It's also been reported that the NSA requires U.S.-made communications satellites to be equipped with intercept devices that can be used to transmit copies of their traffic to the NSA for analysis. Don't have a link at present, but I'm sure you could find a source if you're interested enough.
There were some people who wanted to find out if the NRO (National Reconaissance Office) had any photos of Nicole Brown's neighborhood at the time the murders were taking place. They wanted to see if OJ's car was there. I don't know if NRO even answered the request, but no photos were ever forthcoming.
I suspect that with the new commercial services that don't have the classification issues, we'll be seeing satellite photos used routinely in both civil and criminal matters.
How stupid does a company look when it doesn't give the URL of its own web site in a news release that mentions it? Here's the main site. Here's the 10 images.
You talk like the two-party system assures stasis. Au contraire, the parties evolve over time as the political consensus changes. When a party stops winning elections, its platform (or at least its rhetoric) shifts in order to bring back the voters. (And even so, parties don't exist into perpetuity: the Republican party hasn't existed since the founding; it came together in the mid-1800's, and elected Lincoln as its first President.) Our two-party system actually functions by incorporating the one-issue voters into the larger parties, rather than having them splinter off into their own as they would in, say, Italy. The result is pretty much the same.
If I understand you correctly, one of your central themes is that you and those whom you claim to represent aren't being spoon-fed political information in a tasty enough form. My response to this is to tell you to ignore the politico-marketing hype and take advantage of this new tool called the net to learn for yourself the issues and positions of the candidates. You could even (gasp) summarize your findings, package them 'imaginatively', and make them available to your fellow ennui-suffers. Which is exactly what's happening all across the web, if you'll take the time to look. Politics is not only not at an end, it's flowering in thousands of ways as the old obstacles to information dissemination fall. Criticizing 'the system' is just an easy excuse for not bothering to take part.
As you noted in your essay, even if you ignore the political beast, it isn't ignoring you. It will pass laws, subject you to surveillance, prosecute you, decide what you 'need', and generally make a nuisance (or worse) of itself unless controlled. Remember the quote, "For evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing". Whatever your definition of political evil, you're running the risk of getting just that if you don't pay attention and participate.
In my experience, distaste for, and ignorance of, politics is a condition of youth. Get a little older, have a family, get some money in the bank and you'll generally start to care a lot more. For those who don't, I'm happy not to have their ignorant votes mucking things up for those of us who take the time to inform ourselves. Just sit back, we'll be happy to run things for you. Just don't bitch when it isn't what you wanted.
I once moved into a management role but got out of it. Dealing with the psychological problems of a bunch of whiny computer programmers wasn't for me. It's probably not a good omen when you want to murder your own staff. "She got carpet in her office. Why can't I have carpet in my office?" Jesus, the very memory is gonna start the night sweats again...
I was using a bit of humor since Frankel would probably continue to be a pain to AOL whether or not he was still associated with them. However, Perot really was paid off by GM just so they wouldn't have to listen to him any more. From here:
Perot sold EDS in 1984 to General Motors for $2.5 billion. He retained ownership in the company, which made him GM's largest individual stockholder and a member of the board of directors. From the start, Perot and GM head Roger Smith quarreled, and Perot criticized the quality of GM automobiles. In 1986, GM bought out Perot's stock for $700 million with the agreement that he could not compete with EDS for three years. Perot ignored the agreement. Two years later, he started a new computer service company, Perot Systems, which operates in the United States and Europe.
AOL must be regretting getting Frankel on board the way General Motors came to regret ending up with Ross Perot after acquiring EDS. Maybe Frankel is pursuing the same strategy; GM finally paid Perot huge bucks just to go the hell away and stop making their lives miserable.
Imagine, a circuit that can actually change it's physical wiring to handle new conditions and/or optimize itself...
Oh yeah, I really want my computer growing new circuits for itself. I can see the new passtime for the script kiddies now. "Yeah, d00d5! I gave this guy's Linux box cancer of the graphics card. It was way cool..."
