tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77198022024-03-13T08:03:47.655-07:00Smokey's DenThings and stuff from a mind that's as fuzzy on the outside as on the inside.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-56277285487469377702016-03-25T10:33:00.000-07:002016-03-25T10:33:26.332-07:00Money matters. I have a "family member" who I regularly see posting vacation pictures to social media. They're always going to famous theme parks and other places with their family. I'm not jealous one bit, but I do question their financial management.<br />
<br />
As I understand it, the male half gets a draw from the family trust every 2 years in the mid 5-figure range. At no time have they ever owned a house. They have always rented. It's been this way since they've been together, around 15 years. They're always buying stuff they don't need, and whenever there's a holiday, they buy gifts for everyone.<br />
<br />
My wife and I make about the same that they do, but we don't have kids to support. We're buying our house, and building up equity as we go. We live frugally, not spending a whole lot of money, trying to scrimp and save wherever we can, but it's tough.<br />
<br />
I ran the numbers a while back. If they had saved the money that they've been spending on vacations, or at least put the money they get in the draw toward buying a house, they could have had a house bought and paid for a long time ago.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-42680505298705903972016-02-09T10:05:00.002-08:002016-02-09T10:05:59.414-08:00Steaming pile of word vomit. The latest phrase from the SJWs is apparently "Hegemonic Masculinity" to refer to a reason for "Rape Culture", something you already know is something ginned up by the SJW community in order to allow women to discount any agency in providing for their own safety. (You're victim-blaming, shitlord!) So let's break this down:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<b>he·gem·o·ny</b> (həˈjemənē,ˈhejəˌmōnē/) Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.<br />
<b>mas·cu·lin·i·ty</b> (ˌmaskyəˈlinədē/) Possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.</blockquote>
<br />
Let's compare this with one of their other favorite words: "Patriarchy"<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<b>pa·tri·arch·y</b> (ˈpātrēˌärkē/) A system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line.<br />
<br />
A system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.</blockquote>
<br />
So they've used two words instead of the one that they usually use, because the impact of that word has been so diluted by all their bullshit.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-47551354242261116252016-02-09T10:04:00.001-08:002016-02-09T10:04:27.271-08:00SB50 EOC PornAs a Public Safety IT Geek, this picture really gets me off.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQhqhyphenhypheneDCkseHsIHW1OwlwZ9ueES98BQp2V2E049KRifKPIEAvv3-N-d5BI68hPOiiTOaJ9QP83TfQwQS03UutYj7KEcDvrK0_SG_bpMfB9uAXdZ6tlrHJlfnsDk05ZH1jW_6xA/s1600/CaycHypUAAA7TU_.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQhqhyphenhypheneDCkseHsIHW1OwlwZ9ueES98BQp2V2E049KRifKPIEAvv3-N-d5BI68hPOiiTOaJ9QP83TfQwQS03UutYj7KEcDvrK0_SG_bpMfB9uAXdZ6tlrHJlfnsDk05ZH1jW_6xA/s640/CaycHypUAAA7TU_.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The incredible amount of pre-planning of cable management and workspace management just amazes me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>All the cables are color-coded and labeled. </li>
<li>Everything is run through wiring troughs that are laid on top between the tables. </li>
<li>Cable bridges are used to protect the cables running across traffic lanes.</li>
<li>Every workstation is labeled with the ICS Position or task. </li>
<li>One printer per table, with high-volume MFP's and large-format Printers on one side of the room.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Think of this set up mirrored across all the other Three-Letter Agencies that were supporting the SB50 security operations.<br />
<br />
Several years ago, I was recruited to work on "Project 57", which was a "continuity of operations" program in case the State's Executive Branch had to be moved to an alternate location. Everything necessary would be in ATA cases that could be rolled into a semi-trailer, Connex, or even a rented box truck, then rolled off into any building like a school and within a couple of hours, executive processes would be back up and running.<br />
<br />
PG&E does this when they have to set up camp to support utility restoration after a disaster. They have everything built into road cases or purpose-built carts, carried in a semi-trailer that is very similar to the "Camp-in-a-Box" that CalFire and USFS have for their incidents.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-28278594764472437022015-08-02T11:35:00.000-07:002015-08-02T11:35:20.264-07:00When Stoopid (tm) and Bureaucracy collide. If you haven't noticed yet, I post a lot of rants here. It's cathartic for me, and let me get things off my chest that I really can't say on Social Media, or other locations that are tied to my real name. This is going to be one of those rants.<br />
<br />
Currently there are thousands of fires for over 100,000 acres burning across the State of California. Equipment gets moved back and forth in order to staff incidents. Sometimes it gets moved from SoCal to NorCal orvice versa, depending on where the fires are burning. Incident Commanders, Operations Chiefs, Planning Chiefs, and Logistics Chiefs all work together to order the right equipment and personnel to be at the right place at the right time. Sometimes they will order equipment before they even get there, because they know the area and the issues they will encounter.<br />
<br />
Earlier this week, 10 engines from SoCal were ordered for an incident. They got halfway there, and got turned around because they were the wrong type. They got almost home, and got turned around again to go to a different incident. They made it to that one.<br />
<br />
An incoming team to an incident ordered a piece of equipment that they knew that they'd need. It's a very specialized, technical piece of equipment that comes with highly competent and qualified staffing.<br />
Screwup #1: It wasn't in the ordering system.<br />
Screwup #2: It really was in the system, but the ordering point didn't know how to order it.<br />
Screwup #3: Instead of that specialized piece of equipment, because the ordering point didn't understand what was requested, they ordered a piece of equipment that was totally unsuited for the purpose.<br />
Screwup #4: When the previous screwups were realized, they ordered the correct equipment, but by then, the ordering system was overloaded.<br />
Screwup #5: When the system finally got straightened out, the home agency of that piece of equipment was denied, so it didn't go out.<br />
<br />
Result: The Team that ordered the piece of equipment doesn't have what they need, and it's making their jobs exponentially more difficult.<br />
<br />Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-18364685879588839772015-06-17T08:25:00.002-07:002015-06-17T08:25:47.743-07:00Cultural Appropriation is dead. Thank you, Rachael Dolezal.<br />
<br />
No longer can the Cultural Appropriation NAZIs on college campuses and in society ever again complain about "Fiesta Night", "Luau Night", "Carnivale" or any other themed events as long as they remain silent on Dolezal. She has fully appropriated another culture by adopting the dress, hairstyles, mannerisms, and identity of a race of which she is not. Yet, the SJWs remain silent, or, if they do speak up, they defend her Cultural Appropriation.<br />
<br />
She has carried the charade to the point that she is now even questioning her biology. She is her own "birther", denying that her biological parents, who are listed on her Birth Certificate, may not be her real parents. That's something easily cleared up with a DNA test.<br />
<br />
The next time a Frat House has a "Bombay Nights" party, and the SJWs complain, then unless the SJWs denounce the Cultural Appropriation of Africans by Rachael Dolezal, they have nothing to stand on.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-73118723691740624102015-06-09T10:50:00.000-07:002015-06-09T11:01:47.832-07:00GTFO. Just GTFO. (Part 2)I've got a real simple solution for everyone who thinks that the US is such an evil, racist, sexist, homophobic, bigoted country.<br />
<br />
GTFO.<br />
<br />
If you don't know what that means, it means "Get the Fuck Out".<br />
<br />
I'll even go one step further: I want the government to give you money to GTFO. I want the government to give each and every adult that wants to GTFO $100,000 and their children $4000 per year of age up to age 18 to help them relocate to a country of their choice. The only stipulations are that they completely give up their citizenship, and that they never enter the US ever again. They can go wherever they want with that money and start a new life.<br />
