GUNS: The lesson of Arizona is more guns for self-defense and the defense of others

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

http://agebuster.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/gun-control

Gun control

*** begin quote ***

Should just anyone be allowed to buy a gun?

*** end quote ***

Yes, anyone should be allowed to guy a gun.

Remember, that we have a Federal Instant Check, no one is reporting on that. Wasn’t that supposed to stop that? No one’s calling that to account. And, what about all the folks, who knew he was a “nut case” and did nothing.

The purpose of the Second Amendment is to empower the people to protect themselves from both bad people and their own government. The first thing that tyrants do is to disarm the people. Look at all the genocides in history, and the ESSENTIAL thing you’ll find is an unarmed citizenry.

The Government, which I call the Gooferment based on their track record, can’t protect you. What’s even funnier is its courts (no conflict of interest in that) have thrown out suits saying that the police have no duty to protect you. Restraining orders, “dial 911”, and the “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs” are gigantic examples of stupidity.

I wish no one harm, but we can’t let this incident sway us from the principle, the RIGHT to keep and bear arms in our own defense.

Think how much different it would have been if there was an armed citizenry at this incident. It may have stopped the “shooting gallery” before it started. Criminals are cowards. Victims shouldn’t be defenseless.

“Gun Control” is victim disarmament. What “gun control” should be is hitting what you aim at!

THAT’S the lesson we should take from Arizona.

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Posted by reinkefj

RANT: A digital “national ID card”?

Monday, January 10, 2011

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20027837-501465.html

January 7, 2011 4:31 PM
Obama Eyeing Internet ID for Americans
Posted by Declan McCullagh

*** begin quote ***

STANFORD, Calif. – President Obama is planning to hand the U.S. Commerce Department authority over a forthcoming cybersecurity effort to create an Internet ID for Americans, a White House official said here today.

It’s “the absolute perfect spot in the U.S. government” to centralize efforts toward creating an “identity ecosystem” for the Internet, White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt said.

That news, first reported by CNET, effectively pushes the department to the forefront of the issue, beating out other potential candidates including the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The move also is likely to please privacy and civil liberties groups that have raised concerns in the past over the dual roles of police and intelligence agencies.

*** and ***

“We are not talking about a national ID card,” Locke said at the Stanford event. “We are not talking about a government-controlled system. What we are talking about is enhancing online security and privacy and reducing and perhaps even eliminating the need to memorize a dozen passwords, through creation and use of more trusted digital identities.”

The Commerce Department will be setting up a national program office to work on this project, Locke said.

*** and ***

Schmidt stressed today that anonymity and pseudonymity will remain possible on the Internet. “I don’t have to get a credential if I don’t want to,” he said. There’s no chance that “a centralized database will emerge,” and “we need the private sector to lead the implementation of this,” he said.

*** end quote ***

“Don’t Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It’s Raining” …. book title by the pre-eminent jurist of our day Ms. Judy Sheindlin!

(BHO44 should pit her on the Supreme Court!)

Remember Social Security?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_number

*** begin quote ***

Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message was removed.[11]

*** end quote ***

Yeah, right! Identity theft would be IMPOSSIBLE without the Gooferment mandating SSN!

They couldn’t get “Real Id” past the American Sheeple. So let’s try the digital equivalent!

“We, The Sheeple” are so stupid they’ll let it slip by.

“I wouldn’t believe you, if your tongue came notarized.” … attributed to Judge Marilyn Milian, but may have an earlier history.

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MONEY: Pensions are an attractive pot of money

Monday, January 10, 2011

http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/01/europe-starts-confiscating-private-pension-funds#ixzz1A4bDsXPq

*** begin quote ***

The article goes on to detail other pension grabs in Bulgaria, Poland, France and Ireland. Obviously, this is a cautionary tale for America. If fiscal austerity becomes a real issue in the U.S. the way that it’s been reaching critical mass in Europe — don’t think that U.S. lawmakers regard your either your personal wealth or money they might owe you as sacrosanct. Government has a habit of looking out for itself.

