Sometimes we need to listen to people who have bad reputations. Often they are the critics, the people with a talent for seeing flaws and problems none of us want to face. Communities can't thrive if they never answer to the least reputable of their members. So, for now I'm waiting for a new community system, one whose wisdom will destroy reputations and replace them with something more meaningful. "

Annalee Newitz is waiting for MemeStreams.

SF Guardian on current 'Reputation Systems' (SIC)

DO NOT EAT GROUND BEEF FROM KROGER!

Details on recalled ConAgra beef

"Even those in support of Fair Use and similar ideas began to be frustrated with the constant background commentary and ill-conceived outbursts of the New Yorkers for Fair Use and, to my dismay, Richard Stallman, who proved to be as socially awkward as his critics and fans alike report."

Hrm... I think the EFF wanted the geeks to be loud and obnoxious. They got kicked off the table, so they are rattling their sabers. "Look, we've got the smartest people in the world and they are pissed off at you and they don't give a fuck about your authority." Its a way of escallating a conflict without actually escallating it. Its a cease and desist letter; a threat. I hope it works out for them. An escallated conflict will leave scars, as such things always do. And I think this particular conflict is escallating quite fast enough on its own, thank you.

Sometimes I fear my friends more then my enemies, but maybe only because I know them better.

Slashdot | Results of the Commerce Dept's DRM Workshop

"Robin Gross, intellectual property lawyer for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said her organization was told by the Commerce Department not to show up to the digital rights management workshop.
Asked later why she didn't try to speak, Gross answered: "I'd be happy to give my opinion to anyone who'll listen, but they're not listening. We were told our position was not welcome at this table.""

More on the DRM hearing.

NewsForge: The Online Newspaper of Record for Linux and Open Source

"Public disclosures have "jeopardized highly fragile and very sensitive intelligence capabilities that we require for the successful prosecution of the war against terrorism," the report says."

Conflict between National Security and the public's right to know.

Rumsfeld Says Leaks to Media Aid Al Qaeda

"Americans should not be subjecting themselves to law enforcement scrutiny merely by having cable lines installed, mail delivered or meters read."

Washington Post on the TIPS program.

What Is Operation TIPS? (washingtonpost.com)

"NRO contributor Joel Mowbray was detained this afternoon at the State Department after an acrimonious exchange with top Foggy Bottom press flack Richard Boucher."

I'm going to chalk this up as a case of clueless security guards, but it is interesting...

National Review reporter detained by State Department

Photos of Geektivists breaking up a Commerce Department meeting on Digital Rights Management.

commerce-drm-rountable-july02 theme -- Declan McCullagh photos

"WASHINGTON--Enthusiasts of free software disrupted a Commerce Department meeting Wednesday, insisting on their right to debate the entertainment industry over anti-copying technologies. "

Wow, awesome. First, protestors managed to make their voices heard in the Commerce Department. Thats great. Furthermore, Valenti actually gave them the floor. Now as much as I disagree with Valenti, I have to give him credit for that. That was a very serious break from Congressional protocol and it was an honorable thing to do.

Tech activists protest anti-copying - Tech News - CNET.com

"When it comes to the population of Great Britain being invited to wipe their bottoms on what appears to be the work of a Knight of the Realm...it's time to take a stand."

Sounds Like Science Fun Factoid