August 03, 2004
COMPUTER
OK, so it turns out that I don't have a virus on my computer, but I had a laughable amount of spyware and junk. Hard part's over, right? We just set up the router and download Norton's Antivirus and we're golden? Wrong. Oh so wrong.
The router won't work. We plugged it all in, unplugged it, over and over. Not working. And I don't want to go into opsec details (even though it's a good story), but I ended up with stuff on my computer that the Army wouldn't be happy I had, and it took us hours to try to get rid of it. All in all we spent four hours with a net gain of very little. Sigh. But I sure learned a lot, watching my friend mess around in DOS after trying to remove parts of the Army's business accidentally wrecked Windows.
It reminded me of the time my dad thought he could outsmart Bill Gates and install Windows 95 on top of Windows 3.0. Or, as he renamed it, Jindows 3.0. Ha, didn't work. It was good for a couple hours of entertainment though. Or at least it was better than watching soccer.
Posted by: Sarah at
03:09 AM
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Yeah, something similar happened to me on my recent research trip. Everything but my folders on my brand-new tablet PC worked fine--if I tried to open one, my CPU's meter would go off the chart. This happened after I used one of those "free" (now you know how they pay for it) hotel Internet services. This was on the first night. Imagine--a research trip...and no computer! And then I was afraid and angry because I of all people couldn't fix it. Missed one night of sleep over it. Finally, after doing everything the hard way, I figured out that I, too, simply had a ton of spyware on it, surreptitiously loaded by the "free" Internet provider. Got it off with Ad-aware and everything was a-ok. So luckily mine was easy. I was certain that it was something simple--I just had to figure it out. Anyway, good luck with yours! Your post bought back some rather frightening memories.
Posted by: Jeremiah at August 03, 2004 05:20 AM (0FAew)
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Hmmm. I think there's a computer conspiracy out there.
Posted by: Mike at August 03, 2004 07:39 AM (MqNKC)
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I've got one too that messes up my homepage. I've decided to let it hang around, like a spider.
Posted by: fairest at August 03, 2004 10:17 AM (dsfcB)
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This is totally off subject, but I thought I'd throw it in.
Drudge has a map of where the two candidates are going to be tomorrow, Davenport IA.
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash7.htm
Oddly enough this is 1 mile from where I work, and 2 miles from where I live. I won't be attending, however my GF and her mom both have tickets.
The Bush affair is open to the public, free tickets at the local congress critter's office, while the Kerry shindig is private.
Guess which is selling well around here? Local news had the line for Bush tickets out the door, down the street, around the corner, and nearly in the river.
Posted by: John at August 03, 2004 01:16 PM (+Ysxp)
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Two programs can make your life easier:
Ad-aware from Lavasoft which finds and eliminates spyware
ZoneAlarm - firewall software from Zone labs
which pops up everytime a program tries to call home. If you don't recognize the program you tell ZoneAlarm not to let it communicate with th world.
Both have freeware versions.
Posted by: James at August 03, 2004 02:09 PM (tUIL1)
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DOOZIES
Two doozies via LGF today:
He was complacent, arrogant and humourless. How they loved him.
Kerry now says that Bush "misled" him on Iraq. But, if he was that easily suckered by a renowned moron, how much more susceptible would he be to such wily operators as Chirac.
What's wrong with Fahrenheit 9/11?
Michael Moore throws everything he can at Bush, who is portrayed at times as bumbling and artificial, at others conniving beyond our wildest imaginations. The Bush-hater need only take their pick: the disputed election, his ties to the House of Saud, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bush’s plutocratic pedigree, his drawl, too much antiterrorism, too little antiterrorism, defense companies, the Saudis again, and then finally, at the end of the movie, the big one: war is what powerful elites do to keep the poor down and preserve their hierarchies of wealth and privilege. Actually piecing the movie together reveals a contradictory mosaic of unrelated topics, which, especially in the lurid conspiracy-weaving parts, flit across the silver screen in rapid-fire succession. It is “somewhat confusing, admittedly,” says Joanne Doroshow, an associate producer of the movie.
Posted by: Sarah at
02:41 AM
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"Mr President", Andrew Card bent down and whispered in his ear, "we are under attack".
George Bush, President of the United States, was busy. He was reading 'My Pet Goat' with a classroom of small children and didn't want to alarm them with the news that the United States of America was 'under attack'. Not while reading 'My Pet Goat' anyway.
"We are under attack". Those were the words George Bush heard in that classroom. The commander-in chief of the US Armed Forces then sat like a bump on a log for seven long minutes before excusing himself from the classroom of small children to attend to the nations needs.