*** end quote ***

Too arms! To arms! Bad ideas have a way of flowing over “the pond”. Where will politicians find a lot of quick easy money? Sure, your retirement! And, the politicians and bureaucrats only have to strong arm about 2200 “custodians”. Who happen to be the very people that were “bailed out” with taxpayer money last year. So how much of a bonus did you get, Taxpayer? Mine must have gotten lost in the mail. I’d suggest that everyone take keyboard to hand and share this story. Then, get to your congress critter with a stern warning — keep your mitts off my retirement! Argh!!!

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SOFTWARE: My personal version of the “Browser Wars”

Monday, January 10, 2011

If the BROWSER is the “eyes” into the Web, then I’m having worries about being “blind”.

Safari 5.0.3 (6533.19.4) — too Apple centric; object to “Yet Another” Microsoft!

Chrome 8.0.552.231 — don’t understand / object to the WEBAPPSTORE

FIREFOX 3.6.13 — broken (LASTPASS not active; toolbars broken)

Opera 11.0.1156 — leader (LASTPASS barfs)

INTERNETEXPLORER whatever — not even installed; object to the “Evil Empire”

Any others I can audition?

# # # # # posted 2011-01-09 15:27

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Posted by reinkefj

SOFTWARE: App Stores are multiplying like rabbits

Sunday, January 9, 2011

https://chrome.google.com/webstore

Interesting, now I see, we have a “CHROME app store”.

Argh!

I’m not sure I like that either.

Where’s the Opera, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer ones?

(Does any one still use IE after all it’s security problems?)

So we’re in the midst of a “software” revolution?

Time will tell if this is a paradigm shift or a meme shift? Or, is it just yet another way for vendors to extract money from the User’s pocketbook quicker and easier?

Sorry, but I don’t see how this is better.

… but then I’m just a fat old white guy injineer!

# # # # #

http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/more/webstore.html

*** begin quote ***

The Chrome Web Store is an online marketplace where you can discover thousands of apps, extensions and themes for Google Chrome. To start exploring the store, visit chrome.google.com/webstore or click the store icon in Chrome’s New Tab page.

Web apps are advanced interactive websites. They may provide a wide-ranging set of features or focus on a single task like photo-editing or shopping. You can easily access the web apps you install from the Chrome Web Store through shortcuts in Chrome’s New Tab page. Learn more about installing apps in Chrome.

* Apps are currently not available in all countries. We are working hard on launching apps everywhere in the world. Stay tuned!

*** end quote ***

Note! That they are now “WEB APPS” not just “apps” that you buy form any old “app store”.

Why do I feel like I’m the victim in a slasher movie before the villain strikes?

# # # # #

Soon after watching their propaganda piece, I received the ultimate wake up call. The distillation of what my nagging doubt was:

201101090954.jpg

Yes kiddies, after hearing that WEBAPPS mean never having to update, (which to this old COBOL programmer means “you never have change control!” and “you can never go home again!!” and “what about malware?”) and after hearing that CHROME is designed to work disconnected from the inet, BANG! Reality strikes home. “Try later!”

At least with the Apple APPSTORES (I “whatever” and the MAC APPSTORE), I have a unit of code (a traditional application) that I can run without further permission and without automatic update. Or, is that just for now?

I’ve had a belly full of “Windoze Genuine Advantage” always accusing me of piracy, failing to run “MY” software, and making my life miserable.

And, does the “APP STORE” concept mean that I am “buying” and no more of this fiction of “licensing”?

So if I buy and APP from an APPSTORE, how do I sell it at my garage sale?

And, before you answer that, how do I return it when it doesn’t work or otherwise disappoints me?

Finally, how the heck to clean up after all these installed apps? Reinstall from scratch? Sounds like the famous WINDOZE “bare metal restore” all over again.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Government schools

Sunday, January 9, 2011

http://wiki.freetalklive.com/Main_Page

Welcome to the Free Talk Live Wiki, the libertarian wiki where almost anything goes.
2,322 articles in English

Government schools

*** begin quote ***

201101021958.jpg

Some libertarians have the radical idea that parents should actually be responsible for making sure their children are educated. It worked before the twentieth century, and literacy rates were actually higher than they are today. Such people are a threat to all reason and civility, saying parents should be responsible for their children, and should be rounded up and placed into camps until further notice.

