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Tuesday 16 May 2017
Another Blow Against StereotypesBrad here. I've never been one to watch beauty pageants, but I must offer hearty congratulations to Kára McCullough, who has just been crowned Miss USA 2017.
Ms. McCullough, you see, is One Of Us. A fellow in STEM. To be precise, a chemist. (Alas, she works for the U.S. government, but nobody's perfect.) So that's another blow against the stereotype of Science/Technology/Engineering/Math specialists as geeky and unattractive.
First Hidden Figures is a smash hit, now a radiochemist* is Miss USA. Wonderful times!
* Updated to add: she's smart in more ways than one. According to Wikipedia, there's a shortage of radiochemists. Good career move!
Ms. McCullough, you see, is One Of Us. A fellow in STEM. To be precise, a chemist. (Alas, she works for the U.S. government, but nobody's perfect.) So that's another blow against the stereotype of Science/Technology/Engineering/Math specialists as geeky and unattractive.
First Hidden Figures is a smash hit, now a radiochemist* is Miss USA. Wonderful times!
* Updated to add: she's smart in more ways than one. According to Wikipedia, there's a shortage of radiochemists. Good career move!
News and commentary round upFrom Edward Snowden's twitter feed: Extraordinary: Microsoft officially confirms @NSAGov developed the flaw that brought down hospitals this weekend. [Ed: this is the entire tweet.] And a related news item from the L.A. Times: Microsoft president blasts NSA for its role in 'WannaCry' computer ransom attack
From Wired: The WannaCry Ransomware Hackers Made Some Real Amateur Mistakes [Ed: the world is lucky that the attack was so amateurish.] And a related news item from the Register: WannaCrypt outbreak contained as hunt for masterminds kicks in. [Ed: hat tip to Brad for both.]
From the Onion: “Pressure Mounting For Humans To Step Down As Head Of Failing Global Ecosystem”
From the Washington Post: Trump Leaked Classified Info to Russia. And a related item from Breitbart gives a different slant: Deep State Leaks Highly Classified Info to Washington Post to Smear President Trump [Ed: according to others present at the meeting, including McMaster, it never happened. WaPo story is fake news.]
From Zero Hedge: Confirmed: DNC Emails LEAKED … Not Hacked [Ed: Wikileaks has previously hinted that the leaker was DNC insider Seth Rich. Now evidence of his communications with W. has been found on the dead man's computer.]
From Reason: The New York Times Tax Coverage Goes Off the Rails [Ed: must read.]
From antiwar.com: US Airstrike Kills at Least 30 Syrian Civilians Near Iraq Border [Ed: now thisis the sort of event that Trump should be blasted for. Not having 2 scoops of ice cream, for the love of God.]
From Target Activist: Terrorist Confesses To Taking Part In Staged Chemical Weapons Attacks In Syria, Western Media Silent [Ed: with propaganda on all sides, I don't know what to believe...which is just another reason the West should get out.]
From the Mises Wire: The States Are Revolting Against the War on Drugs [Ed: the states' rights v. feds battle on drugs is one of the most interesting brewing, IMO.]
From Bad Cop, No Donut: Howard Stern’s candid interview with a young NYPD officer, who detailed rampant drug use in the department [Ed: note...this is a YouTube without accompanying text.]
From Scott Adam's Blog: How to Know You Won a Political Debate on the Internet [Ed: a fair take on the issue.]
From the Free Thought Project: Despite 60% of Americans Wanting War in N. Korea, Only 30% Can Find It On a Map
From Cracked: 6 Ridiculous Myths About the Middle Ages Everyone Believes [Ed: for when you need a break from work.]
From Activist Post: Two Major Credit Reporting Agencies Have Been Deceiving Us – Is Your Credit Score A Scam? [Ed: a must read.]
From Zero Hedge: How Is This Not A Recession? Ford To Slash 10% Of Global Workforce
From Wired: The WannaCry Ransomware Hackers Made Some Real Amateur Mistakes [Ed: the world is lucky that the attack was so amateurish.] And a related news item from the Register: WannaCrypt outbreak contained as hunt for masterminds kicks in. [Ed: hat tip to Brad for both.]
