Thank you for expressing your views on legislation that would provide retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in the National Security Agency's (NSA) warrantless surveillance program.
In December of 2005 it was first reported that President Bush had authorized the NSA to monitor communication between U.S. citizens and terrorist suspects outside the United States without first obtaining a warrant. Some telecommunications companies participated in this program and provided the government with access to phone records. Serious questions arose about the legality of this program and its compliance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA).
In August 2007, Congress passed revisions to FISA, which I opposed, expanding the authority of the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence to conduct surveillance of foreign targets. Under this legislation telecommunications companies that assist the government in the future implementation of this program were granted immunity from criminal and civil action.
This legislation expires in early February, and Congress is currently considering further revisions to FISA. President Bush has requested that any further modifications to FISA contain retroactive immunity for any telecommunications company that participated in the program since its inception. While developments in technology may require modest modifications to our intelligence laws, I will oppose efforts to provide retroactive immunity for illegal wiretapping as it is inconsistent with our democratic principles. All citizens must have legal recourse when their rights are infringed upon, and companies must bear the responsibility for breaking the law.
Welcome to the conversation. You may want to read through the entire thread before deciding to reply in disagreement to the only person in the thread who actually agrees with you.
Strange, us only have one mathematic, yet we managed to crash a hundred million dollar Mars explorer by confusing mathematics. It's the American dream: anything is possible!
"Mathematics" and "maths" are two different words with different usages geographically. All you've shown is that the latter is derived from the former.
"They left clicked with their right hand instead of right clicked with their right hand."
How you know this information, I am not sure. I tend to go with the simplest explanation - they heard "Explorer" and double-clicked on the big blue e on their desktop. Anyway, this example was simply for the comedic value of hearing someone say "ALL I SEE IS GOOGLE!!"
"Honestly, I know that I have downloaded lots of files without really looking at the filename until after the download is complete..."
I don't follow your argument. However he saved the file, he had to go to explorer and look at the file's properties by right-clicking the filename and going to Properties. I think the simplest explanation is just that he didn't know what "filename" meant. I asked for the filename. He couldn't find it. It's pretty simple.
But feel free to continue your rant as you desire.
"They hear "Explorer" and immediately think of the Internet - not a file manager/browser (or vice-versa)"
The stupidity comes into play because I explained the steps in my first statement ("...by right-clicking Start, and going to Explore"). They chose to ignore my steps.
"I prefer saying alpha characters this way: "A as in Apple"."
The problem is that these numbers are ridiculously long and most people know right away that "Alpha" means A. That is seriously the only case I can recall where someone thought I was referring to special keys on the keyboard... and I don't think anyone has every tried typing "A L P H A".
"Under windows, when viewed by right clicking and selecting properties..."
The file was an email attachment. They would have had to save it to their computer and then check the file properties. Nowhere in that time did they notice the filename? This is coming from a "tech support" person, too. That's the point.
"Ok, unless it had wifi, you have a good example."
One big solid USB cable.
"This is again, a crappy UI decision by Microsoft, not a stupid user."
Look at what I originally said to the person. I explained the steps in my first statement. They ignored the steps and thought "Explorer! I know that!" That's where the stupidity comes in.
As for the Alpha reference, I know it's a stretch. I wasn't citing it as an example of stupidity; just for whatever comedic value you can get from it.
"THIS IS A FOX NEWS ALERT. President Bush has just announced that... Lacy Peterson... has been targeted as a top terrorist threat... Iran Nuclear Holocaust... DEATH DIE DIE!!!"
A tech support rep for another company emailed saying our upgrader didn't work for him. I asked him what the filename of the upgrader was. He replied with the file version and all the other information about the file, but said he couldn't find the filename...
----
Me: Here is your registration code: Alpha One Five...
User: Alpha? Where's the alpha key? I don't see that...
----
A user wanted to use a camera with our software, but said it wasn't showing up as an option. I asked her if the camera was plugged in; she said no, but said "that shouldn't matter"...
