Brian's Blog

Attorney-General Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation today?!

Well, all I have to say is, "It's about freakin' time!" I mean, this guy in my opinion is a slime ball weasel of the highest order. It took about 5 minutes of watching his testimony regarding the attorney firings to see that point. And then there is his support for torture and the NSA warrant-less domestic spying program to think about. So, goodbye and good riddance. Don't let the door hit ya in the ass on the way out.

Now, the next question is, will the Senate actually do it's job during the confirmation hearings of the next guy? Or will they just let another "Loyal Bushie" take over the office? If the past few months are any indication of what the Democratically control Congress is capable of then I have low hopes of an acceptable outcome.

Hopefully I'm wrong.

I used to swear by Linuxpackages.net for nearly all of my Slackware packages. Apparently it didn't make really big news but I just learned that a couple of months ago Linuxpackages.net has intentionally released a malicious ISO on P2P networks that included a package that would nuke your HD if you used it. I guess they wanted to make sure you bought it from them rather than downloaded it somewhere.

According the the article linked above the following text was included in the WARNING file:

Standard information here. We take no responsibility for what any of these packages may do. They are checked but for only minor things. As with any software you download you should check it very well before installing it.

Also if you have downloaded an ISO of this archive from a P2P network or purchased it from a source other than Linuxpackages be warned there is a package included in the archive that will remove all the files from your HD and yes we put it there to prevent unauthorized mirrors and leeches that try and make money off of the hard work of many without giving them credit. These ISO.s that are out there are not authorized by us and should not be trusted. The archive is available for purchase from us or you can download the packages from authorized mirrors. To see the list go to http://www.linuxpackages.net/mirrors.php

LinuxPackages.net

This sort of thing by anyone is absolutely not cool in anyway whatsoever. Not to mention terribly illegal (IANAL). Of all the people who should know that this is wrong you would think it would be an organization that is centered around Open Source Software like Linuxpackages.net. This sort of thing is usually in indication of a deeper issue within an organization and shows us where it's true priorities lie. In this case, that priority is money. Either that, or there is some colossal stupidity in the ranks and they didn't really think their actions through.

So, this is just one more thing to urge me to stick with SlackBuilds or even CheckInstall if it is ever updated to work on Slackware 12.0.

I know this is old news, but I finally read that the former head of the Chinese Food and Drug Administration has been executed for corruption. Hmm...executed for corruption and causing the deaths of innocents for personal gain? Sheesh, here in the United States such trivial actions generally get a slap on the wrist. You know, a fine and maybe some jail time if it doesn't get pardoned or commuted.

Don't get me wrong, death sentences are as harsh as you can get and should not be given out lightly. Still, our system of punishment for government corruption seems to be failing and maybe we need to kick it up a notch to get the message across to our public "servants".

Perhaps we have something to learn from China in this regard. What do you think?

OK, I admit feeling a bit silly posting something like this but I really have fond memories of watching Mr. Wizard aka Don Herbert as a child. When I read about his death this morning I actually felt a significant twinge of sadness. I used to just love his show and learned quite a bit from it. I just wish a show like his was around for my children to benefit from. He really made learning fun, to the point where you didn't realize that you were actually learning.

I'm actually quite surprised that this is being attempted. Not that I don't think it is justified. I think an impeachment investigation is 100% justified. Heck just the torture issue is probably enough to justify an investigation into this administrations doings, not to mention habeas corpus, the attorney firings, and Iraq. In discussions with friends on the subject I've said that I thought impeaching President Bush would be a bad idea for a couple of reasons. The first one was because I thought Cheney would be worse than Bush as a president and also I never thought that an impeachment could be investigated in enough time to make any difference since Bush is out of the office at the end of this term. Honestly I had never really thought of anyone going after just Cheney. I'm not really sure if it will make any difference if he is successfully impeached. I'm guessing at the very least it would prevent him from running for President in the future?

So, yet another interesting story to follow. I learned about this bit of news in this AlterNet article where they have a short video and links to the full text of the resolution and a synopsis.

I've made it no secret that, at least in my opinion, the main stream news sources are generally useless for anything other than spin. As a result I'm always on the look out for more places to get information that is as untouched and "unspun" by government and corporate interests as I can. I've just stumbled upon something called The Real News that looks like it may be promising. Of course, only time will tell on their quality. However, they have a good start with their tag line of "NO advertising, NO government funding, NO corporate dollars, NO profit, NO strings". If you are wondering how they function they are donation driven.

So, I've added them to my RSS agregator. I think I'll watch them for a month or so and and see how I feel about them.

According to the BBC Windows XP is to be retired in 2008. In other words, you won't be able to buy it on a new PC anymore. Of course, it's no surprise at all that they intend to do this. The opening of the article says:

Microsoft is keeping to a plan to stop selling the operating system even though surveys show a lukewarm response to Windows Vista among consumers.

Well, that's one way to boost sales! Just stop selling the old one so people have to buy the new one! I will venture to guess that XP is more than sufficient for the vast majority of peoples computing needs thus the low urge to upgrade.

Of course, that attitude may change a bit as I use Vista. At work I'll have to support Vista systems so it only makes sense that I run it in order to be familiar with it. Besides, it's a work laptop so I kind of have to. I'm only on my second day using Vista so I haven't really formed an opinion yet but if/when I actually do have an opinion I may post it here. In all fairness though I'll have to make a conscious effort to compare it only to it's predecessors. If I start comparing it to Linux then it will obviously lose.

