TECHNOLOGY: Who “owns” your hardware?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenberg/2011/03/06/google-nukes-rogue-android-apps-on-users-devices

Andy Greenberg
THE FIREWALL

Google Nukes Rogue Android Apps On Users’ Devices
Mar. 6 2011 – 9:26 pm
Your Android phone has a built-in kill switch for nasty apps. And Google, apparently, is not afraid to use it.

*** begin quote ***

Over the weekend, the search giant announced that it had remotely wiped “a number” of malicious Android apps from users’ phones, programs that earlier in the week had been identified as malware and pulled from Android’s app store. “We are remotely removing the malicious applications from affected devices. This remote application removal feature is one of many security controls the Android team can use to help protect users from malicious applications,” Google wrote on its mobile blog, linking to an explanation it posted in June of a built-in functionality for deleting apps from users’ phones.

*** and ***

The last time Google deleted applications that were already downloaded to users’ devices was in June, and its targets were two proof of concept apps built by security researcher Jon Oberheide. As I wrote at the time, that use of its kill switch seemed to be a loud warning to malware writers about the company’s ability to remotely destroy their tools. After all, Oberheide’s apps were designed to show the possibility of creating an Android-hosted botnet, not to actually create one.

*** end quote ***

Isn’t anyone concerned that “HeadQuarters” can assume control of YOUR hardware and override something you’ve done?

“Sorry, we know better.”

We’ve seen Amazon nuke content that a reader had paid for. We’ve seen Microsoft “Live Update” computers into bricks with “fixes” that break rather than fix. And, content purveyors have always harassed legitimate uses and legal Users with “digital rights management” schemes that “fit” like a suit from Omar the Tent Maker (i.e., good for the provider, disasterous for the User).

I think this is a demonstration to Android Users that you’ve taken a “snake to your bosom”. And, what happens when the bad guys crack the HQ code and they can put stuff on or take it off your hardware.

Haven’t we been down this road before?

# # # # #


INTERESTING: Insurance Companies cast as villians

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

A FACEBOOK FRIEND’S COMMENT

*** begin quote ***

I hate insurance companies…why are the decisions of our future based on their bottom line?

*** end quote ***

Well, insurance companies are really “us” in disguise. Don’t you really want the pool to well-managed properly-risk-adjusted and fiscally sound? This way when you make a claim against the pool, there’s “water” in it? :-) The average profit margin in running insurance is more than a grocery store, but a lot less than WalMart. Think back to the old days of our grandparents when there was no “health insurance” and one good illness would completely ruin families financially, emotionally, and physically. With proper insurance, getting sick is not a complete disaster. The insurance companies need a better brand manager.

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TECHNOLOGY: FACEBOOK can’t be the internet’s identity server

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

http://stevecheney.posterous.com/how-facebook-is-killing-your-authenticity

How Facebook is Killing Your Authenticity
Mar 6, 2011 at 6:14pm

*** begin quote ***

Face it, authenticity goes way down when people know their 700 friends, grandma, and 5 ex-girlfriends are tuning in each time they post something on the web.

*** end quote ***

An interesting and astute observation.

On a personal note, I have some relatives, close friends, some not-so-close friends, acquaintances, e-friends I’ve never met, fellow alums fro different schools, past colleagues from various past employers, consulting contacts, fellow “outplacement” turkeys, headhunters, fellow authors, a few companion tin foil hats, and a few complete strangers.

On Facebook, like Twitter, like LinkedIn, they become one glob of undifferentiated mass of folks.

It makes the news streams into a torrent of items that can’t be reviewed, used, or actioned in any rationale way.

Since Facebook doesn’t allow alternate identities, either by its initial design — back when they required a college email address to get on, its current TOS (according to how I read it, but I’m not a lawyer, or do I play one on TV), or its new assumed role as the inet’s “identification server”.

In considering “identity”, information security gurus always identified the concept of an “identity” with the concepts of “roles” and “user control sharing”.

Interesting?