<br />
That money is to get them packed up and moved, including all transportation costs to another country. With that money, they should easily be able to purchase or rent housing, and they would have enough money to sustain them while they look for a job. If they plan it right and go to the right country, they may never have to work again, and still have everything they want.<br />
<br />
To ensure that they leave, the government will contract with moving companies to move these people, using the same contractors that move military families from base to base. The people leaving will also have their transportation costs paid for by using the government contract rate for flights from the nearest airport to their departure location to the nearest airport to their relocation location. They will get a "draw" of 10% of the money for the family for incidental expenses enroute, and the balance of the money less the moving and transportation expenses after 90 days in their new country.<br />
<br />
There can be an agency set up as part of Homeland Security to manage this, maybe as part of CBP/ICE, to manage the people who want to leave.<br />
<br />Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-23183534234841497082015-05-25T08:54:00.002-07:002015-05-25T08:54:55.133-07:00Reminds me of a song. <b><i>"I see a bad moon a-risin'. I see trouble on the way..."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
A new YAFULC*is taking shape right next to the college, in between campus and the "student suites" that have already been built. You know those kinds of student housing, where there's 4 bedrooms with 4 private baths, and a common kitchen and living space. But that's not what I'm going to talk about.<br />
<br />
The YAFULC's anchor is a 22 screen movie theater. There are 2 huge rooms, and 20 smaller ones. The huge ones seat around 300 people, and the smaller ones seat around 100. That's a potential total of 2600 people in the rooms at any one time, plus all of the people coming and going to and from the next showing of the movies.<br />
<br />
Signs are already sprouting up as to the future tenants of the other spots in the YAFULC. One is a local brewpub, one is a well-known ice cream store ("Icy Rock" IYKWIM), and the other is a fishy-named fish taco place. The other slots are currently empty, and waiting for new tenants to "Built-to-suit" the spaces. All-in-all, there's about 2 dozen spots for businesses to come into. Hopefully this won't be another retail hellhole, and will be more a nightlife type of venue.<br />
<br />
Now the bad news: There isn't enough parking. Yes, it may look like there's plenty of parking with the huge lot for the "event center" next door, but whenever there's an event, you have to pay to park. Here's what I see happening:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>People are going to park in the area reserved for the student housing, pissing off the students and the housing management. </li>
<li>People are going to park in the area designated for the event center, and are going to be pissed off when asked to pay. </li>
<li>People going to events are going to park in the free parking for the YAFULC, and are going to piss off the customers of the YAFULC, leading to the above. </li>
<li>People parking in the YAFULC parking, patronizing the YAFULC businesses, are going to be pissed off at getting parking tickets; because the time limit they are going to set isn't going to allow them to have drinks, have dinner, see a movie, and have dessert afterwards, even though that's exactly what the businesses and planners want them to do. </li>
</ul>
<div>
But wait, there's more!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This property (and the campus housing) is on property wholly under the jurisdiction of the Campus Police. I know you're doing a WTF right now, so let me clear this up: A State University has allowed a developer to build "off-campus, privately managed student housing" and a YAFULC, all on University property. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's bad enough that the current generation of college students have no respect for the police; but even though the Campus PD officers are all fully qualified, 100% legit, sworn Law Enforcement Officers as defined by state law; the students have less than zero respect for them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I can see that the mix of college students, booze, and campus cops is going to make for some really bad mojo for this YAFULC. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The only redeeming quality is that it's right off the freeway, in case someone needs to make a quick getaway. </div>
<br />
<br />
*YAFULC: Yet Another Fucking Urban Lifestyle Center aka "Big Box with a Strip Mall"Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-11232144173919182542015-05-19T11:53:00.000-07:002015-05-19T11:53:36.381-07:00I dislike Aircards. I have to deal with aircards every day. Some days everything works perfectly, and others just suck. The days that suck are when I can't make the aircards work right, no matter what I try and do. One of those is trying to delete a stored profile on a Sierra Wireless card, especially when the "delete" button is grayed-out.<br />
<br />
I did find a hack that works, though. Here we go:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Log in as Administrator.</li>
<li>Create your profile. </li>
<li>Save your profile (It saves as an encoded XML file)</li>
<li>Delete the C:\Program Files\Sierra Wireless\3G Watcher\predefined_profile.xml file</li>
<li>Copy your saved profile over to the above folder</li>
<li>Rename it to the above filename. </li>
<li>Reboot. </li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
This should leave your single desired profile as the only profile that loads. You can then make any adjustments that you want to finalize the profile. I've tried this with the 340U, and it works.<br />
<br />
I'll update as I find more hacks to make the aircards play nice.<br />
<br />Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-13790666421402499062015-04-01T09:03:00.003-07:002015-04-01T09:03:38.924-07:00If everything is X, then nothing is X. The favorite tactic of the Social Justice Warrior (SJW) crowd is to call something an inflammatory term if they think there's the remotest connection to it. The prime examples are the use of the term "racist" when expecting non-whites to conform to the societal norms. I read an essay by a teacher in an inner city school whose minority students decried every facet of education as "racist". Sitting down is racist; paying attention is racist; being quiet is racist; schoolwork is racist; homework is racist; Math is racist; English is racist; History is racist; everything is racist. If everything is racist, then nothing is racist. If I treat everyone exactly the same, I'm racist. If I expect everyone to treat me with respect, I'm a racist.<br />
<br />
Feminists, especially on college campuses, have taken to calling any kind of intimate contact "rape". From the obvious legal definition (forcible penetration) all the way down to unwanted touching in a non-sexual location (such as the arm or shoulder), including consensual intimacy of all levels, is now being called "rape". One thing fueling this lie is <a href="http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a deeply flawed and easily debunked study</a> that the SJWs have been using since it came out to justify their calling everything "rape culture". It's been used to justify the disposal of due process in cases where males are accused of a sexual assault, and has been used to justify false accusations and expulsions of wholly innocent students.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/prominent-green-group-likens-fracking-to-rape/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Now the enviroNAZIs are calling petroleum drilling and hydraulic fracturing "rape".</a> Really? You know all this does is dilute and desensitize people to the term "rape"; and it demeans and insults those who are victims of actual sexual assault.<br />
<br />
Just fucking stop. It's time to call things exactly what they are, and not conflate things into what they aren't. It's time to stop using inflammatory language that does nothing but incite hatred and violence against wholly innocent people. It's time to get back to some civility.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-58310703466680275392015-03-08T01:21:00.001-08:002015-03-08T01:21:28.579-08:00More shit I can't say on FB. Congratulations, SJWs. You've created a fucked-up world, and now you're going to suffer for it. You wanted to play the "Victim Olympics", but the rest of us are taking our balls and going home.<br />
<br />
