Are you deranged, dishonest or just stupid?
I know that at least one is a requirement for being a Senator or Congressman in this country, but I'm always stunned when it's on such unabashed display. The measure to end tax subsidies for big oil failed in the Senate. Among the Democrats who voted against the measure was Mary Landrieu from Louisiana.
You would think, because of this (Menendez) bill, that the big oil and gas companies are getting all the subsidies, making all the profits, paying no taxes, and the rest are suffering. Nothing could be further from the truth. (cnsnews.com)
Persecution complex much? I don't remember anyone ever saying the money would be given to other industries because they are suffering. I don't remember anyone ever saying big oil pays zero taxes. You should go that link and read the rest of her whining about the persecution of oil companies in our nation. What I do remember being said is that when one single company is recording 45billion in profits, the industry as a whole could stand to lose their 2billion in tax breaks and subsidies, especially when the country is running so far in the red.
This line would be funny if it weren't so insulting. "It will not reduce gasoline prices by one penny." (http://landrieu.senate.gov) Again, I don't remember anyone ever saying the measure was about lowering gas prices. How does that statement even make sense? You're going end subsidies for big oil and that's somehow going to translate into lower gas prices? It's a transparent, lame attempt to defend an indefensible position. She's not fooling anyone. She should just say it like it is, "Big oil funds my political office. I cannot vote for this measure." If big oil was lining anyone's pocket in her state besides her own, Louisana wouldn't be ranked 47th in per capita income. If she can't say it like it is, she should just STFU.
Still clueless
I recently read how Adobe is pushing it's digital book format as the new standard for digital publishing "to allow copyright holders to manage access rights blah blah blah." I'd give you a link to the article, but the "blah blah blah" ought to tell you how much of an impact it had on me. I don't remember where I saw it.
Have you ever heard the phrase "Stop throwing effort after foolishness?" Apparently corporate American doesn't have anything better to do with their money. I don't know how to make this any more simple for corporate wonks who are supposedly well educated. There are two reasons DRM is a losing battle.
- It. Does. Not. Work. No matter how complex the scheme, how new and fancy the technology a crack is going to be posted to the net within a few months. That's just reality. Like it or not.
- The only thing manufacturers succeed in doing is pissing off legitimate customers.
I get that people want and need to protect their revenue stream. However, until you can find a way to make the process invisible to your customers, it is doomed to fail.