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"Italian radicals began constructing illicit stations during the cultural and political upheavals of the 1970s. In 1976 the courts ruled that the government could not shut the pirates down. In fact, the jurists concluded, all government regulation of local broadcasting was unconstitutional."

 

First, the Radio Waves, Next, the Internet 10/26/02
Those who thought the Internet would free their speech, are sadly mistaken...
Greetings, from my private domicile in a land where no one cares...

In a flurry of activity around these parts, I found it necessary to travel a bit more than I had desired, of late. It's amazing what a year can do in terms of changing the outward appearance of a nation. My, Al Queida has been busy! I now give pause to considerations of traveling into the city, for the last time I was there gave me an experience even the Bovine Onehimself would find challenging: the bombs of terrorists exploding in our cities here in the Orient. These events serve as a constant reminder that we are like a flock of birds in a hunter's rifle scope. Being in the wrong place at the right time can spell the end for one's self! Well, I digress...

It has come to my attention that a prediction I have made 4 years ago has come to pass in the good ol' US of A: the Internet is taking steps to restrict freedom and openness through intense monitoring schemes and the imposing of tolls, bandwidtch caps and filtering.

The DMCA laws place pressure on ISPs and hosting providers to police their own networks using their own draconian methods which comply with no particular standard, thus encouraging haphazard and selective enforcement of inconsistent and often confusing policies pertaining to content, the transport method and whom it's directed at.

While Americans have lost the battle on access to the airwaves for anyone but the super-wealthy, the Internet represented a bastion of freedom and hope. That hope is being melted away. Gone are the free shoutcasting servers, and even live365 has gone to a pay-only strategy. Worse, internet providers (who never cared what you did with your connection) are now becoming very much aware of every user's activities and placing very specific restrictions on the use of those connections. The systems in place are assymetrical, that is, they allow for content to come IN to the user, but not for content to go OUT FROM the user. Once again, a familiar model is emerging: 'thou shall shut up and be a good CONSUMER'.

In a practical sense, this is being implemented by port blocking, monitoring and TOS violation enforcement. Persons caught webcasting can now lose their connections to the web. Sound familiar?

Now you catch a glimpse of what you lost when you gave up the fight for access to the airwaves. You gave up because you mistakenly thought the Internet would be the next frontier and that YOU could win that battle. But the recording industry was working behind the scenes since March 2000 to see that this never occurs. The DMCA came into law and the technology industry, urged by the investment firms such as Goldman-Sachs, are sinking a lot of funding into technology that will limit what you can say and do on the internet. Watch out for Ellacoya Networks, for they have been developing the tools by which your ISP can snoop on and filter every byte coming into and out of your computer. Ah, I do love third-world countries, for they yet lack the depth of ability and funding to carry on in these invasive ways.

I have witnessed the rather rapid death of the Intenet in just under 3 years. It all started in March 2000 and appears to be picking up speed. Regulation came to this 'electronic wild west' in the form of the DMCA, new, gigantic fees set by the Library of Congress, for streaming audio (to be paid to the record industry) and more is to follow. Small webcasters have been driven out of business already.

The will of the people is weak and confused. A nation so divided by diverse thought on issues that should be cut and dried simple facts is one that will be doomed to falling prey to its own ignorance.

Given the way world events are shaping up, humanity had better hope that there is no life after death, for to be born into the world we are headed into would truly be hell.

Cheers,

Your friendly Bovine One

 
On the September 11 WTC Incident 9/26/2001
"America's Bankrupt Foreign Policy is Largely Responsible"
My reaction to the World Trade Center attack was divided: emotionally, it was hard to believe; intellectually, it was to be expected--it was inevitable, given the policies of the US government.

The biggest tragedy, however, is that the US government probably will resort to the same failed policies of the past several wars. The reason? Altruism and religion. And also, a constant policy of interfering with the affairs of other nations, especially in the Baltics and the Middle East. The US government got America into this mess. And it will do everything by default to stay in that mess. Example: the new president's religious beliefs prevent him from taking a decisive action that would, as a bi-product, kill "innocent" civilians of these Muslim nations. What the real tragedy is, is the fact that Mr. Bush will sentence America to "death by a thousand cuts." In effect, a replay of Viet Nam and other lengthy attrocities which killed more American soldiers than the enemy.

Why was America attacked? According to Usama Bin-Laden, both America and Israel are oppressors of the Muslim people and have actively worked to invade, plunder and oppress Muslim-oriented nations in the Middle East. I have learned a lot about the man in recent months and my impressions are of an intelligent, focused, objective (within the context of his goals) man who is unwaveringly true to his religious beliefs. What he believes and what he does are in unison with oneanother.

