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Confessions
2008-03-06 15:13:00
--Nathan McIntyre"Well, you're certainly fighting an uphill battle."Dean looked at me intently as I sipped my green tea. It was a Sunday morning at Starbucks in Franklin, as the shop lined to the door with uber fashionable Christianistas all anxious to get their espresso-fueld worship on.Dean was an economist, employed by the government. A self admitted liberal, I could tell he put much thought into his life, and his work. He was simply, a nice person who shared a affinity for books with me. Our whole conversation had been struck up out of necessity, when we dared make eye contact sitting across a table from one another in the packed coffee shop.I asked him what he thought could be done to address the issues facing the American economy. How could we bring jobs home, and relieve the tax payer? How could it be done? My intentions were good. He was an expert, and I truly wanted to get a grasp on his insights. However, I noticed as he started to speak, I automatically started to form...
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Bus Marshalls?
2008-03-05 18:03:00
by Nicole McIntyreApparently I've been a bit of a news cave the past few days, because I was shocked when my sister started telling me of a Rutherford County high school student who had allegedly been raped on the bus. I wanted to find out more information, but I have a very busy toddler and got sidetracked from my planned Google search. While in the car this morning, I had the radio on and got to hear an interview with a member of the School Board. This served as a reminder of my Google quest, which I did when I got home.My shock meandered into outrage as I was reading through some comments left at the Murfreesboro Post article. It seems these crazies are ready to get a noose and lynch up the bus driver and the other students. Isn't this is a man who's job is to drive the bus? Having driven in Murfreesboro traffic, his job of getting kids anywhere safely is a nightmare. At first I have to admit, I was shocked that this would happen in the seventh seat and a driver would miss it....

The Grand Ideas
2008-03-03 15:54:00
The last five days have been very productive at 5009 Stillwood Drive. On top of the usual amount of accomplishment, the nights have seen about 20 hours worth of discussion and debate on a number of topics from issues in the state of Tennessee, to vice-president possibilities for both parties, and electoral math in the upcoming general election.Travis Gable, Jared Gable, Nathan McIntyre, and I were the participants in this series of discussions, the last of which ended at 4:30 this morning. I will offer up very brief summations of the topics and conjectures. Let us know what you think:-Health Care in Tennessee- We propose to end all socialized medicine in the Volunteer State. Instead, we improve the quality, availability, and cost of health care to all its indigent citizens by paying 100% of a private insurance premium for all eligible families. The State would contract with several private companies to provide competitive and individualized policies to all residents who qualify. Eve...
More About: Ideas , Medical Malpractice , Grand , The Grand

Capital Gains
2008-02-29 16:01:00
Politicians don't scare me. The reality of our democracy is that very few of the real fringe ideas ever come close to legislation. This is why Dennis Kucinich will never do anything on a national scale. He's a kook. But, Wednesday, for the first time in a few years, I heard something from the mouth of a mainstream candidate that actually frightened me. I'm not sure of the location or even the question that prompted her response but Mrs. Clinton hinted at her intent to raise capital gains tax rates once in the White House. I contend that this is a terrible, terrible, terrible idea but even her shrill voice could sell it as "making the rich pay their fair share in taxes".Capital gains are gains earned on the sale of capital assets. For most of us, this includes our homes and any stocks we own. Currently, 250k of gain is excluded from capital gains tax on the sale of your home if you've lived in the house for 2 years. So, we are left with capital gains being the profits made from b...
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The Unquestionable Barak Obama
2008-02-28 14:53:00
--Nathan McIntyreAbout an hour from my hometown of Florence, Alabama is the city of Cullman. Cullman is a typical sleepy deep South town, with barber shops, diners, and old men on Court House steps. As I've traveled the world a little bit, I have often been informed of the shame that I should carry about on my shoulders because I hail from the heart of Dixie. Apparently we all still hate black people, and just about any other non-white face. News to me.It's news to Cullman as well. The city, which is 96% white, just elected their first black mayor. Interestingly enough, it didn't take an awareness campaign or a march. People simply listened to the issues and voted."Really, I never realized he's black," said a woman in a restaurant, smiling."He's black?" asked Lou Bradford, a Cullman police officer, jokingly.It didn't make national headlines, but this moment of enlightenment came to the world not through legistlation, or agitation, but simply through good people paying attentio...
