Obama legal team wants defendants' rights limited  4/24/2009
For all the talk of Obama being such a huge departure from Bush, there are a hell of a lot of similarities in the way they govern. For example, while Obama might want more transparency, he is also every bit as willing to take away our liberties as his predecessor.

No question, Obama is a major step forward from the last administration. (Sponge Bob would have been a step up, frankly.) Still, he is not the champion of the Left that Fox News would have you believe.
Lights out: biggest show of climate concern ever?  3/23/2009
I will not disagree that it is mainly symbolic, but for everyone to turn out the lights at 8:30pm (for an hour) this Saturday is still an important first step. That said, most of the lights are controlled by our governments, and getting them to turn off the street lights for an hour is perhaps more difficult than solving climate change.
Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer: The Extended Daily Show Interview  3/13/2009
There is no way to sugar coat this: CNBC and Cramer got schooled by Jon Stewart and his crew at The Daily Show. In fact, it is interesting to wonder why Cramer even came on Jon's program given just how badly they screwed up.

Many have compared this ''battle'' (if you can call it that) to a fight between who was right and who was wrong. Not at all. We are all wrong, and it happens to the best of us daily. What the real battle is about is the lack of a mea culpa by the financial experts. They are complicit in the largest financial destruction since the 1930's, and they need to just come out and say ''sorry'' to everyone.

Until they do that, we can not help but root for the comedians of the world to roast them on a regular basis. Not that it will fix anything, but we might at least finally get to laugh about it.
America becoming less Christian, survey finds  3/9/2009
Were it not for Barack Obama, people would be flocking to Jesus, the DOW would be at 18,000 and everyone would own at least two happy gerbils.

Fox Admits To Planting Political Brainwashing In Popular TV Shows  3/7/2009
It is an amusing dichotomy for a news organization that specializes in claiming the mainstream media is brainwashing the public while they brainwash the public. Aside from the hypocrisy, the comedy is even more dramatic when they are so willing to admit to the mainstream media that they are doing it. Why? Because they know that their audience does not care. If anything, they are excited about the fact that they are doing this because they are fighting fire with fire.

There is only one problem with this thinking. The mainstream media may not actually be brainwashing anyone and might actually be reporting news. If anything, you could argue that the mainstream media today (at least in America) leans Right and not Left.

Still, the best way to enjoy this is to flip the boob tube on Fox News with some popcorn and enjoy your dose of brain formatting.
Porn in the USA: Conservatives Are Biggest Consumers  3/1/2009
Who would have guessed that being in religions that force you to stay away from women might cause a little pent-up porn needs? Now, if I were going to spin this story, I suppose you could say that this is how organized religion is able to stay faithful to their families. However, we all know how true that is, too.
Clean Coal Clean  2/26/2009

AIG's Distress: Are There Enough Fingers for This Dike?  2/24/2009
What is 130 billion among friends, right? Surely there is no way that anyone could have known that 130 billion would only keep their company alive for a couple of months, right? Accounting folks simply have no way of seeing hundreds of billions of losses and giving investors a heads-up. What an incredible investment for the U.S. taxpayer. Who was it that said we should let the company die from the onset?

Let the parent file for bankruptcy and the tax payers get the insurance operations, life division and the rest of the profitable pieces, and then let AIG rot in hell.
Amnesty calls on US to suspend arms sales to Israel  2/23/2009
There has never been much ambiguity on the relationship between Israel and the United States, but when our ''partner'' in the Middle East decides to use banned weapons against a somewhat helpless adversary, it does not help. While I have no doubt that then-President Bush never thought about picking up the Blue-phone to ask our friends to stop using phosphorous shells that we manufactured, it certainly seems that Obama better be racking up the minutes on that device. There is no doubt that the United States will continue the cozy relationship with Israel, and it is probably better for everyone that we do. However, we need to use that close relationship to put them on a much better track that includes a lot less hostility and use of banned weapons.
Global recession claims 67,000 jobs in a day  1/26/2009
I know the word ''socialism'' is not popular, but at the rate we are going the people may demand something equally drastic to fix the problem. While capitalism is a great philosophy during the good times, in the bad times it is socialism that would keep everyone in their homes and their family fed.
Obama Sides With Bush in Spy Case  1/23/2009
Maybe Obama does not understand Mr. Franklin's quote, but he might want to read it again:

''Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety''
Limbaugh: I hope Obama 'fails'  1/23/2009
And to think that only a couple of years ago Mr. Limbaugh was complaining about liberals who were basking in the glory of the failure of Dubya, he now walks the road of hypocrisy to a destination of doom.