I suspect that the US government is not an innocent bystander in this matter, but an active aggressor, who has, time and again, intervened in matters internal to nations of Islamic faith. This is the reason why Usama Bin-Laden and his brothers-in-faith have issued the Fatwa (religious edict) to resort to Jihad (holy war).

Now the Americans say that looking for Bin-Laden is like seeking a needle in a haystack. Well, they are right. I point out that there is only one way to get rid of the needle efficiently: burn the haystack. In practical terms, this amounts to doing the efficient war action: use of the atomic weapons. Why should thousands of young American soldiers fight a hopeless war against fanatics against whom conventional methods cannot and never will succeed? Use the Bomb. Save innocent American lives. If we take the moral stance that Islamic faith is evil (and there are some evidence to support that the Q'oran does indeed advocate the killing of thousands of innocents), then one must also deduce that a nation, and its tax-paying populous is equally-responsible for its government's actions. Bin-Laden has chosen every American male who is either in the military, or pays taxes, as his sworn enemy. There is sensible logic in that view, since a nation's population makes it possible for its government to wage war--by paying taxes.

Taking the above logic, we can see how it is justifiable to anihhilate a million Muslims to save millions of American lives back in US territory. And it is with alacrity that this action must come, because more attacks and the resources to make those attacks, are ready to be sprung and in place on US soil. The nature of those attacks will be more devastating than what happened on 9/11/2001.

I predict that after two more major terrorist attacks, claiming the lives of more than 2.5 million American civilians, two things will happen: either Bush will set aside his religious crutches and make a brave and bold move, or the US military will attempt a coup and take over the war-management itself.

I have it on good authority that the terrorists may possess compact nuclear weapons. Whether these weapons have made it to US soil is yet unknown. But other chemical and biological weapons have been introduced on US soil. The dates of those attacks are unknown, but it is believed by these sources to be imminent. All the security checkpoints in the world cannot stop them.

Now, we are witnessing the beginning of the end, for USA. Look at what has happened so far: The US population is terrified. The economy is in a downward spiral. Unemployment has spiked to 9% as a result of the failing airline industry. The public has leapt one more major step on the Communist Manifesto: in times of public terror, more invasive laws will be welcomed with open arms. America is becoming an armed camp. I sit here watching, on my television, most incredible images. It's surreal, because it no longer seems like the America I left behind in January of 2000. It now resembles a third-world country, war-torn and under marshal law. It resembles no place I'd want to live in.

Not that it is any concern of mine, as an ex-patriot and former American citizen, but it does seem like the last lights of freedom, the last example of enlightment, of belief in man's ability to achieve good, has gone down with the buildings of the World Trade Center. This is a dark day not only for America, but for the world at large. As for me, I can only hope there is no afterlife. For the world the next generation will be born to could well be a living Hell.

With courage,

Your friendly Bovine One

 

Update From the Other Side of the World - 1/24/2000 - 1/28/2001

"Going Legal is Farcical"
Greetings again from the other side of the world. First, a quick update. I can say finally that I have finally reached a point where I feel at home in this new country. My neighbors consider me somewhat of an oddity, but in the whole of it, they are friendly and even helpful with the project I am engaged in. I am learning to be patient. The people here move and do things on a different level of alacrity. There is no direct confrontation when someone performs below your expectations. The American way of dealing in business is ineffective here; assimilating the native approach to doing business seems to be effective, though it requires patience and not haste to see it through.

You know, I feel really great. I didn't file an income tax return last year. And I won't be filing one again this year. I can't tell you what a great feeling it is to be out of the reach of the IRS!

I heard recently about the election in the US. We all had a good laugh here at how long it took to figure out who the new president was! I've also read that the FCC's LPFM-friendly chairman has resigned, and a more conservative Micheal Powell has been named as the replacement. So much for any hope of an LPFM license!

Have you ever heard the story of the kid who wanted his own radio station? So he applied to the FCC and was turned down because he didn't meet the requirements for a non-commercial educational staton license. Later in life, he worked at his day job and saved his money (what little was left after the IRS had at it) in the hope of forming an incorporated organization and applying again. But his application fee went to waste this time, because other applicants filed against him and his little corporation.

Broke, and dismayed, he decided to see if he could get on the air through his local radio station. "Sorry kid, we don't sell air time." So he tried the non-comm stations: "Sorry, we only let matriculated students enter the broadcasting program." Strike two. Then he went to some other non-comm stations that seemed to offer programming like he could produce. "We have a five year waiting list." And being persistent, the little guy called once a year and sent in demo tapes regularly. No response.

Then one day, he got bold, and decided to write a simple business plan and seek venture capital. His plan was to buy a radio station, legitimately. After much hoopla and trotting around tapes and writing letters, he got only a few politely-worded replies, stating that his concept was not economically viable. Emotionally worn, and feeling tired, he sat in dismay and hopelessness, realizing that his dream was impossible to realize in "the nation of  the American Dream."

