Category Archives: Different

Dept. of Homeland Security Outsourcing Law Enforcement??

Posted on March 19, 2008 | Comments Off on Dept. of Homeland Security Outsourcing Law Enforcement??

Dept. of Homeland Security LogoIMO, This is more evidence that the GW Bush Administration does not really care about Security.

From USA Today (emphasis is mine):

WASHINGTON – Airlines are protesting a government plan that would require them to take fingerprints of foreign travelers as they fly out of the USA, saying it could create massive lines at airport check-in counters.
(snip)
The Homeland Security Department, which currently fingerprints foreigners coming into U.S. airports, wants airlines to be responsible for taking fingerprints as these travelers leave.

Follow that logic: The Department of Homeland Security is so concerned about Security, that they want the Airlines to do part of their job.

Ignoring the privacy issues here (Anyone happy with a Corporation storing travelers Finger Prints?!?): How serious are they if they seek to outsource it? Wasn’t this kind of thinking one of the problems that lead to 9/11??

I’m not sure fingerprinting will solve any problems, but if it does why would DHS want to outsourced?

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Rescue” by Eve 6 from the Horrorscope Album.

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Posted in Current Issues, Different, News

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Modifying PageView Plugin for my needs

Posted on March 15, 2008 | 13 comments

Recently, I needed to insert an IFRAME into a post. I could just insert the IFRAME code into the post, but the Tiny MCE editor chewed it up and occasionally would blow up. Looking for a WP Plugin that handles IFRAME’s, I came across John Godley’s PageView plugin. I like how it’s written and presented, but I wanted it take all the IFRAME parameters and not always have a header. So I modified the following files:
pageview/pageview.php
pageview/pageview.css
pageview/view/pageview/pageview.php

[pageview src=”//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23601329#23601329″ frameborder=”0″ height=”339″ scrolling=”no” width=”100%”]

Done via my modifications:
[ pageview src="//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23601329#23601329" frameborder="0" height="339" scrolling="no" width="100%" ]
If “src=” is in the plugin string, my modification will make an assumption that the entire string is the IFRAME parameters. As I don’t do any error checking, this could be potentially dangerous but it suits my needs.

[pageview http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23601329#23601329 “Keith Oberman” Special Comment]

Done via original 3 parameters:
[ pageview http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23601329#23601329 "Keith Oberman" Special Comment ]
This will use any defaults in the CSS file and in the case of the MSNBC IFRAME doesn’t work too good. This isn’t a deficiency of the plugin, it’s a good plugin doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. On top of that, the Code is well written and easy to read which made it easy for me to find the exact spot to modify for my needs.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Big Bang Baby” by Stone Temple Pilots from the “Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop” Album.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different, In Development

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Keith Olbermann Special Comment

Posted on March 15, 2008 | 1 comment

[pageview src=”//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23601329#23601329″ frameborder=”0″ height=”339″ scrolling=”no” width=”100%”]

Many people assume that since GW Bush is a frequent target of Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment that he’ll ignore anything other people say. Quite frankly, this is not the case as he demonstrated on his March 12th show. I read about it at the Huffington Post (transcript) and have to say: He nails the issues perfectly.

I know Sen. Clinton wants to be the next president, but the actions Mr. Olbermann calls her out on make me wonder if she should be the next president. After 8 years of incompetence in the GW Bush adminstration, A democrat getting elected should be a no brainer, but the way this is playing out makes me wonder.

If the Democratic Party blows it, Sen. John McCain seems to be running a campaign where he’ll act as the Third Term of GW Bush. Frankly, that would be a disaster for the United States as we’re in horrible shape now and can’t continue in the direction we’ve been going in. The Right Wing policies of the GOP just aren’t working (Unless your Bear Stearns of course…) and The Democratic Party, while holding a majority in the House and Senate, can’t seem to develop the backbone needed to change the path we’re on.

BTW: The IFRAME above was done via a slightly modified PageView plugin. I liked the plugin so I modified it for my own nefarious purpose.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson from the “Girls and Boys” album. You can see the video here on VH1.com’s site.

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Posted in Current Issues, Different, News, Video

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Talk of a “Dream Ticket”, Geraldine Ferraro and Spitzer Watch

Posted on March 12, 2008 | Comments Off on Talk of a “Dream Ticket”, Geraldine Ferraro and Spitzer Watch

Democratic PartyThese past few days has been odd for the Democratic Party.
Let’s See:

  1. Sen. Hillary Clinton is sending interesting messages. She has mentioned a “Dream Ticket” with apparently her as president and Sen. Barack Obama as Vice President. Which would be ok *IF* Sen. Barack Obama didn’t have more delegates. To put it mildly, it’s a bit premature for her to suggest that. To make matters worse, this talk may eliminate any chance of a “Dream Ticket” with either one of them.
  2. Former Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro threw a Verbal Hand Grenade into the mix with This quote:

    “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

    It’s her opinion and she’s welcome to it, but this put Sen. Hillary Clinton on the spot forcing her to publicly disagree with Ferraro.

  3. Saving the BEST for Last: My personal favorite: Gov. Elliot Spitzer.
    Like many New Yorkers, I’m incredibly disappointed in the man. As more details come out, he’s looking really bad and frankly, just stupid. If he really has been using prostitutes for years, I’m amazed this did not come out sooner.The real victims are his family not the public.