*** end quote ***

I’d like to see the Separation of State and School!

During the tax revolt in New Jersey in the 80’s, I pitch a 40 year plan — two twenty years plans in succession. First, get the Gooferment out of the operation in 20 years. Second, get the Gooferment out of funding in 20 years. It’s baby steps, but it moves in clear distinct steps.

We can’t go from the current system to zero without a transition time. People need time to adjust and learn.

Argh!

But, we can’t even do that!

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WEBSITE: BADOO is a “badie”!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

http://badoo.com

201101071859.jpg

# – # – #

Received a message from some one I know.

Curious, I looked.

They hold his message hostage uless I give them an email address they “support”.

Nahh!

NOTRECOMMENDED!

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Posted by reinkefj

TAGONIST: Suspect dies by tasar; police refuse to cooperate

Saturday, January 8, 2011

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/dec/31/officers-refuse-answer-questions/

Officers refuse to answer questions in death of man shot with Taser
By Joe Schoenmann (contact)
Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 | 2 a.m.

*** begin quote ***

In the first test of the county’s new rules for reviewing police-involved deaths, officers connected with the Dec. 11 death of a suspect who was shot with a Taser are refusing to cooperate with investigators.

Their refusal to make voluntary statements to Metro’s Force Investigation Team is on the advice of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, said Chris Collins, president of the officers union. From Collins’ standpoint, not only is the officers’ refusal to cooperate the right thing to do, it marks the beginning of the end of the coroner’s inquest system.

The system, in use for 40 years, has come under fire in the wake of controversial shootings involving Metro officers, prompting Clark County commissioners to undertake a revision of the ordinance that lays the ground rules for the courtlike hearings.

*** end quote ***

[ANTAGONIST: It’s the Brett Farve defense. If I don’t cooperate, you can’t do squat. Try that in a private enterprise! It’d be “pick up your last check and forget any severance”. Why do the police think that they are immune to any consequences? I guess, like “star” athletes, who get away with everything forever, they get a mindset of ‘entitlement’. In short, the people should fear the cops. They are out of control. By any standard!]

[PROTAGONIST: The officers did cooperate, they gave complete statements which then can be used in any future inquest. Note from the article below…. QUOTE Collins said he wants officers to avoid being questioned four times about the same incident — during the criminal investigation, at the inquest, and then, if there is a civil suit, a deposition, and at a trial. To paint a picture of the problems that might arise, Collins gave a fictional example: After shooting a suspect, an officer tells homicide investigators he was 6 feet away when he shot; during the inquest, the ombudsman grills him and gets him to say it was “6 or 7 feet”; then a civil suit is filed and the officer has to go into a deposition and answer again; then he answers one more time during the civil trial. UNQUOTE This is exactly the tactic that defense attorneys use. They claim, “See, he wrote 6 feet in his statement, but now he says 6 or 7 feet. Gee, which was it? See, this guy doesn’t know what he saw!” That stuff kills me….just trial trickery They gave their statements, let them stand by them…at the appropriate time, not because some media trenzy wants to prosecute them before any inquest begins. ]

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FUN: Angry Romanian Witches Use Cat Excrement to Protest New Taxes

Friday, January 7, 2011

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/05/ap/strange/main7216288.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.12

Jan. 5, 2011
Romanian Witches Use Spells to Protest New Taxes
Angry Witches Use Cat Excrement and Dead Dogs to Cast Spells on President and Government; Politicians Aren’t Laughing It Off

*** begin quote ***

Romanian witch Mihaela Minca, right, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, as her daughter and apprentice Casanndra, left, looks on, in Mogosoaia, Romania, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

(AP) MOGOSOIA, Romania – Everyone curses the tax man, but Romanian witches angry about having to pay up for the first time are planning to use cat excrement and dead dogs to cast spells on the president and government.

*** end quote ***

ROFL, that’s one approach. If it works, we should try it here!

# # # # # posted 2011-01-07 21:13

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SOFTWARE: Mac App Store; any “app store”, the implications are scary!