These hard line far-Right wackos are living in a dream world where their ideology has not imploded on itself. They take no responsibility for the state of our nation. After two failed elections, the Republicans need to re-invent themselves, and this sort of rhetoric will continue to undermine them.

One spark of good news is that the term "liberal" used to be a dirty word a couple decades ago, and it is now a badge of honor. Maybe in a couple decades "conservative" will come back in style, too.
Is This How the Post-Racial Obama Administration Begins?  1/20/2009
We all celebrated today for the inauguration of President Obama. However, much like I questioned much of what the Bush Administration was doing, I also have to question the direction of the Obama Administration.

I am very excited to have Barack Obama as our President. I can not imagine a better person for the job. I am thrilled to have him give a speech about calling us to action. I am elated what his election means for civil rights in this country.

Great, the inauguration is over. Now, can we please shut up and move on? This country has never been in a bigger mess, and it is going to take every ounce of strength out of all of us to be able to turn it around. And even if we do, there is reason to be concerned about the outcome.

Enough of the racial discussions. His election should have been enough to put that topic to bed for at least a little while, right? Enough of the oratory calling America to action. We are already the most productive country in the world - what do you want, blood?

We need specifics. We need to know exactly what each of us needs to do to fix this mess. And not just for today and tomorrow, but for our children. And their children.

Does it mean we need to stop buying goods from overseas? Does it mean we need to start saving every penny? Does it mean we all need to bike to work every day? Does it mean we need to start using candles to light our homes? Does it mean we need to go spend money on American goods to jump-start our businesses? Does it mean we need to take out a loan and fix up our homes?

I love generic 'feel good' speeches as much as the next guy, but may I kindly suggest we take a break from them? What we need is someone to clear through the hurt and tell us the way out. If you get it wrong, we will forgive you, Mr. President. But, please -- tell us where we are going and how to get there.

I'll be waiting and ready to do whatever you ask of me.
U.S. loses another 524,000 jobs  1/9/2009
Well, at least it can't get any worse, right? I mean, it isn't like places hire in December, right? It isn't like our economy only goes one direction now, right?

Let me sum this up: Sucks.
Israel rains fire on Gaza with phosphorus shells  1/5/2009
With 500 people dead so far, why is it that no one in the media is talking about the fact that this is the equivalent of ten years of terrorism in one action by Israel. It is nice that they have a society that forces everyone to serve in the military since it makes activity by the military much more likely, but at some point someone needs to ask -- why?
Demands for war crimes prosecutions are now growing in the mainstream  12/20/2008
I can not imagine a better way for America to show the world that we have turned the page on the Bush days than to start prosecuting them. Even better, with as much evidence as we now have, it should only take a few minutes to convict them. A win-win situation.
White House documents found to be altered  12/5/2008
''Other students were surprised with the revelation, hoping that mainstream news media would pay closer attention to the findings.''
Kristol Calls On Bush To Pardon Torturers And Wiretappers, Reward Them With Medal Of Freedom  11/30/2008
Giving criminals a medal of freedom is actually a brilliant idea and will serve as the gold star of lunacy in the Bush Administration. Pardon all of the criminals, Bush, and then give them all Purple Heart's or Rulers of the Universe bumper stickers or whatever else you have sitting around unused. Dole them out, buddy.

At this point, nothing would surprise me. Not even Kristol's idiotic comments.
Prescription Drugs Kill 300 Percent More Americans than Illegal Drugs  11/11/2008
Is it a testament to the success of the war on drugs that the legal ones kill far more people than the illegal ones? If that is the case, should we just make all the illegal drugs available with a prescription, and then we will have completely eliminated illegal drug deaths, right?
U.S. Again Hailed as 'Country of Dreams'  11/6/2008
Be careful what you wish for, America: You might actually get it.

Congratulations to the United States, and more importantly the citizens of our little planet on this victory. The real work is in front of us, but at least we know we are going to be moving with the rest of the world instead of against it.

Much has been made of the fact that he is a person of color. Far more important and relevant is that President Elect Barack Obama has numerous cultures that made him who he is today. He is not just black or white or Hawaiian or Kenyan or --- he is all of the different elements he has experienced through his life, all in a person that the world can be proud to call their own.

I think we are all so proud to have Barack Obama as president of the United States of America.

Drunk Driving Safer Than Texting While Driving  6/25/2009
What is the most comic part about stories like this is that it is even a story. Really, you mean having your complete focus on an electronic conversation pressing 'buttons' on a device while also driving a car is less safe than having had too much alcohol and having your focus on the road? Shocker. Who would have guessed? Maybe anyone with common sense?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with demonizing drinking and driving, however there is no question that even just talking on a cell phone while driving (even hands-free) is more dangerous. Just because we all need to be so 'productive' at all times is not an excuse to endanger other human beings, and this is just further evidence of the obvious. Given a choice between a road full of people using cell phones or a road of people drunk, I will take the latter, thank you very much.
Brain training? Think again, says study  2/26/2009
I know the story is about how those brain games, primarily for the Nintendo DS, are no more helpful to cognitive development than visiting a porn site. However, the real story here is the photo of the five women using the DS sporting color choices to match their, ahem, personality.

