It's not living in GCHQ's back garden (I can see the top three floors from my back bedroom) that make me scared, I know they've got better things to listen to than me discussing how many tins of cat food I've got to get on my way home, it's people who get an Orange, or the like, and belive that the conversation is secure. Belive it or not, I've overheard people quoting their credit card numbers over both analogue (I'm also a ham - M1AXR) and whilst overhearing in cafes.
I make it a point not to discuss anything that I wouldn't be prepared to shout across a crowded room over any form of telephone. I'm not paranoid, and I've got nothing to hide but that won't stop me taking every reasonable step to ensure my privacy.
I just kept my head down, and turned the Smiths up.
A few years ago, one of my biggest bulliers (if that's a word) was killed in a motorbike accident. Amazing how liberating that was. Sure I wanted these people gone, I had knives held against my throat, (and this is 80's UK I'm talking about) been chased through town, all manner of things. Another one of the people came in to where I was working a few years ago to apologise. He said he felt terrible about what he had done. Good man! Whilst I don't drink with him or anything, we can now exchange hellos as we pass in the street, and I think it's brought him a little peace knowing that I don't hold any ill feelings toward him.
I don't think I'm a nerd/geek/jock or whatever I was crap at the normal sports (Soccer/Rugby etc) because I'm 5'8" but I was on my school's team in fencing. I was crap at English/Math but did well in the Sciences and Computing (what little there was in the UK in the 80's). I can remember a teacher telling me that D&D was "Tantamount to Satanism" (his words) I just thought it was an interesting game that involved using your imagination.
Thank you for your intelligent response. It is terrible to hear such a thing as someone being killed for their belief, and I am sorry to hear about the loss of a friend. Whilst I do not share people's religious beliefs, I am prepared to fight to the death to defend their right to have them. (To paraphrase clumsily) I don't belive a church (notice how non specific I'm being here) should be used as a crutch. Religion is not a panacea. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I hear people, to my (prehaps jaded) ear asking * (again notice how ns I'm being) for forgivness for sins. I belive that if there IS a god (can't think of a better word, sorry) and I'm proved wrong, that I've led, whilst not the best life in the world, I'm a good guy, I don't beat people, hurt animals, lie, cheat (apart from video games!). I am just a person who looked at a spritual life, and decided that it would be wrong for me to follow a lifestyle that I didn't 100% belive in. I don't mock people for their beliefs, a friend of mine's, girlfriend is a christian, and I am fasinated by how this (multiple) degree student (one of her family members taught me Physics in school) can at one hand, know how the universe works, and yet belive that someone made it. They say time heals all wounds, I hope that you're soon back in good spirits.
I find the events of the last few days as horrible as anyone. I'm pleased I live in a country where guns are not commonplace. What HAS troubled me about this tragedy, is the speed in which the various churches have "rallied round" the community. What a perfect time to increase their congregations. It sickens me that whenever there is an out pouring of public sympathy, the church is right there on scene to mop it up. I hear many people offering prayers to the dead, and their families, even Clinton. I'm all for religious freedom, people are free to belive in anything they want, (even aliens and volcanoes) but just don't use a tragedy just this to further your cause. And for the record, I was brought up a Christian, but have become Agnostic!
Slashdot Mirror
Hi evilandi - love the name! :D
It's not living in GCHQ's back garden (I can see the top three floors from my back bedroom) that make me scared, I know they've got better things to listen to than me discussing how many tins of cat food I've got to get on my way home, it's people who get an Orange, or the like, and belive that the conversation is secure. Belive it or not, I've overheard people quoting their credit card numbers over both analogue (I'm also a ham - M1AXR) and whilst overhearing in cafes.
I make it a point not to discuss anything that I wouldn't be prepared to shout across a crowded room over any form of telephone. I'm not paranoid, and I've got nothing to hide but that won't stop me taking every reasonable step to ensure my privacy.
If you're having a discussion about anything even remotly sensitive on a cell phone - you're insane.
;)
I don't consider my Orange PCN phone secure.
I live in Cheltenham UK, about 3 minutes walk from GCHQ btw
it's a spoof.
http://members.tripod.com/~tzimisce69/
I just kept my head down, and turned the Smiths up.
A few years ago, one of my biggest bulliers (if that's a word) was killed in a motorbike accident. Amazing how liberating that was. Sure I wanted these people gone, I had knives held against my throat, (and this is 80's UK I'm talking about) been chased through town, all manner of things.
Another one of the people came in to where I was working a few years ago to apologise. He said he felt terrible about what he had done. Good man! Whilst I don't drink with him or anything, we can now exchange hellos as we pass in the street, and I think it's brought him a little peace knowing that I don't hold any ill feelings toward him.
I don't think I'm a nerd/geek/jock or whatever I was crap at the normal sports (Soccer/Rugby etc) because I'm 5'8" but I was on my school's team in fencing. I was crap at English/Math but did well in the Sciences and Computing (what little there was in the UK in the 80's). I can remember a teacher telling me that D&D was "Tantamount to Satanism" (his words) I just thought it was an interesting game that involved using your imagination.
[EOF]
Andy Bowd
Thank you for your intelligent response. It is terrible to hear such a thing as someone being killed for their belief, and I am sorry to hear about the loss of a friend. Whilst I do not share people's religious beliefs, I am prepared to fight to the death to defend their right to have them. (To paraphrase clumsily) I don't belive a church (notice how non specific I'm being here) should be used as a crutch. Religion is not a panacea. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I hear people, to my (prehaps jaded) ear asking * (again notice how ns I'm being) for forgivness for sins. I belive that if there IS a god (can't think of a better word, sorry) and I'm proved wrong, that I've led, whilst not the best life in the world, I'm a good guy, I don't beat people, hurt animals, lie, cheat (apart from video games!). I am just a person who looked at a spritual life, and decided that it would be wrong for me to follow a lifestyle that I didn't 100% belive in. I don't mock people for their beliefs, a friend of mine's, girlfriend is a christian, and I am fasinated by how this (multiple) degree student (one of her family members taught me Physics in school) can at one hand, know how the universe works, and yet belive that someone made it. They say time heals all wounds, I hope that you're soon back in good spirits.
Best wishes
Andy Bowd
I find the events of the last few days as horrible as anyone. I'm pleased I live in a country where guns are not commonplace. What HAS troubled me about this tragedy, is the speed in which the various churches have "rallied round" the community. What a perfect time to increase their congregations. It sickens me that whenever there is an out pouring of public sympathy, the church is right there on scene to mop it up. I hear many people offering prayers to the dead, and their families, even Clinton. I'm all for religious freedom, people are free to belive in anything they want, (even aliens and volcanoes) but just don't use a tragedy just this to further your cause. And for the record, I was brought up a Christian, but have become Agnostic!
Thanks,
Andy Bowd