Clinton and Obama. For the full story go to: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/02/romney_considering_dropping_ou.html
Now that the "conservative's conservative" is out of the race, do you think this guarantees Senator McCain the republican nomination? Or do you think that any of the other candidates stand a chance?
Now that the "conservative's conservative" is out of the race, do you think this guarantees Senator McCain the republican nomination? Or do you think that any of the other candidates stand a chance?
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