Then one day, this young man discovered a web site, one which described how he could have his own radio station, free of the bloated, inflated, revolving-door palm greasing regulatory muck and mire, free of the political constraints, free of the advertizers' demands, free of local ordinances and taxation. The young man became inspired once again. "Could this really be true?" he wondered. And so he studied, and researched, and learned all he could about radio. He began to find it an intriguing hobby to experiment with his radio circuits, building, trying, failing and building again, until one day finally, he had something he could be proud of.

This, my friends, is the story of so many unlicensed broadcasters--people like you and I, who've been forced out of our fair share of this naturally-available resource, a renewable resource at that. Forced out, by a monopolistic organization that we could refer to as "the federal Mafia". That's a good way to put it. (Thank you Erwin Schiff)  And so we have this regulated system which has become an atrocity--an embarrassment to what once was purported to be a free nation.

Those of you who are still stuck living in the USA, I feel deep pity for your situation. Now that I am disconnected from all ties to the US, I observe the events of my former homeland with curiousity, rather than dread. But when I read stories on the internet about things happening in areas that once concerned me, I feel the need to speak out again. Yes, I do still visit pirate web sites, just to feel like I'm back home sometimes. I've gotten really weird lately in my music choices. More often than not, one can hear the music of Percy Faith, Montavoni, Henry Mancini and other American composers streaming out of the windows of my cottage here, not anime music. Strange what living in Asia does to a person's tastes in things. I suppose there are a few things I miss about the USA, but they are mainly things that have long been gone from the USA. I can tell you that the people around me just love this music. It's almost as nice as the music I heard in Singapore in a shopping mall last month.

In closing this installment, I wish I could offer you all a lasting solution that would be accepted en-masse by the society in the US. We all know that isn't the case. To the American leaders: you screwed up royally when you allowed lobbyists into the congress. That will be your downfall. Shame on you.

The future of the world is here in Asia. We are a continent of people who have not forgotten the meaning of teamwork. We do not cut our competitor's throats so that we may increase our already obscene wealth to even more stretches of absurdity. We are happy with what we have and we help others. We are not "greedy" (in the sense of irrational greed where one takes at other's expense). Our patience and attitude will be rewarded one day, as the balance of power shifts from the West to the East.

Sayonara,

Your Friendly Bovine One

 

 

Update From the Other Side of the World - 1/24/2000 - 10/30/2000

"Real heroes versus big talkers..."
It's been a while since my last "transmission", and during that time, I've gotten a few snippets of news from the radio world on the other side of the Pacific. My whole life seems to be running on a laptop PC, as of this writing. It's amazing what technology makes possible. Anyway, I'm taking advantage of a decent connection while I weather the typhoons that are battering this region at the moment. And now for my commentary of the week...

Remember the few die-hard free radio evangelists who publicly vowed to resist the (gee what do you call that government agency? It's been a while and I'm actually forgetting the names of agencies in the USA) feds when they come to shut down their respective stations? Remember KIND Radio's key man who promised to stay on the air until the feds come with armed troops to shut him down, and how he would openly broadcast the whole affair until they steal the transmitter?

Remember that one in Vermont who vowed to resist the feds with force when they come for him?

Where are these stations now? Off the air. Why? They received court orders to shut down. Excuse me? What happened to long-standing commitments? Or was it just bravado?

What happened to NLNR FM 101.9 in Seattle? Gone fishing, I reckon.

Well, it was enlightening to hear of an unlikely hero this week, in the form of a microbroadcaster who displays more courage than all the others, Tampa FL, San Marcos TX, Vermont, Seattle, etc. A colored fellow by the name of Mbanno Kantako, of Human Rights Radio in Decatur, Illinois. I read how the feds came in and stole his transmitter a few months ago, arrested him, etc. And now this week I hear he's back on the air, in the face of a court order to shut down. This man demonstrates guts! Real guts. The rest of the free radio community has shown it's true colors (and that includes me--you could say I chickened out by leaving the country for a better life outside America) as a bunch of talkers who, when faced with the real threat of government violence, turned tail and ran away from their supposed quests. A bunch of kids playing radio. A bunch of cowards who can't stand up to the government they supposedly once controlled. A sad bunch indeed. I find it somewhat disillusioning. What this movement needs is a good martyr--a person willing to kill and die for the cause of freedom. Such good martyrs vanished after the American Revolution.

Today everyone is willing to put up with losing their real freedom as long as the illusion is kept alive with cell phones, beer ads, SUVs and ESPN. But the ugly truth is slowly leaking out, until one day the Big Lie will be revealed.