Thanks for the info. I went to the time site and found a picture, tho it may not be the one you're referring to, since they definitely didn't make his face white. Odd pose and facial expression too. They ended up making him look like an alien skinhead contemplating his next Paki-bashing.
You're giving lectures at the premier technological university and no one has arranged a video feed of the events? Tsk tsk. I don't suppose there's any chance that it will at least be videotaped for posting on a web site later? It would be nice to see what you guys look like. It makes stalking so much easier... 8-)
I absolutely detest tobacco and tobacco companies. I also think that children 'diagnosed' with ADD are cash cows for the school districts, medical 'professionals', and the pharmaceutical industry. That said, I'm completely opposed to using our tort system to redress these ills. It's great when you can go after a group who's unpopular, but eventually it's going to be your group that's targeted, be it gun owners, abortion clinics, no-nukes folks, or whoever. Even if you believe in the benevolence of the present power holders, one day a bunch of people who don't like your positions will get hold of the levers and start using them against your cherished institutions. The way to keep that from happening is to not to cede that kind of power now.
The tyranny of the majority was a legitimate fear of the founders of the U.S., which is one reason that freedom of speech is so zealously guarded. We should apply those same general principals across the board.
How can states not give compensation to the victims of the large tobacco settlements?
Well, the states will tell you it's cuz the settlement is for costs already incurred or projected for things like health care for the afflicted smokers. But the real answer is, BECAUSE THEY WANT THE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES. Is that a surprise? The tobacco settlements are a horrible precedent. The Government/plaintiff bar sharks have now sensed blood in the water and will go after any industry that appears to be weak enough to cave to this sort of extortion. No one is safe from this point on. (Did you hear today that class action suits have now been filed against the manufacturer of Ritalin and also the American Psychiatric Association? Whoever you are, wherever you work, your turn is coming.)
So, I suggest going to town hall, and registering a virtual company (I believe that's what its called). Its basically a name that's like to your name; then you open a bank account to accept money in that name or pay in that name. The IRS will probably want to set it up with a unique tax ID, but then perhaps that's not necessary since a virtual company is not limited in anyway. (i.e. you are personally liable for the operations of that company, which is okay for a small thing).
This sounds like a lot of trouble to get one package sent. I'd just go find an existing business and pay them an extra $20 to get them to let you use their business name as the originator. No doubt they'd want to make sure you're not shipping drugs or something, but you can package the stuff in their presence to allay that fear.
Just a thought: go to an outfit like Postal Express or Mailboxes Etc. They do shipping thru businesses like DHL and Fedex, and might have a relationship that would allow it through. Another thought: there is a 'general info' number for queries to the U.S. gov't in the phone book. Call it and ask what office could handle a question on how to ship goods to Russia. They should be able to refer you to someone. I once had a question on what power standards were used in Lituania and I got through to someone who could tell me using this method. Thought 3: check with an airline that flys to Russia. It's just possible that they might be able to handle shipping some items for pickup at the freight office of a local airport. I've never tried this overseas, but it's worked for me within the U.S.
After all, I only 'license' the software, I don't own it. Since I hacked my TiVo by cracking the sealed case, added a 75GB second drive, and modified the boot files, am I going to have to stay out of Michigan? Man, there goes my vacation!
Re:Even More OT, but it needed posting...
on
Kuro5hin Update
·
· Score: 2
That's funny, I want to be a Brit!
I want to lie awake at night in my country house listening to vans full of yobbos park and then check my doors and windows, knowing that if I defend my home I'll be jailed while they're characterized as "loveable rogues"!
I want to be issued an identity card which I must present to anyone in authority on demand. Of course, they won't call it an 'internal passport,' but a rose by any other name...
I want everyone in town forced to have their DNA sampled any time someone in the general area commits a crime!
