RANT: Congress failed; good!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/08/the-six-tech-policy-problems-congress-failed-to-fix-this-year/?comments=1&post=27373075#comment-27373075

The six tech policy problems Congress failed to fix this year
On tech issues, the partisan divide isn’t so wide. Yet nothing happened.
by Joe Mullin – Aug 8 2014, 10:57am EDT

*** begin quote ***

One: Pass anti-troll patent reform

Two: Reform ECPA, and finally grant due process for e-mail privacy

Three: Reform our vague anti-hacking laws

Four: Bring out-of-control intel agencies to heel

Five: Do something on immigration

Six: Pass a strong, permanent “right to unlock” bill 

*** end quote ***

“Do Nothing” Congress and deadlock between House and Senate / President is “good”.

Look at what happens when the R’s get control, we get “Homeland Security” and the TSA.

Look at what happens when the D’s get their way: Sarbox, NIJA mortgages, and bailouts galore.

Even if the current situation is “un en dur able”, they can make it worse.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #   


POLITICAL: “Nothing could be worse than Saddam Hussein”

Friday, August 15, 2014

https://www.facebook.com/ThomasEWoods?fref=nf

Thomas E. Woods Jr.
August 8 at 10:47am ·

*** begin quote ***

Every so-called conservative who was tricked by government propaganda in 2003, repeat after me: “I was grotesquely wrong to have thought nothing could be worse than Saddam Hussein. I admit that Ron Paul predicted what we are seeing now, while I was standing with Hillary Clinton in support of the stupidest war in U.S. history.

“Next time I will be more skeptical of government propaganda, which as a conservative I am supposed to be in the first place.”

*** end quote ***

Agreed!

Everything coming from politicians and bureaucrats is at best “propaganda” and at worst an absolute lie.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #   

Thomas E. Woods Jr.August 8 at 10:47am ·
Every so-called conservative who was tricked by government propaganda in 2003, repeat after me: “I was grotesquely wrong to have thought nothing could be worse than Saddam Hussein. I admit that Ron Paul predicted what we are seeing now, while I was standing with Hillary Clinton in support of the stupidest war in U.S. history.
“Next time I will be more skeptical of government propaganda, which as a conservative I am supposed to be in the first place.”


TINFOILHAT: Carry out such a complicated task

Thursday, August 14, 2014

http://dollarvigilante.com/blog/2014/8/5/the-walls-are-crumbling-down-around-911-why.html#6470

THE WALLS ARE CRUMBLING DOWN AROUND 9/11 – WHY?
[Editor’s Note: The following post is by TDV Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Berwick] 

*** begin quote ***

Former Senator Bob Graham (D-Fla.), who co-chaired a congressional inquiry into 9/11 — separate from the 9/11 Commission — stated, as though now it was obvious, “None of the people leading this investigation think it is credible that 19 people — most who could not speak English and did not have previous experience in the United States — could carry out such a complicated task without external assistance.”

*** end quote ***

Can say what you want BUT, (and there is always a BIG butt), I don’t believe the “official story” on anything ever.

# – # – # – # – #   


INTERESTING: Reinke’s “Power of Negative Thinking”

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/heres-the-actual-mathematical-equation-for-happiness.html

Here’s the Actual Mathematical Equation for Happiness
Diana Vilibert
August 6, 2014

Equationtopr

*** begin quote ***

“It is often said that you will be happier if your expectations are lower. We find that there is some truth to this,” said the study’s lead author Dr. Robb Rutledge. “Lower expectations make it more likely that an outcome will exceed those expectations and have a positive impact on happiness.” But expectations don’t just affect our happiness after we learn the outcome of a decision. “If you have plans to meet a friend at your favourite restaurant, those positive expectations may increase your happiness as soon as you make the plan,” says Dr. Rutledge. “The new equation captures these different effects of expectations and allows happiness to be predicted based on the combined effects of many past events.”

