Tag Archives: law

Fat Tax

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This makes sense. If we’re going to tax alcohol, cigarettes, and other unhealthy things, we might as well tax fatty foods.

Government unit ‘urges fat tax’

Plans for a tax on fatty foods such as cakes and biscuits are being considered by government advisers.

The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit is considering increasing duties on some food and having a sports drive to fight obesity, according to the Times.

The newspaper claims a document urges a fatty food tax as a “signal to society” because the number of obese British people has risen sharply in 20 years.

Even Paranoids Have Enemies

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“Just because you’re paranoid, don’t mean they’re not after you.”

Making It Harder for Prying Eyes
By Julia Scheeres

A bill in the California state legislature would protect the anonymity of Internet users by requiring Internet service providers to send customers copies of subpoenas seeking to learn their identities. If passed, California’s Internet Communications Protection Act would become the second state law requiring that consumers be alerted when an ISP is issued a subpoena to find out an anonymous Internet user’s true identity. Virginia passed a similar statute last year.

If I Wanted Email From You, I’d Ask For It!

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I wish Pennsylvania would follow Virginia’s lead on this.

Virginia threatens spammers with jail time

“RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) — Internet mavens who clog computers with massive volumes of unsolicited e-mail pitches now risk landing in prison and losing their riches under a tough Virginia law signed Tuesday. “

Spam E-Mail Problem Worse Than Imagined
By DAVID HO

“WASHINGTON – The volume of junk e-mail has reached a critical threshold that requires swift action to protect the Internet correspondence millions of people take for granted, regulators said Friday at the end of a three-day forum on ‘spam.'”

Finding Solution to Secret World of Spam
By SAUL HANSELL

“WASHINGTON, May 2 – There probably isn’t a ‘Wendy’ behind the e-mail offering a way to ‘lose 30 pounds in 30 days.’ And it seems unlikely that the real vendor of the ‘Iraqi most-wanted playing cards’ is really named ‘Doc Holiday.'”

Marketers unite to cook spam’s goose
By Stefanie Olsen

“A group of digital marketers is pushing a new antispam system aimed at saving the lucrative e-mail advertising industry.”

Universal Tool

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Once again duct tape is proven to be the universal problem solver.

Judge Duct Tapes Defendant’s Mouth Shut

“LUBBOCK, Texas – A Texas judge ordered a defendant’s mouth to be taped shut after the man kept interrupting his lawyer and the judge during an aggravated assault trial.”

Here’s another good use for duct tape.

Some Bans Are Bad

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This is what happens when you don’t have a written constitution.

Internet Hate-Speech Ban Called ‘Chilling’
Council of Europe’s Internet restrictions raise uneasy questions about civil rights online.
By Michelle Madigan

“WASHINGTON–As European leaders move to ban Internet hate speech and seek support from the United States, civil liberties groups charge that the proposal would violate free-speech rights.”