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I’ve read a number of interesting items regarding digital privacy. This notion that a user’s information on some social network, email server, or customer — or any other database — is subject to enforceable privacy concerns is pretty ludicrous in the eyes of we cynical privacy phobes with our registry screens, DoD file and disk wipers, manual cookie destruct policies with search and destroy scripting … and the dreaded firewall we will throw up at the first hint of an exploit from any IP on the planet. Alas, the ‘no call registry’ was a failure with many getting calls despite being placed on the alleged cease and desist list with impunity from telemarketers out to sell or die … Then the state and local governments in my area would sell personal information as a means of generating revenue as though that weren’t perfectly slimy. Voter registration and drivers license data sets may be had for monies and there is no consideration regarding the citizen whose data is being sold. It should be a capital offense. Then there are these various freebies for which we exchange our information as though it has no intrinsic value other than as a tool for such bartering for sweet technological nothings in the form of widgets, site access, or the forbidden love offered on various sex sites which pander to the discriminating perv. Me ? I know I’m ‘way out there’ — hell, the bloody web registrars won’t protect your identity without a fee which I decline to pay. HOWEVER, a whole lot of that which is highly significant and personal is kept from prying eyes via a vigilance the typical user will not pursue. So I maintain a yahoo account for some things. I have a gmail account for other things. My domain accounts are strictly reserved for business. I’m not easily phished because I’m far from gullible and much more likely to delete some request for credentials than even read much of it. I maintain detailed logs and read them daily so I have a handle on what’s going on. Most people won’t go to this trouble but I have copped quite an attitude over past exploits and then I started reading and became interested in forensics. There are entire countries I have firewalled as a matter of precaution AND … There are places in cyberspace to which even I won’t go. I’ll low level format every machine on my entire network rather than let a single unknown bot have it’s way with me. I don’t suffer fake antivirals feigning the fix of a nonexistent infection for a fee. I maintain a ten terabyte pristine database library of backups as a contingency for such nonsense. It doesn’t speak any internet protocol whatsoever so you can’t even get to it via a router. You too can be as safe as I try to be. You just have to THINK before you click on that web page and make sure you have an excellent firewall between you and that ‘can be’ hostility known as the world wide web. Otherwise, you’re left to the resources of your ISP and I’ve got news for you … ROTFL there’s not a lot they can do for you. Too many people are out to get you. Either get paranoid or get yourself an overly protective geek to raise your shields and harden your node. Yeah, you can sniff my packet traffic … but that’s ALL you can do. I don’t put my goodies out there; just my junk. Peace. |
The Fallacy of Digital Privacy
January 27th, 2012Tags: Technology
Posted in Technology
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In the Gloaming
January 26th, 2012
One of those formative moments I’ve had involving television involves the plot of a 1997 TV movie produced by HBO and directed by Christopher Reeve in his directorial debut entitled ‘In the Gloaming.
It stars Glenn Close, Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, David Strathairn, and Robert Sean Leonard as Danny, whom the plot line involves as a young man with end-stage terminal AIDS.
He returns home to die and that period includes various interactions with his parents and sister — with that closeness between him and his mother outshining those relationships with other family members such that they are neglected in much of those last days.
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Like ‘An Early Frost’ which has a similar story line with a more optimistic ending; ‘In the Gloaming’ navigates what was only then becoming less taboo — the subject of terminal HIV infection, the associated pathology, and it was a heart rending hour for sure.
The climax of the story entails a conversation on the patio between Danny and his mother where they discuss various aspects of life and love. While his mother is speaking he draws his last breath and that final exhale is unmistakable; and accompanies a keenly felt sense of first foreboding and then profound loss as the film winds down to both other family revelations and the credits …
The film derives it’s title from a piece of music by the same name which is beautifully sung by Mrs Dana Reeve at the end … poignant in that now the fictional lead character, the director, and she are all gone from us forever.
In The Gloaming
In the gloaming, oh my darling,
When the lights are dim and low,
And the quiet shadows falling,
Softly come, and softly go.When the winds are sobbing faintly,
With a gentle lull of woe,
Will you think of me and love me,
As you did once long ago?In the gloaming, oh my darling,
Think not bitterly of me,
Though I passed away in silence,
Left you lonely, set you free.For my heart was crushed with longing,
What had been could never be,
It was best to leave you thus dear,
Best for you, and best for me.Written by Anne F. Hamson & Meta Orred
Performed by Mrs Dana Reeve
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The father was played by David Strathairn. He portrayed an abrupt somewhat intolerant father to the dying Danny; only to suffer with the rest of the family when that inevitable ending he could not allow himself to fully experience for his disdain regarding a perception of lifestyle, and element of aloof detachment in his relationship with his son … and the horrible illness with which he suffered and that confounded his understanding finally arriving to find him even more grief stricken in his total lack of preparedness. Only then could the healing begin.
David Strathairn
January 26, 1949
Descended from Scot and Hawaiian ancestry and born in San Francisco, Mr Strathairn is an award winning character actor and has numerous film credits.