I've never been a huge fan of the so-called "black liberation" movement, but I do acknowledge that throughout recent history, blacks have been bold and proactive in achieving their political goals, through whatever means available. They understand that violence is often the only language the government understands, when fighting for a cause which lacks popularity with the masses.

Mr. Kantako demonstrates his commitment to further the goals of Human Rights Radio and sets an example for all microbroadcasters. He is the true hero in the war of freedom of the airwaves. It's a shame that he'll probably get trampled on like so many ants in the path of a herd of elephants, but then ants have an annoying way of emerging from the woodwork, over and over again.

Sayonara,

Your Friendly Bovine OneFrom a motel in "The City of Light"

 

Update From the Other Side of the World - 1/24/00 - 6/10/00

"News of my demise is greatly exaggerated..."
It may come as quite a surprise to many reading this page, but the fact remains, for me, life in the United States living as a free man is not possible. Therefore I have taken up residency in another part of the world. I will not reveal the exact location or country, but it is somewhere in the continent of Asia, in the "ring of fire" --an area so-called because of the many active volcanoes, typhoons and earthquakes. It is in the continent of Asia. Not exactly Japan, but a country where I can enjoy more freedom than in Japan, with a next to nothing cost of living and very nice people.

The downside of this place is it's got some of the worst internet access in the world. It's very difficult to find a reliable connection. Hence, it took this long to find access to my old web sites and ftp in.

This move has been in the works for some time. I didn't discuss it until it was a fait accompli because I didn't want anything or anyone to interfere with my goal. And my goal is not yet complete, but well on the way to completion, with about a year to go on the construction of a new FM radio station up here in the mountains.

Thinking in retrospect, I should have done this 50 years ago. I wasted so much time believing in the "American Dream" while my feet were mired in beaurocratic quicksand, paying out an average of US$10,000 in taxes every year so that I could contribute to the monster that would have eventually murdered me, had I not gotten the hell out of America. Where I am now, there are no taxes per se. Land is cheap and even the poor here can hang onto their land for generations without fear of government confiscation. American dollars go very far here. Where back in the USA, I could not afford to keep my house, here i can afford a maid, a cook and yard servants and guards. The climate suits my rhumaticm just fine--I feel much better now that I've felt in 3 decades or more. And, an unexpected bonus, the lovely ladies here have no blinders on when it comes to their interest in a man. They look to the heart and soul, not to the physical appearance. Age difference does not matter either, so it's not uncommon for a marriage with 50 years age difference between the man and wife to occur. And for me, that impossible event happened earlier this year. A kind and gentle man was all she wanted, not Mr. Beautiful. All I can say is, "why the hell didn't I think of this 50 years ago??"

You know, the news media really distorts things a great deal. Third world nations are excellent places to live with virtual freedom from government intervention. There are no zoning laws, no rules against burning your trash, no rules requiring business licenses, no one to harrass you with monthly notices of tax liens, nothing at all. This country has not built up the huge infrastructure that America has for torturing its citizens.

I'm learning a lot about healthy living here too. Come to think of it, I have not seen one overweight person since I've been here. Even I have been losing weight since eating rice, fish, chicken and eggs. All fresh, just hours old. Would you believe they don't refrigerate the eggs here? And apparently it's not necessary. I go to the grocery store and read the ingredients on stuff and what is missing? All the chemicals and junk found in American foods, that's what. Everything tastes like homemade food here. Why can't they cut all the junk out of foods in America? Seems they could increase their profits if they didn't put all the junk in.

There is much work to be done. I'm having a Onan-Detroit 60kW diesel generator imported and am working on installing American-quality basic necessities like a well pump and backup electric power. Fuel is so damned cheap here it's downright silly not to use it. I've got the tower site picked out and have been diligently drafting up plans for the radio station itself.

There are five FM stations within 160kM of here and a few others I can receive from much further off at the top of the mountain here. There is a lot of space on the dial here. It reminds me of the FM band as it was in the US in 1960. Lot's of growing room. The maximum power we can get is 10kW ERP, but from 7400' AMSL, that goes a long way.

It looks like the whole project, including the land, is going to run about US$49,000. I would imagine something equivalent in the US would run around US$60 million.

I'm enjoying a more sublime, slower-paced way of life here, and it suits me fine. Actually, I've become something of a frequent flyer, making trips to several Asian nations within 1000 miles of here. This is a priceless part of the world. Truely, the hope for the future of planet earth lies in Asia, the last bastion of decency and thoughtfulness.

I do not know when I'll next update this site, but as time permits, as well as internet access, I will try to keep ya'll posted on the progress.

