Public comments for public access to taxpayer research & watching for SOPA

U.S. friends, some of your tax dollars go towards congressional research.  Public access to that research--especially in the sciences (like health)--is important.  The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is taking insight and recommendations for open access to research. Please participate in making the groundwork for a better informed democracy before January 2nd!

http://www.taxpayeraccess.org/action/action_access/11-1117.shtml

Also, the internet may be viewed as a commons--it's worthwhile to note that the currently proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) will have several ramifications for how we may be able to use the internet, and influence the pacing of innovation worldwide.  I'm still trying to grasp the legislation, but the below video and overviews from CNET and International Business Times seem fairly useful and even in addressing the intentions behind the bill.  The video clearly persuades toward anti-SOPA advocacy:

(found: http://tech.pnosker.com/2011/12/26/sopa-pip-explained-godaddy-loses-21000-domains-and-stops-supporting-sopa/ which links to http://fightforthefuture.org/ where people can reach their representatives and make their statements).


http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/272580/20111225/sopa-bill-2012-things-know-controversial-legislation.htm

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57329001-281/how-sopa-would-affect-you-faq/

Update: SOPA to be voted on January 24th  (http://americancensorship.org/)

This week in the civil realm...public meetings in Southfield and Dearborn

SEA members are watching (and representing) at a few public meetings this week!

Today Sara Cole, a UM-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center employee, is attending the Southfield City Council meeting to testify about the community and educational impact of Environmental Interpretive Centers.

Meanwhile, a handful of SEA members have their eyes and ears open for tomorrow's public meeting on Dearborn's proposed Greenway expansion grant:

Tuesday Dec. 13th at 7:00 pm in Club Room 1 of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, open to the public!

The city's applying for an MDOT grant to extend part of its Greenway (which runs from Andiamo through UM-Dearborn and HFCC and beyond). This is a good time to follow up on remarks made at last year's recreation master plan meeting. There are many interesting comments emerging from people reading the article too... perhaps we'll see you there?

Read more about it via Dearborn Patch:
http://dearborn.patch.com/articles/city-to-hold-public-meeting-on-greenway-trail-extension-effort

And the Dearborn Press and Guide:  http://bit.ly/PrssNGdDbrnGrnwyXpnd

Residents are especially encouraged to submit comments. If you can't attend, remember that you can submit your comments in writing (it's possibly even more effective if you can do both).