3.19.2016

Starting to look like Spring


This "logic'" is just some kind of techie nerd geek thing

FBI Warns About Car Hacking. Encryption Security Helps Prevent That. - Hit & Run : Reason.com

"This somewhat schizophrenic argument (all tech experts seem to agree that what the FBI is asking for in San Bernardino would weaken everybody's data security) is a result of increasing concerns that our highly computerized automobiles are susceptible to hackers. As we approach a future of self-driving automobiles, it is obviously a risk that cannot be ignored. Wired last year famously had a couple of guys hack into and shut down the transmission of a vehicle while it was traveling down the highway."

Der Führer gets a break

Former K.K.K. Leader: Trump Makes Hitler Look Good | Vanity Fair

"David Duke, an infamous white supremacist, argued this week that Donald Trump’s popularity is doing wonders to restore the reputation of Adolf Hitler."

It's OK that Clinton's not "authentic"…

Obama Privately Tells Donors That Time Is Coming to Unite Behind Hillary Clinton - The New York Times

"Mr. Obama acknowledged that Mrs. Clinton was perceived to have weaknesses as a candidate, and that some Democrats did not view her as authentic.

"But he played down the importance of authenticity, noting that President George W. Bush — whose record he ran aggressively against in 2008 — was once praised for his authenticity."

…because Dubya was authentic and look how that turned out. 

I think.

Wait, what?

3.17.2016

Jeb (-!) as bad as two other things (+!)

Jeb Bush joins Edsel and New Coke as historic flops - NY Daily News

"In each case, be it Edsel, New Coke or Jeb!, logic dictated a winner."

Right, sure, works for me

Human Rights Depend on Encryption | TIME

"We are in the middle of the second crypto-wars. Since I’m a filmmaker I can’t resist adding the tagline “this time, it’s personal.”"

Sort of like the ancient equivalent of sneaking a girl into your dorm room*

King Tut's tomb: '90%' chance of hidden chambers - CNN.com

"It's a mystery that has evaded the best minds in archeology for decades: the unknown fate of a beautiful queen who ruled over ancient Egypt at the height of its power."

OK, I guess that’s pretty ancient too, by now. But still.

A glimpse of the world's best photojournalism

The Prestigious World Press Photo Finalists Are Out And They Are Breathtaking | Mother Jones

 

You absolutely can NOT make this stuff up

Mitch McConnell Accuses President Obama of Politicizing Supreme Court Nomination | Mother Jones

"The senator's response is no surprise. Since Justice Antonin Scalia's unexpected death in February, Senate Republicans have vowed to block any nominee the president puts forward to replace the late justice.…"

If today's St. Patrick's day, this must be Chicago

St Patrick's Day 2016: Timelapse video of Chicago river turning shamrock green | Metro News

"To transform the river, speedboats trail up and down carrying the emerald dye…"

And don't you forget it, Bunky

RNC member: ‘Political parties choose their nominee, not the general public’ - The Washington Post

 

Whoa! Grab a net!

From the comments thread of a Washington Post story, this morning, about Obama’s nominating Merrick Garland for a seat on the Supreme Court:

"An utterly cookie-cutter, Liberal Left over-simplification of the conflicting forces and socio-economic interests ripping and gashing at the President, like sharks attacking Santiago's marlin in Hemingway's story if the old man and the sea."

Santiago’s marlin! Who would have guessed?

3.16.2016

And what's inside the cookie?

In the Apple encryption fight, the FBI is now on China's side | The Verge

"Both Comey and Shengkun are currently pressuring Apple to turn over the source code to iOS, as part of larger lawful access campaigns. In their desire for more evidence and more powerful investigations, the FBI and the Chinese government have ended up on exactly the same side."

Windowscape


Nobody ever knows when they've got a really good thing

Voters Long for Candidate Who Only Wanted to Screw Some - The New Yorker

"Harland Dorrinson, of Jupiter, Florida, said that he wished that the man would jump into the 2016 race, but admitted that was unlikely. “That secret tape where he said he was screwing over forty-seven per cent of the country would be brought up again,” he said. “The fact that he wasn’t screwing over a bigger number would come back to haunt him now.”"