# # # # #


SERVICE: BOXBE NOTRECOMMENDED

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Hi – thanks for sending me a message. I am using Boxbe to manage my email inbox. Once you’re on my Guest List, your email to me will be delivered with priority.

*** end quote ***

BOXBE doesn’t present the challenge for me to “solve”.

So there is no way for my message to get thru.

Anyone ever test these things?

And, when you use spam filters, what are you missing?

Argh!

BOXBE, and all spam filters as a general rule, NOTRECOMMENDED!

I “wash” email though gmail for a spam filter.

Argh!

Sorry, but the ISPs could stop this in a heartbeat if they wanted to spend the effort of implementing email authentication.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-08 07:53


RANT: Haven’t we lost the “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs” yet?

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2011/03/worlds-largest-jailer-by-far-its-not.html

Q: Which repressive country puts the most people in jail for violating government laws?

# # # # #


NEWJERSEY: Shulz’s Law

Monday, March 7, 2011

Heard on 101.5 some politician proposing a “law”. (You all know how I feel about the word “law” as it applies to Gooferment diktats.*) This diktat enhances the penalties for anyone killing or injuring a police or rescue dog.

“Canine officers are heros.”

Now us mundanes are treated worse than a dog.

If the police dogs are out, one would assume the individual being chased is already in big trouble.

And, what really concerned me was the sloppy vocabulary. Describing a dog as being “brave”, “courageous”, or “dedicated” is just wrong. Those are human qualities that can’t be ascribed to an animal.

Politicians and bureaucrats are fuzzy thinkers. Partially because of the limitations of human language.

Argh!

# – # – #

* The word law doesn’t differentiate between the natural “laws” (e.g., the Law of Gravity) and man’s “law” (e.g., Diktats from the UN, Congress, State, County, Municipality, Regulatory Body, Home Owner Association, Church Governing Body, or basically any group of humans with costumes and flags). I use the word “diktat” to differentiate. A “law” can’t be broken; a “diktat” is basically a suggestion. Compare “the Law of Gravity” and the “diktat” “Thou shalt not kill”. That diktat hasn’t stopped murder, but try defying the Law of Gravity.

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MEMORIES: Euthenasia? Wow, are you crazy!

Monday, March 7, 2011

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/fidelity-of-new-pastoral-ministry-program-at-university-of-dallas-questioned/

*** begin quote ***

He also noted that several teachers rely solely upon textbooks by authors who challenge Church teaching on important modern topics such as euthanasia and moral relativism, as well as who oppose Eucharistic adoration as outdated as unnecessary.

*** end quote ***

“euthanasia”

Having been thru a very personal end of life discussion, this line triggered an emotion.

Ever watch a basketball game where the score is lopsided and the end not in doubt. Having seen more than our fair share of them, Frau Reinke would always regard the end of game foul and time out nonsense with disgust. “The time for them to try harder was much earlier. This is just wasting time and postponing the inevitable.”

When her kidneys shut down and the next day’s blood test confirmed the facts of the matter, the decisions were left to me.

Not that there was much of decision. The end was written. It was just a question of how much struggle and pain would the patient be put through postponing the inevitable. It took four days. In one of her periods of clarity, she asked me: “What’s taking so long? When does it end?” All I could say, through tears, was “Soon. Patience. It’s all OK.” One of the things that I stopped was the antibiotic. The medical folks were perfectly happy to put a bottle of antibiotics in every eight hours that would cure an infection two weeks down the calendar. She lasted four days. We saved 12 bottle of antibiotic for some one who could use it. She was left undisturbed by tests, poking, and prodding. And, eventually, time ran out. At the end, there didn’t seem to be any pain. But the outcome was inevitable. I can understand how a loved one has to be let go sooner rather than later. And, I understand that it’s a slippery slope. Who decides? Certainly the people who want the best for the patient might be in the best position to make those decisions. It has to be a collaboration. The burden of that decision is a heavy one.

Even today, I wonder what I could have done differently, sooner, better.

