Sources:
The Register
Darknet
The not-so-genius idea called the Smart-Grid that is being implemented as we speak, already has cyber-security issues. I could have told you this before it even started for two reasons: the government has their hand in it, and nothing is ever 100% secure. Knowing these two things, why did we vote in politicians that wanted to do this? There are certain things vital to our way of life that we should not attach to a network. Those certain things are worth the extra man-power and time to keep off of a network. Attacks will make it cost more in the end. One of those things is the electric grid.
There are already multiple demonstrations planned for conferences for ways to attack the Smart-Grid; attacks that will allow a hacker to create power outages basically anywhere he/she wants.
President Obama likes to stand up there and talk a lot, I mean he is good at talking, and say how we need to keep looking into cyber-security and how we need to look at this and that. The only problem is, regardless of the advice from the security community, they are going to go through with this junk anyways. That is a slap in the face. We already cannot defend ourselves from cyber-attacks based out of Asia and Eastern Europe and now we want to attach our entire electric grid to it so Obama can keep track of each person's carbon footprint when even global warming is up for dispute. These people make up false realities and then believe them.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Oligarchy
It really is amazing how much Obama-lovers, hardcore Democrats, and hardcore Republicans will continually deny the fact that every last one of their candidates is bought and payed for by some lobbyist or lobbying corporation. As long as lobbying is legal or unmonitored, corporations and wealthy people that have interest will continue to donate large sums of money to political campaigns so that these politicians will remember them and make laws or loopholes to benefit them once they are in office.
The problem here is now starting to show its ugly face in America. That problem is that small businesses are getting snuffed out. Small businesses are the ones that get things done. Large corporations and the government are bureaucracies and bureaucracies take a long time to get anything done. Why they get nothing done will be left for another post.
I'm going to continue to preach the Libertarian mantra on this blog and that means that I am about to say once again, vote out Democrats and Republicans next election. We don't need greedy, war-mongering morons like George Bush or over-emotional, snake-like liars like Obama who can't keep his word about anything.
The problem here is now starting to show its ugly face in America. That problem is that small businesses are getting snuffed out. Small businesses are the ones that get things done. Large corporations and the government are bureaucracies and bureaucracies take a long time to get anything done. Why they get nothing done will be left for another post.
I'm going to continue to preach the Libertarian mantra on this blog and that means that I am about to say once again, vote out Democrats and Republicans next election. We don't need greedy, war-mongering morons like George Bush or over-emotional, snake-like liars like Obama who can't keep his word about anything.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Use Your Brain
The Register
Quote:
"Claire Allen, 36, spotted the astonishing face as she was poised to poison son Robbie, 4, with Marmite on toast. The mother of three from Danygraig, Ystrad, Rhondda, told the South Wales Echo: 'I couldn’t believe it. I opened the Marmite jar and put it on the breakfast bar, and the lid caught my eye.
Quote:
"Claire Allen, 36, spotted the astonishing face as she was poised to poison son Robbie, 4, with Marmite on toast. The mother of three from Danygraig, Ystrad, Rhondda, told the South Wales Echo: 'I couldn’t believe it. I opened the Marmite jar and put it on the breakfast bar, and the lid caught my eye.
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'I just looked at it and immediately thought, that’s Jesus Christ. It wasn’t a new jar, but I’d never noticed that before.'"
Claire, use your brain, Jesus is not looking at you through a Marmite jar. If Jesus was really looking after you, do you think he would waste his time making his face appear on the bottom of a Marmite jar lid? The same goes for all of these other cases. Why would Mary's face appear in a grill cheese sandwhich? It is ridiculous to think this is anything other than a coincidence. Use your brains.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine Influenza Hysteria
Related Articles:
Computerworld
Department of Homeland Security
Computerworld
Cafferty File: CNN Blog
Center for Disease Control
The swine flu is possibly the most over-hyped "pandemic" in a long time. We all remember the enormous media hype and scare tactics about the avian flu. Now they are doing the same thing with a less dangerous virus strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) is needlessly scaring the world and hurting economies globally as well. The mass media is just riding this wave to make money and in the process spreading these scare tactics even more.
Let us look at some facts from websites that actually deal with the statistics and facts and not the news media. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), during the week of April 12-18, there were 55 deaths due to the influenza virus, not the swine flu. There were 2,449 reported cases of the flu during that week and seven cases of the swine flu with one death in the United States. That death was a young child and young children and elderly people are known to be susceptible to far worse symptoms after contracting the flu.
Stupid things, like Britain buying 32 million masks for their citizens, are bad for the mentality of the populace and can only lead to the governments assuring the people even more that they are being taken care of and then they take more control. You are not being taken care of, there is nothing to fear. The swine flu symptoms are barely different than the normal flu and in some cases haven't even been as bad.
Quote from Cafferty:
"One scientist tells the Los Angeles Times that just because the swine flu is being identified in more countries doesn’t mean it’s spreading especially quickly, saying: 'You don’t ever find anything that you don’t look for.'"
This is why scientists are smart. Scientists are obviously not politicians and they obviously don't work in the media, because those people are comparably dumb.
Quote from Cafferty (user post):
"Terence from Piscataway, New Jersey writes:
Jack, It’s not overblown at all. When a member of our family catches this disease, we will all know what to do to get well and not spread it around. This is what makes our country so great. We are well-informed about everything through the media and you, Jack."
Terence, you are a moron. We already knew what to do to help prevent the spread because it spreads just like the flu does. If you think we are well-informed thanks to the mass media you are delusional. The fact that you don't think this was overblown proves my point.
If you ask how I think more control will be instituted, here is you answer. If this goes up to a level 6 disease according to the WHO, the CDC will ask all companies to have a "workplace pandemic coordinator or team" (from Computerworld) to make sure that employees are being sanitary. You will have some goon following you to the bathroom to make sure you washed your hands.
At this point I am almost hoping I get the swine flu so I can be fine in a week and not have to worry about that strain anymore. Then while everyone else is scared to death by the mass media, I will be out dancing around and having a good time. Sometimes I think we need a mass pandemic to wipe out a nice chunk of the world, maybe that will teach us to use our brains and help the environment at the same time.
Computerworld
Department of Homeland Security
Computerworld
Cafferty File: CNN Blog
Center for Disease Control
The swine flu is possibly the most over-hyped "pandemic" in a long time. We all remember the enormous media hype and scare tactics about the avian flu. Now they are doing the same thing with a less dangerous virus strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) is needlessly scaring the world and hurting economies globally as well. The mass media is just riding this wave to make money and in the process spreading these scare tactics even more.
Let us look at some facts from websites that actually deal with the statistics and facts and not the news media. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), during the week of April 12-18, there were 55 deaths due to the influenza virus, not the swine flu. There were 2,449 reported cases of the flu during that week and seven cases of the swine flu with one death in the United States. That death was a young child and young children and elderly people are known to be susceptible to far worse symptoms after contracting the flu.
Stupid things, like Britain buying 32 million masks for their citizens, are bad for the mentality of the populace and can only lead to the governments assuring the people even more that they are being taken care of and then they take more control. You are not being taken care of, there is nothing to fear. The swine flu symptoms are barely different than the normal flu and in some cases haven't even been as bad.
Quote from Cafferty:
"One scientist tells the Los Angeles Times that just because the swine flu is being identified in more countries doesn’t mean it’s spreading especially quickly, saying: 'You don’t ever find anything that you don’t look for.'"
This is why scientists are smart. Scientists are obviously not politicians and they obviously don't work in the media, because those people are comparably dumb.
Quote from Cafferty (user post):
"Terence from Piscataway, New Jersey writes:
Jack, It’s not overblown at all. When a member of our family catches this disease, we will all know what to do to get well and not spread it around. This is what makes our country so great. We are well-informed about everything through the media and you, Jack."
Terence, you are a moron. We already knew what to do to help prevent the spread because it spreads just like the flu does. If you think we are well-informed thanks to the mass media you are delusional. The fact that you don't think this was overblown proves my point.
If you ask how I think more control will be instituted, here is you answer. If this goes up to a level 6 disease according to the WHO, the CDC will ask all companies to have a "workplace pandemic coordinator or team" (from Computerworld) to make sure that employees are being sanitary. You will have some goon following you to the bathroom to make sure you washed your hands.
At this point I am almost hoping I get the swine flu so I can be fine in a week and not have to worry about that strain anymore. Then while everyone else is scared to death by the mass media, I will be out dancing around and having a good time. Sometimes I think we need a mass pandemic to wipe out a nice chunk of the world, maybe that will teach us to use our brains and help the environment at the same time.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Banning Things Doesn't Work: Part 2
Related Articles:
WESH Orlando
Govtrack
I know most of my rants about things be banned by law were about drugs, but I did have an earlier post about the possibility of banning exotic pets. I talked about the Burmese python population in southern Florida and the Everglades because of people releasing their pets into the wild. Well, as usual it seems the government is doing the wrong thing. Instead of trying to hold these inconsiderate, uninformed pet owners accountable, they plan on taking away all of our rights because of a few morons.
Welcome to H.R. 669. What a surprise that the sponsor is a Democrat. A whole load of pets are in question here including hamsters, guinea pigs, and other popular rodents. Of course, my concern is with exotic snakes, which I do keep and I keep them well. People like me who keep them well and don't abuse our rights should be allowed to do as we wish. If you really want to fix this problem, make an accountability system. Charge $25 dollars to take a quick knowledge test for whatever variety of pets you wish to own. This test should demonstrate that you know basic care and why you shouldn't release these animals. All you have to do is have a simple registration system with this and just the fact that you have to pay a small $25 dollars and know a little bit will change how many people are irresponsible. Also if you suddenly find someone missing a very rare pet you can track them down through this system and hold them accountable for environmental damage.
No need to ban things; for the last time.
WESH Orlando
Govtrack
I know most of my rants about things be banned by law were about drugs, but I did have an earlier post about the possibility of banning exotic pets. I talked about the Burmese python population in southern Florida and the Everglades because of people releasing their pets into the wild. Well, as usual it seems the government is doing the wrong thing. Instead of trying to hold these inconsiderate, uninformed pet owners accountable, they plan on taking away all of our rights because of a few morons.
Welcome to H.R. 669. What a surprise that the sponsor is a Democrat. A whole load of pets are in question here including hamsters, guinea pigs, and other popular rodents. Of course, my concern is with exotic snakes, which I do keep and I keep them well. People like me who keep them well and don't abuse our rights should be allowed to do as we wish. If you really want to fix this problem, make an accountability system. Charge $25 dollars to take a quick knowledge test for whatever variety of pets you wish to own. This test should demonstrate that you know basic care and why you shouldn't release these animals. All you have to do is have a simple registration system with this and just the fact that you have to pay a small $25 dollars and know a little bit will change how many people are irresponsible. Also if you suddenly find someone missing a very rare pet you can track them down through this system and hold them accountable for environmental damage.
No need to ban things; for the last time.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Government = Cyber-Insecurity
Related Articles:
Computerworld
Wall Street Journal
CNN
As if I needed any more reason to think the government should have nothing to do with our computer security. Well, they gave me another reason not surprisingly. Apparently data on a new fighter jet was downloaded from a "secure" location and over a few terabytes of it was stolen. That means this attack was not some quick breach, it was going on for some time. Do you really want this corrupt organization, who can't even keep their own top secrets safe, trying to defend everyone in this nation, including corporations, from cyber-attacks. Many, many organizations are a lot safer than the government; why do they not go to industry experts for help? Because they are more concerned with making you think they are helping than actually making anything any better.
Computerworld
Wall Street Journal
CNN
As if I needed any more reason to think the government should have nothing to do with our computer security. Well, they gave me another reason not surprisingly. Apparently data on a new fighter jet was downloaded from a "secure" location and over a few terabytes of it was stolen. That means this attack was not some quick breach, it was going on for some time. Do you really want this corrupt organization, who can't even keep their own top secrets safe, trying to defend everyone in this nation, including corporations, from cyber-attacks. Many, many organizations are a lot safer than the government; why do they not go to industry experts for help? Because they are more concerned with making you think they are helping than actually making anything any better.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Torture Is Not Effective
Related Articles:
Fox News
It has long been debated whether or not torture actually gets any valuable information out of a person. The majority of psychologists say that it does not because the person will say anything to get you to stop the pain or panic, whatever one is trying to induce. Now we have an example to back this up. Apparently, one Al Qaeda prisoner was waterboarded 183 times. Let me ask this question, if you have to do an interrogation process 183 times on someone, is it really effective? Even after a few times the guy probably figured out a way to fool the system by acting like he was closer to passing out than he really was, or purposely passing out to stop it.
The United Nations has defined waterboarding as torture and the United States prosecuted top Japanese personnel after World War II for waterboarding some of our people. We should apply the same methodology to our own people who were in charge of this. I know some people will say "oh but they do it to our guys." You know what? Yes they do it to our people sometimes if they are captured. That is what has made us the good guys in the eyes of the world in the past. As much as some people would like to deny the fact that that matters, it does. If a lot of other major countries don't like you, they can put serious damage on your economy and make all of our lives a lot worse. Things work better when you are liked. The other bonus to having very humane treatment of prisoners of war is that soldiers from nations who are corrupt and are being forced to fight are a whole lot more likely to just surrender if they know they are going to get food, water, and shelter and not get killed.
Fox News
It has long been debated whether or not torture actually gets any valuable information out of a person. The majority of psychologists say that it does not because the person will say anything to get you to stop the pain or panic, whatever one is trying to induce. Now we have an example to back this up. Apparently, one Al Qaeda prisoner was waterboarded 183 times. Let me ask this question, if you have to do an interrogation process 183 times on someone, is it really effective? Even after a few times the guy probably figured out a way to fool the system by acting like he was closer to passing out than he really was, or purposely passing out to stop it.
