]> Brian's Blog http://rignesnet.tzo.com Random Thoughts and Comments en-us Brian 2009-07-09T13:48:29-04:00 http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2008-10-08T14_37_47.html AIG Executives Use Bailout Funds for an Expensive Retreat 2008-10-08T14:37:47-04:00 Brian News, Politics White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Wednesday it was "despicable" for AIG to send its executives on a $440,000 retreat at the posh St. Regis resort, south of Los Angeles, days after getting federal bailout assistance. I'm not really all that surprised that something like this happened. At the very least the White House is making noise that they are highly displeased AIG did this. Hopefully they will put some bite behind the words and demand that AIG return the frivolously spent cash. Call me a pessimist but I have little faith that will happen.

A small part of me wants to say that $440,00 isn't that much out of the $85 bailout loan. Still, it's the principle of the matter. They got the tax payers money (read that as our money) to help them out of bankruptcy and supposedly help avoid a larger economic crisis. Not to play in a fancy resort.]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-08-27T10_49_40.html Gonzo Finally Resigns! 2007-08-27T10:49:40-04:00 Brian News, Politics 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.]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-07-24T16_51_23.html Linuxpackages.net Malicious Code 2007-07-24T16:51:23-04:00 Brian Computers and Technology, News 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.

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-07-15T10_04_11.html Chinese Official Executed for Corruption? 2007-07-15T10:04:11-04:00 Brian News, Politics 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?

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-06-13T15_54_53.html Goodbye Mr. Wizard 2007-06-13T15:54:53-04:00 Brian News 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.

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-04-25T15_21_03.html Articles of Impeachment Introduced Against Cheney 2007-04-25T15:21:03-04:00 Brian News, Politics
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.

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-04-24T20_24_23.html Another Interesting News Source 2007-04-24T20:24:23-04:00 Brian News 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.

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-04-13T13_32_57.html Say Bye Bye to Windows XP 2007-04-13T13:32:57-04:00 Brian Computers and Technology, News 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. :)

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-03-24T17_47_17.html Tony Snow Contradicts Himself 2007-03-24T17:47:17-04:00 Brian News, Politics 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?

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]]> http://rignesnet.tzo.com/archives/2007-03-23T12_12_24.html Tony Snow denies Checks and Balances 2007-03-23T12:12:24-04:00 Brian News, Politics 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.


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