And, we know that the “Shouldas, couldas, and wouldas!” will kill you.

But, issues of life and death deserve the ultimate of care.

# # # # #


MONEY: Money has become worth less

Monday, March 7, 2011

http://seekingalpha.com/article/244020-coins-vs-bags-comparing-two-options-in-physical-silver

*** begin quote ***

The 90% Silver Bags consist of coins — dimes and quarters — that were once used as money in the United States. In 1964, one could take a dime to the store and buy a loaf of bread (if you are old enough to remember). Today, that same 90% silver dime is worth $2.10, enough to buy a loaf of bread.

*** end quote ***

Interesting? It’s not that the cost of that loaf of bread has increased. It’s that the value of the money has decreased. Even though, I KNOW that, and I think I UNDERSTAND that fact, still concrete examples like this are a punch to the solar plexus. Leaves you sucking wind. By the same formula, I bout gas for 40¢/gallon. That equates to $8.40/gallon. So, gas has gotten “cheaper”! Argh! Makes me sick to my stomach. And, it’s only getting worse.

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POLITICAL: Further proof that the left is no more anti-war than the right

Sunday, March 6, 2011

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/81595.html

March 6, 2011
Indiscriminate Killing
Posted by Stephan Kinsella on March 6, 2011 07:11 AM

*** begin quote ***

Further proof that the left is no more anti-war than the right. Their problem with the US military is not that it is a killing machine, but that it has been too anti-gay in its hiring practices.

*** end quote ***

No difference between the D’s and the R’s.

Bring all the girls and boys home.

Now!

# # # # #


EVLYNN: The proposal

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Earlier, I wrote about how I knew I had found the girl I was gonna marry. It was obvious to me. I broke up with a beautiful girl I was dating. And, I signed off another girl I had seen from time to time. (Yes, watch the quiet ones. Treat the gals nice and they’ll over look all sorts of shortcomings in looks, charisma, and character.)

On her birthday that year, I proposed. And, she promptly said “No!”. No hint of a smile. No hint of disgust. No hint of shock.

# – # – #

Correction: It wasn’t on her birthday. It was in the Fall of 1967. I don’t know why I was confused about the date. Should have written it down. Should have written a lot of things down.

# – # – #

In a trembling voice, I asked if that meant she no longer wanted to see me. And, she promptly said “No!”.

I asked for an explanation because I was crushed. She explained that it was too soon, too many things were outstanding, to many clouds in our way. And, not on her birthday! She wanted a special day.

So I took the ring — of course, I had a beautiful, but small, ring in my pocket that I had picked out by myself without telling anyone — back to the jeweler. Paid the 10% “rental” on the $1200. And the old guy asked about it, he said: “She sounds like a great girl. You pretend she said yes. Assume it. And, eventually she’ll see what a good guy you are. And come back when you’re ready to propose again.” Yeah right. He made a $120 a pop dispensing that advice.

But, I was hooked. Line and sinker.

I later found out that my Mom had spoken to her Mom and they had agreed I had to finish school first. So her Mom had a conversation with her. When this all transpired, I was oblivious. Guess it was obvious to the women folk.

Some time later, when it was getting close to completion, my semester grade’s came in. At that point, I had enough credits and GPA to take my degree whenever I wanted it. (Remember the VietNam war was raging. And, I had a deferment for school.) She let me know that she would entertain another proposal. All she said was: “Remember your proposal? It’s time to try again.” With that sparkle of trickster, vamp, and Irish entertainer.

Hey, I’m not easy, I made her wait a month.

Pete Gunston, Andre Straza, and I were all in that same state — impending engagement. So, we decided that a triple engagement date would be a good idea. (Never considering what it would mean if one, two, or three would refuse? I was reasonable sure I could, would, might close my “deal”. But with a crazy headstrong Irish colleen, it was never assured.) So we planned a movie and dinner afterwards. Fancy restaurant reservations.

We met at the movie theater.