The United Nations has defined waterboarding as torture and the United States prosecuted top Japanese personnel after World War II for waterboarding some of our people. We should apply the same methodology to our own people who were in charge of this. I know some people will say "oh but they do it to our guys." You know what? Yes they do it to our people sometimes if they are captured. That is what has made us the good guys in the eyes of the world in the past. As much as some people would like to deny the fact that that matters, it does. If a lot of other major countries don't like you, they can put serious damage on your economy and make all of our lives a lot worse. Things work better when you are liked. The other bonus to having very humane treatment of prisoners of war is that soldiers from nations who are corrupt and are being forced to fight are a whole lot more likely to just surrender if they know they are going to get food, water, and shelter and not get killed.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
PETA Is A Waste of Life
Related Articles:
PETA
Some of the ideas that PETA comes up with really bother me. I am irritated at their stupidity and their complete ignorance to the fact that there are a lot more important things in courts than changing the name of a mascot.
If the case in this article goes to court, I will personally write to whoever I can in PETA and tell them they are a waste of life. Spearfish High School is being asked to change its name to "Sea Kittens" high school. What a joke. Actually PETA, in case you were wondering, there is a scientific classification of fish known as spearfish and/or billfish. We are not talking about spearing fish here and no one even thinks that when they are talking about a high school. Don't you people have anything better to do with your time? And just because I am really annoyed right now I am going to get picky. Quote:
"Most parents would never dream of spending a family weekend torturing kittens, but hooking fish through their mouths and pulling them through the water is just as painful as hooking a cat's mouth and dragging him or her behind a car."
Fish live in water, cats do not live in pavement. Hooking a fish in the mouth is less painful than a cat's and a lot less bloody. Dragging a cat over pavement will tear it to pieces. Dragging a fish through what it naturally swims through is not doing any extra damage.
Obviously all animals feel pain. No one is debating that fact. You PETA idiots seem to not realize that a lot of people do not care if animals feel a little pain. Competition between species is what got us here and it has been going on for millions of years, it is natural for being of one species to kill beings of another. We can't all be animal loving, pot smoking, hippies like you. By the way, when you walk down the sidewalks and roads you are probably stepping on ants. I am totally sure they feel pain too. Are you going to stop and give it a funeral? That would just be wrong if you didn't treat that poor ant just like we treat people now.
PETA
Some of the ideas that PETA comes up with really bother me. I am irritated at their stupidity and their complete ignorance to the fact that there are a lot more important things in courts than changing the name of a mascot.
If the case in this article goes to court, I will personally write to whoever I can in PETA and tell them they are a waste of life. Spearfish High School is being asked to change its name to "Sea Kittens" high school. What a joke. Actually PETA, in case you were wondering, there is a scientific classification of fish known as spearfish and/or billfish. We are not talking about spearing fish here and no one even thinks that when they are talking about a high school. Don't you people have anything better to do with your time? And just because I am really annoyed right now I am going to get picky. Quote:
"Most parents would never dream of spending a family weekend torturing kittens, but hooking fish through their mouths and pulling them through the water is just as painful as hooking a cat's mouth and dragging him or her behind a car."
Fish live in water, cats do not live in pavement. Hooking a fish in the mouth is less painful than a cat's and a lot less bloody. Dragging a cat over pavement will tear it to pieces. Dragging a fish through what it naturally swims through is not doing any extra damage.
Obviously all animals feel pain. No one is debating that fact. You PETA idiots seem to not realize that a lot of people do not care if animals feel a little pain. Competition between species is what got us here and it has been going on for millions of years, it is natural for being of one species to kill beings of another. We can't all be animal loving, pot smoking, hippies like you. By the way, when you walk down the sidewalks and roads you are probably stepping on ants. I am totally sure they feel pain too. Are you going to stop and give it a funeral? That would just be wrong if you didn't treat that poor ant just like we treat people now.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tea Party!
Related Articles:
CNN
Fox News
TEA = Taxed Enough Already
Finally it seems people are tired of sitting around and doing nothing about the government and its ineptness. When you don't like something, it won't get fixed by hoping for better. Hundreds of tea parties took place around the country today to protest the insane government spending in the last 8 months between the end of the Bush administration and beginning of the Obama administration.
In the CNN article it was stated that we don't know what will happen when people get tired of protesting and that they might take up weapons or stop paying taxes. I'll tell you what will happen, both of those. If people get tired enough and feel that the way they want to live is in jeopardy, they will stop funding the government and they will get rid of it one way or another just as this country did to get away from England.
CNN
Fox News
TEA = Taxed Enough Already
Finally it seems people are tired of sitting around and doing nothing about the government and its ineptness. When you don't like something, it won't get fixed by hoping for better. Hundreds of tea parties took place around the country today to protest the insane government spending in the last 8 months between the end of the Bush administration and beginning of the Obama administration.
In the CNN article it was stated that we don't know what will happen when people get tired of protesting and that they might take up weapons or stop paying taxes. I'll tell you what will happen, both of those. If people get tired enough and feel that the way they want to live is in jeopardy, they will stop funding the government and they will get rid of it one way or another just as this country did to get away from England.
Monday, April 13, 2009
To The Bush Haters And Obama Lovers: They Are The Same
Related Articles:
Washington Post
I loved listening to a few of my professors constantly tell me about how George Bush had his questioners picked out before any of his press conferences; and I don't disagree with them either. The funny part about it is their complete ignorance to their own left wing fools doing the same thing. I actually listened to one of these morons tell me about how Barack Obama answered hard questions from unknown people a few weeks back. Read the article.
If he didn't know who these people were he got extremely lucky. The odds are overwhelmingly not in his favor and the evidence is shouting the same thing: he picked who was going to ask him questions beforehand at a press conference.
This is the advantage of being a member of a small but growing third party who is neither more to the right or to the left. Libertarians are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. We sit here and laugh at the bickering that these two parties start through the media to completely blind everyone to what is really going on. My professors, that will go unnamed, are a perfect example.
Washington Post
I loved listening to a few of my professors constantly tell me about how George Bush had his questioners picked out before any of his press conferences; and I don't disagree with them either. The funny part about it is their complete ignorance to their own left wing fools doing the same thing. I actually listened to one of these morons tell me about how Barack Obama answered hard questions from unknown people a few weeks back. Read the article.
If he didn't know who these people were he got extremely lucky. The odds are overwhelmingly not in his favor and the evidence is shouting the same thing: he picked who was going to ask him questions beforehand at a press conference.
This is the advantage of being a member of a small but growing third party who is neither more to the right or to the left. Libertarians are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. We sit here and laugh at the bickering that these two parties start through the media to completely blind everyone to what is really going on. My professors, that will go unnamed, are a perfect example.
Are We Really This Lazy?
Related Articles:
The Consumerist
This is going to be a really short post but it needs to be done.
This is possibly the most pathetic and telling product I have ever seen. Are we really so fat and lazy that we need a fake jump rope that makes rope noises so we don't actually have to get off the ground? Stop eating fast food so much, exercise more, control your portions, stop drinking so much alcohol and you will be fine.
The Consumerist
This is going to be a really short post but it needs to be done.
This is possibly the most pathetic and telling product I have ever seen. Are we really so fat and lazy that we need a fake jump rope that makes rope noises so we don't actually have to get off the ground? Stop eating fast food so much, exercise more, control your portions, stop drinking so much alcohol and you will be fine.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Media Bias On Global Warming And Stupidity
Related Articles (Part I):
The Register
NASA
The Register
The Register
For some (unknown?) reason, the mainstream American media refuses to cover the growing movement against the idea that carbon dioxide emissions are the soul reason for global warming. For a long time now I have agreed that carbon dioxide emissions may have had an effect on "global warming" but that it was going through a natural pattern and Al Gore is being a scare artist. After recent reports from NASA, yes that is NASA and they are reputable and control all of the spacecraft which give us radar and data, I am starting to think otherwise.
According to the first article (and the NASA article since that is their source), aerosols (and sulfur too) can actually cool down the atmosphere because aerosols reflect and absorb sunlight. They also change the properties of clouds that contain them by making them more reflective. What is comical about this is that during the 1970's we put major controls on aerosols and sulfur emissions to stop pollution and because of "global cooling". The article also states that soot (black-carbon aerosols, China puts out a lot) absorb heat and help warm up the atmosphere and could be the largest cause of warming.
Other studies show that dust particles may also have a larger affect on warming and ocean temperature than greenhouse gases. US scientists are saying that controlling soot emissions would do a whole lot more for the atmosphere than worrying about greenhouse gases. Where is the mass, mainstream media in reporting the truth? No where to be found.
Could we have possibly found the culprit? Oh yes, it is politicians, of course. Stop trying to convince people that we can or even should attempt to control the atmosphere. We don't even have a clue how the whole system works. I know we hate to think we don't have control but leave it alone. Al Gore and his idiot goons have been feeding you crap with their false thermographs (leaving out all kinds of variables) for years now; it is time for it to stop.
Related Articles (Part II):
The Register
The Register
So now we move on to more idiots suggesting fixes for something we obviously don't know a whole lot about. Most of this is coming from the second article listed, the first is a bit of a joke. Apparently some Obama science chief came up with a genius idea. Let's genetically engineer trees to use up a lot more carbon dioxide and then spray the atmosphere with the proper aerosols. Wow, what a genius idea.
Do we think about the consequences of anything before we just throw it into action? Genetically engineer trees? We are the ones that are supposed to be not throwing new species into the environment and now that is exactly what is being suggested. Do we have any idea how these trees might dominate other plants, especially if the carbon dioxide levels are as high as they say? What will this mean if different plants start going extinct? It will mean whatever eats those plants will probably go extinct and then whatever animal eats whatever was eating those plants will also go extinct; and on goes the cycle for awhile before equilibrium is again achieved. Then we will spray the atmosphere with aerosol. Do we have any idea what side affects of that would be? Next thing you know we will have dropped the Earth's temperature too much and instead of melting polar ice caps killing polar bears you will have cooled tropics killing entire coral reefs.
We really do have a bunch of morons running the world and it is entirely our fault for electing them. A new party is needed; a party of people who have not yet rolled in success.
The Register
NASA
The Register
The Register
For some (unknown?) reason, the mainstream American media refuses to cover the growing movement against the idea that carbon dioxide emissions are the soul reason for global warming. For a long time now I have agreed that carbon dioxide emissions may have had an effect on "global warming" but that it was going through a natural pattern and Al Gore is being a scare artist. After recent reports from NASA, yes that is NASA and they are reputable and control all of the spacecraft which give us radar and data, I am starting to think otherwise.
According to the first article (and the NASA article since that is their source), aerosols (and sulfur too) can actually cool down the atmosphere because aerosols reflect and absorb sunlight. They also change the properties of clouds that contain them by making them more reflective. What is comical about this is that during the 1970's we put major controls on aerosols and sulfur emissions to stop pollution and because of "global cooling". The article also states that soot (black-carbon aerosols, China puts out a lot) absorb heat and help warm up the atmosphere and could be the largest cause of warming.
Other studies show that dust particles may also have a larger affect on warming and ocean temperature than greenhouse gases. US scientists are saying that controlling soot emissions would do a whole lot more for the atmosphere than worrying about greenhouse gases. Where is the mass, mainstream media in reporting the truth? No where to be found.
Could we have possibly found the culprit? Oh yes, it is politicians, of course. Stop trying to convince people that we can or even should attempt to control the atmosphere. We don't even have a clue how the whole system works. I know we hate to think we don't have control but leave it alone. Al Gore and his idiot goons have been feeding you crap with their false thermographs (leaving out all kinds of variables) for years now; it is time for it to stop.
Related Articles (Part II):
The Register
The Register
So now we move on to more idiots suggesting fixes for something we obviously don't know a whole lot about. Most of this is coming from the second article listed, the first is a bit of a joke. Apparently some Obama science chief came up with a genius idea. Let's genetically engineer trees to use up a lot more carbon dioxide and then spray the atmosphere with the proper aerosols. Wow, what a genius idea.
Do we think about the consequences of anything before we just throw it into action? Genetically engineer trees? We are the ones that are supposed to be not throwing new species into the environment and now that is exactly what is being suggested. Do we have any idea how these trees might dominate other plants, especially if the carbon dioxide levels are as high as they say? What will this mean if different plants start going extinct? It will mean whatever eats those plants will probably go extinct and then whatever animal eats whatever was eating those plants will also go extinct; and on goes the cycle for awhile before equilibrium is again achieved. Then we will spray the atmosphere with aerosol. Do we have any idea what side affects of that would be? Next thing you know we will have dropped the Earth's temperature too much and instead of melting polar ice caps killing polar bears you will have cooled tropics killing entire coral reefs.
We really do have a bunch of morons running the world and it is entirely our fault for electing them. A new party is needed; a party of people who have not yet rolled in success.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Ted Stevens Screw-Up
Related Articles:
Fox News
CNN
This could end up being a great example of how politicians will use any tactics to get into office. This country was built on the idea that the people choose who they want to be in office based on their ideas for the nation, correct? Well the politicians we elect don't see it that way; they see it as "anything goes to get my easy salary".
After I thought this man was a shame to politics, Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens had all charges against him dismissed by a U.S. District Judge who is now also opening a federal investigation of the prosecution team that was against Senator Stevens (he would have won if not for this so he deserves Senator). This could have been any one of three things and none of them are good for the prosecutors:
1) The prosecution was really just that inept. In this case they should all be fired and never allowed to serve in law again because they are absolutely pathetic.
2) Someone had a personal grudge against Senator Stevens and decided that this would be a good way to get at him. In this case whoever this may be, including the prosecution, should all be fired and charged with obstruction on as many counts as possible. This cannot be tolerated.
3) This may not be likely, but if this was planned by any group of people in the Democrat party to get one of their own in office, this election should be redone and the people involved should all be fired, charged with obstruction of justice, sued for everything they have by Stevens for the damages they did, and be exposed to America.
Fox News
CNN
This could end up being a great example of how politicians will use any tactics to get into office. This country was built on the idea that the people choose who they want to be in office based on their ideas for the nation, correct? Well the politicians we elect don't see it that way; they see it as "anything goes to get my easy salary".
After I thought this man was a shame to politics, Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens had all charges against him dismissed by a U.S. District Judge who is now also opening a federal investigation of the prosecution team that was against Senator Stevens (he would have won if not for this so he deserves Senator). This could have been any one of three things and none of them are good for the prosecutors:
1) The prosecution was really just that inept. In this case they should all be fired and never allowed to serve in law again because they are absolutely pathetic.