From the Onion: “Pressure Mounting For Humans To Step Down As Head Of Failing Global Ecosystem”
From the Washington Post: Trump Leaked Classified Info to Russia. And a related item from Breitbart gives a different slant: Deep State Leaks Highly Classified Info to Washington Post to Smear President Trump [Ed: according to others present at the meeting, including McMaster, it never happened. WaPo story is fake news.]
From Zero Hedge: Confirmed: DNC Emails LEAKED … Not Hacked [Ed: Wikileaks has previously hinted that the leaker was DNC insider Seth Rich. Now evidence of his communications with W. has been found on the dead man's computer.]
From Reason: The New York Times Tax Coverage Goes Off the Rails [Ed: must read.]
From antiwar.com: US Airstrike Kills at Least 30 Syrian Civilians Near Iraq Border [Ed: now thisis the sort of event that Trump should be blasted for. Not having 2 scoops of ice cream, for the love of God.]
From Target Activist: Terrorist Confesses To Taking Part In Staged Chemical Weapons Attacks In Syria, Western Media Silent [Ed: with propaganda on all sides, I don't know what to believe...which is just another reason the West should get out.]
From the Mises Wire: The States Are Revolting Against the War on Drugs [Ed: the states' rights v. feds battle on drugs is one of the most interesting brewing, IMO.]
From Bad Cop, No Donut: Howard Stern’s candid interview with a young NYPD officer, who detailed rampant drug use in the department [Ed: note...this is a YouTube without accompanying text.]
From Scott Adam's Blog: How to Know You Won a Political Debate on the Internet [Ed: a fair take on the issue.]
From the Free Thought Project: Despite 60% of Americans Wanting War in N. Korea, Only 30% Can Find It On a Map
From Cracked: 6 Ridiculous Myths About the Middle Ages Everyone Believes [Ed: for when you need a break from work.]
From Activist Post: Two Major Credit Reporting Agencies Have Been Deceiving Us – Is Your Credit Score A Scam? [Ed: a must read.]
From Zero Hedge: How Is This Not A Recession? Ford To Slash 10% Of Global Workforce
Monday 15 May 2017
News and commentary round upFrom the Free Thought Project: Police Try to Justify Photo of Cop Arresting Man Selling Vegetables, Facebook Owns Them [Ed: social media backlash is a heartening trend.]
From Activist Post: WikiLeaks Destroys Russian Conspiracy Theory, Offers $100K For Trump-Comey Tapes [Ed: the address for any material you think appropriate to send is wikileaks.org/#submit.]
From Watts Up With That?: Europe’s Biggest Solar Company Goes Up In Smoke
From Ars Technica: One in Three FDA-Approved Drugs Go On to Have Major Safety Issues [Ed: one of the reasons I am so skeptical of the medical profession.]
From the New York Times: Strapped Pension Funds, and the Hefty Investment Fees They Pay
From the Times of India: India slams China’s One Belt One Road initiative, says it violates sovereignty [Ed: India slams China's push for a "global railray" as a form of colonialism. It has a point. The appeal to global authorities probably does violate the sovereignty of nations on the route.]
From antiwar.com: Saudis Look to Buy Trump Support With $40 Billion ‘Investment’ [Ed: they want to join Trump's infrastructure plans. Out of the goodness of their hearts, I'm sure]
From Economic Policy Journal: New Analysis Shows Milton Friedman Massaged His Money Supply Data to Fit His Empirical Models
From the Associated Press: Out of Dad's Grief, NY Mulls a 'Textalyzer' Bill. Dad who lost son to texting driver want cops to be able to examine phone data at scene [Ed: and so another tragedy is used to take rights away from us all.]
From Reuters: Virginia Mayor Slams 'Horrific' Alt-Right Rally. He says he's been targeted by bigots online [Ed: alt-right is as bad as the SJWs.]
