Lunar Zoology and other impossibilities

China's Cultural Revolution

2011-10-19T09:01:00.000-04:00

Similar to the repudiation of Joseph Stalin and even Lenin, Mao Zedong has been vilified in modern China. While the early ideals of Chairman Mao are held in esteem, the methods he employed later in his life (and during the cultural revolution) have since been cast in a negative light. The fact that the founder of modern China could be publicly repudiated by the very society he helped found speaks to the depth of his crimes considering the Chinese ideal of saving face. During the cultural revolution, Mao felt there was a creeping of capitalism that must be stopped to regain the ideals of the revolution. Unlike the revolution of the Bolsheviks, Mao constantly struggled with the old guard ruling classes striving to hang on to their power. However, again as with most dictators, the mantle of authority they assume is soon replaced by a lust for power and status-quo. Ultimately, all revolutionaries that end up in power suddenly abandon this role in order to maintain their hold over the people they claim to support. In the end, the Cultural Revolution was an abject failure and set China back 50 years in development and political clout. While it is true that China has seen 200 years of Imperialism and centuries of invasion, it seems to rule from a position of weakness. It is ultimately weak because it acts to simply keep what it has versus to better itself. Power maintained for the sake of power is always fleeting. The fear of democracy and simply change drives China to modernize and become a defacto capitalist society. Chairman Mao tried to get rid of party figures that were left in name, but right in action. This is exactly where China is today. While it will exceed the economic output of the US in the next 20 years, as long as it operates like a scared little boy afraid of the dark, it will never be able to see the light of its own prosperity.

Keep your religion to yourself please.

2011-10-10T17:27:00.003-04:00

Having a little free time, I thought to explore some subjects regarding religion. I started with Indulgences, those little man-made payments to put you in the good graces of God created by the Catholics. From then, it was a natural path to Martin Luther, followed by the Reformation and then the Lord's Prayer. Earlier in the day, I was reading about the attacks some blowhard pastor made against Mitt Romney's faith. I have been thinking about this idea all day and something was bound to come out of my head, so here goes...

Keep your religion to yourself. If you want to be a pious person, that is fine. Live an ethical life. I encourage you to follow the Golden Rule as it were. But, the line stops when you feel compelled to tell me of your good deeds, or judge others piety based upon your own belief systems. If you faithfully attend church every Sunday and tithe your 10%, that is great, but I do not need to know about it. I don't say this from any level of discomfort in people being religious, but if you feel compelled to tell everyone your good deeds, or worse, to condemn someone else's religion as falling short of your own, then you are simply an egoist. I often see people that open their arms wide in church as if receiving the Holy Spirit at that very moment. That is fine if you really feel compelled to demonstrate that, but isn't there just a bit of ego involved. "Look at how pious I am. My arms are spread wide accepting Jesus Christ into my life." I used to only see this behavior in Evangelical churches, but I have started to see this in Catholic masses. If you're guilt of this, just a note, Catholics don't do that, just like we do not add that extra verse to the end of the Lord's prayer. Note I have no issues if you want to profess your faith in that setting, but just don't do it to show you are better than me. You're not! How easy it is to openly welcome the clean-cut family into church. "They are so neat and clean. Susie bakes a heck of a pie, and Matt is just charming to everyone." you hear the woman in the back of the room say. But, isn't the better example of your faith how you treat the dirty, toothless white people that stumble in. The imperfect--we all are-- and sincere people that are looking for some salvation. Those are the ones that Christ wanted you to attend. This is no different than how we are all for Freedom of Speech when the message is the same as we believe. The real challenge if I may quote a line from The American President is "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who is standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours". Religion is no different. The easy path has cost us plenty as a nation. Instant gratification, the simple classes, the ethical shortcut, get rich quick. All these things are moral shortcuts that in the end, set you back. I deeply love this country and respect the establishment clause of the first amendment in every fiber of my being. I will stand arm in arm with you defending your right to believe in whatever you like. No, I don't agree that God and Adam are the same thing, but I will stand cheerfully next to Mitt and defend his right to believe whatever he wants. That being said, if your purpose for getting out there and demonstrating or to pick on the newest religion in town (remember that Mormonism is still an infant as far as religion's go) is to show how much better you are than others, or to build yourself up in the eyes of your neighbor, then you are sadly mistaken if that is what religion means to you. My friends and I will say a prayer for you, but hopefully, we will speak between each of us and God. For if you want to pray, do you think God really needs to hear you speak aloud. I'm guessing he gets the message if you keep it to yourself.

Update to the States Tom has slept in map.

2010-01-11T23:57:00.000-05:00

Should we all change our buying habits?

2009-11-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

I have found myself wondering why people that have not had their financial situation changed would approach things differently. I understand if someone feared for their jobs, but if that is not the case--in the sense of no more fear of losing a job than normal as nothing is guaranteed--why would you approach spending, or what trips you take, or whatever you do with your discretionary income differently? It seems to be that if you are in the camp where your job is safe and you make the same as last year (if not more), you would behave the same. Do people in this boat simply give in to group-think? Since three families on the block have ben hit by hard times, we have to conserve. I think that is squirrel behavior :)

Note I understand if your life was based on how much credit you could acquire and living of off your cards but that credit is not as available now. If that is the case, then you are NOT in the group I describe. No matter if your family makes $30,000 or $300,000, if you are making the same as the last few years and do not fear losing that income, have you changed your buying behavior? Does something tell you that you should not buy as much this year or maybe you have decided to give up Target for Walmart (or dare I say, Nordstrom's for Sears).

Life is what you make it!

2009-08-13T00:48:00.002-04:00

In December 2002, I was divorced. Everything I had become acustomed to in life was changing. My world was changing around me and there was not a thing I could do about it. My then 9 year old was to live his life in another place without being in my life full-time. I have to laugh about htis now as it seemed like the end. It seemed like I had sunk as low as I could. As the reality of this whole thing hit a few months later, I fell into a depression. I finally understood what people experienced when they could not stop crying or feeling sad. I was one of those people that would say "SNAP OUT OF IT". I now knew firsthand why they--nor I--could snap out of it.

Just as things were getting better in my life--I was dating and starting to get back into enjoying life--on June 30th, 2003, I was let go from Teltronics. They RIF'ed people to stay afloat--somehow they are still afloat 5 years later. As I was making $95,000 a year, I was an easy target! Also, during this time, my son was moved to New Jersey so I was without a job, without regular visitation of my son and starting from scratch. In October 2003, I could not make ends meet anymore so I had to declare a chapter 7 bankruptcy. My debts were forgiven although I agreed to pay off my lawyer--a personal friend.

At this point in the story, I should explain my reasons for telling all this. Granted this is a tremendously personal amount of information to put in a blog, but it is for a purpose. I hope it gives one person hope. You see, the story gets better!

In July 2004, I moved to Washington D.C., started a new job as a contractor for a federal agency. After several years of hard-work, I was able to relocate to Florida and work remotely for the same federal agency. I met a fantastic woman that I enjoy everyday with the thought that I get to spend the rest of my life with her. In May 2008, I started my own consulting company working with that same federal agency and other federal clients. My business is very successful. And here is the kicker...in the Summer of 2008, my son David moved in with me full-time. He now lives with my new family year-round. I have been blessed beyond belief. We just moved into a great house, I have my son in my life full-time, Beth adds more to my life than I could have ever asked for, and life is good!

