Yesterday the Supreme Court took a half step forward toward some sense of proportion in patent law—and they took a half step backwards. Today, in a unanimous decision, the court ruled that human genes cannot be patented. At the same time, they ruled that complementary DNA (cDNA) could be patented. This case against Myriad Genetics, Inc. asked the court to … Continue reading
Sometimes things just seem to connect in my mind. In this case, it is tantrums and other mechanisms used to manipulate us and allow the tantrum-throwing spoiled brats to get their way. The simplest tantrum is something we have all seen. We are walking through the grocery store and some child is throwing a tantrum in the candy aisle. Our … Continue reading
I read an article in the summer edition of Yes Magazine that highlighted a trade treaty (TransPacific Partnership) that concerns me because of its negative implications for democracy and the ability of governments to determine policies they deem most appropriate for their nations. This treaty is different from others such as NAFTA in that if approved it would require nations … Continue reading
The contentious Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) meeting on May 23 explained the proposed Browning Investment project (called Canal Pointe) in more detail and confirmed that Whole Foods Market will be the major (actually sole) retail tenant. It also did a whole lot more. It highlighted strongly competing visions for the future of Broad Ripple. On one side, we have … Continue reading
Television crews were out this morning, reporting from the abandoned Shell station at College Avenue just north of the Central Canal. This was in anticipation of tonight’s meeting of the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) at the Broad Ripple United Methodist Church. The meeting was organized to discuss the proposed project for that site that includes apartments, retail space and … Continue reading
OK, let’s be clear from the start. I am a civil libertarian and believe in freedom of the press and hate the very loose respect for the constitutional procedures that have gripped this country since 9/11. The overly broad, wholesale search of phone records by the Justice Department is probably completely legal, even without court approval—and totally wrong. Still I … Continue reading
In spite of his pious claim to be “troubled” by some of its provisions, the Governor’s dutiful signing of SB 621 reminds us that he is just another opportunistic political hack who dances to the tune played by GOP powerbrokers. I’ll refrain from joining others by expressing my “disappointment” with Governor Pence’s decision not to veto SB 621. My cynicism … Continue reading
I had a dream last night. You might really call it a nightmare. I was floating above a meeting of Mayor Greg Ballard, Chief of Staff Ryan Vaughn and several Republican strategists. They were talking about the future of Indianapolis. I heard one of the strategists say, “Ryan, we do hope that you will become the next Mayor. We have … Continue reading
I was recently listening to a podcast from Freakonomics Radio by Stephen Dubner, co-author of the book by the same name. The topic was parking. The opening argument was that parking is too cheap. This is based on the basic premise that if you have too little of something, you should jack up the price—basic supply and demand. He discussed … Continue reading
Once again, we can look to our state legislature, not for wise public policy, but for power mongering and gamesmanship. Even with a super majority, our Republican legislators refuse to be forthright with the public. They are diluting the power of your vote and mine in an effort to retain control of the City of Indianapolis/Marion County. They are acting … Continue reading
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