I want to have my health care paid for by others. Sure it's mediocre, and I have a good chance of having some bureaucrat make me wait months for treatment, but it's free (at least if you consider a system funded by an enormous tax burden 'free')! And if it's a real emergency, I can always head for the U.S., where I can get better treatment while I make disdainful comments about their evil for-profit medical system!
I want to live in a country where there is no Bill of Rights or recognized freedom of speech! I like the fact that the state can shut up those with inconvenient views!
Can someone tell me why a new server was needed? I would have thought whatever had to be done software-wise to block the spam could have been done on whatever they had before. Or does the processing power necessary for the new software require a more powerful machine?
One would argue that the modern-day hacker has really lost touch with what hacking is supposed to mean. It's about sharing, and by "locking down" boxes and trying to break into web servers to expose security, we're moving farther and farther away from that ideal. We should go back to the tape drawer, people.
And prepare to have your head handed to you, legally speaking. There was a recent SlashDot story on a guy who had done something like this on his web site, letting all users upload stuff, and all uploads being accessible to all users. The intent was to let people upload their materials/applications so that they could get at them from wherever they were in the world. He's now being prosecuted (or maybe it's only at the threat stage right now - I haven't checked) for running a service that assists in copyright infringement.
I use AOL and have turned off Instant Messaging. It's ok if you're just screwing around and someone suddenly wants to chat, but it's a damned nuisance if you're in the middle of something. It's like getting a phone call in the middle of a TV show. I've never installed any IM clients outside of AOL for this very reason. The attraction for anyone besides kids who want to gab with their friends escapes me. Send me an email if you need something. If I'm there, I'll see it; if I'm not, you won't have wasted your time. I guess this means that I don't particularly give a bleep if AOL dominates this arena.
My latest stint of jury duty convinced me that the problem isn't completely with the courts, but also with the jurors. At least half of our number was ruled completely by emotion rather than logic. If you hope to get an outcome that has any congruity with reality, you're going to have to get rid of these people. Of course, when reality is against you, these are exactly the folks you want. Which is why it'll probably never happen.
Slashdot Mirror
Here's some reading:
This thread on SlashDot.
This article on Freedom Forum.
It's also been reported that the NSA requires U.S.-made communications satellites to be equipped with intercept devices that can be used to transmit copies of their traffic to the NSA for analysis. Don't have a link at present, but I'm sure you could find a source if you're interested enough.
Ok, you wanted something 'imaginative' and 'innovative'? Here you go: www.slaphillary.com. I love reasoned political discourse.
I suspect that with the new commercial services that don't have the classification issues, we'll be seeing satellite photos used routinely in both civil and criminal matters.
How stupid does a company look when it doesn't give the URL of its own web site in a news release that mentions it? Here's the main site. Here's the 10 images.
You talk like the two-party system assures stasis. Au contraire, the parties evolve over time as the political consensus changes. When a party stops winning elections, its platform (or at least its rhetoric) shifts in order to bring back the voters. (And even so, parties don't exist into perpetuity: the Republican party hasn't existed since the founding; it came together in the mid-1800's, and elected Lincoln as its first President.) Our two-party system actually functions by incorporating the one-issue voters into the larger parties, rather than having them splinter off into their own as they would in, say, Italy. The result is pretty much the same.
If I understand you correctly, one of your central themes is that you and those whom you claim to represent aren't being spoon-fed political information in a tasty enough form. My response to this is to tell you to ignore the politico-marketing hype and take advantage of this new tool called the net to learn for yourself the issues and positions of the candidates. You could even (gasp) summarize your findings, package them 'imaginatively', and make them available to your fellow ennui-suffers. Which is exactly what's happening all across the web, if you'll take the time to look. Politics is not only not at an end, it's flowering in thousands of ways as the old obstacles to information dissemination fall. Criticizing 'the system' is just an easy excuse for not bothering to take part.