The moral of this story is that I do not care who you are or what you do/did. As I have said in many speeches, you are not your job. I lived that philosophy first-hand. If you are down and out, unemployed, or recently divorced or bankrupt or all of the above...there is hope. If No matter if you have nothing, or had much and lost it all, there is hope. While it is trite for anyone to tell you to have a positive mental outlook (that is crap!), I suggest ability. God-given, but sometimes created--ability. If you are down, you are still you. If you have something that you can do, then find the avenue to do it. Don't fall prey to people telling you that they have the answers. Stop watching late-night TV looking for the answer. Remember what make you successful and strive to get back there. If you have no ability, then learn something--but not the IT schools on TV. Generally, stop watching TV looking for the answers :)

I hope this helps someone. I know living it made be a better person and capable of anything that life can toss at me!

Parity (the root of all evil)

2009-03-28T15:58:00.003-04:00

Back when I worked at the Home Shopping Network, I was a systems programmer. In that environment, that meant that I worked on development that included maintaining the operating system of the Unisys mainframe, developing utility software, automating the end of day run, and various projects that were the technically difficult things. Often, this meant that I was charged with working on things at night. This could mean I was there for the start of the end of day run (11:00 PM) or when the operator sent a file to the credit card processor (2:00 AM). I cannot count the number of times I ended up working late. Mostly, I would go home then come back later and work until the wee hours of the morning. This normally meant that I would get home at 2 or 3 in the morning and get up at 9 or 10 and go back to work. The net effect was that I wandered into the office much later than the application developers that had to be there at 8:00 AM. I frequently heard complaints such as "Why can Tom come in late, but I have to be here early?" My managers were quite supportive and always would tell them that Tom works strange hours and if they worked the hours I did, then then could come in whatever time they wanted. Few took them up on the offer. I tell this story because it illustrates the demand for parity. This is rampant in corporations--if I get an extra day off (for working like a dog for weeks) there are those that think they should get an extra day. "If I have to stand in this airport line, then you do too". They miss the fact that I am standing in the Gold dividend miles line because I flew 50,000 miles last year. That means I was away from my family for many hours and sacrificed much for the small perk to get my boarding pass a little bit faster. As long as there is a desire for parity, there will be those that look upon others that have something they do not with contempt. Forget the fact that I have sacrificed more than they could know for what I have. The successful among us only make it look easy--it is really not. Until you have put in the effort that I have, you cannot fathom what I deserve to have.

I have been thinking about this issue lately because of the burgeoning class war in America. The gulf between those that have and those that do not is widening. Now, I completely agree there are those that game the system. They lie and cheat their way to some form of financial success. I am confident there is a special place in hell for those people and no amount of accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior will get them out of it. I would not waste any more words on those cheaters. I am talking about the contempt our society is showing for those among us that have gained some financial success. If I happen to make $200,000 this year (not that I'm saying I will), why should I be looked upon with contempt by those that do not have a chance in hell of making that kind of money. Just let me enjoy the fruits of my labor and be done with it. I should not have to read a paper where they use the term "six-figures" in a pejorative sense. Maybe I am being too sensitive. It seems that I get this sense that I am being made out to be an enemy of the state for making good money.

Now I am not one of those that thinks I pay too much in taxes (I think I don't pay enough). I am as liberal as they come (although I do believe in personal responsibility) I have no problem with not qualifying for tax rebates, or the various middle class tax credits. I make good money and those should be reserved for those making less. But, please do not cast aspersions on my career or what I make. I could make the statement that finances is only one small measures of success, but honestly, considering that I lost my job in 2003, had recently divorced (2002), lost my house in Salt Lake City, was flat broke and had to declare bankruptcy (2003), I can say that after not having anything, financial success is a big part of how we get to live. I turned it around with my abilities, knowledge, and reputation. I guess I would like those that don't make as much to think that those of us that do are somehow less deserving than them. We are a product of our choices. If your neighbor makes more and gets to travel to Europe for the summer, instead of putting them down to prop yourself up, make better choices.

Please Vote No on Florida's Admendment 2 (Marriage Protection Act). We're not all gay you know!

2008-09-27T11:59:00.000-04:00

It is easy to get caught up in the rhetoric of "gay" marriage, same sex unions or whatever you want to call them. One thing to remember is there are lots of us out here that are in heterosexual, committed relationships where we just choose to not get married. I do not think it is the role of a government to define my relationship. Normally, I would not care how the government defined me, but there is an issue that will affect many people that work for public agencies--domestic partner benefits. Since we are a family, we are fortunately considered one by my girlfriend's employer when it comes to benefits. While we are not directly affected because she does not work for a public agency, I know how I would feel if due to a state law, this had to change. I know that when people think of these type of amendments they think there is an entire gay agenda but in reality, this affects everyone. I know you can say that if we choose to not get married (shame on us, living in sin and all that nonsense) that we should not be entitled to benefits, but why would the government be in that business of telling us how to live. Regardless of how you feel about gay marriage, this amendment is mean and punitive. Does the sponsor of this bill think gay people are going to magically disappear so he/she does not have to explain why those two men are holding hands? The truth is that this will impact many people including public servants, police and firefighters all over the state. I implore the voters of the state to reject this amendment.

.: Fairness For All Families | Press Room :.

New Company Blog

2008-09-06T03:18:00.003-04:00

I recently started a consulting company specializing in consulting on software projects with clients. I am more focuses on the big ideas but also can help plan out the implementation. Heck, if necessary, I'm still a pretty good coder :) The blog is at bettersoftwaresolutions.blogspot.com. I will put more computer-related things over there and leave this blog to personal thoughts.

Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In | Home

2008-03-20T01:17:00.000-04:00

OK, I did it. I read the transcript of the Philadelphia speech and interestingly enough recalled fondly how President Clinton used to make those speeches. I, the one that thought we as democrats needed to know nothing else about Senator Clinton than she would have President Clinton back in the White House! I just donated money to the Senator Obama campaign. I really wanted to see Senator Clinton win, but after 8 years of the current administration; it is time for hope rather than a policy wonk. Unfortunately, while Senator Clinton is married to the man from hope, her speeches do not provide the hope we need after 8 years in the wilderness. As a benefit, I am glad that no matter which candidate wins, President Clinton will still be in the White House in one way or the other. There is no one better to help restore the image of the United States and I hope everyone rallies behind the candidate. Perhaps, the Senator should look for a place to be in 8 years and help handle the heavy-lifting of policy that an Obama presidency would surely create.
Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In | Home

Off to Italy!!!