He is largely known for his powerful yet understated performances in supporting roles.
After college, he attended the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Florida and was a circus performer for a brief time.
Today is his birthday.
Tags: Birthdays, Music, People, Television
Posted in Birthdays, Music, People, Television
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Etta James RIP
January 25th, 2012
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Tags: Birthdays, Music, Obituaries
Posted in Birthdays, Music, Obituaries
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Heartless Evil
January 24th, 2012I have occasionally pictured myself as heartlessly evil. Empowered by some internal force to enact my rage on those who would treat me shoddily — and ‘go off’ on the puny scum as I cut them up with a butcher knife, beat them unmercifully with a big stick … or something equally horrid.
Then I remember what a tender hearted wuss I am in general … and how I wouldn’t be able to pull it off; because of this nagging aspect of my existence called ‘conscience’ which always seems to reel my rage in to my personal frustration and disgust with my helpless, powerless inability to take effective action toward becoming that villainous character I would be toward those who incurred my violent uncontrollable anger.
There are others, however who exhibit a distinct presence of that evil I am unable to conjure within. They personify that into which I cannot breathe life. There are those who will murder and maim without giving it a second thought; much less malice aforethought. These are the sociopaths who look perfectly normal yet may pursue, abduct, and do terrible misdeeds with varying levels of depravity repeatedly — yet sleep like a baby each night and arise the next day smiling and pleasant as though nothing untoward has transpired.
“What’s one less person on the face of the earth, anyway?”
Ted Bundy
Such was Ted Bundy. By multiple accounts considered charismatic and good looking he made human that evil men can do yet not outwardly show. He exploited his alleged assets to approach his young female prey in public places and win their confidence by faking injury or being disabled — or impersonating some authority figure then victimized numerous young women by overpowering and assaulting them in more secluded locales … and we may never know the full extent of his heinous crimes nor the names of all his victims.
“You feel the last bit of breath leaving their body. You’re looking into their eyes. A person in that situation is God!”
Ted Bundy
Few of his victims escaped and survived. Some of those he killed were subjected to his revisiting them and engaging in various aspects of paraphilia until decomposition or animal predation prevented such activity. Others were simply bludgeoned as they slept after he broke and entered their homes or dormitories.
“I don’t feel guilty for anything. I feel sorry for people who feel guilt.”
Ted Bundy
Theodore Robert Bundy
November 24, 1946 – January 24, 1989
aka “Ted” Bundy
aka Theodore Robert Cowell
aka Kenneth Misner
aka Chris Hagen
aka Richard Burton
aka Officer Roseland
aka Rolf Miller
American sociopath, serial killer, rapist, kidnapper, and necrophile. Assaulted and murdered numerous young women during and most likely prior to the 1970s. He denied his crimes for in excess of ten years, confessing only prior to his execution for 30 homicides in seven states from 1974-8.
“… I deserve, certainly, the most extreme punishment society has and society deserves to be protected from me and from others like me, that’s for sure.”
Ted Bundy
Ted Bundy was executed by electric chair at Raiford Prison in Starke, Florida, on January 24, 1989.
Both his biographer and a member of his defense team agreed that his nature was pure evil. His execution was marked with billboard announcements and celebrants drinking champagne while awaiting his inevitable electrocution … which was delivered in absolute ironic perfection by a woman.
“We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.”
Ted Bundy
Tags: Bullies, Death Penalty
Posted in Bullies, Death Penalty
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Daniel Pearl Abducted a Decade Ago
January 23rd, 2012 Daniel Pearl Oct 10, 1963 – Feb 1, 2002 |
It’s sad commentary on the states of both law and order and interpersonal relations when you must take your life into your own hands as a matter of going to work each day.
In a predominately Islamic environment a financial professional of the Jewish persuasion is particularly at risk given the animosity and contempt many Arabs hold against Israel in general.
Such was the sad fate of Daniel Pearl, a journalist simply doing his job when he fell victim to that universal excuse for murder in the Middle East, accusation of “being a spy”.
He was serving as the Wall Street Journal’s South Asia Bureau Chief based in Mumbai, India. While investigating the so-called ‘Shoe Bomber’ and his relationship to Al-Qaeda he was captured this day in 2002 and subsequently beheaded then cut into ten pieces whereby his body was found in a shallow grave in Karachi.
He was 38 years old, from Encino, California and had a wife and child who was born after his murder.
The culprits are said to be a group known as “The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty” and claimed that Mr Pearl was a spy and made a number of demands for his return via a hotmail account.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed claimed that he had personally beheaded Mr Pearl. Other Al-Qaeda operatives are also believed to have been involved in his murder. A British national originally from Pakistan named Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh was sentenced to death by hanging for the kidnapping and murder in 2002.
“Blessed art Thou, LORD our God, Master of the Universe, the Judge of the truth.”
