Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... I rarely add comments to Techdirt.... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c206 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:13:20 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c206 Cubehog coworkers are popping up over their walls to stare at me, wondering what could possibly make me laugh in this place.

Thanks for the opportunity to leave them guessing.

Or maybe you're wondering if having your notebook computer on your lap every time you've played Doom has put your testicles at risk of mutation, turning them into monsterous, sentient testicilians, a race of self-reproductive hell-nuts bent on destroying the world.

Brilliant.]]> Another AF Holdings Case In AZ - Not Done Yet http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15581423160/prenda-gets-some-tiny-bit-good-news-as-it-may-get-out-two-critical-cases.shtml#c213 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:13:16 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15581423160/prenda-gets-some-tiny-bit-good-news-as-it-may-get-out-two-critical-cases.shtml#c213 http://dietrolldie.com/2013/05/14/mr-harris-pro-se-doe-rejoins-the-fight-af-holdings-llc-v-harris-212-cv-02144-az/ has a show cause order - dismiss case and possible sanctions.
2. IMO Syfert was able to get Prenda to pay a good amount to make this go away - along with a non-disclosure agreement. These clowns will know stay as far away from Syfert as possible, as he has inside information on what works against them. In previous filings he made it clear he wanted to settle, but that it would cost them a good amount. I guess they decided it was the right thing to do.
3. Until they make a bond or pay the sanctions (Judge Wright), they are screwing themselves in CA. The amount is minor in totality of what they made. By not paying it only gets worse - stupid greedy people. Who knows, maybe Lutz will feel the need to throw John Steel under the bus before John does it to him. Mark? You know you are expendable to John Steele. Time to make a deal and save your butt. Just my opinion.

DTD :)]]> Re: Re: The story that just keeps on giving http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c582 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:12:43 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c582
This bias on the part of the judges is brazenly obvious.

This bias is unfair to the plaintiff/lawyers (who are one and the same party although separated by a tangled web of paper shell companies). This bias prevents the plaintiff from pursuing the much needed mailing list of identities for sending out threatening extortion letters.]]> Re: Re: Yes. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c1814 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:10:35 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c1814 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c567 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:10:20 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c567 Precedents. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c374 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:09:44 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c374 =========================================================
FLORIDA v. RILEY, 488 U.S. 445 (1989), 488 U.S. 445, a case where a police helicopter observed cannabis.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=488&invol=445

"Any member of the public could legally have been flying over Riley's property in a helicopter at the altitude of 400 feet and could have observed Riley's greenhouse. The police officer did no more." "Neither is there any intimation here that the helicopter interfered with respondent's normal use of the greenhouse or of other parts of the curtilage. As far as this record reveals, no intimate details connected with the use of the home or curtilage were observed, and there was no undue noise, and no wind, dust, or threat of injury. In these circumstances, there was no violation of the Fourth Amendment."

------------------------------------------------------

JUSTICE BRENNAN, with whom JUSTICE MARSHALL and JUSTICE STEVENS join, dissenting.

"If so, I think we could take judicial notice that, while there may be an occasional privately owned helicopter that flies over populated areas at an altitude of 400 feet, such flights are a rarity and are almost entirely limited to approaching or leaving airports or to reporting traffic congestion near major roadways. And, as the concurrence agrees, ante, at 455, the extent of police surveillance traffic cannot serve as a bootstrap to demonstrate public use of the airspace."
===============================================================================
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/doctrine/doe/o5632_7/o5632_7_c5_1.htm

Department of Energy Flight guidelines for security helicopters:

" g. Altitude Considerations.

(1) Routine Training and Operations.

(a) Daylight Operations. Aircraft shall maintain a minimum
altitude of 200 feet above any known obstacle within 500
feet either side of the planned route of flight during
daylight operations except for takeoff, approach, and
landing.

(b) Night and Night Vision Goggle Operations. Except for
takeoff, approach, and landing, aircraft shall maintain a
minimum altitude of 500 feet above ground level or 200
feet above the highest obstacle within 1,000 feet either
side of the planned flight route, whichever is higher.
When using night vision goggles, aircraft shall maintain
a minimum altitude of 300 feet above ground level or 200
feet above the highest obstacle within 1,000 feet of the
planned route of flight, whichever is higher.

(2) Hazard Mapping. Each aircraft shall be equipped with a map
displaying all identifiable hazards to flight within the
operating area. A map displaying all identifiable hazards to
flight and depicting elevation above ground level shall be
conspicuously posted in the mission planning area. Aircraft
maps and mission planning area maps shall be reviewed for
currency at least every 30 days and marked with the current
date.

h. Terrain Flight (Nap of the Earth, Contour and Low Level). There
are three modes of terrain flight: contour, low level, and nap, of
the earth. Terrain flight is flight at 200 feet or less above the
highest obstacle on the intended flight path. Terrain flight and
night vision device/goggle flight are essential to DOE tactical and
security needs. Low level or, contour flight may provide a
tactical advantage in a security emergency. Nap of the earth
flight is not essential to the Department's security needs and will
not be performed.

(1) Contour flight conforms with the contours of the earth and is
characterized by varying airspeeds and altitudes. Contour
flight altitudes are not less than 25 feet above the highest
obstacle.