2008-03-01T12:45:00.002-05:00

Well, we're off to Italy. Beth and I decided to plan a trip to Italy and Paris this spring. Imagine it: Paris in the Springtime--I can't wait. We are calling this a scouting trip so we can see how it will go for the kids next summer in Italy :) Rome, Florence, Venice, and Paris--what a time! Rick Steves' Europe: Rome: Planning Your Time

Inside DCSNet, the FBI's Nationwide Eavesdropping Network

2007-08-29T17:47:00.000-04:00

This article (Inside DCSNet, the FBI's Nationwide Eavesdropping Network) reminds me of a simple implementation of the Russian SORM system. Typically, if one looks up SORM, you find information about the KGB/FSB's ability to monitor email traffic. Russia had made it a requirement that any phone switch connected to the public telephone network had to support the ability to retrieve audio (through a silent monitoring facility). The operator at the central station would request a particular subscriber line be monitored, the remote command would go to the switch, and the audio would be sent back via X.25. As this was several years ago, it stands to reason this would be a newer incarnation of this. Most carrier grade switches have the ability to silent monitor (In the Harris 20/20, this was just a destination in a Collect & Route to monitor the particular circuit with NO notification to the parties). The ability to pull the audio through a VoIP trunk back to a central office (SIP phone, etc) would be almost trivial nowadays. This is an understandable need of law enforcement as it does need to perform legal taps. As long as the warrants are legally obtained, this is fine. When a National Security Letter is used on a non-national security case because the case is at a dead-end, that is the rub.

Just in case anyone is wondering, SORM is not, nor was it ever meant to be, secret. The ability of the Harris 20/20 to do silent monitoring is in the documentation. Anyone that believes their conversations cannot be monitored is quite naive so "caller beware". I actually think this is a good thing as it gets rid of stupid criminals. People that use unsecured lines to conduct illegal activities belong in jail simply for being stupid--besides their crime. My belief is that the people that truly have something to hide are using simply-acquired technologies to secure their communications. Yes, systems like SORM and the the FBI' system (as well as the NSA's Echelon) will catch terrorists, but not the ones we really need to worry about. Now, I invite you to go back to your evening :)

Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth. by Mark Twain

2007-08-03T17:22:00.000-04:00

Mark Twain said we should ...love like you've never been hurt..... I have thought about this and it is such a truism. It would be so easy to retreat and stay out of relationships because we have been hurt before. Relationships are a minefield. We run the risk of total humiliation and pain, but also of complete euphoria. Past loves are just that. Who among us would trade the feeling of getting to know someone new just because we may get hurt? There surely are many ways to get hurt in this dangerous game, but the rewards can be so great...just keep on plugging along.

FindLaw's Writ - Dorf: What are the "Inherent" Powers of the President? How the Bush Administration Has Mistaken Default Rules for Exclusive Rights

2007-07-26T12:05:00.000-04:00

I am not one to lightly consider amending the US Constitution. I was reading a story where some Senators are urging a special prosecutor to investigate if the Attorney General perjured himself during his congressional testimony. Considering the outcome of the Libby trial, what would be the the downside for an administration official to lie to Congress. If Alberto Gonzales is convicted of perjury, the President would clearly pardon him. One could argue that even his law license was safe as if his state bar (I assume Texas) tried to disbar him, the fact that it would be for lying to Congress and that was pardoned, it is as if the offense didn't happen. To disbar him would be a form of double jeopardy that allowed a state bar to supersede the President's power to pardon a citizen.

Historically, a good check to the power of the pardon has been public perception. But with the current administration reserving its legacy as one of the most inept, this offers little deterrent.

In the end, Congress can impeach the Attorney General to remove him from office. As the president does not have the power to pardon someone that has been impeached, this only removes them from office.

Delightfully Different Dunedin

2007-07-06T22:02:00.000-04:00

In case you were wondering, this
is where I ended up. I actually went to High School in Dunedin although I never lived in this house as my Mom bought it after I moved out. it is a nice place.

I was joking with David that in a week I have only heard 3 sirens from emergency vehicles. In Alexandria, it was at least 3 per day (on a light day). The pace of life is slower here. I look around and ask myself where all the people are!

2007-07-06T21:40:00.000-04:00

Oh the places you'll go. That is what the Dr. Seuss book says. I had planned to go to Utah, but plans change. You see, I have this house in Florida (it was my Mom's). I have been paying for the mortgage so I decided why not go south! It is a nice place. I always did love the beach and the Florida lifestyle. The only problem is the work! No, not the professional work, but the house. My brother has been living here and there is so much stuff here. The place has kind of run down so I am starting on the job of repairing things. The place needs a new AC, new appliances, new flooring, some paint and I'm sure the roof will be up soon :) Well, it does give one something to do.

Losing Sucks!!!

2007-03-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

This weekend I played in a regional pool tournament in Alexandria. The tourney was Saturday and Sunday and I played in 5 matches. I won most of my matches (4-1, 5-2, 5-0), but I lost the last one. The think is I needed to win 5 games, and I won the first three. The other guy needed 4 games and after I missed an easy shot on the 8 ball, he won his first of 4 straight. The winner of that match goes to Las Vegas to play in the national finals. Losing really sucks. I have so many second place trophys and awards. I sometimes wonder if there is something holding me back :)

Bob Seger and an Update

2007-02-03T13:57:00.000-05:00

The rumor is that Bob Seger was on stage at the Verizon Center on Thursday night. I say rumor because I was sitting far enough away that I could never actually see him in focus :) I didn't realize we were so far up, but it was actually good. it was like hanging out with the cool kids at the back of the classroom. That being said, I say with all due respect, that I have never seen so many aging hippies in all my days. Seger really gives his all for his shows and it was fun, fun, fun!

I went with my friend Donna from school and coincidentally, Amy from school was also there. We met up at Clyde's before the show (and during the opening act). I even got to meet Mary Louise-Parker (inside joke).

Plans continue for Utah. I am on three month countdown for getting out of here and heading back to the land that I love. I am torn between living downtown and having a house in Sandy where I can spread out (and play the stereo as loud as I want). The views of the Wasatch mountains from Sandy cannot be beat!

Stay in touch!

Tom

Going Home!!!

2007-01-13T10:05:00.000-05:00

Well everyone, I'm going home!. After discussing it with my employer, I have decided to move back to Salt Lake City in the April/May timeframe. Quality of life is a big reason and I just miss what I call home. In many ways, I have felt like I was exiled here in Washington and it is time. As luck would have it, I am still going to work for the GSA--just from Salt Lake City (with monthly trips back for a few days each). I'll post more on my blog (link at bottom) so stay tuned.

Of course, now that I have lived in a bigger city, I could never go back to the suburbs again like Sandy. I think I am going to find a nice loft in downtown Salt Lake. As long as I have public transportation and good places to walk, everything will be grand.

Tom

Please give as much as you can to the ACLU.

2007-01-05T00:18:00.000-05:00

Warrantless mail search may be allowed - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com I felt like crying inside for the mockery that our Constitution is being made. Something has to be done! We have to find a way to protect the Constitution. You want to scream about being a patriot, then stand proudly as your rights and every other Americans are shredded. Does this man have no shame? Does he have no sense of decency? I hate to say it but the current administration is becoming tyrannical. I thought we gained our freedom from King George, but it appears not. I hope someone can save us from ourselves.

More French Stuff!