And while the key to happiness may not lie in expecting the worst, this study does open up the door to learning more about mood disorders and improving treatment options.

*** end quote ***

With all due apologies to Doctor Norman Vincent Peale (Requiescat In Pacem) and his Power of Positive Thinking … …

Here is scientific confirmation of my proposed MEME of a particular wisdom

——

“Expect the worst and all surprises are pleasant ones!”

— —  which I call “Reinke’s Law of Negative Thinking”.

Yeah!

Now I just need to right a book on that topic.

# – # – # – # – #

http://lifehacker.com/the-benefits-of-pessimism-1620150406  

Strategic pessimism: This style of pessimism uses strategies to lower expectations and decrease anxiety by thinking through all the negative outcomes and planning for them.

# – # – # – # – #   


QUOTE: The late Robin Williams

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

“You never know another man’s burden until he puts it down and you feel the ground shake.”
— Robin Wiiliams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)

Requiescat In Pacem

# – # – # – # – #   


RANT: “Dollar Dominance” is important

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-06/russia-sanctions-accelerate-risk-to-dollar-dominance.html

Russia Sanctions Accelerate Risk to Dollar Dominance
By Rachel Evans Aug 6, 2014 11:51 AM ET

*** begin quote *** 

While no one’s suggesting the dollar will lose its status as the main currency of business any time soon, its dominance is ebbing. The greenback’s share of global reserves has already shrunk to under 61 percent from more than 72 percent in 2001. The drumbeat has only gotten louder since the financial crisis in 2008, an event that began in the U.S. when subprime-mortgage loans soured, and the largest emerging-market nations including Russia have vowed to conduct more business in their currencies.

*** end quote ***

The political powers that be don’t understand that this is reaching the tipping point. Once “we” lose “dollar dominance”, life will be much tougher. Think the Germans in the Wehrmar Republic. We know how that Republic fared. It’s all about a countries wealth and currency.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #   


RANTING Robin Williams Requiescat In Pacem

Monday, August 11, 2014

If you are feeling depressed, there is help out there. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255.

# – # – # – # – #   

Robin Williams
Requiescat In Pacem

He made me laugh so many times.

Stunning that a man could be so “funny” and yet so crazy. I’m praying for his soul and the family. Maybe someday, science will uncover a cure.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/robin-williams-dies-suspected-suicide-724724

Williams’ publicist Mara Buxbaum told The Hollywood Reporter: “Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
His wife, Susan Schneider, said: “This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”

# – # – # – # – #  2014-Aug-11 @ 20:52

Wall Street Journal reports

Actor Robin Williams Dead, Authorities Say

Actor Robin Williams is believed to have died of suicide by asphyxiation, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said. He was found in his home in Tiburon, Calif., Monday and pronounced dead at 12:02 p.m. The Oscar-winning actor and comedian was known for “Dead Poets Society,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Mork & Mindy” and his stand-up career.

Mr. Williams was found dead in his home after a 911 call reported he was found unconscious and not breathing in his home. He was last seen alive at his home, where he lives with his wife, at 10 p.m. on Sunday, the sheriff’s department said.

# – # – # – # – #  2014-Aug-11 @ 21:16   


HARDWARE: Turn off the Caps Lock key

Monday, August 11, 2014

http://www.cultofmac.com/246792/stop-yelling-turn-off-the-caps-lock-key-on-your-mac-os-x-tips/

Stop Yelling – Turn Off The Caps Lock Key On Your Mac [OS X Tips]

Rob LeFebvre (6:00 am PDT, Sep 23rd 2013)

# – # – # – # – #   

Gal Pal’s Mom, on a Windoze implementation, for the n-th time, had the caps lock on while typing her password for AOL.

(Yeah, I know, who knew AOL was still business.)

So, Gal Pal asked me how to permanently disable it.

Easy peasy.

Then I go to think of all the times I inadvertently did the same thing.

So I found out how to turn it off on the Mac OS X.