From the Gateway Pundit: Germany Is Now Confiscating Homes To Use For Migrants [Ed: and politicians wonder why there is a backlash against the refugees.] And a related item from Zero Hedge: Hungary Unveils New Electrified Border Wall, Watch Towers, And Guards With Machine Guns
From Watts Up With That?: The #Dilbert Sunday comic strip hilariously disses climate science certainty [Ed: recommended.]
From Lew Rockwell: The Pope Criticizes Libertarianism, Walter Block Sets Him Straight. [Ed: since libertarianism tends to mean something entirely different in Europe, the Pope may be blasting something a bit different than what is assumed. Of course, he's still wrong.]
From YouTube: Keith Olberman calls for foreign and domestic intelligence agencies to overthrow the US government. [Ed: the left needs to GET IT TOGETHER to form a effective opposition to Trump.]
From the New York Times: Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing. Then Came Jeff Sessions. [Ed: mandatory sentencing is a nightmare and utter injustice.]
From Watts Up With That?: When science had no shame. Part 1: Why are nearly all sci-fi movies anti-science dystopia?
From Activist Post: WikiLeaks Destroys Russian Conspiracy Theory, Offers $100K For Trump-Comey Tapes [Ed: the address for any material you think appropriate to send is wikileaks.org/#submit.]
From Watts Up With That?: Europe’s Biggest Solar Company Goes Up In Smoke
From Ars Technica: One in Three FDA-Approved Drugs Go On to Have Major Safety Issues [Ed: one of the reasons I am so skeptical of the medical profession.]
From the New York Times: Strapped Pension Funds, and the Hefty Investment Fees They Pay
From the Times of India: India slams China’s One Belt One Road initiative, says it violates sovereignty [Ed: India slams China's push for a "global railray" as a form of colonialism. It has a point. The appeal to global authorities probably does violate the sovereignty of nations on the route.]
From antiwar.com: Saudis Look to Buy Trump Support With $40 Billion ‘Investment’ [Ed: they want to join Trump's infrastructure plans. Out of the goodness of their hearts, I'm sure]
From Economic Policy Journal: New Analysis Shows Milton Friedman Massaged His Money Supply Data to Fit His Empirical Models
From the Associated Press: Out of Dad's Grief, NY Mulls a 'Textalyzer' Bill. Dad who lost son to texting driver want cops to be able to examine phone data at scene [Ed: and so another tragedy is used to take rights away from us all.]
From Reuters: Virginia Mayor Slams 'Horrific' Alt-Right Rally. He says he's been targeted by bigots online [Ed: alt-right is as bad as the SJWs.]
From the Gateway Pundit: Germany Is Now Confiscating Homes To Use For Migrants [Ed: and politicians wonder why there is a backlash against the refugees.] And a related item from Zero Hedge: Hungary Unveils New Electrified Border Wall, Watch Towers, And Guards With Machine Guns
From Watts Up With That?: The #Dilbert Sunday comic strip hilariously disses climate science certainty [Ed: recommended.]
From Lew Rockwell: The Pope Criticizes Libertarianism, Walter Block Sets Him Straight. [Ed: since libertarianism tends to mean something entirely different in Europe, the Pope may be blasting something a bit different than what is assumed. Of course, he's still wrong.]
From YouTube: Keith Olberman calls for foreign and domestic intelligence agencies to overthrow the US government. [Ed: the left needs to GET IT TOGETHER to form a effective opposition to Trump.]
From the New York Times: Unity Was Emerging on Sentencing. Then Came Jeff Sessions. [Ed: mandatory sentencing is a nightmare and utter injustice.]
From Watts Up With That?: When science had no shame. Part 1: Why are nearly all sci-fi movies anti-science dystopia?
One of the coolest things I've ever seenA cake with my book Liberty for Women as the first layer. Check out the amazing UK bakery, May the Cake be with you, in which this amazing piece of cake artwork was made. Applause to the creators, Michelle and Darren Lee who are poised to create the perfect cake for you. Hat tip to FB friends Michael Ezra for giving me the gift of this photo on his birthday and to Lynn Carole Milich for being the motive force behind the cake. I love my FB friends!