The year of holding noses has arrived

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Are Winning Votes, but Not Hearts - The New York Times

How long before we all turn blue?

Republicans disapprove of Obama's court pick

Live updates: President Obama nominates Merrick Garland to Supreme Court - The Washington Post

"A progressive group on Wednesday said it was disappointed in President Obama’s selection of Merrick Garland as a Supreme Court nominee, after the group had campaigned for the president to nominate a woman who is a person of color."

Oh, wait…

Q: Who's going to finally stand up to those monks?

Thailand’s Monks Eat Too Much and Are Costing the Country Millions in Health Care | TIME

A: Are you kidding? Not I.

If you want a 20th Century candidate for president, we've got you covered

How the Candidates View Cybersecurity, From Total Indifference to Mild Indifference | WIRED

"The two candidates with the most clearly defined cybersecurity and privacy platforms—Ben Carson and Jeb Bush—have quit the race, and the two with the least to say on the subject—Donald Trump and Ted Cruz—are leading the GOP race."

And then of course Hillary.

The internet is just a fad

How the Candidates View Cybersecurity, From Total Indifference to Mild Indifference | WIRED

"The two candidates with the most clearly defined cybersecurity and privacy platforms—Ben Carson and Jeb Bush—have quit the race, and the two with the least to say on the subject—Donald Trump and Ted Cruz—are leading the GOP race."

3.15.2016

Whistling past the graveyard with HuffPo

The Stop Trump Movement Got New Life In Ohio

 

Enough: I'm giving up politics for basketball


OK, I guess if Hillary can hug Dubya…


Still, I say there's altogether too much hugging going around.

Every campaign season I miss Molly more

God, we give you Molly; don't make her mad

"'It is not the symphony of voices in sweet concert I enjoy,' she wrote about America, 'but the cacophony of democracy, the brouhahas and the donnybrooks, the full-throated roar of a free people busy using their right to freedom of speech. Democracy requires rather a large tolerance for confusion and a secret relish for dissent.'"

Take that, you Dubya

Hillary slams George W. Bush — just days after this hug | New York Post

 

Too bad Chicago didn't happen a month earlier…

…we could have called it the St. Valentine’s Day Shouting Match.

Sanders Sends Vegan Thugs to Attack Peace-Loving Nazis - The New Yorker

"'One of them tried to swing an NPR tote bag at my head,' the terrified Nazi said."

3.14.2016

Apologies are in vogue

So here's one from me. The Pi song I posted this morning doesn't seem to run on iOS devices (probably because it runs in Flash, but I haven't bothered to check that out). My bad.

It sounds fine on a computer though—and I'll try to find a better one by next year.

Also, ours was blueberry. The pie.

The whole thing begins to crumble and fall apart

Rubio and the Florida primary: a political reckoning arrives

"Miami city commissioner Francis Suarez: 'I can't think of anybody more popular in Florida than he is — except maybe the man he's losing to.'"

Let's not jump into this

Tuesday's Republican primaries could define race _ or not

 

There'll always be an England

Horse dressed in tweed suit ahead of Cheltenham Festival | Reuters

"Complete with a flat cap and tie, Morestead wore the three-piece suit alongside champion jockey AP McCoy."

Devito feels the Bern

[VIDEO]

Up with eyes?

Crude drops; dollar up with eyes on central banks | Reuters

 

Dude, I have absolutely no idea what this headline means.

There are some thoughts you simply can not unhave

Gawker owner explains difference between a Miley or Obama sex tape | New York Post

"'I, I, I confess I would have problems with that one, because I know that there would be a lot of public interest, but I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t like the story, not for any reasons of political affiliation, but just because there’s no, there’s no hypocrisy,' Denton stammered."

That time the Apple bit back

John Oliver Creates Apple Encryption Ad in 'Last Week Tonight' Segment on FBI Backdoor Request - Mac Rumors

 

Happy Pi Day

YTMND - 3.141592653589793...

[AUDIO]