I can not imagine how they could have reached their conclusions.
Climate change even worse than predicted  2/16/2009
If there has been one consistent theme to climate change, it is that the scientists always underestimate the problem. I am not certain there has been one expert scientific prediction made on the subject that has over estimated the potential destruction.

Where does that leave us today? Honestly, we are probably fucked. That is bad for two reasons. One: Because we are fucked. Two: Because most people will not do a damned thing because we are fucked.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe human beings will continue to survive, however modern civilization as we now see it will cease to exist. Here is a fact that seems difficult to argue:

There are likely to be a lot less human beings on the planet two hundred years from now thanks, in part, to this problem. Possibly not directly since it may be the result of a warming planet destroying our food supply, or giving a breeding ground for a nasty bug. But, whatever the reason, a world with billions of people seems destined to shrink.

That said, this may be a huge victory for the planet. While humans might decrease, the planet may eventually thrive with these conditions. Maybe we should be celebrating for our Mother Earth.
All the Energy We Need, Right There for the Taking  2/3/2009
I have often wondered why we do not take advantage of the energy right under our feet. When we get beyond the crust of Earth, under it is a huge resource for energy. While a mammoth undertaking, in theory it could provide all the energy we need for the entire planet. The main problems are getting the entire planet to sign on and putting together the infrastructure to provide the power around the world. This is an exciting concept, even if it is somewhat unlikely to happen any day soon.
Scientists Not So Sure 'Doomsday Machine' Won't Destroy World  1/28/2009
The only thing funnier than discussing the possibility of the destruction of our planet by the Hadron Collider is a discussion by Fox News. Do you suppose people were wondering about the end of the world when we discovered how to make a light bulb?
EU may demand Microsoft bundle rival browsers with Windows  1/26/2009
Back when Microsoft was the evil empire, this action by the European Union made many a geek secretly smile. However, today, it simply makes no sense at all.

What is by far the most popular personal computer in the world? The cell phone. Which operating system has the monopoly of that computer? Not Microsoft. (Arguably, you might say it is Nokia, which happens to be based in Europe.) In fact, Microsoft has had only the smallest market share of cell phones, and that share is getting smaller.

Who cares about an aging Windows monopoly? Who cares about Internet Explorer? Why is it that we think a program has to be included in the operating system for it to be successful? Did that stop iTunes from taking over the media market?

Sorry, E.U., but your case looks like nothing more than a way to bring in extra cash during a nasty recession.
What Did Apple Know, and When Did They Know It?  1/5/2009
First: I am relieved to hear that everything is fine, Steve, and I look forward to you being fully healthy in a few months.

That said, the proposition that Steve Jobs' health is nobody's business but his own is bogus. You need no further evidence than the stock price of AAPL, which today went way up on the news that he will be back to his healthy self in weeks. While Apple does not want the health of their genius CEO to be an issue, when the vast majority of their shareholders can not tell the difference between Steve's health and the health of the company, there is no way to win that game.

So, get better, Steve. And Apple -- you need to get better, too. Better at being up-front with your shareholders on what is really going on.
Merry Christmas  12/24/2008
Hope you all have a safe and warm Christmas season.
Behavioral screening -- the future of airport security?  12/3/2008
Scanning the brain to see what your intent is sounds like a reasonable idea, actually. In fact, it might be a good technology for everyone to go through on a daily basis to make certain people are ''being good''. Admittedly, there will be those that think this is an invasion of privacy (and it is), so I can see huge road-blocks for this. Still, once we just accept that our government already can destroy us at any time, then this suddenly seems reasonable.
Electric car batteries demonstrate 180,000-plus mile lifespan  12/3/2008
''Battery provider Southern California Edison have been testing a lithium-ion battery subpack for two and a half hears now and have demonstrated a life of more than 180,000 miles without significant performance deterioration. Considering that the average American family car does less than 15,000 miles a year, you're looking at well over ten years' service from a battery pack before it needs replacing ...''
Apple suggests Mac users install antivirus software  12/2/2008
Apple now recommends Mac users run anti-virus software. This is not news and has actually been the case for years. What is news is the fact that Apple on one hand is recommending anti-virus software while on the other hand creating commercials that claim their operating system is virus free. Doh!
Ocean currents can power the world, say scientists  11/30/2008
''The technology can generate electricity in water flowing at a rate of less than one knot - about one mile an hour - meaning it could operate on most waterways and sea beds around the globe.''