Sayonara,

Your Friendly Bovine One

 

Read my LPFM Comments filed with the FCC on 7/30/99

pdf version   CLICK HERE   pdf version
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a technical glitch with Tripod's invasive marketing policy of not linking directly to files (you'll be taken to a Tripod self-agrandizement page with a link to my PDF file), you will not be able to view the PDF document by simply clicking on it. Your screen will load a blank page. I found that hitting the refresh button on your browser is the only way to get the PDF to actually show text. Sorry about this inconvenience. Tripod will be getting a piece of my mind on this matter soon.

 

"Freedom of speech does not exist in the abstract. On the contrary, the right to speak can flourish only if it is allowed to operate in an effective forum -- whether it be a public park or a radio frequency ... For in the absence of an effective means of communications, the right to speak would ring hollow indeed. And, in recognition of these principles, we have consistently held that the First Amendment embodies, not only the abstract right to be free from censorship, but also the right of the individual to utilize an appropriate and effective medium for the expression of his views."
       --Justice of the Supreme Court William Brennan

 

News Footage of Braveheart Radio in Meadeville, PA.

Darrell Sivik talks to news media about his militia-oriented radio station...

RealVideo: CLICK HERE[Braveheart.ram - MISSING]
More information on Braveheart: CLICK HERE

 

NEWS FLASH - MAY 6, 1999
Freedom of speech on the internet is under attack again, as we speak. On May 5th, the web host recorded 7 hits from gatekeeper.fcc.gov in the course of one six-hour period. As if that wasn't enough to alert me to take extra precautions to protect life and property, I received phonecalls from a contact/longtime personal friend in the State Police Dept, telling me to "be careful, because my name came up in their computers and the enquiring parties were multiple federal agencies". To make matters worse, two of the radio stations I work at called me "on the carpet" to ask me why Vincent Kajunski, of the Boston Field Office of the FCC, was so darned interested in this web site. He MAY have implied to my employers that I was engaged in illegal activities, without having any proof of that. As it turns out, my relationships to these employers may have been seriously damaged. I'm investigating the legal ramifications of a slander case as a result, in the event that these "leaks" about "pirate radio activity" to my employers indeed cause me to suffer loss of income.

The bottom line question remains, "Are we losing our freedom even to talk, discuss and describe ideas on the internet?" It looks like my prediction of a year ago, that when the FCC runs out of "pirates" to bust they will go after all web sites discussing radio technology to attempt to impose a complete knowledge blackout. I would say this looks like a pretty good indication that such censorship is about to begin en masse in the USA.

Cognizant of the possibility that the FCC will threaten our host provider to remove this site, it will be necessary to mirror this site overseas. All of you who enjoy this site, feel free to ftp and download the entire structure and set up your own copy elsewhere, provided... you leave the atributions to the author (me) intact and do not change, remove, modify or change the interpretation of any of the texts or graphic scans included as part of the site. There are several mirror sites in the UK already, as in the past, some kind folks asked me for permission to mirror the files and I granted that permission.

To all those who seek to censor and hide the truths on this site, be advised that the free dissemination of ideas, especially non-copyrighted, original ideas, is protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

 

NEW! The Property Status of Airwaves
Interview on Leonard Peikoff Show
CLICK HERE

Guest host Andrew Lewis discusses the FCC's regulation and radio technology. I didn't catch the beginning of the show, but the last 20 minutes are enough to catch the important points. The Objectivist views are the same as mine: Mr. Lewis proposes that unused spectrum is like unused land: it's of no value until someone builds a station. Listen to this fascinating and lucid discussion, including a special treat at the end. :-)

 

Are you free?

Do you own your body?  Can you prostitute yourself, sell your organs, or medicate yourself?  Do you own your labor?  Can you work for any wage you want, whatever hours you want, and keep the fruits of your sweat?

Do you own your possessions?  Can the terms of your property ownership be changed at any time, or for any reason?  Can your property be taxed without limitation?

Can you travel freely?  Must you carry identification papers for you and your property, submit to search without warrant, cause, or recourse?

There is a spectrum upon which lie two endpoints.  One point is slavery, and at the other end:  FREEDOM.

 

Tauzin moves against low-power radio:
Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., chairman of the House telecommunications subcommittee, plans to put the kibosh on a Federal Communications Commission rule-making that could lead to the creation of thousands of low-power radio stations. The lawmaker will send FCC Chairman Bill Kennard a letter Wednesday or Thursday asking him to suspend the rule-making until his panel holds hearings. "He and his agency are subject to Congress," Rep. Tauzin said. "The law is that Congress makes the policy." The legislator is concerned that low-power radio will interfere with commercial radio signals and draw listeners away from public stations. He said Congress needs to explore whether the new stations would be for profit or nonprofit and what their marketplace impact would be. Congress has repeatedly criticized the FCC chairman for overstepping the agency's regulatory authority.

