Join the conversation [ADD A COMMENT]

View our commenting policy and standards | Commenting FAQ | Report a problem

1. Scott M. | February 7, 2013 at 9:59 am

   An article that might be of interest to Brian Lindholm because he’s interested in patents.

   http://anticap.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/property-is-monopoly/

   ..The case against patents can be summarized briefly: there is no empirical evidence that they serve to increase innovation and productivity, unless productivity is identified with the number of patents awarded—which, as evidence shows, has no correlation with measured productivity. This disconnect is at the root of what is called the “patent puzzle”: in spite of the enormous increase in the number of patents and in the strength of their legal protection, the US economy has seen neither a dramatic acceleration in the rate of technological progress nor a major increase in the levels of research and development expenditure….

   Michele Boldrin is Joseph Gibson Hoyt Distinguished University Professor of Economics and David K. Levine is John H. Biggs Distinguished University Professor of Economics, both at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. They are also both Research Fellows with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
2. Scott M. | February 7, 2013 at 12:58 pm

   For those still following the gun debate, there’s a manhunt on for an ex-cop that has threatened to kill the many people in retaliation for being dismissed (if I’m understanding the story correctly).

   This is the reason I don’t want even cops to be stationed in schools. I say regulate guns heavily and keep them away from my kids.

   http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/2013/02/07/cal-state-shooting-suspect/1897813/
3. Chris VanCantfort | February 7, 2013 at 2:31 pm

   Today’s front page story touts that “Everybody gets it.”

   Broadband task force spurs Roanoke Valley toward light speed
   Business and government leaders touted ideas for bringing high-speed broadband to the Roanoke Valley.

   It would be funny if it weren’t sad. Consider the following excerpts:

   ————————————————————–

   Southwest Virginia, of which the New River Valley is a part, is in economic pain, if not panic. Manufacturing and related jobs are vanishing with international competition in the labor market.

   Our younger residents leave for college and don’t come back because the lucrative jobs and careers are elsewhere.

   Activities in other places, across America and the world, are telltale signs that electronic technology is the new stage for economic development.

   So, is building an e-economy with fast Internet connections an answer for the NRV? The New River Valley Planning District Commission’s Technology Committee thinks so and is challenging our community leaders to think the same. As much as water and sewer, a regional broadband network is a necessary part of economic infrastructure.

   The goal of the region’s information technology and economic development leadership is to create a comprehensive plan to serve as the basis for the development of affordable, advanced telecommunications capabilities in the region.

   “The rapid advances in information technologies in this digital era require that civic leaders assess community needs, inventory existing infrastructure, project future needs, and choose effective strategies to ensure that these needs are met.”

   Bonnett goes on to say that this planning effort is based on the belief that effective telecommunications services in a community can improve the quality of life by improving, for example, education and health care delivery. “Most importantly, ( broadband ) telecommunications services can help existing firms remain competitive and may help recruit new firms to the community.

   “Achieving both objectives (improving the quality of life and providing accessible telecommunications services to industry) would improve the employment prospects of residents and enhance the economic prosperity of the community,” says Bonnett.

   The slower pace of private services, especially in rural areas, has prompted a number of local governments and several regional groups across the country to provide services themselves. Some are organized as local government authorities, while others are public / private partnerships. So, planning for telecommunications infrastructure investment is critically important to promote economic development in the New River Valley.

   The underlying consensus among several of our local leaders is the assumption that we move forward as a region to build together a regional broadband network that will provide a “roadlike” infrastructure, become the backbone for e-commerce and education and develop into a “locational advantage.”

   Already there are concurrent telecommunications initiatives under way in each of our jurisdictional communities, as well as at our higher education institutions. Clearly we must continue to move those efforts forward even as our shared effort begins to evolve. One of the pieces of the regional puzzle is the current status of where we are individually. We need to identify the information technology activities that are happening in our communities and where networks and resources exist.

   The Planning District Commission has charged its Technology Committee to develop a common vision, draft a regional community needs assessment that includes an inventory of all existing Internet users in the government and commercial sector, appraise what telecommunication services are available, obtain information about the most promising strategies for securing future broadband service and begin the process of a regional approach to aggregating demand for broadband service.

   We are facing a crisis in our local economy, and the budget crunch that comes with this crisis impacts local governments and agencies as well. It is easy to place responsibility for this far from the New River Valley. This plan calls us back into full participation and accountability in our community.

   We are the people who care about and know this valley. The telecommunication planning process is a crucial piece of community engagement for building a sustainable base for the future of this region.

   NRV NEEDS A REGIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK
   Roanoke Times, The (VA) – Tuesday, January 27, 2004
   Author: William D. Yerrick

   ————————————————————

   The preceding thoughts were published over EIGHT YEARS AGO!

   Did we really need to spend $50,000 now for our so-called “leaders” to tell us what we already knew eight years ago?
4. Jim Lucas | February 7, 2013 at 9:12 pm

   I have very mixed “emotions” as to this drone question. In a very rare (qualified) agreement with Mrs. Saunders several months ago I spoke to the need to kill those trying to kill us.

   In the “war” (?) on “terrorism” why not be efficient & minimize the danger to our military?

   But the precedent scares the hell out of me.

   “We” kill the “they”. And, even with this president, I see the side of that. But who will be the future “we” & who will be the future “they”?
5. 89Hoo | February 8, 2013 at 4:04 am

   I have no mixed emotions at all about drones. Their potential for unconstitional use and abuse against civilians is an all too predictable next step in the corrosion of individual freedoms. It was inevitable, between the abuses heaped by the PATRIOT Act, warrantless wiretapping, the NDAA, etc.

   Good for Charlottesville, which declared itself a no-drone zone. I’m sure the Feds will ignore local authorities and ordinances, but good for Charlottesville.
6. BUD | February 8, 2013 at 9:26 am

   I can see the use of drones for monitoring our borders and possibly in a search/rescue situation. That would be it.