I understand the importance of intellectual property rights, and I am a nonfiction writer and researcher. But, it is important to me to have my information get to the people who need it. Yes, I need to earn a living, but I don't need to be rich or wealthy. Being "Well off" would be fun but it i's not why I do what I do. Asking the pharmaceutical companies to allow a waived patent use of their covid shot recipe is the right thing to do. Just as musicians "own" their music but now have to tour and perform live to make the big money from it (because times have changed), we can either lower the patent protection or lower the "amount to earn" using some negotiated formula that moves with the times and inflation, etc. when it comes to someone's creations and discoveries. And, quite frankly, our system of who gets the education and ownership of creations is in need of repair anyway. Too many "worker bees" who really care about what they are doing and providing to make positive changes in the world are not the ones who get remunerated for it except in a regular paycheck (if that). So, there, if you needed someone who agrees with you, Robert, here I am. No arm twisting necessary.
Thanks. The pharma situation is complicated. the US government invests billions in basis research, which allows the pharma companies to obtain commercial patents. The US government, unlike other governments, doesn't ask the pharma companies to reimburse US taxpayers for the basic research that leads to the patentable discoveries. As to mRNA, most of the early discoveries were made at UC Berkeley, Harvard, and by a French researcher. So, unlike a writer who creates fiction from scratch, the pharma companies are leveraging discoveries paid for by you and me.
Yep; I understand that. And when something has been working for us (or them) change is hard to look at or accept oft times. That does not mean it can't be done. And it is indeed complicated.
Yes, lawsuits are being mounted. The 1965 Voting Rights Act does impose some limit on the ability of states to regulate federal elections. Indeed, the Constittuion says that the ability to regulate the "time, place, and manner" of voting in federal elections is jointly vested in the states and federal government--with the federal government taking precedence. So, if Congress passes H.R.1, per the Constitution, H.R.1 supersedes state laws regarding the time place and manner of federal elections.
In general, the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting laws that intentionally discriminate against voters based on race. Many believe that the laws in Georgia, Texas, and Florida are designed to do just that.
Thay certainly wouldn't be blatant about why they passed the law, like sign it in a celebration exclusive to Fox News, right? They were subtle in their execution, right?
I am still stunned by the utter self-debasement of Rep. Elise Stefanik! Her willingness to lie to enhance her political fortunes is absolutely shameless! And please, I don't want to hear any more about degrees from Harvard University! Clearly their course offerings didn't include any classes about honesty, integrity, and the obligations of members of a democracy!!!
We'd like to think her "outer self" has changed due to changes to her "inner self," but forgive me if I attribute that to wishful thinking. No matter what, it's just so very sad to see someone selling her soul in real time!
I understand the importance of intellectual property rights, and I am a nonfiction writer and researcher. But, it is important to me to have my information get to the people who need it. Yes, I need to earn a living, but I don't need to be rich or wealthy. Being "Well off" would be fun but it i's not why I do what I do. Asking the pharmaceutical companies to allow a waived patent use of their covid shot recipe is the right thing to do. Just as musicians "own" their music but now have to tour and perform live to make the big money from it (because times have changed), we can either lower the patent protection or lower the "amount to earn" using some negotiated formula that moves with the times and inflation, etc. when it comes to someone's creations and discoveries. And, quite frankly, our system of who gets the education and ownership of creations is in need of repair anyway. Too many "worker bees" who really care about what they are doing and providing to make positive changes in the world are not the ones who get remunerated for it except in a regular paycheck (if that). So, there, if you needed someone who agrees with you, Robert, here I am. No arm twisting necessary.
Thanks. The pharma situation is complicated. the US government invests billions in basis research, which allows the pharma companies to obtain commercial patents. The US government, unlike other governments, doesn't ask the pharma companies to reimburse US taxpayers for the basic research that leads to the patentable discoveries. As to mRNA, most of the early discoveries were made at UC Berkeley, Harvard, and by a French researcher. So, unlike a writer who creates fiction from scratch, the pharma companies are leveraging discoveries paid for by you and me.
Yep; I understand that. And when something has been working for us (or them) change is hard to look at or accept oft times. That does not mean it can't be done. And it is indeed complicated.
Are court challenges being mounted against these state laws to suppress voting? States can't suppress federal voting rights - not yet, anyway?
Yes, lawsuits are being mounted. The 1965 Voting Rights Act does impose some limit on the ability of states to regulate federal elections. Indeed, the Constittuion says that the ability to regulate the "time, place, and manner" of voting in federal elections is jointly vested in the states and federal government--with the federal government taking precedence. So, if Congress passes H.R.1, per the Constitution, H.R.1 supersedes state laws regarding the time place and manner of federal elections.
Is there something about these state laws that violates the 1965 act?
In general, the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting laws that intentionally discriminate against voters based on race. Many believe that the laws in Georgia, Texas, and Florida are designed to do just that.
Thay certainly wouldn't be blatant about why they passed the law, like sign it in a celebration exclusive to Fox News, right? They were subtle in their execution, right?
Heather tweeted it. About how much Liz Cheney helped cause, build, the present Republican Party mess.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/liz-cheney-trump-fraud/618820/
Cheney enabled Trump for four years. I am glad she is speaking out, but it is too late.
I am still stunned by the utter self-debasement of Rep. Elise Stefanik! Her willingness to lie to enhance her political fortunes is absolutely shameless! And please, I don't want to hear any more about degrees from Harvard University! Clearly their course offerings didn't include any classes about honesty, integrity, and the obligations of members of a democracy!!!
Democrats have Stefanik's seat in their sites for the 2022 election.
My son noticed how she has physically changed, from a cheerful person to one mired in darkness.
We'd like to think her "outer self" has changed due to changes to her "inner self," but forgive me if I attribute that to wishful thinking. No matter what, it's just so very sad to see someone selling her soul in real time!