During the Monica Lewinsky scandal when Clinton resisted having his aids testify before Congress Tony Snow had the following to say.

Taken to its logical extreme, that position would make it impossible for citizens to hold a chief executive accountable for anything. He would have a constitutional right to cover up. - Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary

OK then. So, what is it? Does the Legislative Branch have over site of the Executive or does it not? Are we a monarchy or a republic?

I'm not even sure what to say about this. This is the sort of thing that scares the crap out of me. But he really said it. Watch for yourself. The videos can be found on Alternet.

UPDATE: It has also been written about at The Daily Kos. This article says it much better than I could. I quote:

With Snow's blunt declaration of independence, any remaining illusion that the executive branch continues to act as part of the government is removed. If this interpretation holds, if the congress can not exert authority over the executive, then we are a democracy in name only.

I have no great insight on this subject. After all I'm only a computer geek, not an environmental scientist but wow are they raking this guy over the coals in a serious way. Check out the 14.5 minute long (approx) video.

I've heard of these mysterious edits to the EPA Report on Climate Change but didn't realize there were any over site hearings going on. It's good to see our government starting to get back on it's feet with some accountability, at least on some subjects. Oddly enough, this stuff seems to have started happening when the Democrats took the majority in the House and Senate in November. This is the sort of thing that should happen regardless of the political party.

A quick search for the phrase "global warming report edits" seems to come up with a slew of hits on the subject. Now, I haven't done extensive reading on the it having gotten most of my news from NPR or Democracy Now. Still, my hunch is that this doctoring of information is happening and that it's not exactly a new concept. Especially by this already proven untrustworthy administration that we have. But, obviously, that is just my opinion for whatever it is worth.

I think this will be an interesting story to follow. Who needs soap operas when you have this sort of thing to watch!

Well, I took my 70-292:Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 exam today (Microsoft gets paid by the word obviously for their exam titles). I'm happy to say I've passed and am one step closer to obtaining the 3l33t h4x0r m4d skillz that only Microsoft can teach (not). So, only one more test left to become a fully upgraded minion of the Empire! Hey, it pays the bills right?

Oh, on a side note, it's a happy day. Captain Copyright is dead.

Aww hell, since I'm on a political kick against torture here's a little bit more. I've been loosely following this story for a while now but I've never seen this interview. Somehow, I think if our media would show exactly what sort of "interrogation" methods they use in full graphic detail we'd have more of an outcry against this sort of thing.



I'm not sure exactly what Mr. Arar was subject to but it's been written in the news in several places about the use of Waterboarding as an interrogation technique. The media makes is sound not so bad by calling it a "method that simulates the sensation of drowning." I don't think most people have every been the subject of any serious level of asphyxiation so unfortunately the majority probably don't get just how traumatic and terrible the feeling can be.

Wikipedia has an article on just what waterboarding is. If you read this and really think about it it makes your skin crawl. Of particular interest is this quote from the Modern waterboarding section:

The prisoner is bound to an inclined board, feet raised and head slightly below the feet. Cellophane is wrapped over the prisoner's face and water is poured over him. Unavoidably, the gag reflex kicks in and a terrifying fear of drowning leads to almost instant pleas to bring the treatment to a halt. According to the sources, CIA officers who subjected themselves to the water boarding technique lasted an average of 14 seconds before caving in. They said al Qaeda's toughest prisoner, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, won the admiration of interrogators when he was able to last over two minutes before begging to confess.

If this is such a gentle from of torture (if that isn't an oxymoron I don't know what is) then how can supposedly tough CIA officer last only 14 seconds?

But always -- do not forget this, Winston -- always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face -- for ever.' - Orwell, George. "1984".

If you are still on the fence take a look at this video where they demonstrate waterboarding. This crazy guy arranges to be waterboarded to show people what it is really like.

I don't really have anything to say about this. I just thought this was funny as hell, wanted to put it somewhere I wouldn't loose the link, and share it. Besides, I've been overdue for a post here anyway and this is as good of an excuse as any.

According to BBC article Bin Laden is reported as to possibly be dead. Interesting.

What's Bush going to do with his time now that his "arch nemesis" may no long be a problem?

Notice I said "may". Meaning none of this is confirmed but what kind of impact would it have on Bush's policies if it were true? Probably none but it's still something to think about.

Update: Today BBC has an article saying there is no evidence that Bin Ladin is dead. I knew it was speculation and it's still an open question at this point but still something to wonder about. Personally I don't think his death would change a thing as the "War" on Terror would continue even with out him. I mean, it's not like we'd be pulling out of the middle-east the day after his death is confirmed.

Well, as usual I'm here commenting on news that is about a week old. I can never seem to get around to posting something until well after the fact. Anyway, I was poking about reading my normal news sites when I noticed two interesting things. One of them is an article by John Mueller entitled A False Sense of Insecurity in which it is discussed about how the current state of fighting terrorism is way over the top to the point of being hysteria compared to the actual statistical risk. It's basically suggests that we step back, take a look at the actual real world risk of another attack, and respond accordingly.

Of more significant interest to me though is the ruling by a federal judge that the warrantless spy program is unconstitutional. The judge had some might strong words to show how she felt too.

There are no hereditary kings in America and no powers not created by the Constitution. - District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor

Of course the Bush administration is appealing the ruling. Even so, I'm glad to see that at least some level heads seems to exist and are pushing back against Big Brother Bush. I just hope it isn't to little to late.