After listening to this cued up exchange, go back to the beginning and watch the whole presentation. #MustWatchETV
Um, wait. Ultimate irony, hypocrisy, or just some technical dumb-assery on my part? Very strange that the embed doesn’t appear to be working; even though the YouTube tools to create embed work as normal.
WTF? Cannot Display Embed Above?
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
Unfit for Purpose: Internets and Policies. More and more complex; more and more broken.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/eorSenUinME/692
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
Occupy Wall Street: Leaked Memo, Banks Plan Attack
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/EYHFNl4zW2k/598
- Tags:
- economics
- politics
- society
- Ethernet TV
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
We The People Have Found Our Voice – Don’t Be Afraid to Say Revolution #OccupyWallStreet #OccupySanDiego
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/XmsqH4_yrLM/540
Research for yourself! U.S. Basic Income Guarantee has a rich 50+ year history. We can #EndPoverty with a global Basic Income Earth Network. Follow @BasicIncome, for more information on sustainable solutions to entrenched economic injustice. All these worlds are yours.
- Tags:
- politics
- society
- Ethernet TV
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
Ready or not #OccupyWallStreet set to Occupy Public Attention
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/Qxweko7gTz4/538
And possibly, the movement could spark the turning point of our lifetimes. The only thing preventing a major cultural breakthrough is the meanspirited recalcitrance of a brutal default reality, living in demented denial of the abundance we’ve created. Today, we live today in the techno-utopia envisioned by America’s founders over two centuries ago. We did it. We have arrived. The question remains, as a species, can we adapt to our own ultimate emancipation?
- Tags:
- politics
- society
- Ethernet TV
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
2011 American Jobs Act (Whitehouse Slide-Enhanced Version)
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/0_RoRalDa1o/535
President Obama’s speech on jobs. Click on over to see the gist of GOP responses.
- Tags:
- politics
- society
- Ethernet TV
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
How to Fix The U.S. Budget Deficit: Turn off Cable News and Turn on Transparency TV
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/YCYQLgn2ddQ/527
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
March Madness: Market Edition
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/VYDD2f0jEaA/468
CNN can only turn a blind eye for so long. Thousands of New Yorkers protesting against budget cuts on the streets of the Big Apple. They marched to Wall Street demanding the government tax the rich instead of cutting social programs. Are we witnessing in Wisconsin and New York the beginings of a domestic democratic domino effect in sync with the one flipping the script across the middle east?
- Tags:
- politics
- society
- News
- Ethernet TV
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
The Great Compromise – by Carl Colglazier
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/4QTqNNop79g/444
C-SPAN StudentCam.org 2011 Grand Prize Winner
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
Net Neutrality: The Federal Government’s Role in Our Online Community – by Melissa Yu
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/awPRMlIsJPs/442
C-SPAN StudentCam.org 2011 First Prize – Middle School
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
After the Storm – by Matthew Wicks
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/QrnyCoxO2ZE/440
C-SPAN StudentCam.org 2011 First Prize – High School
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
Just Vote No to RepubliCorp Takeover
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/FUv-uwvaDgA/
Cute vlog from the future, but will it be effective? I guess we’ll find out on November 2.
- Tags:
- politics
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
OG Libertarianism, Penn Jillette Style
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/vHR_STkJK_Q/
“To be able to say you’re wrong and here are the reasons, is respect. To say you’re evil, is anti-human.” — Penn Jillette
This is not an endorsement of libertarianism, per se, but it is a damned good working description. Compare and contrast to other ideas and draw your own conclusions.
- Tags:
- politics
- society
- Philosophy
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
The Dangers of Saturday Night C-SPAN
Watched an old C-SPAN video from last year about the capitol grounds in Spring with Stephen Ayers, acting architect of the Capitol.
America is such a Rush Limbaugh, Rick Warren, Sarah Palin Style Christian Nation.
Not.- Tags:
- politics
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
A Visual History of the Supreme Court of the United States
Tufte-esque Timeplots! A Visual History of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Tags:
- politics
- graphics
- visualization
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
Matt Damon's Thoughts about Sarah Palin
Lest we forget for 2012, friends.
Damon: "It's absurd. It's totally absurd, and I don't understand why more people aren't talking about how absurd it is. It's a really terrifying possibility. The fact that we've gotten this far; we're that close to this being a reality ... is crazy. Crazy. I need to know if she really thinks dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago. I want to know that, I really do; because she's going to have the nuclear codes; or if she banned books, or tried to ban books. We can't have that."
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
Static Killed Healthcare
So there we have it. Static (music | lyrics) killed healthcare. We are left with nothing but A Gun Against Our Heads and NO OPTIONS.
Then, on Christmas Day 2009, something bad might have, could have, conceivably almost really nearly ... happened. Something that could have, if it had happened, harmed nearly 0.000001% as many people as bad shellfish kills in any given year. This dimwitted act by dimwits on the other side of the pond is now being served up as justification for the dimwits and thugs on our side to "protect us" from such very real possible potential threats with increased violence and militarism, directed primarily at our own domestic population.
Brilliant. If you want me, you can find me, in the outskirts, in the fringes ...
- Tags:
- politics
- healthcare
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
A Public Option Means Choice, Competition
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/zRtHynTZbUU/
Track Meet: Public Option means Competition Please take just a few minutes to call (202) 224-3121 and insist on a robust healthcare Public Option. Thank you.
- Tags:
- politics
- Ethernet TV
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
What is #SSSS and When do we Repeal the Patriot Act?
Happy 9/11!
