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!

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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.

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TINFOILHAT: TWA 800 — a terrorist attack OR a US Navy blunder?

Friday, July 25, 2014

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/07/why_congress_must_reopen_the_twa_800_investigation.html

July 7, 2014
Why Congress Must Reopen the TWA 800 Investigation
By Jack Cashill

*** begin quote ***

There is much more, and I would invite those interested to read Hughes’s testimony in full. “During the course of my 42-year career as an investigator,” Hughes concludes, “the investigation of TWA Flight 800 was the only case in which I witnessed deception, lies and corruption on the parts of investigators and their management. The extraordinary measures to which the NTSB, FBI and CIA went to falsify and distort witness statements or accounts of what occurred, to alter and hide physical evidence and to mount a false public relations campaign to misinform the public, was unconscionable.”

Given its need to protect the “corporate memory,” no one really expected the NTSB to open this potentially criminal can of worms on its own. Now it is left to Congress, and if Congress does not act, no one will.

*** end quote ***

Either this was a terrorist attack OR a US Navy blunder. Nothing else makes sense.

Personally, I would accept either explanation if it was the truth.

Of course, a terrorist attack would not fit the political narrative that “the Homeland is secure”.

A naval blunder would be almost as embarrassing.

Sigh!

Unfortunately, once again, “We, The People” may never know the real truth.

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CLOUD: Foursquare morphs

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Foursquare logo

Hi ferdinand,

About five years ago, we launched a little app called Foursquare. As one of the first million people to sign up for Foursquare, you’ve been with us pretty much since the beginning. You’ve seen us grow from a tiny project to a 50,000,000-strong community. And, we’re about to embark on our biggest change yet. We are rolling out two apps – Swarm and Foursquare – one focused on keeping up and meeting up with your friends, the other focused on finding great places. As one of the first to try Foursquare, we wanted you to also be one of the first to see everything that we’ve been hard at work on over the past few months.

Everyone explores the world differently – guided by their own unique tastes, their friends, and the people they trust. Local search has never been good at this. It doesn’t get you, and, as a result, everyone gets the same one-size-fits-all results. Why should two very different people get the same recommendations when they visit Paris? Or the same list of places when they’re looking for a bar? We’re about to change that. In a couple weeks, we’re rolling out a brand new version of Foursquare that’s all about you. Tell us what you like, and we’ll be on the lookout for great places that match your tastes, wherever you are.

This means a few changes.

– First, starting tomorrow, we’re moving all check-ins to our new app, Swarm. Don’t worry; all your past check-ins, all your friends, all your photos, they’re all automatically in Swarm.
Over three quarters of you are already on the new app. (Thank you! And keep sending us feedback; we’re hustling on making improvements every day – get a preview of what’s next here) For everyone still using Foursquare to check in, you’ll need to download Swarm to keep checking in.

– Second, if you build a totally new app, you need a totally new logo. Our logo is changing from the check-in checkmark to something representing the new Foursquare. We designed it to be a mix of map pin and superhero emblem. We’ve always thought of Foursquare as giving you superpowers to explore your city, and our new logo reflects that vision. It’s coming soon to a homescreen near you.

Foursquare Logo

– Finally, we wanted to give everyone a peek at what’s coming. Here’s what you see when you open the new Foursquare. No two people view the world exactly the same, so no two people will have the same experience with the app. Once you teach Foursquare a couple things about you – add tastes, follow experts, or even just walk around for a few days – the app will be 100% yours.

Foursquare Home Screen

This is the beginning of the ‘personalized local search’ future we’ve been talking about since we started Foursquare. It’s been built with the help of our amazing 50,000,000-strong community, with all your tips, check-ins, photos, and the smarts we layered on top of that. You’ve been with us for a while, and all of your check-ins and history will continue to help shape your recommendations.

We can’t wait to get the new Foursquare, and new versions of Swarm, in your hands. If you use Foursquare to check in, download Swarm today. And, if you’ve been waiting for real local search, not just the yellow pages on your phone, stay tuned. The all new Foursquare will be here really soon.

– Team Foursquare

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Not so sure I want to play along.

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INTERESTING: Immigration Most Important; Gooferment and Economy close behind

Thursday, July 24, 2014

http://www.gallup.com/poll/173306/one-six-say-immigration-important-problem.aspx?version=print

July 16, 2014
One in Six Say Immigration Most Important U.S. Problem
Immigration concerns surged in July, while economic mentions ebbed
by Lydia Saad

*** begin quote ***

PRINCETON, NJ — With thousands of undocumented immigrant minors crossing the nation’s southern border in recent months, the percentage of Americans citing immigration as the top problem has surged to 17% this month, up from 5% in June, and the highest seen since 2006. As a result, immigration now virtually ties “dissatisfaction with government,” at 16%, as the primary issue Americans think of when asked to name the country’s top problem.

*** end quote ***

Funny how it all circles back to Gooferment!

Mix in the Middle East, Terrorism, and Oil; “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” to quote Oliver Hardy.

Wonder who The Sheeple will blame now?

