Bill Langham
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 01:36:16 -0800
From: cpsr-global@Sunnyside.COM
To: "Multiple recipients of list cpsr-global@cpsr.org"
<listserv-reply-errors@snyside.sunnyside.com>
Subject: CPSR-GLOBAL digest 680
1) Joke--Microsoft Buys the USA
by "Peter Moylan" <peter@tesla.newcastle.edu.au> (by way of marsha-w@uiuc.edu
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 07:21:24 +0000
From: "Peter Moylan" <peter@tesla.newcastle.edu.au> (by way of marsha-w@uiuc.edu
Forward from Peter Moylan:
REDMOND, Wash.--Oct. 21, 1997--In direct response to accusations made by
the Department of Justice, the Microsoft Corp. announced today that it
will be acquiring the federal government of the United States of America
for an undisclosed sum.
"It's actually a logical extension of our planned growth," said
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. "It really is going to be a positive
arrangement for everyone."
Microsoft representatives held a briefing in the oval office of the
White House with U.S. President Bill Clinton, and assured members of the
press that changes will be "minimal." The United States will be managed
as a wholly owned division of Microsoft. An initial public offering is
planned for July of next year, and the federal government is expected to
be profitable by "Q4 1999 at latest," according to Microsoft president
Steve Ballmer.
In a related announcement, Bill Clinton stated that he had "willingly
and enthusiastically" accepted a position as a vice president with
Microsoft, and will continue to manage the United States government,
reporting directly to Bill Gates. When asked how it felt to give up the
mantle of executive authority to Gates, Clinton smiled and referred to
it as "a relief." He went on to say that Gates has a "proven track
record," and that U.S. citizens should offer Gates their "full support
and confidence." Clinton will reportedly be earning several times the
$200,000 annually he has earned as U.S. president, in his new role at
Microsoft.
Gates dismissed a suggestion that the U.S. Capitol be moved to Redmond
as "silly," though did say that he would make executive decisions for
the U.S. government from his existing office at Microsoft headquarters.
Gates went on to say that the House and Senate would "of course" be
abolished. "Microsoft isn't a democracy," he observed, "and look how
well we're doing.
When asked if the rumored attendant acquisition of Canada was
proceeding, Gates said, "We don't deny that discussions are taking
place.
Microsoft representatives closed the conference by stating that United
States citizens will be able to expect lower taxes, increases in
government services and discounts on all Microsoft products.
About Microsoft:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers, and democratic government. The company
offers a wide range of products and services for public, business and
personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and
more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing and free society every day.
About the United States:
Founded in 1789, the United States of America is the most successful
nation in the history of the world, and has been a beacon of democracy
and opportunity for over 200 years. Headquartered in Washington, D.C.,
the United States is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation.
"The United States of America" and "Microsoft" are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation.
peter@ee.newcastle.edu.au (Peter Moylan)
OS/2 tuning tips at
http://www.ee.newcastle.edu.au/users/staff/peter/os2/tuning.html
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 14:44:04 -1200
From: "Craig A. Johnson" <caj@tdrs.com> (by way of marsha-w@uiuc.edu (Marsha
To: cpsr-global@cpsr.org
Subject: FCC recommends V-chips for computers (@)
Message-ID: <b07b01d90b0210043721@[128.174.4.122]>
Read it and weep. :-(
Craig Johnson:
The P.C. PC
by Declan McCullagh October 27, 1997
Remember how much you hated the
idea of having a V-chip inside your
television? Now the government wants
to install one in your computer.
The Federal Communications
Commission has proposed that every
new PC be outfitted with a V-chip to
filter out video violence and sex. Future
TVs were already slated to receive
these controversial implants, but the
FCC now argues that computers with
13-inch or larger screens should as well.
"Personal computer systems, which
are not traditionally thought of as
television receivers, are already being
sold with the capability to view television
and other video programming," the FCC
proposal warns.
What about video programming sent
over the Internet? The FCC says its rule
should apply to any computer
"regardless of whether it is designed to
receive video programming that is
distributed only through cable television
systems, [satellite], or by some other
distribution system." Does this include
any computer that can view video clips
online? "Some people might read it that
way," says outgoing FCC Chairman
Reed Hundt. "It's a question of how to
interpret a statute."
The statute in question is the 1996
Telecommunications Act, which became
law last February. It ordered that, "as
new video technology is developed, the
Commission shall take such action as
the Commission determines
appropriate to ensure that blocking
service continues to be available to
consumers." Translation: V-chips for
everyone! The agency estimates that as
many as 57 computer makers would
have to shoulder the cost of building in
V-chips (small manufacturers are
exempt).
These firms can "be part of the
process" as the agency sets rules,
Hundt says. "The bottom line is this is a
n otice [of a proposed rule], not a rule. I
personally want the computer industry to
come in here and tell the next FCC
everything they like and don't like."
What free speech advocates don't
like is the whole idea of a government
Net nanny. "Absurdities like this happen
when you start letting the government
censor," says ACLU legislative counsel
Don Haines. After all, blocking software
for PCs -- while hardly perfect -- has
been around for years. Bob
Corn-Revere, an attorney at Hogan and
Hartson and former FCC general
counsel, says, "What you get is a
devolution of the First Amendment. As
our technologies for communications
expand, our First Amendment rights
contract. It's a difficulty that historically
has arisen with technological
convergence: broadcast regulations
being extended to cable, broadcast and
cable regulations being extended to
DBS satellites."
And broadcast regulations being
extended to the Net. Therein lies the rub:
The FCC's rules are tailored for
1950s-style TV broadcasts. What
happens when cnn.com -- or
playboy.com -- is pumping out video
cybercasts? Will the Net become more
controlled, or will Washington's
bureaucrats throw up their hands (fat
chance) and take early retirement?
"Convergence is the issue," says Joe
Monastiero, vice president of E4, a firm
that manufactures video hardware. "If
you add DVD to your computer and
have high-performance TV on that, you
replace your Sega. You replace your
television. All of a sudden you have
Microsoft and Intel in your living room
instead of RCA."
Perhaps the most insoluble problem
with V-chips, for TVs or PCs, lies in the
loose definition of "violent" or "offensive"
programming that, like Proteus, keeps
changing. Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.)
believes Tom and Jerry cartoons cross
the line. Rep. Carlos Moorhead
(R-Calif.) objects to programs in which
people get shot (he believes cowboy
movies are better). Sen. Ernest Hollings
(D-S.C.) complains about sitcoms. Then
there's the question of getting web sites
to rate their cybercasts -- a requirement
that probably won't pass constitutional
muster and certainly won't work
overseas.
The FCC has given industry groups
until November 24 to respond. (You can
also e-mail mailto:vchip@fcc.gov".) But
perhaps Reed Hundt should consider a
cheaper and more reliable low-tech
alternative: the off switch.
------------------------------
End of CPSR-GLOBAL Digest 680
*****************************