Sunday 14 May 2017
News and commentary round upFrom Hacker News: WannaCrypt 2.0 ransomware just arrives with no kill switch [Ed: for self-protection, please read "NSA’s Leaked Malware is Being Weaponized by Criminals."]
From the Free Thought Project: BREAKING: Clinton Insiders Reveal ‘Blame Russia’ Plan Hatched ‘Within 24 Hours’ of Election Loss
From Zero Hedge: Former Trump Employees Claim 30 Years Of Covert Taping – Once Even Used In Lawsuit
From Real Clear Defense: The First Signs Of A National Mobilization For War Are Appearing
From Salon: The DNC’s elephant in the room: Dems have a problem — it’s not Donald Trump [Ed: it is credibility. For example, over Sanders.]
From the Guardian: Africa’s new slave trade: how migrants flee poverty to get sucked into a world of violent crime [Ed: thank you, Mr. Obama.]
From WorldNetDaily: Expert: Scientific studies no longer trustworthy Blame placed on people conducting research 'and the subsequent media attention'
From the Hill: Comey willing to testify, but only in public. Declined invitation to speak to Senate Intelligence Committee in closed door session
From the Guardian: 22-Year-Old Living With Parents Accidentally Stops Cyberattack. Friday's cyberattack affected tens of thousands in 99 countries [Ed: amazing story.]
From the Free Thought Project: Snowden Blasts The NSA Over Global Malware Attack, Says They Could Have Easily Prevented It
From the Weather Network: Floods along Canadian waterway to rise if U.S. politics wins [Ed: not about climate change. More interesting than that. About change through politics.]
From Seattle Times: There's a Hidden Hazard in the Air at Gun Ranges. After reports of poisonings, DoD tightens safety standard for lead in blood [Ed: the latest attack on guns or something real? Update: apparently it is a real problem.]
From Zero Hedge: 24 Hours Later: “Unprecedented” Fallout From “Biggest Ransomware Attack In History”
From the Washington Post: The painful truth about teeth [Ed: dental care as a sign of class status. Yep. I'm experiencing this myself. It is the single biggest medical expense.]
From the Associated Press: N. Korea's Latest Launch Could Indicate a New Type of Missile. Test early Sunday flew unusually high, could mean North has extended range capability
From Reason: Local Officials Are Coming for Your Garden. Local regulatory busybodies are zoning away your right to grow food in your garden.
From the New York Times: Mexican Drug Smugglers to Trump: Thanks!
From the Free Thought Project: BREAKING: Clinton Insiders Reveal ‘Blame Russia’ Plan Hatched ‘Within 24 Hours’ of Election Loss
From Zero Hedge: Former Trump Employees Claim 30 Years Of Covert Taping – Once Even Used In Lawsuit
From Real Clear Defense: The First Signs Of A National Mobilization For War Are Appearing
From Salon: The DNC’s elephant in the room: Dems have a problem — it’s not Donald Trump [Ed: it is credibility. For example, over Sanders.]
From the Guardian: Africa’s new slave trade: how migrants flee poverty to get sucked into a world of violent crime [Ed: thank you, Mr. Obama.]
From WorldNetDaily: Expert: Scientific studies no longer trustworthy Blame placed on people conducting research 'and the subsequent media attention'
From the Hill: Comey willing to testify, but only in public. Declined invitation to speak to Senate Intelligence Committee in closed door session
From the Guardian: 22-Year-Old Living With Parents Accidentally Stops Cyberattack. Friday's cyberattack affected tens of thousands in 99 countries [Ed: amazing story.]
From the Free Thought Project: Snowden Blasts The NSA Over Global Malware Attack, Says They Could Have Easily Prevented It
From the Weather Network: Floods along Canadian waterway to rise if U.S. politics wins [Ed: not about climate change. More interesting than that. About change through politics.]