On campuses, you screamed about "rape culture", and demanded rules and laws that proclaimed guilt before being proven innocent, and you've carried your crusade to the absurd. Now men want nothing to do with women on campus, lest they be branded a "rapist" for life, even though the sex was 100% consensual and 100% Party approved, just because you regretted it the next morning.<br />
<br />
When you got called out on your lies and bullshit in the gaming world, you screamed "MISOGYNY" instead of taking your lumps like an adult. You flipped fucking your way into good reviews for shitty games into a witch (with a B) hunt over games that had a lack of PoCLGBTOMGWTFBBQFTW characters. Now, guys don't want to play with you because they don't want to be accused of "Sogginy" for winning legitimately in a game.<br />
<br />
When deceptively edited videos come out of "poleece brootality" (sic), with profanity and epithets flowing from the soundtrack like Niagara Falls, and this language isn't being used by the cops; what did you expect to happen? Do you think they're just going to let you stand there and talk shit? No, you're going to get rolled up, just like the rest of the criminals, and you're going to spend a night in the tank. Hopefully you don't have any trouble getting through doorways, especially the car door, and the cell door.<br />
<br />
I'm sick of all the politically correct bullshit, and people taking every god damned little thing personally ("microaggressions" are an indication of this). Suck it up, buttercup. Life is a whole lot easier to get through when you don't have a big chip on your shoulder. If you can't do your fucking job, don't whine because you might be part of some protected class, just suck it up and do it like your parents and grandparents did. They were too busy working to make a better life for their own families than to get offended over some little slight.<br />
<br />
You SJWs would be better off taking that Ethnic/Gender Studies degree that will make you exactly ZERO DOLLARS out in the real world and shoving it in your ass. What you need to do is go back to school and get a real education in how things work. You bitch about not enough [$gender|$ethnicity] in [$profession], so why don't you lead by example and get out there and do it. If you make a shitty product, don't take it personally, do something to make the product better. If your code sucks, your code sucks. It's not because you're a certain color or gender, it's BECAUSE YOUR CODE SUCKS. FIX THAT SHIT.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-68590928061809640962015-01-13T18:18:00.000-08:002015-01-13T18:18:07.973-08:00Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Fox?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
(A draft post from 4 years ago that I didn't get around to finishing.)<br />
<br />
By now, you've heard of the bruhaha going on between Fox News and the Obama Administration. Last Sunday (10/18) the top advisors were sent out to the talking head shows on the "other 3" to whine about how FNC isn't "a real news organization". Well, let's see if they're a "real news organization," shall we? <br />
<br />
What does a "RNO" have?<br />
<ol>
<li>Reporters - CHECK</li>
<li>Anchors - CHECK</li>
<li>News gathering teams around the world - CHECK</li>
<li>Studios in all the major cities - CHECK</li>
<li>A presence on satellite networks - CHECK</li>
<li>A sycophantic attitude, bowing at the feet of The One, getting tingles up their legs when he speaks - NOPE!</li>
</ol>
Ah, we've found the problem... I think we've also found the reason why FNC is completely <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pwn" target="_blank">PWNING</a> all the other networks combined. You want to know how bad? FNC's Red Eye, a show taped at 7:00p EST in NYC, showing at 3:00AM (THAT'S IN THE MORNING) is wiping the floor with the 6:00am LIVE morning shows on all the other cable news networks. Glenn Beck is creaming his competition at 5pm EST and most of the prime time shows, too. All of the other cable news networks COMBINED are getting creamed by FNC's prime time lineup. <br />
<br />
I sure hope that the trend keeps up. The Lefties didn't realize that their drivel fails miserably when Air(head) America went down in flames. America doesn't want the Left's CommieLib propaganda shoved down their throats. Those of us out here in Flyover Country are sick and tired of the big cities telling us what to do. We want our politicians to listen to what we have to say and do what we tell them. When we say "no," we mean "NO FUCKING WAY!!!!!!!"<br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie">
<img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=91336504-82d7-80e0-8d5b-334ad1732c7c" /></div>
</div>
Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-86502501519368021862015-01-13T18:13:00.000-08:002015-01-13T18:13:39.710-08:00Another "What 'X' are you" survey...<table bgcolor="black" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="white"><td align="center"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=983" target="_top"><span style="color: #2d3562;">What military aircraft are you?</span></a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #2d3562; font-size: medium;"><b>F-15 Eagle</b></span><br />
You are an F-15. Your record in combat is spotless; you've never been defeated. You possess good looks, but are not flashy about it. You prefer to let your reputation do the talking. You are fast, agile, and loud, but reaching the end of your stardom.<br />
<a href="http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=983" target="_top"><img alt="Personality Test Results" border="0" src="http://www.youthink.com/quiz_images/quiz983outcome6.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=983" target="_top"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Click Here to Take This Quiz</b></span></a><br />
<span style="color: silver; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Brought to you by <a href="http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm"><span style="color: white;">YouThink.com</span></a> quizzes and personality tests.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-21863825070044702622015-01-13T17:57:00.001-08:002015-01-13T17:57:17.396-08:00Shit I can't post to FB #1<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.901961); color: #232014; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
The Obama Administration is showing that it's run by "niggers". "Niggers" have no thought about the consequences of their actions, and only think about "what's good for me right now." I can go back to the very beginning of Obama's term with examples, but the latest one is his conspicuous absence at the march in Paris against Islamic Terror. Forty other world leaders including Bibi Netanyahu were able to show up for a photo op, but the HNIC (aka Community Organizer in Chief or POTUS) was too busy either campaigning or golfing to go, and he was too busy to send anyone else high up in the administration. Did he have no concept of how bad this would look to the world? This administration is a laughing stock to the rest of the world.</div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.901961); color: #232014; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-top: 6px;">
2016 can't come soon enough.</div>
Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-69282952898323074612012-08-02T08:59:00.000-07:002012-08-02T08:59:26.176-07:00You like apples? How about these apples?I love how the Left trots out the "Well if you hate 'X', then why are you 'Y' at 'Z'?" whenever they want to trot out their belief that it's hypocritical to support one business over another. The latest row is over Chick-fil-A and Dan Cathy's stand on supporting Same Sex Marriage. The Left is now trotting out the "Well if you (did|bought|used) (product X), when you went to Chick-fil-A, then you supported a company that supports SSM.<br />
<br />
So I thought that I'd turn this around on them. Who is the most reviled person by the Left right now? Mitt Romney. What company did he run? Bain Capital. I think you see where this is going...<br />
<br />
So Lefties: If you hate Bain Capital and Mitt Romney so much, I hope you never purchase goods and services from the following companies:<br />
<br />
<br />
Accellent<br />
HD Supply<br />
Air Medical Group Holdings<br />
Hero Investments<br />
<b>AMC Entertainment</b><br />
Himadri<br />
Applied Systems<br />
Ideal Standard<br />
ASIMCO<br />
IMCD<br />
Bellsystem24<br />
International Market Centers<br />
Bloomin' Brands<br />
JinSheng International<br />
<b>Bombardier Recreational Products</b><br />
<b>Lilliput Kidswear</b><br />
Brakes Group<br />
MEI Group<br />
Brenntag<br />
<b>Michaels</b><br />
Bright Horizons<br />
MYOB<br />
Broder Bros., Co.<br />
NXP<br />
<b>Burlington Coat Factory</b><br />
<b>Physio Control</b><br />
Cerved<br />