2) Someone had a personal grudge against Senator Stevens and decided that this would be a good way to get at him. In this case whoever this may be, including the prosecution, should all be fired and charged with obstruction on as many counts as possible. This cannot be tolerated.
3) This may not be likely, but if this was planned by any group of people in the Democrat party to get one of their own in office, this election should be redone and the people involved should all be fired, charged with obstruction of justice, sued for everything they have by Stevens for the damages they did, and be exposed to America.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Government Wants To Control The Banks
Related Articles:
Wall Street Journal
The only reason I say "Government" instead of "Obama" in the title is because Bush has a major part in this as well. You would think that the government would want the money back from the bailouts that it gave to banks; I mean that is what it was intended to be, a loan, right? Of course not. That is why at this point the government is not letting any major banks give back their bailouts. Some major banks do not want to have to deal with the strings the government has recently attached to the money and they don't want Obama to be able to control the pay of everyone in the company. I wouldn't want that in my company that's for sure.
This whole stink started in late 2008 under Bush when certain banks were forced to take a bailout under threat of government audit. So basically, our government blackmailed our banks, the private sector, into taking government money. The whole time they had planned to keep control over the banks and now that the banks want out, and are willing to give back all of the taxpayer money, they won't take the money back. We are about to spend trillions of dollars and the government, full of buffoons, will not take the money back because of the power it gives them. This, ladies and gentlemen, was the reason the government was not supposed to be big. Once power grows, it grows exponentially faster and it does not give up power until a revolution occurs. Someone needs to bring one really soon.
Wall Street Journal
The only reason I say "Government" instead of "Obama" in the title is because Bush has a major part in this as well. You would think that the government would want the money back from the bailouts that it gave to banks; I mean that is what it was intended to be, a loan, right? Of course not. That is why at this point the government is not letting any major banks give back their bailouts. Some major banks do not want to have to deal with the strings the government has recently attached to the money and they don't want Obama to be able to control the pay of everyone in the company. I wouldn't want that in my company that's for sure.
This whole stink started in late 2008 under Bush when certain banks were forced to take a bailout under threat of government audit. So basically, our government blackmailed our banks, the private sector, into taking government money. The whole time they had planned to keep control over the banks and now that the banks want out, and are willing to give back all of the taxpayer money, they won't take the money back. We are about to spend trillions of dollars and the government, full of buffoons, will not take the money back because of the power it gives them. This, ladies and gentlemen, was the reason the government was not supposed to be big. Once power grows, it grows exponentially faster and it does not give up power until a revolution occurs. Someone needs to bring one really soon.
Monday, April 6, 2009
War Ethics
Related Articles:
Al Jazeera
Let me use this first paragraph to make this topic clear. I am going to be talking about what is right or wrong during a war. This is not to debate whether or not a war was just or unjust to start in the first place. For the purposes of this post, assume any given war has already begun.
Because I have only one source, I am not going to choose sides here. A human rights group is claiming that Israel mistreated the wounded and attacked medical personnel in the recent invasions in Gaza. Israel is doing its own investigation and is claiming that fighters coming against them were posing as medical personnel or wounded people to lure them in to combat where they would have an advantage. The human rights group has requested and independent investigation and I think that is a great idea.
There are two possibilities for what has occurred here. The first is that Israel really did as the claims say. If this is true Israel is just as bad as any evil dictator and we should not be allies with them. That would be truly wrong and it should be reprimanded. If Israel's claim is true then what they did was fine. If you, as a fighter or combatant, choose to pose as medical personnel or a wounded person you take away the rights of your own medical personnel or wounded. If I am a soldier or a commander and I know this is has been going on, I am going to care about my own life or my own men's lives a lot more than my opponents. This is simply how war goes. You can't fake like you are a non-combatant, then start attacking, and expect that your opponents won't start shooting at other non-combatants.
We will need more information before we can make a decision on this. If anyone has anymore sources on this please post.
Al Jazeera
Let me use this first paragraph to make this topic clear. I am going to be talking about what is right or wrong during a war. This is not to debate whether or not a war was just or unjust to start in the first place. For the purposes of this post, assume any given war has already begun.
Because I have only one source, I am not going to choose sides here. A human rights group is claiming that Israel mistreated the wounded and attacked medical personnel in the recent invasions in Gaza. Israel is doing its own investigation and is claiming that fighters coming against them were posing as medical personnel or wounded people to lure them in to combat where they would have an advantage. The human rights group has requested and independent investigation and I think that is a great idea.
There are two possibilities for what has occurred here. The first is that Israel really did as the claims say. If this is true Israel is just as bad as any evil dictator and we should not be allies with them. That would be truly wrong and it should be reprimanded. If Israel's claim is true then what they did was fine. If you, as a fighter or combatant, choose to pose as medical personnel or a wounded person you take away the rights of your own medical personnel or wounded. If I am a soldier or a commander and I know this is has been going on, I am going to care about my own life or my own men's lives a lot more than my opponents. This is simply how war goes. You can't fake like you are a non-combatant, then start attacking, and expect that your opponents won't start shooting at other non-combatants.
We will need more information before we can make a decision on this. If anyone has anymore sources on this please post.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Ridding The World Of Nuclear Weapons
Related Articles:
News Daily
Now here is something I can agree with the President on: the world definitely needs to get rid of its nuclear weapons. Back to reality: it won't happen. As long as the knowledge is there someone will try to use them for real or as a deterrent; even if we, the USA, lead the way in destroying them. Here is one of the differences between me and President Obama. The President likes to talk about how they "feel" things are going and what would be ideal for this country. Wonderful. In reality, you can't think that way; you must think about what is feasible. I like to think about what is possible to do. Not everything can be this perfect ideal that everyone dreams of.
Back to the point; who are we to control what other countries are allowed to have and not have? Pull back inside our borders and defend with a vengeance if we are attacked. We shouldn't care in the least bit what other nations want to achieve or what inhumanities are being committed. Those that are oppressed always outnumber the oppressors by a large number and can free themselves as the founders of this country did. We have made a joke out of our military by spreading it so far around the world and too thin. If we used it just as a nasty self-defense no one would bother attacking us either. If someone attacked our home soil we wipe them off of the face of the earth and come back home and move on. Simple. Controlling the world with our military is not the answer.
News Daily
Now here is something I can agree with the President on: the world definitely needs to get rid of its nuclear weapons. Back to reality: it won't happen. As long as the knowledge is there someone will try to use them for real or as a deterrent; even if we, the USA, lead the way in destroying them. Here is one of the differences between me and President Obama. The President likes to talk about how they "feel" things are going and what would be ideal for this country. Wonderful. In reality, you can't think that way; you must think about what is feasible. I like to think about what is possible to do. Not everything can be this perfect ideal that everyone dreams of.
Back to the point; who are we to control what other countries are allowed to have and not have? Pull back inside our borders and defend with a vengeance if we are attacked. We shouldn't care in the least bit what other nations want to achieve or what inhumanities are being committed. Those that are oppressed always outnumber the oppressors by a large number and can free themselves as the founders of this country did. We have made a joke out of our military by spreading it so far around the world and too thin. If we used it just as a nasty self-defense no one would bother attacking us either. If someone attacked our home soil we wipe them off of the face of the earth and come back home and move on. Simple. Controlling the world with our military is not the answer.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Global Warming Bias
Related Articles:
The Register
News Busters
World Net Daily
The Register
There is nothing more disgusting to me than an obvious bias in the United States' mass media. The media is responsible for informing people of what is really happening and they clearly do not do that or I would have found a trace of this news on at least one of the major news sites.
First let me explain why any information about global warming is big news no matter which side it is on. Global warming could, by itself, determine the outcome of our economic situation. The government is ready to implement drastic measures to stop global warming. If the cause is us and it really is bad then we must do what is necessary. If the cause is not us this will be a gigantic waste of money and this is not a good time to waste a large sum. That said, why is the media not reporting this recent news that top Japanese scientists are breaking away from the US and the UN on the idea that global warming is caused by man?
Quote from the first article from The Register:
"One of the five contributors compares computer climate modelling to ancient astrology. Others castigate the paucity of the US ground temperature data set used to support the hypothesis, and declare that the unambiguous warming trend from the mid-part of the 20th Century has ceased.
The Register
News Busters
World Net Daily
The Register
There is nothing more disgusting to me than an obvious bias in the United States' mass media. The media is responsible for informing people of what is really happening and they clearly do not do that or I would have found a trace of this news on at least one of the major news sites.
First let me explain why any information about global warming is big news no matter which side it is on. Global warming could, by itself, determine the outcome of our economic situation. The government is ready to implement drastic measures to stop global warming. If the cause is us and it really is bad then we must do what is necessary. If the cause is not us this will be a gigantic waste of money and this is not a good time to waste a large sum. That said, why is the media not reporting this recent news that top Japanese scientists are breaking away from the US and the UN on the idea that global warming is caused by man?
Quote from the first article from The Register:
"One of the five contributors compares computer climate modelling to ancient astrology. Others castigate the paucity of the US ground temperature data set used to support the hypothesis, and declare that the unambiguous warming trend from the mid-part of the 20th Century has ceased.
The report by Japan Society of Energy and Resources (JSER) is astonishing rebuke to international pressure, and a vote of confidence in Japan's native marine and astronomical research. Publicly-funded science in the West uniformly backs the hypothesis that industrial influence is primarily responsible for climate change, although fissures have appeared recently. Only one of the five top Japanese scientists commissioned here concurs with the man-made global warming hypothesis.
JSER is the academic society representing scientists from the energy and resource fields, and acts as a government advisory panel. The report appeared last month but has received curiously little attention. So The Register commissioned a translation of the document - the first to appear in the West in any form. Below you'll find some of the key findings - but first, a summary."
Read the rest of that article please.
The fourth article listed, also from The Register, explains an alternate theory actually created by American scientists and that somehow still hasn't made the major news. We are about to spend possibly trillions of dollars on stopping global warming which may be stopped already, and all because the media doesn't inform people. You have to go out and look.
What could be the reasons for this lack of reporting and obvious bias? I had actually bought into the man-made global warming to a point until now. I think we may have had an affect on it but it is a natural cycle. I can think of a few reasons for this.
1. The majority of the media wants America to fail for some unknown, sick reason.
2. The majority of the media is ultra-liberal and wants corporations to fail so by implementing cap and trade they can keep them under control and wield more power over companies.
Any other reasons why this wouldn't be reported?
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Beginning Of Censorship
Related Articles:
The Register
Computerworld
Network World
The beginning of censorship usually happens when the government wants to take over "oversight" of something or run something in "your best interest". Say hello to the future of internet censorship. The government now wants to take over cybersecurity and make cybersecurity rules that would also affect private institutions. Don't you think the government should have to show they can competently secure anything before telling a business how to be secure? The United States government is like one big cyber leak and now they want to run national cybersecurity.
Quote from The Register:
"US senators have drafted legislation that would give the federal government unprecedented authority over the nation's critical infrastructure, including the power to shut down or limit traffic on private networks during emergencies."
Wonderfully vague, as usual. What kind of emergencies are we talking? Raise the terror level to red and create an emergency so you can control what people see during that time? Everything is always vague so that the government has plenty of wiggle room to try and control something that the bill wasn't meant for. That way, since most Americans pay attention to nothing, people don't even know what is going on.
If the President had to fear for his life (or if they made up the situation), then they could easily take any content that was against the President and block it. Far too vague.
Quote from Network World:
"Federal legislation introduced in the Senate this week would give President Obama the power to declare a cybersecurity emergency and then shut down both public and private networks including Internet traffic coming to and from compromised systems."
Too much power; too vague. Anything can be turned into a cybersecurity emergency. After watching what is going on with the internet in the likes of China, Australia, and Germany, I am not a big fan of any internet control. It is the last place with completely free flowing information; there is your reason why they want to control it.
The Register
Computerworld
Network World
The beginning of censorship usually happens when the government wants to take over "oversight" of something or run something in "your best interest". Say hello to the future of internet censorship. The government now wants to take over cybersecurity and make cybersecurity rules that would also affect private institutions. Don't you think the government should have to show they can competently secure anything before telling a business how to be secure? The United States government is like one big cyber leak and now they want to run national cybersecurity.
Quote from The Register:
"US senators have drafted legislation that would give the federal government unprecedented authority over the nation's critical infrastructure, including the power to shut down or limit traffic on private networks during emergencies."
Wonderfully vague, as usual. What kind of emergencies are we talking? Raise the terror level to red and create an emergency so you can control what people see during that time? Everything is always vague so that the government has plenty of wiggle room to try and control something that the bill wasn't meant for. That way, since most Americans pay attention to nothing, people don't even know what is going on.
If the President had to fear for his life (or if they made up the situation), then they could easily take any content that was against the President and block it. Far too vague.
Quote from Network World:
"Federal legislation introduced in the Senate this week would give President Obama the power to declare a cybersecurity emergency and then shut down both public and private networks including Internet traffic coming to and from compromised systems."
Too much power; too vague. Anything can be turned into a cybersecurity emergency. After watching what is going on with the internet in the likes of China, Australia, and Germany, I am not a big fan of any internet control. It is the last place with completely free flowing information; there is your reason why they want to control it.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Media Should Leave Conficker Alone
I am sick and tired of the media using scare tactics on ignorant people in this nation. Within the last week, the Conficker Worm has gotten so much media attention that people were actually comparing this to what we thought was going to happen when 1999 turned into 2000 at midnight. The worm was set to receive some kind of updates today, and because such a big deal was made of it, what it got was minimal. The writers of this were most likely not wanting this insane publicity right now. Once we all forget about it, and we will, they will do whatever it is they wanted to do.
Real information: Most of the time the Conficker Worm exploits a vulnerability in Windows that was patched in October. The worm was most likely written by reverse engineering the Microsoft patch. If you update your computer, you are most likely fine. It also moves using autorun when you plug in an infected USB flash drive. Don't let random people plug anything into your computer.
