Yesterday morning, I went to one of the Anti-Stimulus-Bill protests that have apparently been popping up around the country. This one was in Overland Park, Kansas, which is very close to where I live. The protest was held outside of the office of Representative Dennis Moore, who voted for the so-called “stimulus” bill. I almost didn’t go to the protest out of concern that it would be more of an anti-Democrat, pro-Republican protest, but it wasn’t that way. There were some people who were obvious Republicans, but most of those that I saw and talked to where people who were against the massive spending that the government is pushing. Though the temperature was 10 degrees with the wind chill, I think probably 300-400 people showed up, and there was a LOT of great response from drivers who saw us.

I made a sign, too. It was a small chance to spread some good ideas, even to people who might already agree. So, on one side of my sign I wrote “Ayn Rand Was Right,” and on the other side, “Read Atlas Shrugged.” I received many positive comments and a few questions from those who want to know what it was about, so I consider the morning a success.

I can’t retire the sign just yet. There’s going to be another protest this Sunday, this time near downtown Kansas City. It should be even bigger! Pictures below:

Ayn Rand Was Right

Read Atlas Shrugged

Here’s a link to all of the photos I took on Flickr.

Yeah, I’m still alive. I’d like to write a post about what the last month has been like, but I can sum it up pretty quickly: I’ve been in an intellectual funk. The stuff that’s happening these days is just horrible, and lately all I’ve wanted to do is stick my nose deep in a computer program and code, code, code. Still, there are too many good things in my life to keep me down too long, and I’m starting to feel better.

To get back into the writing grove, I’m posting a comment I just put on a coworker’s blog about the Facebook terms of service issue that came up this week. Here’s my quick opinion:

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I’m also not with the many who are up-in-arms in regards to the terms of service, but not so much for the privacy issue. I think its a private property issue. While people do own the content they create, Facebook also owns their servers and software. If we want to use their property, we have to get their permission. That’s what terms of service are all about. As Facebook’s potential customers, our only choice is to meet their terms or walk away. Nobody has a right to a Facebook account.

There is one other thing to consider: There’s a big difference between having access to something and owning it. For example, I may be able to read your blog posts through Facebook, I can’t republish it without your permission. You still own it. What Facebook wants, from what I understand, is ownership. That’s a pretty steep price. I understand why some don’t want to pay it, but again. if you don’t want to pay it, don’t. Just don’t expect anything from Facebook in return.