2006-12-09T12:50:00.000-05:00

Well, tonight my favorite orthodontist and I are going to a party at the French Embassy. I would like to say it was on the invitation of the French ambassador, but Leila bought tickets for us both. They have lots of French things (one would think). I will have to see if my impressions of Paris will get me invited back :) I'm bringing my ST Dupont lighter (from France) so that has to count for something :) I'll write a follow-up tomorrow about the party.

School is over :) School is over :(

2006-12-09T11:52:00.000-05:00

Well, it is done. I finished my last class at the University of Phoenix. Presuming I did as well as I think I did in my last class, my GPA for the last two years is 3.98 (I got a A- in one class). Of course, I am excited to have my life back again. No more writing papers, reading textbooks, or coordinating team efforts. My week has been centered around Thursday nights since January 2005. While I am elated, it is not without its share of melancholy. I have been with some members of my class since I started. I have been on teams and communicated more with my school mates than with my friends. As it turns out, my school mates became my friends. Too often in life we meet a group of people that things just seem to gel. Call it mutual respect, like mindedness, or anything else for that matter. No matter what it is called, I hope we manage to stay in touch. We have all been part of a group that when you split up, the contact becomes less frequent. Then maybe a Christmas card, then you wake up one morning and wonder what happened to them. As many have before me, I am determined to not let that happen. I hope we can get together for dinner once in a while. I know I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at school due, in large part, to the people in class. This has been a great experience. After 23 years, I finally have a bachelors degree. That has not really set in yet. Will my life be different? I don't know, but it is surely better for having known Amy Trout Hughes, Wayne Shrader, Marcos Alvarez and Donna Dawes. I wish you all the best of luck and for God's sake, put on your helmet.

School

2006-11-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

Well, It has been a good while since I posted here. To all my adoring fans (all two of you), I say, the smoke is clearing. School is almost over. December 7th is my last class and then I have a few CLEP tests to take in January. Then, a break before serious law school preparation starts. I plan on writing much more and regularly) once school is over. I even have a new feature in the works where I argue a point with a blogger I met that frequently takes an opposite social and political view than I. Look for that feature starting in 2007.

Scoop!

2006-11-29T11:17:00.000-05:00

You heard it here first folks. Way back on October 15, 2005, I predicted that Bill Frist would not run for President. I theory was because of the HCA ethics scandal. As the Senator just announced he is not running, I can only speculate on the causes (but I am guessing for family reasons--the universal excuse). Yet another GET by the blogosphere.

Talk like a Pirate Day

2006-09-19T16:40:00.000-04:00

It's talk like a pirate day. Apparently, my pirate name is Iron Tom Rackem. Argh!!!

Coming Clean on France

2006-07-23T15:40:00.000-04:00

I was the worst offender. I made the jokes about the French giving up. Yes, yes I did. But, now; thanks to a visit to this marvelous place, I am cured. You see, if you don;t like the French, the I have a simple plan -- go to France. I can hear you saying it, but they are rude. That is simply an outdated idea. It is very much the other way around. It is we Americans that are the rude ones. We walk into a store and immediately we start talking business.

"How much is this?"

"Do you speak English?".

The French are so much more polite and civilized than we. You walk into a store, say hello! Or Good Morning/afternoon/evening. Take a moment to be civil. Take a moment to remember that we are both human beings and some basic courtesy goes very far indeed.

I had the greatest week in Paris. The French people were wonderful. They were more than helpful. Between my limited (and Spanish-accented French) and their English ; we made it through. The metro clerk was even asking me how to say 55 cents. A far cry from the idea that they refuse to speak English. So, the next time someone takes the fashionable path and starts to bash the French, ask them if they have been there? If they have, ask them if they took some time to maintain their membership in the human race? And if they have not been there (or you for that matter), make a reservation and go see what the world is talking about. It is one of the greatest places on the planet.

An American in Paris

2006-07-23T15:28:00.000-04:00

Beyond the Business class flight to London, the Eurostar train ride to Paris and navigating a new Metro system in French, the long road to Rue Cler was done. My son, David, and I were checked into the hotel on Rue Cler -- a little 3 block open-air market where many Parisians (and perhaps a few too many tourists in June) call home. As it was around 8:00 PM (20:00) that lovely evening, David and I set out to find the lightning rod of our motivation, Tour de Eiffel. We have all seen the pictures, in the nighttime light, in the day time sun -- unfortunately, on the Las Vegas Strip. The Eiffel Tower is in many ways synonymous with France itself. Gustav Eiffel's monument to man's dominance over the elements was set forth on the world in the last 19th century. No matter how many ways you see it, you have never seen it. Until you are there, with your own eyes in its presence, you have not seen anything. As it was night, the lights were on the tower. Great yellowish lights illuminating the focus of the city of light. I have seen many beautiful things in my life. I have seen the sight of the city from the top of the World Trade Center. I have seen the sight from a 10,000 tall mountain overlooking snow covered peaks. I have seen the first moments of my son's life in the delivery room. None of those could have compared me for what I saw that night. Maybe it was the sheer size of the tower or perhaps, it was the way the light hit it just so. In retrospect, I think it was the overwhelming fact that I, this poor kid from Brooklyn, was standing at the foot of a legend. I was so overwhelmed with emotion; I could not spare the tears. It was in many ways surreal. Was this real, a dream? Maybe it was one more of those simulations we Americans are so fond of doing, as if it could ever come close the seeing the real thing. No matter what the source of the emotion, I was clearly gazing at the most beautiful thing in the world. So tall, even somewhat scary, yet, so light and elegant. Is there any other way to describe traveling to a foreign city. I was ill prepared for the feelings. The fact that I was able to share this with my son made it all the more special. He is 12 years old and he has already seen some amazing things. I know the concept that we want more for our children than we have had. So, in many ways, it was fitting that we saw this together. You see, as I got the chance to see this magnificent homage to the industrial age with my son in hand, means this is always something we share. The world is filled with beauty -- manmade and natural. All you have to do is step back, and look at it. It may take a plane, train or simply a walk across the Potomac, but beauty is there for those that seek it. Viva la France!

The Time Value of Money

2006-04-06T22:54:00.000-04:00

Here is a paper I wrote for a finance class I thought was a clever way to explain the Time Value of Money.

As most loan sharks know, the interest is what generates the profit. While not condoning illegal behavior, the more seemly side of finance does illustrate a valid point: when people need money, someone has to be willing to lend it to them. But, this is not without its risks. Loan sharks typically charge a high interest rate – “the vig” – compared to other institutions. This is because they assume more risk of non-payment. Additionally, their collection policies are somewhat different than the corner bank. While perhaps an extreme example, this arrangement presents the same challenges as any other use of money. The shark must consider not only the potential of being repaid the principal of the loan – “the juice” – but the opportunity cost of the loaning the money to the customer. Opportunity cost is defined as "the advantage forgone as the result of the acceptance of an alternative” (About 2006). In this case, the loan shark could otherwise invest his money in gambling, racketeering, carting or some other activity. The future value of those enterprises with the same money must be weighed against the interest paid on the juice. If the loan shark loans $10,000 for 7 days in return for a total payment of $12,000, then the $2000 interest payment must be higher than the potential opportunities the $10,000 could have been used for in the interim 7 days. Depending upon the depth of the shark’s organization, $10,000 may indeed be able to generate more than $2000 in a 7 day period. This would be an example of the opportunity cost being more than the realized profit from the enterprise.