Easier!

Done.

# – # – # – # – #   


GUNS: WMAL Brian Wilson RKBA is the “war on women”

Sunday, August 10, 2014

http://stationcaster.com/stations/wmal/?d=AM&cid=5541

Mornings on the Mall 08.08.14
Added: 8/8/14
Peter Morici, Rep. Frank Wolf & Bret Baier

# – # – # – # – #   

Brian Wilson got on a roll yesterday morning.

I don’t have an exact timestamp but it was in the 7:30 time frame.

He made the assertion that the true war on women was the right to defend themselves.

His example was:

“Taylor Woolrich, a junior, says Dartmouth administrators told her they won’t let her carry a gun on campus, even though she lives in fear of a man who has been stalking her since she was a high school student in San Diego.”

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/06/ivy-leaguer-plagued-by-stalker-may-drop-out-over-schools-anti-gun-policy/

I have a “bumper sticker” quote that sums it up: “Victim disarmament is the view that it is somehow better to see a woman raped in an alley and strangled with her own pantyhose, than see her with a gun in her hand.” — T.D. Melrose

Brian went on to argue that the R’s should adopt this issue in response to the D’s “war on women” spiel.

He also suggested that the NRA jump on this issue.

And, he expressed shock that this was in New Hampshire, the “Live Free or Die” state.

(I’m a signer on the Free State Project freestateproject.org to move 20,000 liberty lovers to NH and make it the “truly Free State”. Obviously a lot of work to be done yet.) 

The Second Amendment is about self-defense. Both from the tyranny of the government and other predators both two legged and four legged.

Argh!

Seems so simple to me!


POLITICAL: Nagasaki — an anti-Catholic national disgrace

Saturday, August 9, 2014

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/08/gary-g-kohls/unwelcome-truths/

Unwelcome Truths for Church and State Concerning the Bombing of Nagasaki August 9, 1945
By Gary G. Kohls
August 6, 2014

*** begin quote ***

69 years ago an all-Christian bomber crew dropped “Fat Man”, a plutonium bomb, on Nagasaki, Japan, instantly annihilating tens of thousands of innocent civilians, a disproportionate number of them Japanese Christians, and permanently or mortally wounding uncountable numbers of others.

In 1945, the US was the most Christian nation in the world (that is, if you can label as Christian a nation whose churches overwhelmingly fail to sincerely teach or adhere to the ethics of Jesus as taught in the Sermon on the Mount).

Prior to the bomb exploding over St. Mary’s Urakami Cathedral on 11:02 AM, Nagasaki was the most Christian city in Japan. The Nagasaki cathedral was the largest Christian cathedral in the Orient.

*** end quote ***

Never mind “just war”.

How about Christian charity?

In Little League, there’s the mercy rule.

In life, the golden rule.

This makes me sad.

Now that I am old, I can see sadly the result.

The Swiss have the right idea.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #   


MEME: Confirmation Bias

Friday, August 8, 2014

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2014/08/a-simple-strategy-for-shaking-confirmation-bias/

A Simple Strategy for Shaking Confirmation Bias
[TIP ‘o’ the HAT to: The Big Picture by Barry Ritholtz 

A Simple Strategy for Shaking Confirmation Bias
Brett N. Steenbarger, Ph.D.

*** begin quote *** 

One of the most insidious cognitive biases affecting investors and traders is confirmation bias. Once we hold a particular view, we tend to prefer processing information that fits with that view. What’s worse is that, because of our bias blind spots, we commonly recognize biased thinking in others, but not in ourselves. We know from research in psychology that fresh inputs and mental flexibility are essential to creativity of thought. When we become locked in confirmation bias, we cease to innovate.

*** and ***

We are properly discerning about the food we put into our mouths, but not so much with the information we choose to process.  Fresh inputs, chosen for their quality, provide a healthy intellectual diet and catalyze creative thinking.  If we’re not regularly surprised by what we read and discuss, the odds are good that our brain’s diet has turned stale.  And that’s a danger zone for confirmation bias.