Break out your #TinfoilHats and prepare to receive the Mark of the Beast as #ObamaCare Socialist Daemons rise up from the secret CIA sewer surveillance network to unplug the respirators of everyone over the age of 40 and shove Government Feeding Tubes down the throat of everyone else, in order to pump in the Government Takeover Socialist Government Socialist Soylent Green that will brainwash you into trading your guns for cases of Napa Valley Pinot Grigio! =Phew= take a breath, there, run-on boy! And remember that #healthcare was only a diversion by The Totally Socialist Socialists to complete George W. Bush's Illuminati Templar Socialist Scheme! The socialists are coming! The socialists are coming! Dick Cheney is their Puppet Master!
Oh, puh-lease ... you've been reading long enough to be an unofficial member of the officially unofficial #MadScientistClown Underground and to grok that snarky skewered satire by now, right? Thank you, I knew you had. ;-)
Now, on to the topic at hand.
* Rotten Tomatoes says: T-Meter 78% ... Community 85%
* IMDB says: 7.5 out of 10 stars
* WTF is it? It's The End of America ... maybe ... unless we sell enough units ... then ... maybe not so much
* If u have Netflix watch The End of America at http://tr.im/watcheoa (hint: message is bit of a mixed bag, wethinks; part #tinfoilhat adhesive, part "part of the problem," part priming the pump, part restatement of the obvious)
* Or, if you can wait until September 17 or 18, 2009, you can watch for $1.00 at http://endofamericamovie.com (maybe a bunch of us could watch together with the #SSSS hashtag, or better yet, for the sake of not spamming followers, in a TinyChat http://tinychat.com/endofamerica or something
* Or, if you can get it to work, supposedly watch free at SnagFilms (didn't work for me on the Mac & no time to troubleshoot right now)
* Learn about #SSSS with a bit less hyperbole at http://tr.im/sssswtf
* Explore Slate's Take on End of America Scenarios http://tr.im/eoascenarios
* Other links from the movie
** http://www.myamericaproject.com (apparently borked)
** http://www.americanfreedomcampaign.org
** History of an URL barely seen for fraction of a second in the movie http://tr.im/anarchistaction
** http://naomiwolf.org/
Another presentation about the movie, by Naomi Wolf:- Tags:
- All Posts
- social justice
- politics
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
Labeled Abusive for using Hyperbole to Draw Attention to Rampant Agism. Really?
http://michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us/packets/?p=999
Hey, Eric, I’m going to try to extend the benefit of the doubt, but on the other hand, it’s a challenge given this increasingly widespread phenomenon. This probably doesn’t apply to you, yet many seem to have not noticed that Agism is Illegal just like gender, race, and orientation discrimination; yet it is increasingly pervasive and in everyday situations perversely deemed acceptable. Like racism, gender bias, or gay discrimination, agism’s effects are most deeply insidious when cloaked in the guise of little everyday situations, decisions, policies, and priorities. The “mood” I chose for the comments below was something like “intentionally provocative” or “optimistically provocative” to make it 100% clear that I’m making a double point with the post: 1.) such features as the ones request here are all too often pushed to the bottom of the priority stack and 2.) all too often it’s because, “those old people aren’t our primary market anyway.” Anyone who has done software for more than 4 or 5 years knows these two things to be true, and if using irony and hyperbole to make the point is “abusive” then progressives of all persuasions only stand to lose ground. Why are the mood comments omitted, by the way? Isn’t that a fairly important Context Signal for readers? In fact, isn’t the very purpose of mood comments to provide Context? In this case — just like black people get to talk about black issues, women about women’s issues, immigrants about immigration issues, gays about marriage equality issues — as a 50 year “old person” I’m thinking I have every right to address agism issues; in fact, every OBLIGATION to do so in the “little everyday situations” where agism is most felt by victims of instituationalized, revoltingly Acceptable Agism. Perhaps I’m simply in the camp of compatriots like @jew4palestine where my only infraction here is questioning the status quo. Wouldn’t you agree? Please do let me know, I’m very curious about this one. Is this really “abusive language” even when tagged as “intentionally thought provoking?” My bet is that I’m only in trouble for exposing what far too many 20 to 40 year-olds actually do think, today. It wouldn’t matter except that those perceptions drive behavior — illegal behavior — every day. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see these same agist people try to play some convoluted “reverse agism” tactic to try to defend their own hypocritical insecurities. If the glove don’t fit, we surely must acquit; but if the shoe fits, you’re probably wearing it. In other words, if you know you’re definitely not prone to any of these improper views about older people in the workplace and in the world in general, gentle reader, then there’s absolutely no reason to get your dander up, right? On the other hand, if any reader feels defensive right about now, what would that seem to indicate? Oh, and have a nice day. I have to get back to doing my Old People Work, now; you know, the kind where anyone over 40 and white is too lazy to do manual labor, doesn’t even know what a blog is, let alone Twitter, Qik, or the like, right? Sorry, I’ll stay out of sight and out of mind like a good boy, next time. ——– Original Message ——– From: moderation@getsatisfaction.com Subject: Your reply on Get Satisfaction was removed To: michael@silverton This reply has been removed by Seesmic: what are YOU looking at, anyway, old man? don’t you realize that old people are not supposed to use technology? why should we bother with font sizes? who cares about you, anyway, you’re OLD. in fact, if you use the newest stuff, you’re kind of a CREEP and scary to all us real people. i suppose you’ll want cell phones helpful for 80 year olds next. where will your whining demands ever end? “wah, wah, wah, we want adjustable fonts like the Kindle.” what do you mean you are the fastest growing demographic? don’t try to weasel out of this with mere facts. you are old, you suck, you should shut up and not be seen in public; and yet, you have the audacity to apply for a job with us real people in our 20s and 30s? what? you think we weren’t born yesterday? ROTFLMAO!!! just for this request, we are decreasing the font by 2 points, permanently. good luck, losers. seriously, though; development for this rapidly growing demographic is grossly under funded and under energized. truly, there are important cultural biases about which all software developers should become mindful http://alloldpeoplesuck.blogspot.com/ . well, not all of them, only the ones who want to be positioned to best profit from this exploding demographic so you see, actually, usability for diverse populations is directly relevant to product development roadmaps. Replies can be removed by company employees if they contain inappropriate content or private customer information. This was the reason given in this case: Seesmic: “Abusive language.”