To bring this discussion into the realm of the legal, the same applies for countless examples in personal and corporate finance. In both of these areas, money must not only be considered as a current commodity, but for the investment vehicle it provides. Specifically, any potential investment must not only be considered in terms of the return but the potential of that money to perform in other ways. For example, while dipping into Retained Earnings to finance a new plant might be a way for a company to minimize debt, the potential advantages of liquidity must be outweighed by the incurrence of the debt. Many times, a corporation with cash-on-hand will still assume long-term debt since the retained earnings may be able to return more as an investment than the interest on the debt. While it would seem to be in the company’s best interest to carry as little debt as possible, it may actually cost money to not borrow money if borrowing cash means better earnings on other investments.

Another area that corporations (and loan sharks) must carefully analyze is the effects of recurring payments on money over time. For example, the protection money that the local deli pays to the Stunad crew is an example of an annuity as the money is paid in a fixed amount over time. The annuity would typically end with the untimely demise of the Stunad captain or the deli owner – whichever comes first. In paying this annuity, the deli owner must consider the opportunity cost of paying the money versus investing in his own business. However, as with all opportunities, the owner must also consider the ramifications of forgoing the investment in his personal welfare (specifically the aforementioned untimely demise). In the Stunad crew’s case, they must consider the cost of administering the annuity with items such as collection fees, opportunity costs of enforcement versus other enterprises and the value their other enterprises would reap in a long-term investment. Typically, this protection annuity is deemed to be in perpetuity as the organization would continue to collect even if the owner changed hands. Just as with the Stunad organization, large corporations must consider the long-term effects of annuity vehicles such as pension plans. Pensions must be funded from funds inherent within the pension or from net income. In a public company, this presents a charge against earnings each year that only continues as workers get older and continue to retire. The annuity in this case can present an undue burden upon the operations of the company and prevent future investment or expansion.

While it would seem that typical Mother’s and Father’s Italian Associations and large publicly-help corporation may be very different; within their business dealings they must consider some of the same issues. The ability to generate cash is but one factor in the successful operation of their business. They must also consider the cost of their investments and the cost of taking -- or leaving -- an opportunity. With proper attention to the time value of money, the whole family prospers.

References
About.Com (2006). Opportunity Cost – Every collar we spend is actually 6.7 lost forever. Retrieved April 6, 2006 from http://credit.about.com/cs/consumerwisdom/a/081100.htm.

Iran claims missile test - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com

2006-04-02T17:37:00.000-04:00

Iran claims missile test - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com

Perhaps it is the tale of David and Goliath. Or the seemingly endless historical evidence that the underdog can win over the arrogant aggressor. Whatever the reason, leaders of other countries have always underestimated the resolve and the ability of the US at their own peril. Certainly, we are parochial in our view of our place in the world. We but into other's problems and try to apply our simplistic notions to complex centuries old conflicts. Be that as it may, as much as I would like to let these little gnats of government leaders save some face, all they are doing is testing our resolve. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is quoted to say "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Discussing the different effects that the US Civil War had on the North and the South, historian Shelby Foote say he thought the North fought the war with one hand tied behind its back and the South never really had a chance.

What possible outcome could Iran hope for in escalating a war of words and actions against the US. Do they really think the US would allow them to develop a nuclear device Would Iran be extreme enough to actually use it? As with far too many events in the history of governments, the people suffer for the lack of foresight and false bravado of their leaders. The people suffered far more in Germany and Iraq than their leaders. Would the leaders of Iran force the US hand to detonate a warhead in Tehran in retaliation for an attack on the US? It is called mutually assured destruction for a reason! In this case, it would be limited destruction for the US and complete vaporization for the great people of Iran. Yet, these people elected a theocracy into power.

I am sure each "David" always believes they have a unique ability against their particular Goliath. But in this case, the only thing the leaders of Iran are going to do is strengthen our resolve and their people will suffer. While we may be the decadent West, the fact remains that Tehran would become a distant memory on a map with the contents of a single Los Angeles class submarine. Surely, they realize this and will not truly try our patience. Especially with this President!

The day the music died

2006-02-28T16:35:00.000-05:00

On February 10th, 2006, my Mother passed away. She had been in and out
of the hospital and gave passed away shortly after an operation for a
kidney problem. The emotions on this are impossible to explain. I lost
my Dad 21 years ago, but then; someone else handled all the details.
This time, I handled the details. Planning a funeral is not something
that should be done by the people most effected by the death. This
should be done ahead of time.

Once I came home, I wrote a letter. I wrote what I want to happen to
me when I die. Where I want to be buried, the clothes I want to wear
(Hawaiian shirt - I made David promise me he would do this), where the
life insurance policies are. All the things someone will need to know
when they are going through your stuff. I encourage everyone reading
this to make a will and ensure your loved ones have it all laid out
for them. They should not have to think during this time. It would be
best to give a letter to the funeral director and say, "it is all in
there - call if you have any questions!". That is my intent. While
none of us want to think about our own death, I assure you all it will
happen. While it is important to plan the end for those left behind,
please do not forget that life is in the living.

Those that love you will certainly miss you, but they need good
memories to get them through. They need to know how you felt about
them. They should never doubt that you love and care for them.
Fortunately, I had the peace to know how much my Mother cared for me
and loved me. I understood that while we may have had our moments (I
was a teenager after all), we also understood each other enough to
realize were in many ways the same. I loved my Mother dearly and will
miss her for the rest of my life. But, I am able to continue on
because I can see her in the eyes of my son. I can see her in the
curiosity and intellect that is David. She always let me know how much
she loved me; it was never understated. I will always miss her and am
greatly comforted by the fact that she is now in peace. Mom, I miss
you, I love you and I am eternally grateful for the lessons you taught
me. I only hope that I can measure up and be the man you wanted me to
become.

Life

2006-01-28T01:40:00.000-05:00

With the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and the march in Washington, I began to ponder the question of abortion. We can call it right to life, or pro-choice - those are just names. We can call it any other polarizing phrase that comes to mind. When does conception start? How arrogant of man to think it starts when he defines. Before you believe I am of one side or the other, let me be clear. I think abortion is a terrible thing. I wish there was no need for it. I wish woman didn't use it as birth control. I know that sounds callous, but even after multiple abortions, I know woman that still use it as the ultimate backup plan. Even though I wish that it was not necessary, I will fight to the death for a woman's right to choose. I strongly believe that man cannot be the final arbiter of what happens in a woman's body. The fetus is in the woman's' body, not someone else's. If the woman chooses abortion, that is her right. I don;t believe that by limiting the choice of abortion, one less abortion will ever happen. It will simply switch to a state issue. Some states will rule it illegal, some states will rule it legal. Women that want abortions will simply go to the legal states. The only ones is will effect is that scared girl that has become pregnant and doesn't know what to do. Her life will change. She should of thought of that before, but we all know accidents happen. I have the sad experience of being involved in a relationship that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. It was just to early in our lives - or I guess we were both scared of what it meant. Knowing the type of child I have now, I can't help but think what that child would have been like. As he would have had at least the same father as David, I cannot help to think the child would have had some of the same qualities. I regret the choice, yet it was not my choice to make. It is not like I resisted it though - I paid half the money!