*** and ***

Brett N. Steenbarger, Ph.D. is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY and works as a performance coach for hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and investment banks.  He is the author of the TraderFeed blog and several books on trading psychology.

*** end quote ***

This is one of my (many) concerns.

I try and avoid it (and many other biases) by confirming external evidence.

Probably would be a good exercise t itemize all the biases. Mind map anyone?

# – # – # – # – #   

# – # – # – # – #   


INTERESTING: Two questions about the “border crisis”

Thursday, August 7, 2014

On Thursday, August 7, 2014, OLD FRIEND wrote:

Puzzle One:

Imagine you are a 3 to 8 year old child:

You are asked to walk from Houston, Texas to Minneapolis, Minnesota on your own with no food or belongings to sustain you.

Then you are asked to walk an additional 100 miles past Minnesota.

Could you do it?

How long would it take you as a 6 year old? That is the minimum distance these poor, helpless little ones have supposedly walked from Central America to the border of Texas, again, on their own. They didn’t get lost.

And they survived the journey without help (unless you buy in to the notion that a destitute out-of-work family run out of their homes by gangs and living in squalor somehow came up with $8,000 to $10,000 for EACH child to pay a Coyote to take them to the border.

Question: Do they really think we are that STUPID?

Answer: I guess so …… it’s Working thanks to the Socialist Propaganda Media we have forcing down our throats every minute of every Day!

Acrossmexico

Puzzle Two:

Now, on the map above, you must start somewhere in the green area. Let’s make it easy and start where green meets orange, so that you had the least mileage by not having to cover the whole green area. Just start where the green meets the orange. Blue, of course, is water.

Your task is to figure a route from the green area to the purple area without going into the blue area and while avoiding towns and cities in the orange area.

The black line is the distance from the nearest town to Mexico’s southern border that touches the green area to Laredo, Texas, one of the CLOSEST purple towns —1,220 miles across desert and mountains with no equipment or food or help.

If orange had stopped these innocents where orange touches green, problem would not have occurred. However, what six year old do you know who could walk 1,220 miles (minimum), probably more like 1,500 miles on their own without dying?

How many days would it take for a 6 year old…1st Grade…..to walk 1,220 Miles without help, directions, food, sun protection, etc.?….#____________

I am beginning to think that the truth of all this isn’t being given fully to us, folks.

Someone created and assisted this, and the Socialist Media doesn’t want us figuring out who it is, don’t you think?

One answer, of course, is that they travel with their parents who drop them off at the border, then while the Border Patrol is babysitting the children, the parents sneak across the border, along with the drug smugglers and assorted other terrorists and felons! … then they will Vote for the next Socialist Democrat….Hillary!

Of course they will VOTE, we are the ONLY Democracy in the World that doesn’t have Voter I.D. ! Wonder Why? Now you have the answer.

# – # – #  

It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged.
…British essayist G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

# – # – # – # – #    


FUN: S370HSSV

Thursday, August 7, 2014

The French Leader got a coded message from Bush Administration.

It read: S370HSSV‐0773H

The French were stumped and sent for the French Information Agency. The FIA was stumped too, so it went to the Russians.

The Russians couldn’t solve it either, so they asked the Germans.

The Germans, having received this same message during WWII from the Americans, suggested turning it upside down …

# – # – # – # – #

I’ve added this to my profanity list.

As #2 behind <an anal opening surrounded by a sphincter> and near “ass” <synonym for donkey>!

Laughing!

# – # – # – # – #   


INTERESTING: “How smart is your right foot”

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

My friend shared some internet factoid which was interesting but not copyable.

(That is itself was interesting. I’ll be exploring that some more.)

Essentially, how start making an imaginary clockwise circles with your right foot.

Then, write the number 6.

Supposedly, your food will go in the opposite direction.

When I tried, it didn’t work.

