TampaYankee

Another sweet golden voice relegated to history.

Megaupload site wants assets back, to fight charges By Jeremy Pelofsky | Reuters – 2 hrs 19 mins ago WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Internet website Megaupload.com, shut down by authorities over allegations that it illegally peddled copyrighted material, is trying to recover its servers and get back online, a lawyer for the company said on Friday. The company and seven of its executives were charged in a 5-count, 72-page indictment unsealed on Thursday accusing them of engaging in a wide-ranging and lucrative scheme to offer material online without compensating the copyright holders. Authorities in New Zealand arrested four of those charged, including one of its founders, who legally changed his name to Kim Dotcom. Assets were also seized money, servers, domain names and other assets in the United States and several countries. "The company is looking at its legal options for getting back its servers and its domain and getting its servers back up online," Megaupload's lawyer Ira Rothken told Reuters. "Megaupload will vigorously defend itself." He said the company simply offered online storage. "It is really offensive to say that just because people can upload bad things, therefore Megaupload is automatically responsible," he said. No decision has been made yet about whether they will fight extradition from New Zealand to the United States, Rothken said. U.S. authorities have painted a much darker picture of the company's operations, saying that Megaupload readily made available copyrighted material including music, television shows, movies, pornography and even terrorism propaganda videos. Users could upload material to the company's sites, which then would create a link that could be distributed so others could download it, according to the indictment. Some paid subscription fees for faster upload and download speeds. Despite complaints from copyright holders, the Megaupload did not remove all of the material when requested to do so, prosecutors said. The company's executives earned more than $175 million from subscription fees and advertising, they said. POSSIBLE NEW MEGAUPLOAD SITE Less than a day after U.S. authorities shut down the Megaupload.com site and several of its sister sites, there appeared to be an attempt to resurrect the site. Twitter was flooded with messages circulating a new Internet Protocol address, but the site offered no substantive content immediately and it did not appear that it was sanctioned by Megaupload. The new website, which is being hosted in the Netherlands, looked similar to the original Megaupload.com website. The company's lawyer said that he was not directly familiar with the new site. "We're not familiar with any official effort at this point to get the site back up in light of the fact that its major servers are in the possession of the United States government and other governments," Rothken said. One of those arrested on Thursday was Bram van der Kolk, who has citizenship in the Netherlands and New Zealand. He oversaw programming and the network structure for Megaupload's websites, according to court papers. U.S. officials were asked on Thursday about the risk of the site reappearing elsewhere in the future, a key issue that has confronted authorities in the past when they've tried to shut down Internet sites selling counterfeit goods. "Right now we're in the process of executing search and seizure warrants and certainly it's not going to pop up again today. But I couldn't speculate as to what may or may not happen in the future," one Justice Department official said on Thursday. Another official said "maintaining and running and assembling a site like this is very expensive. And obviously the seizure of financial assets is critical in this type of investigation and prosecution in preventing it from going forward." The case, which started as an investigation in March 2010, emerged just as lawmakers in Congress have been battling over new legislation sought by the television, movie and music industries that was aimed at making it harder for such material to be so easily peddled over the Internet. Some major technology companies, including Google and Facebook, have sought to derail the current versions of the legislation because they were concerned they would lead to censorship and lengthy litigation. Earlier on Friday, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid postponed a vote on one bill that was set for Tuesday until several issues are resolved. (Additional reporting by Jim Finkle in Boston; Editing by Howard Goller, Gary Hill) See original article at: http://news.yahoo.com/u-shutters-megaupload-com-hackers-retaliate-011423326.html

It was the only decision he could make at this time. I support it. But eventually it needs to be approved with minimized ecological impact. We need to be free of Middle East oil, period -- the sooner the better.

Re: Southland, I couldn't have said it better myself. I only wish they'd do nine episodes at a time instead of six. By the time you find it and get settled in it's over.

Rumor has it that day after the SC Primary Texas will stage a state-wide blackout in the hope that Perry cannot find his way back. It seems they have become sensitive about the public expose that they have been governed by a boob for three terms. Even worse, that they have chosen him three times. I guess boobs beget boobs.

