Vincent Reynouard ~ Interview Suite Au "Jugement" (Freedom Of Speech, France) FR
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Vincent Reynouard ~ Interview Suite Au "Jugement" (Freedom Of Speech, France) FR - Video
First pizza, now flowers.
A florist from Washington state, fined $1,000 in February for refusing to decorate a gay wedding in 2013 because she said doing so went against her Christian beliefs, has made more than $100,000 through an online crowdfunding site.
The response echoes the more than$840,000 raised for an Indiana pizzeria whose owners said they would not, as a Christian business, provide their services for a same-sex wedding.
Such donations highlight one way that supporters of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) are anonymously expressing their views in a discussion that has been dominated by opponents of the law. The recent passage of the RFRA in Indiana (and Arkansas) has drawn a stark line nationwide between advocates of religious freedoms and those of anti-discrimination leading some critics to say that those whose opinions are based on religious faith are now themselves facing intolerance.
About a week ago, Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Ind., became the first business to publicly stand in support of the RFRA. Less than a day after their interview with WBND-TV aired, co-owners Kevin OConnor and his daughter Crystal found themselves facing social media outrage, a hacked website, and threats to their family and business.
I dont know if we will re-open, or if we can, if its safe to re-open, Ms. OConnor told Dana Loesch on The Blaze TV soon after the incident. Were in hiding basically, staying in the house.
In response to the outrage against Memories Pizza, Ms. Loesch and The Blaze contributor Lawrence B. Jones III set up a GoFundMe page for the OConnors, where they criticized the reaction against the pizzeria owners.
Rather than allowing this family to simply have their opinion, which they were asked to give, outraged people grabbed the torches and began a campaign to destroy this small business in small town Indiana, they wrote.
More than $200,000 from more than 7,000 donors poured in within 24 hours of the page going live. Later that week, another GoFundMe page, set up in February for Washington florist Baronnelle Stutzman,received a similar show of support, The Seattle Times reported.
The amounts that each initiative received reflect a quiet push back by supporters of the RFRA, some of whomsee the issue not as one of discrimination, but of freedom of choice or freedom of speech.
See more here:
First pizza, now flowers.
A florist from Washington state, fined $1,000 in February for refusing to decorate a gay wedding in 2013 because she said doing so went against her Christian beliefs, has made more than $100,000 through an online crowdfunding site.
The response echoes the more than$840,000 raised for an Indiana pizzeria whose owners said they would not, as a Christian business, provide their services for a same-sex wedding.
Such donations highlight one way that supporters of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) are anonymously expressing their views in a discussion that has been dominated by opponents of the law. The recent passage of the RFRA in Indiana (and Arkansas) has drawn a stark line nationwide between advocates of religious freedoms and those of anti-discrimination leading some critics to say that those whose opinions are based on religious faith are now themselves facing intolerance.
About a week ago, Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Ind., became the first business to publicly stand in support of the RFRA. Less than a day after their interview with WBND-TV aired, co-owners Kevin OConnor and his daughter Crystal found themselves facing social media outrage, a hacked website, and threats to their family and business.
I dont know if we will re-open, or if we can, if its safe to re-open, Ms. OConnor told Dana Loesch on The Blaze TV soon after the incident. Were in hiding basically, staying in the house.
In response to the outrage against Memories Pizza, Ms. Loesch and The Blaze contributor Lawrence B. Jones III set up a GoFundMe page for the OConnors, where they criticized the reaction against the pizzeria owners.
Rather than allowing this family to simply have their opinion, which they were asked to give, outraged people grabbed the torches and began a campaign to destroy this small business in small town Indiana, they wrote.
More than $200,000 from more than 7,000 donors poured in within 24 hours of the page going live. Later that week, another GoFundMe page, set up in February for Washington florist Baronnelle Stutzman,received a similar show of support, The Seattle Times reported.
The amounts that each initiative received reflect a quiet push back by supporters of the RFRA, some of whomsee the issue not as one of discrimination, but of freedom of choice or freedom of speech.
Read more:
Why opponents of same-sex marriage are donating to GoFundMe (+video)
First pizza, now flowers.
