Entries Tagged 'Daily Radar' ↓

For Dedicated Gamers, a PC With an Unearthly Look

I would love one of these.

The Alienware Area-51 7500 is the kind of computer that kicks sand in the face of wimpier PC’s. Based on Intel’s latest processor and motherboard — code-named Conroe for those who are keeping track — the 7500 has a processor speed of about 3 gigahertz, which means you’ll be able to play blindingly fast games of Solitaire.

I would NOT play solitaire on such a wonderful machine. There are so many other more useful things you could do with one of these sweet little rocket machines.

I’ll likely end up building my own custom again when replacement time rolls around. It’s just fun.

Kofi Annan accuses Isreal of murder

From Boortz:

An Israeli air strike yesterday in Southern Lebanon killed 4 U.N. observers at a post. Immediately, and without hearing Israel’s side of the story, Kofi Annan issued the following statement: “I am shocked and deeply distressed by the apparently deliberate targeting by Israeli Defense Forces of a U.N. Observer post in southern Lebanon.” The accusation is clear: Israel killed the U.N. observers on purpose.

Israel responded by saying they were shocked by Annan’s statement and that the air strike was an accident. Why wouldn’t it be? What possible motivation would the Israeli Defense Forces have for killing innocent U.N. observers? War is a messy business. Missiles go awry…coordinates get punched in by mistake…miscommunications happen. Remember when the United States blew up China’s embassy in Belgrade? It happens. Southern Lebanon is a war zone. It is a risky place.

Give your customer service rep a break today

I’ve complained before about how hard it is to understand some Indian customer service people. However, I’ve recently been privileged to work with an extremely competent Indian programmer. Instapundit relates his recent tech support experience involving a rep from the subcontinent:

ANOTHER NON-HELLISH CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE: Installed a new wireless router, and had some trouble getting it to talk to the modem. BellSouth customer service was nice, but told me it was a Linksys issue. Talked to the Linksys guy — he said his name was “Joe” but he was somewhere in India, I think — and though it took a while we figured it out. He seemed pathetically relieved that I just went through the steps politely and didn’t yell at him.

I don’t like the outsourced tech support firms that force their employees to pretend they are in the U.S. However, I do think some patience is in order. If you’re having a hard time understanding your rep be patient. You might find out the person you’re dealing with is competent, even if they are somewhat hard to understand.

Patience is something I have had to practice a lot in the last year of my life. It can pay off sometimes.

Wall Street Journal on MilBloggers

Blackfive reports that the Wall Street journal is talking about milbloggers. Article here.

If you don’t know who JP Borda is you should. Visit milblogging.com right now. A great resource if you’re interested in the view from the ground in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Rare counting ability induced by temporarily switching off brain region

Just place a pulsing magnet over the correct area of your brain and become a math genius a la Rain Man. OK, it’s not quite that simple, but it is certainly interesting research. My dad has the ability to do a lot of math in his head, and I’ve often envied him that. Maybe I need the right kind of magnetic helmet so I can show him up at the next family meeting.

Fair Tax update From Neal Boortz

FAIRTAX STATUS REPORT

The FairTax movement is going strong my friends, stronger than you might imagine. I can assure you that the FairTax is attracting an ever-increasing degree of attention in Washington. I wish I could share the details, but the wonderful world of politics is such that it is much better to let the people involved spill the beans than to jump the gun by disclosing their interest or involvement ahead of time.

There have been three events in recent months that have really peaked interest among the political class. First was the debut of The FairTax Book on the New York Times Bestseller’s list for paperbacks. We’re still there ranking very high in the business category. Second was the FairTax rally in Atlanta a few months ago. When we packed a room full of 4,500 people, and then turned another 4,000 away, the shockwaves were felt inside the Beltway the very next day. On the morning after the rally Congressman Linder, who had returned to Washington overnight, was buttonholed by a number of colleagues to explain “just what it was you did there in Atlanta last night.”

