A Peculiar Blog

Politics is a messy business and it’s even messier when it comes to figuring out who to vote for. Up until recently I’ve been leaning in the direction of McCain, in spite of the fact that he’s… well, not exactly in the running to be poster boy for natural acne treatment commercials.
Then I read [...]

I just got the June 6 issue of EFFector and thought I’d share this item from it for those who didn’t see it. It seems that the issue of immunity for telecoms that participated in the NSA’s illegal warrantless wiretapping program.
Now they’re trying to get the FISA court (remember, that’s the “Secret court” that [...]

With the latest results in the Democratic primaries it’s looking pretty much like the Clinton campaign is going to have their campaign bus for sale… And because of the financial condition of the Clinton campaign I wouldn’t be surprised for that to be true both figuratively as well as literally.
Meanwhile, The Obama camp is starting [...]

Just in case anyone thought that Middle Eastern nations allow their citizens freedom of expression, take a look at this brief news item about a Syrian blogger. It shows clearly that the Syrians are among those nations who have yet to shed their mental corsets and realize that freedom of speech and expression is [...]

Theres a story on SeatlePI.com about an issue with cell phones that’s going to get bigger before it gets solved.
Basically it’s about cell phone networks releasing information to police without a warrant. Specifically location information. All that the police need do is say that it’s a life or death situation and they’re handing [...]

There’s a saying to the effect that those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. I saw something today that I have to say is very disturbing. It was a tagline somebody used on a post:
The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the [...]

There’s a story at the University of Texas that I think needs to get all the attention possible. Scientists there have created a new cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae), by adding cellulose making genes from another cellulose making bacterium. The resulting critter is apparently very good at taking in sunlight for an [...]

Remember the FISA bill that the Senate tried to get passed that would have given immunity to telecoms for their participation in the illegal NSA domestic spying scandal? Well, it’s not quite dead yet. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has been talking deals with the “genius” behind that bill, Senator Rockefeller and is [...]

Once again, we’re hearing that the price of gas is expected to rise. It seems like just about every day the report of the national average price is higher than the last. People are being bled dry trying to come up with enough fuel to do the things they need to do. [...]

We’re moving farther and farther into the last days. One evidence of this is the growing trend of governments and law enforcement agencies to find more excuses to snoop on people. The latest in this trend is proposals by the German government that would allow video surveillance of private homes.
Oh, there’s all the [...]