democracy

Republic vs Democracy

Our system of government was never intended to be a democracy. Although many believe that we live in one, they have never been asked to vote on the decisions made by said government. Yet they believe that they are empowered just the same. We are not.

LEONARD COHEN LIVE IN LONDON | Democracy | PBS

Leonard Cohen performs "Democracy" in the new PBS special LEONARD COHEN LIVE IN LONDON. In 2008, Leonard Cohen, the influential singer/songwriter whose career spans four decades, embarked on his first tour in 15 years. Fans and critics alike hailed the show as a once in a lifetime experience. Now, viewers have a front row seat when PBS presents LEONARD COHEN LIVE IN LONDON, recorded live on July 17, 2008, at London's 02 Arena, one of Europe's largest indoor venues. The special premieres August 1 and airs throughout August 2009 on most PBS stations. Check local listings for dates and times in your area at pbs.org. You can help PBS continue to offer everyone — from every walk of life — the opportunity to experience amazing performances and explore new ideas through television and online content. To donate, please visit www.pbs.org

Leonard Cohen - Democracy

Family Guy - Democracy Kicks In

Private Stewie and Brian try to get discharged from the army.

why this democracy democracy democracy di???

corruption perfect.hahahahahahahahahahaha

Democracy is... Animation by Lukasz Szozda

Democracy Video Challenge 2009 winning video. More at www.lukfilms.pl

Killing Joke - Democracy

Title track from the 1996 album Killing Joke - Democracy [lyric] You have a choice, we are your voice Red, blue or yellow. We will blow away the green Another five lane motorway (You'll never get a referendum anyway) Funny handshakes. insider dealing Et in arcadia. arcadia ego Backhanders and salamanders A powerhouse that is morally Mechula I'm sorry democracy is changing I'm sorry democracy is changing I'm not a slogan or a badge Or a cross in the ballot box Neither values or objectives You do not represent my deepest Thoughts and wishes Education in obsolete skills Stereotyping and media projection Industrial psychologists Plan a campaign that is financed by Big business You have a choice, we are your voice Red, blue or yellow. We will blow away the green Another five lane motorway (You'll never get a referendum anyway)

1. What is the democracy delusion? - Part 1 (of 3)

This is the first video in a series designed to outline exactly just how far the lies and deception go in your so-called democracy!. Due to recent actions, I have had to personally acquire a copy right license for this work, at cost to my self!, as a certain individual has been passing off my work as his own. I don't like doing this, but there is too much riding on victory here to be shut down again!. So for the time being copy right belongs exclusively to the democracy delusion group founder Joseph Forrest and stipulations apply, permission required to use any of the material for any purpose!. Peace and love. Don't forget to rate comment and subscribe Here are links to the other video's in this series :- Video 2 - www.youtube.com Video 3 - www.youtube.com Here is a link to the facebook group, please feel free to join!! www.facebook.com

Democracy is... POSSIBLE

This video made it to the final stage of the Democracy Video Challenge 2010 contest.

Direct Democracy

If you would like a fully detailed sketch of the organization of direct democracy and how it would function, please see the following link: www.infoshop.org A great first step toward direct democracy is a proposal to create a ballot initiative at the federal level. Please see: ni4d.us I used some footage from the Venus Project. I just came across the videos and apparently they are pretty big on YouTube. I don't necessarily indorse the VP. I actually just heard about it and I'm ordering a book about the subject. Im just letting everyone know so I dont create any kind of confusion. From what I've seen (limited to about 3 videos) it looks interesting but I would need more information. From what I can tell, it looks a little bit like libertarian communism but that's just my first impression. I should also mention that Mutualist (a school of Left-Libertarianism) foresee a society in which direct democracy takes place in the workplace but not in the individual community.

18. Democracy and Participation: Rousseau's Discourse

Introduction to Political Philosophy (PLSC 114) This lecture is an introduction to the life and works of Rousseau, as well as the historical and political events in France after the death of Louis XIV. Writing in a variety of genres and disciplines, Rousseau helped bring to fruition the political and intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment. Among his most important works is the Second Discourse (Discourse on Inequality), in which Rousseau traces the origins of inequality and addresses the effects of time and history on humans. He goes on to discuss a number of qualities, such as perfectibility, compassion, sensitivity, and goodness, in an attempt to assess which ones were a part of our original nature. 00:00 - Chapter 1. Who Is Rousseau? 18:22 - Chapter 2. Rousseau's State of Nature 34:45 - Chapter 3. Civilization and Property: How Man Transitioned from Nature to Society Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Fall 2006.