 

* * * SUGGESTED READING * * *
What is required to turn a country into a totalitarian dictatorship? How did the Nazis accomplish it? Is it happening here?- "This book and its author are not part of today's cultural mainstream. They will be part of tomorrow's . . . . If you like my works, you will like this book."
     -Ayn Rand
Ominous.jpg (35778 bytes) In this remarkable work Leonard Peikoff maintains that the deepest roots of Nazism lie in three philosophic ideas the worship of unreason, the demand for self-sacrifice, and the elevation of society above the individual. Those ideas nurtured a Nazi mentality in a small minority of Germans, while intellectually disarming the law-abiding majority and exposing them to the lures of dictatorship.

The same ideas are now influential in America, says Professor Peikoff, and have been for years. He argues that, as a result, America is moving toward the establishment of a Nazi-type dictatorship in the not-too-distant future.

"The Ominous Parallels offers a truly revolutionary idea in the field of the philosophy of history. The book is clear, tight, disciplined, beautifully structured and brilliantly reasoned. Its style is clear and hard as crystal-and as sparkling. To paraphrase a line from Atlas Shrugged: 'It's so wonderful to see a great, new crucial achievement which is not mine."'
     -Ayn Rand

Dr. Leonard Peikoff has taught philosophy at Hunter College, Long Island University, and N.Y.U. His articles have appeared in Barron's, The Objectivist, and other periodicals, and he lectures on the philosophy of Objectivism throughout the country.
"Dr. Peikoff has produced an extraordinarily perceptive thesis. His insights into the parallel philosophical tracks of pre-Nazi Germany and contemporary America are frightening. Everyone concerned with the collectivist trend in today's world should read this book."
    -Alan Greenspan

"If you do not wish to be a victim of today's philosophical bankruptcy, I recommend The Ominous Parallels as protection and ammunition. It willprotectyoufrom supporting, unwittingly, the ideas that are destroying you and the world."
  -Ayn Rand
 
"Freedom of the press is the hub upon which the wheel of democracy turns. I argue for robust public debate on every conceivable public issue. I merely argue against an irresponsible media. I argue against giving the media the power to appropriate our good names and those of our potential leaders, of our contributing citizens, of our public persons, and to package them as smut. In short, I argue against the irresponsible attacks on our potential leaders that divert our attention from the issues and that tend to convert public persons to property."
Spence.jpg (47936 bytes) In this treatise on the state of Corporate America, Gerry Spence lucidly exposes the corporate control of Americans' freedom, the slow conversion of the Free Enterprise system to a system of slave labor controlled by the "New King": the Corporations.

Of course, his book would not be relevant if it were not for his recognition of the corporate-controlled media, which he does, right on target. Furthermore, he exposes the true soul of our federal police through his account of the evidence in the Randy Weaver trial: they have no soul, but live on the lust for blood and killing of innocent Americans who choose to live a live not in tune with the "living dead" who are under the manipulative control of the System.

While Mr. Spence reveals his Liberal roots, and makes some glaring errors in epistomology as well as misindentifying the definition of our current economic system, he does achieve an illuminating exposure of what America has become, and it's an eye-opener, full of shocking facts and personal insight. Mr. Spence, within his understanding, is a virtuous individual who can be credited with doing some independant thinking. While he offers no solutions directly, his writing is the first step to solving the Problem: Identification of the Problem. Highly recommended!
"The FCC, itself a hopelessly entangled bureaucracy, one ultimately controlled by the gargantuan corporations it seeks to regulate, has repeatedly proven it cannot exercise its power to preserve our rights. In fact, it no longer harbors any intent to do so. The corporations who own the networks are too large, too powerful, too entwined into the power structure, to be controlled. ABC was swallowed up by Capital Cities Communications. NBC was scooped up by General Electric when it purchased NBC's parent, RCA The FCC, itself, has become a part of the intimate corporate family. Its members and functionaries pass back and forth through the revolving door, today purportedly regulating the corporation, tomorrow, as their reward for good and faithful service, occupying a posh position in the very corporations they regulated yesterday."

 

AMN Tests New Perimeter Defense System
The night air of October 6th was disrupted by the loud crack of a discharge and collapse of air molecules as the first firing of an experimental, home-built pulsed infrared laser system was conducted. The test was successful. The first of seven 15 microsecond pulses were fired from the liquid nitrogen-cooled CO2 laser system, into this fire brick, a substance which is known to withstand high temperatures (well not this high). Heat produced was estimated in excess of 9,000,000 degrees. Test was conducted at 150 yards distance to target object, indicating that my beam columnation is extremely parallel. Each of the pulses penetrated the brick completely. I estimate that on a clear night, this system could take out a satellite in low earth orbit, if a means of targeting an object that far away were available. The applications for this system are limitless. Want to buy one, Bill Cooper? :-) LASER.jpg (20822 bytes)

