August, 2015 archive
War and Mongers of War 0
Jim Wright hears the war drums. Here’s a bit; follow the link for the rest.
We’ve got to do something. We’ve got to kill some people, man!
War, it’s always the answer.
War, it’s what Jesus would do. That’s what The Decider would do! That’s what Reagan would do! War! War! War!
Fantastic Voyeurage 0
Republicans’ pervy fascination with the sex lives of others fuels an active fantasy life.
Make TWUUG Your LUG 0
Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Learn how to use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do.
It’s not hard; it’s just different.
What: Monthly TWUUG Meeting.
Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.
Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room. See directions below. (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.
When: 7:30 PM till whenever (usually 9:30ish) on Thursday, August 6.
Directions:
Lake Taylor Hospital
1309 Kempsville Road
Norfolk, Va. 23502 (Map)
Pre-Meeting Dinner at 6:00 PM (separate checks)
Uno Chicago Grill
Virginia Beach Blvd. & Military Highway (Janaf Shopping Center). (Map)
Join the forums.
“Just the Equifax, Ma’am” 0
Alexandria Goree is suing Experian, TransUnion and Equifax over the glitch, contending that it was difficult to get loans or a new home, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1SnvzRT ) reported.
For some reason, this hampered her attempts to get credit. For some more fool reason, it has taken her months to convince them that she’s not dead.
The credit reporting agencies have no comment because of course they don’t.
More stupid at the link.
The Thrill of the Chase 0
I am not a hunter, though I grew up among hunters.
The dentist who has lately been in the news for killing Cecil the Lion was no hunter like any I ever knew.
He did not hunt. He let others do that.
He just killed.
The outdoors columnist for my local rag talks about Cecil the Lion. If you are not a hunter, or even if you are, I commend it to your attention.
And This Surprises You How? 0
Those “wearable tech” fitness doo-dads can be hacked.
Frankly, I doubt that you can doo-dad your way to fitness anyway. Free weights and a bicycle are all you need.
Credit Where Credit Is Don’t 0
John Gelles explains how Visa and Mastercard’s new credit card chips won’t live up to their billing as protecting against fraud. Here’s the crucial bit (emphasis added), but I recommend following the link and reading the entire article:
Why did it fail? Mark Horwedel, the group’s CEO, says a key reason is that different rules cover different kinds of fraud – and that, once again, Visa, MasterCard, and the big banks are chiefly taking care of themselves.
(snip)
Studies show that PINs cut fraud losses by as much as 85 percent or more–one reason their use is also urged by such advocates as U.S. PIRG’s Ed Mierzwinski, who says consumers ultimately pay the costs of fraud either indirectly or as its victims.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
When you hit and then run from the scene of an accident, do so with politeness.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
Jon Perr parses Republican rhetoric. It ain’t a pretty site.
Here’s a bit:
It’s the Rovian tactic. If the facts are against you, attack.
Pond Life 0
Unfortunately, all I had was my cell phone to take these.
Young Dragonfly
Look closely and you can see the fish islightly to the left of center, plus a tutle to the right. They are feasting on Cheerios.
All the News that Fits, Spin Cycle Dept. 0
Steven M dissects the Foxification of a news story.
It’s a true tale of magickal mystickal transmogrification.
Nor Any Drop To Drink . . . . 0
Lake Mead gives up the ghost (towns).
Vestiges of St. Thomas, which was about 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas, have resurfaced over the decades with the fluctuation of the lake level, according to the park service. The town remained under water in the 1980s and 1990s, resurfacing in 2002. It’s been exposed since then due to the drought, a park service spokeswoman said.
Trumped on Their Own Petard 0
In the Las Vegas Sun, Timothy Egan notes the irony:
It was fine when all this crossing of the line was directed at President Barack Obama or other Democrats. But now that the ugliness is intramural, Trump has forced party leaders to decry something they have not only tolerated, but encouraged.
Much more at the link.