With the amount of machines they have now it will not be nearly as bad as most news outlets are stating. Most estimates put the botnet they now control at a little over 2 million computers. That is extremely large for a botnet and they could probably perform denial of service attacks on some major corporations or the government (I can only hope for that one). They are not going to knock out the entire power grid (at least not until Obama implements his smart grid, then maybe they can) or take the entire internet offline. Stop the scare tactics.
Real information: Most of the time the Conficker Worm exploits a vulnerability in Windows that was patched in October. The worm was most likely written by reverse engineering the Microsoft patch. If you update your computer, you are most likely fine. It also moves using autorun when you plug in an infected USB flash drive. Don't let random people plug anything into your computer.
With the amount of machines they have now it will not be nearly as bad as most news outlets are stating. Most estimates put the botnet they now control at a little over 2 million computers. That is extremely large for a botnet and they could probably perform denial of service attacks on some major corporations or the government (I can only hope for that one). They are not going to knock out the entire power grid (at least not until Obama implements his smart grid, then maybe they can) or take the entire internet offline. Stop the scare tactics.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Attacks On Free Flowing Information
Related Articles:
The Register
Quote from the article:
"Government's tendency to morph from blocking "child porn" to censoring discussion of all government censorship was illustrated this week when German Police raided the offices of Wikileaks Germany."
If you want to know what Wikileaks is about, visit the website here. A quote from their website:
"We are of assistance to peoples of all countries who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their governments and institutions."
Wikileaks has long been known to have many government documents uploaded to its site and I have used it before on here. It is the best example of how to keep powerful and crooked governments in their place. Of course, they don't like this so, logically, they will try to stop it. That is exactly what the German government did and they have no excuse.
Australia is also guilty of censorship. Australia has a system set up where they block access to sites in their nation based on "complaints" from citizens and based on a list of sites "citizens" think should be blocked. That is a load of bull. Australia doesn't want its country to know what sites it is blocking. Their list of blacklisted sites was leaked to Wikileaks and they went and blocked Wikileaks. I guess they aren't just blocking sites that the citizens want then since they should already know about it? And how do web services know what sites to block then if the list is classified? Never let the government tell you they are doing something in your best interest and just let them go. The same thing happens in America all the time.
This type of censorship is not far off in America. Once the government takes over national cyber-security, as it is trying to do right now, censorhip will be imminent.
The Register
Quote from the article:
"Government's tendency to morph from blocking "child porn" to censoring discussion of all government censorship was illustrated this week when German Police raided the offices of Wikileaks Germany."
If you want to know what Wikileaks is about, visit the website here. A quote from their website:
"We are of assistance to peoples of all countries who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their governments and institutions."
Wikileaks has long been known to have many government documents uploaded to its site and I have used it before on here. It is the best example of how to keep powerful and crooked governments in their place. Of course, they don't like this so, logically, they will try to stop it. That is exactly what the German government did and they have no excuse.
Australia is also guilty of censorship. Australia has a system set up where they block access to sites in their nation based on "complaints" from citizens and based on a list of sites "citizens" think should be blocked. That is a load of bull. Australia doesn't want its country to know what sites it is blocking. Their list of blacklisted sites was leaked to Wikileaks and they went and blocked Wikileaks. I guess they aren't just blocking sites that the citizens want then since they should already know about it? And how do web services know what sites to block then if the list is classified? Never let the government tell you they are doing something in your best interest and just let them go. The same thing happens in America all the time.
This type of censorship is not far off in America. Once the government takes over national cyber-security, as it is trying to do right now, censorhip will be imminent.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Interesting Fact #1
Related Articles:
Science Daily
I thought it would be a cool idea to start doing some posts about interesting facts I may stumble across once in awhile, sort of like the Snapple caps but not exactly. It can't hurt to expand our knowledge of other subjects a little bit.
This article pretty much explains why I see so well. Playing action video games can increase the efficiency of the processing of visual information by your brain. A few years ago I used to play Unreal Tournament 2004 all the time; it is coincidental that it is mentioned in the article as one of the games used in testing.
Science Daily
I thought it would be a cool idea to start doing some posts about interesting facts I may stumble across once in awhile, sort of like the Snapple caps but not exactly. It can't hurt to expand our knowledge of other subjects a little bit.
This article pretty much explains why I see so well. Playing action video games can increase the efficiency of the processing of visual information by your brain. A few years ago I used to play Unreal Tournament 2004 all the time; it is coincidental that it is mentioned in the article as one of the games used in testing.
Banning Things Doesn't Work
Related Articles:
CNN
I don't know how many times I will say it, but I'm sure you will see it a lot on this blog: banning things does not work.
Here we have another example of how slow the government is to react to something. Background information: owners of pet Burmese pythons have been releasing them into the Everglades for some time now, whether it be because they didn't realize just how huge they get or they just got bored of them. The species has taken hold in the Everglades and is breeding in the wild. Its population is thought to be over 30,000 individuals in the Everglades. First the good news: there is a python patrol in the Florida Keys trying to keep Burmese pythons from spreading there via the Everglades. The bad news, it is way too late and I have a few problems with trying to ban the importation of Burmese pythons (they are trying to do it):
1. When you ban something its value skyrockets, thus creating another criminal opportunity. Let responsible people own these snakes if they want. Instead of banning them, make a registration system so that when people buy one you know who is supposed to own them and who isn't. Create a penalty under the law for releasing them into the wild and hold people accountable. Don't take away the freedoms of all because of a few idiots.
2. If there are over 30,000 Burmese pythons currently in the Everglades and there has been evidence found that they are breeding in the wild, there is nothing we can do about it at this point. That is a foothold in the ecosystem that we cannot break. If you were going to do something about the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades it should have been done years ago when we first knew about this. Of course, the government never reacts until it is too late.
3. The bill introduced by Florida Senator Bill Nelson only bans Burmese pythons. This shows how little research politicians do before writing a bill. Reticulated pythons grow longer than Burmese pythons and anacondas grow much heavier and they are both legal. Now, I am not saying ban them all I am just using this as an example of the stupidity of this Senator.
4. Accept the fact that you will not be able to eradicate them from the Everglades at this point. Now let us look at the big picture: they will not spread much farther than the immediate area because they need a very specific climate and even just a little north of the Everglades it would be no good.
Now for my real ideas on how to fix this. Make a registration system for all new imported, large snake species (i.e. large pythons and boas) and register them to an owner. Implant a microchip under the skin and there will be no problems. If it is tracked in the wild the person is in trouble and you can hold them accountable. This way, responsible owners who want to enjoy the animals, can have their animals.
It took me about ten minutes to think of this better alternative, why is it so hard for thick-headed and ignorant politicians to do that? Do they understand anything outside of the actual politics? (As you can tell I am a snake enthusiast.)
CNN
I don't know how many times I will say it, but I'm sure you will see it a lot on this blog: banning things does not work.
Here we have another example of how slow the government is to react to something. Background information: owners of pet Burmese pythons have been releasing them into the Everglades for some time now, whether it be because they didn't realize just how huge they get or they just got bored of them. The species has taken hold in the Everglades and is breeding in the wild. Its population is thought to be over 30,000 individuals in the Everglades. First the good news: there is a python patrol in the Florida Keys trying to keep Burmese pythons from spreading there via the Everglades. The bad news, it is way too late and I have a few problems with trying to ban the importation of Burmese pythons (they are trying to do it):
1. When you ban something its value skyrockets, thus creating another criminal opportunity. Let responsible people own these snakes if they want. Instead of banning them, make a registration system so that when people buy one you know who is supposed to own them and who isn't. Create a penalty under the law for releasing them into the wild and hold people accountable. Don't take away the freedoms of all because of a few idiots.
2. If there are over 30,000 Burmese pythons currently in the Everglades and there has been evidence found that they are breeding in the wild, there is nothing we can do about it at this point. That is a foothold in the ecosystem that we cannot break. If you were going to do something about the population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades it should have been done years ago when we first knew about this. Of course, the government never reacts until it is too late.
3. The bill introduced by Florida Senator Bill Nelson only bans Burmese pythons. This shows how little research politicians do before writing a bill. Reticulated pythons grow longer than Burmese pythons and anacondas grow much heavier and they are both legal. Now, I am not saying ban them all I am just using this as an example of the stupidity of this Senator.
4. Accept the fact that you will not be able to eradicate them from the Everglades at this point. Now let us look at the big picture: they will not spread much farther than the immediate area because they need a very specific climate and even just a little north of the Everglades it would be no good.
Now for my real ideas on how to fix this. Make a registration system for all new imported, large snake species (i.e. large pythons and boas) and register them to an owner. Implant a microchip under the skin and there will be no problems. If it is tracked in the wild the person is in trouble and you can hold them accountable. This way, responsible owners who want to enjoy the animals, can have their animals.
It took me about ten minutes to think of this better alternative, why is it so hard for thick-headed and ignorant politicians to do that? Do they understand anything outside of the actual politics? (As you can tell I am a snake enthusiast.)
Friday, March 27, 2009
We Need New Role Models
Related Articles:
CNN
Wikipedia
Newsnet 14
I have been thinking a lot about culture lately so I feel the need to write this article.
Did you ever ask yourself, why does the media glamorize rappers more than any other musicians? Why is it almost every time they want to portray someone as "cool" that they show some guy trying to look like a rapper-type? Rappers, athletes, and Hollywood stars are not meant to be role models for kids. Parents are supposed to be there for their kids and are supposed to be teaching them how they should act and making sure they don't get involved with people that are a bad influence.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring someone's lyrical talent or physical abilities but there is no need to think that what they do or talk about is in any way right. There are too many children in this country who don't have parents there to look up to or at least parents who try hard and they have to find role models elsewhere.
CNN
Wikipedia
Newsnet 14
I have been thinking a lot about culture lately so I feel the need to write this article.
Did you ever ask yourself, why does the media glamorize rappers more than any other musicians? Why is it almost every time they want to portray someone as "cool" that they show some guy trying to look like a rapper-type? Rappers, athletes, and Hollywood stars are not meant to be role models for kids. Parents are supposed to be there for their kids and are supposed to be teaching them how they should act and making sure they don't get involved with people that are a bad influence.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring someone's lyrical talent or physical abilities but there is no need to think that what they do or talk about is in any way right. There are too many children in this country who don't have parents there to look up to or at least parents who try hard and they have to find role models elsewhere.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Is It Time For Term Limits For Congress?
Let me start by saying the answer is yes. It has been time for a long, long time. Finally enough people are complaining that it may actually get done. There is absolutely no need to have Senators or Representatives in office for more than twenty years. Being in such a realm for so long all but ensures that you will be corrupted and/or become complacent. Being a public servant means that you are doing just that: serving. You are not supposed to be making a career for yourself by sitting in Congress.
In order to restore what serving in Congress was meant to be, term limits need to be instituted. Two terms for Senators (8 years, need to cut terms to four years each) and three terms for the house (6 years) is enough time for any one person to be allowed to serve. The way it is set up now there are politicians who intend on gaining one of these positions in order to make the money and sit on it for many years. We must stop this, if this is really meant to be a public service than people who are willing to serve will step forward regardless of the pay.
While I am at it, let me state that Senators and Representatives should also have their pay cut. Again, this is a public service, not a career. 99% of these people are wealthy to begin with and don't need $169,300 salaries. Take what the average American makes and pay them that. They don't even work as much as a normal, hard-working American in the first place.
In order to restore what serving in Congress was meant to be, term limits need to be instituted. Two terms for Senators (8 years, need to cut terms to four years each) and three terms for the house (6 years) is enough time for any one person to be allowed to serve. The way it is set up now there are politicians who intend on gaining one of these positions in order to make the money and sit on it for many years. We must stop this, if this is really meant to be a public service than people who are willing to serve will step forward regardless of the pay.
While I am at it, let me state that Senators and Representatives should also have their pay cut. Again, this is a public service, not a career. 99% of these people are wealthy to begin with and don't need $169,300 salaries. Take what the average American makes and pay them that. They don't even work as much as a normal, hard-working American in the first place.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Fixing Mexico
Over the past few days there has been a lot of talk about what to do about Mexico. There is violence spreading across our unprotected border, thanks to the drug cartels, and for some reason not one of these politicians is suggesting securing our border.
There are two things we can do in this Mexico situation and neither of them involve sending our army into Mexico or giving them monetary aid. Firstly, legalize drugs and the drug cartels will go out of business, or at the very least have to file legal papers and do things legally. If people want to use drugs it is their own problem and their own stupidity. Secondly, stop people from illegally flowing over the border. Illegal immigrants have taken the jobs of low wage Americans who deserve those jobs. Don't tell me that no one wants to do those jobs. Who do you think did those jobs before? No one? No, someone was getting it done. We have a large unemployment rate right now and we are letting cheap workers flow into America. Illegals take what other immigrants had to go through and defecate on it. Put up a fence and put guards there with shoot to kill orders on anyone who comes across illegally. Make the punishment for hiring illegals much harsher to encourage businesses to do it the right way.
Of course, the only reason this probably won't happen is because all of our slimy politicians are hiring illegals to work for them behind the scenes.
There are two things we can do in this Mexico situation and neither of them involve sending our army into Mexico or giving them monetary aid. Firstly, legalize drugs and the drug cartels will go out of business, or at the very least have to file legal papers and do things legally. If people want to use drugs it is their own problem and their own stupidity. Secondly, stop people from illegally flowing over the border. Illegal immigrants have taken the jobs of low wage Americans who deserve those jobs. Don't tell me that no one wants to do those jobs. Who do you think did those jobs before? No one? No, someone was getting it done. We have a large unemployment rate right now and we are letting cheap workers flow into America. Illegals take what other immigrants had to go through and defecate on it. Put up a fence and put guards there with shoot to kill orders on anyone who comes across illegally. Make the punishment for hiring illegals much harsher to encourage businesses to do it the right way.
Of course, the only reason this probably won't happen is because all of our slimy politicians are hiring illegals to work for them behind the scenes.
Security Watch
Related Articles:
Security Fix
I have made it a major point on here to stress how aware you need to be about information security. It is not necessarily a political issue, although it does often leak into the political domain. It is an important issue for us to understand nonetheless. The one thing you always have to remember is that no information system is secure.