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
On Democracy & Technology
http://michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us/packets/?p=959
Updating this old favorite topic, perhaps the best way that I can be of service to our little global community is to echo Amy and David Goodman; specifically, by continuing to raise awareness to the fact that the so-called mainstream media has inexorably evolved into a patently polarized & palpably polarizing Extreme Media. There is almost nothing mainstream left of the Big 3 or Big 5 broadcast news networks; they’re crumbling under the weight of their own supererogatory influence; the mainstream is becoming the old stream and the infinite recursion and recycling what was once passed off as “news” is immediately obvious to anyone looking at the latest Google News headlines, feature five thousand five hundred and fifty three versions of the exact same AP story. This, how can I put it gently, is not simply unsustainable as a communication or business model, it’s utterly absurd and broken. In fortunate contrast, emergent new stream internet journalism sites like Democracy Now, LinkTV, AlterNet, CurrentTV, and others clearly represent a rising tide of Democracy-powered perspectives, driving Technology. We are not just witnessing a technology-enabled Renaissance of Democracy expressed by way of our new video-mediated telepresence canvas, we are becoming — each and every one of us who so choose — essential Participants in, and co-Architects of this online digital age of enlightenment. Hyperbolic? Perhaps. Yet, it’s nearly impossible to not acknowledge the rise of an increasingly well-educated, and web-educated, grass-roots Populism of the Pen; Digital Pen, that is, etching out an evolving and adaptive, increasingly collectively-written, edited, and performed New Americanist canon. A participatory canon consisting of individual videos, web sites, blogs, instant messaging, texting, and the rapidly expanding twitterized cognosphere. If I were pile on with the advent of the coming overlapping Whispernets, at this point, I may lose the small handful of readers who are still here, at this point. So we’ll save that for later. In this New Americanist context, the significance of the Obama administration’s embrace of revolutionarily democratizing technology like peer-to-peer video, can not be overstated. By electing this president, We The People have opened a literal – not virtual, for this is the Real Deal – National Kitchen Table open discussion space. Now this point is crucial: WE did this. Not “the government” … not some shadowy “them” … WE are, you and I, shaping the fate of our democracy using the innovative technologies of our own making. Whether or not we choose to participate in this evolution, and to what degree we participate, is of course an entirely different matter; a matter of individual liberty that should never be co-opted or coerced. The take-away here is that the Obama Administration’s mature and pragmatic use of Social Media has already permanently altered the trajectory of not just uppercase American Democracy, but lowercase global democracy. Arguably, so far, this has been accomplished in one the most positive, peaceful, and non-violent ways imaginable. Openness, Transparency, Communication, Inclusion, and Freedom of Expression are some of the key watchwords of any vibrant democracy and these are values that technology can help to either expand or contract. Naturally, the potential bifurcation of values at this juncture is also a topic better suited for another post. Before I wrap up this little dropped packet of consciousness, I do think it’s noteworthy to call out one generally contrasting threat to the nascent democracy and technology renaissance that I see presently underway. It is a perspective argued through what I personally consider to be the old-stream, fear mongering rhetoric of the last of the radical right wing elitist extremists. Generally, the arguments consist of grossly oversimplified, dumbed down specters; shadows of filigrees of historical clichés: Tea Parties, Torches, and Pitchforks, oh my! These non-arguments strike me as crass, even doltish and manipulative kindergarten nursery rhymes that are indeed most effective with the segment of the population most prone to believing in nursery rhymes and superstitious old wives tales. Frankly, I don’t care if this sounds academic or egg-headed to some, it is empirically observable human behavior and therefore pragmatically important for us to realize just how many humans are directly moved to political action by such silly fairy tales. The cost of ignoring what we might otherwise consider pure silliness is far too high; we’ve learned this the hard way during the past several radical right wing elitist administrations. Radical right wing elitism is an elitism of superstition and easy-meme nursery rhyme; either one “gets” the fairy tales, or they don’t; and this creates a very dangerous black and white world of right wing elitist hegemony that can only ever drive deeper wedges between peoples and cultures. So it is very important to repeat and repeat and repeat the message that today’s technology-mediated grass-roots populism has nothing to do with torches and pitchforks. People simply want and need what every vibrant democracy always wants and needs: a voice, an informed vote, accurate and meaningful representation through frank, vibrant, un-edited, authentic People-2-Power-2-People communication. To my mind, that’s the intrinsic nature of today’s democracy and technology partnership; and now it is ours to leverage for the good or squander for the bad. So call it a big, messy, noisy, and often perplexing Global Online Public Piazza, or the Universal Citizen Cognition Space, or the Totally Awesome Kickin’ InterwebZ, or the OMG-WTF-Net, or whatever you want to call it. To the extent that we Keep Connecting and Empowering More and More People with these tools, it is the greatest technological opportunity for democracy that the world has ever seen. The question is, what are we going to DO with it? What are YOU going to do with it? We’ve already seen and read thousands of tercentennial-leaning Declarations of Independents published all over the web during the course of these first few decades of beta-testing the web. Perhaps what I’m personally looking forward to most, is the opportunity that technology now affords me for participating in what develops next. I look forward to learning from, and interacting with the product of literally billions of individual and small group efforts now underway. I look forward to being included with and encouraged by the rapidly accelerating numbers of insanely intelligent and broadly informed online autodidacts; who are increasingly liberated from the obsolete exclusivity of polarizing old stream narratives; who are finally in possession of the tools, skills, and aptitudes to lead the world forward toward A More Perfect Union – a more cohesive and peaceful democratic global union – marked by genuinely, materially increasing experiences of authentic Liberty and Justice for All.
