September 2005 Archives

Too Much, Too Many People...

By SKM on September 20, 2005 11:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's been a rough ride lately... too much going on at work, too little time to relax and think creatively (or really think at all). So here's a little something until this particular $#@!&-storm passes...

Yet another inane trademark fight, this time courtesy of everyone's favorite folksy curmudgeon and radio dramatist. Three quick notes, since I've spoken on trademarks and parody before on this site (one part of my Minor Threat vs. Nike essay -- easily the most-read article I've done): 1. I was highly amused by the vaunted "Minnesota Nice" approach to many of the comments. 2. The general public really needs to learn the difference between copyright and trademark one of these days. 3. Keillor's attorney needs a more observant assistant so he doesn't embarass himself again with the wrong form letter. Thanks to Eric for the pointer.
The Monkeysphere, an inane (but eerily logical) way of trying to make sense of the world around us. Sadly, I think that Hurricane Katrina proves the point -- without a tragic, notable event, the vast majority of U.S. citizens wouldn't have given a second thought or a spare dime to help those who wound up in the emergency shelters without the means to evacuate. I'd like to think that we'll refocus as a society on poverty -- but not every poverty-stricken city will have a natural disaster of these proportions.
Engadget -- even though I'm not a gamer or gadget freak, this site is worth a daily visit (along with Wikipedia).

Next up (i think) -- a special "Coursing Through The Wires" dedicated to people I may never see again...

Don't -- Don't Believe The Skype

By SKM on September 8, 2005 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

UPDATE -- Sept. 12, 8:20 a.m. The rumors are true -- eBay is taking the plunge and making a friendly $2.6 billion offer for Skype (with a bonus structure that could run the final tab even higher). Unbelievable. I suppose it's a form of job security for the regulatory telecom types, however -- and the investment bankers will be pleased with themselves.

Seriously though, how long a leash will the Skype crew still have as one incongruous unit of a NASDAQ-traded company? And how long before Skype is being spun off to a consortium led by the Carlyle Group to "unlock the value that was hidden within the larger eBay conglomerate"?

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So, the big financial and tech rumor of the day is that eBay (everyone's favorite auction site and owner of primo phishing target PayPal) is considering a purchase of Skype. Color me stupid if you like, but this deal just makes no sense.

You've probably heard the press by now -- "disruptive technology," "more users than Verizon," "the future of telephony," or "the next big thing from the Kazaa guys." Skype (which does indeed rhyme with hype) is a software program that allows real-time voice transmissions between two computers. It's instant-messaging without the emoticons and abbreviations -- or what used to be known as a plain old telephone call.

eBay may be looking for new revenue sources. The auction business is pretty well saturated and far past its buzz moment. Meg Whitman has cleared her millions (with enough left over for a new dorm complex at her alma mater), so it's time for the next generation of wunderkind investment bankers to earn their stripes.

But, as I'd started writing ages ago (and now have the reason to complete), any purchaser of Skype may not get quite what they've bargained for.

Continue reading Don't -- Don't Believe The Skype.

U.S. Supreme Court -- Curiouser and Curiouser

By SKM on September 5, 2005 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In light of recent events, it's good to see the President treating Labor Day as a working day.* Breaking news reports this morning indicate that the nomination of John Roberts is being shifted from Associate Justice (replacing Sandra Day O'Connor) to Chief Justice (replacing the late William Rehnquist).

It's an interesting move, though I think it's driven largely by short-term thinking:

1. "Let's get nine justices on the bench this October" -- O'Connor's resignation is only effective once her replacement is confirmed. Without a full bench, the Supreme Court would likely duck its more controversial cases (for fear of ending in a 4-4 deadlock). Assisted suicide (among other issues) is on the fall docket -- and a showdown between the "states rights" advocates and the "culture of life" bandwagon requires an odd number of justices.

2. "Let's limit the public attention on the judiciary by holding only two hearings" -- the elevation of a sitting Associate Justice to Chief Justice would require a separate confirmation hearing, followed by new hearings for the nominee to fill the Associate seat. Scalia and Thomas were most often mentioned for elevation, but neither really seems to carry the right tone to hold that slot. Also, elevating either would be a shot-in-the-arm for the Democrats' fundraising efforts heading into mid-term elections next fall. (We also miss out on the sheer entertainment value of Scalia defending his duck-hunting trip with Dick Cheney on national television.)

Another factor, of course, is the opportunity to set a new tone in the second nomination. The administration has tried to establish Roberts as a "moderate pragmatist" supposedly upholding O'Connor's judicial ideals. If that sells, then W can feel free to swing well to the right to fill Rehnquist's ideological slot. We can certainly argue about whether Roberts is truly a moderate pragmatist (or anywhere to the left of Rehnquist), but it's a virtual lock that the next nominee will be to the right of Roberts.

Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court -- Curiouser and Curiouser.

Outrage + Despair + Incompetence = ???

By SKM on September 5, 2005 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not even sure where to begin in thinking about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it's brought to the Gulf Coast.

I'm now listening to a MP3 replay of Mayor Ray Nagin's press conference from Thursday afternoon (or read my attempt at a transcript that reclaims the first couple minutes that CNN and the New York Times have omitted)-- and it's entirely heartbreaking. (Thanks to the good people at WFMU for tracking and posting the audio, along with their efforts to help rescue community radio station WWOZ.) By now, you've also likely heard about or seen Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard's emotional outburst during his interview with Tim Russert on Meet the Press -- the transcript doesn't do it justice, but the discussion is still riveting. ~~And please don't miss Maria's commentary ... as she says,~~ when Fox News stops spinning, you know it's bad.

The Associated Press ~~has~~ HAD put up an interactive satellite map of greater New Orleans. It's harrowing to pick out a specific address (perhaps with Mapquest or another mapping site to get the landmarks down) and then start toggling between pre- and post-storm images. [The New York Times and Washington Post have similar maps now -- but they're also gummed up with other stuff and likely just as transient as the AP site I had previously linked.]

Margie and I have made donations already (American Red Cross for immediate relief, Planned Parenthood in recognition of short- and medium-term needs) and will continue to do so. If we had more space in our apartment, we'd offer to host Tulane or Loyola law students who will be taken in at George Washington University for the semester. When you donate, please do so to a reputable organization and take the extra 10-15 minutes to see if your employer will match and to complete the requisite paperwork.

Bulletin Boards / Information Exchanges:

Last but not least, a few news stories (and one obvious but still relevant rant) that struck me in the past couple days...