Last night the Bill Moyers produced, "the Net at Risk" prime time documentary hopefully helped to raise public awareness of just how serious of a risk we are of losing our internet. If you’re not quite sure what the issue at hand really is, then you should go to SaveTheInternet.com and read up a little bit on it. Until then, Net Neutrality is about persuading Congress to NOT pass a bill proposed by Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska that would allow the big ISP, cable, and telephone companies to act as "gatekeepers" or "toll booths" of the information super-highway.

If they were able to do so, they would not only continue to gouge their customers for internet/tv/telephone service, but they would also levy "tolls" on users of the internet, controlling who’s information got to your screen through the express lanes or by creeping down the shoulder. What does that mean? That means that big corporations who can afford to pay the toll will be the content that reaches you–not by your choice, but by the gatekeepers’. This means that never again will a blog, "un-approved content" (via the gatekeepers’ perspective), small business, forum results, and countless other types of content top, or even be present, on the list of your Google search results…that is if Google, in fact, happened to have been the highest paying search engine, maybe it would have been Yahoo, Ask, or some other engine.

One estimate given on last night’s special said that 60% of the content on the internet comes from individuals. That turns the statistics of traditional media on it’s head. Typically, whether it be TV, newspaper/magazine, or radio, 95-99% of the content is controlled by corporations. Will you let the telecom companies and Congress do that to the internet in the upcoming lame-duck session? Will you let them take away your blog, MySpace, Facebook, Flickr pics, YouTube videos, and all you other favorite web sites? Take action! Save the Internet!

Here are some ways to get involved: sign the petition, host a banner, blog about it, add SaveTheInternet as a MySpace friend, contact your senator. and tell your friends about Net Neutrality. Also be sure to go to SaveTheInternet.com and MoveOn.org for more info and ways to get involved.

Tags: net neutrality, network neutrality, save the internet, lame-duck, ted stevens, bill moyer, the net at risk, pbs

I knew my love of doughnuts, a ritualistic Saturday morning indulgence, had deeper significance than merely satisfying my sweet tooth. According to CNN Space & Science (who’s rss I subscribe to), cosmic doughnuts could be essential is the formation and birth of massive stars.

So kick that diet for a few minutes and get to your nearest doughnut shop…the cosmos is depending on you.

Tags: CNN, space, science, cosmos, doughnuts

This morning I enjoyed the comedy of Bob and Tom on 102.9, the Buzz, as I made my short jaunt to Panera. I turned on the radio right in the middle of one of the famous Heywood Banks‘ songs called “Big Butter Jesus”. The song, not for the easily offended, is in reference to the sixty-two foot risen Jesus on the side of I-75 in Monroe, Ohio at Solid Rock Church.

This ginormous sculpture is alternately called “Touch Down Jesus”. There are even doctored images out in cyber space of this stone Messiah adorned in a referee jersey…hey, I told you it wasn’t for the easily offended. Some say that the infamous Christ of the Ozarks is actually taller than the statue in Ohio, but that info differs from source to source.

There is but one choice to make when you hear songs like “Big Butter Jesus” by Heywood Banks (if anyone has that .mp3, please share!). You can either get pissed off and set out on a holy crusade to right the perceived wrong OR get a good laugh, roll with it, and get over it. I, personally, thought the song was kind of funny and I didn’t take personal offense since the Christ that lives within us is not a statue. On that note, he doesn’t need a statue to represent himself in this world. No, it is people that he indwells and hence, through which he reveals his perfect love to the world.

Click here to check out other “Mega-Messiahs (and other End Times Titans)”.

Tags: Bob and Tom, Heywood Banks, Christ of the Ozarks, Touchdown Jesus, Big Butter Jesus

Thus far the weekend has been an eventful one. The little league football team that I coach won it’s first game yesterday, ‘Bama beat Hawai, Shaunna and I experienced some new food, and then we made some strange discoveries at Borders.

So about the food, if you have never been to Genghis Grill in Cool Springs, it is a MUST try! It’s kind of difficult to explain how it works, so just follow the link to check it out. Since pictures are worth 1000 words, check out this one, on my flickr page, of the grill area below.

After leaving Genghis Grill, we went over to Borders to let our food settle. It was here that we found a number of strange and humorous discoveries. Here are some pics of two such discoveries. The first is self explanatory (to say the least) and the humor in the second was simply finding these two books next to each other on the shelf.

After letting our food settle at Borders, we made our way to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Caruthers, also in Cool Springs. This, as far as I’m concerned, is the very nexus of the universe. I mean seriously, they have it all, the best donuts, great coffee, and a Baskin Robins sharing the same retail parcel. Check out these pics (also on my flickr page) for some of Shaunna’s donut photo handiwork.

As promised, here’s the Borders pics:

Oh that’s right boys and girls, here it comes, college football kickoff weekend! Woo hoo! Anyone who knows me is doubtlessly aware of my anticipation of this weekend. So far this weekend South Carolina shut out Mississippi State (for Spurrier’s 150th career win), Iowa State held back Toledo in triple OT, Boston College survived a late rally from Central Michigan, and it took until the fourth quarter for the number No. 24 Sundevils of Arizona State to close the door on Northern Arizona.

The remainder of the weekend I’m looking forward to seeing Cal beat UT and Alabama beating Hawaii (ROLL TIDE ROLL!). I’d also like to see Vandy to upset Michigan in the Big House and for Charlie Weis’ Fightin’ Irish to take down Georgia Tech because, let’s face it, everyone but USC fans can agree that the Irish got the short end of the stick last season. In addition, I wouldn’t be suprised if the Arkansas vs. USC game isn’t as close as a field goal…maybe even an upset.

Oh yeah, and one more time, ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Tags: college, football, NCAA, ESPN, SEC

Sam Davidson, a local Nashville social justice, spirituality, and life blogger, has recently launced a very innovative and much needed site called CoolPeopleCare. From the site: “CoolPeopleCare is the web resource for people who want to make a difference. Browse our site; you’ll find practical ideas, helpful hints, and local events, all aimed at motivating you to change your world.”

Get off your butt, err, home page, go check it out, and spend five minutes towards changing the world…

Tags: Cool People Care, Social Justice, Blog, Nashville, Sam Davidson