GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Where Is Christopher Mauriello?

Thursday, April 8, 2010

http://weblogs.wpix.com/news/helpmehoward/2010/03/where_is_christopher_mauriello_1.html

Where Is Christopher Mauriello?
6:34PM | March 24, 2010
A Father’s Son is Spirited Out of the Country by his Ex-Wife and Disappears.

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Someone is missing from the Mauriello table tonight.

14 year old Christopher Mauriello is in Bosnia with his mother.

He was supposed to have returned home from Christmas vacation on January 3rd. But Christopher and his mother had other plans.

His father, Thomas Mauriello, who has physical custody of Christopher was at the end of his rope when he called Help Me Howard.

As he told Howard: “My reaction was one of shock! It was unimaginable that she could do something like this!”

Tom is the Vice President for college advancement at Manhattan College. His ex-wife Tara Bray Afanasiev works for the United Nations Development Programme, also known as UNDP.

Tom was awarded physical custody of Christopher back in 2006, but he and Tara had a legal agreement that allowed her to take Christopher overseas for holidays and summer vacations.

*** and ***

Tom immediately called his attorney, police issued an arrest warrant and Tom called Tara’s employers at the United Nations Development Fund.

According to Tom, the United Nations told him that “it was a personal matter and they didn’t get involved in these sorts of things.”

*** and ***

Howard reached out to the UNDP that employs Tara and they had this to say:

   “We are aware of this particular case involving a staff member, Ms. Tara Bray, who is currently on leave without pay. It is a personal issue between Ms. Bray and her former husband regarding the custody of their child. We very much hope this case is resolved in the best interest of the child. According to our staff rules, all UNDP staff member have an obligation to abide by their private legal obligations. UNDP has reminded Ms. Bray of that requirement. UNDP has been in touch with the US authorities to ensure that they are fully appraised of the steps we have taken in this matter.”

*** end quote ***

So much for the “Rule of Law”!

Children are so easily manipulated.

And, why do we still have the UN? It’s a corrupt useless organization that costs us a fortune.

Argh!

Perhaps, if everyone gets on their congresscritter, we can get Christopher home and out of the UN?

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Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Scrabble doesn’t need new rules

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7556429/Scrabbles-makers-to-allow-proper-nouns.html

Scrabble’s makers to allow proper nouns
By Stephen Adams
Published: 7:00AM BST 06 Apr 2010

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The games company said it would be introducing the rule change – the first in the game’s 62 year history – to “enable younger players” to get involved.

This could cause a power shift between the generations, with those possessing a keen knowledge of the top 40 singles’ chart legitimately able to cite such high-scoring examples as singers N-Dubz (17 points) and Jay-Z (23 points).

*** and ***

“There is no dictionary for proper nouns as such so provided the word played is an accepted spelling, rather than just a cheeky one made up by the player it would be acceptable,” she said.

*** end quote ***

Argh! Is this change for the sake of change.

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Posted by reinkefj

TECHNOLOGY: Annoying popups are back

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/03/why_is_this_man_so_angry.html

Random words have hyperlinks that pop if the cursor floats over them. “Vibrant” is the name on them. Something to do with Microsoft Bing?

How do we kill them?

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TECHNOLOGY: Privacy in social networking; None!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/25.98.html

Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:18:36 -0400

From: reinke ferdinand
Subject: Plain Dealer sparks ethical debate by unmasking anonymous poster

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/03/plain_dealer_sparks_ethical_de.html

Plain Dealer sparks ethical debate by unmasking anonymous Cleveland.com poster
By Henry J. Gomez, *The Plain Dealer*, 26 Mar 2010

*** begin quote ***

By unmasking an anonymous poster at its companion website, The Cleveland Plain Dealer finds itself in an ethical quandary, stirring a debate that balances the public’s need to know against the privacy concerns of online participants.

The newspaper traced the identity of `lawmiss’ after someone using that moniker left a comment about the mental state of a relative of reporter Jim Ewinger. The comment was removed for violating cleveland.com’s community rules, which do not allow personal attacks.

Users are required to register with a valid e-mail address before posting at cleveland.com. Upon learning of the Ewinger issue Monday, an online editor looked up lawmiss’s e-mail address, which like all others, is accessible through software used to post stories to the website.

“It does raise the question of the wisdom and fairness of the newspaper using the registration system of the website for reporting purposes,” Steele said in a telephone interview.

The newspaper’s decisions could have a chilling effect on conversation at cleveland.com, said Rebecca Jeschke of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an online privacy rights group.

“I would think twice before participating in a message board where I had to give my e-mail address knowing that management could access it at any time,” Jeschke said. “It seems appropriate in this case, but … it’s hard not to imagine scenarios where it’s abused.”