As you noted in your essay, even if you ignore the political beast, it isn't ignoring you. It will pass laws, subject you to surveillance, prosecute you, decide what you 'need', and generally make a nuisance (or worse) of itself unless controlled. Remember the quote, "For evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing". Whatever your definition of political evil, you're running the risk of getting just that if you don't pay attention and participate.
In my experience, distaste for, and ignorance of, politics is a condition of youth. Get a little older, have a family, get some money in the bank and you'll generally start to care a lot more. For those who don't, I'm happy not to have their ignorant votes mucking things up for those of us who take the time to inform ourselves. Just sit back, we'll be happy to run things for you. Just don't bitch when it isn't what you wanted.
Let's get Thiokol on the job. They'll get that baby launched!
I once moved into a management role but got out of it. Dealing with the psychological problems of a bunch of whiny computer programmers wasn't for me. It's probably not a good omen when you want to murder your own staff. "She got carpet in her office. Why can't I have carpet in my office?" Jesus, the very memory is gonna start the night sweats again ...
Perot sold EDS in 1984 to General Motors for $2.5 billion. He retained ownership in the company, which made him GM's largest individual stockholder and a member of the board of directors. From the start, Perot and GM head Roger Smith quarreled, and Perot criticized the quality of GM automobiles. In 1986, GM bought out Perot's stock for $700 million with the agreement that he could not compete with EDS for three years. Perot ignored the agreement. Two years later, he started a new computer service company, Perot Systems, which operates in the United States and Europe.
AOL must be regretting getting Frankel on board the way General Motors came to regret ending up with Ross Perot after acquiring EDS. Maybe Frankel is pursuing the same strategy; GM finally paid Perot huge bucks just to go the hell away and stop making their lives miserable.
Oh yeah, I really want my computer growing new circuits for itself. I can see the new passtime for the script kiddies now. "Yeah, d00d5! I gave this guy's Linux box cancer of the graphics card. It was way cool ..."
Thanks for the info. I went to the time site and found a picture, tho it may not be the one you're referring to, since they definitely didn't make his face white. Odd pose and facial expression too. They ended up making him look like an alien skinhead contemplating his next Paki-bashing.
You're giving lectures at the premier technological university and no one has arranged a video feed of the events? Tsk tsk. I don't suppose there's any chance that it will at least be videotaped for posting on a web site later? It would be nice to see what you guys look like. It makes stalking so much easier ... 8-)
I absolutely detest tobacco and tobacco companies. I also think that children 'diagnosed' with ADD are cash cows for the school districts, medical 'professionals', and the pharmaceutical industry. That said, I'm completely opposed to using our tort system to redress these ills. It's great when you can go after a group who's unpopular, but eventually it's going to be your group that's targeted, be it gun owners, abortion clinics, no-nukes folks, or whoever. Even if you believe in the benevolence of the present power holders, one day a bunch of people who don't like your positions will get hold of the levers and start using them against your cherished institutions. The way to keep that from happening is to not to cede that kind of power now.
The tyranny of the majority was a legitimate fear of the founders of the U.S., which is one reason that freedom of speech is so zealously guarded. We should apply those same general principals across the board.
How can states not give compensation to the victims of the large tobacco settlements?
Well, the states will tell you it's cuz the settlement is for costs already incurred or projected for things like health care for the afflicted smokers. But the real answer is, BECAUSE THEY WANT THE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES. Is that a surprise? The tobacco settlements are a horrible precedent. The Government/plaintiff bar sharks have now sensed blood in the water and will go after any industry that appears to be weak enough to cave to this sort of extortion. No one is safe from this point on. (Did you hear today that class action suits have now been filed against the manufacturer of Ritalin and also the American Psychiatric Association? Whoever you are, wherever you work, your turn is coming.)
I've written to google a number of times and except for once, have always gotten an answer.
So, I suggest going to town hall, and registering a virtual company (I believe that's what its called). Its basically a name that's like to your name; then you open a bank account to accept money in that name or pay in that name. The IRS will probably want to set it up with a unique tax ID, but then perhaps that's not necessary since a virtual company is not limited in anyway. (i.e. you are personally liable for the operations of that company, which is okay for a small thing).
