17 Jan 2006
Are virtual assets taxable?

Uh, hello?

"On April 15, 2004, I will truthfully report to the IRS that my primary source of income is the sale of imaginary goods," [Julian] Dibbell wrote on his blog at the time, "and that I earn more from it, on a monthly basis, than I have ever earned as a professional writer."

Allow me to be the first to point out that Mr. Dibbell has always, as a professional writer, been engaged in selling imaginary goods. What is a novel? And why does it cost more than blank paper?

I just don't see an issue here.

The weapons, armor and gold pieces from online games are worth millions in real dollars. How much of a share will the IRS want?

(link) [CNET News.com]

00:00 /Politics | 1 comment | permanent link

Mayor sorry for 'chocolate' comments

So was Wal-Mart ... but at least their gaffe was due to a computer program, and didn't come straight from the horse's mouth. But perhaps neither did this remark - which end of a horse do you suppose Mayor Nagin most closely resembles?

Mayor Ray Nagin on Tuesday apologized for urging residents to rebuild a "chocolate New Orleans" and saying, "You can't have New Orleans no other way." "I'm really sorry that some people took that they way they did, and that was not my intention," the mayor said. "I say everybody's welcome."

(link) [CNN.com]

00:00 /Politics | 2 comments | permanent link

Japan Grows a Beard

Interesting stuff - I've been aware of (and involved in) the Slow Foods movement here for some time, but was unaware that it had spread (or is some of the impetus coming here?) to other nations.

I found especially fascinating a linked site called Japan for Sustainability, which outlines a "Slow Life Manifesto". Maybe this is the collective middle-age crisis of the boomer generation worldwide...

As Japan's population ages, its numbers are shrinking. Young and old shun a fast-paced lifestyle for a slower, earthier approach. Sounds like a model for the planet as a whole. Commentary by Momus.

(link) [Wired News: Top Stories]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link

AFBF delegates aid in policy development

How stupid can some people get?

Another issue for discussion, animal identification, showed the need for source verification and proof of age of livestock for export markets. "The USDA says animal ID programs are strictly for health reasons, such as trace-back if a disease outbreak occurs," explained [Montana Farm Bureau Vice President Bob] Hanson. "We see the value not only for animal health safeguards, but as a way to make your livestock more profitable when premiums are paid for those animals that are part of the ID system."

Dude, NAIS is slated to be mandatory ... if you're expecting a premium to be paid for animals registered in the system, then all animals are going to get the premium, because all of them will have to be registered before they can be sold or slaughtered.

And that's not a premium, that's a price.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The American Farm Bureau Federation showed its commitment to America's farmers and ranchers by voting on policy that keeps the country's farmers and ranchers profitable and productive during the organization's 87th annual meeting in Nashville.

(link) [ The Prairie Star]

00:00 /Agriculture | 1 comment | permanent link