Quintiles<br />
China Fire and Security Group, Inc.<br />
<b>Securitas Direct</b><br />
<b>Clear Channel Communications</b><br />
Sensata Technologies<br />
Contec<br />
Sinomedia Holding Limited<br />
CRC Health Group<br />
SkillSoft<br />
<b>Cumulus Media</b><br />
Skylark<br />
D&M Holdings<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Denon </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Marantz</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
McIntosh Laboratory</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Digital Networks North America</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Escient</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
ReplayTV</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Rio (digital audio players)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Creative Technical Network (CTN)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Boston Acoustics</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
D&M Professional</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Denon DJ</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Snell Acoustics</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
D&M Premium Sound Solutions</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Allen & Heath</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Speaker Company</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<b>SquareTrade</b><br />
<b>Domino's Pizza</b><br />
SUNAC<br />
<b>Dunkin' Brands (Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin Robbins)</b><br />
SunGard<br />
Edcon<br />
Suntel<br />
EPOCH Holdings<br />
TeamSystem<br />
FCI<br />
<b>The Weather Channel</b><br />
FleetCor<br />
<b>Toys "R" Us</b><br />
GA PACK<br />
Trinseo<br />
GOME<br />
<b>Unisource</b><br />
<b>Guitar Center</b><br />
Uniview<br />
<b>Gymboree</b><br />
Warner Chilcott<br />
Gymboree China<br />
WorldPay<br />
<b>HCA</b><br />
<br />
1-800-Dentist<br />
ABILITY Network<br />
Accelecare Wound Centers<br />
AdReady<br />
Ameritox<br />
AppAssure Software<br />
AppNeta<br />
Appriss<br />
Archer Technologies<br />
<b>blip.me </b><br />
<b>blip.tv </b><br />
BloomReach<br />
Bluestem Brands<br />
Boston Heart Diagnostics<br />
Bright Horizons<br />
Brontes Technologies<br />
<div>
<div>
BTI Systems </div>
<div>
BuyWithMe </div>
<div>
Celerion </div>
<div>
CentrePath </div>
<div>
Color Labs </div>
<div>
CQuotient </div>
<div>
DataSynapse </div>
<div>
DNA Games </div>
<div>
DoubleClick </div>
<div>
Dynamics </div>
<div>
dynaTrace software </div>
<div>
E5 Systems </div>
<div>
EcoSense </div>
<div>
EDGAR Online </div>
<div>
Enclarity </div>
<div>
Enservio </div>
<div>
Eschelon Telecom </div>
<div>
<b>Experian Corporation</b> </div>
<div>
eXperticity </div>
<div>
EyeTel Imaging </div>
<div>
Formation Systems</div>
<div>
GameLogic </div>
<div>
<b>Gartner Group</b> </div>
<div>
HookLogic </div>
<div>
Humedica </div>
<div>
Imerica </div>
<div>
INRIX </div>
<div>
Integrated Circuit Systems</div>
<div>
Invoke Solutions </div>
<div>
iPayTechnologies </div>
<div>
Jostens Learning </div>
<div>
Jott Networks </div>
<div>
Kiva Systems </div>
<div>
Lala </div>
<div>
Liazon </div>
<div>
Liberty Dialysis </div>
<div>
Linkable Networks </div>
<div>
<b>LinkedIn</b> </div>
<div>
LogicSource </div>
<div>
m-Qube </div>
<div>
MagazineRadar </div>
<div>
MAXM Systems </div>
<div>
MedeAnalytics </div>
<div>
Memento </div>
<div>
MinuteClinic </div>
<div>
MyEdu </div>
<div>
M|C Communications </div>
<div>
Nanosphere </div>
<div>
Network Intelligence </div>
<div>
Nomis Solutions </div>
<div>
Oyster.com </div>
<div>
PGOA Media </div>
<div>
Precision Therapeutics </div>
<div>
ProfitLogic </div>
<div>
Quanterix </div>
<div>
Rapid7 </div>
<div>
Rave Mobile Safety </div>
<div>
Regulatory DataCorp </div>
<div>
Rent The Runway </div>
<div>
ScoreBig </div>
<div>
Servigistics </div>
<div>
<b>Shopping.com </b></div>
<div>
SingleClick Systems </div>
<div>
Skyhook Wireless </div>
<div>
sneakpeeq </div>
<div>
SolarWinds </div>
<div>
Soleil Securities </div>
<div>
<b>SquareTrade </b></div>
<div>
Stamped </div>
<div>
<b>Staples </b></div>
<div>
Stream </div>
<div>
<b>SurveyMonkey</b> </div>
<div>
SynapDx </div>
<div>
Taleo </div>
<div>
TargetSpot </div>
<div>
TellApart </div>
<div>
Tengion </div>
<div>
<b>Tennis Channel</b> </div>
<div>
<b>The Corner Pharmacy</b></div>
<div>
<b>The Learning Company</b> </div>
<div>
<b>The Princeton Review</b> </div>
<div>
The Receivables Exchange </div>
<div>
TheFind </div>
<div>
Thor Technologies </div>
<div>
Thumbplay </div>
<div>
TokBox </div>
<div>
Total Attorneys </div>
<div>
Tracelytics </div>
<div>
TRAVELCLICK </div>
<div>
TxVia </div>
<div>
US LEC </div>
<div>
vAuto </div>
<div>
VMLogix </div>
<div>
VMTurbo </div>
<div>
<b>Vonage </b></div>
<div>
Wharton Econometrics </div>
<div>
Work 'N Gear </div>
<div>
Zero Turnaround</div>
<div>
<b>Sealy</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>The Sports Authority</b></div>
<div>
<b>Burger King</b></div>
<div>
<b>Houghton-Mifflin</b></div>
<div>
<b>Warner Music Group</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
So I'm going to simply point my finger at the Left and say in the immortal words of Nelson Muntz, "HA HA."</div>
<br />Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-10405796838688250252012-06-24T16:12:00.000-07:002015-01-13T18:13:12.735-08:00Some asshole named Stephen D. Foster at AddictingInfo.com posted a a list of things not to do if you hate taxes. I'll go over the 102 items one at a time:
<br />
<blockquote>
So, you’re a Republican that hates taxes? Well, since you do not like taxes or government, please kindly do the following.<br />
<br />
1. Do not use Medicare<br />
2. Do not use Social Security
</blockquote>
If I wasn't forced to pay, and could invest my own money for my retirement, I would. I'd rather put money into an IRA that I know will grow, and that nobody else can get to instead of the Ponzi scheme known as Social Security and the failure known as Medicare.
<br />
<blockquote>
3. Do not become a member of the US military, who are paid with tax dollars.<br />
4. Do not ask the National Guard to help you after a disaster.
</blockquote>
The military is one of the only things authorized by Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
<br />
<blockquote>
5. Do not call 911 when you get hurt.<br />
6. Do not call the police to stop intruders in your home.<br />
7. Do not summon the fire department to save your burning home.
</blockquote>
911 is paid for by a mandatory fee (not a tax) on all telephone bills. If "911" wasn't there, you'd be dialing the 7-digit number to get police, fire, or EMS. Regarding police, they aren't responsible for stopping intruders. There's case law on that. They're responsible for investigating crime. There are 5 times as many volunteer firefighters in the US as there are paid firefighters. Those volunteer companies don't get any funding from taxes. They hold Bake Sales, Pancake Breakfasts, and other fundraisers for what they need.
<br />
<blockquote>
8. Do not drive on any paved road, highway, and interstate or drive on any bridge.
</blockquote>
Post roads in the Constitution, supported by Excise Taxes.<br />
<blockquote>
9. Do not use public restrooms.<br />
10. Do not send your kids to public schools.
</blockquote>
I don't. Both suck.
<br />
<blockquote>
11. Do not put your trash out for city garbage collectors.
</blockquote>
Not a tax, a fee.
<br />
<blockquote>
12. Do not live in areas with clean air.<br />
13. Do not drink clean water.
</blockquote>
I don't have clean air, even though we spend millions of dollars a year for state and local air boards. <br />
What about people that have their own wells? They don't pay the government for clean water.
<br />
<blockquote>
14. Do not visit National Parks.
</blockquote>
The government should be out of the land business.
<br />
<blockquote>
15. Do not visit public museums, zoos, and monuments.
</blockquote>
Even at public museums, zoos, and monuments, you still have to pay admission, so I'm STILL paying for it.
<br />
<blockquote>
16. Do not eat or use FDA inspected food and medicines.
</blockquote>
The FDA is a scam to waste tax money. There have been plenty of good drugs not allowed by the FDA, and plenty of bad drugs approved.
<br />
<blockquote>
17. Do not bring your kids to public playgrounds.<br />
18. Do not walk or run on sidewalks.<br />
19. Do not use public recreational facilities such as basketball and tennis courts.
</blockquote>
What about people that live in areas without these, such as outside of cities? I think most of these are nothing but a waste of money.
<br />
<blockquote>
20. Do not seek shelter facilities or food in soup kitchens when you are homeless and hungry.
</blockquote>
None of the homeless shelters or CHARITIES in my area receive government funding, mainly because they're faith-based, and we all know how Liberals hate anything faith-based.