It is far too easy for those unaffected by this issue to stand there outside the clinics or at the Supreme Court. They love the country that allows them the right to assemble and speak their mind. Yet, the abhor the very same principles when a woman chooses to terminate a pregnancy. I have been effected personally by this issue and I will always regret my complicity - yet I steadfastly remain supportive of a woman as the master of her own domain.

Frist may not have avoided a conflict of interest - Politics - MSNBC.com

2005-10-12T00:55:00.000-04:00

Stop! Be very quite. Listen carefully. You hear that? That sound? That was the sound of yet another politician's presidential ambitions going up in smoke. Gary Hart had his mistress, Teddy has Mary Jo, and Bill has HCA. Seems they never learn. Next!!!

Cash and 'Cat 5' Chaos - Newsweek Hurricane Katrina Coverage - MSNBC.com

2005-09-18T21:19:00.000-04:00

My entire professional career, whenever crisis has hit; I was able to get things done. I worked at the Home Shopping Network when the phone lines to our main switch went down. We up and moved down the stripmall to customer service. We were able to start taking calls in an hour. The boss at the time was quite impressed with this ability and she subsequently gave me a shot in the computer room. The rest is history.

When I worked for Harris, we had to go to the plant in Northern California and mark everything for shipment to the offices in Salt Lake City. I went out there with another co-worker, and we did what we needed to do. Some people got bent out of shape, but the job got done.

We pussy foot around issues. We want to not make waves. We need to keep everyone happy and made to feel like they are part of the team. That is all a great illusion when things are not in crisis mode, but for Godsake, these people in New Orleans are dying. They need help, not some FEMA paper pusher going over the rule book in the ultimate insensitivity. Hey, Mr or Mrs. FEMA clerk, you attention to the rule book means squat! These are US citizens, they need their government's help, and if you cannot back down from your little empire because this is how youhave always done it, then, at the risk of insulting a McDonald's worker -- go work there as that may be more you style.

I continually get barraged with little pieces of advice about picking your battles to fight and getting obstacles put in my way by a process. Well, as I said, we can play that game when it does not appear to be life -threating. But, these people need help, not redtape. So, Mr and Mrs. FEMA person, get off you ass and help these people! You are going to be judged by how you treat these people, not if every line of your form is filled out. You are a public servent, not the other way around. You are only the facilitator of what these people need. They do not need your permission, only your clerical ability to get them what they need!

The US Constitution

2005-09-16T16:59:00.000-04:00

Patrick Henry refused to go as he "smelled a rat" Rhode Island refused to send a delegate as they suspected it was an attempt to create a new government. Fortunately, for us; they were right and their worst fears came true -- the Constitutional Convention did produce a new government.

This government was far from perfect. Just a few years after its passing, the Sedition Act reminded us how fragile our right to free speech actually was. It is only though the litany of court cases brought forth since its signing, that the freedoms we hold near and dear to our hearts, really took shape. Without judges acting as the arbiters of liberty and the advocates of the defensless, this nation would surely perish from the Earth. As grandiose as that may sound, it beings into specific relief the issues we now face as a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is selected. I was encouraged to see that the Senators chose to ask questions about the intersection of technology and privacy. For the next 20 years are going to be an age where the Bill of Rights will be challenged in ways never imagined when it was put forth as the mollification it was.

To actually see the document is truly a gift we should all share. I have the good fortune to work near the Archives so I may go over whenever I want.

To stand before the altar that is liberty;
and be both humbled and elevated by its breath.
To stand before the document through whose timeless gaze;
we beseech a free life.
To stand in wonder as its subtle power envelopes all we touch;
and grants us passage unto liberty.

The US Constitution is is something that belongs to all of us (although the guards at the archive will shoot you if you bring it home). So, next time you are watching a confirmation process or someone on Law & Order cites the 4th amendment (or Michael Corleone takes the 5th), remember what this is all about and be happy that Patrick Henry did smell a rat -- and it was we!

Coffee a top source of healthy antioxidants - More Health News - MSNBC.com

2005-09-07T19:00:00.000-04:00

Having lived in Salt Lake City for several years, one is always confronted with the majority religion: The LDS Church. Reading articles about the health benefits of coffee and prior articles about the health advantages of a glass of wine each day, I have to wonder: Are certain religions that demand abstinence from certain types of foods keeipng people from being as healthy as they could be? Surely, if it is proven that these things do have a long-term health benefit, then God would not choose to deprive anyone of this health benefit. Then again, that may be the plan. Perhaps, the original plan was a world where these things did not exist, and now someone gets a reprieve for awhile. Obviously, these are rhetorical questions.

Items like this continue to give us pause as we try to reconcile our definition of God with what we now know to be true through experience and science. 500 years ago if I had anyone of a dozen dieses, I would cetainly die. The locals would expain it away as they do now as its God's will. But, if I get that same ailment that can be cured easily today, I will live. If we use the logic that it is God's will that I live now, then why give me the ailment that can easily be cured? I fail to see how the death 500 years ago can be God's will, but today it can be God just wanting me to get sick? FOr if that cure didn't exist, we would say it is God's will.

I know, I know...the central issue is that these are man's saying and our way to try and understand and cope with things. I do not have a problem with that. As long as the next time I go to a funeral or listen to the reports from New Orleans, no one uses the trite excuse that God has a plan for each of us and that is why 10,000 men women and children deserved to die. In my book, that is simply the workings of a feckless thug.

This all goes back to my theory that God designed the universe and stated it off. The way it evolved and became what it is today, is entirely the implementation of the plan. I cannot believe that God has a hand in our day-to-day lives because if he did, then New Orleans would not have happened. BTW, I do know the arguments of if Hurricanes did not happen then much more damage would have happened, and God sparred New Orleans by making the storm swerve at the last minute -- those seem a little contrived and too simplistic, no? Nope, I believe that we are basically on our own and that society and our fellow man is the higher power we all share. I certainly have a higher power, but I refuse to believe a diety could look down and decide to change something in my life. Because if he could change something in my life, how in the world could he kill so many innocent people? If this sounds familiar, it is indeed the "Oh, God" school of religion. In the movie, George Burns' God says he created the worl, what we did with it was up to us. Free will it a bitch (to quote the devil from another movie). As the debacle in New Orleans shows, when you leave any enterprise up to the free will of man, his pety intellect and massive shortcomings will always get in the way. But, I will save that for another time.

Bush makes second trip to battered Gulf Coast - Hurricane Katrina - MSNBC.com

2005-09-05T17:33:00.000-04:00

President Bush has sealed his legacy. While the White House enters a game of blaming the locals (as if these people need more beating than they have already received), his legacy will now be of the MBA President that is far more theory than execution. The President that dictated he would not be a man of the polls. A President that feigns compassion based on what his handlers tell him. President Bush lacks compassion, sincerity and clearly judegment in the people he chooses to surround himself with in his administration.

