Over the last decade, while we have lived through the ebbs and flows of global crises, triumphs, and changes, a ‘paradigm shift’ has been happening across a network of interconnected computers. This shift began in 2008 when the pseudonymous ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’ unveiled his new project: a trustless peer-to-peer network of monetary transactions that would be recorded […]
The obscure UN conflab that seeks to cut off the world from vaping and harm reduction
By Yaël Ossowski | Parliament Magazine While most popular attention this month has been on the vital discussions at the United Nation’s COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, there is an equally important UN conference happening in Geneva that also contemplates the fate of millions of lives. There are also questions on the importance of […]
Why Democratic Control of the FCC Won’t Bode Well for Internet Freedom
Late Tuesday afternoon, President Joe Biden revealed his nominations to the Federal Communications Commission. As one would expect, his two nominations — Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn — come from Democratic circles and have upheld progressive priorities for telecom policies. Rosenworcel has been a commissioner since 2012 and served as acting chair since Ajit Pai […]
The Digital Economy Minister Crusading to Legalize Vaping in Thailand
In our work promoting smart policies on harm reduction around the world, the Consumer Choice Center is often engaged in battles to stave off vaping flavor bans or tax hikes that will harm consumers and smokers looking to quit. And while those efforts are vital to individuals moving away from tobacco in liberal democracies, there are countries […]
Guest-Hosting Big Talker FM Morning Radio Show: June 16, 2021
On Wednesday, I had the privilege of hosting the morning radio program on Big Talker 106.7FM, Mornings with Joe Catenacci, while Joe took a much-needed break. You can find the entire program in audio format here or on Joe’s website, and in video form in full here with some clips peppered on my own YouTube […]
The storming of the US Capitol fueled by demagoguery and a threat to republican democracy
On Wednesday, we saw the worst passions of the American Republic storm through the doors of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. For hours, people around the world watched as marchers and protestors transformed into rioters who ransacked various congressional offices, posed for photos on the House floor, and terrorized hundreds of congressmen and women, […]
The government’s Facebook trustbusting is a zealous takedown that harms consumers and punishes innovation
Consumer group: The government’s Facebook trustbusting is a zealous takedown that harms consumers and punishes innovation WASHINGTON, D.C — On Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission issued its long-awaited lawsuit, in conjunction with attorneys general from 46 states, that aims to force Facebook to break up its popular services WhatsApp and Instagram for alleged “anticompetitive” behavior. […]
VapeLive: Yaël Ossowski on the Consumer Choice Center US Vaping Index
Presentation at Vape Live, covering the Consumer Choice Center’s Vaping Index. Yaël Ossowski, Deputy Director http://bit.ly/Vape-Index http://consumerchoicecenter.org November 17, 2020
Consumer Choice Radio EP42: Fmr Gov. Mark Sanford on Debt, Deficits, and Donald Trump
Consumer Choice Radio, hosted by Yaël Ossowski (@YaelOss) & David Clement (@ClementLiberty). INTERVIEW: Mark Sanford (@MarkSanford) – Executive Director of Americans for Debt and Deficit Reduction, Former Governor of South Carolina, Former U.S. Rep. (SC-1). afddr.org TOPICS 00:00 – Intro 01:09 – Life after politics, reflections 2:00 – The founding of Americans for Debt and […]
Trump’s drug import plan will make us all pay
Make Canada Great Again? Believe it or not, that’s what is at the center of President Donald Trump’s latest executive order aimed at trying to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Americans. Trump’s plan, dubbed the “Most-Favored-Nation-Price” model, would effectively import price controls on pharmaceuticals from other nations with single-payer, government-run health systems, including Canada. With […]