Friday, January 7, 2011

201101061227.jpg

The MacAppStore opened Thursday. I, of course, checked in. And, downloaded some free applications.

After the experience, I’m not so sure I like this.

Maybe my tin foil hat is on too tight, but it seems that the whole concept puts the App Store “vendor” in complete control of what you can get.

In playing with it, I experienced slow downs.

We’ll see what other issues arise.

(1) If I had the source file, that I had downloaded (i.e., DMG, Zip, or make file), then I could always install or reinstall. If there’s no installation file (i.e., it comes by “magic” from the App Store), then I have to go back to the App Store and buy it again. Does that mean I have to pay again? Does the App Store give “receipts”?

(2) During play, the App Store became “unavailable”. Demonstrating that it is itself a single point of failure in the infrastructure.

(3) It’s very “easy” to load your hard drive with apps. (A few dollars or free makes one willing to “try it”. Toss if NG.) BUTT (there’s always a big but) (3a) How do you get rid of all the vestiges of applications? (3b) How much money, time, attention, and effort will be wasted in “applications”? (When you have to go to the store or wait for Amazon, FedEx, or UPS to deliver the disk, you evaluate the “purchase decision” more carefully.)

What else am I missing?

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RANT: Let’s get adicts “pure” drugs and treatment

Friday, January 7, 2011

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Gerry-Ryans-cocaine-was-laced-with-worming-powder-113063449.html

Gerry Ryan’s cocaine was laced with worming powder
By CATHY HAYES , IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Friday, January 7, 2011, 4:59 AM
Updated Friday, January 7, 2011, 5:01 AM

*** begin quote ***

Gerry Ryan’s autopsy report showed that cocaine he has consumed contained trace amounts of the veterinary drug Levamisole, usually used to treat parasitic worms in cattle and sheep.

*** end quote ***

A good argument for legalizing drugs and allowing the marketplace to protect these poor unfortunates from adulterated drugs.

# # # # # posted 2011-01-07 16:57

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JOBSEARCH: “Office parties” are work; very very dangerous to jobs and careers

Friday, January 7, 2011

Stimulus: A fellow alumni’s tale of a “business party” with drinks

Response: Suggest that you think about how many careers have been ruined or good jobs lost by “office parties”. Had a boss, who go so wasted at one, he and his secretary did the deed, fell asleep, and got locked int he venue. The police respond to a silent alarm and they were arrested. Cleared, but the boss and secretary were nuked right before Christmas. So, my personal rule became: “parties were just an extension of the work day; unpaid, and very very dangerous.”

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RANT: Keeping people in poverty

Friday, January 7, 2011

http://reason.com/archives/2010/12/31/the-obamacare-fraud

The ObamaCare Fraud
The law will penalize doctors to pay patients and penalize patients to pay doctors.
Shikha Dalmia | December 31, 2010

*** begin quote ***

When the government hands out subsidies, it will use a household’s income in the previous year as the basis for guessing what the household is qualified to get in the current year. But if the household’s income grows midyear, the subsidy recapture provision will require it to repay anywhere from $600 to $3,500, compared to the $450 that the law originally called for.

This will make it very hazardous for poor working families to get ahead. In the original law, the loss of subsidy with rising income already meant absurdly high effective marginal tax rates—the implicit tax on every additional dollar of income earned. How high? The Cato Institute’s Michael Cannon puts them at 229 percent for families of four who increase their earnings by an amount equal to 5 percent of the federal poverty level or $1,100. In other words, a family that added this amount to an income of $44,700 would actually see its total income fall by $1,419 due to the loss of subsidies.

*** end quote ***

Yeah, I’m sure glad how these politicians and bureaucrats “care” for the poor!

Who needs a plantation, overseers, and the problems. Just trap the serfs in poverty and make it impossible for the poor to improve their situation. Where’s Robin Hood, Zorro, or V (for Vendetta; not the aliens on ABC) when you need them.

