Politics, Politics, and Kim Jong-il
This week that was involved lots of politics (it’s about that time of year!) and one of the world’s most eccentric dictators kicking the bucket. Week in review!
Friday
Congress is at it again! This time they’re working on a bill called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA for short) that would…stop online piracy. Oh, also, it might give content owners (groups like the RIAA and MPAA) the ability to just disappear your website if they so desire. SOUNDS AWESOME. The bill’s hanging out in the House Judiciary Committee until after Congress returns from their winter break.
Whether you agree or disagree with SOPA, the fact that congresspeople–who are admittedly unfamiliar with how the internet works yet refuse to hear from experts–are making decisions that effect The Future of the Internet should be terrifying.
Sunday
Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on Sunday night. You may remember Kim Jong-il as the supreme leader of North Korea, center of a cult of personality, and a guy who looked at things. He’ll be succeeded by his son Kin Jong-un (who loves the NBA).
This video of North Koreans reacting to the death of their supreme leader is intense.
Thursday
Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Short Pump on Thursday to raise some funds and shake some hands. You can watch the video of his speech over on Downtown Shortpump.
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Thursday night was the deadline for Republicans to file petitions to get on the primary ballot in Virginia, and four candidates did so successfully: Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, and Mitt Romney. This morning the Republican Party of Virginia is working to certify/verify those petitions.
Virginia has some of the most stringent ballot requirements around, requiring 10,000 signatures–including 400 from voters in each congressional district.
Friday
Congress is at it again! Throughout the entire week the Senate and the House have been rushing headlong into another (although less devastating than the debt ceiling debacle) bout of political brinkmanship. This time, a pay roll tax cut was due to expire January 1st. Both parties wanted to extend the cut, but they couldn’t agree on how to pay for it.
All kinds of dumb shit ensued.
But finally, late last night Congress agreed on a two-month extension of the cut, and the president is expected to sign the bill today.
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Ross Catrow
Founder and publisher of RVANews.
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