“Barbarella”

The boys paid. It was more expensive because it was midtown NYC, “premiere no passes no senior citizen discount”, and it just was. I member 8$ / head. We got popcorn and stuff. (I ALWAYS get pop corn.) And, sat down. I remember the opening. Jane Fonda, who was not hard on the eyes, disrobes in a zero gravity space ship. (Interesting concept. Which I was interested in studying. Just from an engineering perspective mind you. A woman’s bust unconfined in zero gravity does what?)

Our Girl had seen enough to know where it was going. She stands up, and in a loud voice, says: “I’ve seen enough. I’m leaving.”

Of course, I was a few feet behind. Followed by our companions. (I’m not sure if the other young ladies would have led the walk out but they were sure ready to follow her.) The rest is a little bit of a blur. I remember a ferocious Irish Princess convincing the theater manager to refund the ticket prices. And, the comment that this movie was improperly rated. “XXX” was her assessment.

I believe I was told that “I’ll tell you when it’s time for you to see such things.” (Boobs?) She never did tell me; guess she just forgot.

So “plans are meaningless; planning is everything”. The men regrouped. We end to a chinese restaurant for appetizers to await our reservation time. To fill the time, the rings were presented and we were three for three. Went on to dinner, and laughed a lot about the walk out.

Later in the evening, privately, she said she was surprised at the choice of movie and “I was disappointed that you were not first up and out. It was so unlike you.” I explained my engineering interest in the topic so I was temporarily “distracted”. She said: “Grow up they’re just breasts.”

But we were engaged. Of course, we were back by 1230 for the 1AM curfew. And, we sat on the landing at 39W8, her Mom opened the door and said: “I see your home on time. I’m going to bed. Don’t stay out here all night.” I knew my status had changed. How it had changed! We exchanged … ideas about the future that night. And she scooted in before too long.

But, after that, I always checked out the movie before I would take her.

The girl had grit, standards, and a fierce independent streak.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-06 12:42

# – # – # – # – # updated 2011-May-26 @ 11:53


MEMORIES: Frau Reinke was a season ticket holder when it wasn’t kool

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Watching the Rutgers Women’s BBall team play on ESPNU.

I remember how we had season tickets to them since 1974. When they played in front of no crowd at College Avenue. Never missed a game in those early years. She used to pick me up at the train station from New York City to get there in time. She always said she was born two decades too soon. I think she saw herself in those girls and what might have been. When one of the “stars” would go Prima Donna, do something especially dumb, or lose their temper, she’s always say: “They have no idea how lucky they were.” A rare judgement of someone on her part. Some how I think she rooting for the RU women to play well. As she always did.

It was not about winning, but doing one’s best at all times. Winning was usually the result of that.

Donna Nobis Pacem!

# – # – #

Footnote: RU won and advanced.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-06 13:53


EVLYNN: In a cowboy saloon restaurant

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Hi John,

I read the obit you sent for Evlynn. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. I remember meeting your wife several times on our business trips and always thought how special a person she was. For some reason a trip to Orlando sticks out where Alan Bowden and I took you and your wife to some kind of cowboy saloon restaurant.

I just wanted to tell you I’m thinking about you during this difficult time.

Regards,
Gary

# – # – #

Thanks, Gary. I forgot about that. She loved music. Even what I’d call “goat roper”. Guess she and Alan are laughing about it now. Sigh!

# # # # #

Thanks, Gary. She loved music. Any kind! We were inseparable. Now, I have to travel “my last mile” alone. It’s something I knew was coming. We always knew she was going to leave early. That’s why she filed for her Social Security as soon as she was eligible. Even though from an after tax perspective it made no sense. But it was “her money”, the taxes came out of “our money” or “my money”. ROFL. Maybe it did make sense. She pulled the wool over my eyes again. I think it was the smile in her eyes. Bewitched me.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-06 11:38


WEBSITE: http://www.makeuseof.com/ down!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

It’s not just you! http://www.makeuseof.com looks down from here.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-06 10:47


MEMORIES: Celtic Women

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Just watched the PBS special “Celtic Women”.