And, of course, we’ll need more bureaucrats to administer these programs.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Obscuring the reality of secession

Thursday, January 6, 2011

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/01/05/reliving__and_denying__an_ugly_past/

Reliving — and denying — an ugly past
By Jeff Jacoby
Globe Columnist / January 5, 2011

*** begin quote ***

ON JAN. 16, 1861, delegates to a Georgia state convention gathered to consider whether to secede from the United States. Three days later, voting 208-89, the convention adopted an “Ordinance of Secession,’’ which “repealed, rescinded, and abrogated’’ Georgia’s ratification of the federal Constitution in 1788.

*** end quote ***

Looking past the stupidity of a bunch of people, who feel that salt in wounds, is a great idea. I think you miss five critical points:

① Voluntary exit from the Union was debated and assurances given when it was formed. Only to be abrogated when use of the “exit door” was attempted.

② Lincoln assure his place as the “worst President” with his war on civilian populations. And, the many violations of civil liberties. And, the insistence on “preserving the Union”. It wasn’t about slavery for him; Emancipation Proclamation only applied to the areas he didn’t control.

③ A lot of smart people didn’t see that “slavery” was an economically doomed institution. Only we had to kill people to figure that out. “A brilliant man would find a way not to fight a war.” — apocryphal quote attributed to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto played by Mako in the movie ‘Pearl Harbor’

④ The structural change from “The United States of America” as a republic to the “USA” as an empire was begun with the North winning the War of Northern Aggression. No man or group of men—including any group of men calling themselves “the government”—is morally entitled to initiate (that is, to start) the use of physical force, the threat of force, or any substitute for force (such as fraud) against any other man or group of men. “The Market for Liberty” Linda & Morris Tannehill (1970)

⑤ Finally, secession is back. It is the ultimate relief from Washington DC’s corrupt oppression. The debt, deficit, and a 100 year devaluation of the currency assure that the American Empire will collapse just like the Soviet Union. The only question is which State will be the first to exit? My money is on Vermont. But Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, South Carolina, Montana, and New Hampshire are all in the running to be first out the door. And, will we, could we, have one ejection — California — with it’s impending bankruptcy?

So the SC Secession Ball begs the question will the Empire roll tanks into the first state to leave? And, what will “We, The Sheeple” do? Remember that great movie quote? “I fear all we have done is awakened a sleeping giant.” — apocryphal quote attributed to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto played by Mako in the movie ‘Pearl Harbor’

What will be the wake up call?

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TECHNOLOGY: 1AND1, a service provider, is on the RBL

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Thank you for contacting us.

We would like to inform you that our IP address is being blocked by Trend Micro. At the moment, we do not have an estimated time frame for the fix however rest assured that we are currently working on a resolution. Once we have the fix, it will be implemented to all affected customers. To ensure that your case will be taken cared of, I will be adding the details of your case to the list of affected customers. We understand that you might be anxious to have this resolved as soon as possible so thank you so much for your patience while we work on the resolution.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

—

Sincerely,
Benito Enopia
Technical Support
1&1 Internet

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Argh! The “cure” is worse that the disease. If everyone would deploy IPv6, then everyone would have an “real” ipaddress. Argh!

# # # # # posted 2011-01-06 12:19

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INTERESTING: Glen Beck radio dropped from WOR

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Heard, or read, that WOR was dropping the Glen Beck radio show as of 1/17.

The reason sited was “low ratings”. Is this a statement more about New York City, than the value of the Glen Beck show.

(I’m not a Beck fan boy. He’s a “conservative”; I’m a little L libertarian. So we disagree on aggression and “law”. But we do agree on fiscal issues. I listen from time to time and find him “interesting”.)

Frau Reinke said maybe they couldn’t get sponsors. That’s probably also true. To sponsor Beck, or in any way to be associated with him, is, in NYC, the kiss of death.

Sigh!

# # # # # posted 2011-01-06 08:31

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MONEY: Capture all your medical or job search deductions NEXT year!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Here’s an idea of a “new year’s resolution”. First a little background. This year, my wife was diagnosed with a form of pre-leukemia. It’s been a mess in every dimension. As I sit here thinking about it, and tax time, I wish I had captured all the medical expenses. It’s just one more straw breaking my “camel’s back”. But this year, I have a strategy. I have a blank check register. I’m going to contemporaneously log every expense in the “check” register. I should be able to capture EVERY medical expense. I’ll let you know at the end of the year how I make out.

p.s., I think the same strategy would work for Job Seekers who also have deductible expenses. I shudder to think of all the expense deductions I have missed over the years. Argh! But new year, and self-granted amnesty for all mistakes in the prior year. But still, it gripes me to have missed the opportunity.