<br />
<blockquote>
21. Do not apply for educational or job training assistance when you lose your job.<br />
22. Do not apply for food stamps when you can’t feed your children.
</blockquote>
Another waste of money that should be taken care of by charitable organizations and not the government.
<br />
<blockquote>
23. Do not use the judiciary system for any reason.<br />
24. Do not ask for an attorney when you are arrested and do not ask for one to be assigned to you by the court.
</blockquote>
Constitutional.
<br />
<blockquote>
25. Do not apply for any Pell Grants.
</blockquote>
Public funding of education has resulted in a negative cost to benefit curve. The costs keep going up, and the quality keeps going down.
<br />
<blockquote>
26. Do not use cures that were discovered by labs using federal dollars.
</blockquote>
If there was profit in it, then private funding would flow freely.
<br />
<blockquote>
27. Do not fly on federally regulated airplanes.
</blockquote>
If the FAA and TSA were out of airline regulation, it would be more technologically advanced, and you wouldn't have to be strip-searched everytime you wanted to go from one point to another by air.
<br />
<blockquote>
28. Do not use any product that can trace its development back to NASA.
</blockquote>
The government was never really in the Space business. They were just the prime contractor, with thousands of subcontractors that actually did the job and made thngs happen.
<br />
<blockquote>
29. Do not watch the weather provided by the National Weather Service.<br />
30. Do not listen to severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service.<br />
31. Do not listen to tsunami, hurricane, or earthquake alert systems.
</blockquote>
There are enough private companies that forecast the weather that NOAA has become superfluous. NOAA doesn't provide weather that you watch, either.<br />
<blockquote>
32. Do not apply for federal housing.
</blockquote>
HUD is the first agency that I would get rid of, were I to become president. Federal housing=substandard housing.
<br />
<blockquote>
33. Do not use the internet, which was developed by the military.
</blockquote>
100% bullshit. MIT, UCLA, and Stanford had everything to do with it, and the military, nothing. Look up BB&N.<br />
<blockquote>
34. Do not swim in clean rivers.
</blockquote>
See #12/13
<br />
<blockquote>
35. Do not allow your child to eat school lunches or breakfasts.
</blockquote>
What's the matter with your child taking a lunch to school?
<br />
<blockquote>
36. Do not ask for FEMA assistance when everything you own gets wiped out by disaster.
</blockquote>
That's what insurance is for. If you don't have insurance, it's your own fault.
<br />
<blockquote>
37. Do not ask the military to defend your life and home in the event of a foreign invasion.
</blockquote>
See #3/4
<br />
<blockquote>
38. Do not use your cell phone or home telephone.
</blockquote>
Both developed entirely by private companies without government assistance. The Government forces its way in by adding taxes and fees in that shouldn't be there.
<br />
<blockquote>
39. Do not buy firearms that wouldn’t have been developed without the support of the US Government and military. That includes most of them.
</blockquote>
100% bullshit. They were ALL developed by private individuals, THEN the government became interested in them.
<br />
<blockquote>
40. Do not eat USDA inspected produce and meat.
</blockquote>
Billions of dollars going through APHIS and USDA, and people still get sick and die from tainted produce and meat.
<br />
<blockquote>
41. Do not apply for government grants to start your own business.
</blockquote>
Most businesses were started without any government assistance. Two words: Solyndra and Fisker.
<br />
<blockquote>
42. Do not apply to win a government contract.
</blockquote>
Unless it's to support Constitutional functions.
<br />
<blockquote>
43. Do not buy any vehicle that has been inspected by government safety agencies.
</blockquote>
Were cars really that unsafe before 1966?
<br />
<blockquote>
44. Do not buy any product that is protected from poisons, toxins, etc…by the Consumer Protection Agency.
</blockquote>
There isn't an agency by that name. Besides, were products that unsafe before 1972?
<br />
<blockquote>
45. Do not save your money in a bank that is FDIC insured.
</blockquote>
The banks pay for the FDIC insurance, not consumers.
<br />
<blockquote>
46. Do not use Veterans benefits or military health care.<br />
47. Do not use the G.I. Bill to go to college.
</blockquote>
See #3/4
<br />
<blockquote>
48. Do not apply for unemployment benefits.
</blockquote>
See #1/2 - I'm forced to pay Unemployment Insurance.
<br />
<blockquote>
49. Do not use any electricity from companies regulated by the Department of Energy.
</blockquote>
The Department of Energy was formed to reduce the US dependence on foreign oil. They've not only expanded their purview, but they've failed at their original mission.
<br />
<blockquote>
50. Do not live in homes that are built to code.
</blockquote>
Some homes are built without any kind of inspection, and do better than homes built "to code". "Code" is the bare minimum. Building/plumbing/electrical codes are all developed by non-government industry organizations. (ICBO, IAPMO, and NFPA respectively)<br />
<blockquote>
51. Do not run for public office. Politicians are paid with taxpayer dollars.
</blockquote>
Originally, politicians weren't paid. They shouldn't be paid at all.
<br />
<blockquote>
52. Do not ask for help from the FBI, S.W.A.T, the bomb squad, Homeland Security, State troopers, etc…
</blockquote>
See #5/6/7
<br />
<blockquote>
53. Do not apply for any government job whatsoever as all state and federal employees are paid with tax dollars.
</blockquote>
Non sequitur.
<br />
<blockquote>
54. Do not use public libraries.
</blockquote>
What's wrong with buying books, music or movies?
<br />
<blockquote>
55. Do not use the US Postal Service.<br />
56. Do not visit the National Archives.
</blockquote>
Constitutional
<br />
<blockquote>
57. Do not visit Presidential Libraries.
</blockquote>
Which are all privately funded.
<br />
<blockquote>
58. Do not use airports that are secured by the federal government.
</blockquote>
FUCK THE TSA!
<br />
<blockquote>
59. Do not apply for loans from any bank that is FDIC insured.
</blockquote>
See #45
<br />
<blockquote>
60. Do not ask the government to help you clean up after a tornado.
</blockquote>
See #36
<br />
<blockquote>
61. Do not ask the Department of Agriculture to provide a subsidy to help you run your farm.
62. Do not take walks in National Forests.
</blockquote>
See #14. Government shouldn't be giving ANY money to farmers for ANYTHING.
<br />
<blockquote>
63. Do not ask for taxpayer dollars for your oil company.<br />
64. Do not ask the federal government to bail your company out during recessions.
</blockquote>
Oil companies don't get taxpayer dollars. See #41.
<br />
<blockquote>
65. Do not seek medical care from places that use federal dollars.
</blockquote>
If Medicare and Medicaid weren't shoved down the throats of hospitals, they wouldn't.
<br />
<blockquote>
66. Do not use Medicaid.<br />
67. Do not use WIC.
</blockquote>
See #1/2, #21/22, and above.
<br />
<blockquote>
68. Do not use electricity generated by Hoover Dam.<br />
69. Do not use electricity or any service provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
</blockquote>
I don't.
<br />
<blockquote>
70. Do not ask the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild levees when they break.
</blockquote>
None of the levees where I am were built by ACE.
<br />
<blockquote>
71. Do not let the Coast Guard save you from drowning when your boat capsizes at sea.
</blockquote>
It's not the Coast Guard's job to save you from yourself.
<br />
<blockquote>
72. Do not ask the government to help evacuate you when all hell breaks loose in the country you are in.
</blockquote>
It is the job of the government to protect its citizens.
<br />
<blockquote>
73. Do not visit historic landmarks.<br />
74. Do not visit fisheries.<br />
75. Do not expect to see animals that are federally protected because of the Endangered Species List.
</blockquote>
Government shouldn't be involved in any of the above.
<br />
<blockquote>
76. Do not expect plows to clear roads of snow and ice so your kids can go to school and so you can get to work.
</blockquote>
If you don't have a vehicle that can get you to school or work in that kind of weather, MOVE!