Michael Sandel: The lost art of democratic debate

www.ted.com Democracy thrives on civil debate, Michael Sandel says -- but we're shamefully out of practice. He leads a fun refresher, with TEDsters sparring over a recent Supreme Court case (PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin) whose outcome reveals the critical ingredient in justice.TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at www.ted.com

Democracy Is...

Winner from the Central and South Asian Region of the inaugural edition of the Democracy Video Challenge (2009)... Tsering Choden's entry from Kathmandu, Nepal for the Democracy Video Challenge - www.videochallenge.america.gov CREDITS Concept - Tsering Choden, Yanik Shrestha Music...

Leonard Cohen - Democracy (Spoken)

Leagan den chéad scoth don 'Democracy' le Cohen. Leagan labhartha atá i gcéist. The excellent spoken-word version of Cohen's 'Democracy'. Focail: ------- It's coming through a hole in the air, from those nights in Tiananmen Square. It's coming from the feel that this ain't exactly real, or it's real, but it ain't exactly there. From the wars against disorder, from the sirens night and day, from the fires of the homeless, from the ashes of the gay: Democracy is coming to the USA It's coming through a crack in the wall; on a visionary flood of alcohol; from the staggering account of the Sermon on the Mount which I don't pretend to understand at all. It's coming from the silence on the dock of the bay, from the brave, the bold, the battered heart of Chevrolet: Democracy is coming to the USA It's coming from the sorrow in the street, the holy places where the races meet; from the homicidal bitchin' that goes down in every kitchen to determine who will serve and who will eat. From the wells of disappointment where the women kneel to pray for the grace of God in the desert here and the desert far away: Democracy is coming to the USA Sail on, sail on O mighty Ship of State! Leonard Cohen - Democracy lyrics from www.6lyrics.com To the Shores of Need Past the Reefs of Greed Through the Squalls of Hate Sail on, sail on, sail on, sail on. It's coming to America first, the cradle of the best and of the worst. It's here they got the range and the machinery for change and it's here ...

20. Democracy and Participation: Rousseau's Social Contract, I-II

Introduction to Political Philosophy (PLSC 114) The concept of "general will" is considered Rousseau's most important contribution to political science. It is presented as the answer to the gravest problems of civilization, namely, the problems of inequality, amour-propre, and general discontent. The social contract is the foundation of the general will and the answer to the problem of natural freedom, because nature itself provides no guidelines for determining who should rule. The lecture ends with Rousseau's legacy and the influence he exercised on later nineteenth-century writers and philosophers. 00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction: Social Contract and the General Will 25:04 - Chapter 2. Applications of the General Will 30:54 - Chapter 3. The Legacies of Rousseau Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Fall 2006.

15. Athenian Democracy

Introduction to Ancient Greek History (CLCV 205) In this lecture, Professor Kagan describes the mechanics of the Delian League and its transformation into the Athenian empire. This transformation caused Athens to rival Sparta as an equal in power and prestige. He also argues that this process took place rather smoothly due to the good relations between Sparta and Athens. Professor Kagan argues that Cimon the Athenian generally played an important part in this development. Finally, Professor Kagan begins to describe the workings of Athenian democracy by comparing it with modern American democracy. 00:00 - Chapter 1. The Rise of the Athenian Empire (Cont.) 10:25 - Chapter 2. Competition for Power between Sparta and Athens 15:51 - Chapter 3. Cimon, His Popularity and Rise to Power 30:29 - Chapter 4. The Thasian Rebellion and the Eventual Removal of Cimon 42:59 - Chapter 5. A Fuller Athenian Democracy 55:12 - Chapter 6. Organization of Athenian Democracy: The Legislative 01:04:42 - Chapter 7. Organization of Athenian Democracy: The Executive Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Fall 2007.