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TECHNOLOGY: Anti Spam RBL is … … worthless!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

I send an email. And, it’s blocked by the receiver’s email server because of RBL.

*** begin quote ***

Thank you for writing to the MAPS Realtime Blackhole List (RBL) Team.

This email address is used to submit RBL nominations, for RBL removal requests, and for other communication regarding the MAPS RBL.

Many providers do use MAPS lists but also employ more restrictive lists which they maintain themselves. If you have been blocked by those, you’ll need to contact them directly.

Your message has been assigned the ticket number shown in the Subject: header above. Please include that string in the Subject: header of any future correspondance with RBL staff about this issue.

*** end quote ***

So I get:

*** begin quote ***

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us about this IP address on RBL. 74.208.4.194 was listed because we received spam from this address and because no action was taken when we reported this to your ISP.

We first started to see spam from 74.208.4.194 in March 2007.

We continue to see spam attempts from this address recently. We need to hear from your ISP prior to removing any part of this listing.

Please secure your network and contact your ISP, and have your ISP contact us for removal.

Kind regards,
John Abello
Spam Investigations Team
Trend Micro Inc.

*** end quote ***

So I very nicely point out that it’s NOY my problem. Nor that of my ISP.

*** begin quote ***

John,

Not to quibble, but my ISP is Verizon. And, my email provider for my domain “reinke.cc” is 1AND1. The IP address that you’re citing is 1AND1. So, why would you tell me to contact my ISP? And, have you ever called any service provider? 1AND1 is probably one of the largest web, email, and domain service providers. So, you, via RBL, are penalizing me for the “sins” of someone else. You’re acting like I have ANY control over everyone who uses 1and1 or Verizon.

Further, with NAT, and IP address leasing, the whole concept that a spammer can be “pinpointed” by IP address is passe.

Am I misunderstanding something?

fjohn

*** end quote ***

And, I get this back.

*** begin quote ***

Hello,

Your IP address 74.208.4.194 owner is 1and1, please contact them regarding this issue and let them communicate us on your behalf regarding this issue,

Kind regards,
John Abello

Spam Investigations Team
Trend Micro Inc.

*** end quote ***

I don’t think very highly of RBL, Trend Micro, or “John Abello” (if there is such a person)

Argh!

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TECHNOLOGY: Diesel is a better answer than gas – electric hybrids

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig11/peters-e8.1.1.html

New Year’s Wish List
by Eric Peters
EricPetersAutos.com

*** begin quote ***

More diesels

And fewer $40,000 hybrids that barely outdo the mileage of an ’80s-era Plymouth Champ. Diesels, unlike hybrids, work – if “working” means they deliver very high gas mileage without a very high price tag. Gas-electric hybrids and electric cars are impressive as technology but crap as consumer products – if the point of the exercise is to produce economical transportation. If you have to pay $30,000 or $40,000 (or even $25,000) to get 35 or 40 MPGs then MPGs don’t really matter since whatever you “save” in fuel costs is negated by the cost of the car itself. But diesel engines can deliver 60 MPG in a subcompact car that costs less than $15,000. Just not here. They have such cars in Europe. Santa needs to bring a few of them to us. But first, he’ll need to put some coal in the stockings of the government bureaucrats who have made the American car market unfriendly for diesel vehicles by imposing one regulatory obstacle and expense after the next. It’s not that diesels are “dirty” – the Europeans are just as obsessed with saving the planet as we are. It’s simply that our bureaucrats and politicians aren’t as smart as those in Europe.

*** end quote ***

I loved the three diesels I’ve had in my life.

Once upon a time, diesel fuel was cheaper than gasoline.

Don’t understand why that is? It’s easier to refine.

We know that the taxes on petrol of all flavors is a significant cost component. And, a good way for the Gooferment to bury taxes. With the illusion that it’s all going to “roads”, which is “barbara streisand”!