Here’s my email back to him.

*** begin quote ***

Nope.

Instead of making the 6 as a right hander, us lefties, “forced converts” from being left handed to a right handed world, make our sixes from the inside in a clockwise fashion.

Hence, this doesn’t apply to us.

*** end quote ***

I have put my investigation into this non-copyable email on my Remember The Milk (https://www.rememberthemilk.com) “Techie” task list.

The only other place I’ve seen this is Snopes (http://www.snopes.com/). I figured out a bypass for that in an hour. (Not that I want to copy their stuff. Just that it’s an article of my”faith in technology” that nothing on the inet can be protected.

Laugh!

# – # – # – # – #   

 

 

 

 

 


SERVICE: ESPN on the inet via the ISPs

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/apps

Your Favorite ESPN Networks are Now Available live anytime and anywhere with WatchESPN.

# – # – # – # – #   

Doesn’t seem to work on the Mac?

# – # – # – # – #   


NOTRECOMMENDED: LIVESCRIBE

Monday, August 4, 2014

The products — livescribe3 and sky wifi — are both “interesting”!

My use of them was “disappointing”.

And, the “customer service” is 1 for 3 in successful uses.

Also, the “technical support” was slow to respond and very formulaic.

I will be consigning these to the “dust bin”.

Yell, if you want to borrow or buy them.

# – # – # – # – #   


NOTRECOMMENDED: Norwegian Cruise Line in on my you know what list

Sunday, August 3, 2014

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/07/27/cruise-line-refuses-to-re-book-family-vacation-after-5-year-old-diagnosed-with/

REGIONS
Cruise line refuses to re-book family vacation after boy diagnosed with cancer
Published July 27, 2014
FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

A cruise ship is refusing to let a New York couple re-book a dream summer vacation after their 5-year-old boy was unable to go on the trip because he was diagnosed with cancer.

The parents of Nicolas Colucci say Norwegian Cruise Line is refusing to accommodate them, citing its cancellation policy.

The family-friendly cruise, in partnership with the Nickelodeon channel, was scheduled to start on June 1, but Nicolas got sick on May 19. He was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his liver, and had surgery a few days later. He is still undergoing chemotherapy.

The cruise line says any cancellation within 14 days or less of the sail date is subject to a 100 percent cancellation fee. Now, the boy’s family is out $4,000.

*** end quote ***

I have cruised on NCL.

I would have used them again.

Not now. Not ever. 

# – # – # – # – #   


RANT: Lois Lerner’s emails

Saturday, August 2, 2014

http://www.therightcurmudgeon.com/2014/07/six-questions-for-the-irs-about-lois-lerners-emails

*** begin quote ***

A professional IT trade group with significant expertise in IT best practices has six questions that need to be answered about Lois Lerner’s -and at least 20 other IRS employees – email.

  1. What happened to the IRS’s IT Asset Managers who appear to have disappeared at a key juncture?
     
  2. Where is the documentation proving that Lois Lerner’s hard drive was wiped or destroyed? 
     
  3. Were the drives destroyed by an outside vendor or firm? 
     
  4. What are the IRS’s specific policies and procedures on document retention when hard drives are damaged or destroyed?
     
  5. What is the disaster recovery policy at the IRS? 
     
  6. Where are Lois Lerner’s emails from her Blackberry device? Are those secure? What is on the enterprise server? 

*** end quote ***

I would add some other questions!

  • Where all the email SERVERS backed up? (The emails should be recoverable from all the POST OFFICES that transmitted the email.)
  • What about all the people who received her, or email from the other “unlucky” folks whose hard drives died? (I have emails in MY in box from folks.)
  • What about other non-government email accounts like GMAIL to avoid to disclosure.
  • What about the NSA email snooping program? (Surely they have everything!) 

Argh!

It’s all corrupt.

And the politicians and bureaucrats have no shame.