----
Me: Open up Windows Explorer by right clicking Start and going to Explore. Do you see our program folder under C:\Program Files\?
User: I don't understand what you're talking about! ALL I SEE IS GOOGLE!
Me: Not Internet Explorer. Windows Explorer. Right click on Start and go to Explore.
----
A tech support rep from another company was convinced that our "Watch Guard HTTP Proxy" was blocking him from downloading files from our site. I tried to explain to him that it was HIS proxy, not ours, but he didn't believe me and said he wanted to talk to another tech support here.
This isn't an outbreak of anything but more crap. Who would use this service? It's like going to a news site where all they do is provide a brief, degraded version of an actual news story...
I would donate the minimum necessary to maintain the present group and invest the rest so there's more to donate later (when you'll need to donate more).
Slashdot Mirror
In short: yay!
(Reply follows)
----
Dear Mr. InvisiblePinkUnicorn:
Thank you for expressing your views on legislation that would provide retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in the National Security Agency's (NSA) warrantless surveillance program.
In December of 2005 it was first reported that President Bush had authorized the NSA to monitor communication between U.S. citizens and terrorist suspects outside the United States without first obtaining a warrant. Some telecommunications companies participated in this program and provided the government with access to phone records. Serious questions arose about the legality of this program and its compliance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA).
In August 2007, Congress passed revisions to FISA, which I opposed, expanding the authority of the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence to conduct surveillance of foreign targets. Under this legislation telecommunications companies that assist the government in the future implementation of this program were granted immunity from criminal and civil action.
This legislation expires in early February, and Congress is currently considering further revisions to FISA. President Bush has requested that any further modifications to FISA contain retroactive immunity for any telecommunications company that participated in the program since its inception. While developments in technology may require modest modifications to our intelligence laws, I will oppose efforts to provide retroactive immunity for illegal wiretapping as it is inconsistent with our democratic principles. All citizens must have legal recourse when their rights are infringed upon, and companies must bear the responsibility for breaking the law.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
Welcome to the conversation. You may want to read through the entire thread before deciding to reply in disagreement to the only person in the thread who actually agrees with you.
Idiot.
Strange, us only have one mathematic, yet we managed to crash a hundred million dollar Mars explorer by confusing mathematics. It's the American dream: anything is possible!
Now tell me why I should care.
"Mathematics" and "maths" are two different words with different usages geographically. All you've shown is that the latter is derived from the former.
Here's a cookie.
Yes, I'm not an idiot. I'm familiar with the different renderings of math/maths. Ever hear of comedy for the sake of comedy?
Seven! It does seven maths!
"With no help from his Dad, he has learned far more about computers than he knew a couple of weeks ago."
The kid has made such a fast advancement that he has already been offered a job by Chris Hansen.
"Possibly thought you meant "plugged in" in the same sense that her lamp is "plugged in" -- to a power outlet?"
Sadly, no. My description here was simply a summary. To her I described in full what I meant - plugged into the computer and turned on.
"They left clicked with their right hand instead of right clicked with their right hand."
How you know this information, I am not sure. I tend to go with the simplest explanation - they heard "Explorer" and double-clicked on the big blue e on their desktop. Anyway, this example was simply for the comedic value of hearing someone say "ALL I SEE IS GOOGLE!!"
"Honestly, I know that I have downloaded lots of files without really looking at the filename until after the download is complete..."
I don't follow your argument. However he saved the file, he had to go to explorer and look at the file's properties by right-clicking the filename and going to Properties. I think the simplest explanation is just that he didn't know what "filename" meant. I asked for the filename. He couldn't find it. It's pretty simple.
But feel free to continue your rant as you desire.
I would have given him a new water-cooled system with a 10,000W power supply. Then just wait for the support call.
Great... we don't have enough stray animals running around. Let's clone 250 extremely deformed ones before we get 1 right.
Actually... it's in Korea... maybe there's just trying to feed the poor?