From Seattle Times: There's a Hidden Hazard in the Air at Gun Ranges. After reports of poisonings, DoD tightens safety standard for lead in blood [Ed: the latest attack on guns or something real? Update: apparently it is a real problem.]
From Zero Hedge: 24 Hours Later: “Unprecedented” Fallout From “Biggest Ransomware Attack In History”
From the Washington Post: The painful truth about teeth [Ed: dental care as a sign of class status. Yep. I'm experiencing this myself. It is the single biggest medical expense.]
From the Associated Press: N. Korea's Latest Launch Could Indicate a New Type of Missile. Test early Sunday flew unusually high, could mean North has extended range capability
From Reason: Local Officials Are Coming for Your Garden. Local regulatory busybodies are zoning away your right to grow food in your garden.
From the New York Times: Mexican Drug Smugglers to Trump: Thanks!
We should all love ourselves this much.
Your Computer Could be at risk too. A simple step toward securing it...An Ars Technica headline (May 12): An "NSA-derived ransomware worm is shutting down computers worldwide. Wcry uses weapons-grade exploit published by the NSA-leaking Shadow Brokers." Excerpt: A highly virulent new strain of self-replicating ransomware shut down computers all over the world, in part by appropriating a National Security Agency exploit that was publicly released last month by the mysterious group calling itself Shadow Brokers.
My latest article on bitcoin.com -- published yesterday -- directly addresses the weaponized NSA malware threat that has just begun. And, no, I am not being a chicken little. The article offers context, background and links to a variety of hands-on patches and protections that might secure your computer. Click on "NSA’s Leaked Malware is Being Weaponized by Criminals," Follow the embedded links to protect your computer's security.
BTW, the main risk to the computers of individuals is not being directly targeted but being incidentally infected. This malware rapidly reproduces and (apparently) can do so through conduits like local networks. That means if an employee at an infected back decides to take a break at Starbucks with his infected computer, the malware could spread to every other computer using the wifi.
My latest article on bitcoin.com -- published yesterday -- directly addresses the weaponized NSA malware threat that has just begun. And, no, I am not being a chicken little. The article offers context, background and links to a variety of hands-on patches and protections that might secure your computer. Click on "NSA’s Leaked Malware is Being Weaponized by Criminals," Follow the embedded links to protect your computer's security.
BTW, the main risk to the computers of individuals is not being directly targeted but being incidentally infected. This malware rapidly reproduces and (apparently) can do so through conduits like local networks. That means if an employee at an infected back decides to take a break at Starbucks with his infected computer, the malware could spread to every other computer using the wifi.
News and commentary round upFrom the Federalist: This One Screenshot Captures Everything Wrong With Media Coverage Of Trump [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, "You can't make this stuff up. Ice-cream-gate!"]
From the Washington Post: Sessions orders prosecutors to seek toughest drug charges [Ed: hat tip to David who comments, "The guillotine may not be returning but the oubliette is."]
From WTFZ: 'The Drug Whisperer': Drivers arrested while stone cold sober [Ed: the trend toward substituting the opinion of "trained cops" for the results of drug tests.]
From Mass Private: TX Police given access to DHS's massive biometric database [Ed: According to an article in Texas Public Radio, law enforcement will now have access to DHS's massive biometric database.] And a related item from the Huffington Post: More Biometric Scanning Is Coming Soon To U.S. Airports [Ed: they are going to take data as you leave the U.S. as well as when you enter.]
From the Washington Times: Enraged Californians rebel against Gov. Brown’s massive tax hike on cars and gas [Ed: rebelling against 12-cent-per-gallon excise tax hike on gasoline, a 20-cent increase on diesel and higher vehicle registration fees.]
From Business Insider: The 25 best fast-food chains in America right now
From Moon of Alabama: Trump Fires FBI Boss James Comey - About Time ... [Ed: becoming one of my favorite commentators.]