Hacking Democracy - Full Length

When you can't control the Politicians or the voters, then you control the counting! Go back to paper votes and we will have a President that was voted in! PS This movie is called "Hacking Democracy" because voting is a democratic process. They makers are aware that the US was founded as a Constitutional Republic. truthseekertimes.ca

DEMOCRACY

Country: SPAIN. The main difference between Democracy and other political systems is not that democracy is more just, more free and more equal. We all know that there are democracies, and have been democracies, that are not just nor give liberty or equality. In our opinion, the essence of democracy, that which distinguishes it from other alternatives and raises it to it's pure form, is that everyone can participate in it simply by right of being human. This acknowledgment of each person as an individual, still situated in the plane of equality and compared to society as a whole, is what makes democracy what it is: A system that does not distinguish between ethnicity, religion, race or ideological. Democracy appreciates and respects all mankind for the simple fact of being human, and no other reason is needed. Therefore, all people have the right to participate in democracy, making it more complete and perfect. Every opinion counts. In this 3-minute video we attempt to explain this idea.

16. Athenian Democracy (cont.)

Introduction to Ancient Greek History (CLCV 205) In this lecture, Professor Kagan continues to discuss the constitution of Athens. In particular, he explores the judicial workings of Athens. He describes in detail the effort of the Athenians to create a system of justice that would not only minimize tampering, in order to insure justice, but also maximize citizen participation. After this discussion, Professor Kagan comments on the role of women in Athens by looking at two types of sources. The picture that emerges is considerably complex and left without resolution. Finally, he comments on the role of slaves. In each of these discussions, he draws illuminating analogies to our modern society. 00:00 - Chapter 1. Organization of Athenian Democracy: The Judicial 09:51 - Chapter 2. Flaws in the Athenian Democratic System 40:20 - Chapter 3. Women's Roles in Athenian Society 54:16 - Chapter 4. Slavery in Athenian Society 01:07:37 - Chapter 5. Question and Answer Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Fall 2007.

Democracy is yet to learn (Masih Belajar)

Democracy Is Yet To Learn become the winner of Democracy Video Challenge! Thank you so much for watching and supporting the film! Join our facebook page at tinyurl.com Follow us @mikasipandaacak If you enjoy please share it with your friends clicktotweet.com :) Thank you :D Country: Indonesia Genre: Satire/ Black Humor/Comedy Description: So, what is democracy? A never-ending question that passes through generations, a question that leads to million of answers, and a simple question that asked by a teacher to her students. This short film is a representation of what is democracy from the eye of a third world country, in this case Indonesia. As a developing country, Indonesia held a great share for being a democratic country. It leads to many great triumphs, but sometimes the process of democracy had its own turbulence along the way. Social gap, poverty, and self-centered leaders still colors the life of democracy in Indonesia. Thus, this short film offers a sophisticated manner to portray the life of democracy in Indonesia: satire. Through satire, the film tries to depict a comedic approach to understand the countrys problem and whats the country dreaming for the future without becoming too preachy. Using social portrait and cinematic idioms, the film tries its best to emulate the democracy process in various momentum. Behind all the problems and challenges that the country faced, theres always a glance of hope for the future. The film offers that a civil system like ...

Hacking Democracy 1 of 9

Everyone should pay attention of to this.

THE CORPORATION [21/23] Democracy Ltd.

21. A coup is no longer necessary for the corporation to dominate governments. Capitalism's protagonists and players are the new high priests of our day. Industry and government have become intertwined to the extent that it's hard to tell when one ends and the other begins. But citizens are resisting and protesting their dissent to the centralization of power in corporate hands. The corporation has responded by enacting programs of corporate social responsibility. Are they just a tactic responding to market pressure? For a playlist of all 23 chapters in order: www.youtube.com

Jarreth Merz: Filming democracy in Ghana

www.ted.com Jarreth Merz, a Swiss-Ghanaian filmmaker, came to Ghana in 2008 to film the national elections. What he saw there taught him new lessons about democracy -- and about himself.TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http

THE WAR ON DEMOCRACY 1/10

John Pilger's documentary explores the historic and current relationship of Washington with countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Chile. Pilger claims that the film "...tells a universal story... analyzing and revealing, through vivid testimony, the story of great power behind its venerable myths. It allows us to understand the true nature of the so-called "war on terror". According to Pilger, the films message is that the greed and power of empire is not invincible and that people power is always the "seed beneath the snow". Pilger interviews several ex-CIA agents who purportedly took part in secret campaigns against democratic countries and who he claims are profiting from the war in Iraq. He investigates the School of the Americas in the US state of Georgia, where General Pinochets torture squads were reportedly trained along with tyrants and death-squad leaders in Haiti, El Salvador, Brazil and Argentina.