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It's a Great Idea, but How's It Gonna Work?
2008-02-27 16:07:00
by Nicole McIntyreI got in the habit a few years ago of listening to talk radio on my way to work. I taught third grade at an elementary school about 20 minutes away and I found the discussions a way to stimulate my brain in the morning. I didn't always agree with the topic at hand, but it certainly broadened my horizons.Even though my commute is much shorter now (if you can call walking from the bedroom to the kitchen a commute...), I still listen to talk radio when I can.I was listening Ralph Bristol when he started discussing merit pay for teachers, based on an article that has come out in Time Magazine. At first, my mind was pretty set on this idea. How can this be fair. But the more I thought about it and the more I listened to callers, the more it interested me. There are sub-par teachers out there, whether it is because they don't have the support they need, a desire to do all that it takes, or just too set in their ways. Anyone who is, knows, or remembers a great teacher k...
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Top 5 Funniest Things on Youtube
2008-02-26 15:51:00
Check out these little bits of comedic genius, though 4 of the 5 are steeped in reality, here on youtube.5. South Park SEC Coaches- If you love SEC football, you'll love this!4. This is Our Country by the Miami Hurricanes- There's something poetic about John Cougar Melloncamp dubbed over a fight like this.3. Cop shoots himself- Listen to his monolouge on professionalism before the gun goes off....classic!2. Old Dirty Bastard does the Kung Fu Classics- This one is pretty funny, but it comes with a big parental advisory.1. George Bush on OBGYNs- You'll have to see it for yourself to believe it!Have a great Tuesday!
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Social Security: America's Inflamed Appendix
2008-02-22 14:45:00
In the mid-60s, President Johnson flipped a switch and funding for Social Security went from a private trust account to a "pay as you go" system from the general fund. This decision represents a monumental lack of foreward thinking and general ignorance of population trends. Since that time, it has been apparent that this program would go bankrupt sooner rather than later. I'm sure you've heard the numbers. Some estimates say that by 2017 (now less than a decade away), there will be more retirees receiving social security benefits than there will be wage earners paying in. Not to be doomsday chicken little guy but this problem is more dangerous than any militant Islamo-whatever. As America grays, the problem gets worse.Right now, 6.2% of every wage dollar earned up to 102k, is withheld from your paycheck to go into feeding this behemoth. Additionally, your employer has to match that 6.2%. Anything after 102k annually is SS tax free. The Democrat fix would be to eliminate ...
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Embrace the Media...a.k.a. Living a Little
2008-02-21 14:46:00
Many of you know I work. A lot. It's what I know how to do. You'll find Cameron, Alan, and others here wax on eloquently about the intricate nature of certain aspects of politics, our nation, and our world. On the other hand, I'll tell you what I think. It's not that educated. It's certainly not eloquent. It's simply what I think.Many times I decide I'm wrong and change my mind. Scandalous. Our world and the people that live in it matter quite a bit to me. But when I get a moment to think as I'm driving home from work at 2 AM, just waiting for my alarm to go off in three hours for once again, work, I am reminded of something.Sometimes you have to take a break. Drop back and punt, and enjoy yourself. So today, consider this a punt. That's right folks, prepare yourself for pure, brainless, banal blogger fluff. And I looooooooove it.I've got a TV! Why not watch it? Taking a moment to look through the listings on the DirecTV that I pay for but do not watch a couple of shows ca...