There is not a single Republican candidate that can beat Obama IMO. True, there are many voters that 'hate' Obama and many more that want to see his policies go, but nowhere near a majority will vote for one of these GOP turkeys. Obama will be running with or against the economy. That is his opponent. That and any potential unforeseen events that could overtake the election. That could have been very different with other, serious GOP candidates who, in the end, decided not to ride the right-wing crazy-wave through the primaries.

Gives a whole new meaning to "You want fries with that?"

We have had two instances is as many weeks, more or less, bringing up old issues and perceived offenses that are part of the past and belong in the past. We are not here to hold on to the past when it comes to grudges and agendas. We are not here to relitigate the past. It is enough to deal with present day issues should they arise. If one has an old grudge or agenda it is best for your own cortisol levels to let it go. If you cannot then please take it elsewhere. We are a forward looking forum. WE HAVE MOVED ON!! We have freedom of expression within the rules of the forum. Agenda based abusive attacks are not tolerated. Making abusive posts over old issues/agendas will get forum privileges revoked. If something of a current events nature arises it is fair to share it. Just do not make it into a personal vendetta about another individual or use it as an invitation to dredge up vitriol from the past.

I ditto your sentiments most wholeheartedly. This is an important article pointing out the many accomplishments in a very difficult political and economic environment by a president who is anything but an extremist in any way, shape, form or fashion, despite the political spin. I took notice of Obama's long-game approach in the primary where he planned for the long haul and scooped up all those caucus states after Super Tuesday where Hillary's campaign plan ended, assuming victory by that point. I also saw the long game in the Health Care and Don't Ask, Don't Tell battles. It has also shown in the budget and debt showdowns where he has effectively played rop-a-dope with the GOP. First was the budget battle with the big cuts that amounted to no more than an effective 38 million dollars the first year.The tea party freshmen were incensed that their 100 billion target cuts over ten years got cut back and the lesser package negotiated resulted in so little realized the first year. Similarly, with the debt ceiling fight, he ultimately got the debt limit increased, with no revisitation of the topic till after the election. An outcome better than could have been hoped for going in. Big deal that Congress gets to voice its nonbinding disapproval two times more. The issue has effectively been removed from the GOP for 2012. Obama has achieved a lot and in very difficult times as Sullivan points out. He is a masterful, if stealth politican. Also, he has disappointed me on occasions with finance reform details, slow approaches to DADT, no Public Option. But looking at where we are now from where we began when he took office, we are light years ahead. I'm doubtful that Hillary could have been more successful in achievements even if we had more of a feeling of a crusade underway. I look forward to his next four years with a Democrat House. If only the Dems could retain the Senate but that is a long long stretch.

Goldwater and the Tea Party would not get along. He was a strong small-c fiscal conservative that spoke plainly. He would not suffer crazy wackos that didn't want to pass a debt limit extension. He was not an extreme Social Conservative that would put that agenda above sound governing. He actually believed that government should stay out of people's lives. Today he would be called a moderate by the present bunch. In his final years in the Senate he wasn't embraced all that closely anymore. He had shown a tolerant side to the social issues that swept up most of the party in the late 80s and early 90s. Regan's policies wouldn't have been embraced either. The deficit ballooned while he was in office. (Just like Bush II.). Tax cuts some years, increases other years. His big objective was not social, or small government though he paid lip service to it. He didn't get rid of one Cabinet Department although he campaigned on it. Regan's goal was to fight and win the cold war. He was single-minded in his effort to create a 600 ship Navy which blew the budget and the deficit, and standing up Mid-Range missles in Europe. He did it and spent the Soviets into oblivion. They just couldn't keep up. This present day tea Party crew is dedicated to having their way or no way, and until now, the establishment has bowed to them, fearing that if not they would be primaried and retired by the likes of Sharon Angle and Christine O'Donnel. It is interesting that the establishment still calls the tune in the Presidential Primary it seems. In that arena money does talk.