Last week’s Georgia primaries in Georgia also opened some eyes. The FairTax was on the Republican primary ballot in three metropolitan Atlanta counties, and in each county the idea of replacing the income tax with the FairTax was approved by over 85% of the voters. When a reform idea as huge as the FairTax receives that type of an approval rating people, especially politicians, take note.

Another thing happened last week that impressed a number of high-ranking DC political-types. I received about 15 emails from people who told me that they originally had no intention of participating in the primary … UNTIL, that is, they heard me say that the FairTax was on the ballot. Those emails are now in the hands of some of the most powerful people in Washington.

Simply put — when you have an issue that (1) sends people to the polls who would otherwise not vote, and (2) gets the support of over 85% of the voters, you have an issue that can drive an election. Politicians know it.

Help a wounded Marine

Corporal Jonathen Benson lost his right foot, left arm and left leg to an IED. Click the headline to read his story and perhaps you’ll be moved to assist him in his recovery. His life is changed forever.

For those of you who think you’ve faced hardship, I would challenge you to reassess what hardship is. Corporal Jonathen Benson knows.

PFC Cindra Smith - Someone You Should Know

Some people move me to try an be just a little better as a human being. This lady is a brave, resolute woman. I admire her.

Somalia on the edge of full scale war

Everyone is focused on Lebanon right now, but there is another looming humanitarian crisis being stirred up by another batch of angry Muslims.

Somalia has been without a functioning central government since 1991, despite more than a dozen attempts to find peace between the assortment of warlords who carved the Horn of Africa nation into a series of personal fiefdoms.

Imagine life under a religious warlord. Go ahead and make a smarmy comment about Bush if you must, but I fully expect anyone who does to purchase a one way ticket to Somolia prior to posting. I’ll require a scanned copy of your ticket in order to leave your post displayed.

IDF, Hezbollah battle over the “Hezbollah Capital”
Bill Roggio has an informative update on fighting in Southern Lebanon.

Conclusive proof the World Trade Center was not brought down by hijacked planes

Or not. Conspiracy theories fill a void in some people’s lives, but they are usually way, way off base. Like this guy. I try to avoid the term moonbat because I think there is limited value in calling people names. This guy, however, worked hard to earn a moonbat label for himself (not the guy in the picture, which I stole from Banter in Atlanter.)

Democracy and science are really working wonders in bringing us all the truth. Sheesh.

If you’re one of those who buys into the conspiracy theories surrounding the WTC, please take the time to read the publicly available information regarding the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001. A lot of taxpayer money went into the report. I’m pretty convinced of what happened.
Hat tip: Banter in Atlanter who got this from Boortz. I love Boortz.

Families welcome at cryonics firm

In addition to former celebrities like baseball player Ted Williams, more average-income people are placing their hope for immortality in cryonics by using life insurance to pay for the process.

And an increasing number of Alcor’s 800 living members are signing up to have their entire families frozen in liquid nitrogen soon after their deaths.

Nice feature piece on cryonics and the possibilities. I’m have one of the life insurance policies they mention in the article. Call me crazy, or call me an optimist. You decide.

Democrats of Little Faith

Do Democrats have a problem with faith? Sure, some of them do. The biggest problem I see with the Democratic leadership is that the only stand they will ever take is to promise people more government means a better nation.

Consider the almost schizophrenic ramblings of Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean on the matter of faith in public life in the order in which they were uttered:

“We are definitely going to do religious outreach. Even in my campaign I was interested in reaching out to evangelicals.”

“The issue is: Are we going to live in a theocracy where the highest powers tell us what to do? Or are we going to be allowed to consult our own high powers when we make very difficult decisions?”

The one thing I can agree with is the idea that religious institutions should share the same tax burden as everyone else. But I’m a radical who thinks everyone should be taxed equally. The whole sliding scale thing is what makes taxes a likely catalyst for the second American revolution.

Feds get religion on laptop security (and so do I)

I encrypt all my important data as a matter of good policy. I’m amazed that government takes so long to catch on.