<br />
<blockquote>
77. Do not hunt or camp on federal land.
</blockquote>
See #14
<br />
<blockquote>
78. Do not work anywhere that has a safe workplace because of government regulations.
</blockquote>
OSHA is BS.
<br />
<blockquote>
79. Do not use public transportation.<br />
80. Do not drink water from public water fountains.
</blockquote>
I don't.
<br />
<blockquote>
81. Do not whine when someone copies your work and sells it as their own. Government enforces copyright laws.
</blockquote>
Constitutional
<br />
<blockquote>
82. Do not expect to own your home, car, or boat. Government organizes and keeps all titles.
</blockquote>
Government doesn't "keep all titles". It registers deeds and vehicle registrations for a fee.
<br />
<blockquote>
83. Do not expect convicted felons to remain off the streets.
</blockquote>
Just kill them all. That solves the problem.
<br />
<blockquote>
84. Do not eat in restaurants that are regulated by food quality and safety standards.
</blockquote>
See #40
<br />
<blockquote>
85. Do not seek help from the US Embassy if you need assistance in a foreign nation.<br />
86. Do not apply for a passport to travel outside of the United States.
</blockquote>
See #72
<br />
<blockquote>
87. Do not apply for a patent when you invent something.
</blockquote>
Constitutional
<br />
<blockquote>
88. Do not adopt a child through your local, state, or federal governments.
</blockquote>
Government shouldn't be in the adoption business. There are horror stories about children being stolen by CPS and adopted out through kangaroo courts.
<br />
<blockquote>
89.Do not use elevators that have been inspected by federal or state safety regulators.
</blockquote>
See #50 and #78
<br />
<blockquote>
90. Do not use any resource that was discovered by the USGS.
</blockquote>
USGS doesn't prospect.
<br />
<blockquote>
91. Do not ask for energy assistance from the government.
</blockquote>
See #49
<br />
<blockquote>
92. Do not move to any other developed nation, because the taxes are much higher.
</blockquote>
Not really. There are plenty of countries where the taxes are lower and the standard of living is much better.
<br />
<blockquote>
93. Do not go to a beach that is kept clean by the state.
</blockquote>
The state doesn't keep most beaches clean. The ones that it does are State Parks, and those require an entrance fee.
<br />
<blockquote>
94. Do not use money printed by the US Treasury.<br />
95. Do not complain when millions more illegal immigrants cross the border because there are no more border patrol agents.
</blockquote>
Both are Constitutional functions.
<br />
<blockquote>
96. Do not attend a state university.
</blockquote>
Why not? Tuition is the cost of going to a state university.
<br />
<blockquote>
97. Do not see any doctor that is licensed through the state.
</blockquote>
Occupational licenses are a scheme to make the state money through fees.
<br />
<blockquote>
98. Do not use any water from municipal water systems.
</blockquote>
If I could drill my own well, I would, but I pay a fee for the water that I use.<br />
<blockquote>
99. Do not complain when diseases and viruses, that were once fought around the globe by the US government and CDC, reach your house.
</blockquote>
Most vaccines are commercially developed and produced.
<br />
<blockquote>
100. Do not work for any company that is required to pay its workers a livable wage, provide them sick days, vacation days, and benefits.
</blockquote>
Non sequitur
<br />
<blockquote>
101. Do not expect to be able to vote on election days. Government provides voting booths, election day officials, and voting machines which are paid for with taxes.
</blockquote>
Constitutional requirement
<br />
<blockquote>
102. Do not ride trains. The railroad was built with government financial assistance.</blockquote>
This one is 101% bullshit. All railroads are privately owned, and were privately built. The government has nothing to do with them. The government only got involved in rail transportation in 1976. Before that, the rail companies took care of it themselves.<br />
<br />
This is why Liberals are complete fucking idiots. They understand nothing of how government and the economy actually work. That's why we have such a fucked up economy and government under Obama.Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-4577104685389338142012-03-02T14:30:00.001-08:002012-03-02T14:30:11.558-08:00When does 20 = 42? (nerd alert)<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>When it's the amount of spectrum that's changing hands in the 700MHz D-Block/T-Band swap. <br/><br/>Congress passed, and Obama signed a bill allocating the 10MHz D-block to Public Safety in exchange for giving back the 470-512 TV Band that is allocated to LMR users in 13 metro areas. Okay, I'll admit that the whole T-band isn't in use across all 13 MSAs, but in many, like LA, it's close. In the Los Angeles MSA, they have 3 channels, or 18 MHz, 6 of which is specifically for Public Safety. The same thing for New York City. Miami, Houston and DFW have a single channel, and the others have 2 channels. The allocations are split up between PS and the Industrial/Business pool unless they're NOT specifically allocated to PS. <br/><br/>So here's my WTF moment: How are they going to cram all of the public safety users that are currently using their own radio systems onto a system that is using half the spectrum, and a system that isn't even on the drawing board, in only 10 years?<br/><br/>Here's some other random thoughts about why the band swap is a HORRIBLE idea:<br/><ul><li>Where are all of the non-PS incumbents going to go when the systems that they are currently on become illegal to use because their licenses have been "vacated". <br/></li><li>What about all of the money that's already been spent on the development of radio systems in the T-Band, such as the LARICS project that the Channel 16 PS allocation was specifically set aside for?</li><li>What about all of the radios that are currently out on the street, in service, that would not normally see a replacement cycle until well past the 10 years?</li><li>What about the costs associated with essentially duplicating the current infrastructure, plus adding another 100% to 500% of equipment, depending on terrain and coverage, because the LASO deputy or the FDNY firefighter can't talk back to dispatch or the IC. <br/></li></ul><p><br/>I'll post more in the future about this critical issue. <br/></p><p>Some thoughts from around the web:</p><p><a href='http://andrewseybold.com/2856-public-safety-broadband-2' target='_blank'>http://andrewseybold.com/2856-public-safety-broadband-2</a></p><p><br/></p></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-91307773210404800692012-02-07T14:24:00.001-08:002012-02-07T14:24:20.212-08:00Warning: Nerdy Post<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I'm a gadget whore. I love gadgets. I have 3 GPS devices and a laptop with GPS built in. I have 6 laptops, 3 of which I use on a regular basis. I have an iPad, and iPod (3 actually), and my current phone is an Android after having had Blackberries for the last 7 years. I have dozens of two-way radios of my own (lots for sale), and access to hundreds more in a pinch. I have wired and wireless headphones and headsets. I have a Bluetooth speakermic in the car to comply with California law. <br/><br/>I've got computer certifications like crazy, and I've had FCC licenses for more than 3/4 of my life. <br/><br/>So I'm pretty qualified to comment on what works and what doesn't when it comes to communications devices from both a consumer and techie standpoint. <br/><br/>Here's my take on the iPhone 5:<br/>Ignore all the pundits out there that want all the changes. Remember this: Make it better, stronger, faster. <br/><br/><b>Better: </b><br/><ul><li>Increase the resolution on the screen. The Retina Display is fantastic, but if you can do better, than DO IT! <br/></li><li>Make the battery life longer. I don't like having to keep a charging cable with me if I want more than 8 hours of life out of my Android. <br/></li><li>Make the battery replaceable. People don't want to have to ship the unit back just to swap out a battery. <br/></li></ul><p><b>Stronger & Faster:</b></p><ul><li>Make sure that all the 4G bands are included. This includes LTE and HSPA+. I don't like being left out because I'm not an AT&T, Verizon or Sprint customer, and all they have is 3G. My 4G HTC Sensation is faster than an iPhone 4, which only has 3G. </li><li>Quad-Core Processor. The new Android devices are shipping with Quad-Core processors, so the iPhone 4S's Dual Core processor is behind the curve. <br/></li><li>Make the iPhone more attractive to the Enterprise. The main reason that I had a Blackberry is because of the push email and the real keyboard. The main reason that I got rid of the BB is the lack of apps and the tiny screen. Both the iTunes Store and Android Market have thousands of apps, and the screen size on the iPhone and Android are at least 2x the BB's size, and 4x the resolution. All they need now is real push email. A real keyboard isn't all that necessary, as long as the buttons on the screen are big enough. </li></ul><p>What to leave alone:</p><ul><li>Don't change the form factor. People have already bought cases and other accessories for their iPhone 4 series. They don't like spending another wad of money on the same thing over again, especially in this economy. <br/></li></ul><p>Hopefully, we'll see the iPhone 5 this year. I expect it to be released around October in order to take advantage of the holiday selling season. <br/></p></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-11510031486824773792012-02-03T18:53:00.002-08:002012-02-03T18:57:42.463-08:00Hi, I'm Smokey, and I'm a Brony.