-
Posted to ethernettv.net
The Four Horsemen
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EthernetTV/~3/Igjtl7spL5c/
- Tags:
- politics
- Best Of
- Philosophy
- Religion
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
2009 Broadband Stimulus Program
http://michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us/packets/?p=926
Ubiquitous Massive Symmetric Bandwidth relevent sections of the stimulus package are excerpted for you at http://tr.im/MaybeThisTime
SOURCE DOCUMENT: HR 1 PP Short URL: http://tr.im/111CongHR1 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 10, 2009 TITLE II–COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
operations and administration
For an additional amount for `Operations and Administration’, $20,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.
Economic Development Administration
economic development assistance programs
For an additional amount for `Economic Development Assistance Programs’, $150,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That $50,000,000 shall be for economic adjustment assistance as authorized by section 209 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3149): Provided further, That in allocating the funds provided in the previous proviso, the Secretary of Commerce shall give priority consideration to areas of the Nation that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss due to corporate restructuring.
Bureau of the Census
periodic censuses and programs
For an additional amount for `Periodic Censuses and Programs’, $1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration broadband technology opportunities program
For an amount for
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program’, $7,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of the funds provided under this heading, $6,650,000,000 shall be expended pursuant to section 201 of this Act, of which: not less than $200,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for expanding public computer center capacity, including at community colleges and public libraries; not less than $250,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service; and $10,000,000 shall be transferred toDepartment of Commerce, Office of Inspector General’ for the purposes of audits and oversight of funds provided under this heading and such funds shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That 50 percent of the funds provided in the previous proviso shall be used to support projects in rural communities, which in part may be transferred to the Department of Agriculture for administration through the Rural Utilities Service if deemed necessary and appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and only if the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate are notified not less than 15 days in advance of the transfer of such funds: Provided further, That of the funds provided under this heading, up to $350,000,000 may be expended pursuant to Public Law 110-385 (47 U.S.C. 1301 note) and for the purposes of developing and maintaining a broadband inventory map pursuant to section 201 of this Act: Provided further, That of the funds provided under this heading, amounts deemed necessary and appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), may be transferred to the FCC for the purposes of developing a national broadband plan or for carrying out any other FCC responsibilities pursuant to section 201 of this Act, and only if the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate are notified not less than 15 days in advance of the transfer of such funds: Provided further, That not more than 3 percent of funds provided under this heading may be used for administrative costs, and this limitation shall apply to funds which may be transferred to the Department of Agriculture and the FCC.digital-to-analog converter box program
For an amount for
Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program’, $650,000,000, for additional coupons and related activities under the program implemented under section 3005 of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of the amounts provided under this heading, $90,000,000 may be for education and outreach, including grants to organizations for programs to educate vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, minority communities, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and people living in rural areas, about the transition and to provide one-on-one assistance to vulnerable populations, including help with converter box installation: Provided further, That the amounts provided in the previous proviso may be transferred to the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) if deemed necessary and appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the Commission, and only if the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate are notified not less than 5 days in advance of transfer of such funds: Provided further, That $2,000,000 of funds provided under this heading shall be transferred toDepartment of Commerce, Office of Inspector General’ for audits and oversight of funds provided under this heading. GENERAL PROVISIONS–THIS TITLESec. 201. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information (Assistant Secretary), in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) (and, with respect to rural areas, the Secretary of Agriculture), shall establish a national broadband service development and expansion program in conjunction with the technology opportunities program, which shall be referred to the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The Assistant Secretary shall ensure that the program complements and enhances and does not conflict with other Federal broadband initiatives and programs.
(1) The purposes of the program are to–
(A) provide access to broadband service to citizens residing in unserved areas of the United States;
(B) provide improved access to broadband service to citizens residing in underserved areas of the United States;
(C) provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment, and support to–
(i) schools, libraries, medical and healthcare providers, community colleges and other institutions of higher education, and other community support organizations and entities to facilitate greater use of broadband service by or through these organizations;
(ii) organizations and agencies that provide outreach, access, equipment, and support services to facilitate greater use of broadband service by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations; and
(iii) job-creating strategic facilities located within a State-designated economic zone, Economic Development District designated by the Department of Commerce, Renewal Community or Empowerment Zone designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or Enterprise Community designated by the Department of Agriculture.
(D) improve access to, and use of, broadband service by public safety agencies; and
(E) stimulate the demand for broadband, economic growth, and job creation.
(2) The Assistant Secretary may consult with the chief executive officer of any State with respect to–
(A) the identification of areas described in subsection (1)(A) or (B) located in that State; and
(B) the allocation of grant funds within that State for projects in or affecting the State.