Democracy is Coming!

boots on the ground... the real deal in madison wi... ground zero in the fight for the middle class. feel free to leave comments and let me know what you think.

The Saving American Democracy Amendment

sanders.senate.gov Warning that "American democracy in endangered," Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday proposed a constitutional amendment to overturn a Supreme Court ruling that allowed unrestricted and secret campaign spending by corporations on US elections. The first constitutional amendment ever proposed by Sanders during his two decades in Congress would reverse the narrow 5-to-4 ruling in Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Commission. Show your support - sign the petition at sanders.senate.gov

Switzerland's direct democracy

Together with neutrality and federalism, direct democracy is a part of the Swiss national identity and helps unite the various languages, religions and cultures in the country. This video gives you a short introduction to this unique political system. (Produced by swissinfo.ch on behalf of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad)

Bruce Cockburn Live . Call It Democracy

"Call it Democracy" is perhaps the only song ever written about the International Monetary Fund, which Cockburn accuses of fostering "insupportable debt" in Third World countries. Typically not pulling any punches, Cockburn charges that the IMF doesn't "really give a flying fuck about the people in misery." That earned it a few bleeps on radio and video channels, but no one seemed to notice the chorus, "IMF, dirty MF." We won't spell out here what "MF" stands for, but it can easily be imagined." Padded with power here they come International loan sharks backed by the guns Of market hungry military profiteers Whose word is a swamp and whose brow is smeared With the blood of the poor Who rob life of its quality Who render rage a necessity By turning countries into labour camps Modern slavers in drag as champions of freedom Sinister cynical instrument Who makes the gun into a sacrament -- The only response to the deification Of tyranny by so-called "developed" nations' Idolatry of ideology North South East West Kill the best and buy the rest It's just spend a buck to make a buck You don't really give a flying fuck About the people in misery IMF dirty MF Takes away everything it can get Always making certain that there's one thing left Keep them on the hook with insupportable debt See the paid-off local bottom feeders Passing themselves off as leaders Kiss the ladies shake hands with the fellows Open for business like a cheap bordello And they call it democracy And they call ...

The War On Democracy by John Pilger DVD OUT NOW

The War On Democracy is a powerful new documentary from award winning journalist and film-maker John Pilger. It was released in UK cinemas from Friday June 15th 2007 and is out on DVD now

An Insult To Our Democracy

Rep. Jack Murtha presides, ignores reality to push through his preferences without a vote. Subscribe to "EricCantor" to receive the latest Whip videos. Check out: www.republicanwhip.house.gov

Despotism & Democracy

Despotism & Democracy Producer: Encyclopaedia Britannica Films - 1946 Measures how a society ranks on a spectrum stretching from democracy to despotism. Explains how societies and nations can be measured by the degree that power is concentrated and respect for the individual is restricted. Where does your community, state and nation stand on these scales?

Spain Taken the street for a TRUE DEMOCRACY - May 15th 2011 -

The day has come We have taken the streets for a true democracy now The day ,when the citizens have decided to meet and join their voices The day ,when we have covered the streets with a clear message WE ARE NOT SAFE IN POLITICIANS AND BANKERS HANDS And the message took the streets across the whole country And the streets celebrated that day as the first day that we have taken a true change. A change depends on YOU,on ME, on ALL OF US:young people,elder people,workers,unmployed people. The Media won't silence our voices any more because we have seen we are REAL people, just as the DEMOCRACY we are demanding. There is no excuse HISTORY is looking at us and it is our turn to make a movement We are ready to CHANGE: Change Injustice into justice Change Corruption into responsability and dignity Change Outrage into action Today, May the 15th, 2011 has been of something unstoppable The true Democracy of people who consciously choose their path True democracy who chose consciusly the way We are demanding a true democracy ,now Are you thinking that you can´t do anything? To accept your responsability is to take the challenge Be a part of the necessary change for a world which will be as you want it to be Democracy is your choice. Use it. twitter.com

Specks & Logs: US preaching democracy or hypocrisy?

