Author: D. Brent Miller

Writer, photographer, fly fisher and motorcyclist. Mostly retired.
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The free Internet response to corporate control with SOPA

I don’t usually speak up about political issues. Maybe I should do more. Today, it is one of those necessities.

Perhaps this is one good example of where the “Occupy Movement” has a good case against corporate influence in Congress, for the entertainment industry is trying to get Congress to act in such a way that the entirety of the Internet is endanger, including this web site.

Today, web sites such as Wikipedia and Google have inaugurated a one-day protest to stop two bills: SOPA in the US House of Representatives and PIPA in the US Senate. These bills go way beyond copyright and protection against piracy but give authorities the right to shut down web sites without any kind of grievance or redress, merely on suspicion or linking to content that is copyrighted. The copyright laws in existence are adequate and enforceable. What if someone speaks up about this injustice? Are we a “security risk?”

As a journalist, this type of legislation is a slap in the face of freedom of speech and press, and is a pat on the back of censorship by corporate interests. If these bills, loaded with censorship, pass in their present form, you and I may find ourselves  under closer scrutiny of the watchful eye of a government that is more concerned about corporations than the Bill of Rights that ensures our freedoms.

I wonder what Edward R. Murrow would have to say about this?

Brent

Editor’s Note: If you visited earlier, you saw a pop-up screen protesting two bills in Congress that greatly impact the Internet. The pop-up was performing well, and you would have seen it only one time. I have deactivated the plugin installed for the Stop SOPA movement. Apparently, too many people clicked through from here and the thousands of other web sites to the Stop SOPA web site. It apparently overloaded and caused a server failure, consequently impacting the pop-up installed here. I am sure the Stop SOPA movement will be a top story on the network evening news. Thanks for your support. (12:36 pm EST)

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Editing my social networks

Here’s the thing I’m dealing with. You can spend so much time on social networks, networking, that you spend less time working on what you’re supposed to be working on. That’s why I’m making some changes, and limiting my social networking efforts. Yes, I am actually deleting some social network accounts, and keeping and further developing the ones that work for me.

Here’s where you can find me on the social networks I’ve elected to keep.

Each of these social networks play a role with different content and focus. There will be some occasional overlap. What I’m working towards is more time traveling, writing, photographing, and talking with you. So, stay in touch.

Of course, I hope you come here to this web site often to read and interact.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Lunch ride in January

It started as most of our rides do, with a text message: “MOTO-lunch?” A couple of texts later,  we agree and plan to meet at 11:30.

Friends_6Jan2012-1

Jim Osbun has been retired for a couple of years although he has worked some part-time jobs. Currently, he is riding a Honda Gold Wing. He’s been through three bikes since I first met him several years ago. I’m on the same one, my Suzuki V-Strom DL650.

Jim and I meet almost every week for coffee. Sometimes, it’s on the motorcycles and a breakfast ride ensues. We are often joined by a third friend, Ian, who is a fine Scotsman, and I am honored to call him friend.

We met, as planned, and then headed out for a brisk ride through the countryside. Temperature about 50 degrees, the ride was comfortable although a brisk wind was out of the southwest. We wandered for 30 or 40 minutes and then ended up back where we started to enjoy one of the best restaurants in our area, City Barbeque.

The ride was great. The food was delicious. The company was most enjoyable.

Call a friend, and go riding. See you on the highway!

Brent