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Borat is Nice...Not
2008-02-20 17:05:00
by Nicole McIntyreI had Netflixed Borat thinking it would be an interesting chuckle. I had heard all the hype and how it was supposed to be just hilarious. Obviously our culture has taken a left turn from funny, because I don't think a single chuckle was emitted. (Okay, maybe a tiny one when people on the subway were running from a chicken.) Thirty minutes into it, I was so disgusted I turned it off and stuck it back in my mailbox. I tried to stay into it, rembering all the other movies I had loved that started out slow. Or the ones that needed extra viewings before I found the humor. (exhibit A: Napoleon Dynamite) The whole time I was watching Borat, the same thought was rolling around inside my head: these people are getting duped so we can laugh at them. I never have found using people a very funny practice. It's just not for me. Now I'm waiting for the next episodes of Ghost Hunters to get here and thinking I wish I hadn't wasted the time on Borat. It just wasn't all that n...
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Socialism, Health Care, and Kids
2008-02-19 15:42:00
A comment was posted at this older update here on the Porch that I thought was telling. It summarizes the mindset of portion of American society crying out for socialized everything. Full of impoverished hubris, I estimate you all might enjoy going back to the old post and seeing the comments.Click here, and enjoy.**Here are the first two comments if you' like to check them out, but I would still urge you to read the entire piece if interested, and then come on back and comment.Anonymous said...Not all families are living on 50,000 dollars a year for a family of four. Also, not all parent's are "money stupid" as you put it.There are a number of considerable circumstances that can happen to a working middle-class family which can make life hard at times, especially "money-wise". First the economy is terrible at this time and we are getting ripped off as consumers at each and every available turn. Until you walk in someone's shoes who is working and paying their bills and do not ha...
More About: Health , Kids , Health Care , Care , Socialism

Field of Dreams
2008-02-15 14:46:00
By Alan GableI've been busy lately, but not busy enough to ignore the Congressional hearings involving 7 time Cy Young award winner, and perhaps the best right arm in baseball history, Roger Clemens and this pimp Brian McNamee. My opinions carry an extreme amount of bias. I want to believe that "The Rocket" is all natural. I want to believe that he was only injected with B12 vitamins. I want to believe that there was at least one player from my childhood who was above reproach with this "performance enhancement" nonsense.I watched some of the questioning, which seemed more like grandstanding and political misdirection than actual investigation. McNamee is not believable. He's going to get slammed by this whole thing. He's a drug dealer and I hope he trips on the first step of whatever Washington building he's leaving and rolls all the way into the street. Roger, on the other hand, looked good. He stammered a little bit, but he was direct and answered what was asked of h...
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Politics and Mood Swings
2008-02-14 16:00:00
by Nathan McIntyreLast week here in middle Tennessee many of you saw that we had quite a party. Storms ravaged much of the state, and while we were waiting on the storms to pass I had a thought."This is a lot like working at church."It is true that in a former life I was a minister, and having since repented of my religiosity I look back on those days and can only learn from them. Hey, they didn't kill me. Almost, but not so much.That being said, teenagers are a lot like tornados. You know they're coming and get that clammy feeling. Then they randomly blow in, loudly for just a few moments, leaving a path of destruction immediately followed by blue skies above. Nice.They are struggling to gain their identities, so it's all about them. And while it remains a normal phase of life, that fact makes them no easier to live with. I just don't have the gift.Maybe that is why I struggle so much with America.I love what we can be, but broadly speaking, "We The People" are a bunch of teena...
More About: Politics , Cain , Barak Obama , Mood

Stop, Look, and Listen...
2008-02-13 20:12:00
by Nicole McIntyreThis morning I was in such a rush that I didn't even realize it was snowing outside. After all, breakfast had to be eaten, laundry had to be done, and straightening had to occur before I got busy with kiddos. I didn't even look outside until I went to let my lazy dog out, who had slept in 45 minutes past me. I opened my back door to a winter wonderland and cars skidding on the road behind our house.I stood there forever, until I realized that with snow comes the cold and promptly shut the door. I opened up my blinds, turned on the XM to the Classical Pops station , drank my coffee, and enjoyed the wintery show.It's just above freezing now and the white fluffiness is starting to melt, but it made me think this morning. How often do we rush through life, never stopping to look at the world around us? Or are we so busy with electronic gadgets that we forget to just be still? Take a moment today to stop, look, and listen to the world around you. You might be surpris...