(3) The Assistant Secretary shall–
(A) establish and implement the grant program as expeditiously as practicable;
(B) ensure that all awards are made before the end of fiscal year 2010;
(C) seek such assurances as may be necessary or appropriate from grantees under the program that they will substantially complete projects supported by the program in accordance with project timelines, not to exceed 2 years following an award; and
(D) report on the status of the program to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, every 90 days.
(4) To be eligible for a grant under the program an applicant shall–
(A) be a State or political subdivision thereof, a nonprofit foundation, corporation, institution or association, Indian tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or other non-governmental entity in partnership with a State or political subdivision thereof, Indian tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization if the Assistant Secretary determines the partnership consistent with the purposes this section;
(B) submit an application, at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may require;
(C) provide a detailed explanation of how any amount received under the program will be used to carry out the purposes of this section in an efficient and expeditious manner, including a demonstration that the project would not have been implemented during the grant period without Federal grant assistance;
(D) demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Assistant Secretary, that it is capable of carrying out the project or function to which the application relates in a competent manner in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws;
(E) demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Assistant Secretary, that it will appropriate (if the applicant is a State or local government agency) or otherwise unconditionally obligate, from non-Federal sources, funds required to meet the requirements of paragraph (5);
(F) disclose to the Assistant Secretary the source and amount of other Federal or State funding sources from which the applicant receives, or has applied for, funding for activities or projects to which the application relates; and
(G) provide such assurances and procedures as the Assistant Secretary may require to ensure that grant funds are used and accounted for in an appropriate manner.
(5) The Federal share of any project may not exceed 80 percent, except that the Assistant Secretary may increase the Federal share of a project above 80 percent if–
(A) the applicant petitions the Assistant Secretary for a waiver; and
(B) the Assistant Secretary determines that the petition demonstrates financial need.
(6) The Assistant Secretary may make competitive grants under the program to–
(A) acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology, and infrastructure for broadband services;
(B) construct and deploy broadband service related infrastructure;
(C) ensure access to broadband service by community anchor institutions;
(D) facilitate access to broadband service by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations in order to provide educational and employment opportunities to members of such populations;
(E) construct and deploy broadband facilities that improve public safety broadband communications services; and
(F) undertake such other projects and activities as the Assistant Secretary finds to be consistent with the purposes for which the program is established.
(7) The Assistant Secretary–
(A) shall require any entity receiving a grant pursuant to this section to report quarterly, in a format specified by the Assistant Secretary, on such entity’s use of the assistance and progress fulfilling the objectives for which such funds were granted, and the Assistant Secretary shall make these reports available to the public;
(B) may establish additional reporting and information requirements for any recipient of any assistance made available pursuant to this section;
(C) shall establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure appropriate use and compliance with all terms of any use of funds made available pursuant to this section;
(D) may, in addition to other authority under applicable law, deobligate awards to grantees that demonstrate an insufficient level of performance, or wasteful or fraudulent spending, as defined in advance by the Assistant Secretary, and award these funds competitively to new or existing applicants consistent with this section; and
(E) shall create and maintain a fully searchable database, accessible on the Internet at no cost to the public, that contains at least the name of each entity receiving funds made available pursuant to this section, the purpose for which such entity is receiving such funds, each quarterly report submitted by the entity pursuant to this section, and such other information sufficient to allow the public to understand and monitor grants awarded under the program.
(8) Concurrent with the issuance of the Request for Proposal for grant applications pursuant to this section, the Assistant Secretary shall, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, publish the non-discrimination and network interconnection obligations that shall be contractual conditions of grants awarded under this section.
(9) Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall complete a rulemaking to develop a national broadband plan. In developing the plan, the Commission shall–
(A) consider the most effective and efficient national strategy for ensuring that all Americans have access to, and take advantage of, advanced broadband services;
(B) have access to data provided to other Government agencies under the Broadband Data Improvement Act (47 U.S.C. 1301 note);
(C) evaluate the status of deployments of broadband service, including the progress of projects supported by the grants made pursuant to this section; and
(D) develop recommendations for achieving the goal of nationally available broadband service for the United States and for promoting broadband adoption nationwide.
(10) The Assistant Secretary shall develop and maintain a comprehensive nationwide inventory map of existing broadband service capability and availability in the United States that entities and depicts the geographic extent to which broadband service capability is deployed and available from a commercial provider or public provider throughout each State: Provided, That not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Act, the Assistant Secretary shall make the broadband inventory map developed and maintained pursuant to this section accessible to the public.
Sec. 202. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information may reissue any coupon issued under section 3005(a) of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 that has expired before use, and shall cancel any unredeemed coupon reported as lost and may issue a replacement coupon for the lost coupon. PART VIII–Broadband Incentives Sec. 1271. Broadband Internet access tax credit. PART VIII–BROADBAND INCENTIVES
SEC. 1271. BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subpart E of part IV of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to rules for computing investment credit), as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after section 48C the following new section:
`SEC. 48D. BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS CREDIT.
`(a) General Rule- For purposes of section 46, the broadband credit for any taxable year is the sum of–
`(1) the current generation broadband credit, plus
`(2) the next generation broadband credit.
`(b) Current Generation Broadband Credit; Next Generation Broadband Credit- For purposes of this section–
`(1) CURRENT GENERATION BROADBAND CREDIT- The current generation broadband credit for any taxable year is equal to 10 percent (20 percent in the case of qualified subscribers which are unserved subscribers) of the qualified broadband expenditures incurred with respect to qualified equipment providing current generation broadband services to qualified subscribers and taken into account with respect to such taxable year.
`(2) NEXT GENERATION BROADBAND CREDIT- The next generation broadband credit for any taxable year is equal to 20 percent of the qualified broadband expenditures incurred with respect to qualified equipment providing next generation broadband services to qualified subscribers and taken into account with respect to such taxable year.