The so-called war on terror is just one of the reasons the West says it gets involved in conflicts abroad - the other is bringing democracy. But as the US and its allies criticize other countries for their lack of freedom and human rights, they're failing to notice matters closer to home, as Marina Portnaya explains. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com

Direct Democracy

///////// twitter: twitter.com facebook: facebook.com email: danbrownuniverse@gmail.com ///////// Viewer submitted music courtesy of youtube.com

Democracy is you

This video is a finalist for Democracy Video Challenge and will represent Malaysia worldwide if you give it a chance. Please vote for it by following the simple instructions 1)Go to www.youtube.com 2)Sign in with your Youtube account or Google account (if you have one). If not, ignore this step. 3)Click on the 'Vote' panel on the right of screen. 4)Search for 'Democracy Is You", click on the thumbnail. 4)Click on the thumb up (green) to vote. When your vote is counted, the other icon will turn gray. Thank you Youtube Account: TheLinusChung Name of Video: Democracy Country: Malaysia When I heard of the democracy challenge, I was immediately hooked to create something. Democracy is a very simple and yet very powerful idea. I decided to make a video that will hopefully educate kids on the values of democracy while reminding us adults why it is so important to uphold it for all all us. Democracy is afterall ...you

The Death of American Democracy

The collapses of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, on September 11, 2001, were the most frightening images that I have ever seen, up until May 24th, 2011, when Binyamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the United States Congress and received 29 standing ovations, along with many other outbursts of sycophantic applause. It was the final nail in a coffin, the construction of which began long ago, and in it all remaining vestiges of democracy were joyfully laid to rest—by those sworn to protect it—as it became clear that the United States was now controlled by Enemies Inside its Gates.

Guns'N Roses Chinese Democracy Music Video

Douglas Rushkoff - Open Source Democracy

PUNKCAST1467 - Nov 5 2008. In the fifth lecture in Evan Korth's NYU Computers and Society course featured author, thinker and professor Douglas Rushkoff. His topic:"Open Source Democracy." Following is the foreword, by Douglas Alexander, to Rushkoff's paper on the same topic: "The internet has become an integral part of our lives because it is interactive. That means people are senders of information, rather than simply passive receivers of 'old' media. Most importantly of all, we can talk to each other without gatekeepers or editors. This offers exciting possibilities for new social networks, which are enabled - but not determined - by digital technology. In the software industry, the open source movement emphasises collective cooperation over private ownership. This radical idea may provide the biggest challenge to the dominance of Microsoft. Open source enthusiasts have found a more efficient way of working by pooling their knowledge to encourage innovation. All this is happening at a time when participation in mainstream electoral politics is declining in many Western countries, including the US and Britain. Our democracies are increasingly resembling old media, with fewer real opportunities for interaction. What, asks Douglas Rushkoff in this original essay for Demos, would happen if the 'source code' of our democratic systems was opened up to the people they are meant to serve? 'An open source model for participatory, bottom-up and emergent policy will force us to ...

How Corporations Destroyed American Democracy - Chris Hedges.

How Corporations Destroyed American Democracy - Chris Hedges. Filmed at Socialism 2010 in Chicago by Paul Hubbard

Democracy Now! National and Global News Headlines for Wednesday, May 23

DemocracyNow.org - This is a summary of news headlines from the United States and around the world as reported by Democracy Now! on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. This is a summary of news headlines from the United States and around the world as reported by Democracy Now! on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. For the complete independent, global weekday news hour, the transcript, or to search our vast archive, visit www.democracynow.org. FOLLOW DEMOCRACY NOW! ONLINE Facebook: www.facebook.com Twitter: @democracynow Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com Listen on SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com Daily Email News Digest: www.democracynow.org Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today, visit www.democracynow.org

