This should not be allowed - George CAN'T be 71! :-)

Stöckenius, S., & Brugger, P. (2000). Perceived Electrosensitivity and Magical Ideation. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 90, 899-900.

We report, in 40 healthy right-handed men, an association between perceived sensitivity to weak electromagnetic fields and scores on the Magical Ideation scale, assessing experience of and beliefs in forms of causation that are nonexistent according, to current scientific standards (r=.48, p=.002). Based on our previous research, we interpret this finding as reflecting human subjects' propensity to assume connections between own organismic state and (objectively unrelated) environmental variables. We emphasize, however. the need for studies which directly assess accuracy in detection of electromagnetic fields as a function of self-rated electrosensitivity.

Darn. I was waiting for him to double his money before I sold him this bag of magic beans. Now I'll have to sell them to that German kid with the cow.

Sent the following to the leg and a couple of papers. :-)

I'm a doctoral student in education. In a few years, I'll be considering where to apply for teaching positions. From what I've been able to gather about SB 3974, Tennessee will not be on my list. The reason is simple. The bill would require university networks not be used to "transmit copyrighted works". Unfortunately, a large part of instruction today involves students accessing copyrighted material online. This material is licensed and paid for, but is still copyrighted. A simple example illustrates this. If a person at UT Memphis were to access an online article from the Memphis Commerical Appeal, the university would be in violation of the law because newspapers are protected by copyright. The same applies to library materials which are supplied online.

In short, this bill would make university computer networks illegal, to the detriment of students, the community and the companies which serve them. While it is unlikely that the bill would pass legal challenge (and indeed would be opposed by copyright holders such as textbook and journal publishers), the fact that such a confused piece of legislation has been introduced does not speak well for Tennessee's educational system, at least so far as state legislators are concerned.

The bill's author clearly fail to understand copyright law. It is legitimate and legal to purchase and/or lease copyrighted material. The music, film and publishing industries rest on the assumption that people can legally buy or access their content. It is not legitimate or legal to steal copies of copyrighted material. Unfortunately the authors of this legislation fail to grasp this fundamental distinction, to the detriment of higher education. The author of this bill should spend some time studying law before attempting to make it.

Those wishing to read the bill as it currently stands may access it at:

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3974.pdf

I suggest you do so quickly, before it becomes illegal.

Nate McVaugh
Education Doctoral student
University of Texas at Austin

Given that the post office is moving to raise the cost of a first class stamp to 0.42, shouldn't he have a large '42' in the upper right hand corner? You could kill the subtlety by adding the words 'Don't Panic' in friendly letters someplace. Personally, I think the timing is perfect!