I’m reminded of our trip to George Mason University to see them. This when Frau Reinke, while sick, was still able to do a lot. Nowhere near what she had be capable of in the past. After a bundle of screw ups, bad organization on the campus, and poor directions provided on campus. Eventually we figured it out and I was able to drop her right in front of the venue.

She absolutely LOVED the show.

Music, especially Irish music, was at her core. Regardless if it was the Red Garter, the many concerts — she allowed herself to be dragged to too many Judy Collins concerts — PP&M – Ray Charles – multiple folk groups, or endless Irish Pub crawls, she had the music in her heart and soul. She was a different person when the music was playing.

I always looked to get her to the music to see her transform.

In her last days, when she was in and out of consciousness, one day @1300 I had turned the TV to her favorite soap, Days Of Our Lives, which she had grown up with watching with her Mom, that I sarcastically called DrOOL, there it was the opening tune. She roused herself to the music, watched the opening scene, had sip of soda, and went back to the Land of Nod. Such was the power of music over her.

And, I’m sure her and her Mom are listening to the opening tune and watching DrOOL together every day @1300.

Donna Nobis Pacem.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-06 10:17


MACBOOKAIR: HIgh CPU effectively locks up box

Sunday, March 6, 2011

ADDRESSBOOKSYNC appears to be the culprit.

Argh!

# # # # # posted 2011-03-06 08:05


NEWJERSEY: Public-sector unions are, per se, corrupt

Sunday, March 6, 2011

http://channel-surfing.blogspot.com/2011/03/public-sector-unions-are-not-problem.html

Thursday, March 03, 2011
Public-sector unions are not the problem

*** begin quote ***

New Jersey’s public employee unions are starting to fight back by doing what working people should have been doing in this country for years. They are taking it to the streets. The teachers were in Trenton last week; today, it was the police and fire unions. Who’s next? As glad as I am to see them take to the street, we have to face the fact that these rallies lack the unity and sense of larger purpose that the Wisconsin fight has had. Workers in the Badger state face the prospect of being stripped of bargaining rights, even after giving the governor every concession he has requested. The issue there is the basic right to organize and act collectively.

*** end quote ***

“New Jersey’s public employee unions” ARE part of the problem. Part!

This a corruption.

These Unions “donate” huge amounts of money to political campaigns. Usually Democratic. They supply free labor. And, muscle.

Then, they turn the page and “negotiate” “agreements” with the politicians that they elected.

It’s always been “wrong”. But, now it’s reached absurd levels.

We need a systemic fix.

IMHO, the Gooferment should not be running or operating anything. And, certainly not extracting wealth from real people by force.

# # # # #


TECHNOLOGY: There’s nothing more frustrating than bouncing email

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Don’t you just hate when you “lose” someone? I do. The symptom is that you’ve taken your “eye” off them for a minute and — poof — like Jack in Titanic they’ve slipped beneath the waves. Lost forever. That’s what happens. Guess it’s a fact of life. Emails, especially corporate emails, cease when the person moves on. Would it be such a big deal to forward it? People should really use their personal email or, even better, have their own domain.

# – # – #

May I suggest that you have your own domain? The common wisdom, or is that common whizdumb, is to own your own name as a domain name. I own “reinke.cc”. (I like saying “sea sea me at reinke.cc”! me@reinke.cc will actually work!) I gives one quite a bit of control. And, it’s very cheap. I know three solutions at 15$/year using wordpressdotcom with gmail, 25$/year email only with 1and1, and 60$/year for domain+email+webspace also at 1and1. My point is not that you should use 1and1. I could care less which one you use. It’s that getting on to your own domain with email is cheap and easy. And, it’s not hotmail, yahoo, or gmail. It IS your own “personal brand”.