From the Hill: Webpage on Marvel Comics villain redirects to Trump's official WH page [Ed: The address "hail-hydra.com" links to President Trump's official White House page. Hat tip to David who comments, I tried it: http://hail-hydra.com does redirect to https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-trump. https://hail -hydra.com doesn’t seem to work, though.]
From Reuters: English hospitals divert ambulances after 'ransomware' cyber attack [Ed: specifically some of the NHS hospitals were forced to turn away patients due to a forced computer lock-down.]
From Cracked: 6 Things I Learned When The Cops Raided My House By Mistake
From the CBS News: Service dog owner says she was denied access to airport lounge [Ed: woman was in wheelchair and expelled from lounge because of the presence of her dog whom she was legally entitled to have beside her under the Disabilities Act.]
From the New York Times: Profits From Store-Branded Credit Cards Hide Depth of Retailers’ Troubles. [Ed: I had never considered this angle.] And a related item from Bloomberg: Domestic Retail Buyers Are Propping Up the U.S. Credit Market
From CBS News: 14-year-old to graduate from Texas Christian University [Ed: hat tip to David who comments, These are two genius kids in the same family, right out of a Heinlein book!]
From the Washington Post: Sessions orders prosecutors to seek toughest drug charges [Ed: hat tip to David who comments, "The guillotine may not be returning but the oubliette is."]
From WTFZ: 'The Drug Whisperer': Drivers arrested while stone cold sober [Ed: the trend toward substituting the opinion of "trained cops" for the results of drug tests.]
From Mass Private: TX Police given access to DHS's massive biometric database [Ed: According to an article in Texas Public Radio, law enforcement will now have access to DHS's massive biometric database.] And a related item from the Huffington Post: More Biometric Scanning Is Coming Soon To U.S. Airports [Ed: they are going to take data as you leave the U.S. as well as when you enter.]
From the Washington Times: Enraged Californians rebel against Gov. Brown’s massive tax hike on cars and gas [Ed: rebelling against 12-cent-per-gallon excise tax hike on gasoline, a 20-cent increase on diesel and higher vehicle registration fees.]
From Business Insider: The 25 best fast-food chains in America right now
From Moon of Alabama: Trump Fires FBI Boss James Comey - About Time ... [Ed: becoming one of my favorite commentators.]
From the Hill: Webpage on Marvel Comics villain redirects to Trump's official WH page [Ed: The address "hail-hydra.com" links to President Trump's official White House page. Hat tip to David who comments, I tried it: http://hail-hydra.com does redirect to https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-trump. https://hail -hydra.com doesn’t seem to work, though.]
From Reuters: English hospitals divert ambulances after 'ransomware' cyber attack [Ed: specifically some of the NHS hospitals were forced to turn away patients due to a forced computer lock-down.]
From Cracked: 6 Things I Learned When The Cops Raided My House By Mistake
From the CBS News: Service dog owner says she was denied access to airport lounge [Ed: woman was in wheelchair and expelled from lounge because of the presence of her dog whom she was legally entitled to have beside her under the Disabilities Act.]
From the New York Times: Profits From Store-Branded Credit Cards Hide Depth of Retailers’ Troubles. [Ed: I had never considered this angle.] And a related item from Bloomberg: Domestic Retail Buyers Are Propping Up the U.S. Credit Market
From CBS News: 14-year-old to graduate from Texas Christian University [Ed: hat tip to David who comments, These are two genius kids in the same family, right out of a Heinlein book!]
Saturday 13 May 2017
All grown up
NSA’s Leaked Malware is Being Weaponized by Criminals to Use Against YouMy latest column for bitcoin, "NSA’s Leaked Malware is Being Weaponized by Criminals," is available. It charts a brand new and frightening threat to computer security -- thank you NSA! It also provides links to the fixes that exist and to the advice of cyber-security experts on what to look out for. I will be dropping by the article's commentary section today and tomorrow to chat and to answer any questions. Hope to see you there. And have a great weekend, everyone! Click here to access the article.
Friday 12 May 2017
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