Friday, September 16, 2005

Iran's Leader Critical In First U.S. Visit [Washington Post: Top News] 9:20:09 PM    comment []

OECD on scientific publishing. I'm about half-way through this new OECD report about scientific publishing. I don't believe it is out on the OECD site, so consider this an advance copy. [Lessig Blog] 9:15:14 PM    comment []

China Mulls 'Gang of 15 Million'. Our sex-tech columnist wonders if the Great Firewall of China can withstand the onslaught of all those lonely young men now that they've discovered webcam chat. Commentary by Regina Lynn. [Wired News] 9:14:57 PM    comment []

Dave: A new chapter in my dad's MBA Toolbox. "Once you start looking for business opportunities, you are more likely to find them." 9:10:19 PM    comment []

The Bush administration's love affair with animals. First it put Michael Brown in charge of FEMA. Now a veterinary expert will lead the FDA's Office of Women's Health. [Salon.com] And: Update: Shortly after we posted this item, which was based on a press release from Planned Parenthood, a reader alerted us to a press release that was posted today on the FDA's Web site. In that release, the FDA said that Theresa A. Toigo has been appointed as the acting director of the Office of Women's Health. The FDA press release also says, rather cryptically, "This is a revision of this statement posted earlier on September 16." That earlier statement is no longer available on the FDA's site, but, as another reader pointed out, a cached version is still available through Google. Under the heading, "Dr. Norris Alderson -- Acting Director of FDA's Office of Women's Health," Alderson's bio says, "The majority of his FDA career has been in the Center for Veterinary Medicine, holding a number of management positions, culminating in the position of Director, Office of Research." Did the FDA scramble to change acting directors once it realized that Alderson's appointment might invite unhappy comparisons to Michael Brown's tenure at FEMA? Inquiring minds want to know, and are still waiting for calls back to find out. 9:08:43 PM    comment []

From BNA News: MARYLAND COURT OVERTURNS CHILD PORN CONVICTION The increasingly common law enforcement tactic of having adult officers pose as children in Internet chat rooms to arrest potential sex offenders came under legal attack on Wednesday when Maryland's highest court ruled that the law does not allow the prosecution of people who merely believed they were dealing with children. The Maryland Court of Appeals unanimously overturned the Frederick County Circuit Court conviction of Richard J. Moore, saying he could not be found guilty of committing a crime with a nonexistent victim. [Washington Post] 3:49:41 PM    comment []

Tycoon fined for e-mail spying, by Lewis Smith. AN INTERNET pioneer who uncovered the e-mails that forced Dame Shirley Porter to pay £12.3 million to end the homes-for-votes scandal was fined yesterday for hacking into the messages. Clifford Stanford, the founder of Demon Internet, was plotting a boardroom takeover of an electronic data firm and intercepted e-mails to and from Dame Shirley's son, John. The contents revealed that Dame Shirley had access to many millions of pounds despite her claim to have assets of only £300,000 when faced with a £42 million surcharge for vote-rigging. 7:48:23 AM    comment []