This sounds like a lot of trouble to get one package sent. I'd just go find an existing business and pay them an extra $20 to get them to let you use their business name as the originator. No doubt they'd want to make sure you're not shipping drugs or something, but you can package the stuff in their presence to allay that fear.
VA said "Hey, want a dual processor P3 700, with a gig of memory?" and what would *you* say to that? :-)
... :-)
Well, if they're forcing it on you
Just a thought: go to an outfit like Postal Express or Mailboxes Etc. They do shipping thru businesses like DHL and Fedex, and might have a relationship that would allow it through. Another thought: there is a 'general info' number for queries to the U.S. gov't in the phone book. Call it and ask what office could handle a question on how to ship goods to Russia. They should be able to refer you to someone. I once had a question on what power standards were used in Lituania and I got through to someone who could tell me using this method. Thought 3: check with an airline that flys to Russia. It's just possible that they might be able to handle shipping some items for pickup at the freight office of a local airport. I've never tried this overseas, but it's worked for me within the U.S.
After all, I only 'license' the software, I don't own it. Since I hacked my TiVo by cracking the sealed case, added a 75GB second drive, and modified the boot files, am I going to have to stay out of Michigan? Man, there goes my vacation!
That's funny, I want to be a Brit!
...
I want to lie awake at night in my country house listening to vans full of yobbos park and then check my doors and windows, knowing that if I defend my home I'll be jailed while they're characterized as "loveable rogues"!
I want to be issued an identity card which I must present to anyone in authority on demand. Of course, they won't call it an 'internal passport,' but a rose by any other name
I want everyone in town forced to have their DNA sampled any time someone in the general area commits a crime!
I want to have my health care paid for by others. Sure it's mediocre, and I have a good chance of having some bureaucrat make me wait months for treatment, but it's free (at least if you consider a system funded by an enormous tax burden 'free')! And if it's a real emergency, I can always head for the U.S., where I can get better treatment while I make disdainful comments about their evil for-profit medical system!
I want to live in a country where there is no Bill of Rights or recognized freedom of speech! I like the fact that the state can shut up those with inconvenient views!
HAND ME MY MEDICATION AND TELL ME WHERE TO APPLY!
Can someone tell me why a new server was needed? I would have thought whatever had to be done software-wise to block the spam could have been done on whatever they had before. Or does the processing power necessary for the new software require a more powerful machine?
One would argue that the modern-day hacker has really lost touch with what hacking is supposed to mean. It's about sharing, and by "locking down" boxes and trying to break into web servers to expose security, we're moving farther and farther away from that ideal. We should go back to the tape drawer, people.
And prepare to have your head handed to you, legally speaking. There was a recent SlashDot story on a guy who had done something like this on his web site, letting all users upload stuff, and all uploads being accessible to all users. The intent was to let people upload their materials/applications so that they could get at them from wherever they were in the world. He's now being prosecuted (or maybe it's only at the threat stage right now - I haven't checked) for running a service that assists in copyright infringement.
I use AOL and have turned off Instant Messaging. It's ok if you're just screwing around and someone suddenly wants to chat, but it's a damned nuisance if you're in the middle of something. It's like getting a phone call in the middle of a TV show. I've never installed any IM clients outside of AOL for this very reason. The attraction for anyone besides kids who want to gab with their friends escapes me. Send me an email if you need something. If I'm there, I'll see it; if I'm not, you won't have wasted your time. I guess this means that I don't particularly give a bleep if AOL dominates this arena.
...
Ok, I feel better now
My latest stint of jury duty convinced me that the problem isn't completely with the courts, but also with the jurors. At least half of our number was ruled completely by emotion rather than logic. If you hope to get an outcome that has any congruity with reality, you're going to have to get rid of these people. Of course, when reality is against you, these are exactly the folks you want. Which is why it'll probably never happen.