May I suggest that you need a website? As a student, you have tons of time and are producing content. Papers, pictures, whatever. You need to get them on the web to estabish “your brand”. The web is always straved for content. By adopting a consistent strategy of displaying high quality content under your own “brand name”, you will take over the first page of Google. (For example, Google “Ferdinand J. Reinke” or “ReinkeFJ” and you’ll see I have EVERY one of the first page entries.) You don’t want a dry static page, but a page that shows off all that stuff you claim to have (i.e., organizational and communications). :-) LOL

# – # – #

People shouldn’t be “lose-able”.

They should “stay” where I left them. Like keys.

Argh!

# # # # # posted 2011-03-05 07:07


FUN: Young Women’s BBall

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Watching little girls learning physical courage when the basketball bounces the wrong way. I know some one who would have enjoyed every minute.


INSPIRATIONAL: “Subject to all the usual caveats”

Saturday, March 5, 2011

“Your Mom and I love you very much. We want the best for you. We will do whatever we think is in your long term best interest as we see it. We may be wrong, but don’t ever doubt that we want you to be happy, healthy, and wise. That being said, be careful what you ask for, it may be more than you wanted. We will not deprive you of the chance to be happy by paving the road in front of you; someday we won’t be here to do it for you and happiness is in the struggling journey. We will not deprive you of the chance to be healthy by doing for you or not allowing you to grow; that, which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger. We will not deprive you of the chance to be wise by giving you the ‘test’ answers; while we might even be occasionally right, we recognize any answer, that is the ‘right’ answer for us from our point of view in our circumstances, maybe totally the ‘wrong’ answer for you from your pov and in your circumstances. Having said that, we will love you, regardless of anything. We will provide a shoulder to cry on, a modicum of advice, and a swift kick if needed. You call us heroes? We’re just travelers on the same road as you, just a little further down that road. Remember we are all in the Holy Presence, and His Grace is Abundant, if you ask for it.”

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MONEY: Utah Considers Return to Gold

Friday, March 4, 2011

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/03/utah-considers-return-gold-silver-coins/

Utah Considers Return to Gold, Silver Coins
By Stephen Clark
Published March 03, 2011 | FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

The Utah House was to vote as early as Thursday on legislation that would recognize gold and silver coins issued by the federal government as legal currency in the state. The coins would not replace the current paper currency but would be used and accepted voluntarily as an alternative.

The legislation, which has 12 co-sponsors, would let Utahans pay their taxes with gold and also calls for a committee to study alternative currencies for the state. It would also exempt the sale of gold from the state capital gains tax.

The bill cleared a state legislative committee on Wednesday, the first of 11 similar bills in statehouses across the country to do so. If the bill clears the House, it would have to pass the Senate before the governor could sign it into law.

*** end quote ***

Excellent!

We need a return to sanity.

And, an end to “legal tender” laws.

Allow the marketplace and the people to decide what is “money”?

I’ll know we’re free when the supermarkets price their wares in units of silver or gold.

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MYLIFE: Bought beach badges yesterday

Friday, March 4, 2011

Well, it’s almost spring and Frau Reinke would be disappointed in me if I didn’t get the beach badges. Don’t have them yet, but I paid for them.

And, paid the taxes. Argh!

I thought maybe a peek at the water would enhance my altitude. But it was cold. Shore cold. No wind, but you didn’t want to stay outside.

Didn’t help!

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EVLYNN: Nothing seemed impossible with Ev on your side

Friday, March 4, 2011

Dear John,

I didn’t know. Thank you for letting me know. Ev was so special — I would have written that “she was the dream team” and not “a member of the dream team.” Nothing seemed impossible with Ev on your side. Didn’t realize how hard and serious her health battle was.

From our brief exchange, she seemed pleased with her life. Not so many can say that. And you must miss her terribly.

She’ll be in my prayers and in my thoughts. I sent the clipping to my sister who played on Benedictine’s basketball team — our arch rival. Ev was loved by all!

