Penheaded
Monday, May 29, 2006
ACLU campaign
They are now launching a state level campaign against the NSA record collecting.
¶ 5/29/2006 11:20:00 PM 0 comments 
The reckoning on Memorial Day
This day is special because of how we feel about heroes. In the nature of the old saw, "Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die"; it takes the touch of death to bring that immortal quality to a hero.
I've linked to today's cursor because, once again, they prove themselves to be one of the best stops on the web. The posts all seem to strike points about how so many of our basic good and cherished values are betrayed by BushCo. This day of remembrance is a good time to ponder the how and why of the heroes we are making today.
There has always been some set of basic lies to every tyranny. A free people enjoy the intellectual and political access that unseats those lies. BushCo is working hard to take away the protections of freedom: The "American Freedom" that is the one shining truth that binds us to all our heroes before. We hope that freedom is as immortal as their heroic souls.
BushCo has from the start struck at the access to government by the press. Imperfect they may be but journalists offer the best shot at dispelling the lies of tyrants. The start was slow and ungainly but the press began to reveal to us a host of lies and dirty truths that could not be spun. It should not come as a shock that BushCo could be so vile as to lie to us about the heroes and villains they were making.
With the hero's full measure and death's decisive finality it would seem the existential truths are revealed. ¶ 5/29/2006 03:21:00 PM 0 comments
I've linked to today's cursor because, once again, they prove themselves to be one of the best stops on the web. The posts all seem to strike points about how so many of our basic good and cherished values are betrayed by BushCo. This day of remembrance is a good time to ponder the how and why of the heroes we are making today.
There has always been some set of basic lies to every tyranny. A free people enjoy the intellectual and political access that unseats those lies. BushCo is working hard to take away the protections of freedom: The "American Freedom" that is the one shining truth that binds us to all our heroes before. We hope that freedom is as immortal as their heroic souls.
BushCo has from the start struck at the access to government by the press. Imperfect they may be but journalists offer the best shot at dispelling the lies of tyrants. The start was slow and ungainly but the press began to reveal to us a host of lies and dirty truths that could not be spun. It should not come as a shock that BushCo could be so vile as to lie to us about the heroes and villains they were making.
With the hero's full measure and death's decisive finality it would seem the existential truths are revealed. ¶ 5/29/2006 03:21:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Mayors of two cities, that couldn't be more different, join suit against AT&T and Verizon
The political topographies of these two western Massachusetts cities, Chicopee and Northampton, are vastly different. Northampton is a college town that, even for the tastes of the Peoples' Republic of Massachusetts, is considered way out there on the progressive scale. Bissonnette, the mayor of Chicopee, just replaced a Republican mayor caught on video taking alleged bribes. Chicopee once was a primarily industrial city that still has strong connections to labor and the military.
Update: Worth a link: dissidentvoice.org ¶ 5/28/2006 05:20:00 PM 0 comments
Update: Worth a link: dissidentvoice.org ¶ 5/28/2006 05:20:00 PM 0 comments
Fed's move to block NSA suits
Large corporations, clearly in ongoing violation of black letter law (not that whimsical law Shrub thinks he writes with his crayons), should be protected by the government from accountability to their customers?
Well, I guess it kinda fits. You see, both of them were breaking the law and this is what passes for honor amongst scoundrels. I think I'm beginning to see how this will play out.
BellSouth will sue USAToday for slander and diminution of business over the refusal to retract the story. BushCo will step in to say that BellSouth's claims are valid and they could prove it except for that classified thing. BellSouth wins, and further, the reporter is dragged off to jail for writing about it.
Government and corporations working in collusion to break the law. In this climate, when the best the Democrats can do is overwhelmingly approve the NSA's General Hayden's nomination as director of the CIA (the wacky crew that was the reason for the FISA law), it is probably time to join the Socialist Workers' Party.
Are you bozo's still worried about a neutral net? ¶ 5/28/2006 12:22:00 AM 0 comments
Well, I guess it kinda fits. You see, both of them were breaking the law and this is what passes for honor amongst scoundrels. I think I'm beginning to see how this will play out.
BellSouth will sue USAToday for slander and diminution of business over the refusal to retract the story. BushCo will step in to say that BellSouth's claims are valid and they could prove it except for that classified thing. BellSouth wins, and further, the reporter is dragged off to jail for writing about it.
