Friday 4-30

Hello All: I will be returning to class on Friday 4-30.

Goldman Political Contributions

Here is the news article I was referring to in our discussion in class yesterday about whether or not corporations should contribute to political campaigns:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-04-20-goldman-sachs-donations_N.htm

To me it certainly seems like there is a strong correlation between the amount of money Goldman Sachs has contributed- especially to people in Finance overseeing positions and the fact that the specific case the SEC is bringing up against Goldman Sachs is not necessarily an easy case to win. The SEC could have gone a different route and gotten them in trouble for unethical behavior but instead they have chosen to sue them for something which leaves them room to potentially escape unscathed. What is the motivation of the SEC for doing this? In my opinion: $$$.

Freedom of Speech (South Park/Muslim Controversy)

The radical Islamic Web site Revolutionmuslim.com is going after the creators of the TV cartoon series "South Park" after an episode last week included an image of the Prophet Mohammed in disguise.

Revolutionmuslim.com, based in New York, was the subject of a CNN investigation last year for its radical rhetoric supporting “jihad” against the West and praising al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Its organizers insist they act within the law and seek to protect Islam.

On Sunday, Revolutionmuslim.com posted an entry that included a warning to South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone that they risk violent retribution– after the 200th episode last week included a satirical discussion about whether an image of the prophet could be shown. In the end, he is portrayed disguised in a bear suit.

The posting on Revolutionmuslim.com says: “We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show. This is not a threat, but a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them.”

Theo van Gogh was a Dutch filmmaker who was murdered by an Islamic extremist in 2004 after making a short documentary on violence against women in some Islamic societies. The posting on Revolutionmuslim.com features a graphic photograph of Van Gogh with his throat cut and a dagger in his chest.

The entry on Revolutionmuslim.com goes on to advise readers:

“You can contact them [the makers of South Park], or pay Comedy Central or their own company a visit at these addresses …” before listing Comedy Central’s New York address, and the Los Angeles, California, address of Parker and Sloane’s production company.

Contacted by CNN, the author of the post, Abu Talhah al Amrikee, said that providing the addresses was not intended as a threat to the creators of South Park but to give people the opportunity to protest.

Over still photographs of Parker, Stone, van Gogh and others, the Web site runs audio of a sermon by the radical U.S.-born preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, who is now in hiding in Yemen. The sermon, recorded some time ago, talks about assassinating those who have “defamed” the Prophet Mohammed – citing one religious authority as saying “Harming Allah and his messenger is a reason to encourage Muslims to kill whoever does that.” U.S. officials say al-Awlaki is on a list of al Qaeda leaders targeted for capture or assassination.

The clip ends with a warning on a graphic directed at Parker and Stone, saying “The Dust Will Never Settle Down.”

Al Amrikee said the purpose of including the al-Awlaki sermon in his posting was to remind Muslims that insulting the prophet is a severe offense for which the punishment in Islam is death. He said RevolutionMuslim may hold protests about the show.

Calls to Comedy Central were not returned.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/19/security-brief-radical-islamic-web-site-takes-on-south-park/

Internet

After watching this video, I thought it was somewhat dumb that she is complaining about not having the internet in her community. However, after actually thinking about what is going on in the world and the necessity for technology it got me to thinking that her arguments are pretty fair. As we get farther into the 21st century technology becomes more of a necessity and part of everyday life. With out it, many things in your everyday life like your job, communicating with other and entertainment is in jerpody. The need for the internet is crucial and makes sense of her plead to help bring it to her community. With dial up as we remember is very slow and now a days we complain when the internet takes more than 10 seconds. So after viewing this video I feel that having the internet in your community is assential and her arguments make sense.

At first I thought the video was a joke.... but the more I thought about it the more I realized how important broadband internet is. We take it for granted and even get upset if USD internet is running "slow" but do you remember dial up?

She had some valid points and I think something needs to be done, but I do not think every person has the right to free broadband....

Justice Alito - State of the Union Address

CHHS Interview Citizens United