The Executive Branch’s Office of Management and Budget has just released a memo (spotted at SecurityFocus) that’s intended to staunch the flow of sensitive information that federal agencies have been practically hemorrhaging for some time now. Many of the recent high-profile stories involve either portables with sensitive data falling into the wrong hands (e.g., the VA laptop thefts) or some form of remote access (e.g., the DOJ incident), so the OMB has decreed that all mobile devices need some form of encryption and all remote access must be protected by two-factor authentication. Here’s the list of mandates from the memo:

1. Encrypt all data on mobile computers/devices which carry agency data unless the data is determined to be non-sensitive, in writing, by your Deputy Secretary or an individual he/she may designate in writing;
2. Allow remote access only with two-factor authentication where one of the factors is provided by a device separate from the computer gaining access;
3. Use a “time-out” function for remote access and mobile devices requiring user re- authentication after 30 minutes inactivity; and
4. Log all computer-readable data extracts from databases holding sensitive information and verify each extract including sensitive data has been erased within 90 days or its use is still required.

Rationality and Marriage

Andrew Sullivan (who is gay) on gay marriage:

As for Georgia, it’s important to note that the court has ruled that gay couples are not only barred from civil marriage, they are barred from any legal protections whatever. Georgia wants its gays like it once wanted its blacks: segregated from integration into “normal” families, even if they have been born into them. And, yes, many thought that was rational for a very long time as well.

We pay so much lip service to being fair in this country. It’s not fair to deny gay couples the same legal devices that straight couples have available. Consensual relationships between adults are between the people in the relationships, and if they want to form legal bonds they have every right to do so.

In the Name of God, Go

What passes for leadership in the Senate is still trying to get the House to compromise on the illegal immigration issue. The longer Congress stays in session, the longer the press and the White House (who said they were eternal enemies?) will have to force a House collapse. A bad bill would be much worse than no bill at all. And a bad bill — given our president’s predilections — is just what we’ll get if they do anything this year. Better to start all over again next year.

Bad bills are par for the course now aren’t they? Can anyone name a really good bill that’s been passed this year? I’d love to know about it. As far as I’m concerned, they’re all pretty bad.

New Drug Helps Smokers Quit and Stay Quit

The drug Chantix (varenicline) quadruples a smoker’s odds of kicking the habit, and is twice as effective as another smoking-cessation drug, Zyban (bupropion), according to three studies published in the July 5 Journal of the American Medical Association.

The real key to success is having a desire to quit in the first place.

Iraqi Insurgents Want To Fight Foreign Terrorists

The Iraqi government will consider a request by the native insurgents negotiating for a national reconciliation to take up arms against the al-Qaeda network in Iraq.

First off, I think Iraqis have the same human right to self-defense as Americans. Practically speaking, it’s a bit complicated though. How do you ensure that armed citizens in a place like Iraq are not enacting their own vigilante justice? In America, we have a well entrenched police and judicial system that make it unlikely people will have much incentive to take the law into their own hands.

Iraq’s internal security is much, much rougher. Iraqis need a government that can provide basic security, or they will continue to take matters into their own hands. I’m reminded that early Americans did the exact same thing - took matters into their own hands.

What US wants in its troops: cultural savvy

The purpose is not to be a nicer military. Rather, it is to help troops grasp how cultural factors can affect tactical decisions.

“They have us think about cultural factors as if they were battlefield factors,” says Tompkins. “The placement of mortars and machine guns is still important, but cultural issues are just as important - and they can win or lose us a city.”

You would think most of this stuff would be common sense. I’m not sure how you instill common sense in someone who doesn’t have it. Culture awareness classes are all well and good, but one of the problems is that the culture in Iraq is, from my perspectie, flawed. Frankly speaking, a culture that values saving face and personal pride more than it values telling the truth is in need of change. We’ve lost if we can’t talk honestly and demand the same from Iraqis.

A Fair Idea For Jilted Purists

Call them purists or call them idealists; I don’t care. Impractical dreamers are the reason the Libertarian Party hasn’t had any significant national impact in the 30+ years since its creation.