And just what kind of attack were we under? Andrew didn't say. Was it a conventional attack with armies swarming ashore along the east, or maybe west coast? Was it a nuclear attack launched by some roque element from the old Soviet Union? And just who was attacking us? Again, Andrew didn't say.
All our Commander in Chief knew was that the nation he had sworn an oath to protect was now, at this very minute, under attack. But no need to ask any clarifying questions about the 'attack' just yet, cause right now we are involved in some pretty serious reading of 'My Pet Goat.'
But wait, just a few days ago he recieved his intellegence daily briefing while on vacation on his ranch entitled 'Bin Laden determined to attack within the United States'. After he was briefed he promptly went and .... cut some brush.
And why not? After all what could the President of the United States of America, the most powerfull country in world, actually do to stop a 'determined' Bin Laden operating out of a cave in Afgahnistan from launching an attack on US soil.
And now, that we are finally 'under attack', now really, what should we do about it? Ah well, back to 'My Pet Goat'.
Posted by: dc at August 03, 2004 12:32 PM (s6c4t)
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dc, my patience is wearing thin.
Posted by: Sarah at August 03, 2004 01:37 PM (6xUrH)
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Sarah, it is probably because of this kind of behevior by Bush, highlighted in the Micheal Moore documentary, that Kerry is now viewed by 52 percent all voters as better able to serve as commander-in-chief while only 44 percent back Bush.
I too am losing patience, losing patience with Bush.
Posted by: dc at August 03, 2004 10:48 PM (s6c4t)
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DC:
"Mr. President, we are under attack again." So says chief of staff George Soros whispers into Kerry's ear (while Kerry is quaffing some vintage French bordeaux).
Immediately, Jean Francois Kerry jumps up and exclaims, "Get me Air Force 1!! This calls for immediate consultation with M. Chirac! Over some escargot, of course."
I prefer President Bush, finishing a book with children who did NOT need to see the leader of the only super power in the world, the last best hope of freedom in the world, the "City on a hill", run off in a panic. He was in control of his faculties, he was cognizant of the information that was currently available; but of course, President DC would have been such a much better president, now wouldn't you?
Go away. Please.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Shawley at August 03, 2004 11:19 PM (JdHpj)
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jim, you can speculate all you want about what a President Kerry might do if we come under attack again. But judging from previous history Kerry has pretty good record of making timely appropriate responses under crisis conditions.
During Kerry's second tour of duty in Vietnam, while commanding a Swift Boat, Kerry demonstrated his chops. Enough so to win the not only the support of his band of brothers in arms but also a bronze and silver star along with three purple hearts.
Bush's action when told about our nation being 'under attack' is on the record. It was recorded by a home video camera of one of the teachers that day. Seven minutes of nothing - while our nation was under attack - and the commander in chief sits reading a book with school children. Anyone with military experience, especially command experience, would know immediately to establish some kind of field command post at that time. And geesh, we are talking about the commander in chief. 'We are under attack' - hello!!!
As commander in chief we do not have to worry that Kerry will be flumuxed or bewildered or like Bush. Kerry will know what his duty demands.
Posted by: dc at August 04, 2004 12:46 AM (s6c4t)
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August 02, 2004
ART
When my husband's best friend, Red 6, was in
the firefight in Baqubah, an article was written in the Christian Science Monitor and his photo appeared in a BBC slideshow. I read that CSM article, trying to get a sense of what he was going through. Today I read a different article that gives me a much better, more personal feeling of the fight.
An artist named Steve Mumford has been living and painting in Iraq. He writes about being a civilian participating in that battle in Baqubah:
IÂ’m thinking: tenuous as my bonds are with these men, IÂ’ve been with them through this much, it would seem cowardly to pull out now. Perhaps I want their approval, the damn reporter, as Sgt. Cliat called me, without malice, when he didnÂ’t know I was right behind him. Or perhaps I feel guilty that I have the luxury of deciding not to get back on the 113.
I recognize many of these names, and Red 6 plays a prominent role in the article. I recognize the Army Values that shine through ("You donÂ’t never go backwards in a firefight! Move this fucking thing forward! Forward!"). And the artwork is beautiful.
If you know and love the Dukes of 3rd Brigade like I do, then you must read this article. If you want to get to know them, this is an exciting place to start.
Posted by: Sarah at
06:01 AM
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Sarah,
That was a great link...showing our guys at their best; fighting a battle with guts and determination, then turning right around to treat the enemy and civilian wounded. God bless them, and God bless you as you cope with your separation while you do the "toughest job in the Army."