A florist from Washington state, fined $1,000 in February for refusing to decorate a gay wedding in 2013 because she said doing so went against her Christian beliefs, has made more than $100,000 through an online crowdfunding site.
The response echoes the more than$840,000 raised for an Indiana pizzeria whose owners said they would not, as a Christian business, provide their services for a same-sex wedding.
Such donations highlight one way that supporters of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) are anonymously expressing their views in a discussion that has been dominated by opponents of the law. The recent passage of the RFRA in Indiana (and Arkansas) has drawn a stark line nationwide between advocates of religious freedoms and those of anti-discrimination leading some critics to say that those whose opinions are based on religious faith are now themselves facing intolerance.
About a week ago, Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Ind., became the first business to publicly stand in support of the RFRA. Less than a day after their interview with WBND-TV aired, co-owners Kevin OConnor and his daughter Crystal found themselves facing social media outrage, a hacked website, and threats to their family and business.
I dont know if we will re-open, or if we can, if its safe to re-open, Ms. OConnor told Dana Loesch on The Blaze TV soon after the incident. Were in hiding basically, staying in the house.
In response to the outrage against Memories Pizza, Ms. Loesch and The Blaze contributor Lawrence B. Jones III set up a GoFundMe page for the OConnors, where they criticized the reaction against the pizzeria owners.
Rather than allowing this family to simply have their opinion, which they were asked to give, outraged people grabbed the torches and began a campaign to destroy this small business in small town Indiana, they wrote.
More than $200,000 from more than 7,000 donors poured in within 24 hours of the page going live. Later that week, another GoFundMe page, set up in February for Washington florist Baronnelle Stutzman,received a similar show of support, The Seattle Times reported.
The amounts that each initiative received reflect a quiet push back by supporters of the RFRA, some of whomsee the issue not as one of discrimination, but of freedom of choice or freedom of speech.
Read more from the original source:
Why opponents of same-sex marriage are turning to GoFundMe (+video)
Stroking fears in Russia that NATO will attack its citizens is not in anyone's interest,Finlands Foreign Minister Erki Tuomioja said Tuesday. He warned that beefing up NATO's military presence at the Russian-Finnish border was not a good idea because it could prompt Russia to retaliate.
"The border between Finland and Russia is one of the most stable and calm in the world, there are no problems there. Russia thinks the same. And there are no reasons for Russia to want any problems there [in the border area]. However, NATOs presence at this border may have such effect. I personally do not think that NATO plans to attack [Russia], but such an opinion exists in Russia, and we should take it into account. We dont want any difficulties," Tuomioja said. "We are part of EU, take part in the implementation of jointly adopted decisions, in particular on sanctions [against Russia], but not because we want to inflict long-term damage on Russia, but with the aim of facilitating ceasefire in Ukraine in accordance with the agreements reached in Minsk."
Finland is not part of NATO. In February, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said Finlands possible accession to NATO will be put up for a vote. "The latest public opinion poll showed that only 26 percent of Finns are for accession to NATO, while 43 percent are against. To make such a decision, we also need at least two-thirds of votes in the parliament. These are facts. Moreover, the current situation shows that many people in the West are saying that filing for accession [to NATO] now is not very wise," he said.
In recent months, Finland's support for sanctions against Russia over its support for anti-government rebels in Ukraine has weakened political and defense relations between the Kremlin and Helsinki. "Russia says one thing but does another. I do not trust Russia at all, and I could never be in favor of purchasing Russian military jets," Finland's Defense Minister Carl Haglund said in February, according to Defense News.
Finlands exports to Russia totaled 5.4 billion euros, or $6.5 billion, in 2013. That represents about a 9.5 percent share of Finlands total exports, according to the Wall Street Journal.
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Will NATO Attack Russia? Russian-Finnish Border Military Exercises Not A Good Idea, Finland Warns
Conservatives emboldened by election victories are working to roll back gun restrictions in several states, while those on the other side of the debate are claiming success elsewhere in passing initiatives related to gun background checks.
On the pro-gun spectrum, for example, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback last week signed a bill to allow Kansans to carry concealed weapons in the state without training or a permit.
Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb told Fox News, "I think the voters spoke pretty loud and clear in November and elected a pretty pro-gun rights Congress as well as many statehouses across the country and we're seeing now lots of bills being sponsored...".
On the other side, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said her group is focused on initiatives it can win with voters, rather than legislators.
"In 2013, we helped close the background check loophole in six states," Watts said. "In 2014, we helped pass laws in red and blue states to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers."
Watts also pointed to the overwhelming passage of Initiative 594 by voters in Washington state last fall. That law expands the federal background check requirement for gun sales to private dealers, such as those now found at gun shows.
"The gun lobby has been so insidious in this country in taking away the responsibilities that go along with gun rights," Watts said. She added in an interview with Fox News that the National Rifle Association (NRA) has an annual budget of $350 million.
The NRA said that while its operating budget is close to that figure, a "small fraction" -- approximately $20 million -- goes toward what it calls 'political activity,' with the bulk spent on safety and training programs.
Moms Demand Action works with Everytown for Gun Safety, which is bankrolled by former New York City mayor and billionaire, Michael Bloomberg.
Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), told Fox News, "Billionaire Michael Bloomberg's tactics may be new, but the fight is the same. The NRA and our five million members stand ready to defend the Second Amendment wherever the battlefield. The majority of Americans do not want more gun control and we will fight tooth and nail to expose Bloomberg's lies and defeat his extreme gun control agenda. "
See original here:
Conservatives emboldened by election victories are working to roll back gun restrictions in several states, while those on the other side of the debate are claiming success elsewhere in passing initiatives related to gun background checks.
On the pro-gun spectrum, for example, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback last week signed a bill to allow Kansans to carry concealed weapons in the state without training or a permit.
Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb told Fox News, "I think the voters spoke pretty loud and clear in November and elected a pretty pro-gun rights Congress as well as many statehouses across the country and we're seeing now lots of bills being sponsored...".
On the other side, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said her group is focused on initiatives it can win with voters, rather than legislators.
"In 2013, we helped close the background check loophole in six states," Watts said. "In 2014, we helped pass laws in red and blue states to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers."
Watts also pointed to the overwhelming passage of Initiative 594 by voters in Washington state last fall. That law expands the federal background check requirement for gun sales to private dealers, such as those now found at gun shows.
"The gun lobby has been so insidious in this country in taking away the responsibilities that go along with gun rights," Watts said. She added in an interview with Fox News that the National Rifle Association (NRA) has an annual budget of $350 million.
The NRA said that while its operating budget is close to that figure, a "small fraction" -- approximately $20 million -- goes toward what it calls 'political activity,' with the bulk spent on safety and training programs.
Moms Demand Action works with Everytown for Gun Safety, which is bankrolled by former New York City mayor and billionaire, Michael Bloomberg.
Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), told Fox News, "Billionaire Michael Bloomberg's tactics may be new, but the fight is the same. The NRA and our five million members stand ready to defend the Second Amendment wherever the battlefield. The majority of Americans do not want more gun control and we will fight tooth and nail to expose Bloomberg's lies and defeat his extreme gun control agenda. "
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GUN RIGHTS BATTLES GOP state legislators seek to ease gun codes
SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - A Bible in the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court office had to be removed because it violated the First Amendment.
When Randall Lord asked a Bible to be removed from the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court office nearly a decade ago, he never thought he'd have to ask again.
"I sent an email to Caddo Parish attorney, at the time, Charles Grubb to ask that it be removed," said Lord.
But when Lord walked back into the Clerk of Court office recently he noticed the Bible was back.
"This violates the first amendment in that it's promoting a religion. Our government is not supposed to be in the business of promoting religion," he said.
According to the 1st amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the bible violates the establishment clause, which prohibits the U.S. government from endorsing any one religion.
"I don't have anything against any religion being a part of our community or being displayed, but the way it's being displayed is improper. If other religions are included along with the display there would be no issue here," said Lord.
Not long after KSLA News 12 obtained video of the Bible, it had been replaced with a Webster's Dictionary of similar size.
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court Chief Deputy Mike Spence says the Bible was returned to it's original location, away from public display.