<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I might as well admit it. I'm a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Little_Pony:_Friendship_Is_Magic#Internet_following" target="_blank">Brony</a>. Before you go and call me something you might regret, realize that I'm a huge fan of The Powerpuff Girls, SpongeBob Squarepants, and the animated stuff coming out of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_Street_Studios" target="_blank">Williams Street</a>. If you know me IRL, you know that I'm not what people think bronies might be. I haven't gone full cosplay, but I do have almost all the shows DVR'd, I have a MLP:FIM ringtone on my phone, and I wander through <a href="http://www.equestriadaily.com/" target="_blank">Equestria Daily</a> and <a href="http://bronies.memebase.com/" target="_blank">My Little Brony</a> on a daily basis.<br /><br />If you're a fan of the old school Warner Brothers cartoons, and vegged out watching the cartoons every Saturday morning, you'll enjoy MLP:FIM. The episodes actually have a point, and aren't there just to sell toys. There's enough pop culture sprinkled through to keep you guessing what's next.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mHIMs7UKTSg" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />That is all.</div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-49286307948761191002012-02-02T15:58:00.001-08:002012-02-02T15:58:47.927-08:00Virtual theft is a crime, too.<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>http://madisonian.net/2012/02/01/dutch-supreme-court-decides-virtual-theft-case/<br/><br/><blockquote>"This is a virtual crime case that involved real violence used to obtain <br />virtual goods. The victim was beaten and threatened with a (real) <br />knife, with the defendants demanding he hand over a virtual mask and a <br />virtual amulet within the online game Runescape. So at the very least, <br />this was a case of criminal assault. The only issue was whether the <br />crime amounted to theft, which hinged on whether or not the virtual <br />items could be classified, under Dutch law, as goods."<br/></blockquote><br/>We've got a lot of <strike>ankle biters</strike> customers that play RS on the public machines. There haven't been any incidents of physical violence related to any MMO games in the System, but kids will be kids, and I can see that happening outside the buildings, such as at school or their usual "hangouts". <br/><br/>My thoughts: When virtual items are able to be bought and sold using real cash, the prime example being eBay, then virtual items should be treated the same as tangible goods. <br/><br/></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-48098186609992709202011-10-17T11:46:00.000-07:002011-12-13T15:50:05.247-08:00A reading list for the Occupiers<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Since most of the people in the Occupy movement have plenty of time on their hands when not <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/sexual-assaults-occupy-wall-street-camps/story?id=14873014" target="_blank">sexually assaulting other occupiers</a>, <a href="http://www.mrctv.org/videos/occupyoakland-out-control-rats-graffiti-vandalism-sexual-harassment-public-sex-and-urination" target="_blank">threatening members of the media</a>, or <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/riot-gear-and-bonfires-occupy-oakland-degenerates-into-chaos-overnight/" target="_blank">throwing rocks and bottles at the police</a>, I thought that I'd give them some books to read while they are eating their organic chicken ragout and beet & endive salads:<br /><br /><b>Lord of the Flies by William Golding</b> - William Golding's classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who<br />are plane-wrecked on a deserted island is just as chilling and relevant<br />today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded<br />boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain<br />signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, "the boy with fair<br />hair," and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose<br />thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries<br />to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their<br />number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig<br />population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged<br />outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the<br />pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band<br />of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of<br />civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead<br />of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: "He forgot his<br />words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying<br />feet." Golding's gripping novel explores the boundary between human<br />reason and animal instinct, all on the brutal playing field of<br />adolescent competition. <i>--Jennifer Hubert<br /></i><b><br />Animal Farm by George Orwell</b><i><b> - </b></i>Fueled by Orwell's intense disillusionment with Soviet Communism, <i>Animal Farm</i><br />is a nearly perfect piece of writing, both an engaging story and an<br />allegory that actually works. When the downtrodden beasts of Manor Farm<br />oust their drunken human master and take over management of the land,<br />all are awash in collectivist zeal. Everyone willingly works overtime,<br />productivity soars, and for one brief, glorious season, every belly is<br />full. The animals' Seven Commandment credo is painted in big white<br />letters on the barn. All animals are equal. No animal shall drink<br />alcohol, wear clothes, sleep in a bed, or kill a fellow four-footed<br />creature. Those that go upon four legs or wings are friends and the<br />two-legged are, by definition, the enemy. Too soon, however, the pigs,<br />who have styled themselves leaders by virtue of their intelligence,<br />succumb to the temptations of privilege and power. "We pigs are<br />brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of the farm depend <br />on us. Day and night, we are watching over your welfare. It is for your<br /> sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples." While this<br />swinish brotherhood sells out the revolution, cynically editing the<br />Seven Commandments to excuse their violence and greed, the common<br />animals are once again left hungry and exhausted, no better off than in<br />the days when humans ran the farm. Satire <i>Animal Farm</i> may be,<br />but it's a stony reader who remains unmoved when the stalwart<br />workhorse, Boxer, having given his all to his comrades, is sold to the<br />glue factory to buy booze for the pigs. Orwell's view of Communism is<br />bleak indeed, but given the history of the Russian people since 1917,<br />his pessimism has an air of prophecy. <i>--Joyce Thompson</i><i><br /><br /></i><br /><b>Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman</b> - How can we benefit from the promise of government while avoiding the<br />threat it poses to individual freedom? In this classic book, Milton<br />Friedman provides the definitive statement of his immensely influential<br />economic philosophy—one in which competitive capitalism serves as both a<br />device for achieving economic freedom and a necessary condition for<br />political freedom. The result is an accessible text that has sold well<br />over half a million copies in English, has been translated into eighteen<br />languages, and shows every sign of becoming more and more influential<br />as time goes on. (From the inside flap of the 40th Anniversary edition.) Heck, anything by Milton Friedman should be required reading.<br /><b><br />Gangster Government by David Freddoso</b> -<br /><br /><b>“GANGSTER GOVERNMENT” <br />Columnist Michael Barone invented the phrase.<br />President Obama has perfected the practice.</b><br /><br />And in this new and stunning book, <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author David Freddoso (<i>The Case Against Barack Obama</i>)<br />provides the much-needed exposé of an administration that has brought<br />Chicago-style corruption and strong-arm politics to Washington, looking<br />to reward its friends (the unions, federal workers, and other liberal<br />interest groups) and punish its enemies (the private sector workers and<br />taxpayers who foot the bill for Obama¹s massive expansion of the federal<br />government).