This article describes a kind of black market system loaded with a large number of people's information. I am actually contemplating spending the $20-$30 to find out if my information is on the site listed in the article. It may be worth it in order to change any information before it is used and fraud is committed against me.
Security Fix
I have made it a major point on here to stress how aware you need to be about information security. It is not necessarily a political issue, although it does often leak into the political domain. It is an important issue for us to understand nonetheless. The one thing you always have to remember is that no information system is secure.
This article describes a kind of black market system loaded with a large number of people's information. I am actually contemplating spending the $20-$30 to find out if my information is on the site listed in the article. It may be worth it in order to change any information before it is used and fraud is committed against me.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Freedom of Thought Being Cut Down
Related Articles:
Fox News
This article is a must-read. You must read the entire thing and you will be disgusted. Soon every type of thinking, that doesn't involve what people in the government want you to think, will be stopped if this keeps going on. Apparently if you support Ron Paul (the certain Republican member of Congress) or third parties, you can be considered part of a domestic paramilitary group simply because of that.
Let me state that this is a very, very dangerous road to go down. It seems like everyone who isn't on board with the main two parties is going to be considered some kind of radical. That is exactly what they want though; anyone outside is a threat to them because they aren't under their guise and they actually think.
Fox News
This article is a must-read. You must read the entire thing and you will be disgusted. Soon every type of thinking, that doesn't involve what people in the government want you to think, will be stopped if this keeps going on. Apparently if you support Ron Paul (the certain Republican member of Congress) or third parties, you can be considered part of a domestic paramilitary group simply because of that.
Let me state that this is a very, very dangerous road to go down. It seems like everyone who isn't on board with the main two parties is going to be considered some kind of radical. That is exactly what they want though; anyone outside is a threat to them because they aren't under their guise and they actually think.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Another Example of Government Stupidity
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CNN
I have made a number of posts about information security and the government; this is just another one. Apparently, not so surprisingly though, the new smart grid switches being implemented throughout our power system are vulnerable to a number of hacks. A security company already created a worm in its own labs capable of spreading through the power grid and China has already said they could shut down the US power grid at any time. Nice to know the government considers security before going through with something.
Actually, they don't consider anything. They think "it's green so let's do it" and don't even give two seconds to think about anything else like feasibility, cost, and security.
CNN
I have made a number of posts about information security and the government; this is just another one. Apparently, not so surprisingly though, the new smart grid switches being implemented throughout our power system are vulnerable to a number of hacks. A security company already created a worm in its own labs capable of spreading through the power grid and China has already said they could shut down the US power grid at any time. Nice to know the government considers security before going through with something.
Actually, they don't consider anything. They think "it's green so let's do it" and don't even give two seconds to think about anything else like feasibility, cost, and security.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Canada Is Becoming Pathetic
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CBC
AFP
Digital Journal
This story is absolutely sickening. If you would like to know why children in this era have a lack of discipline and a lack of respect, look no further. A Canadian court ruled that a father's grounding of his daughter by not letting her go on a school trip was too excessive and a court allowed her to go on the trip. The judge said she had already been sufficiently disciplined. How does a court judge have the right to tell you how to discipline your children? Is the state going to start raising our children for us and brainwashing them with whatever crap they want too? I can understand if there is serious physical abuse or murder going on why a court would step in but this is way, way over the top.
The whole thing started because the 12-year-old girl was posting pictures of herself on a dating site. If that was my daughter there would be a whole lot more monitoring after that. She did not follow his orders to stay off the internet after that and got herself in trouble. How is this a court's business at all? This girl is at the age where children test the limits of their parents and this is the time when parents need to be strong. Too bad the court will just tell you that you can't.
Sickening, disgusting, pathetic. Canada, you should be ashamed of your ignorant, moronic court system.
CBC
AFP
Digital Journal
This story is absolutely sickening. If you would like to know why children in this era have a lack of discipline and a lack of respect, look no further. A Canadian court ruled that a father's grounding of his daughter by not letting her go on a school trip was too excessive and a court allowed her to go on the trip. The judge said she had already been sufficiently disciplined. How does a court judge have the right to tell you how to discipline your children? Is the state going to start raising our children for us and brainwashing them with whatever crap they want too? I can understand if there is serious physical abuse or murder going on why a court would step in but this is way, way over the top.
The whole thing started because the 12-year-old girl was posting pictures of herself on a dating site. If that was my daughter there would be a whole lot more monitoring after that. She did not follow his orders to stay off the internet after that and got herself in trouble. How is this a court's business at all? This girl is at the age where children test the limits of their parents and this is the time when parents need to be strong. Too bad the court will just tell you that you can't.
Sickening, disgusting, pathetic. Canada, you should be ashamed of your ignorant, moronic court system.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Decriminalize Drugs
Related Articles:
CNN
It is really about time people started talking about this. Legalizing drug use would give people freedom over their own bodies and at the same time get rid of a lot of gangs and cartels.
Cartels and gangs thrive off of selling drugs. Since the drugs they sell are illegal, their value is already much higher than it would be if there was legal competition to sell it and it could be mass produced. The state could impose some taxes on these drugs, much like they do with cigarettes, and make a lot of money off of it to and then lower our taxes (yeah right). If we are going to protect people from themselves like we currently do, why are alcohol and cigarettes legal then? Alcohol is a gateway just like marijuana.
For those of you who think this would cause more car accidents and drug related violence, increase the penalties dramatically. Let people use them so long as they are responsible and if they aren't, hit them with every harsh penalty you can think of as a deterrent. Our current laws are a joke. If you get a DUI you lose your license for what, 90 days? Try making that law five years for first offense and lifetime driving ban on second and I guarantee you DUI's will go down. Don't give me the crap about how they have a disability by being an alcoholic; if they cannot control themselves they can go to waste for all I am concerned. Let responsible people, who know how to recreationally use and not abuse, do what they wish.
CNN
It is really about time people started talking about this. Legalizing drug use would give people freedom over their own bodies and at the same time get rid of a lot of gangs and cartels.
Cartels and gangs thrive off of selling drugs. Since the drugs they sell are illegal, their value is already much higher than it would be if there was legal competition to sell it and it could be mass produced. The state could impose some taxes on these drugs, much like they do with cigarettes, and make a lot of money off of it to and then lower our taxes (yeah right). If we are going to protect people from themselves like we currently do, why are alcohol and cigarettes legal then? Alcohol is a gateway just like marijuana.
For those of you who think this would cause more car accidents and drug related violence, increase the penalties dramatically. Let people use them so long as they are responsible and if they aren't, hit them with every harsh penalty you can think of as a deterrent. Our current laws are a joke. If you get a DUI you lose your license for what, 90 days? Try making that law five years for first offense and lifetime driving ban on second and I guarantee you DUI's will go down. Don't give me the crap about how they have a disability by being an alcoholic; if they cannot control themselves they can go to waste for all I am concerned. Let responsible people, who know how to recreationally use and not abuse, do what they wish.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Obama Book Deal
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Washington Times
MSNBC
Huffington Post
Wikipedia
I don't know how much more bad publicity Mr. Obama can get but let me add some more. As Obama was talking about how Americans are hurting and how the average American is going through such hard times, he signed a book deal worth $500,000 dollars just days before he took office. As the President, he will be making $400,000 dollars for each of the four years he is in office. Not to mention he also made $1.2 million dollars last year on royalties from previous book sales. If the President is always going to be a wealthy person why are we paying them $400,000 dollars of taxpayer money? That may not be a lot in the overall scheme of things but every little bit counts; before you know it you widdle down a lot.
Washington Times
MSNBC
Huffington Post
Wikipedia
I don't know how much more bad publicity Mr. Obama can get but let me add some more. As Obama was talking about how Americans are hurting and how the average American is going through such hard times, he signed a book deal worth $500,000 dollars just days before he took office. As the President, he will be making $400,000 dollars for each of the four years he is in office. Not to mention he also made $1.2 million dollars last year on royalties from previous book sales. If the President is always going to be a wealthy person why are we paying them $400,000 dollars of taxpayer money? That may not be a lot in the overall scheme of things but every little bit counts; before you know it you widdle down a lot.
More Blame To The Government For AIG
Related Articles:
CNN
CNN
Newsmax
Quotes from first article:
"Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner confirmed Thursday that the department did talk to Sen. Chris Dodd about a clause he put forth in the stimulus legislation that would have strictly limited executive bonuses."
"Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, also acknowledged Wednesday his role in controversy, after previously denying having anything to do with crafting language that permitted the bonuses."
So he lied to us, flat out. Why do we elect people we can't trust and then continue to vote for the same idiots?
"'It's my responsibility; I was in a position where I didn't know about those sooner. I take full responsibility for that,' he said."
You knew about this sooner. This deal about the AIG bonuses isn't as bad as it seems. AIG signed an agreement a year ago that stated these bonuses would be paid and they did it so that some of the executives they wanted would stay so they wouldn't have crashed even sooner. Now that the government messed up, they are trying to blame everyone else and they look really, really bad right now.
"On Tuesday, Dodd denied that he had anything to do with adding the language"
That's nice. He likes to lie. Let me ask any of you, if they lie this much until they get caught, what are they actually telling the truth about? Any of them? There is NO transparency. The government now wants to subpoena all of the executives that the head man wouldn't give up and he wouldn't give them up because he and his whole family have been receiving death threats and he doesn't want them to. Why don't we, the people, subpoena all of you Congressional morons to court to tell us every little thing you do?
"But, saying his previous comments had been misconstrued, Dodd said Wednesday that he added the exemption after getting pressure from the Treasury Department."
Now it is pressure?
"'I agreed reluctantly,' Dodd said. 'I was changing the amendment because others were insistent.'"
Now you go against your principals because of pressure? What a loser you are. If you go against what you think is right because some other people said so, you truly are a hopeless lunatic.
Quotes from second CNN article:
"Dodd, a Democrat, told CNN's Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer that Obama administration officials pushed for the language to an amendment designed to limit bonuses and 'golden parachutes' at those companies."
So wait, now it is the Obama administration? Who is it really Dodd?
Quote from last article:
"President Barack Obama has called the bonuses that AIG paid its employees an 'outrage,' but Obama himself received a 'bonus' of sorts from the insurance giant — more than $100,000 in campaign contributions."
NOW we get to the bottom of it. This is why they let AIG get the bonuses and even helped them. Now that it went public they are trying to clean themselves of the situation. It is a good thing some people like me know how to put research together to stop you bunch of zoo animals.
CNN
CNN
Newsmax
Quotes from first article:
"Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner confirmed Thursday that the department did talk to Sen. Chris Dodd about a clause he put forth in the stimulus legislation that would have strictly limited executive bonuses."
"Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, also acknowledged Wednesday his role in controversy, after previously denying having anything to do with crafting language that permitted the bonuses."
So he lied to us, flat out. Why do we elect people we can't trust and then continue to vote for the same idiots?
"'It's my responsibility; I was in a position where I didn't know about those sooner. I take full responsibility for that,' he said."
You knew about this sooner. This deal about the AIG bonuses isn't as bad as it seems. AIG signed an agreement a year ago that stated these bonuses would be paid and they did it so that some of the executives they wanted would stay so they wouldn't have crashed even sooner. Now that the government messed up, they are trying to blame everyone else and they look really, really bad right now.
"On Tuesday, Dodd denied that he had anything to do with adding the language"
That's nice. He likes to lie. Let me ask any of you, if they lie this much until they get caught, what are they actually telling the truth about? Any of them? There is NO transparency. The government now wants to subpoena all of the executives that the head man wouldn't give up and he wouldn't give them up because he and his whole family have been receiving death threats and he doesn't want them to. Why don't we, the people, subpoena all of you Congressional morons to court to tell us every little thing you do?
"But, saying his previous comments had been misconstrued, Dodd said Wednesday that he added the exemption after getting pressure from the Treasury Department."
Now it is pressure?
"'I agreed reluctantly,' Dodd said. 'I was changing the amendment because others were insistent.'"
Now you go against your principals because of pressure? What a loser you are. If you go against what you think is right because some other people said so, you truly are a hopeless lunatic.
Quotes from second CNN article:
"Dodd, a Democrat, told CNN's Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer that Obama administration officials pushed for the language to an amendment designed to limit bonuses and 'golden parachutes' at those companies."
So wait, now it is the Obama administration? Who is it really Dodd?
Quote from last article:
"President Barack Obama has called the bonuses that AIG paid its employees an 'outrage,' but Obama himself received a 'bonus' of sorts from the insurance giant — more than $100,000 in campaign contributions."
NOW we get to the bottom of it. This is why they let AIG get the bonuses and even helped them. Now that it went public they are trying to clean themselves of the situation. It is a good thing some people like me know how to put research together to stop you bunch of zoo animals.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Obama Sounds Like McCain
Related Articles:
Fox News
US News
John McCain during his campaign: "...the fundamentals of our economy are strong."
Barack Obama about what McCain said (during campaign): "'Stubborn.' 'Out of touch.' 'Incapable of understanding' the economic crisis."
President Obama now: "'Of course the fundamentals are sound...' focus on '...all the fundamentally sound aspects of our economy...'"
Sound familiar? All of these Republicans and Democrats are on the same side and just don't want you to know it. Either that or President Obama is a lot less liberal than he comes across. Here is the campaign process in a nutshell: start out somewhat far to each side of the spectrum so as to gain the interest of the far outs, move closer to the center after you win your party nomination, once you get elected become the same as every other president. Nice pattern.
Fox News
US News
John McCain during his campaign: "...the fundamentals of our economy are strong."
Barack Obama about what McCain said (during campaign): "'Stubborn.' 'Out of touch.' 'Incapable of understanding' the economic crisis."
President Obama now: "'Of course the fundamentals are sound...' focus on '...all the fundamentally sound aspects of our economy...'"
