False Dichotomies

New development on the banning. It looks like Google has recognized that it was a bit hasty to just pull tethering apps from the Android Market altogether. Here's what they had to say:

"We inadvertently unpublished your application for all mobile providers; if you like, we can restore your app so that all Android Market users outside the T-Mobile US network will have access to your application."

So, I've had my first real clash with the Open Handset Alliance today. Wifi Tether for Root Users, an app I'm a contributor for, got banned from the Android Market for violating the Developer Distribution Agreement.

I mentioned in a previous post that my friend sent a strongly worded letter to the editor of the BSU Daily News regarding their recent article on the anti-vaccination movement. As promised, here is the text of that letter as sent by my friend Carrie on behalf of the BSU Freethought Alliance. I thought it was a well-written letter, but I'm more than a bit concerned that their response will be "tl;dr". Oh well, I guess we'll see.

I just completed what I believe is my very first strongly-worded letter to the editor. The Ball State Daily News, the provider of print journalism for the local university in my area, just gave front page coverage to the local Anti-vaccination, conspiracy theorist fringe group on campus.

As you may have heard in the most recent episode of the podcast, Darwin Day is fast approaching. I was fortunate enough to take part in the Darwin Day event this past Saturday, February 7th at Ball State University. It was organized by the BSU Freethought Alliance. I'm not a BSU student, and therefore I'm not eligible for membership. In spite of this limitation I still attend the group's meetings and pretend to be a member.

You can search for us in iTunes now (and actually find us.) I use my G1 for podcasts normally, but you asked and we took action.

You can also click the iTunes link in the Subscribe block on the side of the page. Subscribe, listen, enjoy, and then send hate mail to show@falsedichotomies.org. And don't forget to add us or vote for us on your favorite social networking or news site. We even put up special links to make it easier for you. If there's one we don't have a link for and you want us to, let us know.

For some strange reason I was just thinking about the "War on Christmas". I know that it's a bit weird that I'm still thinking about this on New Year's Eve, but it happens. I was just pondering how silly it is that someone would be that upset over which holiday someone chose to tack on to their normal generic well-wishing. Especially in the case of retail employees. I've been a retail employee, and let me tell you, they don't give a fraction of a shit what holiday you celebrate.

I'm sure you may have noticed that things look a little different around here. We've upgraded the website to a new version of Drupal, and with that comes a new theme. Other enhancements are in the works as well. Episode 10 is recorded and should be up later this week as well. Stay tuned!

I just submitted the podcast to Digg, and will likely start posting new episodes there as well. If you're on Digg and you like the show do us a favor and give us your vote. You can find it here.

You can also find us on current.com here.

If you're on Facebook you can also join our group there. Here's the link.

I was at my GLBT student group's candidate forum last night and mostly Libertarians showed up. *le sigh* There were a lot of lofty ideological statements that were often internally inconsistent, and universally impractical. My favorite part was when I asked about preventing discrimination and ensuring that the needs of minorities and the underprivileged are met in a capitalist utopia.