"We're not here to cause controversy," said Spense."We're just here to store records and keep the courts going."
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Bible in Caddo Parish Clerk of court office violates 1st Amendment
Buttercoin, a bitcoin exchange startup backed by Y Combinator and Google Ventures, is closing its doors this monthafter failing to raise new investment.
Buttercoin will be turning off our service on April 10th at 11PM Pacific, the company said in a note onits website. Be sure to move your bitcoins to another service and remove your dollar balances by Friday April 10th at 11PM.
Any unclaimed funds will be returned to the accounts that they came from, the company added.
Unlike other bitcoin shutdowns, which are often triggered by hacks and result in customers losing money, Buttercoin is solvent and will provide users with their balance in full. The startup said it is winding down because it wasnt able to raise new funding thats something it attributes to a dip in bitcoin interest among Silicon Valley investors.
Buttercoin launched in 2013with the aim of tackling the global remittance space, aka money that migrant workers send to their relatives backhome. Its a huge opportunity The World Bank estimates that some $515 billion will be sent in developing countries this year and Buttercoins take was ambitious, it wanted to open local exchanges in a range of countries to facilitate cheaper cross-border currency transfer.
Buttercoin raised a total of $1.6 million from investors, includingGoogle Ventures Kevin Rose and Chris Hutchins, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, Floodgate, Initialized Capital, Rothenberg Ventures andSwitzerlands Centralway,via its first early-stage investment fund.
Yet, despite those influential backers, it looks like investors are less keen to be involved in bitcoin.Beyond the valuation of the cryptocurrency, which has found somestability this year asthe chart from Coindeskbelow shows the bitcoin exchange market has found relative maturity. The rise ofCoinbase, Bitpay and a handful of others which have sucked upmillions from investors and won big clients makes the chances of a smaller player breaking through less likely. Even when that player is backed by reputed people and institutions.
Might this be the first of many casualties from the consolidation of bitcoin? We shall find out.
The value of bitcoin versus the US dollar over the past year
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Home News Apps Bitcoin Foundation board director says company is bankrupt The financial future of one of the biggest backers of bitcoin is hanging in the balance according to directors within the company.
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The Bitcoin Foundation, an organisation that promotes development of bitcoin, is "effectively bankrupt" and has shed most of its staff, a member of the foundation's board of directors has said.
Two other board members, however, said the foundation was not bankrupt, though in need of some kind of restructuring.
The outburst by Olivier Janssens, who was elected to the board last month, is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the foundation, which was founded in the U.S. in 2012 as a nonprofit entity.
"The foundation has almost no money left, and just fired 90 percent of its people. Some will stay on as volunteers," Janssens wrote in a blog post on the foundation's forum.
"The Bitcoin Foundation hates transparency," he added. "If they would have been transparent then everyone would know there is no money left."
Janssens attributed the foundation's financial straits to two years of "ridiculous spending and poorly thought out decisions," adding that the board has tried to remedy the situation by finding a new executive director. He called for the replacement of the entire board.
Described as a bitcoin millionaire, Janssens wrote that he will donate "several 100k" to a special trust fund aimed at supporting core development of the digital currency and supplemented by crowdfunding efforts.
The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for information about Janssens' post. But Patrick Murck, its executive director, wrote in a response to Janssens' post, "The foundation is not bankrupt, but a restructuring is needed. Olivier basically jumped in front of our announcements on that and our annual report on the 2014 finances to be released next week, and he spun it very very negative."
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The Bitcoin Foundation, the nonprofit that has led adoption and standardization efforts for the open-source cryptocurrency, is considering restructuring into two smaller organizations, just days after one of its board members said it was effectively bankrupt.
The foundation itself has no control over the open-source Bitcoin, but it has taken a strong role in organizing the community and calling for standardization and adoption.
On Tuesday, Bitcoin Magazinereportedthat the foundation was considering splitting into two parts, one focused on maintaining and developing the currencys core database, and the other as a promotional organization designed to foster the currencys growing community.
Olivier Janssens, the groups newest board member who was elected last month, wrote a scathing forum post on Saturday, claiming the foundation was out of money and had shed most of its staff, hiding these problems from its members.