Government and corporations working in collusion to break the law. In this climate, when the best the Democrats can do is overwhelmingly approve the NSA's General Hayden's nomination as director of the CIA (the wacky crew that was the reason for the FISA law), it is probably time to join the Socialist Workers' Party.
Are you bozo's still worried about a neutral net? ¶ 5/28/2006 12:22:00 AM 0 comments
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Trial of Chinese NY Times Researcher To Begin June 8
These charges were dropped and then refiled.
¶ 5/27/2006 07:49:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, May 25, 2006
The cost of a two-tiered Web
The Google bubble goes pop? Quit it or I'll start cryin' (snark).
Yes, there will be a few business models changing. We should all be in good practice for that after all the lamenting we've done over the passing of the brick and mortar/dead wood world. ¶ 5/25/2006 09:33:00 PM 0 comments
Yes, there will be a few business models changing. We should all be in good practice for that after all the lamenting we've done over the passing of the brick and mortar/dead wood world. ¶ 5/25/2006 09:33:00 PM 0 comments
Takin' it to the streets
Day of outrage? If we don't act, we'll have more than two years of outrages.
¶ 5/25/2006 09:22:00 PM 0 comments
Chinese military spending increase
China reported a 14% increase to over $35 billion but sources outside of China estimate it is more than three times that amount.
¶ 5/25/2006 05:11:00 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Studs Terkel joins ACLU suit against AT&T
Very cool- taking a stand in this case has a lot to do with why he is admired.
¶ 5/23/2006 04:05:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, May 22, 2006
via Wired: AT&T whistleblower's doc's online
Come and get these secret documents while you can.
¶ 5/22/2006 07:22:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Net neutrality- the greed and the need
The issue of net neutrality has taken on a life of its own; a rallying point, a partisan stick and a measure of devotion to intellectual freedom. While all along it seemed to us, a pragmatic acknowledgement of basic property rights and profit motivations still left the flagon of truth and knowledge more than half full. Any attempt to control content usually results in a great many resourceful people looking for ways around the gatekeeping. A taste for unfettered connections to information and people has grown to the point that any attempts to throttle it would most likely just result in the growth of new networks and technologies.
It also seemed somewhat naive to ever think of the Web as neutral. Great and low forces moved on the Web such that all it ever really offered was the blind justice of the food chain. Suck it up, Web 2.0; not to completely obviate the great forces but sometimes community is just another word for herd.
Oh no, analogy stampede:
As some are running together with the likes of Google, Yahoo and the Christian Right to obtain the protection of law; it is important to remember that there are lions, jackals and other predators ready to latch on to your hind quarters. A law offers scant protection when all it takes is for one person to say that is not my interpretation of the law. And then all the sheep say, if you say so.
There are some wolves under that fleece. What version of a neutral Web is Google offering in China? What sort of designs on intellectual freedom do you think the Christian Right has? ¶ 5/20/2006 10:08:00 PM 0 comments
It also seemed somewhat naive to ever think of the Web as neutral. Great and low forces moved on the Web such that all it ever really offered was the blind justice of the food chain. Suck it up, Web 2.0; not to completely obviate the great forces but sometimes community is just another word for herd.
Oh no, analogy stampede:
As some are running together with the likes of Google, Yahoo and the Christian Right to obtain the protection of law; it is important to remember that there are lions, jackals and other predators ready to latch on to your hind quarters. A law offers scant protection when all it takes is for one person to say that is not my interpretation of the law. And then all the sheep say, if you say so.
There are some wolves under that fleece. What version of a neutral Web is Google offering in China? What sort of designs on intellectual freedom do you think the Christian Right has? ¶ 5/20/2006 10:08:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 19, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Hayden Laments Politics of Intelligence
But has nothing to say about BushCo collecting intelligence on political groups.
¶ 5/18/2006 09:51:00 PM 0 comments
EFF can use doc's in AT&T suit
They have to remain out of circulation, though.
¶ 5/18/2006 09:44:00 PM 0 comments
via FAS- CRS on access to phone records
"... the CRS explains that there are several statutes that may be pertinent and that could conceivably entail civil or criminal penalties for telephone companies that provide information to the government without statutory authorization."