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White Collar versus Street Level Crimes
2008-02-08 15:11:00
I'm taking a class on "Criminal Justice" at a local post-secondary education establishment. Recently, there was a discussion question in this class about the differences between white collar crime and street level crime. Throughout the discussion, I found myself in the uncharted territory of "minority opinion", as I was the only one holding to a certain viewpoint. I'd like to know what the Porch readers thought and where their opinions fall on this issue.This is one example of the majority view given by one of my more intelligent classmates:White collar crime v. street level crimes. In my opinion, the only real difference in white collar crime and street level crime are the participants and impact of the crimes. The label of ?white collar crime?, serves as a safeguard to the social and economically elite who commit crimes. I feel that the accountability of white collar criminals should be higher in regards to punishment. Most corporate employees are in positions of trust and they ...
More About: Street , Versus , Crimes , Collar

Super Tuesday and Tornadoes?
2008-02-06 19:43:00
by Nicole McIntyre Let's just say that yesterday was "exciting" on a variety of levels:1. I voted in my first Presidential primary. It was pretty cool to know that I was a part of Super Tuesday . 2. I had my first experience with an electronic voting machine. I know it's probably irrational, but are they really all that safe? I guess it's better than "hanging chads."3. I had my first voting experience with a toddler. He thought he was pretty impressive wearing his "I voted" sticker. He also blew kisses to the poll workers and tried to "hide" from them.4. I was slightly annoyed that at no point in my voting process was my ID asked for. I even had to double check my voter registration card to make sure I was signing in right and that did not raise up any red flags to anyone. I guess if you are in your late 20's, white, female, and toting a toddler they really aren't worried about your voter fraud potential.5. I was so involved in the process that I spent all night going between th...
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A Brief Summation of Today
2008-02-05 22:14:00
As you all go out to vote today I just thought I'd drop you a quick reminder. You really have two options when you go to pull that lever--1. Vote for a world in which you're free to be wrong.2. Vote for a world in which you're forced to be "right."You decide.
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The Fall of Icarus
2008-02-04 05:27:00
By DSTBruegel the Elder?s 1558 painting entitled ?The Fall of Icarus? depicts the climactic moment of the mythological hero?s tale: he and his father escape from captivity by making wings of feathers and wax. Icarus, drunk with vanity in his new ability to fly, ignores his father?s warnings and flies too close to the sun, which subsequently melts the wax of his wings and sends him crashing to earth. The scene Bruegel painted is of that moment, when Icarus falls headfirst into the Aegean Sea. The work is named in honor of this great hero whose story it purportedly tells, but can you find him in it? (Here?s a hint ? look just below the ship on the right side of the painting. See the leg?) The farmer goes on plowing his field, the shepherd tending his flock, the fishermen at their work ? none of them is aware that they are part of the scene of one of the great moments of Greek mythology.So the underlying question is this: Who is the hero of the story? Is it our inventive genius whose t...

A Case For Bonus Depreciation
2008-02-01 15:46:00
By Alan GableMuch has been said about the upcoming alleged individual tax rebate checks as a part of the President's economic stimulus plan. I'd like to talk a little bit about one of the facets of the plan that is designed for businesses. The piece is called bonus depreciation or accelerated depreciation. Let me explain what this is and how it came to be important. Then I'll let you decide if it will work or not. Here goes.One of the major themes of generally accepted accounting is a guideline called the "matching principle". The concept holds that revenues and the corresponding expenses related to those revenues should be recognized in the same general time period. For this reason, a photographer for instance cannot purchase film in one calendar year and recognize the expense for it three years later. It makes sense. For larger purchases of property, furniture, fixtures, equipment, etc..., one cannot expense their full amount because they theoretically have useful live...