The Bitcoin Foundation hates transparency. If they would have been transparent then everyone would know there is no money left. ... The Foundation has almost no money left, and just fired 90% of its people. Some will stay on as volunteers, he wrote. If I get asked to leave the Foundation for telling the truth, so be it. The truth is being told.
He blamed the foundations problems on two years of ridiculous spending and poorly thought out decision, and said the boards plan to find a new executive director is insufficient, calling for the entire board to be replaced.
"My big issue was that they did not tell the membership about the real financial status," Janssens told Ars Technica. "You cant be a member-run non-profit and still try to get money from your corporate or individual sponsors while hiding the fact that youre near-bankrupt. Thats the reason I came forward, I could not live with that. Thats up to the members to decide."
Janssens previously threatened to give up his lifetime membership in 2014, after a board member, Brock Pierce, was linked to a sex abuse case, but ultimately decided against it.
In a response on Saturday, board member Patrick Murck refuted the claims."The Foundation is not bankrupt, but a restructuring is needed. Olivier basically jumped in front of our announcements on that and our annual report on the 2014 finances to be released next week, and he spun it very very negative," he wrote.
Previous board members of the Bitcoin Foundation have been embroiled in controversies. One of its founders, Charlie Shrem, pleaded guilty to transmitting money that was linked to the illegal Silk Road marketplace, and another, Mark Karpeles, who was the head of Mt. Gox, the worlds largest trade site for Bitcoins, when it collapsed.
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Bitcoin Foundation Is 'Effectively Bankrupt,' Considers Restructuring: Report
The Bitcoin Foundation, an organization that promotes development of bitcoin, is effectively bankrupt and has shed most of its staff, a member of the foundations board of directors has said.
Two other board members, however, said the foundation was not bankrupt, though in need of some kind of restructuring.
The outburst by Olivier Janssens, who was elected to the board last month, is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the foundation, which was founded in the U.S. in 2012 as a nonprofit entity.
The foundation has almost no money left, and just fired 90 percent of its people. Some will stay on as volunteers, Janssens wrote in a blog post on the foundations forum.
The Bitcoin Foundation hates transparency, he added. If they would have been transparent then everyone would know there is no money left.
Janssens attributed the foundations financial straits to two years of ridiculous spending and poorly thought out decisions, adding that the board has tried to remedy the situation by finding a new executive director. He called for the replacement of the entire board.
Described as a bitcoin millionaire, Janssens wrote that he will donate several 100k to a special trust fund aimed at supporting core development of the digital currency and supplemented by crowdfunding efforts.
The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for information about Janssens post. But Patrick Murck, its executive director, wrote in a response to Janssens post, The foundation is not bankrupt, but a restructuring is needed. Olivier basically jumped in front of our announcements on that and our annual report on the 2014 finances to be released next week, and he spun it very very negative.
While saying that the money has basically run out, board member Gavin Adresen wrote in another response that The foundation isnt bankrupt, but the board needs to decide whether the responsible thing to do is to continue the organization with a much smaller organization and vision or to dissolve it.
The Bitcoin Foundation is no stranger to controversy. Among its founding members are Charlie Shrem, who pleaded guilty to transmitting money linked to the Silk Road online drugs site, and Mark Karpeles, who presided over the collapse of MtGox, once the worlds largest trading place for bitcoin.
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Newly elected board member Olivier Janssens blamed 'ridiculous spending' and bad decisions
The Bitcoin Foundation, an organization that promotes development of bitcoin, is "effectively bankrupt" and has shed most of its staff, a member of the foundation's board of directors has said.
Two other board members, however, said the foundation was not bankrupt, though in need of some kind of restructuring.
The outburst by Olivier Janssens, who was elected to the board last month, is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the foundation, which was founded in the U.S. in 2012 as a nonprofit entity.
"The foundation has almost no money left, and just fired 90 percent of its people. Some will stay on as volunteers," Janssens wrote in a blog post on the foundation's forum.
"The Bitcoin Foundation hates transparency," he added. "If they would have been transparent then everyone would know there is no money left."