¶ 5/18/2006 05:13:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Give Verizon a ringy-dingy
800-256-4646 Sales
800-483-5558 Tech. support
800-447-3420 Cust. relations
via these good folk ¶ 5/17/2006 11:42:00 PM 0 comments
800-483-5558 Tech. support
800-447-3420 Cust. relations
via these good folk ¶ 5/17/2006 11:42:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Verizon, true patriots and defenders of the Constitution
"Thank you for your email response. I cannot comment any further on this matter.
Sincerely,
Verizon eCenter"
Me: Then perhaps you can bump this up to the individual that can. ¶ 5/16/2006 11:13:00 PM 0 comments
Sincerely,
Verizon eCenter"
Me: Then perhaps you can bump this up to the individual that can. ¶ 5/16/2006 11:13:00 PM 0 comments
Verizon issues denial of NSA story
Along with the denial from BellSouth, the only conclusion I can come to is that the NSA was just picking on Qwest.
Funny, Verizon has been telling me that, while neither denying nor confirming the story, they can't comment because anything involving the NSA is highly classified.
Days later, the answer is that it never happened. Why not just say that in the first place?
Because the story is true. This is just legal/public relations tactics. I would say they are looking for a bail-out from the government similar to the one being attempted in the EFF suit against AT&T. ¶ 5/16/2006 07:13:00 PM 0 comments
Funny, Verizon has been telling me that, while neither denying nor confirming the story, they can't comment because anything involving the NSA is highly classified.
Days later, the answer is that it never happened. Why not just say that in the first place?
Because the story is true. This is just legal/public relations tactics. I would say they are looking for a bail-out from the government similar to the one being attempted in the EFF suit against AT&T. ¶ 5/16/2006 07:13:00 PM 0 comments
This cheese-head is out to steal your privacy
One more attempt to look over our shoulder in the name of catching pedophiles. Logs of this nature do little to prevent crime but would aid in the prosecution.
They would also present the irresistible opportunity for abuse by government and business. ¶ 5/16/2006 04:18:00 PM 0 comments
They would also present the irresistible opportunity for abuse by government and business. ¶ 5/16/2006 04:18:00 PM 0 comments
I get back to Verizon
"Thanks very much for getting back to me. I only wish your answers had been more responsive.
The cat, so to speak, is out of the bag on this one. Stonewalling me on questions that directly relate to delivery of services is not indicative of appreciation of my business. Ongoing, unrepentant actions of the sort described in the USAToday might very well rise to the level of fraud. The simple fact is that not everything that has to do with the NSA is "highly classified". Attempting to throw that blanket over what would most likely be an abrogation of your statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations could easily be seen as disingenuous.
I would certainly hope that your legal counsel is not banking on an intervention from the federal government similar to action taken in the suit brought by the EFF against AT&T. The scope of the alleged activity in our matter clearly puts this outside of that reprieve.
While I certainly reserve the right to exercise all my legal protections, we have the immediate questions to answer. Being the true patriots and defenders of the Constitution that you are, I understand your reluctance to answer questions concerning this specific matter. But you still can give me the information I need to decide the question of our continuing business relationship. Since you chose to ignore four very specific questions about your delivery of service to me by alluding to the USAToday article, perhaps you would be able to answer this one general question.
Is it the corporate position of Verizon that they would engage in the activities described in the USAToday article without a FISA warrant? Surely that is not classified." ¶ 5/16/2006 12:22:00 AM 0 comments
The cat, so to speak, is out of the bag on this one. Stonewalling me on questions that directly relate to delivery of services is not indicative of appreciation of my business. Ongoing, unrepentant actions of the sort described in the USAToday might very well rise to the level of fraud. The simple fact is that not everything that has to do with the NSA is "highly classified". Attempting to throw that blanket over what would most likely be an abrogation of your statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations could easily be seen as disingenuous.
I would certainly hope that your legal counsel is not banking on an intervention from the federal government similar to action taken in the suit brought by the EFF against AT&T. The scope of the alleged activity in our matter clearly puts this outside of that reprieve.