Blessing the True Judge
Tags: Obituaries, Politics, Religion
Posted in Obituaries, Politics, Religion
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Happy Birthday Diane Lane
January 22nd, 2012Back in 1984 I resided in Los Angeles as a function of working on a medical database management information system. I was steeped in that West coast culture which I embraced by and large — pounded the pavement daily for several miles, worked out on nautilus equipment down the street incessantly, became this magnificant physical specimen until I returned to South Carolina and resumed my Kentucky Fried Chicken addiction.
I became enamored with the soundtrack from a movie called ‘Streets of Fire’ which was a film directed by Walter Hill and written by him and Larry Gross. It was billed as “a rock and roll fable” and my take on it was it was a musical aimed at the current state of fashion and genre as dictated by that cohort of 80s big hair, west coast clothes, and night club culture into which I myself was ensnared.
Though it didn’t do so hot at the box office, my favorite number from the entire film became the number one video in the nation for a brief period and was entitled ‘Tonight is what it means to be Young’ as sung by characters in the movie performed by a group called ‘Fire, Inc’ … and known as ‘Ellen Aim and The Attackers’ in the show’s plot.
It’s quite the stupendous ballad written by Jim Steinman, sung by Laurie Sargent and Holly Sherwood — to which Diane Lane lip synched, in her portrayal of Ellen Aim in the film. The presence on stage with the music from the soundtrack has been a piece of theatrics that has stayed with me from then til now for the sheer impact it had on the moment.
In my old age I must admit to being a part of that ‘cult following’ it has attained over the years.
Diane Lane
January 22, 1965
American film actress from New York City.
She debuted in George Roy Hill’s 1979 film A Little Romance, starring opposite Sir Laurence Olivier at thirteen years of age and was featured on the cover of Time magazine shortly thereafter.
She has appeared in a number of noteworthy films during her career and has been nominated for Academy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Today is her birthday.
Happy birthday to you !
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Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young
I’ve got a dream ’bout an angel on the beach
And the perfect waves are starting to come
His hair is flying out in ribbons of gold
And his touch has got the power to stunI’ve got a dream ’bout an angel in the forest
Enchanted by the edge of a lake
His body’s flowing in the jewels of light
And the earth below is starting to shakeBut I don’t see any angels in the city
I don’t hear any holy choirs sing
And if I can’t get an angel
I can still get a boy
And a boy’d be the next best thing
The next best thing to an angel
A boy’d be the next best thingI’ve got a dream ’bout a boy in a castle
And he’s dancing like a cat on the stairs
He’s got the fire of a prince in his eyes
And the thunder of a drum in his earsI’ve got a dream ’bout a boy on a star
Lookin’ down upon the rim of the world
He’s there all alone and dreamin’ of someone like me
I’m not an angel but at least I’m a girlI’ve got a dream when the darkness is over
We’ll be lyin’ in the rays of the sun
But it’s only a dream and tonight is for real
You’ll never know what it meansBut you’ll know how it feels
It’s gonna be over (over)
Before you know it’s begun
(Before you know it’s begun)It’s all we really got tonight
Stop your cryin’ hold on (tonight)
Before you know it it’s gone (tonight)
Tonight is what it means to be young
Tonight is what it means to be youngLet the rebels begin
Let the fire be started
We’re dancing for the restless and the broken-hearted
Let the rebels begin
Let the fire be started
We’re dancing for the desperate and the broken-heartedLet the rebels begin (Tonight is what it means to be young)
Let the fire be started (Before you know it it’s gone)
We’re dancing for the restless and the broken-hearted
Let the rebels begin
Let the fire be started
We’re dancing for the desperate and the broken-heartedSay a prayer in the darkness for the magic to come
No matter what it seams
Tonight is what it means to be young
Before you know it it’s gone
Tonight is what it means to be young
Before you know it it’s goneI’ve got a dream when the darkness is over
We’ll be lyin’ in the rays of the sun
But it’s only a dream and tonight is for real
You’ll never know what it means
But you’ll know how it feels
It’s gonna be over (over)
Before you know it’s begunIt’s all we really got tonight
Stop your cryin’ hold on (tonight)
Before you know it it’s gone (tonight)
Tonight is what it means to be young
Tonight is what it means to be youngThe things they say
And then the things they do
Nothin’s gonna stop us if our aim is trueThe things they say
And then the things they do
Nothing’s gonna stop us if our aim is trueThe things they say
And then the things they do
Nothin’s gonna stop us if our aim is true
Tonight is what it means to be youngJim Steinman
Streets of Fire Soundtrack
Vocals by Holly Sherwood, Laurie Sargent and Rory Dodd
Tags: Birthdays, Music
Posted in Birthdays, Music
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I Voted …
January 21st, 2012
Well, I went and did my civic duty just as I have so many times before.
I was rather surprised both with my final selection from the four viable candidates and the “less than 20 seconds” it took to complete the process. Today I’ll be sporting the little ‘I Voted’ sticker they applied to my shirt upon departure from the polls.
I hope when it’s your turn you’ll get out there and cast your vote as well because we need to address our issues in government and if we don’t do it no one else will.
I’m not saying that my choice was totally correct for me or the country. It was simply my somewhat less than optimistic choice from a distinct lack of options.
Tags: Politics
Posted in Politics
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