Janssens attributed the foundation's financial straits to two years of "ridiculous spending and poorly thought out decisions," adding that the board has tried to remedy the situation by finding a new executive director. He called for the replacement of the entire board.
Described as a bitcoin millionaire, Janssens wrote that he will donate "several 100k" to a special trust fund aimed at supporting core development of the digital currency and supplemented by crowdfunding efforts.
The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for information about Janssens' post. But Patrick Murck, its executive director, wrote in a response to Janssens' post, "The foundation is not bankrupt, but a restructuring is needed. Olivier basically jumped in front of our announcements on that and our annual report on the 2014 finances to be released next week, and he spun it very very negative."
While saying that "the money has basically run out," board member Gavin Adresen wrote in another response that "The foundation isn't bankrupt, but the board needs to decide whether the responsible thing to do is to continue the organization with a much smaller organization and vision or to dissolve it."
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Rand Paul, the firebrand libertarian senator from Kentucky, is running for president. And early donors to his campaign are already noting how Paul is setting himself apart from the pack.
He's taking your donations in Bitcoin.
[Rand Paul announces presidential run]
Paul's Web site will accept traditional payment methods, too, of course, such as credit cards. But the GOP contender is the first declaredcandidate in the 2016 race to fund his White House bid withvirtual currencies. It's possible Paul is thefirst presidential candidate in U.S. history to do so, in the latest sign of how politics and technology now frequently overlap.
Paul has long admired virtual currencies. He's even thought about ways he would improve upon Bitcoin, which, for the unfamiliar, is a form ofdigital cash that can be spent on real-world goods and services.
So it's no surprise that he'd turn to it as a way to juice his campaign. But there's a longer-term strategic play, here, one that speaks to Paul's appeal among tech-focused libertarians in Silicon Valley and young people who are eager early adopters of new services. As my colleague Katie Zezima wrote this morning:
[Paul is] opening offices in Austin and Silicon Valley and using platforms like Snapchat to broaden his appeal to younger voters who may not respond to traditional political ad buys or outreach efforts. Paul is also trying to tap into the vast well of tech money, holding meetings with big-pocketed potential donors in California and other tech hubs.
This raises a key question for Paul's campaign: Just how big is the techno-libertarian audience he's trying to reach? Although there's been substantial polling about Americans' libertarian leanings in general, their technological bent is less well-defined. Some surveys suggest video gamers identify more closely than others with libertarian beliefs. One (completely unscientific) reader survey conducted last year by the tech site Pandodaily suggested that the tech scene is still held primarily by liberals, with libertarians coming in a close second.
Still, going after that crowd doesn't hurt his party, which needs to attract younger voters to succeed in the coming cycle.
Meanwhile, by encouraging voters to donate with Bitcoin, Paul gets to take advantage of another benefit: Transactions by Bitcoin will probably cost his campaign far less in merchant fees, increasing his revenue slightly on every Bitcoin transaction. Over hundreds or even thousands of donations, those savings could add up.
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Rand Pauls genius political move to take your donations by Bitcoin
Further Reading One of the newly elected board members of the Bitcoin Foundationthe 2.5-year-old organization that was meant to bring order to the famously open source and freewheeling cryptocurrencyhas declared the group "effectively bankrupt."
While the Bitcoin Foundation obviously does not have control over Bitcoin itself, its the closest thing to a public face that the community has. Individual memberships start at $25, while corporate memberships start at $1,000 annually. The non-profits own tax filings from 2013 show that it ended that year with over $4.7 million in total assetsnearly five times as much as it had at the same time the previous year. It has yet to release financial details for 2014.
The organization was founded in 2012 by a number of Bitcoin luminaries who have since fallen, and the group itselfhas been marred by controversy in recent months. Of its original five founders, one isnowin prison (Charlie Shrem), another oversaw the collapse of the largest Bitcoin exchange (Mark Karpeles), and yet another has since left the United States for a Caribbean nation known for offshore banking (Roger Ver). Of the original board members, only Bitcoin lead developer Gavin Andresen has remained.
The Bitcoin Foundation did not immediately respond to Ars request for comment, nor did it address the issue on Twitter or its blog.