`(c) When Expenditures Taken Into Account- For purposes of this section–
`(1) IN GENERAL- Qualified broadband expenditures with respect to qualified equipment shall be taken into account with respect to the first taxable year in which–
`(A) current generation broadband services are provided through such equipment to qualified subscribers, or
`(B) next generation broadband services are provided through such equipment to qualified subscribers.
`(2) LIMITATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Qualified broadband expenditures shall be taken into account under paragraph (1) only with respect to qualified equipment–
`(i) the original use of which commences with the taxpayer, and
`(ii) which is placed in service, after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2011.
`(B) SALE-LEASEBACKS- For purposes of subparagraph (A), if property–
`(i) is originally placed in service after December 31, 2008, by any person, and
`(ii) sold and leased back by such person within 3 months after the date such property was originally placed in service,
such property shall be treated as originally placed in service not earlier than the date on which such property is used under the leaseback referred to in clause (ii).
`(d) Special Allocation Rules for Current Generation Broadband Services- For purposes of determining the current generation broadband credit under subsection (a)(1) with respect to qualified equipment through which current generation broadband services are provided, if the qualified equipment is capable of serving both qualified subscribers and other subscribers, the qualified broadband expenditures shall be multiplied by a fraction–
`(1) the numerator of which is the sum of the number of potential qualified subscribers within the rural areas and the underserved areas and the unserved areas which the equipment is capable of serving with current generation broadband services, and
`(2) the denominator of which is the total potential subscriber population of the area which the equipment is capable of serving with current generation broadband services.
`(e) Definitions- For purposes of this section–
(1) ANTENNA- The termantenna’ means any device used to transmit or receive signals through the electromagnetic spectrum, including satellite equipment.(2) CABLE OPERATOR- The termcable operator’ has the meaning given such term by section 602(5) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522(5)).(3) COMMERCIAL MOBILE SERVICE CARRIER- The termcommercial mobile service carrier’ means any person authorized to provide commercial mobile radio service as defined in section 20.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.(4) CURRENT GENERATION BROADBAND SERVICE- The termcurrent generation broadband service’ means the transmission of signals at a rate of at least 5,000,000 bits per second to the subscriber and at least 1,000,000 bits per second from the subscriber (at least 3,000,000 bits per second to the subscriber and at least 768,000 bits per second from the subscriber in the case of service through radio transmission of energy).(5) MULTIPLEXING OR DEMULTIPLEXING- The termmultiplexing’ means the transmission of 2 or more signals over a single channel, and the term `demultiplexing’ means the separation of 2 or more signals previously combined by compatible multiplexing equipment.(6) NEXT GENERATION BROADBAND SERVICE- The termnext generation broadband service’ means the transmission of signals at a rate of at least 100,000,000 bits per second to the subscriber (or its equivalent when the data rate is measured before being compressed for transmission) and at least 20,000,000 bits per second from the subscriber (or its equivalent as so measured).(7) NONRESIDENTIAL SUBSCRIBER- The termnonresidential subscriber’ means any person who purchases broadband services which are delivered to the permanent place of business of such person.(8) OPEN VIDEO SYSTEM OPERATOR- The termopen video system operator’ means any person authorized to provide service under section 653 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 573).(9) OTHER WIRELESS CARRIER- The termother wireless carrier’ means any person (other than a telecommunications carrier, commercial mobile service carrier, cable operator, open video system operator, or satellite carrier) providing current generation broadband services or next generation broadband service to subscribers through the radio transmission of energy.(10) PACKET SWITCHING- The termpacket switching’ means controlling or routing the path of a digitized transmission signal which is assembled into packets or cells.(11) PROVIDER- The termprovider’ means, with respect to any qualified equipment any–`(A) cable operator,
`(B) commercial mobile service carrier,
`(C) open video system operator,
`(D) satellite carrier,
`(E) telecommunications carrier, or
`(F) other wireless carrier,
providing current generation broadband services or next generation broadband services to subscribers through such qualified equipment.
`(12) PROVISION OF SERVICES- A provider shall be treated as providing services to 1 or more subscribers if–
`(A) such a subscriber has been passed by the provider’s equipment and can be connected to such equipment for a standard connection fee,
`(B) the provider is physically able to deliver current generation broadband services or next generation broadband services, as applicable, to such a subscriber without making more than an insignificant investment with respect to such subscriber,
`(C) the provider has made reasonable efforts to make such subscribers aware of the availability of such services,
`(D) such services have been purchased by 1 or more such subscribers, and
`(E) such services are made available to such subscribers at average prices comparable to those at which the provider makes available similar services in any areas in which the provider makes available such services.
`(13) QUALIFIED EQUIPMENT-
(A) IN GENERAL- The termqualified equipment’ means property with respect to which depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is allowable and which provides current generation broadband services or next generation broadband services–`(i) at least a majority of the time during periods of maximum demand to each subscriber who is utilizing such services, and
`(ii) in a manner substantially the same as such services are provided by the provider to subscribers through equipment with respect to which no credit is allowed under subsection (a)(1).
