The economy is in the crapper. Not much of a secret, right? So, how do we fix it? Well if you ask Governor Patterson up in New York, you start by taxing stuff, downloads specifically. The proposed tax, being conveniently called the "iPod tax" would call for a 4 percent tax on digitally transmitted content such as movies and music. They've also confirmed the tax would cover pornography sales, both online and through pay-TV services.
There are two arguments here. One says that if you purchased the songs or films at a brick-and-mortar store, you'd be paying taxes on the items.
The flip side to this argument is that you already are paying taxes. When you pay your Internet bill every month through Bright House or another carrier, the government and the FCC excise a tax on top of your monthly bill. To put it simply, you're already taxed for using the Internet, intended to be used for the free exchange of ideas, and then taxed again depending on what parts of the Internet you want to use.
In this writer's opinion, double taxation seems pretty pointless. Granted, I understand that brick-and-mortar purchases of the same items are taxed but that is part of what drives Internet commerce. So when Internet downloads are taxed, what happens? More people will turn to illegal downloads.
Is that the right thing to do? No. But it's what will happen regardless. And you know who profits then.
Sylvester Stallone is a cool dude. You really just have to love him
whether he makes good films (see: the "Rocky" and "Rambo" series') or
plain awful ones (mostly everything else).
But his new film, "The Expendables," which Stallone will write and direct, is destined to be awesome. The story revolves around a team of mercenaries headed to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator. But the storyline is not where this film's strength lies. It's the cast.
As of now, the cast includes: Mickey Rourke, Stallone, Sandra Bullock,
Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker and Randy
Couture.
Now we can add another name to that list.
It's been confirmed that the Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of Cal-eee-forn-yah, has signed for a cameo in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated films of 2010.
Last week I told you about "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." This week, we have another interesting take on Jane Austen.
It seems Elton John's film production company, Rocket Pictures, is working on something called "Pride and Predator," which pits the 18th century femmes against an invasion of monsters from outer space.
Again, great idea, but perhaps we need to venture to other Austen works instead of just "Pride and Prejudice?" Maybe "Wolfman Park" or perhaps "Emma (Gets Bitten By a Vampire)"?
But his new film, "The Expendables," which Stallone will write and direct, is destined to be awesome. The story revolves around a team of mercenaries headed to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator. But the storyline is not where this film's strength lies. It's the cast.
As of now, the cast includes: Mickey Rourke, Stallone, Sandra Bullock,
Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker and Randy
Couture. Now we can add another name to that list.
It's been confirmed that the Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of Cal-eee-forn-yah, has signed for a cameo in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated films of 2010.
Last week I told you about "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." This week, we have another interesting take on Jane Austen.
It seems Elton John's film production company, Rocket Pictures, is working on something called "Pride and Predator," which pits the 18th century femmes against an invasion of monsters from outer space.
Again, great idea, but perhaps we need to venture to other Austen works instead of just "Pride and Prejudice?" Maybe "Wolfman Park" or perhaps "Emma (Gets Bitten By a Vampire)"?
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