In a Saturday blog post, the new member, Olivier Janssens, claimed that the group has been hiding this financial distress from its membership. As he wrote:
The Bitcoin Foundation hates transparency. If they would have been transparent then everyone would know there is no money left. Something I think the members have a right to know, wouldnt you think? Members have a right to know that the current board failed to tell them the truth, and that their way of running the organization resulted in it going bankrupt. But instead of taking responsibility, they want to find the next executive director that will come up with another magic plan. Ironically, being transparent from the start might have prevented this whole thing to begin with.
Janssenspreviously said in May 2014 that he would resign his lifetime membership from the organization after board member Brock Pierce wasallegedlylinked to a sex abuse case. He ultimately decided not to leave it and wanted to reform thingsfrom withinJanssens recently stood for election to the groups board and succeeded on that effort.
"My big issue was that they did not tell the membership about the real financial status," Janssens told Ars via an encrypted chat on the Telegraph app."You cant be a member-run non-profit and still try to get money from your corporate or individual sponsors while hiding the fact that youre near-bankrupt. Thats the reason I came forward, I could not live with that. Thats up to the members to decide."
Janssens said he would prefer to heed whatever the groups existing members decide.
"If its up to me, Id make it a positive-only organization, no longer involved in any power position," he added."I would think its great to engage the members and make a map of every store in the USA, and have members go store to store to convince them of the benefits of Bitcoin, and in return they could get an affiliate percent or a referral reward. I also see the Foundation helping to organize mass changetip events to get a bitcoin (or bit) into the hands of every person in this world. For something like that, it can be very useful, and add a lot of value to Bitcoin itself. Its a non-threatening, positive thing to do."
Continued here:
Bitcoin Foundation is effectively bankrupt, board member says
Open up your virtual wallet Sen. Rand Paul is taking donations.
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) In what appears to be a first for a presidential campaign, Rand Paul is accepting donations made in bitcoin.
The cryptocurrency would appear to be a good thematic fit for the presidential campaign of the Republican senator from Kentucky, who has somewhat of a libertarian bent. Paul also accepts credit card or PayPal donations.
While new at the presidential level, candidates for U.S. Congress did take bitcoin after a Federal Elections Commission advisory opinion gave its support.
Most who accept bitcoin as payment quickly convert it into good-old-fashioned U.S. dollars, though the FEC opinion doesnt require this.
Also read: Bitcoin has no place in your or any portfolio.
From four-figure highs, one bitcoin was worth roughly $254 on Tuesday.
Excerpt from:
The Fatima Comets won two games in two different places Monday, defeating St. Elizabeth 13-0 at home before taking down Southern Boone 7-2 in Ashland.
In the opener, Jared Schulte, Sam Hager and Matt Temmen each went 2-for-2, and the Comets totaled 11 hits. Will Robertson contributed two RBI. Josh Holtschneider got the win, throwing all five innings and striking out six.
In the second game, Logan Vogel went 4-for-4 with two RBI as the Comets knocked 12 hits. Schulte and Zach Hudspeth each had two hits. Vogel was the winning pitcher, going four innings and allowing seven hits while striking out six and walking one. Both of his runs allowed were unearned. Will Robertson pitched the first three inings, allowing one hit and two walks and striking out six.
Fatima (5-0) plays today at Battle.
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Lhasa, Tibet (PRWEB) April 07, 2015
Students are finding that Tibet travel is an experience that can help them gain the global perspective needed to set themselves apart from their peers. Unique cultural experiences and natural beauty that cant be found anywhere else await those who make the trip. Tibet Ctrip Travel Service-TCTS (http://www.tibetctrip.com) has been helping students discover Tibet for over 12 years and discusses a couple of their itineraries for the 2015 travel season.
Few experiences rival travelling in Tibet; many who visit gain perspective that helps them to never see the world in the same way again. Students looking to take a break from studying while broadening their cultural horizons and enjoying enriching experiences need look no further. With summer only a few months away now is the time to start planning a trip.
Tibet travel agency TCTS is located in the heart of Lhasa and offers fully customizable private tours and competitively priced group tours. Since 1999, Tibet Ctrip Travel Service (TCTS) has provided authentic cultural travel, remote trekking adventures, and Kailash spiritual journeys.
