Porn Is A Problem

I've Been tagged! I'd also like to clarify that I've already taken my NyQuil for the night so if I say something really stupid I'll probably fix it tomorrow.

A group called Blogger Power is calling for an end to "free tours" on porn sites. Their official statement:

Please require a password-protected login before allowing even free access to explicit adult content. We understand that selling porn is your business and we respect your right to make a legal living. But understand our legitimate concerns and work with us. You already have the “warning adult content” on your websites. Yet kids, who are not legal customers of your product, ignore the warning. So to prevent them from having direct access to explicit images, texts and sounds, the simplest way is to have a password-protected login. No more “free tours” before a visitor supplies basic information.

I agree that porn is a major problem, though I can't completely agree with their approach. What's to keep children from creating an account? I'd suggest an ICANN policy (a law would only apply to sites hosted in the US) requiring pornography to be restricted to a .xxx domain. This would allow for better filtering of adult content. A person could be able to ask their ISP to block all .xxx domains kind of like they can ask their phone company to block 1-900 numbers or set their browser to display a warning before displaying .xxx pages.

At this point though it's clear that something needs done. If you still need proof look no further than the case of the substitute teacher facing jail time (alternate story) over an unwanted porn pop-up.

Update (3:20 P.M. 2/25): I agree that password logins would protect young children and should be implemented. I still think it should be used in combination with some form of the .xxx domain approach.

Read More: Blogger Power: Safeguard the Web for Children

Original Wendy's Closing Friday

This just ruined my whole day. This Friday an Ohio landmark, the original Wendy's restraunt, will be closing.

The original Wendy’s restaurant that company founder Dave Thomas opened in 1969 will close Friday.

The Downtown icon, chockfull of Wendy’s memorabilia, has been losing money for years, particularly after the old Center of Science and Industry across the street closed in 1999.

Links:

• The Columbus Dispatch Article (source of above clipping)
• Wendy's Website
• Wikipedia Entry on Wendy's

Did you know that Wendy's was the first fast food chain to offer a drive-through window?

Tom Vilsack Is Out

Tom Vilsack is out of the running. Apparently he couldn't raise enough money to compete.

Dear Friends,

I am very fortunate -- blessed in love, family, friends, job, and by this campaign.

I have the boldest plan to get us out of Iraq and a long-term policy for energy security to keep us out of future oil wars. Our campaign has built the strongest organization here in Iowa, with almost 3,000 supporters among Democratic caucus goers. We are organizationally positioned to win the caucuses in January 2008. We have everything to win the nomination and general election.

Everything except money.

That is why this morning after discussing with my wife Christie and our sons Jess and Doug we have decided to end our campaign for the presidency.

Thousands of you have given so generously of your time, energy and money. And together, we've built a campaign that has stood up and taken courageous stands on the issues that our country must face. In just the past few weeks, we've shaped the debate on the Iraq War and laid out an aggressive plan to achieve energy independence and security.

I firmly believe that our leadership on these issues ­ -- the defining issues of our time ­ -- will be recognized for years to come.

In recent weeks, just as our message has begun to resonate with voters and pundits alike, our fundraising has suffered. The fact is, each hour I spend with voters, press and policy experts is an hour taken away from our campaign paying bills.

More than any other race in history, this presidential campaign will require candidates to commit more time, energy and influence raising money than developing ideas. I worry that this process, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, holds our democracy hostage to insiders, influence and establishment when we are so in need of just the opposite.

But this is a fact I cannot change with this campaign.

I am leaving one campaign, but I am not saying goodbye. I will continue to fight for outsiders and underdogs who are the backbone of the Democratic Party and our country. Our work is far from over. Because here in Iowa ­where the first caucus will be held in less than 11 months ­ and all across this great country, voters are longing for bold leadership, big ideas and courage from our elected officials.

We want the war to end ­ -- today.

We want a real plan to provide universal access to healthcare ­ -- today.

And we want policies to keep us secure and environmentally sound by ending our addiction to oil, both foreign and domestic.

Again, thank you for everything you've done. It has been an inspiring few months and I know that, with your continued support, our work is not over.