While I certainly reserve the right to exercise all my legal protections, we have the immediate questions to answer. Being the true patriots and defenders of the Constitution that you are, I understand your reluctance to answer questions concerning this specific matter. But you still can give me the information I need to decide the question of our continuing business relationship. Since you chose to ignore four very specific questions about your delivery of service to me by alluding to the USAToday article, perhaps you would be able to answer this one general question.
Is it the corporate position of Verizon that they would engage in the activities described in the USAToday article without a FISA warrant? Surely that is not classified." ¶ 5/16/2006 12:22:00 AM 0 comments
Monday, May 15, 2006
The non-responsive reply from Verizon on NSA
...
"We apologize for the delay in our response and we regret any inconvenience to you.
This message is in response to your email dated May 12, 2006. You inquired about the National Security Agency (NSA) news article . I will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate that the USA Today article and other reports about the possibility that the NSA is able to analyze local call data records is causing concern. Please be assured that Verizon places the highest value on protecting the privacy of our customers.
Anything to do with the NSA is of course highly classified, so we can not comment on whether or not the news article causing concern is even accurate. But we can say that, to the extent that we cooperate with government authorities, we are confident that we are complying with all applicable statutes. We appreciate the continuing opportunity to provide you with service.
Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business." ¶ 5/15/2006 10:43:00 PM 0 comments
"We apologize for the delay in our response and we regret any inconvenience to you.
This message is in response to your email dated May 12, 2006. You inquired about the National Security Agency (NSA) news article . I will be happy to assist you.
We appreciate that the USA Today article and other reports about the possibility that the NSA is able to analyze local call data records is causing concern. Please be assured that Verizon places the highest value on protecting the privacy of our customers.
Anything to do with the NSA is of course highly classified, so we can not comment on whether or not the news article causing concern is even accurate. But we can say that, to the extent that we cooperate with government authorities, we are confident that we are complying with all applicable statutes. We appreciate the continuing opportunity to provide you with service.
Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business." ¶ 5/15/2006 10:43:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 14, 2006
The time for economic action against telcos
The recent disclosures of illegal NSA activities abetted by the majority of the large telephone companies was that event that said it was now time for more than rhetorical hand-wringing. The essential scope of collecting calling records for tens of millions of American citizens does not give any cover to the notion that this is an anti-terror operation. We can almost be thankful that the sense of the abusive and despotic potential for this trolling is heightened as it occurs under the present administration. This Bush administration has granted itself powers that contravene the balances and protections guaranteed by our Constitution. It has worked itself into the obscenely despotic caricature that tortures and also watches the Quakers as a threat.
It really should not come as much of a surprise that the bulk of the telephone companies gave this group of bullies what they wanted. Yahoo, Google and Microsoft have been more than glad to rollover for the far more odious Chinese. Qwest, a notable exception to the NSA arm-twisting, felt the full weight of governmental economic threats. Let us also speak to these companies in that language that will leave a lasting impression, money.
There have already been some filings in federal court against Verizon over this. I have not seen anything about the other companies. I personally have already contacted Verizon as my first step. I think every customer of BellSouth, AT&T and Verizon should be contacting their respective customer service office. And they should do it as often as it takes to get an answer to the many questions this operation raises. That is the first step.
Update: MarketWatch has reported that BellSouth is also being sued. ¶ 5/14/2006 10:14:00 AM 0 comments
It really should not come as much of a surprise that the bulk of the telephone companies gave this group of bullies what they wanted. Yahoo, Google and Microsoft have been more than glad to rollover for the far more odious Chinese. Qwest, a notable exception to the NSA arm-twisting, felt the full weight of governmental economic threats. Let us also speak to these companies in that language that will leave a lasting impression, money.
There have already been some filings in federal court against Verizon over this. I have not seen anything about the other companies. I personally have already contacted Verizon as my first step. I think every customer of BellSouth, AT&T and Verizon should be contacting their respective customer service office. And they should do it as often as it takes to get an answer to the many questions this operation raises. That is the first step.
Update: MarketWatch has reported that BellSouth is also being sued. ¶ 5/14/2006 10:14:00 AM 0 comments
Telecoms' NSA action to cost
Even if this doesn't succeed it might wave 'em off anything similar.
¶ 5/14/2006 12:15:00 AM 0 comments
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Again, Boo Yahoo!
