WaFiTz! » Entries tagged with "Watford"
Watford Labour Candidate, Claire Ward’s Response – Disconnection and Web-blocking
Last but not least, New Labour’s Claire Ward‘s reply to my email regarding the Digital Economy Act (below). The letter feels sincere enough, but echoes the party line despite Claire not even bothering to turn up to vote on the Bill when it was presented to parliament. I’m disappointed of course. Claire Wards main platform for re-election seems to be based solely on Watford General Hospital which is apparently under threat of cuts from the Tories – but there is a hint of FUD in this strategy I think. Regardless, thankyou both Claire and Richard for making my decision easier tomorrow. I will be voting for the party that seems to have a little more common sense and is slightly more resistant to lobbying – at this stage (whether that’s a market share issue … Read entire article »
Filed under: Distractions
Watford Lib Dem Candidate, Sal Brinton’s (@SalBrinton) Response – Disconnection and Web-blocking
Here’s the response I received from Sal Brinton (below), Liberal Democrats candidate for Watford. This is a much better response and I’m pleased that Sal has signed an open letter to rethink the Digital Economy Act. Sal’s response is one of the reasons I’m 99% positive I’m going to vote Lib Dem on Thursday. Let’s be clear. I don’t expect any politicians to fully understand the culture or technology that drives the intertubes… but I do expect them to consider all sides of the debate – investigate the claims of big media lobbyists and perhaps, is it too much to ask that they seek the opinions of the little guys? That they speak to real pirates and find out why the DE Act is completely unworkable and within a few years – if not … Read entire article »
Filed under: Distractions
Watford Conservative Candidate, Richard Harrington’s (@Richard4Watford) Response – Disconnection and Web-blocking
If you’re into numerology, you should enjoy this. I emailed the following standard email provided by the Open Rights Group to my electoral candidates for Watford. Dear ___, The Digital Economy Act was rammed through Parliament as the election was called. Over 20,000 people contacted their MP to complain, adverts were paid for by donations, and thousands of people watched the debate live from Westminster. I was appalled by this process. It seemed to me undemocratic and dangerous. Now, new powers have been granted without really understanding the consequences. I do not think that disconnection – for whatever length of time – should be used as a punishment for allegations of civil copyright infringements. There is no justification for interfering in someone’s ability to communicate because of a civil dispute. Such disputes require financial recompense, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Distractions, Statistics
Street Angels and Pastors on Twitter
Some of you may be aware I volunteer as a Street Angel in Watford, so lately I’ve been taking an interest in similar initiatives happening throughout the UK. I have now compiled a list of those that are active on twitter: street-pastors-angels. As far as I’m aware, there are two names for the same thing: Street Angels, or Street Pastors. We ‘patrol’ the streets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights usually between 10pm-3am, looking to assist those who are unable to assist themselves – people who are lost, have had too much alcohol, stranded or calming potentially violent situations. We don’t police, we leave that to the real police who we are in contact with, it’s more about non-judgementally serving the community. I am unaware as to how many towns and cities … Read entire article »
Filed under: Projects
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