Sound familiar? All of these Republicans and Democrats are on the same side and just don't want you to know it. Either that or President Obama is a lot less liberal than he comes across. Here is the campaign process in a nutshell: start out somewhat far to each side of the spectrum so as to gain the interest of the far outs, move closer to the center after you win your party nomination, once you get elected become the same as every other president. Nice pattern.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pelosi = Pathetic
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The Washington Times
Time
News Busters
Newsmax
Wikipedia
It is nice to know that during a time of economic crisis, when the government wants to cut benefits to military veterans to save money, that they will be getting a pay raise this year. They claim eliminating next year's pay raise is good enough. Oh really? This year each Senator is making $169,300 salary, and that is on top of whatever they do on the side or whatever they own. That is strictly the salary paid by our tax dollars to each Senator. The average American, who votes these idiots into office, is making over $100,000 dollars per year less than these Senators who are getting an annual pay raise. Maybe it is time we make serving the US people a service and not a career. Every Senator's salary should be cut to that of the average American salary; they already have enough. If you really care about America you will do the job regardless of the money. Pelosi is the one who can hold a vote on a bill that would stop this, and she will not commit to doing it because she is a money-grubbing, corrupt, moron like every other politician in our Congress.
Don't believe me? Well it turns out in the bill that would increase minimum wage, American Samoa was somehow left out. Why? Well it turns out that Del Monte Foods is a major player in Pelosi's district and they own Starkist Tuna who employs 75% of the population of American Samoa. They wouldn't want to have minimum wage raised from $3.99 an hour to $7.25 an hour in Samoa now would they? I don't think so. Not to mention the fact that H.J. Heinz Company owns 75% of Del Monte Foods' stock and that is of course owned by the Heinz family. We all know John Kerry is married into that family. Smells? Yeah.
Now after the media took hold of it Pelosi says that it will be removed. Don't think they didn't realize it was in there. Exceptions like that don't happen by accident they are written in by someone. Even if they turned a blind eye to it, they are responsible.
I'm on a roll today, sorry for the large number of posts but there are still more to come.
The Washington Times
Time
News Busters
Newsmax
Wikipedia
It is nice to know that during a time of economic crisis, when the government wants to cut benefits to military veterans to save money, that they will be getting a pay raise this year. They claim eliminating next year's pay raise is good enough. Oh really? This year each Senator is making $169,300 salary, and that is on top of whatever they do on the side or whatever they own. That is strictly the salary paid by our tax dollars to each Senator. The average American, who votes these idiots into office, is making over $100,000 dollars per year less than these Senators who are getting an annual pay raise. Maybe it is time we make serving the US people a service and not a career. Every Senator's salary should be cut to that of the average American salary; they already have enough. If you really care about America you will do the job regardless of the money. Pelosi is the one who can hold a vote on a bill that would stop this, and she will not commit to doing it because she is a money-grubbing, corrupt, moron like every other politician in our Congress.
Don't believe me? Well it turns out in the bill that would increase minimum wage, American Samoa was somehow left out. Why? Well it turns out that Del Monte Foods is a major player in Pelosi's district and they own Starkist Tuna who employs 75% of the population of American Samoa. They wouldn't want to have minimum wage raised from $3.99 an hour to $7.25 an hour in Samoa now would they? I don't think so. Not to mention the fact that H.J. Heinz Company owns 75% of Del Monte Foods' stock and that is of course owned by the Heinz family. We all know John Kerry is married into that family. Smells? Yeah.
Now after the media took hold of it Pelosi says that it will be removed. Don't think they didn't realize it was in there. Exceptions like that don't happen by accident they are written in by someone. Even if they turned a blind eye to it, they are responsible.
I'm on a roll today, sorry for the large number of posts but there are still more to come.
Let AIG Die Already (Part 3)
Related Articles:
CNN
Newsmax
Well, now that AIG handed out nice big bonuses to a bunch of people for doing a bad job, the people who gave them the bailout money in the first place are angry. If they never gave them the bailout we wouldn't be having this discussion of course. Now the government is going to overstep its boundaries even more in order to fix the mess they created between themselves and AIG.
Quote from CNN article:
"'My colleagues and I are sending a letter to [AIG CEO Edward] Liddy informing him that he can go right ahead and tell the employees that are scheduled to get bonuses that they should voluntarily return them,' Sen. Charles Schumer said on the Senate floor. 'Because if they don't, we plan to tax virtually all of [the money] ... so it is returned to its rightful owners, the taxpayers.'"
Oh really? You are going to return the money to the taxpayers? No, you are going to spend it "in our best interest", not give us the money.
I forgot to mention that Chris Dodd is the one who put the legislation into the stimulus bill that exempted the bonuses from taxation. Now he has to cover his butt because it went public. What idiots will keep voting for these corrupted fools?
Quote from Newsmax article:
"Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, thundered on Monday: 'This is another outrageous example of executives — including those whose decisions were responsible for the problems that caused AIG’s collapse — enriching themselves at the expense of taxpayers.'"
We wouldn't have to worry about them enriching themselves with the taxpayers' money if the taxpayers' money wasn't being sent to them by people like you, Dodd!
So again I will say it: AIG should have gone under. Now that the government screwed everything up as usual, they want to tax over 90% of the money back from those specific people. That means that the government will now be writing a form of tax legislation that applies to people based on where they work as well as the money they made. That action opens up a bunch of other doors that involve selective taxing that we do not want to go into.
Don't think that I don't blame the AIG executives as well, but they would have gotten their punishment when the whole company went down and the government stepped in and stopped it. If there is anything the government should have done it would be to make sure the executives lose if the company goes bankrupt, not to step in and control everything. The only punishment Senators get is when people vote them out (and people vote for the same idiots); which doesn't do much since every single Senator makes well over $500,000 a year on their own anyways.
CNN
Newsmax
Well, now that AIG handed out nice big bonuses to a bunch of people for doing a bad job, the people who gave them the bailout money in the first place are angry. If they never gave them the bailout we wouldn't be having this discussion of course. Now the government is going to overstep its boundaries even more in order to fix the mess they created between themselves and AIG.
Quote from CNN article:
"'My colleagues and I are sending a letter to [AIG CEO Edward] Liddy informing him that he can go right ahead and tell the employees that are scheduled to get bonuses that they should voluntarily return them,' Sen. Charles Schumer said on the Senate floor. 'Because if they don't, we plan to tax virtually all of [the money] ... so it is returned to its rightful owners, the taxpayers.'"
Oh really? You are going to return the money to the taxpayers? No, you are going to spend it "in our best interest", not give us the money.
I forgot to mention that Chris Dodd is the one who put the legislation into the stimulus bill that exempted the bonuses from taxation. Now he has to cover his butt because it went public. What idiots will keep voting for these corrupted fools?
Quote from Newsmax article:
"Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, thundered on Monday: 'This is another outrageous example of executives — including those whose decisions were responsible for the problems that caused AIG’s collapse — enriching themselves at the expense of taxpayers.'"
We wouldn't have to worry about them enriching themselves with the taxpayers' money if the taxpayers' money wasn't being sent to them by people like you, Dodd!
So again I will say it: AIG should have gone under. Now that the government screwed everything up as usual, they want to tax over 90% of the money back from those specific people. That means that the government will now be writing a form of tax legislation that applies to people based on where they work as well as the money they made. That action opens up a bunch of other doors that involve selective taxing that we do not want to go into.
Don't think that I don't blame the AIG executives as well, but they would have gotten their punishment when the whole company went down and the government stepped in and stopped it. If there is anything the government should have done it would be to make sure the executives lose if the company goes bankrupt, not to step in and control everything. The only punishment Senators get is when people vote them out (and people vote for the same idiots); which doesn't do much since every single Senator makes well over $500,000 a year on their own anyways.
Vivek Kundra Is A Petty Thief
Related Articles:
The Register
Dark Reading
Computerworld
President Obama's newly appoint chief information officer (CIO) of the White House or the USA or whatever (doesn't matter) is being put on leave after the arrest of Yusuf Acar. I wrote a piece about Acar here.
The FBI say they don't think Kundra is involved but it is his former employee that was arrested. It did come out this week that Kundra once pleaded guilty to a petty theft charge in Maryland. This occurred in 1997. I just thought you would like to know who is being appointed to White House positions.
The Register
Dark Reading
Computerworld
President Obama's newly appoint chief information officer (CIO) of the White House or the USA or whatever (doesn't matter) is being put on leave after the arrest of Yusuf Acar. I wrote a piece about Acar here.
The FBI say they don't think Kundra is involved but it is his former employee that was arrested. It did come out this week that Kundra once pleaded guilty to a petty theft charge in Maryland. This occurred in 1997. I just thought you would like to know who is being appointed to White House positions.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Let AIG Die Already (Part 2)
Related Articles:
CNN
A little while back I wrote about how the government should just let AIG go under, and for a whole lot of reasons. Another reason has just been added to that list now that AIG is giving bonuses to its executives and the President is not happy about it; and rightly so. The government needs to stop helping companies like this and let them go under. Let the company lose everything it has and then charge the executives with whatever financial crimes you can. The money of whoever committed a financial crime can be distributed to the employees of the company that went down.
Americans need a lesson and they need it badly. Nothing can be taken for granted; we take too many things for granted. AIG needs to go under to teach a lesson to executives and people alike. If you are an executive, if you make dumb decisions you will pay the price. This is why you get paid a lot in the first place; your job is high risk. If you do it well you keep the money but if it goes under you need to lose too. To everyone else, hard times and suffering is a part of life and it is a part that a lot of Americans have never experienced. It has turned us into babied brats and we need to experience hard times again. There hasn't been a really hard time in this nation since the Vietnam War and even that doesn't compare to the Depression. The Depression taught people how to be fiscally responsible because there wasn't just money lying around to blow on whatever.
The bottom line, we need to make an example of AIG and let it die.
CNN
A little while back I wrote about how the government should just let AIG go under, and for a whole lot of reasons. Another reason has just been added to that list now that AIG is giving bonuses to its executives and the President is not happy about it; and rightly so. The government needs to stop helping companies like this and let them go under. Let the company lose everything it has and then charge the executives with whatever financial crimes you can. The money of whoever committed a financial crime can be distributed to the employees of the company that went down.
Americans need a lesson and they need it badly. Nothing can be taken for granted; we take too many things for granted. AIG needs to go under to teach a lesson to executives and people alike. If you are an executive, if you make dumb decisions you will pay the price. This is why you get paid a lot in the first place; your job is high risk. If you do it well you keep the money but if it goes under you need to lose too. To everyone else, hard times and suffering is a part of life and it is a part that a lot of Americans have never experienced. It has turned us into babied brats and we need to experience hard times again. There hasn't been a really hard time in this nation since the Vietnam War and even that doesn't compare to the Depression. The Depression taught people how to be fiscally responsible because there wasn't just money lying around to blow on whatever.
The bottom line, we need to make an example of AIG and let it die.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
This Is How The Military Treats Personnel?
Related Articles:
The Raw Story
Memorandum PDF
During 2006, not sure about now, one of the burning pits in Iraq was found to be a health hazard because of fumes from whatever was being burned.
Now let me get this straight; according to the memorandum there was a study done January-April of 2006 and this memorandum didn't even get written until December of 2006 after it was listed as a high health concern for personnel in the area. This means it was probably still at least another few months before anything changed, could be longer or shorter, and we just keep American personnel that chose to serve in our military operating in a hazardous area? That shows you how much the government actually cares about the individuals they are sending out to these places.
Now I understand that in battle you must think of your force as a unit and not individual people and that sometimes decisions have to be made that will put people in the line of fire; fine. This is not the same; this is an obvious health hazard and could have been put on hold until it was made right.
The Raw Story
Memorandum PDF
During 2006, not sure about now, one of the burning pits in Iraq was found to be a health hazard because of fumes from whatever was being burned.
Now let me get this straight; according to the memorandum there was a study done January-April of 2006 and this memorandum didn't even get written until December of 2006 after it was listed as a high health concern for personnel in the area. This means it was probably still at least another few months before anything changed, could be longer or shorter, and we just keep American personnel that chose to serve in our military operating in a hazardous area? That shows you how much the government actually cares about the individuals they are sending out to these places.
Now I understand that in battle you must think of your force as a unit and not individual people and that sometimes decisions have to be made that will put people in the line of fire; fine. This is not the same; this is an obvious health hazard and could have been put on hold until it was made right.
Insecure Government... Again
Related Articles:
Computerworld
Unregistered News
Washington Post
Not that I needed another reason to say the government should have nothing to do with internet security, but I found one anyways. Not only does it take forever to get anything done because of the bureaucratic government, in a field where things change quickly, but then we can add corruption on top of that. Yusuf Acar, the District of Columbia's top information security official is involved in a bribery case and is currently jailed without bail for fear of the fact that he still may have access to some of the systems he once ran.
I am completely against the government even touching the internet and for a few reasons:
1) The internet is the last place where you can, literally, find anything you want. There is no limitation of free speech on the internet and you can talk to people anywhere in the world. I know there is some content that is bad and some that is untrue but learning how to weave through this and find what is good is a necessary skill to have anyways.
2) Information security is not meant to be done by one organization for all. Because of the fact that nothing is secure, you don't want everything in one place or all security measures controlled by one entity.
3) Government employees, especially if they had more information, would be a huge target for bribery and all sorts of corruption. As we know, most people are naturally corrupted when they have too much power. The point of this nation was to not give any one person too much power because our founding fathers realized this.
Computerworld
Unregistered News
Washington Post
Not that I needed another reason to say the government should have nothing to do with internet security, but I found one anyways. Not only does it take forever to get anything done because of the bureaucratic government, in a field where things change quickly, but then we can add corruption on top of that. Yusuf Acar, the District of Columbia's top information security official is involved in a bribery case and is currently jailed without bail for fear of the fact that he still may have access to some of the systems he once ran.
I am completely against the government even touching the internet and for a few reasons:
1) The internet is the last place where you can, literally, find anything you want. There is no limitation of free speech on the internet and you can talk to people anywhere in the world. I know there is some content that is bad and some that is untrue but learning how to weave through this and find what is good is a necessary skill to have anyways.
2) Information security is not meant to be done by one organization for all. Because of the fact that nothing is secure, you don't want everything in one place or all security measures controlled by one entity.
3) Government employees, especially if they had more information, would be a huge target for bribery and all sorts of corruption. As we know, most people are naturally corrupted when they have too much power. The point of this nation was to not give any one person too much power because our founding fathers realized this.