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Barak Obama and the Camelot Myth
2008-01-31 15:10:00
by Nathan McIntyreMuch has been to do about the nothing this week that was Ted Kennedy endorsing Barack Obama for the White House. Neely Tucker of the Washington Post penned this recent piece absolutely soaked in leftist dreamer drivel, in which he anointed Obama as "Camelot's new knight." After I finished dry heaving from the drama laced in every word, I decided to take a little time and ponder all the hullabaloo."Over the years, I've been deeply moved by the people who've told me they wish they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president," Caroline Kennedy told a cheering throng of students at American University. "This longing is even more profound today. Fortunately, there is one candidate who offers that same sense of hope and inspiration, and I am proud to endorse Senator Barack Obama for president." This was nearly note perfect. Inspiration and hope and longing, the touchstones of the American Dream. And what, you're going...
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"Brother" Romney
2008-01-31 03:40:00
There's really not much I can say that ol' Mitt doesn't already say in this video. Pandering anyone?Faves:"Who let the dogs out?"or..."Nice bling bling baby"Word.
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A Little Arkansas Mischief...
2008-01-30 13:58:00
by Nicole McIntyreI'm on a non-fiction kick right now, so when I was at the library a few weeks ago I wandered aimlessly in the non-fiction section looking for some interesting reads. I picked up a few Tennessee history books, including a great one on the Bell Witch, a Civil War "unusual facts" book, and then the one that really caught my eye. Arkansas Mischief by Jim McDougal with Curtis Wilkie. A book about Whitewater.It was highly fascinating for me to read about the political dynamics in my home state that I was not aware of, long before my time. I loved reading about people that I only knew because their name was on some building. I also saw a lot of irony, since the Clinton's are still vying for power. I can't vouch for it's accuracy, since this is the autobiography of self-labeled alcoholic who developed bi-polar disorder later in life. What I can say is that it's a very interesting read, especially since it is an election year and one of the major Presidential contender...

Future NFL Development League
2008-01-29 17:37:00
By Jared GableLet me begin by saying that I despise Major League Baseball. It has nothing to do with steroids, baseball is just a boring game. However, the one thing I have always liked about professional baseball is the commitment to the development of players. In my mind, the NFL would be a much better league if they exhibited the same commitment to player development that baseball has.Something happened this past Saturday which may come to represent a monumental step in the right direction for pro football.A new professional league, the AAFL (All American Football League) held their draft on Saturday. I know what you are thinking, because I thought the same thing. Professional football leagues which try to compete with the all-powerful NFL monopoly always die and they always will. But there are several reasons why this infant league should be given a chance.1. All players are required to have graduated from college. The AAFL is marketing itself to the college football crowd, prim...
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God vs. Science
2008-01-28 19:08:00
By Cameron ClarkSeveral times over the course of my life I have heard sermons from various preachers on why the use and pursuit of science is detrimental to the kingdom of God. I think I've finally reached my limit of hearing this kind of half-witted, doltish, self-serving junk from the elevation of the pulpit without seriously challenging it in every way possible.Because of the "unhealthy" modern trend of asking people to cite concrete evidence for holding a certain position or opinion, many conservative churches have interpreted the "over-dependence" on science and empirical data as a direct assault on faith.Bill Watkins, pulpit preacher at Crieve Hall Church of Christ, believes carbon dating and the like are seriously flawed methods of research as they render astronomical numbers of age that cannot possibly be accurate as the earth is only about 10,000 years old. (I think the "about" was meant as 10,000 years and 7 days)Mr. Watkins explains further that God can create age, and t...