Now, I am not going to say this is fair. I know the detractors are saying it takes time to mobilize the Federal government. Working in a government agency, I know this to be true. Many people are doing their level best to get the help to where it belongs. Unfortunately for the President, politics -- and more so -- history are NOT fair. We could chalk this up to bad luck. To lost a major part of New York to 9/11 and not to lose an entire city on your watch can be thought of as nothing less than bad luck. Clearly, more preparation is necessary in preparing responses. Perhaps we all lauded the entry of the non-professionals arrival in Washington. Appointing friends and political cronies to positions in DHS and FEMA may not have been the best of ideas. Then again, as I said before; the only thing history will judge is the response. Does anyone believe President Clinton would not have been a far more compassionate human being in response to this tragedy? Do you doubt it for a minute? President Bush may be the most compassionate person in the world, but I feel his handlers will simply not let him be. Then again, maybe the demon inside him keeps him from truly feeling for these people. Hey, I guess the slacker President was not such a good idea afterall. God Bless the people of New Orleans and the rest of the states. Hopefully, history is kinder to President Bush than it has been to New Orleans. And finally, I sincerely hope this President that seems to publicly favor accountability will stand up, take responsibility and do what is right to restore confidence in our Federal Government.

World66 - Visited States - United States

2005-08-27T19:51:00.000-04:00

Here is a fun site. You can make a map of states. This is the states that I have actually been in (in one way of another). This could include just passing through in a car.

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

This next one is states I have actually spent a night in (as in slept in).

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide
Apparently, I need to sleep around some more. (Well, you know what I mean).

It's President Bush!!!

2005-08-05T14:59:00.000-04:00

Listen to any news article or broadcast, and people insist on using just the President's last name. I have never understood this. To me, when you speak of the President of the United States, you say President Bush, or President Clinton. Not Bush or Bush 1, or Slick Willy. You can have any political disagreement you want with the occupant of the Oval office, but it shows as an American that you have a fundamental respect for the Office, even if not the man. I disagree with the current administration on a great many things, but I always say President Bush.

A related story is that I was at an Amway convention -- yes, I did that for awhile :) ) and President Reagan was the on the agenda to speak. Some of the people in my party remained seated when he came onto stage. I actually told the woman to get up as she should have a respect for the office even if she disagreed with the man (as I do as well). We have lost so much in terms of civility in our political discourse. I think reserving a basic respect for the 43 men that have held that job. Oh and even after the next election, only 43 men will have held that job :)

Bush remarks on 'intelligent design' fuel debate - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com

2005-08-04T00:37:00.000-04:00

Bush remarks on 'intelligent design' fuel debate - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com. I must say that I am quite amazed at all the ruckus caused by the Intelligent Design (ID) group. I remember back in 1991, I sat down with a Catholic priest and discussed that I was sure evolution happened, but I believed there must be a plan as I did not believe it could have been by chance. I guess that was ID. The thing I find amazing is that the only fact in ID is evolution. I think people that support ID in a veiled attempt to teach creation as shooting themselves in the foot because to accept ID, you must accept evolution. I am sure beyond any doubt that evolution happened. For me, I have faith that there was an intelligent designer behind it. This does not mean I believe in creation. I think the story of the garden of Eden is a fairy tale. Creation was through evolution -- there is far too much scientific evidence to sustain anything else.

The place the ID people lose me is if today it is teaching that there is an alternative to evolution, then tomorrow we say, well; that thing we said about a creator was right, but not the evolution part. It really took place in seven days!." That is where the ID people will do more harm then they can imagine.

I say that the scientific community should embrace ID as it means people in churches that have been closet skeptics of the story of creation, can now openly believe in evolution. So what if they believe an intelligence was behind it. In the end, regardless of if there was an intelligence or not, the agreement is that we evolved from lower forms of animals -- in both camps; that is indisputable.

Ah, what a view...

2005-07-31T22:47:00.000-04:00

If anyone ever wants to know what I miss about Salt Lake City, just look at the picture below. Are those the greatest mountains you have ever seen, or what? I got the picture from a listing on craigslist (here)

Disney at the Metro

2005-07-29T09:27:00.000-04:00

Oh bother...

The Hope Diamond

2005-07-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

At the Smithsonian

2005-07-28T13:46:00.000-04:00

Well the heat has finally broken here in Washington. People are out and about enjoying the day. I am spending my 40th Birthday (today) happy for what I have but wondering where I should be.

Bill to shield gun makers, dealers up for vote - Politics - MSNBC.com

2005-07-27T08:10:00.000-04:00

Here is an article about a proposed law written by the NRA to shield gun manufacturers from liabiity for the use of their product. While I rarely ever agree with the NRA, I do agree with this idea. I, as paradoxically as this will sound, am a liberal that believes in personal responsibility. If I am killed by a gun tomorrow, then I blame the person that used the gun. Society has laws to punish those that offend. I believe the only reason some want to go after the gun manufacturers is that they have the money. I am afraid to say that this seems to be a case of the lawyers going after the ones with the money.

Now, here comes the place I part company with this line of thought. If you want to shield gun manufacturers from liability, you have to apply the law equally. If I manufacturer tobacco or alcohol, don't I deserve the same protection. What about the manufacturers of the game, Grand Theft Auto. They are being sued in at least one case for a teen killing 4 police officers. Surely if a gun manufacturer is not liable for the use of its product, a game manufacturer is not liable for what some fool thinks would be cool to emulate.

The broader theme here is that we tend to put blinders on toward a a philosophy depending upon how it effects us. We are by nature partial to decisions that have an effect. I suppose this trait is simply human nature. I believe in a law that is applied fairly. I may not like what the video game does, but I fail to see how I could ask for a liability shield for one group and not the other. Part of personal ethics is the ability to apply my ethics in a uniform method. When we start to pick and choose the battles based on how it impacts us, then at the end of the day, we stand for nothing.

I was walking by the Smithsonian the other day...

2005-07-26T09:11:00.000-04:00

Clearly one of the benefits to working near Washington DC is its proximity to the things most people think of as tourist attractions. David is going to summer camp this week at the Smithsonian Institution. SO, every morning we take the train into DC, and wander around the monuments. It really never gets old to be able to look up and see the Washington Monument or the Capitol.

The Doors are closing...

2005-07-22T16:32:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is a car from the Washington Metro. As much as people get on it, it is not a bad system. The cars only drag someone down the platform once per month. For anyone that will ever ride this, note that the doors are not like an elevator. They have no sensor to bounce back. The trains are not supposed to be able to travel with doors ajar, but if that relay is not working, the train will start down the track. Clearly a case where a fail-safe was not engineered properly. All in all, I like it. I ride it everyday and twice on Sundays. Well, that sounded good anyway.

Having Fun with the Camera Phone!

