Archive for 'Current Events'
The Common Sense Fix
Posted on September 30, 2008, under Current Events.
Politics of Envy
Posted on July 6, 2008, under Current Events, General.
In the past, my wife and I have had our eyes opened by Dave Ramsey on how we could manage our money much better, and not only get out of debt, but stay out of debt. We’ve been on the plan for several years now, and we could not be more pleased with the outcome. We now know very much what it means to get out of a position of financial weakness to be purposefully going down a path of strength, and have seen many rewards. If you feel like your money situation is in need of an overhaul, I highly recommend checking out Dave’s podcast to see what he has to say. It costs you nothing to check out the first hour every day, and you’ll got a ton in return. Who knows, you may end up reading the same book we did.
With the glowing endorsement out of the way, this post is really about a recent ‘rant’ Dave made in regards to socialism vs capitalism. I couldn’t agree more. In the last couple of years I’ve felt the encroachment of envy in various areas of our lives. Having someone else try to guilt you into ‘donating’ your precious time, energy, relationships and money to their pet interests is a real peeve of mine now. Check out his couple minute monologue on the topic here:
Bass Fishing and Butt Scratching – or read the transcript (but voice is better)
He later responds to negative feedback in the following clip that’s just as worth the time to listen to:
So be careful of the “change” you ask for. Not all ideas are created equal!
Apple pushes insecure web browser on computers
Posted on March 31, 2008, under Current Events, Security, Web Dev/Tech.
Apple pushes Safari on Windows via iTunes updater (posted 3/21)
Apple has started offering Windows users its Safari 3.1 Web browser through the same online updater it utilizes for iTunes and the QuickTime video player.
Not just offering, but pushing. As in you must manually un-check the install or ignore it, or Safari will be installed the next time you run the updater to bring your iTunes up to the next release.
MacBook Air hacked in security contest (posted 3/27)
A team of security researchers has won $10,000 for hacking a MacBook Air in two minutes using an undisclosed Safari vulnerability.
Bad decision, Apple. I don’t want that accidentally pushed out on my machines, or any of the family members I help support.
If you want to prevent this from happening on your machine when you run the Apple updater, make sure the Safari option is checked, and then in the top menu, select “Tools > Ignore selected updates”.
Honda demos ‘linked’ humaniod robots
Posted on December 11, 2007, under Current Events, Entertainment.
Incredible! Seems like the basics are mostly worked out. I wonder what the models in 5 years will be like.
Ex-Syrian Woman Debates the Qualities of Islam on Al Jazeera
Posted on November 14, 2007, under Current Events.
Somehow I missed this very interesting exchange on Al Jazeera back in 2006:
I know people currently serving in the military. The negative aspects she describes are among the reasons these people volunteered to serve in the current war on terror, to protect us here and to help our global neighbors obtain freedom from oppression. I’m very thankful to be born in the land of the free, and thankful for those who sacrifice to protect it!
Yahoo, MSN sign blogging ‘self-discipline’ pact in China
Posted on August 24, 2007, under Current Events.
Yahoo, MSN sign blogging ‘self-discipline’ pact in China
Along with sex and violence, China’s communist rulers have also deemed that opinions critical of it or the spreading of democratic ideology are not allowed.
Do no evil democracy.
Memorial Day
Posted on May 28, 2007, under Current Events.
Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Posted on November 25, 2005, under Current Events.
Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln
WW II photos found in $1 library book
Posted on September 9, 2005, under Current Events.
A Flickr user named “The Rocketeer” posted photos that they found in an old, cheap book the library was selling. View the album.
I found these photos tucked inside a book that was for sale at a library. Someone donated this book for the library to raise funds. I’m sure they didn’t realize the photos were hidden within.
Michael Yon: The Battle for Mosul: Reality Check
Posted on August 19, 2005, under Current Events.
Michael Yon gives us a lesson in the correct usage of the English language:
Calling homicide bombers martyrs is a language offense; words are every bit as powerful as bombs, often more so. Calling murderers “martyrs” is like calling a man “customer” because he stood in line before gunning down a store clerk. There’s no need to whisper. I hear the bombs every single day. Not some days, but every day. We’re talking about criminals who actually volunteer and plan to deliberately murder and maim innocent people. What reservoir of feelings or sensibilities do we fear to assault by simply calling it so? When murderers describe themselves as “martyrs” it should sound to sensible ears like a rapist saying, “she was asking for it.” In other words, like the empty rationalizations of a depraved criminal.
If you haven’t read his experiences while currently being an embedded journalist in Iraq, you really should check them out. I recently watched Tears of the Sun, and his blog entries with great photos are just as good.