 

This letter appeared recently. If it is indeed from the FCC, it indicates that they DO indeed know the limits of their jurisdiction...
FCC3-3-97_INTERSTATE_ONLY.GIF (31318 bytes)

 

FYI...
§ 151. Purposes of chapter; Federal Communications Commission created

For the purpose of regulating interstate and foreign commerce in communication by wire and radio so as to make available, so far as possible,to all the people of the United States a rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges, for the purpose of the national defense, for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications, and for the purpose of securing a more effective execution of this policy by centralizing authority heretofore granted by law to several agencies and by granting additional authority with respect to interstate and foreign commerce in wire and radio communication, there is created a commission to be known as the "Federal Communications Commission", which shall be constituted as hereinafter provided, and which shall execute and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

§ 152. Application of chapter

     (a) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all interstate and foreign communication by wire or radio and all interstate and foreign  transmission of energy by radio, which originates and/or is received within the United States, and to all persons engaged within the United States in such communication or such transmission of energy by radio, and to the licensing and regulating of all radio stations as hereinafter provided;but it shall not apply to persons engaged in wire or radio communication or transmission in the Canal Zone, or to wire or radio communication or transmission wholly within the Canal Zone. The provisions of this chapter shall apply with respect to cable service, to all
persons engaged within the United States in providing such service, and to the facilities of cable operators which relate to such service, as provided in subchapter V-A.
     (b) Except as provided in sections 223 through 227 of this title, inclusive, and section 332 of this title, and subject to the provisions of section 301 of this title and subchapter V-A of this chapter, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply or to give the Commission  jurisdiction with respect to (1) charges, classifications, practices, services, facilities, or regulations for or in connection with intrastate communication service  by wire or radio of any carrier, or (2) any carrier engaged in interstate or foreign communication solely through physical connection with the facilities of another carrier not directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect
common control with such carrier, or (3) any carrier engaged in interstate or foreign communication solely through connection by radio, or by wire and radio, with facilities, located in an adjoining State or in Canada or Mexico (where they adjoin the State in which the carrier is doing business), of another carrier not directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such carrier, or (4) any carrier to which clause (2) or clause  (3) of this subsection would be applicable except for furnishing interstate mobile radio communication service or radio communication service to mobile stations on land vehicles in Canada or Mexico; except that sections 201 to 205 of this title shall, except as otherwise provided therein, apply to carriers described in clauses (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection.

§ 301. License for radio communication or transmission of energy

It is the purpose of this chapter, among other things, to maintain the control of the United States over all the channels of radio transmission; and to provide for the use of such channels, but not the ownership thereof, by persons for limited periods of time, under licenses granted by Federal authority [which would require jurisdiction], and no such license shall be construed to create any right, beyond the terms, conditions, and periods of the license. No person shall use or operate any apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by radio (a) from one place in any State, Territory, or possession of the United States or in the District of Columbia to another place in the same State, Territory, possession, or District; or (b) from any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or from the District of Columbia to any other State, Territory, or possession of the United States; or (c) from any place in any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or in the District of Columbia, to any place in any foreign country or to any vessel; or (d) within any State when the effects of such use extend beyond the borders of said State, or when interference is caused by such use or operation with the transmission of such energy, communications, or signals from within said State to any place beyond its borders, or from any place beyond its borders to any place within said State, or with the transmission or reception of such energy, communications, or signals from and/or to places beyond the borders of said State; or (e) upon any vessel or aircraft of the United States (except as provided in section 303(t) of this title); or (f) upon any other mobile stations within the jurisdiction of the United States, except under and in accordance with this chapter and with a license in that behalf granted under the provisions of this chapter.

§ 153. Definitions:
(v) "State" includes the District of Columbia and the Territories and possessions.

NOTE: THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE 50 STATES. IT MEANS ONLY  "the District of Columbia and the Territories and possessions"

The 50 states are sovereign "union" states and are NOT the same as the Federal STATES or "Territories" or "possessions".

For more information, see http://www.sover.net/~rfv/lowpower.htm   or http://www.telepath.com/believer

 

This space will contain breaking news stories pertaining to free radio, government actions, conventions and events of interest to micropower broadcasters.
"Now NPR and the FCC and PBS and the commercial broadcasters have finally, and at last, perverted the Communications Act of 1934 so that there is no way in the world--outside of you and me handing over a check for $20,000,000 to some existing broadcaster--for us to get on the air, legally, in any of the top 100 markets. Thus I highly recommend going illegal."
--Lorenzo Milam, in a speech to the Grassroots Radio Conference I, 1996