`(B) ONLY CERTAIN INVESTMENT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT- Except as provided in subparagraph (C) or (D), equipment shall be taken into account under subparagraph (A) only to the extent it–
`(i) extends from the last point of switching to the outside of the unit, building, dwelling, or office owned or leased by a subscriber in the case of a telecommunications carrier or broadband-over-powerline operator,
`(ii) extends from the customer side of the mobile telephone switching office to a transmission/receive antenna (including such antenna) owned or leased by a subscriber in the case of a commercial mobile service carrier,
`(iii) extends from the customer side of the headend to the outside of the unit, building, dwelling, or office owned or leased by a subscriber in the case of a cable operator or open video system operator, or
`(iv) extends from a transmission/receive antenna (including such antenna) which transmits and receives signals to or from multiple subscribers, to a transmission/receive antenna (including such antenna) on the outside of the unit, building, dwelling, or office owned or leased by a subscriber in the case of a satellite carrier or other wireless carrier, unless such other wireless carrier is also a telecommunications carrier.
`(C) PACKET SWITCHING EQUIPMENT- Packet switching equipment, regardless of location, shall be taken into account under subparagraph (A) only if it is deployed in connection with equipment described in subparagraph (B) and is uniquely designed to perform the function of packet switching for current generation broadband services or next generation broadband services, but only if such packet switching is the last in a series of such functions performed in the transmission of a signal to a subscriber or the first in a series of such functions performed in the transmission of a signal from a subscriber.
`(D) MULTIPLEXING AND DEMULTIPLEXING EQUIPMENT- Multiplexing and demultiplexing equipment shall be taken into account under subparagraph (A) only to the extent it is deployed in connection with equipment described in subparagraph (B) and is uniquely designed to perform the function of multiplexing and demultiplexing packets or cells of data and making associated application adaptions, but only if such multiplexing or demultiplexing equipment is located between packet switching equipment described in subparagraph (C) and the subscriber’s premises.
`(14) QUALIFIED BROADBAND EXPENDITURE-
(A) IN GENERAL- The termqualified broadband expenditure’ means any amount–`(i) chargeable to capital account with respect to the purchase and installation of qualified equipment (including any upgrades thereto) for which depreciation is allowable under section 168, and
`(ii) incurred after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2011.
`(B) CERTAIN SATELLITE EXPENDITURES EXCLUDED- Such term shall not include any expenditure with respect to the launching of any satellite equipment.
`(C) LEASED EQUIPMENT- Such term shall include so much of the purchase price paid by the lessor of equipment subject to a lease described in subsection (c)(2)(B) as is attributable to expenditures incurred by the lessee which would otherwise be described in subparagraph (A).
(15) QUALIFIED SUBSCRIBER- The termqualified subscriber’ means–`(A) with respect to the provision of current generation broadband services–
`(i) any nonresidential subscriber maintaining a permanent place of business in a rural area, an underserved area, or an unserved area, or
`(ii) any residential subscriber residing in a dwelling located in a rural area, an underserved area, or an unserved area which is not a saturated market, and
`(B) with respect to the provision of next generation broadband services–
`(i) any nonresidential subscriber maintaining a permanent place of business in a rural area, an underserved area, or an unserved area , or
`(ii) any residential subscriber.
(16) RESIDENTIAL SUBSCRIBER- The termresidential subscriber’ means any individual who purchases broadband services which are delivered to such individual’s dwelling.(17) RURAL AREA- The termrural area’ means any census tract which–`(A) is not within 10 miles of any incorporated or census designated place containing more than 25,000 people, and
`(B) is not within a county or county equivalent which has an overall population density of more than 500 people per square mile of land.
(18) RURAL SUBSCRIBER- The termrural subscriber’ means any residential subscriber residing in a dwelling located in a rural area or nonresidential subscriber maintaining a permanent place of business located in a rural area.(19) SATELLITE CARRIER- The termsatellite carrier’ means any person using the facilities of a satellite or satellite service licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and operating in the Fixed-Satellite Service under part 25 of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations or the Direct Broadcast Satellite Service under part 100 of title 47 of such Code to establish and operate a channel of communications for distribution of signals, and owning or leasing a capacity or service on a satellite in order to provide such point-to-multipoint distribution.(20) SATURATED MARKET- The termsaturated market’ means any census tract in which, as of the date of the enactment of this section–`(A) current generation broadband services have been provided by a single provider to 85 percent or more of the total number of potential residential subscribers residing in dwellings located within such census tract, and
`(B) such services can be utilized–
`(i) at least a majority of the time during periods of maximum demand by each such subscriber who is utilizing such services, and
`(ii) in a manner substantially the same as such services are provided by the provider to subscribers through equipment with respect to which no credit is allowed under subsection (a)(1).
(21) SUBSCRIBER- The termsubscriber’ means any person who purchases current generation broadband services or next generation broadband services.(22) TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER- The termtelecommunications carrier’ has the meaning given such term by section 3(44) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153(44)), but–`(A) includes all members of an affiliated group of which a telecommunications carrier is a member, and
`(B) does not include any commercial mobile service carrier.
(23) TOTAL POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBER POPULATION- The termtotal potential subscriber population’ means, with respect to any area and based on the most recent census data, the total number of potential residential subscribers residing in dwellings located in such area and potential nonresidential subscribers maintaining permanent places of business located in such area.(24) UNDERSERVED AREA- The termunderserved area’ means any census tract which is located in–`(A) an empowerment zone or enterprise community designated under section 1391,
`(B) the District of Columbia Enterprise Zone established under section 1400,
`(C) a renewal community designated under section 1400E, or
`(D) a low-income community designated under section 45D.