So why don’t we exploit technology that works?

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WEBSITE: campaignforliberty site down

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

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

# # # # # posted 2011-01-04 22:41

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SERVICE: bye, bye some hotmail accounts and their data

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/01/02/0233231/Some-Hotmail-Accounts-Wiped

Technology: Some Hotmail Accounts Wiped
Posted by Soulskill on Sunday January 02, @08:21AM
from the you-didn’t-need-that,-right? dept.

*** begin quote ***

“PC Magazine reports that many Hotmail accounts have lost all their emails. Users’ entire email histories have apparently been lost. ‘Users can still log in sans issue. However, they arrive at empty inboxes: No custom folders, no messages in “Sent” or “Deleted,” nothing. As one might expect, the abruptness (and unexpectedness) of the purge has left some of Hotmail’s long-time users a bit in the dark.'”

*** end quote ***

You can’t trust vendors!

Have your own domain. Keep your own email archives. And, plan a backup strategy.

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Posted by reinkefj

MONEY: A real gold standard

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north201.html

Two Kinds of Gold Standards
by Gary North
August 26, 2003

*** begin quote ***

This is why the free market is the only reliable source for the re-establishment of a gold standard. Honest money begins with these steps: (1) the revocation of legal tender laws that require people to accept the State’s money; (2) the enforcement of contracts; (3) laws against fraud, which fractional reserve banking is. The free market can do the rest.

*** end quote ***

Clearly, we can NOT get the Gooferment back inside its Constitutional bounds while it has an unlimited line of credit.

The Gold Standard, a real one, not an ersatz Gooferment one, can restrict that Gooferment to only spend what it has or raises.

The debate over tariffs, taxes, and fees are a separate issue; once you close the “barn door”.

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Posted by reinkefj

PLATFORMS: My Verizon MIFI 2200 experience

Monday, January 3, 2011

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=273&products_id=2130

With tremendous trepidation, I purchased a used verizon mifi 2200 advertised as a refurb with no impact on the existing unlimited data Verizon contracts. My concerns were: (1) “Used car” syndrome; would it work? (2) Would the ESN swap screw up my unlimited data contract with Verizon? (3) Would it work? Period! (4) Would I wind up in finger pointing between me, Verizon, and any number of others?

I received it promptly and in relatively good order. The power cord looked like it had just be wadded up and thrown in the box. So I was regretting my decision after seeing that.

I gathered up everything and went to the Verizon store for the ordeal of the ESN swap. Everything done with Verizon is an ordeal. And, I was right. The swap was trivial. And I even got a piece of paper that says nothing changed but the ESN. I’ll frame that! Cause I still don’t believe it. Then, I went over to “technical support” to activate it. An HOUR later, it was still “unactivateable” with NO explanation why. Three “experts” later, the verdict was that it was defective and I should send it back to where I got it. (Despite that it was in a Verizon box and was a Verizon refurbishment.) They wanted to undo the ESN swap so I could use my old hardware. Something made me question the whole thing. They wiped out my VZACCESS software to put an older version on. So, I said leave everything and I’d get back to them.

Went home. Downloaded, installed, and fired up the LATEST version of VZACCESS. It griped that the MIFI2200 needed a firmware update. (They “did” that at the Verizon store.) So I did it again. It then needed an updated “national map”. (They “did” that at the Verizon store.) So I did that again. Then, it complained it needed to be “activated”. (They “did” that at the Verizon store.) So I did it again. Then, it said it needed to be power cycled. I did that.

Then it started working. I shut everything down and disconnected it. Brought everything backup and the MIFI2200 was “wifi-ing”. Connected various devices to it. And it kept working.

So, if you do get refurbished MIFI2200 and think it needs to being returned, then you know that it’s the Verizon support “help” that needs “return”.

# – # – #

The MIFI2200 is NOTRECOMMENDED. The Verizon Wireless Broad Band (which I call VWBBIE) is NOTRECOMMENDED.

The MIFI2200 is fine and might be RECOMMENDED if it was attached to an unlimited 3G service and if activation wasn’t an ordeal.

The vendor 3GSTORE is RECOMMENDED because it was correct in the MIFI2200 offering.

