All who have fretted over the idea of microchip implantations for tracking and identifying, you may not be too thrilled to learn that the Baja Beach Club in Barcelona intends to do precisely that for its VIP members, with the VeriChip implantable chip. Owner Conrad Chase said he wanted something unique to identify his members - you know, key chains or club keys or special jewelry were just too everybody-does-it for his taste.
At least he's willing to lead by example. Chase had himself implanted at the media launch, according to PrisonPlanet.com (now there's a name!). "We have a special zone at Baja beach Club where only VIPs are allowed, which has various exclusive services for these members," says the Baja Beach Club's Website. "We are the first discotheque in the world to offer the VIP VeriChip. Using an integrated (imbedded) microchip, our VIPs can identify themselves and pay for their food and drinks without the need for any kind of document [ID]." While we're all in favor of keeping members-only clubs members-only honest, we'd kind of like to know whether there's a little too much room for privacy abuse in this idea.
Speaking of privacy abuse, you may or may not be surprised to learn that Shanghai is monitoring Internet caf�s - no, they're not resorting to mandatory microchip implants for users (yet), but they are installing monitoring cameras and high-tech logging software. And why are they doing that? They want to make sure no users are looking at "forbidden" Websites... sites with "suspicious content." And we don't mean adult material alone. "A number of people have already been sent to prison for downloading and uploading banned material," notes TheInquirer.net, "and it looks like with the new system in place even more will get busted." How did they come to that conclusion?
Meanwhile, back in the jungle, the Federal Communications Commission has concluded that AT&T has the proverbial "other think coming" if they think they're going to avoid paying fees to other telephone companies by routing some calls through the Internet. The FCC rejected that idea, though chairman Michael Powell says this doesn't change his view that Internet telephony as a whole should be regulated lightly - if at all.
We agree that child porn should be handled anything but lightly (how does "blown the hell out of business entirely" grab you?). But could we possibly find an Eighth Amendment exemption for the child porners who haven't got - even by their own distinct absence of human standards - the brains to hit the water when they fall out of a boat? Exhibit F : Richard E. Brillhart is looking at 15-40 years in Davy Jones' Locker when he's sentenced in mid-July. He pleaded guilty to downloading and e-mailing child porn - and he was doing it on public library computers. Give this one two brain cells to rub together and he'd probably have to be registered as a weapon of mass destruction.
The Rev. James Southward of Ypsilanti, Michigan may have to hope his flock deploys a weapon of mass forgiveness. He is looking at 20 years in the can on each of two felony charges, following his April 20 arrest for using the Internet to arrange for sex with a 14-year-old Arizona girl who used to be one of his flock. This didn't exactly begin as a sting: Southward, investigators say, really was talking to a real 14-year-old girl, on the phone, but then investigators got involved and started communicating with him online, pretending to be the same girl, when the chat turned sexual and Southward allegedly tried to set up a rendezvous.
But - going Heatter Time, folks (there's good news this morning) - Amazon.com thinks you should be able to find pearls before swine in cyberspace. And to prove it, they have launched an online jewelry and watch store, promising significant savings and - deviating from their usual style - selling product from its own inventory. Beware, however: the best you can get on a bargain is Rolex style, not Rolex the real thing. So far.