What's wrong with tie-dyed sheets? I like them. Sorta like psychedelic sleeping.

I defer to my elders. Well, that was actually before my time. Guess I misread the ancient history books. He did follow the first Nixon run anyway.

Love the pose, love the model!! Pardon me.... I'm having a religious moment. P.S. I'm glad to see that he dressed for the occasion.

Will the GOP tradition continue of anointing the runner-up from four years earlier with the nomination? AuH2O got the nod after coming in second to Nixon in '72, Reagan after losing to Ford, McCain after losing to Bush II. Now Romney after losing to McCain? Looks like the base never really gets the candidate it wants, rather the establishment backed 'next in line'. Seems like the primary electorate at-large likes to see their choice make a lap around the track before placing their bet. If this turns out to be the case again then so much for the Tea Party upsetting the apple cart -- at least this time around.

Ok, I accept your explanation that it was an unintended consequence of an ill-conceived joke or prank. Your response strikes me as genuine. Let's put this behind us and move on to more interesting topics.

Take the easy route Lucky. Dump all data and let us filter it for you. We'll put our 'discrete' reading filters on.

I do not believe voters are as easily led by press and candidate spin as they are by the political 'lines' they want to believe, that align with their perception of the way conditions are or should be. I doubt that most voters care about the results in Iowa with the possible exception of evangelicals. The press spins it completely out of control just as they did Bachmann's win of the Iowa Straw Poll. That sure told us a lot. I knew it was all bullshit, the press knew it was all bullshit, but they hyped it, nevertheless, because they get paid to and it gives the job a little action, even if irrelevant. Iowa is much like a broken clock that tells the right time twice a day. Yeah it gets it right on rare occasion. Is it the keen perception of the Iowa caucus goer or random chance. You decide. Virtually nobody really makes a decision based on Iowa. What it does do is get the leading candidates more hype from the press and in the succeeding states more attention from the people. Else we'll be anointing Santorum if he takes SC based on Iowa and the polling that 75% of voters prefer the nonRomney. That ain't gonna happen whether he takes SC or not. The momentum effect really starts to take effect in SC and beyond. Can the NH winner of a broad-based election, even if in a small state, pull it off in SC or Florida? If so then Super Tuesday will coronate the front runner in all likelihood. If not then the brawl continues between the top two. With the new rules it will drag on but with the winner secure, just as Obama did last time. If Romney wins SC then the Tea Party and Social Conservatives have gone belly up to the establishment. Their goals get sacrificed again to expediency or their inability to organize. I do wonder why Demint has been so low profile in this process when he was so high profile in getting Tea Partiers advanced in the 2010 election? In view of all the fire-breathing that has gone on about debt and spending and social values I'll be astonished if they roll over for Romney. A leopard can claim to be a tiger over and over but it dont make spots in into stripes. That won't be known until we see the turnout in the general election, in all probablility.

It was a real Auto Sales establishment in a western city. Either you are connected with it and violated our policy of using these forums to advertise your business or you violated the privacy of that establishment by posting their number here, on an escort information related site which has nothing to do with their business. Attempting to hide behind humor or more likely your failed sense of propriety is no excuse even if true. Grow up. High school is over.

I think good hygiene demands that frothy mixes get disposed of promptly after arrival, Santorum or not. I'll leave it up to individual taste how that is accomplished.