Border/Mexico Problems Getting Worse
Related Articles:
CNN
There is no real reason to still have insecure borders at this point with all that is going on in Mexico and to still be allowing illegal immigrants to slap the face of those who came here the right way and waited for their turn. The violence of the drug cartels in Mexico is going to find its way over the border eventually if something is not done soon.
Of course, the easiest way to make them disappear would be to legalize drugs. Right now we are the number one consumer of these "illegal" drugs and that is what makes them so valuable. Anything on the black market is far more valuable than it would be if it was being legally mass produced. Legalizing drugs is the perfect solution to this. Change the laws and tax them like we do to cigarettes. If you are a proponent of protecting people from themselves, then why are alcohol and cigarettes fine and other drugs not? So you can leave people their delusions of freedom? In the end, you cannot protect people from themselves so you may as well profit off of it and regulate it so it doesn't turn out like it is right now in Mexico.
On a side note, the way our drug laws are set up right now is so backwards. There are a lot of taxes on cigarettes and the government brings in a lot of money to spend from these taxes. I find it funny that they then try to help people quit smoking, it was in the "stimulus", even though they will be losing spending money if that actually happens and have to tax something else more that we probably don't want taxed.
CNN
There is no real reason to still have insecure borders at this point with all that is going on in Mexico and to still be allowing illegal immigrants to slap the face of those who came here the right way and waited for their turn. The violence of the drug cartels in Mexico is going to find its way over the border eventually if something is not done soon.
Of course, the easiest way to make them disappear would be to legalize drugs. Right now we are the number one consumer of these "illegal" drugs and that is what makes them so valuable. Anything on the black market is far more valuable than it would be if it was being legally mass produced. Legalizing drugs is the perfect solution to this. Change the laws and tax them like we do to cigarettes. If you are a proponent of protecting people from themselves, then why are alcohol and cigarettes fine and other drugs not? So you can leave people their delusions of freedom? In the end, you cannot protect people from themselves so you may as well profit off of it and regulate it so it doesn't turn out like it is right now in Mexico.
On a side note, the way our drug laws are set up right now is so backwards. There are a lot of taxes on cigarettes and the government brings in a lot of money to spend from these taxes. I find it funny that they then try to help people quit smoking, it was in the "stimulus", even though they will be losing spending money if that actually happens and have to tax something else more that we probably don't want taxed.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Bullying With The Law
Related Articles:
CNet News
The Register
WCAX
Tenable Network Security Blog
Sebastien Boucher was coming back into the United States from Canada and during a routine search of his car, customs officials "thought" they saw something that "could" have been child pornography on his laptop which he allowed them to see. In the end the customs officials did nothing at the time and he was allowed through.
Afterward, charges were filed against Boucher for possession of child pornography. The only problem now is that the computer's hard drive is encrypted and Boucher, by the 5th Amendment, should not have to give up the password to the computer because whether or not there is anything illegal contained on the computer, it is possible self-incrimination and you have a right granted by the Constitution that says you don't have to reveal information that would be self-incriminating.
So the government, being the bully that it is, decided it would step all over the Constitution again and force Boucher to give up his password. Here is a quoted segment from the 4th link given; it is said better than I can say it:
"First, and foremost, is the publication of a suspect's name in a child pornography case. In the event that the suspect is not proven guilty (remember: innocent unless proven guilty) the government has already ruined this man's career prospects and reputation. If you don't believe me - just google for his name.
CNet News
The Register
WCAX
Tenable Network Security Blog
Sebastien Boucher was coming back into the United States from Canada and during a routine search of his car, customs officials "thought" they saw something that "could" have been child pornography on his laptop which he allowed them to see. In the end the customs officials did nothing at the time and he was allowed through.
Afterward, charges were filed against Boucher for possession of child pornography. The only problem now is that the computer's hard drive is encrypted and Boucher, by the 5th Amendment, should not have to give up the password to the computer because whether or not there is anything illegal contained on the computer, it is possible self-incrimination and you have a right granted by the Constitution that says you don't have to reveal information that would be self-incriminating.
So the government, being the bully that it is, decided it would step all over the Constitution again and force Boucher to give up his password. Here is a quoted segment from the 4th link given; it is said better than I can say it:
"First, and foremost, is the publication of a suspect's name in a child pornography case. In the event that the suspect is not proven guilty (remember: innocent unless proven guilty) the government has already ruined this man's career prospects and reputation. If you don't believe me - just google for his name.
Second, is the notion that a border-check is "voluntary" and not coerced. It's ridiculous to say that someone "voluntarily surrendered their rights" when they were asked - however nicely - by a man with a gun at a border crossing. I've had this happen to me, returning to the US from abroad: you're forced to wait in line (I waited 2 hours!) and told you can't use your cell phone or leave, then you're asked "is this your bag? may I examine it?" It sounds as if in this case the suspect was crossing the border in an automobile but it's the same scenario: wait in line, wait in line, and the man with the gun starts asking you questions. You have to answer them, and agree to any search, or you can turn around and go back.
Third, is the stupidity of trying to coerce someone legally into giving up a hard drive password. If the hard drive contains evidence that could convict him on a 20 year sentence, there's not much they can do to him that's worse than that, if he refuses to give up his password. They can't imprison him for 20 years for refusing the judge's request. What are they going to do, waterboard him?
Lastly, is the charges against him. Interstate commerce of child pornography? That's not how the guys who do child porn for a living transport their data, and the judge knows it. What's going on is that they're trying to coerce him further by layering on as many charges as they can think of, to see if they can make him crack or plea-bargain to a lesser charge. That's not how to do "justice" - criminal charges should not be used coercively!
Obviously, if the guy's guilty, he should suffer the consequences. But I'm very uncomfortable with my government's handling of this matter. If the border cop screwed up his evidence collecting, he screwed it up, and the case was lost at that moment. Precedent-setting rulings that further erode everyone's rights is not a good response to mishandling evidence. This case has been dragging on for 3 years and has probably cost the taxpayers a huge amount of money, and consumed the suspect's life. The publicity it has garnered for hard drive encryption has probably done more damage to law enforcement efforts against child pornography than busting any individual perpetrator would, already."
Lastly, I would like to state that it has been a well established precedent that a person does not have to give up the code to a safe if it may contain something self-incriminating. You cannot force someone to reveal the contents of their own mind in a case against them. If they can get a search warrant for a safe and find another way in, that is a completely different story so if the government can somehow crack the encryption, although it is HIGHLY unlikely, then they can see what is in it. Stop bullying people because you want to be able to see anything at anytime and have total control over everyone.Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Even Democrats Getting Impatient
Related Articles:
CNN
It appears even some people in the President's own party are becoming concerned over the so-called stimulus package. Yes, that would be the one they voted for; I guess they didn't think that far ahead. The odd thing is, in the first paragraph of that article, it says that some Democrats are demanding greater transparency with the spending of the package. I find this interesting considering the whole thing was supposed to be entirely transparent in the first place and this is the main reason I even posted this.
Recovery
During President Obama's big speech he said that every bit of money spent would be shown to the public on the website I just provided. There is nothing in detail on that site. Nothing. I want to see "transparency" Mr. President. I want to see where every dime of that money is going and I don't want it to be vague. For instance, "this amount of money is going toward road construction" is very, very vague. That tells us nothing important. For all anyone knows you could be paying off CEO's of construction companies and that is it. I wouldn't put it past anyone to do things like this and that is why we need "transparency". We need to show the public exactly how much money is being given to whom and for what. If someone is working for the government, contractor or not, that information should be public.
CNN
It appears even some people in the President's own party are becoming concerned over the so-called stimulus package. Yes, that would be the one they voted for; I guess they didn't think that far ahead. The odd thing is, in the first paragraph of that article, it says that some Democrats are demanding greater transparency with the spending of the package. I find this interesting considering the whole thing was supposed to be entirely transparent in the first place and this is the main reason I even posted this.
Recovery
During President Obama's big speech he said that every bit of money spent would be shown to the public on the website I just provided. There is nothing in detail on that site. Nothing. I want to see "transparency" Mr. President. I want to see where every dime of that money is going and I don't want it to be vague. For instance, "this amount of money is going toward road construction" is very, very vague. That tells us nothing important. For all anyone knows you could be paying off CEO's of construction companies and that is it. I wouldn't put it past anyone to do things like this and that is why we need "transparency". We need to show the public exactly how much money is being given to whom and for what. If someone is working for the government, contractor or not, that information should be public.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Nothing Is Secure
Related Articles:
Wikileaks
Before I go into this, remember that the government wants to keep centralizing your information in general.
A few NATO documents were cracked by someone and leaked to Wikileaks for anyone to see. They all relate to what is going on in Afghanistan and some actually relate to what members of NATO can or cannot say to journalists and other media. There is a little evidence that what we hear is filtered if you couldn't find any before.
Now I know this is not necessarily our government but it is a form of government and a collaboration of governments that was supposed to keep these documents secure. I could post news of something else that was hacked every single day on here. There is no such thing as a completely secure system. Logically, to adjust to that fact you would not centralize important information. People in the government should learn better.
Wikileaks
Before I go into this, remember that the government wants to keep centralizing your information in general.
A few NATO documents were cracked by someone and leaked to Wikileaks for anyone to see. They all relate to what is going on in Afghanistan and some actually relate to what members of NATO can or cannot say to journalists and other media. There is a little evidence that what we hear is filtered if you couldn't find any before.
Now I know this is not necessarily our government but it is a form of government and a collaboration of governments that was supposed to keep these documents secure. I could post news of something else that was hacked every single day on here. There is no such thing as a completely secure system. Logically, to adjust to that fact you would not centralize important information. People in the government should learn better.
Terrorists' Admissions
Related Articles:
CNN
In this article, five terrorists that are currently being charged in our court system admit to the committed acts but obviously see it in a totally different light. They claim that the United States is the real terrorist and they are striking back. While this country may literally be an international terrorist I question whether those people themselves were actually struck first. The only way to find out anyone's true motivation is to STOP being the world police, pull EVERYONE back inside our borders, and use war when necessary. Use war the right way, if someone attacks you, you annihilate them with just cause; otherwise keep to yourself. Being the world police only gets people angry with you.
The terrorists have a little bit of a point in actually blaming the citizens as well. This is a participative democracy and we all share responsibility because we elect the officials that do as they do. Now some of you might say they control what news we get so we don't have proper information. Who elected the corrupted idiots who could possibly be controlling what we hear in the first place? We did. It is an endless cycle that will never be stopped and it happens to every major world power. When people become successful they eventually become ignorant and spoiled; that is a fact of human nature and an extension of our survival instinct.
Countries are most effective with limited government and ethical people. All it takes is one scrooge to send people on the defensive and so it starts. The only system that we know works is Darwinism.
CNN
In this article, five terrorists that are currently being charged in our court system admit to the committed acts but obviously see it in a totally different light. They claim that the United States is the real terrorist and they are striking back. While this country may literally be an international terrorist I question whether those people themselves were actually struck first. The only way to find out anyone's true motivation is to STOP being the world police, pull EVERYONE back inside our borders, and use war when necessary. Use war the right way, if someone attacks you, you annihilate them with just cause; otherwise keep to yourself. Being the world police only gets people angry with you.
The terrorists have a little bit of a point in actually blaming the citizens as well. This is a participative democracy and we all share responsibility because we elect the officials that do as they do. Now some of you might say they control what news we get so we don't have proper information. Who elected the corrupted idiots who could possibly be controlling what we hear in the first place? We did. It is an endless cycle that will never be stopped and it happens to every major world power. When people become successful they eventually become ignorant and spoiled; that is a fact of human nature and an extension of our survival instinct.
Countries are most effective with limited government and ethical people. All it takes is one scrooge to send people on the defensive and so it starts. The only system that we know works is Darwinism.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Stem Cell Research, No Unity
Related Articles:
CNN
ABC News
CBS News
The President is not the man bringing everyone together that he claims to be. For years there has been a debate over whether or not it is ethical for research to be done on embryonic stem cells. This would mean that you have to have a supply of human embryos. Many people think that is the same as killing children and it is wrong while most scientists think that it is just a few cells and there is nothing human about it. There must be some way to compromise.
Well, it turns out there is and that Mr. Obama decided not to take the route of compromise and lifted the ban on embryonic stem cell research.
Science Daily
Wired
Washington Post
If it is possible to make stem cells from skin cells, as it apparently is, why would you not compromise and perfect this method? Scientists and people that are ill get the stem cell research they want and people that think embryonic research is unethical no longer have to worry. I guess you aren't the President trying to bring everyone together; just the same as the rest. Mr. Obama, you are doing this just to try and force religious people, that is what most opponents to this are, to start using science. Science found another way to do the same research and yet you still find the need to stick it in their face. That is not freedom.
If you notice I did not state my own opinion on this in here and I don't have to choose sides now that there is a different way to make them. I don't know whether or not it is ethical but there is no reason to lift the ban when there is another way to make everyone happy.
CNN
ABC News
CBS News
The President is not the man bringing everyone together that he claims to be. For years there has been a debate over whether or not it is ethical for research to be done on embryonic stem cells. This would mean that you have to have a supply of human embryos. Many people think that is the same as killing children and it is wrong while most scientists think that it is just a few cells and there is nothing human about it. There must be some way to compromise.
Well, it turns out there is and that Mr. Obama decided not to take the route of compromise and lifted the ban on embryonic stem cell research.
Science Daily
Wired
Washington Post
If it is possible to make stem cells from skin cells, as it apparently is, why would you not compromise and perfect this method? Scientists and people that are ill get the stem cell research they want and people that think embryonic research is unethical no longer have to worry. I guess you aren't the President trying to bring everyone together; just the same as the rest. Mr. Obama, you are doing this just to try and force religious people, that is what most opponents to this are, to start using science. Science found another way to do the same research and yet you still find the need to stick it in their face. That is not freedom.
If you notice I did not state my own opinion on this in here and I don't have to choose sides now that there is a different way to make them. I don't know whether or not it is ethical but there is no reason to lift the ban when there is another way to make everyone happy.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Barkley's Sentence, Why Is This News?
Related Articles:
CNN
Charles Barkley has received a whopping three day prison sentence for a DUI. This article is in with the rest of the news on CNN and is currently at the top due to the time it was posted.