The VWBBIE is NOT RECOMMENDED because of the network caps and the stiff charges for overage. Additionally, the network performance they sell is faster than an old 9600 baud modem, but not much. I was so frustrated with using it on a regular basis down at the shore that I bought the cable company’s triple play just to not have to use it.

This is definitely a “proceed at your own risk” type product.

Disclosure, I get nothing from nobody for this review.

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Posted by reinkefj

POLITICAL: USPS, an idea who’s time has past

Monday, January 3, 2011

http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/usps

Privatizing the U.S. Postal Service
by Tad DeHaven
November 2010

*** begin quote ***

Although the law says that postal employees should receive wages and benefits comparable to what they could earn in the private sector, the majority of economic studies examining the issue have concluded that a postal pay premium of 20%– 25% exists if just wages are counted and about 35% if the Service’s very generous benefits are also included. {33}

*** and ***

The USPS is in a financial death spiral because of the myriad factors discussed. It faces a projected $238 billion in losses over the next 10 years under the status quo. To avoid a large and growing burden from being foisted on taxpayers in coming years, the USPS should be privatized and postal markets open for competition from FedEx, UPS, and upstart entrepreneurs.

*** and ***

Policymakers resistant to reform often depict the USPS as a “national asset” that “binds the nation together.” But these days, it’s the Internet and our telecommunications networks that bind families and businesses together across the nation. It’s time to let go of the nostalgia for the USPS and bring America’s postal services into the 21st century with privatization, open competition, and entrepreneurial innovation.

*** end quote ***

Of course, “Con”-gress gives itself free mail privileges. And, it is up to its “elbows” in local post office placement and such.

I can’t imagine what the free market will provide, but I’m sure it will.

Think about UPS and FEDEX released.

I’m sure they can do better.

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Posted by reinkefj

NEWJERSEY: “Double dipping” is a universal problem

Sunday, January 2, 2011

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16977109?source=most_viewed&nclick_check=1

Double-dipping is common for public-sector ‘retirees’ who take on additional work
By Karen de Sá
Posted: 12/30/2010 05:13:15 PM PST
Updated: 12/31/2010 07:15:00 AM PST

*** begin quote ***

Retirement is a loosely defined term for many Silicon Valley civil servants, who as young as age 50 can begin drawing their pensions even while performing other lucrative jobs on the taxpayer dime.

Newly retired Santa Clara County Fire Chief Kenneth Waldvogel becomes the latest example next week, when he returns to work as a contractor, earning up to $108,480 for the next six months — on top of his $200,000 annual state pension — while the county searches for his replacement.

He joins five other retired Santa Clara County officials who have recently been hired back and are benefiting from a practice critics call “double-dipping.” Meanwhile, the fire chief in the city of Santa Clara has been working under such an arrangement since 2004, when he retired at 53, then immediately returned to his old job, where he continues as a part-timer earning $100 an hour.

*** end quote ***

Story’s from CA, but, rest assured, NJ has the same problem.

Clearly, pensions have to be eliminated. Every private employer has converted to 401Ks.

NJ must do the same thing.

Besides, trusting politicians with one’s retirement money is foolish.

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Posted by reinkefj

POLITICAL: Why are we funding foreign banks?

Sunday, January 2, 2011

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/69728262-11ec-11e0-92d0-00144feabdc0.html#axzz19QtftOot

Non-US banks gain from Fed crisis fund
By Robin Harding in Washington, Bernard Simon in Toronto and Christian Oliver in Seoul
Published: December 27 2010 22:04 | Last updated: December 27 2010 22:04

*** begin quote ***

The Taf was set up in December 2007 to provide one-month loans to creditworthy banks as markets dried up for lending longer than overnight. In August 2008, it began offering three-month loans as well.

Rabobank of the Netherlands and Toronto-Dominion of Canada, two of the only banks in the world with triple A credit ratings, used more than $20bn in cumulative Taf loans.

*** end quote ***

One of the problems that have to be addressed is: “why is the US taxpayer funding foreign banks?”

Personally, I don’t think the taxpayer should be funding ANY bank. But certainly not foreign ones.

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