Court: Oklahoma can't enforce Sharia law ban By Robert Boczkiewicz | Reuters – 10 hrs ago DENVER (Reuters) - A federal appeals court upheld an injunction against a voter-approved ban on Islamic law in Oklahoma on Tuesday, saying it likely violated the U.S. Constitution by discriminating against religion. A three-member panel of the Denver-based U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that the rights of plaintiff Muneer Awad, a Muslim man living in Oklahoma City, likely would be violated if the ban on Sharia law takes effect. The decision upholds the ruling of a lower federal court. "While the public has an interest in the will of the voters being carried out ... the public has a more profound and long-term interest in upholding an individual's constitutional rights," the appeals court said in a 37-page written decision. The Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed the ruling, calling it "a victory for the Constitution and for the right of all Americans to freely practice their faith." Oklahoma's "Save Our State Amendment," which was approved by 70 percent of state voters in 2010, bars Oklahoma state courts from considering or using Sharia law. The lawsuit challenging the measure was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Awad, who is director of the Oklahoma chapter of CAIR. A federal judge in Oklahoma City issued a court order in November 2010 barring the measure from taking effect while the case is under review, finding a substantial likelihood that Awad would prevail on the merits. The Council said the Oklahoma amendment is among 20 similar proposed laws introduced in state legislatures nationwide. Defenders of the amendment say they want to prevent foreign laws in general, and Islamic Sharia law in particular, from overriding state or U.S. laws. But foes of the Oklahoma measure, also called State Question 755, have argued that it stigmatizes Islam and its adherents and violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment prohibition against the government favoring one religion over another. State Senator Anthony Sykes, one of the measure's sponsors, called the decision an attempt "to silence the voice of 70 percent of Oklahoma voters. At some point we have to decide whether this is a country of, by and for the judges, or of, by and for the people." Opponents also say it could nullify wills or legal contracts between Muslims because they incorporate by reference specific elements of Islamic prophetic traditions. (Editing by Mary Slosson and Paul Thomasch) See original article at: http://news.yahoo.com/court-oklahoma-cant-enforce-sharia-law-ban-011240179.html

It is not uncommon to get faulty perceptions from a camera image. First, it is often said that a lens ads ten pounds to the subject -- why I assiduously avoid them. Also, it is nearly impossible to get an accurate perception of height unless the principles want to present it. Look at Tom Cruise and Sean Penn to name two.

It is rumored that even the Czar tired of Baluga after the first pint too. :+ That was my problem with the old Stock too. Not the old old Stock before they moved to St Catherine, but the new location in the earlier days. Can't speak to that these days as I've been out of touch. The point is that it can make for a long evening or, conversely, a very short one. Appreciate the report. Thanks for sharing.

Let's wait for SC before we anoint Romney. I take exception that Romney 'won' Iowa. I do concede without any difficulty that he tied for first place. After all, the score is not the number of votes but the number of delegates won. He shared an equal number with Santorum. These are not popularity contests but delegate contests. Anyone want to seriously argue that a difference of one vote or eight out of 100,000 votes means anything concrete unless it bestows some concrete accomplishment over the competitors? It is so American that all things get reduced to the concept of winning as it applies to a ball game. Some issues are a little more complex. Having said that, the die probably will be cast for Romney in Florida although he will have to slug it out for a couple of months unless all other candidates fold their tents. The new GOP Primary Rules take a page from the Dems Primary book with proportional allocation of delegates, not winner take all. Paul will stay in and probably Santorum if the is the one Social Conservatives coalesce behind.

You have abused your posting privilege here. Strike two!! Simon, unless you are an escort listing a profile, we charge for advertising. Please make payment in the amount of $500 for one month, or $450/mo on a recurring basis if you wish to advertise or $75/day, one day minimum, which you have already incurred. Email to admin@maleescortreview.com your Paypal contact information along with your single/recurring preference so that we can invoice you accordingly. We also accept Western Union and will entertain additional payment options. No checks please. You seem intent on pushing the envelope here. Be careful it doesn't burst your bubble. Remember that members participate at the pleasure of the Management. Remember also that there is only three strikes at bat and no crying in baseball.

Me too. I'm a life-long Gators fan and wanted desperately to go to school there. I did make to a handful of games in The Swamp. I have to agree with the rest of your sentiment too, except for below. No, he belongs in jail. That whole episode was shameful for him and more for the authorities who let him get away with that episode. And for the NFL too which should have bounced his ass to the moon. There should be no place in the NFL for anyone who behaves as a thug and sex offender. Just sayin'... The same attitude prevails in this that prevailed at Penn State. Criminal behavior is often overlooked when big money is at stake.