# – # – # – # – #   


POLITICAL: Records retention policies compromised

Friday, August 1, 2014

http://www.therightcurmudgeon.com/2014/07/benghazi-talking-points-developed-govt-watchdogs-blast-kerry-aides-use-gmail-account

Home  Breaking News Feed  Breaking News – Daily Caller  
‘Is This How The Benghazi Talking Points Were Developed?’
Govt Watchdogs Blast Kerry Aide’s Use Of Gmail Account
Jul 25, 20140 39
By Brendan Bordelon

*** begin quote *** 

Two top government watchdogs in Washington D.C. slammed a key aide to Secretary of State John Kerry for using a private Gmail account to conduct official government business, calling it “the worst possible practice in trying to maintain transparency” and speculating whether this was “how the Benghazi talking points were developed.”

*** and ***

“Records retention policies could be compromised by the use of private email,” he said, referencing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules giving citizens the right to check up on their government by requesting official documents. “There are a variety of ways that federal records laws could be compromised through the use of private emails to conduct public business.”

*** end quote ***

Just another way the current administration breaks the law.

Ho hum, what’s new about that?

“Move along, people. Nothing to see here. Go home, you looky-loos.” Officer Barbrady’s Catch Phrase South Park

Argh!


JOBSEARCH: Axioms of an “employee”

Thursday, July 31, 2014

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-reasons-working-from-home-is-better-for-you-your-boss.html

FROM AN EMAIL

*** begin quote ***

Subject: 10 Reasons Working From Home is Better for You (& Your Boss) | Care2 Healthy Living

Should I send this to {REDACTED}?

*** end quote ***

I forwarded this link to {REDACTED}

and received these responses: 

*** begin quote ***

Yes please!

*** end quote ***

AND

*** begin quote ***

I don’t think it would do any good.  It might even be counterproductive as it expresses benefits from a perspective she does not apparently share.

*** end quote ***

MY RESPONSE

*** begin quote ***

Laugh! I agree.

{REDACTED} otoh didn’t see the “joke”.

{REDACTED} thought I was really going to forward it to {REDACTED}.

Whatanoob!

Interesting points though.

An “enlightened organization” would attempt to create shared value between the BORG (Business Organization) and “their” “Human Resources”.

*** end quote ***

# – # – # – # – #

Attention: K-Mart shoppers be advise the “gold watch” era of employment is over. (Graduate college, get a good job with big corporation, stay with them for 40+ years, retire with savings and nice pension to a great “retirement”.) Folks who still believe in that will be working their golden years at WalMart as a “greeter”. Argh!  

This goes to my personal articles of faith; some of which are:

  •  Today’s “corporation” is a heartless, soulless, dishonest beast.
  • An employee is like a consultant; their ONLY job is find their next job.
  • IN dealing the workplace, one must always remember the JoHari window Johari window http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window 
  • Always remember “Human Resources” sends the signal that you’re a “paper clip”. 

# – # – # – # – #   


INITIALISMS: PGPIRU

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

PGPIRU (i.e.,”Promote the Guilty; Punish the Innocent; and Reward the Uninvolved.”) 

Originally heard in a Tom Peters audio book long ago and far away.

# – # – # – # – #   


ECONOMICS: Tom Woods give a clear definition and distinction

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/07/no_author/why-were-winning/

The Role of Austrian Economics in the Liberty Movement
July 22, 2014

*** begin quote ***

Tom Woods kicks-off this year’s Mises University with a brilliant discussion of the ‘Role of Austrian Economics in the Liberty Movement’.

*** end quote ***

An interesting hour.

I was fascinated by his clear definition and distinction between “Austrian Economics” (i.e., von Mises et al.) and the “Liberty Movement” spawned by Ron Paul.

Are “we” a minority? Absolutely.

So were the Dead Old White Guys!

The interesting part is about “we are winning” because “our” ideas align more closely with reality that do the Keynesian Economics and the big Gooferment welfare / warfare state with it’s Crony Capitalism, corrupt politicians, and lifetime lazy bureaucrats.