Other news organizations already hide such information from their editorial staff, said Steve Yelvington, a strategist for Morris Digital Works, the online division of Morris Communications. The company runs 13 daily newspapers in Florida, Georgia, Texas and other states. “We are careful to firewall our business records from our journalists,” Yelvington said.

*** end quote ***

Regardless of where one comes down on the issue of Internet privacy (IMHO there ain’t none), or how much should you trust anything on the inet (IMHO zero trust), and technology in general (IMHO we give boobs the equivalent of loaded guns and they are astonished when some one gets hurt), this was completely preventable.

Use a “disposable” e-mail account!

Haven’t these people ever heard of GMAIL? No invitation required now! You can even use multiple ones! Ask any “child” who wants to break free from Mom and Dad’s supervision. That’s without even getting “tricky” of using one of the “disposable websites that create e-mail addresses that only work for a very limited time; perfect for “e-mail validation” requirements. If Chinese bloggers can hide form their oppressive regime, then we can conclude that most of us who want “privacy” can figure out a way to do it. In this case, the technology-naive are getting a very expensive education in “technology”.

And, this wasn’t even the government seeking to find out who made a nasty comment. Wait till the Internet-using public says something the government doesn’t like. Such as “taxes are too high”, “the <insert favorite government agency> is inept, corrupt, or stupid”, or quote Jefferson, Lysander Spooner, or Sam Adams. Then, the proctology exam will begin.

Replies will b

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POLITICAL: Social Security; a Ponzi scheme benefiting politicians and bureaucrats

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

http://www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html

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Q4: Is it true that Social Security was originally just a retirement program?

A: Yes. Under the 1935 law, what we now think of as Social Security only paid retirement benefits to the primary worker. A 1939 change in the law added survivors benefits and benefits for the retiree’s spouse and children. In 1956 disability benefits were added.

Keep in mind, however, that the Social Security Act itself was much broader than just the program which today we commonly describe as “Social Security.” The original 1935 law contained the first national unemployment compensation program, aid to the states for various health and welfare programs, and the Aid to Dependent Children program.

*** end quote ***

https://i0.wp.com/upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/SocialSecurityposter2.gif

(Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SocialSecurityposter2.gif)

What were the voters of that age thinking? I understand the Great Depression was a terrible terrible time. And, I realize that they didn’t know about the FED. And, I realize that they didn’t understand that the Smoot Hawley tariffs caused it.

But, boy, what a classic blunder!

Now the gooferment seeks to try to convince us “it wasn’t intended to be our only retirement resource”! With IRAs, 401Ks, and a lot of prayer.

*** begin quote ***

President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act, at approximately 3:30 pm EST on August 14, 1935.[9] Standing with Roosevelt are Rep. Robert Doughton (D-NC); unknown person in shadow; Sen. Robert Wagner (D-NY); Rep. John Dingell (D-MI); unknown man in bowtie; the Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins; Sen. Pat Harrison (D-MS); and Rep. David Lewis (D-MD).

*** end quote ***

Can we dig up those folks and put them on trial? Like the old Soviet show trials. Argh!

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RANT: Gore gets to limit his press coverage?

Monday, April 5, 2010

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/7330903/

Gore gets camera-shy for N.C. speech, limits media
Posted: March 30
Updated: 7:16 p.m. yesterday

*** begin quote ***

“A Gore aide said Tuesday that media members will only be allowed to record video and audio of the first five minutes of Gore’s talk at Duke University on April 8. Photography will also be limited. Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said the restrictions are standard for his talks but she wouldn’t say why they are in place.”

*** end quote ***

Guess when he gets really loony about the whole “global warming thing” he doesn’t want any refutation in the blogs.

That’s what passes for journalism these days. The lame street media doesn’t do anything but pass along the “barbara streisand” they get handed. Hard hitting journalism is reserved for when the “wrong team” is in the White House. Or the conservatives rally. Even then it gets made up like the spitting and name calling incidents.

No one claimed the money for video of it; guess it doesn’t exist. If it’s not videoed, it never happened. One of the congresscritters’ staff had a running vido as they took the historic walk. Wonder what that raw footage showed?

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UPDATE: TECHNOLOGY iPad; I’m watching. Reported wifi issues. A killer!

Monday, April 5, 2010

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/20100404/tc_ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc1448

The 10 most surprising things about the iPad
Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News.

*** begin quote ***

The UPS guy handed me my new iPad just a few hours ago, and yes—the jumbo-sized screen is as glorious as they say, and I was shocked by how good HD videos looked. But I was also surprised by how heavy the iPad feels, and if you were hoping to read e-books all day under the clear, bright blue sky, well…bad news, folks. These and more iPad surprises, coming right up.

*** end quote ***

I’d like one. The WifI seems most practical. The big memory one is $699.

To be kool?

I don’t think so. If the MacBookAir is any example of Apple doing tech, the iPad will be “good”. Good; not great. Followed soon on by improvements and a price drop. Like a cliff.