"They hear "Explorer" and immediately think of the Internet - not a file manager/browser (or vice-versa)"
The stupidity comes into play because I explained the steps in my first statement ("...by right-clicking Start, and going to Explore"). They chose to ignore my steps.
"I prefer saying alpha characters this way: "A as in Apple"."
The problem is that these numbers are ridiculously long and most people know right away that "Alpha" means A. That is seriously the only case I can recall where someone thought I was referring to special keys on the keyboard... and I don't think anyone has every tried typing "A L P H A".
"Under windows, when viewed by right clicking and selecting properties..."
The file was an email attachment. They would have had to save it to their computer and then check the file properties. Nowhere in that time did they notice the filename? This is coming from a "tech support" person, too. That's the point.
"Ok, unless it had wifi, you have a good example."
One big solid USB cable.
"This is again, a crappy UI decision by Microsoft, not a stupid user."
Look at what I originally said to the person. I explained the steps in my first statement. They ignored the steps and thought "Explorer! I know that!" That's where the stupidity comes in.
As for the Alpha reference, I know it's a stretch. I wasn't citing it as an example of stupidity; just for whatever comedic value you can get from it.
I had a customer who started reading his registration number, and the strangest example I have ever heard was used:
"E as in Everyman"
I've been tempted to use this on occasion.
"THIS IS A FOX NEWS ALERT. President Bush has just announced that... Lacy Peterson... has been targeted as a top terrorist threat... Iran Nuclear Holocaust... DEATH DIE DIE!!!"
Some other favorites of mine:
A tech support rep for another company emailed saying our upgrader didn't work for him. I asked him what the filename of the upgrader was. He replied with the file version and all the other information about the file, but said he couldn't find the filename...
----
Me: Here is your registration code: Alpha One Five...
User: Alpha? Where's the alpha key? I don't see that...
----
A user wanted to use a camera with our software, but said it wasn't showing up as an option. I asked her if the camera was plugged in; she said no, but said "that shouldn't matter"...
----
Me: Open up Windows Explorer by right clicking Start and going to Explore. Do you see our program folder under C:\Program Files\?
User: I don't understand what you're talking about! ALL I SEE IS GOOGLE!
Me: Not Internet Explorer. Windows Explorer. Right click on Start and go to Explore.
----
A tech support rep from another company was convinced that our "Watch Guard HTTP Proxy" was blocking him from downloading files from our site. I tried to explain to him that it was HIS proxy, not ours, but he didn't believe me and said he wanted to talk to another tech support here.
It's surprising how many people are like this. I encounter people this clueless on a weekly basis.
Me: "Right-click on your program shortcut and go to Properties..."
User: "What?"
Me: "The shortcut to the program."
User: "What?"
Me: "However you normally open the program."
User: "Ok, the program's open."
Me: "No, just right-click on that icon."
User: "So close the program?"
Me: "Yes"
User: "It says, 'are you sure you want to exit.' Click ok?"
Me: "Yes."
User: "It says, 'An error was encountered.' Click Send?"
Me: "No, click Do Not Send."
User: "OK, so go into the program?"
Me: "No, right-click on the shortcut."
User: "What?"
"The news stories could be degraded in just such a way that made the degraded services appear *non-degraded* and really cool."
Brilliant idea! It's like taking a song and adding enough noise to it that people are forced to believe the noise is part of the music.
I think Cher tried this already...
Following "w00t" in the list of most searched-for terms were such terms as "clearasil" and "cheetos".
This isn't an outbreak of anything but more crap. Who would use this service? It's like going to a news site where all they do is provide a brief, degraded version of an actual news story...
Soon to come... the Top Ten Green Ideas Turned Man-Made Disasters, and the Top Ten Man-Made Disasters Turned Medical Breakthroughs.
That same pic is in the article linked in the summary....
I would donate the minimum necessary to maintain the present group and invest the rest so there's more to donate later (when you'll need to donate more).
"so they can have more kids and then in 20 years from now you have 10 families to support, WOOT"
It's quaint to see there are still people supporting the caste system. I bet you think monarchies are just SUPER!