UPDATE: Gov. Elliot Spitzer has resigned, effective Monday. See good coverage on Gothamist.
Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Crazy” by Seal from the “Seal (1991)” Album.

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Just “Wow”…

Posted on March 10, 2008 | Comments Off on Just “Wow”…

spitzer-mug-sm.jpg1st saw this on Gothamist.com: Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a man who ran on a platform of “Reform”, has been linked to a prostitution ring.

From the NY Times:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a person briefed on the federal investigation.

I admit, my first reaction was “No Way! Another ‘reform’ politician caught in a Sex Scandal?” but sure enough, he made a public apology (See it below the fold) and pretty much admitted it.

To put it mildly, I’m disappointed in the man. Ignoring the whole cheating on his wife bit: you’d think he’d be smart enough not to use a phone himself (it would be just perfect if he used his Office Line!). To really complicate things for him, from the article:

An affidavit in the federal investigation into a prostitution ring said that a wiretap recording captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a hotel room. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.

Which make it a possible federal case as he apparently arranged for a prostitute to cross state lines (Mann Act). He hasn’t resigned, but I bet it’s coming. In a related matter, Hillary Clinton needs to distance herself now. Gov. Eliot Spitzer endorsed her back in May of 2007…

When he was the NYS Attorney General, he was very effective, but now? If he gets anything done, it will be an uphill battle to say the least.

Can’t wait for Jay Leno and David Letterman tonight, Not to mention The Daily Show!

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Big Bang Baby” by Stone Temple Pilots from the “Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop ” Album.
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Posted in Current Issues, Different, News

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Renovations…

Posted on March 10, 2008 | Comments Off on Renovations…

Right now, after we delayed it for a few months, our bathroom is being renovated. I took “before” images and will post them all  when it’s done.

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From MSNBC: “Addicted gambler files $20 million casino suit”

Posted on March 9, 2008 | Comments Off on From MSNBC: “Addicted gambler files $20 million casino suit”

Dunes ChipsI read about this and had to shake my head a bit.

I’m sure it’s safe to say that Ms. Taveras has a gambling problem, but at what point does she take responsibility for her actions? From the article:

She lost her law practice, her apartment and her parents’ home, and she owes the IRS $58,000. She said she even considered swerving into oncoming traffic to kill herself.

In interviews with The Associated Press, Taveras admitted she dipped into her clients’ escrow accounts to finance her gambling habit. She was disbarred last June and faces criminal charges stemming from those actions, but is trying to work out restitution agreements in order to avoid a prison term.

I’m glad she didn’t try to kill herself as that would be a horrible thing to do to herself and her family. Regarding her gambling, it’s tragic, but it seems she did this to herself. Me, I hope she avoids jail, but this dire situation seems to be entirely of her doing, not the casino.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson from the “Girls and Boys” album. The video on VH1 is great.

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The Daily Show as a news source

Posted on March 8, 2008 | Comments Off on The Daily Show as a news source

[pageview src=”//www.thedailyshow.com/sitewide/video_player/view/default/player.swf?videoId=163572″ frameborder=”0″ height=”316″ scrolling=”no” width=”332″]
Once again Jon Stewart demonstrates that Public officials really should beware of the video tape. In this segment, “Crude Awakening”, we see Jon Stewart bring back GW Bush’s own words.Me, I’m once again very busy at work. A few projects are coming to a close and naturally, keeping me very busy. Considering that the economy lost 63,000 jobs last month, I suppose I’m lucky, but after working all night for a couple of issues I find I have to remind myself of that. I’ve been too busy to take any photos during lunch. By the end of the month, my project will wind on down.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Misery Business” by Paramore from the “Riot!” Album. Heard it on the radio.

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After not an inch of Snow in January, It’s Snowing now…

Posted on February 22, 2008 | Comments Off on After not an inch of Snow in January, It’s Snowing now…

Snowed In!

Naturally after no snow in January, Mother Nature decides to give us several inches of snow overnight. In my case, I can telecommute from home, so I’m not adversly affected, but If I took my usual bus in to work, I’d be on the bus now instead of VPN’ing in.

This was taken 15 minutes after I shoveled my walk.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“I Don’t Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem)” by Good Charlotte from the “Good Morning Revival” Album.

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“Toshiba Halts HD DVD Production, Mulls Future” – PC World

Posted on February 16, 2008 | 2 comments

HD DVD LogoLooks like Toshiba may be throwing in the towel in the Blu-Ray Vs. HD DVD fight. According to PC World, Toshiba is halting production and close to making a major decision. It’s a safe bet this is related to Wal-Mart’s decision to go exclusively Blu-Ray in June of 2008.

As the NY Times article mentions, this is after decisions this week by Best Buy to promote Blu-ray as its preferred format and Netflix to stock only Blu-ray movies, phasing out HD DVD by the end of 2008.

For Toshiba, this is a great set back but for consumers like me and my wife, this makes the choice easier. We have a HDTV and an old DVD player. We want a Hi Def player, but up until a few weeks ago, we were considering a dual player that can play both HD DVD and Blu-Ray such as the Samsung BD-UP5000 (Now a dead product?).

Hope Battlestar Galactica comes out on Blu-Ray. Right now, it’s on HD DVD…

Update: Yep, as of February 19, 2008 it’s now official.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Round here” by Counting Crows from the “August and Everything After” Album.

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