Make Your Voice Heard: Discover Democratic Education

In a society based on democracy, participation, and engagement, shouldn't education be democratic, participatory, and engaging? How can young people be creative, curious, and collaborative learners when their schooling boxes them in with testing and standardization? What does a more empowering, democratic education look like? Check out this video by IDEA - the Institute for Democratic Education in America, and visit our website to learn more and get involved: www.democraticeducation.org Remember educational change starts with all of us - young people, teachers, parents, and more. Make your voice heard! IDEA: www.democraticeducation.org - Shout out to our excellent video designers at Pure West (http and to The Noise Revival Orchestra (www.thenoiserevival.com) for their pumping soundtrack! - For more information about the statistics mentioned in the video, follow this link www.democraticeducation.org

A new democratic revolution is sweeping northern Europe - Nigel Farage

www.ukipmeps.org • European Parliament, Strasbourg - 28 September 2011 •Speaker Nigel Farage MEP, UKIP, Co-President of the EFD Group in the European Parliament (Europe of Freedom and Democracy) • Debate: State of the Union address by the President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso • Speech Transcript: Mr Barroso, You told us this morning that the European Union is an inspiration. And whilst you admitted to there being one or two little economic problems, you made it perfectly clear that jobs and growth were to follow, that everything is going well - in fact you painted a vision that a new period of European renewal is upon us. Now as a former communist yourself you probably remember the old soviet leaders getting up to give their speeches and telling everybody that there was a record harvest, or that tractor production figures were terribly good. And they of course believed that history was on their side and in fact President Krushchev got up and said to the West 'We will bury you," so much did he believe in his own Union. Well now of course we look back at that and we laugh. And I think in our tomorrows, people will look back at you, and they will say 'how did this unelected man get all of this power?' And how did Europe's political class sitting in this room decide that the community method [federal] should replace national democracy. I think people will look back in astonishment that we've surrendered democracy. But what you want to do is to say, right, we have a ...

Democracy | الديمقراطية

Democracy in Architecture Documentary Short Movie in Egypt #architects Faculty of Engineering Cairo University - Architecture Department Graduation Project Presentation ______________________________________________________ Shot By Nikon D7000 and a 17-50 F2.8 Sigma Lens -Starring Ahmed Nabih Angy Al Hennawy Dalia Abu Al'Ela Deena Omar Dina Alaa Hanan Adel Amr Abdel Aziz Marco Maximus Mohamed Khattab Mostafa Samir Yasser Al Khodairy Photographer and Camera Marco Maximus Post Production Amr AbdelAziz Marco Maximus Yasser El Khodeiry Music By Cairokee Band

Leonard Cohen: Democracy

How Copyright Threatens Democracy

Join Cory Doctorow, co-founder of the UK Open Rights Group, in discussing his dystopian vision of the growing conflict between free speech and the democratic principles of the Internet and the business aims of commercial media giants. Co-hosted by the New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative, Public Knowledge and Copynight DC, Doctorow combines his perspective as an author, activist, co-editor of Boing Boing to outline the threats to a free and open Internet, speech, creativity and fair use, and innovation from boundless copyright protections. Looking forward, Doctorow's prediction is bleak: This means war. It is time to stop treating the industry's fight over copyright as a brush-war over creativity. The commercial media giants' business models and ambitions are increasingly incompatible with a free and open Internet, and hence a free and open society. Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist, journalist and blogger -- the co-editor of Boing Boing and the author of the bestselling Tor Teens/HarperCollins UK novel Little Brother. He is the former European director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and co-founded the UK Open Rights Group. Born in Toronto, Canada, he now lives in London. www.newamerica.net

Democracy in America - George Carlin

George Carlin on democracy and freedom of choice in the US.

Vermin Supreme, 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate

Unlike some other states, getting on to the New Hampshire Primary Ballot is incredibly simple. Thousands of signatures aren't needed, only $1000 and a page-long form. Most importantly, party approval is not required. Vermin Supreme is one of 44 candidates that New Hampshire residents can vote for on Tuesday. He believes that America should be better prepared for the impending zombie apocalypse, and -- if elected President -- he has also vowed to travel back in time to kill the infant Adolf Hitler. Mr. Supreme also plans a compulsory tooth-brushing law, and also promises a pony for every American. I interviewed Vermin Supreme at a Rick Santorum event in Manchester. He took to the podium before Santorum arrived and spoke to the standing-room only crowd for 15 minutes before Santorum's people had him ejected from the building.