(2) Low level flight is not less than 100 feet above the highest
obstacle. It is conducted at a selected altitude and
generally conforms to a predetermined course, with constant
airspeed.

(3) Nap of the earth flight is characterized by maneuvers as close
to the earth's surface as vegetation, obstacles, or ambient
light will permit."
====================================================================
http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2012/02/15/president-signs-faa-bill-includes-protection-for-model-aviation/

=====================================================================

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=1&f=147&t=1152754
===========================================================
http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=32597

Reference to: National Parks Overflights Act

http://nature.nps.gov/sound/policy.cfm

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tour_management_plan/documents/npatm_act136.pdf
defines a control zone, below 5000 ft. above ground level, in which regulation of air tour operators may take place.

specific prohibition on flying lower than 2000 ft above the rim in Yosemite
===========================================================]]> Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c351 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:08:30 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c351 Get expert car reviews with the help of car portal jitcar.com http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130111/00145421637/just-how-dumb-is-it-cbs-to-block-cnet-giving-dish-award.shtml#c983 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:07:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130111/00145421637/just-how-dumb-is-it-cbs-to-block-cnet-giving-dish-award.shtml#c983 Get expert car reviews with the help of car portal jitcar.com http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130111/00145421637/just-how-dumb-is-it-cbs-to-block-cnet-giving-dish-award.shtml#c986 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:07:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130111/00145421637/just-how-dumb-is-it-cbs-to-block-cnet-giving-dish-award.shtml#c986 Re: how do i law? http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c546 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:06:15 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c546 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15581423160/prenda-gets-some-tiny-bit-good-news-as-it-may-get-out-two-critical-cases.shtml#c212 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:05:14 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15581423160/prenda-gets-some-tiny-bit-good-news-as-it-may-get-out-two-critical-cases.shtml#c212 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c194 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:02:38 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c194 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c531 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:06 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c531
Therefore the court ORDERS that we be allowed the relief of listening to crying screaming children on Mondays, nails being dragged across chalk boards on Wednesdays and sounds of people vomiting on Fridays.]]> A plan for Prenda http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c508 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:57:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15164823159/bad-day-prenda-continues-judge-rejects-stay-adds-1k-per-day-each-day-they-dont-pay-up.shtml#c508 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/14172323158/judge-not-impressed-prenda-alan-cooper-lawsuit.shtml#c763 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:54:17 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/14172323158/judge-not-impressed-prenda-alan-cooper-lawsuit.shtml#c763 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15581423160/prenda-gets-some-tiny-bit-good-news-as-it-may-get-out-two-critical-cases.shtml#c190 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:53:16 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/15581423160/prenda-gets-some-tiny-bit-good-news-as-it-may-get-out-two-critical-cases.shtml#c190
First, with respect to Judge Scriven's ability to impose sanctions even after the underlying case is gone: Judges always retain jurisdiction to address sanctions, and she is free to do so here if she so chooses. Whether she will or not is a different question: it would be unusual, but she seemed pretty pissed off.

Second, with respect to Judge Chen's order: Recall that his previous order (which was implemented by this order) was without prejudice to the defendant filing a motion for attorneys' fees. There may well be further proceedings there, if the defendant chooses to do so.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c341 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:48:02 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c341 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c180 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:47:15 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c180
And I can't tell you how many times I've felt an uncontrollable urge to kill dragons and bandits after an overnight Skyrim marathon. All this time I thought it was just sleep deprivation and the half-dozen bottles of NOS.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c3834 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:46:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c3834
This is the part where you must be reading a completely different US constitution than the rest of us.
Just to be clear, you and I are talking about the separation of Church and State - as in, there is no state-sponsored religion, where adherents of that faith enjoy special privileges and those of other faiths don't. Public schools in the US, being run by the government, cannot promote one religion over another, so this means no morning prayers for example.
How is it a violation of that to teach kids about homosexuality, say in biology or social ethics classes (or whatever you call them over there)? The schools, being public, cannot have edited lessons for each religion: they can't have a lesson in Biology for students belonging to the Nation of Islam faith teaching that black people are superior to non-blacks. Just like here, they can't have classes where homosexuality is a pertinant topic and either not mention them or say that they're evil/anti-human/immoral/whatever, because such a determination is subjective and discriminatory.

As for the parade link - you originally mentioned being at/seeing a parade where men sodomized each other. I, in disbelief that this would happen in public without falling afoul of public indecency laws (you and I can agree on no sex in public, gotta protect the kids innocence for a while longer), asked for proof, to which you gave me a link to a gay pride parade where no actual sex occurred.
As for playing the victim? Can you answer me, with a straight face, that a group of people who share a common characteristic, who were victimized over that trait, shouldn't hold pride parades? Were homosexuals victimized for being what they are?]]> Look at the upside http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/18345423136/doj-dept-education-to-colleges-start-restricting-free-speech-campus-kiss-your-federal-funding-goodbye.shtml#c3642 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:45:36 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/18345423136/doj-dept-education-to-colleges-start-restricting-free-speech-campus-kiss-your-federal-funding-goodbye.shtml#c3642