<br /><br />In <i>Gangster Government</i> you'll learn, among other shocking revelations:<br /><ul><li>How<br />the Obama administration has used “czars” and “recess appointments” to<br />install powerful bureaucrats, some with extreme views and shady pasts,<br />without congressional oversight</li><li>How the Obama administration ignored<br />the Constitution and reversed 100 years of bankruptcy law to reward its<br />friends (the United Autoworkers) in the GM and Chrysler bailout</li><li>Why even the pretense of “cutting costs” in Obamacare came second to rewarding the Democrat-supporting trial lawyers' lobby</li><li>Why,<br />ignoring federal law, the Obama administration is trying to shield the<br />TSA workers who search passengers at airports from private sector<br />competition</li><li>How the trillion dollar "stimulus" was directed overwhelmingly at protecting <i>government</i> workers supported by the taxpayers</li><li>Why “green jobs” are all about shaking down the taxpayer for favored businesses—not about truly “sustainable” energy or jobs</li><li>How<br />the Obama administration bullies private businesses and even state<br />governments that don't cooperate with gangster government </li></ul><br /><i>Gangster Government</i><br />is a devastating and revealing look at the momentous first two years of<br />the Obama administration and its subversion of our Constitution and<br />laws. It casts a hard look at a president whose training on Chicago’s<br />political playground shines through every bent law and every broken<br />promise. (description from Amazon)<br /><br /><b>A Presidency in Peril by Robert Kuttner</b> - When Barack Obama took office in January 2009, he had an unprecedented<br />chance to do what no other recent president could: seize the nation's<br />financial reins from the corporate elite and return them to the American<br />people. Progressives everywhere held out hope that their new leader<br />would take advantage of the economic crisis he stepped into and enact<br />bold policies that would evoke real financial reforms-putting Main<br />Street in front of Wall Street, at last. But that, writes Robert<br />Kuttner, is not the way things turned out. Instead, America's best<br />chance for radical financial reform turned into Wall Street's greatest<br />victory. Obama filled his administration with allies of financial elites<br />who were more interested in business as usual than in transformative<br />change. As a consequence, Main Street remained mired in deep recession.<br />Instead of being the instrument of economic renewal, Obama became the<br />target of economic frustration. In this hard-hitting, incisive<br />account, Kuttner shares his unique, insider view of how the Obama<br />administration not only missed its moment to turn our economy around-but<br />deepened Wall Street's risky grip on America's future. Carefully<br />constructing a one-year history of the problem, the players, and the<br />outcome, Kuttner gives readers an unparalleled account of the<br />president's first year.More importantly, though, Kuttner shows how we could-with swift, decisive action-still enact real reforms.This<br />is a book not to be missed by anyone who wants to understand exactly<br />how Wall Street won, and how Main Street can still fight back. (Description from Amazon)<br /><br />Power Grab by Christopher Horner - Barack Obama’s “Green” Policies Start With Controlling Your Energy…and End With Your Life.<p>If<br />Obama and his “green” coalition get their way, we’re headed for<br />blackouts, skyrocketing energy prices designed to bankrupt disfavored<br />industries, and even greater government control of our economy. Obama’s<br />green jobs agenda masks a declaration of war against America’s most<br />reliable sources of energy—coal, oil, and natural gas. He seeks to shut<br />them down and convert America to green energy—mostly wind and solar—in<br />an irresponsible experiment that will guarantee an energy crisis and<br />drive America from recession to depression. The Obama administration,<br />working in collusion with green groups allegedly protecting the<br />environment, unions protecting their paychecks, and local elites<br />protecting their ocean views, is putting the special interests ahead of<br />your interests. In <i>Power Grab</i>, best-selling author Christopher C. Horner reveals,</p><ul><li>How<br />Obama is obsessed with “climate change” schemes at huge expense to our<br />economy—even as the scientific case for global warming is collapsing.</li><li>How<br />Obama is counting on the liberal courts to gain greater control over<br />American industry How Obama’s “green jobs” policies are stripping jobs<br />from America and sending them overseas.</li><li>How Obama’s policies, if enacted,<br />will dramatically change your life—starting with your confidence that a<br />flipped switch will provide light, that a faucet will flow with water,<br />that your home will stay warm, and there’s gas at the pump. </li></ul>(from inside flap)<br /><br />Okay, this should take you a few days. You can find these at your local library, which is free, and we know how you like free.<br /></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-37986061573217493842011-10-13T22:03:00.001-07:002011-10-13T22:03:03.480-07:00DO NOT GET MINECRAFT!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>That damned game is the most addictive thing I've played lately. I've got 3 different worlds going, and it's "funner'n hell" (funner than hell for you people that don't watch Squidbillies). One of the worlds kind of sucks, though, because it's almost all below the water, and no animals have spawned, so I have to look for shrooms. <br/><br/>Okay, I'm off to play for a few minutes before I have to go to bed. <br/></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-52505334655888871672011-10-13T14:50:00.001-07:002011-10-13T14:52:06.707-07:00Twinkles?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Just when you thought that the OccupyWhatever movement couldn't get any loopier comes this:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qaVvzTyMcls" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />I say "Down Twinkles" to all these nutjobs. Are "jazz hands" next? When are the protesters going to go Full Mackie and start singing showtunes and presenting musicals in the parks?<br /></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-78922601879518858772011-10-11T14:41:00.001-07:002011-10-13T14:50:48.864-07:00You are not the 99% - try 52%<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">All of these protesters are driving me batshit with their illogic. They claim to want fairness and equity, while screaming for the heads of the "1%". Here's some cold hard facts for you:<br /><br />The "1%" pay (roughly) 40% of the income taxes that the FedGov takes in.<br />The next 52% pay the remaining ~60% of the income taxes.<br /><br /><big><big><big><span style="color:#FF0000;">The bottom 47% pay <b>NOTHING</b> in taxes, or get <b>MORE</b> than what they paid into the system. </span></big></big></big><span style="color:#000000;"><br /><br />In order to achieve true fairness, everyone must have some skin in the game. Everyone must pay something in taxes, and so far, only Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan, or the Fair Tax plan do that. No more zero-liability voters.<br /></span></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-48989485597779238332011-09-19T09:11:00.000-07:002011-09-19T12:14:09.759-07:00Jury Duty: Prologue<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I spent most of last week in jury selection as a potential juror. The first day was all of the hardship cases, so they had one pool in the morning, and another pool in the afternoon to get enough potential jurors for the trial. Since I didn't have a hardship, I was asked to come back the next day. The next day began the actual jury selection with the consolidated pools starting at 10AM. The selection went all day with anyone having an association with Law Enforcement getting thrown off. At the end of the day, there were still 3 of the 12 to be chosen, so we had to come back the next day. Nearing lunch time on Day Three, I thought that I might actually escape without having to serve, but my name was called and I was seated, and went through the <i>voir dire</i> with 2 other potential jurors. The court broke for lunch, and I was sure that I would be excused in the afternoon. By the end of the day the full jury, plus 3 alternates was selected and sworn, and I was then "Juror Number 2" for the duration of the trial.<br /></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719802.post-66035904894446257932010-12-11T12:14:00.001-08:002010-12-11T12:15:01.814-08:00Holiday rant<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Once again, the Politically Correct scream and howl about the lack of "Diversity" in the End-of-Year holiday season. As if it's not enough that there's Christmas for the Christians; Hanukkah (or however you choose to spell it) for the Jews; Yule for the Druids, Pagans, and Wiccans; Kwanzaa for the Black Liberation Theologians; and Festivus, for the rest of us (well, at least the Seinfeld fans). <br/><br/>If I don't see at least one story each day during Advent (that's the 24 days before Christmas for all you non-Catholic and non-Episcopal types) that some group somewhere is complaining about one of the many traditions (Carols, Trees, Nativity Scenes (or Creche, if you prefer), Menorah, etc.), I wonder if the media, the ACLU, or the SPLC are asleep. <br/><br/>Gee, for the people that preach tolerance and acceptance as their sole (almost put soul, could I be more correct with that?) purpose in life, They are the most intolerant people I've ever seen. <br/></div>Smokey Behrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691420527819467913noreply@blogger.com0