(25) UNDERSERVED SUBSCRIBER- The termunderserved subscriber’ means any residential subscriber residing in a dwelling located in an underserved area or nonresidential subscriber maintaining a permanent place of business located in an underserved area.(26) UNSERVED AREA- The termunserved area’ means any census tract in which no current generation broadband services are provided, as certified by the State in which such tract is located not later than September 30, 2009.(27) UNSERVED SUBSCRIBER- The termunserved subscriber’ means any residential subscriber residing in a dwelling located in an unserved area or nonresidential subscriber maintaining a permanent place of business located in an unserved area.’.(b) Credit To Be Part of Investment Credit- Section 46 (relating to the amount of investment credit), as amended by this Act, is amended by striking
and’ at the end of paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting, and’, and by adding at the end the following:`(6) the broadband Internet access credit.’
(c) Special Rule for Mutual or Cooperative Telephone Companies- Section 501(c)(12)(B) (relating to list of exempt organizations) is amended by striking
or’ at the end of clause (iii), by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and inserting, or’, and by adding at the end the following new clause:`(v) from the sale of property subject to a lease described in section 48D(c)(2)(B), but only to the extent such income does not in any year exceed an amount equal to the credit for qualified broadband expenditures which would be determined under section 48D for such year if the mutual or cooperative telephone company was not exempt from taxation and was treated as the owner of the property subject to such lease.’.
(d) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 49(a)(1)(C), as amended by this Act, is amended by striking
and’ at the end of clause (iv), by striking the period at the end of clause (v) and inserting, and’, and by adding after clause (v) the following new clause:`(vi) the portion of the basis of any qualified equipment attributable to qualified broadband expenditures under section 48D.’.
(2) The table of sections for subpart E of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 48C the following:
`Sec. 48D. Broadband internet access credit’.
(e) Designation of Census Tracts-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Treasury shall, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, designate and publish those census tracts meeting the criteria described in paragraphs (17), (23), (24), and (26) of section 48D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section). In making such designations, the Secretary of the Treasury shall consult with such other departments and agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) SATURATED MARKET-
(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of designating and publishing those census tracts meeting the criteria described in subsection (e)(20) of such section 48D–
(i) the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the form upon which any provider which takes the position that it meets such criteria with respect to any census tract shall submit a list of such census tracts (and any other information required by the Secretary) not later than 60 days after the date of the publication of such form, and
(ii) the Secretary of the Treasury shall publish an aggregate list of such census tracts submitted and the applicable providers not later than 30 days after the last date such submissions are allowed under clause (i).
(B) NO SUBSEQUENT LISTS REQUIRED- The Secretary of the Treasury shall not be required to publish any list of census tracts meeting such criteria subsequent to the list described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(C) AUTHORITY TO DISREGARD FALSE SUBMISSIONS- In addition to imposing any other applicable penalties, the Secretary of the Treasury shall have the discretion to disregard any form described in subparagraph (A)(i) on which a provider knowingly submitted false information.
(f) Other Regulatory Matters-
(1) PROHIBITION- No Federal or State agency or instrumentality shall adopt regulations or ratemaking procedures that would have the effect of eliminating or reducing any credit or portion thereof allowed under section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) or otherwise subverting the purpose of this section.
(2) TREASURY REGULATORY AUTHORITY- It is the intent of Congress in providing the broadband Internet access credit under section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) to provide incentives for the purchase, installation, and connection of equipment and facilities offering expanded broadband access to the Internet for users in certain low income and rural areas of the United States, as well as to residential users nationwide, in a manner that maintains competitive neutrality among the various classes of providers of broadband services. Accordingly, the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of section 48D of such Code, including–
(A) regulations to determine how and when a taxpayer that incurs qualified broadband expenditures satisfies the requirements of section 48D of such Code to provide broadband services, and
(B) regulations describing the information, records, and data taxpayers are required to provide the Secretary to substantiate compliance with the requirements of section 48D of such Code.
(g) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to expenditures incurred after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 8005. SUNSET OF AUTHORITY. The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under this title shall terminate on December 31, 2011. Passed the House of Representatives January 28, 2009. Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, Clerk. Passed the Senate February 10, 2009. Attest: NANCY ERICKSON, Secretary.
-
Posted to google.com
Set Obama's Bar
http://www.overcomingbias.com/2009/01/set-obamas-bar.html
We've heard a lot of hyperbole about how Bush was the "Worst. President. Ever." and Obama's inauguration is the most exciting in a half century. So to avoid future bias, this is a good time to ask yourself: where do you set Obama's bar? That is, what does Obama have to do for you to consider him a "good" president, or even better than Bush? It is enough for you that he is (part) black and a Democrat? Or does he actually have to do something? Or are those already insurmountable barriers to you? For most any president today, odds are that we'd: be mostly out of our moderately deep recession in four years, add some symbolic financial rules that mostly lets old games continue, mostly watch as Israel, Russia, and China throw more weight around, mismanage another Katrina because governments are just bad at that, go deeper in debt "stimulating" and "bailing" because politicians love to spend, not much relax homeland security or immigration because we're still scared of terrorists, mildly pull out of Iraq since the war has been going well lately but we don't like to look weak, do little on carbon emissions or the coming Medicare train wreck as those are very expensive, and not reform medicine or education or welfare more than Bush's Medicare drug benefit and "no child left behind," or Clinton's welfare reform, as those were unusually big changes.
So will Obama be great (or terrible) if he just follows this least-resistence path and adds a few cheap symbolic moves on stem cell research funding, gay marriage, torture definitions, wiretap limitations, or foreign abortion funding? And would that be enough for a non-black or non-Democrat?
- Tags:
- politics
- Current Affairs
-
Posted to youtube.com
Chomsky on the economy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTtPYM8RSDE&feature=youtube_gdata
-
Posted to michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us
No Blackberry allowed for Presidents? How absurd is that?
http://michael.silverton.palo-alto.ca.us/packets/?p=761
1