Or just go back to Survivor, DWTS, or Kardashian nonsense.

Argh!

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RANT: The USPS is out of Post Cards

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

2014-Jul-23

Yday, I made a trip to the PO to get some post cars.

Have none. Haven’t had any for months. Don’t know when they will get any.

Interesting.

No wonder they are broke.

Typical Gooferment agency — immoral, ineffective, and inefficient!

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POLITICAL: “Roof Knocking” Technique

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

http://prepperchimp.com/2014/07/14/video-incredible-up-close-footage-of-israeli-roof-knocking-bombing-technique/

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The “Roof Knocking” Technique used by Israelis in their latest attacks on Hamas have been labeled “controversial” and even “inhumane”. What is “Roof Knocking”? It is when an inert bomb or shell casing with no explosive warhead is dropped on a rooftop to create a loud and thunderous impact with the building letting those inside know that in a few minutes a missile or bomb with a live warhead will destroy the building. The “knock” is to allow people to exit the building rapidly with the intent on saving lives when the warhead strikes to destroy enemy missiles, weapons and equipment. What other military provides this great “service” to an enemy? What do you think of this technique?

*** end quote ***

Wow!

Stunning at the damage.

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JOBSEARCH: “EMPLOYEE” is fodder for the “burn pile”

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

http://arstechnica.com/staff/2014/07/op-ed-microsoft-layoff-e-mail-typifies-inhuman-corporate-insensitivity/

Op-Ed: Microsoft layoff e-mail typifies inhuman corporate insensitivity
Robotic letter is an unfortunately normal example of how companies talk to employees.
by Lee Hutchinson – July 17 2014, 4:01pm EDT

*** begin quote ***

Put another way, the offensive part here is not that Microsoft has to lay off 18,000 people—that kind of thing happens in business, and sometimes companies have to cut employees. That’s not the problem. The problem is that this is an inhumane, inhuman way to let those 18,000 people go.

This kind of insultingly indirect messaging plagues most large businesses—and it’s horrible no matter where it shows up. Companies should “align their synergies” with the humans they’re firing and do them the courtesy of not pissing on them and telling them it’s raining. There’s a decent way to let people go, and this ain’t it.

*** end quote ***

I often say that your ONLY job as an employee is to find your next job.

An employee is a consultant with no choice where to work tomorrow. And, has even less job security!

Argh!

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MONEY: US 90 percent silver coins minted before 1965

Monday, July 21, 2014

http://www.alt-market.com/articles/2229-the-immorality-of-paper-money

The Immorality Of Paper Money
Monday, 14 July 2014 16:44 Bob Livingston

*** begin quote ***

I still like U.S. 90 percent silver coins minted before 1965. They can be purchased in bags of $1,000 face amount or in smaller increments — even individually. (Find a local, reputable coin dealer with a good rating with the Better Business Bureau and a history in the community.) Buy for great price explosion upward as well as for survival coins. As paper money fails, a silver dollar will buy a week’s groceries any time.

*** end quote ***

A silver dollar is probably worth 19 U$D in melt value.

Don’t think that buys a week’s groceries. That’s probably hype.

But, it’s not hard to look at Zimbabwe, Argentina, Venezuela, or the pre-WW2 Germany experiences for an approximation of what could happen here.

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GUNS: RKBA SHALL NOT except in the USSA

Sunday, July 20, 2014

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2014/07/11/why-every-yes-every-gun-control-law-is-unconstitutional/

Why Every (Yes, Every) Gun Control Law Is Unconstitutional
Written by: Byron Berger Self Defense July 11, 2014

*** begin quote ***

What’s interesting about this language is that it states that the right to bear arms SHALL NOT be infringed. The Founding Fathers placed a bright-line prohibition on infringement of the right. They knew the difference between an outright prohibition and the providing to the federal government the ability to place reasonable restrictions on a right. For example, the Fourth Amendment prohibits “unreasonable” search and seizure.

Until 2010, the significant weakness of the Second Amendment was that, in some minds, it did not apply to state or local governments. These governments were free to make any regulations their state supreme courts held acceptable under the state constitutions. That’s why states like New York and California could virtually ban their citizens from bearing arms.

But it all changed in 2010, when the United States Supreme Court decided McDonald v. Chicago. This case held that the Second Amendment was “incorporated.” This legal term means that the states and local governments now must follow the limitations of the federal Constitution’s Second Amendment, and that state laws cannot be more restrictive than those allowed by the Second Amendment.

*** end quote ***

Had an interesting discussion with a young lady going off to college and concerned about personal safety.

A friends recommended MACE or Pepper Spray. 

I disagreed.

The young lady will travel from the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee, through the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee, to the Pepuls Republik of Konn-net-tea-cut!

Guaranteed she will fall afoul of the diktats in one of those three “jurisdiction”.

I recommend pursuing other options — one of which was a concealed carry permit in all three states. Virtually impossible for “regular people”.

As well as self-defense classes and situational awareness training (OODA).

If some one is going to hurt her, I want her to stop it cold!

“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

Argh!

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