If libertarians could all pick ONE ISSUE and focus together on that one issue, they would win on that one issue. Problem is that libertarians are individualist stubborn jackasses by nature sometimes (I include myself).

I wish we could all agree to pull together for once. It won’t happen though.

Time is short these days; we’re working on a huge web project for MNF-I. I’ll continue blogging as time permits. If I’ve ignored a comment or e-mail it’s not because I didn’t want to answer, I simply haven’t had time to get to every last thing sitting in my in-box. Please forgive me.

Hamas To Target Schools, Hospitals

From Captain’s Quarters, we learn that Hamas is threatening to attack more civilian targets. This is not a departure from the modus operandi of Hamas, merely a threat to escalate.

Hamas has threatened to retaliate for Israel’s response to ongoing Palestinian provocations by committing war crimes. The spokesman for the putative political party’s terrorist wing stated that Hamas will attack schools and hospitals unless Israel unconditionally removes itself from Gaza.

Kidnappings are not self-defensive acts. Hostage takings are not self-defensive acts. Targeting civilians intentionally can in no way be construed as a defensive act.

Mexico Just Says No to Funky Baby Names

My displeasure with the foolishness of government is never ending.

It seems the state was displeased with a rash of tots running around with odd, creative and foreign names, so it decided to issue a reminder of what’s considered appropriate and what isn’t.

I guess now that the Mexican government has solved serious problems like crime, poverty and pollution it is focused on minor problems like what baby names are appropriate.

Pork, pork and more pork

Glenn Reynolds reports on the State of Pork. It’s alive and well.

Even though Donald R. Matthews put his sprawling new residence in the heart of rice country, he is no farmer. He is a 67-year-old asphalt contractor who wanted to build a dream house for his wife of 40 years.

Yet under a federal agriculture program approved by Congress, his 18-acre suburban lot receives about $1,300 in annual “direct payments,” because years ago the land was used to grow rice.

Matthews is not alone. Nationwide, the federal government has paid at least $1.3 billion in subsidies for rice and other crops since 2000 to individuals who do no farming at all, according to an analysis of government records by The Washington Post.

Is that marijauna you’re smoking? Oh never mind, that’s just hypocrisy I smell

Hammer of Truth is talking about a new radio ad asking Americans why our political leaders get away with marijauna use while average Americans go to jail for the same thing.

WASHINGTON D.C. — A potentially controversial new ad campaign from the Marijuana Policy Project names prominent public officials, including President George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Vice President Al Gore, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as having admitted to using marijuana. The ad then asks, “Is it fair to arrest three quarters of a million people a year for doing what presidents and a Supreme Court justice have done?”

Anyone who has visited this blog more than once knows I think the Drug War is a travesty of justice and spittle in the eye of freedom. Adults own their own bodies, or they should in a free country. It’s time to focus on anti-drug education. Ruining addicts’ lives by turning them into violent animals in jail isn’t helping America in any way shape or form.

Rich people get more sleep; have more stress

Boortz references a study that says rich people get more sleep. The study also revealed that while the rich sleep more, poor people spend more of their time engaged in passive leisure activities. Maybe we need a government program to ensure that this mess gets balanced out.

We’ll need a catchy alphabet soup acronym for the new department. Some of my suggestions include:

• DTM - Department of Time Management
• TMA - Time Management Agency
• OLT - Office of Leisure Time

It’s quite obvious that we need balance between the rich and the poor in how people spend their free time.

Defending the Flag

Ben Stein says burning the flag is not free speech and should be illegal. He makes some good points when he says there are many exceptions to free speech.

If we can tell people that it’s obscene to show pictures of children having sex (and it is), why can’t we say it’s obscene to burn the flag that is the symbol of this shining city on a hill, a flag for which many brave men and women have died? If it hurts women’s feelings to hear sex jokes at the office and if that’s illegal, doesn’t it also hurt patriots’ feelings to see the flag burned?