CA Social Media Privacy Has Another Chance

Last month, SB 242, the California bill on social media privacy failed to get the votes to move forward. It appears the bill has another chance next week when it could come up for reconsideration.  The San Francisco Chronicle has come out strongly in favor of the legislation. As I mentioned before, the bill could end up doing nothing if the federal privacy bill becomes law and preempts California law on this issue.

Do you know your state’s highway safety laws?

Here is a link to the Governors Highway Safety Association website that lists all states and laws on key safety issues:

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/index.html

Humane society proposing ban on puppy mills

“We are soon to introduce federal legislation, the Puppy Uniform Protection Statute (PUPS), or “Baby’s Bill,” named after an elderly dog rescued by animal advocate Jana Kohl.”

Colbert skewers congressman over payday loan bill

Stephen Colbert points out that Representative Louis Gutierrez (D-IL) who reversed his longstanding opposition to payday lending by sponsoring a bill that would authorize payday loans under federal law, got $10,000 campaign contribution from a payday loan company.  The Congressman is touting the bill as a crack down on payday lending, but consumer advocacy organizations oppose the legislation because it would allow the sanction of loans with interest rates of between 390 and 780 percent.

Colbert video:

FCC beginning broadband push

The FCC must deliver a national broadband plan to Congress by Feb. 17, 2010. It will provide a road map to achieving the goal of ensuring that all Americans reap the benefits of broadband. The Recovery Act requires the plan to explore several key elements of broadband deployment and use, and the FCC now seeks comment on these elements, including the following:

• The most effective and efficient ways to ensure broadband access for all Americans
• Strategies for achieving affordability and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and services
• Evaluation of the status of broadband deployment, including the progress of related grant programs
• How to use broadband to advance consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, healthcare delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation, and economic growth, and other national purposes

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Cop Scientology rehab program includes saunas

A spa resort or treatment program?  You decide.  I posted earlier about the treatment for Salt Lake City cops exposed to meth labs includes spas, exercise and antioxidants.  Now, it has been reported that their hasn’t been any scientific link between meth lab exposure and illness but that hasn’t stopped Utah Republicans from funding the program with $100,000!

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Map with 50 state helmet laws: cyclists move to IL!

Only three U.S. states don’t have some sort of helmet law for motorcyclists.  It use to be that helmet laws were very unpopular among motorcyclists.  I’m not sure if that is still true but if so, then I say move to Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire. 

Link to cool map

LA waives fees for Scientology celebration

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved (with several councilman absent) a waiver of a $3,000 fee for a a L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event taking place Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium.   They included a motion that states, “This annual celebration recognizes the achievements of Mr. Hubbard, Founder of the Scientology religion, and honors Churches of Scientology internationally.”

As someone at the public hearing approving the waiver said, “Will you be celebrating Jim Jones and David Koresh’s birthday?”   Of course we know that Jim Jones gave money to politicians which served him as his church well and I would bet good money that at least one of those LA Councilmembers have received donations from well-known Scientologists.

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Riverside supervisor got Scientology contribution

Palm Springs television station KESQ ran a five-part investigation into Scientology.   Given the lack of media coverage of this notorious organization where allegations about many of its labor practices not to mention religious beliefs have been ignored, I commend this station for this work. 

They also unearthed new information about Riverside Supervisor Jeff Stone and a $600 contribution he received from Scientology public relations person, Catherin Fraser.  I knew he received $5,400 from Scientology’s lawyer Sam Alhadeff.  Supervisor Stone spearheaded the constitutionally dubious ordinance banning protesters from getting within fifty feet of the Scientology’s compound in Hemet. 

KESQ Scientology series

SoCal TV station investigating Scientology protest

KESQ has started an investigative report into the protests at the Scientology compound in Riverside County.  The first part gives a flavor for the protests, the passion on both sides that spilled over into the threat of violence.  The second part was somewhat incoherent, starting off talking about “Anonymous” a leaderless coalition of Internet hackers supposedly creating havoc with the Scientology’s IT infrastructure.  Then the piece veers into a discussion of Scientology practices and beliefs which mainly sounds weird but didn’t we already know that?

Part three sounds more promising.  The clincher of part two is,

“As the war between Scientology and a group of protestors heats up, Riverside County Supervisors are taking a stance.  But are they making decisions, based on propaganda? We’ll uncover who’s getting paid off. Our special series continues Wednesday night at 11.”

I can hardly wait!

Part one

Part two