When it was a status thing, McBa was 5k$. Soon, it was 1.5k$!

I’d like to play with a cheap iPad. With a phone and a camera.

Does it have a USB for my vwbbie (Verizon wireless broadband dongle)?

Remember that it is “closed” both hardware, software, and to a certain extent in data as well. That’s not “good”!

And, the McBa will burn your leg; it gets so hot when recharging. Haven’t heard anything about the iPad and recharging temperature. Yet?

Waiting for cheaper, better, and faster! And, more “open”!!!

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http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/05/trouble-in-paradise-ipad-users-complain-of-wifi-issues/

*** begin quote ***

My understanding of Wifi issues on devices, particularly cramped devices like the Macbook Air and iPad, is that it’s usually a hardware/design issue and something that can’t be fixed via a software patch. I hope that’s not the case with the iPad, because faulty Wifi would make this a very unattractive device. Particularly if they run into Macbook Air type problems.

*** end quote ***

Ouch! That hurts. Since I’d only want the WiFi. Can’t afford another monthly inet bill!

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Posted by reinkefj

POLITICAL: Politics in two dimensions

Monday, April 5, 2010

http://www.caivn.org/article/2010/03/27/recreational-marijuana-use-likely-become-legal-california

Saw an interesting “vote” on a Web site. Unfortunately, it reinforces the right – left duopoly.

201003271232.jpg 201003271235.jpg

As we learn from the Nolan chart it’s not a one dimensional problem.

http://www.nolanchart.com/article7443.html

*** begin quote ***

ibertarian: supports the smallest possible government, supports individual liberty in all ways, prefers to only defend our borders and not interfere in other countries’ affairs.

conservative: tends to give a nod and a wink to liberty while placing emphasis on government control of “family” issues (gay marriage, abortion, borders, etc.) while pushing for major military involvement worldwide by America, in the hopes of creating a faith-based, “conservative” world.

liberal: tends to give a nod and a wink to liberty while placing emphasis on government control of “social issues” (social safety net, minority rights, etc.) while pushing for major diplomatic involvement worldwide by America backed by somewhat lesser military involvement, in the hopes of creating an inclusive, “liberal” world.

statist: the marriage of liberal and conservative aspects of big government. Supports both the conservative “family” agenda and the liberal “social” agenda. Supports both major diplomatic and military involvement abroad.

centrist: somewhere in the middle of all of the above.

*** end quote ***

So to be meaningful, the dimensions are socially and fiscally with individual liberty and government control.

The website SHOULD have “control” between to polar opposites “The Individual” and “The State”!

Liberal and Conservative are meaningless.

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TECHNOLOGY: Should have used a disposable address

Sunday, April 4, 2010

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/03/plain_dealer_sparks_ethical_de.html

Plain Dealer sparks ethical debate by unmasking anonymous Cleveland.com poster
By Henry J. Gomez, The Plain Dealer
March 26, 2010, 7:00AM

*** begin quote ***

On one side are experts who believe the newspaper has violated a trust by exploring and revealing information about a critic. On the other are those, including Plain Dealer Editor Susan Goldberg, who believe that information is too important not to see the light of day.

Until this week, “lawmiss” was known only as one of thousands who, often known only by nicknames, share views on news blogs and stories reported at cleveland.com.

But after investigating a comment directed at the relative of a Plain Dealer reporter, editors learned that lawmiss had the same e-mail address as Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold. A closer look revealed that the user had offered opinions on three of Saffold’s cases, including the capital murder trial of accused serial killer Anthony Sowell.

When confronted with the newspaper’s findings Wednesday, the judge denied responsibility for the posts. Her daughter, Sydney Saffold, came forward later to accept responsibility for posting “quite a few, more than five” of more than 80 lawmiss comments.

*** end quote ***

Silly people.

With gmail, and other free providers, using a “real” email address is a bone-headed move.

About the only thing dumber is using an ISP’s address.

And, if you’re uncomfortable about using a free email service, you can buy an email account from any number of providers.

You can still be tracked by IP address and credit cards.

But it’s not as easy as, in the newspapers case, of peeking at the computer records.

Silly, to expect honesty from the media. Next, you’ll expect honest from the police. Or the government.

(Stop, stop, I’m laughing so hard, I’m going to wet myself.)

Fore warned is fore armed!

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FUN: United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

FROM LUDDITE (He gets the funniest spam):

The Pentagon announced TODAY the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the:

United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF)

201004041052.jpg

These mostly Southern boys will be dropped off into Afghanistan and
will be given only the following facts about the Taliban and terrorists:

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don’t like beer, pickups, country music, or Jesus.
5. They are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

The Pentagon expects the problem in Afghanistan to
be over by Friday.

(Applications are available at your local Wal-Mart sporting goods counter.) mostly in texas.
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Posted by reinkefj

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