Chadd
Posted by: Chadd at August 02, 2004 12:41 PM (oJZdw)
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Sarah,
Thanks so much for sharing that link. What an amazing decription of the battle from the talented civilian/artist's firsthand account. It was interesting to recognize many names of the soldiers too. What bravery! I could see in my mind's eye how the 2-63 immediately went into warrior/soldiering mode. They are truly heroes!
Posted by: nancy at August 03, 2004 03:18 AM (+jEfD)
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TEAM AMERICA
Mypetjawa reports that the Bush administration is not happy about
the Team America movie. Here's what I wrote in his comments section:
I love Parker and Stone, so I'd see anything they made. And yes, terrorism is not funny, but we need something to drag us out of this self-denigrating Fahrenheit 9-11 crap. Maybe what we need is a comedy where the Americans are -- shocker! -- the heroes.
But I think it's admirable that the White House is not thrilled. They *should* be saying that terrorism isn't funny and they *should* take the moral high ground. That's a pleasant contrast to the Democrat big-wigs who went to the opening night of Fahrencrap 9-11 and are praising Moore or laughed their asses off at Whoopi's dirty jokes. I hope Bush is snickering in private, but I for one am proud that he's sticking to his guns and reminding us that the world threat is no laughing matter.
But I can't wait to see the freaking movie!!!
Props to the White House for not publicly supporting toilet humor and acting like adults. But this adult can't wait to throw money at Parker and Stone.
Posted by: Sarah at
05:36 AM
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Sarah-That's just the thing, I think the administration isn't saying 'terrorism is funny', just that 'terrorists are funny.' Better yet, to paraphrase Bugs Bunny 'Terrorists iz zee craziest people!'.
Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at August 02, 2004 09:55 AM (JQjhA)
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GASP
Less than one week ago, I wrote my husband a letter about what I'd like to see for the future of our country, compared to what I think will really happen. I said at one point that I don't see the US getting rid of the IRS anytime in the near future.
Perhaps I spoke too soon. This made me sit up and gasp.
Posted by: Sarah at
02:20 AM
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It's a nice thought--I certainly wouldn't mind not having to file an income tax form each year, but frankly, I'm not such a big fan of this idea.
Consider the following basic fact--the government needs revenue. If it doesn't get it from an income tax, it will get it from somewhere else, either as a national sales tax or a value-added tax. [For example, Great Britain uses the latter--its tax rate is 17.5%, and that's on top of a 22% income tax.]
So, we can get rid of the IRS, but if we want to eliminate income taxes completely, we'll end up with a new sales tax/VAT with a rate most likely between 20 and 30 percent. [If you think that's too high, consider we're running a $450 billion deficit with income taxes at the same rate.]
That means my $80 grocery bill becomes a $100 bill, my $16,000 car becomes a $20,000 car, and my $2.19 a gallon for gas becomes $2.73 a gallon. Over time, that's going to hurt.
Now, I don't know about you, but I also know that I don't pay out 20 to 30 percent of my income in taxes. [I'm just a student.] This means that getting rid of the income tax and imposing a sales tax or VAT means that my taxes will go up, not down. For the most part, this will be a tax on consumption and spending.
Once again, the ultimate net effect of such a plan would be to transfer the tax burden from the wealthiest down to the rest of us.
All in all, it would be a monumentally bad idea--unless, of course, you're a millionaire, in which case it might not be so bad. If we really wanted to reform our system, and make it more equitable to everyone, we'd be much better off lowering the tax rate on wages and salaries and increasing the rates on interest, dividends, and capital gains. [Not that that will ever happen.]
[Also, how would we deal with collecting and transferring the revenue from state to federal government, and who would like to deal with all the bureaucracy involved in those transactions, and in dealing with loopholes, exemptions, and other miscellaneous details that would result from implementing a VAT? You'd still need an IRS-like agency--they just wouldn't necessarily make you fill out a form each year.]
Posted by: Can't win at August 02, 2004 09:05 PM (aQOKC)
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BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday to my husband, the cutest baby born in 1980.
I love you, Blue 6.
UPDATE:
And after 13 days of no communication, I just got to instant messenger with him! My family has a tradition of singing a silly birthday song, so I got to type-sing it to him and changed the words to make them about Iraq. He seemed to think it was pretty funny. "So, has anything happened in the world in the past two weeks?" he asked; I didn't have enough time to even scratch the surface.
Posted by: Sarah at
02:00 AM
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August 01, 2004
SWEET
Off to the movies we shall go
where we learn everything that we know
cuz the movies teach us what our parents don't have time to say
And
this movie's gonna make my life complete
cuz Stone and Parker are sweet...
Thank god Amritas showed me this quiet little awesome preview!
Posted by: Sarah at
04:36 PM
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