http://news.com.com/Congress+readies+new+digital+copyright+bill/2100-1028_3

For the last few years, a coalition of technology companies, academics and computer programmers has been trying to persuade Congress to scale back the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Now Congress is preparing to do precisely the opposite. A proposed copyright law seen by CNET News.com would expand the DMCA's restrictions on software that can bypass copy protections and grant federal police more wiretapping and enforcement powers. ... During a speech in November, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales endorsed the idea and said at the time that he would send Congress draft legislation. Such changes are necessary because new technology is "encouraging large-scale criminal enterprises to get involved in intellectual-property theft," Gonzales said, adding that proceeds from the illicit businesses are used, "quite frankly, to fund terrorism activities." ... Smith's measure would expand those civil and criminal restrictions. Instead of merely targeting distribution, the new language says nobody may "make, import, export, obtain control of, or possess" such anticircumvention tools if they may be redistributed to someone else.

Own a Sharpie? Go to jail.

I had intended to spend Friday night in the Arboretum, but the weather didn’t agree with me. Instead, I spent most of the day Saturday up there. The shelter I had spent the night in was in need of some patching, which that kept me occupied for an hour or so. After that, I discovered two new shelters (of a sort).

he first was a well put together and elaborate A-frame. It was too small for anybody to fit in, but I imagine, with a tarp, one could make a large bivy-sack out of it. The second looked at first glance as if a bunch of wood had just been piled there, but upon closer inspection it’s obvious that it was placed with a purpose – some sticks were tied together, others duck taped. Had it been built properly, it would have been impressive. I wonder if it just collapsed on itself.

Don’t leave the radar detector on. A dead car battery doesn’t help things.

The gear list for my Survival Walk-about arrived today.

Required Non-Clothes Items

1. Day pack, Waist pack, of 5' X 5' cloth (for carrying gear)
2. One 1 liter water bottle
3. Water treatment supplies:
   • We recommend either Grapefruit Seed Extract of Aerobic Oxygen, both of which can be bought at natural food stores
   • Another option is Ioding (Liquid or Tablets)
   • Please NO filters
4. Personal Medical Kit:
   • Band-aids
   • Moleskin (or other blister-care materials)
   • Personal Medications
5. Sharp sheath knife (Mora/Frosts Knife recommended), NO folding knives
6. One heavy duty trash bag

Required Clothes *These clothes are to be worn on your body or otherwise fit into your daypack.

1. A pair of wool or poly blend hiking socks
2. A pair of Hiking shoes
3. One long john bottoms/pants (wool or synthetic)
4. Quick-dry shorts (synthetic)
5. Belt
6. Sports Bra/Athletic top (women only)
7. Long Sleeved shirt (lightweight bug and sun protection)
8. One long john top or sweater (wool or synthetic)
9. Rain jacket and rain pants (lightweight and waterproof)
10. Balaclava or stocking cap

Optional

1. Study pants (synthetic)
2. Sunscreen (unscented)
3. Comb or brush
4. Toothbrush and floss
5. Small 3x5 note pad and pencil
6. Small sewing kit
7. Compass (simply Suunto or Silva compass with adjustable declination) no lensatic or military compasses

The pack surprised me. I thought they would allow only the clothes on your body. Speaking of clothes, that they recommended shorts was also surprising. Not only are they not very popular (or practical) here in the Pacific Northwest, but they also don’t offer much protection while tramping through the bush. I’ll stick with pants.

I’ve never heard of the knife they recommend. I’ll be bringing a Becker Knife and Tool Crewman.

Gunner Palace is a documentary that follows the U.S. 2/3 Field Artillery around Baghdad. With little narrating, the film is neither pro-war or anti-war. Rather, it simply tries to show a day in the life. Check it out.

Yesterday, during my jaunt through the Arboretum, I collected a branch of pine needles. I’ve often heard good things of pine needle tea, so I thought I’d try it. I put a little less than a handful of needles into 1 cup of boiling water, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Strangely, the tea doesn’t really smell like pine – it had a sort of citrus smell to it. Someone who walked in on me while I was doing this thought it smelled like tangerine.

The tea itself was really good. I think it’s better tasting than most of the fancy store bought stuff, and it’s free. The only downside was that, since I don’t have a strainer, I ended up drinking a few pine needles, too. The needles have a sort of sour after taste and are a little too chewy for my liking. Next time, I’ll try to drink it with my bombilla.