The links: Net Neutrality, private prisons and a painted wall
Here is some news stuff that everyone should be keeping an eye on.
* John McCain proffers up the Internet Freedom Act, which is one of those Patriot Act-type names that confuses people by being exactly opposite of what you'd expect. If you don't know about Net Neutrality, do some homework. This is one that could slip through the cracks if we are not careful, because (as mentioned by Xeni Jardin in the link) we don't know (or care) how the Internet works as long as it does and we can check out People of Walmart with no hassles. If we really do value the importance of access to information, we cannot jeopardize free (not monetarily) and unrestricted Internet.
* Arizona is looking to privatize its prison system. At least now we know that our prisons are money-making endeavors. Instead of looking at the actual problem with prisons (how come we have so many prisoners), Arizona (and California for that matter), chooses to focus on a symptom (the fact they can't afford it). But turning the prison over to a private company only further the problem by ensuring it become profit-driven.
* The Tower Districts newest mural did not get painted over. This was a developing story throughout the weekend and one that could have turned out badly. In the end, cooler heads prevailed (on all sides) and the mural was left intact. For now anyway.
While I am glad thing turned out how they did, I wonder if this is setting a precedent for future murals. The murals at archop park were scheduled to begin on Saturday, but were met with some bureaucratic-style red tape, which was probably unrelated. But the timing is eerie. While it's a positive sign that this mural (and the controversy) was noticed and not taken lightly (it was on The Bee's front page and everything) I fear we're going to see the City respond with some kind of "mural code," regulating how and when and where public art is allowed.
That would be an epic fail. We need to give business owners and artists more freedom, and more incentive to create works like this.
Unbelievable
That AZ would privatize their prisons. The whole state system. They'll come back a few years later to bail them out because it will have become so corrupt and out of control.
Every morning on C-SPAN they have live shots of the Capitol. It gives me a good feeling. Warts and all, it's the only place I can trust. Put the profit margin in the mix and you can guarantee corruption.
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