It is discoveries like this that make it clear that electricity is the future power for everything in the world. When we can generate electricity with minimal impact on the environment, it simply does not make sense to continue to use dinosaur fuel.
Company makes millions playing on computer users' fear  10/31/2008
It is All Hallows Eve, and why not read about 'scareware'? I actually had never heard the term until reading it today, and one could certainly argue that all security software is 'scareware'. (If you were not scared, would you buy it?)

That said, I have seen a couple of folks who have accidentally purchased this supposed antivirus software, and it is simply a crime in my opinion. The fact it came out of Russia is not too much of a surprise. These sort of scams, no matter where they are based, always seem like they are created by the mob. Supposedly Russia has more than their fair share of employees in that practice group.
RealDVDs, surreal law suits  10/1/2008
When you stop and think about it, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is far more insane than the Recording Industry. At least with audio CD's, there is no one stopping you from ripping them to your MP3 player. The MPAA is doing everything in their power to stop someone from ripping their DVD to view it on another source.

What is particularly amusing about this is that people tend to listen to good songs a hundred times. With a movie, I rarely watch it more than once. Most people could count the number of movies they have watched more than five times on one hand. So, who cares if someone records the movie to their hard drive?

Adding further insult to their lawsuit is that the MPAA is selling movies on Blu-ray. If someone likes a movie enough to watch it more than once, you can bet they are going to want the highest quality version available. Getting worried about illegal copies of DVD's today is a bit like getting concerned about illegal copies of audio cassettes in the 90's. It simply does not make sense.

Then again, when has anyone who has ever used the DMCA as an excuse to sue someone made sense?
Sarah Palin's Personal Emails  9/17/2008
Hard to say whether this is politics or technology, however it is more interesting from the technology perspective. Apparently some hackers determined that Sarah Palin has a few personal email accounts, including a Yahoo one. Not satisfied with identifying this fact (and, yes, this might cause her some legal troubles since she is not supposed to be conducting governor business with these), they decided to break into it.

After breaking in and getting some choice screen shots, apparently one of Palin's fans decided to alert her, and now the account might actually be deleted. (Er -- more legal troubles.)

From a purely geek perspective, this is all quite amusing.
Spammer walks as court says state anti-spam law is unconstitutional  9/15/2008
Geeks walk a fine line here, and one that I generally do not agree with. On one hand, they want guaranteed full access to the Internet where ISP's are not allowed to block anything. In addition, they want the things they do not like (spam, for example) to be fully blocked.

We all fully acknowledge that once the government starts writing laws, problems happen. We need look no further than the 1998 DMCA to know this is the case. So, why would we be any more confident when it comes to laws against spamming, or forcing ISP's to not block packets? There are numerous states with anti-spamming laws on the books, and the amount of spam I receive only goes up.

Spam is a technology problem and requires a technology solution. The sooner we can change SendMail to require authentication, the sooner this problem will start to be addressed. As it is, anyone can send emails claiming to be George W. Bush, and there is not a damn thing that can be done to stop it.
1,500 ships to fight climate change?  9/12/2008
Unmanned ships roaming our ocean to fix the effects of climate change? Is it just me or are we getting closer and closer to the day where we are going to need our own atmosphere processors to continue to live on this planet of ours?
An inside look at Apple’s sneaky iTunes 8 upgrade  9/11/2008
So Apple decides to sneak a bunch of naughty little programs into iTunes 8 for Windows and not disclose it. One (or two) of those programs is causing signficant problems, including crashing machines.

The good news here, Windows users, is that Windows is getting so stable that Apple has to build buggy software to crash it. Microsoft, what are you going to toss in the latest Mac version of Office to even the score?
E-waste: A blight on the environment and a company's good name  9/9/2008
Always nice to know that 80% of recycled electronics ends up in countries with children tearing them apart. It makes sense, really. Chances are it was children that built them, so clearly they will have the skill set to destroy them. My kids do an excellent job destroying our electronics.

Joking aside, this is a huge problem. The companies developing these products should be responsible for finding a way to recycle them appropriately. Yes, the original product might cost twice as much, but the important thing is that we are not leaving our mess in the hands of children overseas.
Google Chrome vulnerable to carpet-bombing flaw  9/3/2008
Welcome to the software business, Google. Making add-on's for web browsers is significantly easier than making the web browser itself, even if you steal the code from Apple's Safari.

Oh, and by the way.. We get it. It is a product from Google. We know it is 'beta'. Is it necessary to put that in the name of every thing you create?
 
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