With great appreciation,

Tom Vilsack

In other news Joe Biden will appear on "Real Time with Bill Maher" tonight at 11 P.M. on HBO.

Even More Zack Space On Colbert Report

For something that happened a long time ago Zack Space's appearance on the Colbert Report is certainly generating a lot of news today. Comedy Central just posted these two videos from the interview that didn't make it on the air.

Zack Space on Colbert Report Replay On Right Now!

It just came on Comedy Central, you still have a few minutes before the interview.

Jason Zone Fisher At Huffington Post

Lee Fisher's son Jason has a post up at Huffington Post about his documentary "Swing State".

Read More: The Blog | Jason Zone Fisher and John Intrater: How It All Began | The Huffington Post

Memo for Hillary Clinton: When Pigs Fly

Hillary Clinton is the one Democratic candidate that I just can't seem to fully support. I don't know, it just feels like there's a pinch of Joe Lieberman to her (though that might just be because she was late to jump on the anti-war bandwagon). Her campaigns reaction to some recent comments by David Geffen in support of Barack Obama only seems to confirm it for me.

"While Senator Obama was denouncing slash and burn politics yesterday, his campaign's finance chair was viciously and personally attacking Senator Clinton and her husband.

"If Senator Obama is indeed sincere about his repeated claims to change the tone of our politics, he should immediately denounce these remarks, remove Mr. Geffen from his campaign and return his money.

"While Democrats should engage in a vigorous debate on the issues, there is no place in our party or our politics for the kind of personal insults made by Senator Obama's principal fundraiser.

Somebody needs to remind Hillary that all's fair in love, war, and intra-party politics.

Update (5:32 P.M.): For some reason I posted this when it was only halfway done. I'm getting a cold but that's still a little pathetic. I've fixed it now.

Source: HillaryClinton.com - Media Release

For Some Reason I Don't See Bob Ney Being This Honest

Ted Strickland is keeping his word on his self-imposed ethics policy. After his wife Frances received a $31 book as a gift recently the Strickland's decided to play it safe and write a check.

Read More: The Columbus Dispatch - Local/State

The Rundown - 2/19/07

I don't like doing this but there are just too many good stories today.

The Blotter

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) won't say what it plans to do with thousands of dollars in campaign donations it received from an accused terror financier.

Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari gave $15,250 to the NRCC since 2002, according to FEC records published on the Web site opensecrets.org.

On Friday, Alishtari pled not guilty to funding terrorism and other crimes, including financial fraud.

Progress Ohio | Jill Miller Zimon's Blog: Bloggers in the Statehouse: a question of when, not if

Jill Zimon of Writes Like She Talks want to know why bloggers aren't allowed press access to the Statehouse.

BlogPac Thoughts From Across the Nation | Buckeye State Blog

Jerid at BSB is still trying to decide whether or not to sell his soul to dailykos accept a check from BlogPac. A decision is expected tonight.

Voinovich Has Bad Mouth - Vote Coordination

George Voinovich seems to have a problem keeping his opinions straight. He repeatedly says that he's against the troop surge but every time he's had a chance to vote against it he seems to get confused.

REPUBLICANS AGAINST

Alexander (Tenn.), Allard (Colo.), Brownback (Kan.), Bunning (Ky.), Burr (N.C.), Chambliss (Ga.), Coburn (Okla.), Cornyn (Tex.), Craig (Idaho), Crapo (Idaho), DeMint (S.C.), Dole (N.C.), Domenici (N.M.), Enzi (Wyo.), Graham (S.C.), Grassley (Iowa), Gregg (N.H.), Hutchison (Tex.), Inhofe (Okla.), Isakson (Ga.), Lott (Miss.), Lugar (Ind.), Martinez (Fla.), McConnell (Ky.), Roberts (Kan.), Sessions (Ala.), Shelby (Ala.), Stevens (Alaska), Sununu (N.H.), Thomas (Wyo.), Thune (S.D.), Vitter (La.), Voinovich (Ohio).

It's also worth noting that Brownback actually managed to cast a vote.

Until today I wasn't sure how Voinovich had voted (I had heard somewhere that he actually voted for it) but thankfully the Washington Post out up a complete tally.

Source: Senate Roll Call - washingtonpost.com