This is NOT news. Thousands of people get DUI's every day and no one cares to make the punishments harsher to prevent it and yet Charles Barkley's three day prison sentence makes it on the main news on CNN and probably other networks although I didn't look hard.
This is what is wrong with our culture. People actually care what athletes do in their free time or what happens in their private life. This is completely different than watching the sports. People watch sports because they like competition and shows of skill and that is completely natural since we got here through competition between species. It is an extension of our survival instinct. In America in current times, during an economic crisis, we still find enough time to worry about what Charles Barkley is doing with his life or to find out how much money John Daly has thrown away when we could be doing something productive instead of sitting and waiting for the government to tax the money from the people who ARE doing something with their time and giving it to us.
How pathetically sad is this.
CNN
Charles Barkley has received a whopping three day prison sentence for a DUI. This article is in with the rest of the news on CNN and is currently at the top due to the time it was posted.
This is NOT news. Thousands of people get DUI's every day and no one cares to make the punishments harsher to prevent it and yet Charles Barkley's three day prison sentence makes it on the main news on CNN and probably other networks although I didn't look hard.
This is what is wrong with our culture. People actually care what athletes do in their free time or what happens in their private life. This is completely different than watching the sports. People watch sports because they like competition and shows of skill and that is completely natural since we got here through competition between species. It is an extension of our survival instinct. In America in current times, during an economic crisis, we still find enough time to worry about what Charles Barkley is doing with his life or to find out how much money John Daly has thrown away when we could be doing something productive instead of sitting and waiting for the government to tax the money from the people who ARE doing something with their time and giving it to us.
How pathetically sad is this.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Mistaken Right: To Work Where You Want
Related Articles:
CNN
I wonder at what point in our country's history did people start believing that they had a right to work in whatever industry they wanted or wherever they wanted? You don't. You have the right to pursue happiness, and to have freedom of speech, press, and religion.
This article's writer acts like it is surprising that people may have to change industries to find a job. If your job is out of demand, OF COURSE you have to go learn something new or try something else. If your skills are not valuable, you had better go develop some new skills and stop thinking it is your right to have a job. It isn't. People that sit around sulking about how they can't find a job and haven't started learning something new or trying something else are a sad bunch and I have no sympathy for them.
Your right, relating to jobs, is to pursue happiness. You can go about that however you wish but if you don't succeed it is YOUR fault. Societies and economies are always evolving and part of being a successful person in society is being able to adapt to changes and not sitting around waiting and collecting money from someone else or the government; and by successful I do not imply wealth. Maybe if the government didn't help people they would be quicker about doing something for themselves.
CNN
I wonder at what point in our country's history did people start believing that they had a right to work in whatever industry they wanted or wherever they wanted? You don't. You have the right to pursue happiness, and to have freedom of speech, press, and religion.
This article's writer acts like it is surprising that people may have to change industries to find a job. If your job is out of demand, OF COURSE you have to go learn something new or try something else. If your skills are not valuable, you had better go develop some new skills and stop thinking it is your right to have a job. It isn't. People that sit around sulking about how they can't find a job and haven't started learning something new or trying something else are a sad bunch and I have no sympathy for them.
Your right, relating to jobs, is to pursue happiness. You can go about that however you wish but if you don't succeed it is YOUR fault. Societies and economies are always evolving and part of being a successful person in society is being able to adapt to changes and not sitting around waiting and collecting money from someone else or the government; and by successful I do not imply wealth. Maybe if the government didn't help people they would be quicker about doing something for themselves.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Proposition 8
Related Articles:
ABC News
There are some things I just do not understand. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights is there a statement about marriage in the United States. The founding fathers did this on purpose, as well as not including race, sex, or religion in any statements except to state your freedom thereof, so that the majority could not take away the rights of the minority. Of course, since people in power are inherently corrupt and there is no perfect system, it was abused at some point and gay marriage somehow became an issue. There will be a link at the bottom of this page to the Bill of Rights and you will see that nowhere in there is a gay marriage ban.
The point of this nation was that the rule of the majority could NOT take away the rights of ANY minority for ANY reason. Specific people can lose their rights by committing crime but the Bill of Rights is granted to everyone else regardless, it is the cornerstone of our nation. Now, to my point, homosexuals are one of these minorities who are currently not allowed to do as they wish.
I may not like homosexuality and I might even think it is disgusting BUT I still realize homosexuals are people and should be allowed to do as they wish. There should be no legal definition of marriage. Marriage is strictly a religious or traditional ritual which has NO place in politics since people can have very different opinions on how they choose a life partner or whoever. If you want to find out whether any type of person is a failure, then let everyone have their rights and let competition do its thing. If a gay person is a productive member of society their personal choices or genetics are of no problem, the gay part does not matter. If someone decides not to be productive they can suffer and wallow in their own ignorance and stupidity, again regardless of personal choice or genetics.
Wikipedia
ABC News
There are some things I just do not understand. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights is there a statement about marriage in the United States. The founding fathers did this on purpose, as well as not including race, sex, or religion in any statements except to state your freedom thereof, so that the majority could not take away the rights of the minority. Of course, since people in power are inherently corrupt and there is no perfect system, it was abused at some point and gay marriage somehow became an issue. There will be a link at the bottom of this page to the Bill of Rights and you will see that nowhere in there is a gay marriage ban.
The point of this nation was that the rule of the majority could NOT take away the rights of ANY minority for ANY reason. Specific people can lose their rights by committing crime but the Bill of Rights is granted to everyone else regardless, it is the cornerstone of our nation. Now, to my point, homosexuals are one of these minorities who are currently not allowed to do as they wish.
I may not like homosexuality and I might even think it is disgusting BUT I still realize homosexuals are people and should be allowed to do as they wish. There should be no legal definition of marriage. Marriage is strictly a religious or traditional ritual which has NO place in politics since people can have very different opinions on how they choose a life partner or whoever. If you want to find out whether any type of person is a failure, then let everyone have their rights and let competition do its thing. If a gay person is a productive member of society their personal choices or genetics are of no problem, the gay part does not matter. If someone decides not to be productive they can suffer and wallow in their own ignorance and stupidity, again regardless of personal choice or genetics.
Wikipedia
Buying Citi Is A Failure
Related Articles:
Fox Business
The most knowledgeable people about business, investors, and most smart economists are big investors, are staying away from Citigroup. Their stock has now fallen below $1 per share. I guess that shows that the people who really matter for the economy, businesses and investors, think of President Obama's failure of a plan to buy the banks. It doesn't matter what you want to call it, that is exactly what happened and by definition we now live in a facsist state because the government owns part of the banking system.
At this point the politicians in general are just playing people off of each other. The Republicans, like Rush Limbaugh, are sitting here hoping that the President fails so that they can get their power back and the Democrats are acting like they have a clue about something when they don't. As long as it looks like he is doing something, most of America won't investigate because our culture is a sad story with backwards values. You can walk around the streets of this nation and find a great number of people who know nothing about how their government works or how businesses work and they just want theirs. As long as they keep being told they will get health care from the government and that building up all of the roads will help them, they will be happy. Ignorance is bliss.
Fox Business
The most knowledgeable people about business, investors, and most smart economists are big investors, are staying away from Citigroup. Their stock has now fallen below $1 per share. I guess that shows that the people who really matter for the economy, businesses and investors, think of President Obama's failure of a plan to buy the banks. It doesn't matter what you want to call it, that is exactly what happened and by definition we now live in a facsist state because the government owns part of the banking system.
At this point the politicians in general are just playing people off of each other. The Republicans, like Rush Limbaugh, are sitting here hoping that the President fails so that they can get their power back and the Democrats are acting like they have a clue about something when they don't. As long as it looks like he is doing something, most of America won't investigate because our culture is a sad story with backwards values. You can walk around the streets of this nation and find a great number of people who know nothing about how their government works or how businesses work and they just want theirs. As long as they keep being told they will get health care from the government and that building up all of the roads will help them, they will be happy. Ignorance is bliss.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Insecure Social Networking
Related Articles:
Computerworld
A little bit off the topic of political news but necessary nonetheless. This is the type of malware that roams around social networking sites and it is the reason why you shouldn't just put whatever you feel like on your page or add applications like they were a collection.
This is just one of the many different types of malware you can get through social networking sites. If anything on Facebook tells you to get a new version of flash, do NOT click it. If you don't know if you have the newest version go to:
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
Computerworld
A little bit off the topic of political news but necessary nonetheless. This is the type of malware that roams around social networking sites and it is the reason why you shouldn't just put whatever you feel like on your page or add applications like they were a collection.
This is just one of the many different types of malware you can get through social networking sites. If anything on Facebook tells you to get a new version of flash, do NOT click it. If you don't know if you have the newest version go to:
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
Monday, March 2, 2009
What President Does What He/She Says?
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Fox News
Apparently President Obama is just like any other politician; not surprising.
Quote from Fox News:
"The House last week passed the measure that would keep the government running through Sept. 30, when the federal budget year ends. Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group, identified almost 8,600 specially sponsored projects totaling $7.7 billion; Democrats say the number is $3.8 billion."
The Democrats admitted to having $3.8 billion dollars in earmarks in this bill. If the President signs this, he is a perjurer to the public because he rails against earmarks constantly. How can anyone think it is necessary to WASTE $3.8 billion dollars in this economic state just to pass a bill?
Quote from Fox News:
"'We want to make sure that earmarks are reduced and they're also transparent. We're going to work with the Congress on a set of reforms to achieve those,' said Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget."
The President didn't say reduced, he said NONE. I want to see NO earmarks in bills that are passed from now and moving forward. The people of this country should be holding these politicians accountable for their idiocies. If someone goes against what they say, they should be voted out unanimously and whatever people vote for them after they do something completely opposite of what they say should leave this country now.
Fox News
Apparently President Obama is just like any other politician; not surprising.
Quote from Fox News:
"The House last week passed the measure that would keep the government running through Sept. 30, when the federal budget year ends. Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group, identified almost 8,600 specially sponsored projects totaling $7.7 billion; Democrats say the number is $3.8 billion."
The Democrats admitted to having $3.8 billion dollars in earmarks in this bill. If the President signs this, he is a perjurer to the public because he rails against earmarks constantly. How can anyone think it is necessary to WASTE $3.8 billion dollars in this economic state just to pass a bill?
Quote from Fox News:
"'We want to make sure that earmarks are reduced and they're also transparent. We're going to work with the Congress on a set of reforms to achieve those,' said Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget."
The President didn't say reduced, he said NONE. I want to see NO earmarks in bills that are passed from now and moving forward. The people of this country should be holding these politicians accountable for their idiocies. If someone goes against what they say, they should be voted out unanimously and whatever people vote for them after they do something completely opposite of what they say should leave this country now.
Let AIG Die Already
Related Articles:
CNN Money
CBS News
MSNBC
The US government gave AIG a nice big bailout and they went and spent some of the money on whatever vacation the executives felt like taking even though the company is a miserable failure at this point. After losing over $60 billion, they are getting another bailout.
In the world of capitalism if you do not have the freedom to fail you have nothing to work for. It is human nature and an extension of survival instinct to be lazy. The only way to force good work ethic is to have a penalty when something is done incorrectly. That penalty should AT LEAST be firing every executive that works for AIG before giving them bailout money. Their freedom to fail has been taken away by the government continually offering bailouts. Just let AIG do under already. Let everything go under if necessary. Sometimes a social or economic revolution is necessary to fix things.
CNN Money
CBS News
MSNBC
The US government gave AIG a nice big bailout and they went and spent some of the money on whatever vacation the executives felt like taking even though the company is a miserable failure at this point. After losing over $60 billion, they are getting another bailout.
In the world of capitalism if you do not have the freedom to fail you have nothing to work for. It is human nature and an extension of survival instinct to be lazy. The only way to force good work ethic is to have a penalty when something is done incorrectly. That penalty should AT LEAST be firing every executive that works for AIG before giving them bailout money. Their freedom to fail has been taken away by the government continually offering bailouts. Just let AIG do under already. Let everything go under if necessary. Sometimes a social or economic revolution is necessary to fix things.
No Death Penalty Saves Money?
Related Articles:
CNN
Let us take a step aside from the "lovey-dovey" world where we don't hurt anyone and everybody is nice. Lethal injection costs a lot of money, all to put a criminal out of this world without causing them pain like they did to someone else. According to this article it will cost less to house these people for the rest of their lives than to give them lethal injection. I personally cannot see how that is possible but if it is, a bullet is much cheaper.
What is the problem with using the firing squad as a method of execution? Or the electric chair? It is cheap, quick, and there is no need to wait years on death row to use them. Stop being a bunch of cowards and use what is obviously fine. If you want to leave the crimes of passion out of this, fine, but how can a premeditated murderer not deserve this end? They don't deserve wasting tax dollars for their comfort; they carelessly took someone's life for whatever sick reason they may have.
CNN
Let us take a step aside from the "lovey-dovey" world where we don't hurt anyone and everybody is nice. Lethal injection costs a lot of money, all to put a criminal out of this world without causing them pain like they did to someone else. According to this article it will cost less to house these people for the rest of their lives than to give them lethal injection. I personally cannot see how that is possible but if it is, a bullet is much cheaper.
What is the problem with using the firing squad as a method of execution? Or the electric chair? It is cheap, quick, and there is no need to wait years on death row to use them. Stop being a bunch of cowards and use what is obviously fine. If you want to leave the crimes of passion out of this, fine, but how can a premeditated murderer not deserve this end? They don't deserve wasting tax dollars for their comfort; they carelessly took someone's life for whatever sick reason they may have.
Down Goes The Market
Related Articles:
CNN Money
Well so far I am not impressed with the package that was supposed to stimulate the economy because since it has been passed the stock market has dropped over 1000 points. So much for restoring consumer confidence. Apparently the people that matter right now, the ones that have money to invest and spend, do not trust this package.
CNN Money
Well so far I am not impressed with the package that was supposed to stimulate the economy because since it has been passed the stock market has dropped over 1000 points. So much for restoring consumer confidence. Apparently the people that matter right now, the ones that have money to invest and spend, do not trust this package.
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