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Tibet Travel Agency TCTS Gears Up to Help Students Broaden Cultural Horizons in 2015
Millennials are increasingly prioritizing travel over their careers. Why is this the case? (Credit: rema1n5 via Flickr)
Like many soon-to-be college alumni, I remember facing multiple options for life post-grad. Two felt responsible attend graduate school or immediately enter my career while the third seemed more personally fulfilling: go see the world.
As graduation day approached, I still didnt have an answer. Even with a wait-list letter from an Ivy League and silence on the job front, traveling didnt stand out to me as a feasible option. Career-driven, not the bravest of people and lacking the financial support of my parents to jet-set, there were a number of reasons why, while romantic, the idea of traveling post-grad didnt seem like a legitimate choice. I never had to really consider it though; I received a job offer right before graduation and took the more conventional route.
My college roommate didnt.
Within weeks of finishing the final courses for her degree, Kristin Wallash and her twin sister, Briana, flew on one-way tickets to Bangkok to start a year-long backpacking trip. Suddenly, her Facebook wall was flooded with exotic locales, stunning sunsets and somewhat-nauseating local cuisine the typical fare for millennials on post-grad trips. With the intent ofWWOOFing, Kristin and Briana set off to work on organic farms across Southeast Asia, wherever their paths took them, to finance their trip.
Our two diverging lifestyles made me wonder: Is it better to put off your career to travel?
The Benefits Of Traveling Before Starting A Career
While Kristin and Brianas deviance seemed foreign to me, their impulse to buck the conventional post-graduate step is common. According to American Express American Express Business Insights, millennials are thefastest-growing age groupwhen it comes to travel spending. Theyre twice as likely as non-millennials totravel as a hobby, with 50% taking at least four leisure trips a year. Whats more, young people make up about 20% of all international travelers, according toU.N. estimates, generating a whopping $185 billion in tourism revenue abroad.
Traveling is expensive, but it doesnt seem to be a luxury reserved for established adults anymore. That change can be explained by a cocktail of reasons, ranging from a tough job market to a shifting value system.
The millennial generation prioritizes experiences and by extension, travel above all else, said Susana Hawkins, a design researcher at Lextant. Given how easy it has always been for them to access things digitally, millennials see analog experiences as the preferred way to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
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ATLANTA, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News and World Report Travel announced earlier this year the Best Hotels in Atlanta along with the Best Hotels in the U.S. Out of 31 luxury hotels, 10 made the U.S. News list of the Best Hotels in Atlanta. The Sheraton Atlanta made the list at #10.
The rankings are based on an unbiased analysis of awards, expert recommendations and user ratings. To see a complete list of U.S. News and World Report's Best Hotels in Atlanta visit http://travel.usnews.com/Hotels/Atlanta_GA/
For more information on Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, please visit http://www.sheratonatlantahotel.com or Facebook. Follow Sheraton on Twitter, and Instagram
About Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
With $20 million in upcoming renovations expected to be complete late Summer 2015, the Sheraton Atlanta will boast a fresh new guestroom look and atmosphere.
Amenities at the Sheraton Atlanta include a stunning indoor/outdoor Garden Courtyard with a retractable roof and year-round swimming pool, 90,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space, a 24-hour fitness center, The Link at Sheraton; a full service business center, concierge, two ballrooms, two distinct restaurants including Fandangles Restaurant and Bar; one of Atlanta's highest rated restaurants on Trip Advisor, a deli, in-room dining, Sheraton Club; an exclusive lounge and wireless high-speed Internet access in guest rooms, suites, and all public and meeting space.
Ideally located just 15 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as well as a 5 minute drive to the King Center, the hotel is located within walking distance of Peachtree Center, Centennial Park, CNN Center, The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame and the Georgia World Congress Center as well as top sporting and concert venues such as Philips Arena (Atlanta Hawks) and the Georgia Dome (Atlanta Falcons).
Media Contact:
Marilyn Yelle
Heather Denny
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Sheraton Atlanta Hotel ranked in U.S. News 'Top 10 Best Hotels in Atlanta 2015'.