On to New Hampshire, as part of the Free State Project (http://freestateproject.org) to make it the FIRST truly “Free State”.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #   


SECURITY: Hackers impersonating E-ZPass

Monday, July 28, 2014

Cyber Security Alert: Potential Phishing Attack
Hackers impersonating “E-ZPass Service Center Personnel” are trying to steal customer information by sending an email that contains a malicious link. Attacks have been targeted at personal email addresses stating that they have an overdue toll debt.

The attack tries to trick the user into clicking on a link to view an account invoice. The URL linked in the email directs the target to a malicious website that compromises the user’s personal account information. E-ZPass has identified the following subject lines in connection with the attack emails [PDF]: “in arrears for driving on toll road”, “Payment for driving on toll road”, “indebtedness for driving on toll road”, and “Pay for driving on toll road”.

If you receive such email in your personal mailbox, do not click on the attachment or forward it to anyone. If you have clicked on a link via your personal email account, we recommend that you change the password for any information that you entered into the malicious site.

# – # – # – # – #  2014-Jul-28 @ 11:05  


RANT: Ukraine Deploying BUK Missiles In East

Monday, July 28, 2014

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/07/no_author/awkward-questions-for-us-ukraine/

Russia Says Has Photos Of Ukraine Deploying BUK Missiles In East, Radar Proof Of Warplanes In MH17 Vicinity
By Tyler Durden
ZeroHedge.com
July 22, 2014

*** begin quote ***

7. Why was not completely closed to civilian aircraft airspace over the combat zone, especially because in this area there was no solid field of radar navigation?

*** end quote ***

Argh!

Another tin foil hat item.

I don’t think Putin or “the separatists” did it.

Cui Bono!

# – # – # – # – #   


RANT: Old credit card details?

Sunday, July 27, 2014

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/07/ars-editor-learns-feds-have-his-old-ip-addresses-full-credit-card-numbers/#p3

Ars editor learns feds have his old IP addresses, full credit card numbersFOIA request turns up 9 years of records, including plaintext credit card numbers.
by Cyrus Farivar – July 19 2014, 8:00am EDT

*** begin quote ***

I was most surprised to see my credit card details—full card number and expiration date—published unredacted and in the clear. Fortunately, that credit card number has long expired, but I was nonetheless appalled to see it out there. American Airlines, which had created that particular PNR in 2005, did not immediately respond to my request for comment on how or why such detailed personal information would show up here. (In other instances, the majority of the number was X’d out.)

*** end quote ***

We have no clue as to what the Gooferment is keeping on us.

Let alone why.

I think the “carry cost” (i.e., the dollar cost of the electrons in some data center somewhere) has arched the “trivial level”.

Not that if you were paying the bill would YOU think it was trivial, but to those folks, who say “not my money”, it’s trivial.

Argh!

# – # – # – # – #   


INTERESTING: Value Is Based on Your Reputation

Saturday, July 26, 2014

http://www.wired.com/2014/07/document-coin

A New Digital Currency Whose Value Is Based on Your Reputation
BY KLINT FINLEY   07.18.14  |   6:30 AM  

*** begin quote ***

Unlike with bitcoin—which keeps its currency scarce by rewarding it only to those who participate in what amounts to a race to solve complex cryptographic puzzles—anyone will be able to create a new Document Coin anytime they want. The value of each coin will be completely subjective, depending on who creates the coin and why. “For example, the coin my disco singer friend created and gave me at my barbeque might be what gets me past the rope at the club,” Anderson says. A coin minted by tech pundit Tim O’Reilly might be highly prized in Silicon Valley circles, but of little interest to musicians. “It’s a bit like a combination of a social network with baseball trading.”

*** end quote ***

Maybe some day, a “FERD” or a “jasper john” would actually be worth something?

Laff!

Not bloody well likely.

# – # – # – # – #