Google (the folks that host this blog) and Microsoft just kinda suck for what they're doing in China.
¶ 5/13/2006 06:55:00 PM 0 comments
Before the Big Bang...
...there was the big backwards.
(alt) Cosmic ¶ 5/13/2006 06:55:00 PM 0 comments
(alt) Cosmic ¶ 5/13/2006 06:55:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 12, 2006
ABC telephone poll indicates 65% of Americans sleeping as their rights slip away
I imagine Rove knew how damaging this would be to an already politically wounded administration. They shoved Shrub in front of the cameras to get out in front of this issue. The chorus chimed in. Now all that was left to do was have the majority of the MSM go lame and not give this the full, rigorous treatment it deserved. The big nasty was now a ho-hum.
We highly recommend Mr. Greenwald for his thorough treatment of this subject. ¶ 5/12/2006 07:40:00 PM 0 comments
We highly recommend Mr. Greenwald for his thorough treatment of this subject. ¶ 5/12/2006 07:40:00 PM 0 comments
Let Verizon know if you are unhappy
Will Verizon tell me if my records were included?
Is Verizon prepared to assume liability for this unwarranted, warrantless diclosure?
Will Verizon refund all service fees due to the failure to protect my privacy?
Will Verizon continue in this practice?
Your answers to these questions are requested prior to the end of this billing cycle. ¶ 5/12/2006 05:50:00 PM 0 comments
Is Verizon prepared to assume liability for this unwarranted, warrantless diclosure?
Will Verizon refund all service fees due to the failure to protect my privacy?
Will Verizon continue in this practice?
Your answers to these questions are requested prior to the end of this billing cycle. ¶ 5/12/2006 05:50:00 PM 0 comments
Iran was in AEI sights long ago
And for very different reasons from what is the current propaganda.
¶ 5/12/2006 04:28:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, May 11, 2006
More NSA data mining
Another unwarranted, warrantless intrusion into the private lives of Americans.
It can no longer be considered hyperbole to say that never has any administration sought to know so much about the citizens while at the same time denying them so much information about their own government.
Shrub's denial of the activity, after all the other lies and law breaking over domestic spying, is worthless. ¶ 5/11/2006 04:23:00 PM 0 comments
It can no longer be considered hyperbole to say that never has any administration sought to know so much about the citizens while at the same time denying them so much information about their own government.
Shrub's denial of the activity, after all the other lies and law breaking over domestic spying, is worthless. ¶ 5/11/2006 04:23:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The smartest thing Hillary has done in a while
Found at Fark: Liked the exploding Republican heads insight.
¶ 5/10/2006 09:13:00 PM 0 comments
Baby bro' Jeb for Prez?
He'll stay put in Florida if Shrub's polling numbers remain low. However, I've thought for some time that he was the heir apparent.
¶ 5/10/2006 06:35:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 07, 2006
RSF State of the Internet report
Old news but related to current work on net neutrality.
¶ 5/07/2006 06:38:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 05, 2006
Goss out of CIA
Sent in as BushCo's enforcer, he is just fodder now.
¶ 5/05/2006 07:51:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, May 01, 2006
Jazz Fest in NO and what Bush doesn't know
Brian Williams and NBC have made a big effort on the New Orleans/Katrina story. This coverage of the Jazz Fest is a natural outgrowth of that (no gospel on WWOZ Sunday was the downside of Jazz Fest for me).
So I'm watching the MSN video of a Bruce Springsteen number. As he says, there is a train coming down the track. The way in which BushCo responded to the New Orleans disaster betrayed the inept, callous darkness at the heart of their thinking. ¶ 5/01/2006 10:37:00 PM 0 comments
So I'm watching the MSN video of a Bruce Springsteen number. As he says, there is a train coming down the track. The way in which BushCo responded to the New Orleans disaster betrayed the inept, callous darkness at the heart of their thinking. ¶ 5/01/2006 10:37:00 PM 0 comments
Realists and "New Historians" on the Israeli lobby- via The Nation
I don't know about any "new" history: To the astute reader a very dark side of the history of Israel has always been there. Set against the Arab League's vow to crush the Hebrew dogs, this made the idea of "good guys" in the region a very relativistic one.
¶ 5/01/2006 08:03:00 PM 0 comments