Conference materials, Grassroots Radio Conference I, 1996. 62.Indeed, there's no reason for the FCC to be the agency that steps in. Why not treat interference like any other form of trespass? There is legal precedent for that, though it was quickly overshadowed by the creation of the FCC's forerunner, the Federal Radio Commission. See Louise M. Benjamin, "The Precedent That Almost Was: A 1926 Court Effort to Regulate Radio," Journalism Quarterly, Autumn 1990, p. 578. For a broader discussion of the issue, see Thomas W. Hazlett, "The Rationality of U.S. Regulation of the Broadcast Spectrum," Journal of Law & Economics 33 (1990): 133.
COMMUNICATION:
Govt and Courts Split Over Pirate Radios

By Adalberto Wodianer Marcondes

SAO PAULO, Apr 21 (IPS) - There are close to 3,500 licensed radio stations in Brazil and another 7,500 stations that operate clandestinely - a situation that has caused a split between the government on one side and the judiciary and police on the other.

The Ministry of Communications wants to shut down all the pirate radio stations, but to do this it must have police support and therein liers the problem. Both the Federal Police, linked to the Ministry of Justice, and state police forces generally refuse to move against the radio stations unless there is a judicial order involved, and these are not readily available.

In 1994, a federal judge ruled that FM radio stations of less less than 50 watts of power did not need any authorization to operate. His ruling was based on the Brazilian Constitution, which prohibits all restrictions on freedom of information in any means of social communication, explained Jose Carlos Rocha, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo.

Rocha is also the president of the Democracy in Communication Forum, which brings together 1,090 ''free'' radio stations.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso implemented legislation to regulate the functioning of community radio stations in Brazil through a law that defines free radios as non-profit, local broadcasters with community ties - and with a maximum output of 50 watts. But the law mandates that there be only one frequency for community radio stations thus limiting the number of sdtations that could broadcast in any given area

Rocha maintains that the new law generates a kind of censorship against the pluralism of ideas, favoring the owners of big commercial stations.

The numbers presented by the Democracy in Communication Forum reveal that more than 50 percent of the 3,500 stations regulated by the government are currently in financial trouble.

Of the 5 billion dollars in business generated by the Brazilian advertising industry, only 4 percent derives from radio, while television accounts for 56 percent. This situation increases the pressure on the part of the owners of licensed radio stations against those considered clandestine, Rocha says.

A campaign by most of the nation's large radio stations accused the pirate radios of interfering with the frequencies utilized by emergency services, like ambulances, firefighters and the police, and of obstructing communications between airplanes and airport control towers.

An official at the Ministry of Communications, Eduardo Graziano, declared the new law on community radio, introduced only recently and strill to go into effect, was a step forward in the relationship between the government and local residents wanting their own outlets.

Previously, any station, ''be it truly community-based or created by opportunists'', was considered illegal. With the new legislation, radio stations that operate within the bounds of what is considered community radio will be able t o operate freely, according to Graziano.

He warned, however, that such stations are a small minority among those that operate clandestinely.

''The Ministry will take action and close clandestine radios but, initially it will go after those that operate in bad faith,'' Graziano said. Although ''sympathetic'' toward the work of some clandestine stations, he emphasized the law must be enforced.

The Federal Police, which is in charge of enforcing the decisions made by the Ministry of Communications, however appears to have a different outlook with respect to clandestine radio stations.

The February edition of the official magazine of the Union of Federal Police Commissioners declared that the new legislation was incapable of satisfying the needs of an already consolidated market. Moreover, it revealed that 50 officers of the Federal Police signed a declaration in support of the legalization of all clandestine radios.

One police officer stated that the problem was not about reaching a compromise with no costs, but about avoiding confrontations around a phenomenon that, while illegal, was of little gravity.

Information published in the magazine demonstrated that, of the 600 stations currently operating in Sao Paulo, the country largest city, more than 40 percent would benefit from the regulation. The others would have to close, which would result in the loss of 3,500 jobs or face the confiscation of equipment with an estimated value of 52 million dollars.

Graziano believes that aboyut 40 percent of all the clandestine radios in the country are in the state of Sao Paulo. Despite political pressure to leave these alone, Graziano insists that only those radios that comply with the law will be allowed to function, and all others will be outlawed.

Meanwhile, in thousands of communities throughout Brazil ''free'' - according to the Democracy in Communication Forum - or ''clandestine'' - according to the law - radio stations continue to broadcast advertisements for small local businesses and interview programmes with citizens and community leaders in a language accessible to all.

And, in most cases, these stations remain removed from the debates about their legalization or their extinction. (FIN/IPS/awm/ml/cr/98)

Bruce Girard Boa, Comunica.Org bgirard@comunica.org http://comunica.org Tel: +593-2-450398 - Fax en Canada: +1-514-221-2009 Casilla Postal 17-08-8372, Quito, Ecuador