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Scientology's Top Gun
2008-01-25 03:20:00
By Alan GableI got the chance to watch a 9 minute video of an interview Tom Cruise gave about .........well, I assume it was about Scientology but his incoherent rambling reminded me of Benjy's section of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. Brother Cruise has certainly fallen a long way since his inverted negative G dive with the Mig 28. To label him as "crazy" would be insulting to Rainmen everywhere. I can't understand anything the man says. So, in the spirit of fairness, I thought I'd take an objective look at the Religion of Scientology. Here's some of what I learned.It was founded by L. Ron Hubbard (science fiction nerd) in the early 50s. Scientology's precursor was LRH's development of Dianetics, which was a mental health practice to get rid of unwanted emotions and psychological stressors.Scientology holds that man is basically good, but his experiences cause him to commit evil deeds like racing wheelchairs down the halls of a hospital; that he errs because he seeks to ...

Now You're Cooking With Rice!
2008-01-24 23:39:00
I just wanted to take a moment and congratulate a good friend of mine, Mr. Lee Rice for the job he is doing at the Thompson Station Grille in Thompson Station, TN. The Tennessean recently posted this piece on the renaissance of a now fabulous restaurant and I encourage all of our Middle Tennessee readers to stop by as soon as possible.Lee is a former college roommate and fraternity brother. His cooking made me the man I used to be ;)
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Chicken Little Economics 101
2008-01-24 13:15:00
by Nathan McIntyreRecession: "A significant decline in activity spread across the economy, lasting longer than a few months. It is visible in industrial production, employment, real income, and wholesale-retail trade. The technical indicator of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth as measured by a country's GDP."Many years ago there was a young fryer named Chicken Little. Chicken Little was enjoying a nice day on the farm. Times were good, and the weather was warm. He had a very nice nest, as did all his chicken neighbors. Sure, money was tight, but in a barnyard like Chicken Little's, he simply had to keep up with the Clucksteins. He bought all the latest stuff on his credit card, but so did everyone. His wife laid enough eggs to pay the payments, so life was relatively comfortable on the farm.That was until the crunch. He actually heard it next to his feet, when all his bills hit the floor at the same time.Nests all over the barnyard went up for sa...
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(Some) Americans Really Piss Me Off
2008-01-24 02:20:00
...7:22 pm, Wednesday night: As I work this evening I find myself in a pseudo-political discussion. Presidential hopefuls come up, and when his choice is requested he responds "Hillary Clinton."No problem I think. Many people agree."Oh but I'm not a Democrat. I'm a Republican." He quickly adds."Then why do you support Hillary?""Because I work for HCA, and socialized medicine would be great for my wallet. Ha. Ha. Ha."Stunned.Some Americans really make me believe in enforceable Darwinism.
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Debt Economics?
2008-01-23 18:00:00
by Nicole McIntyreI had the Today Show on this morning while I was getting ready. It's by far my favorite of the morning shows and I like it a whole lot better after the "leftist agenda" of Katie Couric is gone. Meredith Viera was interviewing one Barack Obama with a lot of tenacity and grit. I was impressed.While I enjoyed the non-hiney kissing interview tactics of Ms. Viera, that's not what stood out to me. He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named made a comment that all of the people he talked to on the campaign trail were worried about the economy. According to him, they are all living paycheck to paycheck and afraid they are going to loose their houses. You have to ask yourself why are these people living in such fear and worry, not what's wrong with the economy. I'm not an economics guru, but I'm pretty sure I know the answer. It's a evil four letter word called debt. Specifically consumer debt.I don't even want to know how many people have ridiculous credit card debt, new car debt, ...
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Don't Be Evil
2008-01-22 16:38:00
By Jared GableGoogle seems to be committed to changing the way we do business in the United States and the World. Because of this we may need to take a look at the way we tax and regulate corporations. Google has committed a certain percentage of both profit and equity to funding its humanitarian arm, google.org. It is encouraging employees and managers to be involved in this part of the organization and to make an impact on the world as conscientious capitalists (my words, not theirs). As if Google wasn?t revolutionary enough already. They helped to write the book (and are continuing to do so) on internet advertising. They have created a brand which is almost synonymous with the internet. With the popularity of YouTube, they are changing the way we think about intellectual property in general. And now, this organization is challenging the concept of the heartless, evil corporation. It is my hope that other for-profit organizations follow suit, but there may be little financial in...
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