Love,
Jane

# – # – #

[JR: Thanks for those kind words. I’m not surprised. That she always minimized her own health and that she understated her role in the HFA victories. And, I always felt nothing was impossible. Except we never did hit that multi-million progressive. So I guess some things WERE impossible.]

# – # – #

From: john
To: Jane
Sent: Fri Mar 04 10:20:47 2011
Subject: Passing along some sad news.

Dear Ms. Jane,

I’m just going through all the old email and cleaning up. If you hadn’t heard, I just wanted you to know that Ev passed. She enjoyed catching up with you. Just wanted you to know, she was pleased.

Donna Nobis Pacem,
fjohn

# # # # # posted 2011-03-04 12:30


MACBOOKAIR: Could Apple have a wifi software problem?

Friday, March 4, 2011

I don’t know. I don’t have the hardware, software, or expertise to debug the situation. But, when my MIFI and my WIFI, both have sucky performance. And, programs, that access the network, seem slow. And, I ‘always’ see “searching for networks”. Could it be that they have a significant problem with wifi at the operating system level?

Sigh!

How to figure that our?

# # # # # posted 2011-03-04 11:58


MYLIFE: Death certificates won’t be in until Tuesday

Friday, March 4, 2011

Seems like a long time.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-04 09:46


MYLIFE: Creating my bucket list

Friday, March 4, 2011

Well, updating actually. I wrote it after seeing the movie. So far, I haven’t crossed off any entries. Sigh! Life, the Universe, has a perverse sense of humor.

# # # # # posted 2011-03-04 07:59


RANT: Appealing to the UN Commission on the Status of Women; what gigantic joke!

Friday, March 4, 2011

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=9453

Holy See defends marriage, family life before UN commission on women
March 02, 2011

*** begin quote ***

The Holy See’s delegation defended marriage and family life and condemned discrimination against women during a February 28 meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council’s Commission on the Status of Women.

*** end quote ***

That’s a colossal waste of time. (Although Betty White’s language might be much more appropriate.)

India, Iran, Turkey, Syria?

Countries and religions well known for their poor treatment of women.

In recorded history, what civilization permits femicide — in all sorts of ways.

It’s contra-survival. It’s immoral. It’s cutting down on genetic diversity. It’s stupid. It’s seen in no other species.

It’s a path down a dead end street. Like abortion. Like the Shakers. It leads to extinction.

China has a problem because they have socially engineered their way into not having enough women. Good for them. They need a few social problems to work on.

Now, personally, as a little L libertarian, they can do whatever they want in their section of the world. The USA should be like Switzerland. Don’t ask us, we’re neutral. Everyone has to fight for the rights they want to preserve.

“Governments are instituted among men to secure these rights …”

But don’t plan to import your brand of craziness here. We have enough of our own nuttiness! Or haven’t you seen our post office, listen to our radio. or talk to our politicians?

Frankly, in the competitive world market, I’m glad when our competition ties half their population in mental bondage. Imagine if all those women were doing their thing we might have to worry. The phrase “if momma ain’t happy, no one is happy” comes to mind.

And, women have the power to change the world for peace if they ever decide to use it.

Permit me a quote:

*** begin quote ***

Miss Abigail: “No, Miss Marie, in our new world run by women, there will be no sex discrimination. We control the box.” With no hint of self- consciousness or shame.

Miss Marie: “Dear, that’s not a nice way to say it. And, box is very crude. I’m sorry I used it but I was … incensed that war should happen. Maybe you could say ‘we control the future generations’?”

Miss Abigail: “OK, but those balls will be blue before I let my man start another war.”

Knowing she’d done all she could, Marie said, “When this is all over, we should talk my dear. We should really talk. Now away with you. Carefully mind you.”

*** end quote ***

— a conversation between ‘Miss Marie’ and ‘Miss Abigail’ in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 1 Page 263

Yes, I squeezed every concept I believe in into my novel.

But, I truly believe every word I put into Miss Abigail. When women assume their proper station and role in the world, it will become a much more peaceful place.

Donna Nobis Pacem!

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