2005-07-21T16:33:00.000-04:00

I am sure anyone reading this is wondering what in the world is going on with these pictures. I discovered a way to upload pictures frommy camera phone directly to this blog. I will try to reserve it for things that I believe are notworthy. :)

The George Washington Masonic Monument in Alexandria

Howdy

2005-07-12T12:54:00.000-04:00

Hi All. I thought I would write something by hand rather than a Podcast. David is back in town! He is here until August (with a break for one weekend). he is at camp while I go to work. I even took a break from school to spend time with him. I honestly don't know what I will do with all my free time :) It is hot as Hades in Washington. Today it really got to me because the humidity is up. It got hot in Salt Lake but at least the humidity was low.

Well, I have lots of things to do. Keeping David entertained and engaged is important. We have many things we want to do while he is here. I also have a project for school to submit outside work for prior learning assessment. This way I can get credit for other courses I have taken. I hope to pick up at least 25 more credits that way. We are talking about taking Amtrak to Florida in August. I think a train trip would be fun. David is looking forward to it as well.

I am going to Salt Lake City for Labor Day. It will be fun to see the place again.

That is all for now. I am working on some new ideas for a Podcast. I am even thinking about doing a Podcast of some of my stand-up material.

Until next time...

Speech about Lincoln Assassination

2005-06-29T01:11:00.000-04:00

I added a new PodCast. iTunes from Apple has a great new feature where you can subscribe to Podcasts automatically. When a new one is available, it is automatically downloaded. I would suggest you download it from here. If you want to do it the old fashioned way, here is the link to my Podcast and then the Lincoln Speech.

Podcast June 21, 2005

2005-06-21T23:04:00.000-04:00

Another installment of Tom's World.
Helicopters in Alexandria
Hooters
Accents and Relativity
A trip to Portland.

Click here for the show.

I have a Podcast!!!

2005-06-15T21:47:00.000-04:00

I have a Podcast. Here are the show notes:

Podsafe Music: Hello California by Salme Dahlstrom

ACLU
Intelligent Design

Click here to listen

The airport

2005-05-31T00:41:00.000-04:00

My son, David was down for Memorial Day weekend. I brought him to Dulles airport so he could fly home to Newark airport. I was fine until it was time for him to get on the plane. Maybe it is a parent's love that makes me miss him so much. Maybe it is the thought that I cannot be there for him every night. I often wonder if I should really be up in New Jersey living very close to him. I could see him all the time and the weekends wouldn't be a travel ordeal. I cried tonight. After I handed him off to the gate agent, I just felt so sad. A little boy should not have to do that, nor should his parent have to put him on a plane until the next time. What a cruel teacher experience is. The things we realize after we have lost them! The things we realize after we already did the damage. I feel this way every time I leave David. Then, the feeling goes away after a day or so. Maybe it is conditioned numbness. Maybe it is defensive numbness. David will be down for Father's Day weekend, then he is here for the rest of the summer. I am so looking forward to this! The only part I am not looking forward to is the goodbye. But, as usual, the numbness will kick in after a few days and I can go back to my forced exile. A father should never have to be away from his son. I so miss my boy.

New grocery carts are only so smart - Diet and Fitness - MSNBC.com

2005-05-04T15:59:00.000-04:00

MSNBC is reporting a story about smart shopping carts. I really hate when this happens. I had an idea 15 years ago about a system that you would put your items into the system (at the time via barcodes) and then when you were coming up in the aisle, it would flash a light at you. I think it is easier than the touchscreen. As with many ideas, the trick is how to produce it or sell it. Hmmm?

New grocery carts are only so smart - Diet and Fitness - MSNBC.com

Only a network person would laugh at this

2005-04-27T13:47:00.000-04:00

Here is a fun story. I could not stop laughing when I read it. :) Note, just to help the setup, 127.0.0.1 is always the IP address of your local computer. You can reference it like any other IP address, but it it always you. Enjoy!

Yet another plug for PodCasting -- iPodder.org : What is podcasting?

2005-04-27T10:44:00.000-04:00

I have seen the promised land and it is Podcasting! Heady words, but allow me to explain. Podcasts are radio without the commercial and/or infrastructure background. Want to say something to the masses, Break out your microphone and record into your computer. So far, that is just making an MP3 recording. The beauty of the system comes from incorporating the RSS functions to allow you to automatically download the Podcasts whenever there is a new one. For more on PODcasting in general see this link on What is podcasting?. I expect all my Toastmaster's friends to put their speeches into recorded MP3 files and we will setup a PODcast for your speeches. I have this one friend in particular that is practicing a speech for a District conference and I would like to hear his speech. I wonder if he knows who he is?

As far as the name, yes; it comes from iPods. BUT, it is just an MP3 file. YOu do not need an iPod to listen to it. Anything that willplay an MP3 (ie, your computer) can be used. Granted, it is harder to strap your computer to your back, but are you dedicated or what?

So, the next question is what should I start to PODcast? Will anyone really want to hear me ramble about things? I was thinking of starting pokeintheeye.com since my ex-wife always called me a "Walking, talking poke in the eye". Wee shall see... In the mean time, my particular favorite PODcasts so far are Adam Curry's Daily Source Code and The Legal-related things that suck. Any questions, please let me know.

Sydney Australia

2005-03-19T12:58:00.000-05:00

Back in 1990, I was asked by Unisys to travel to Australia to teach two classes in Systems Performance and Tuning. Basically, this was a working job interview. I would teach classes in Melbourne and Sydney and they would determine if they wanted me to have the job. The classes went well. I was definitely teaching up and it was a challenge. The first week was Melbourne. Melbourne is a very cosmopolitan city. I had been told it was more like Europe than Australia. Not having been to Europe at this point, I would have take that on faith. (Once I did go to Europe, I learned they were right). After the first week (of mostly rain), I flew to Sydney. As I made my way through customs, I proceeded to a cab and directed the driver to bring me to North Sydney. If you look at this picture, it is on the right side beyond the bridge. The apartment building just to the right of the bridge tower is close to where I stayed (this is a current picture and the building may have been replaced by now). In any event, as I crested a small hill in the taxi, I saw the wonderful Opera house framed by the Harbor bridge. It had to remind myself that this was not a postcard, but I was seeing this with my own eyes. Just looking at this picture brings up memories of simpler times and also thoughts of what might have been. I was eventually offered the job in Australia, but I didn't take it. I was living with Cheryl at the time and we had plans to get married. I didn't think it was fair to put the cat in quarantine for 6 months and it certainly would have been very hard for Cheryl (my former spouse) not working and not knowing anyone. It is not like this would have been a massive salary increase. With taxes, I think I would have lost money. All that aside, the most important part is that if I had chosen to follow the path down under without Cheryl, I would have never had the blessing upon my house that is David. So, let that be a lesson to everyone that wants to second guess a decision -- if you give up a path that leads to doubt; you have to give up anything good that ever happens on that path. To put it simply (how rare for me), You take the good with the bad. Life is not about second guessing things, it is about the sum of your experiences. As Jean Luc Picard discovered, when you try to tidy up some loose threads in your life, you also loosen the very thread that is the tapestry of your life.

Slashdot | Wikipedia Reaches Half a Million Articles

2005-03-19T12:39:00.000-05:00

I wonder if anyone that reads this knows about the Wikipedia. If not, here is some information: Slashdot | Wikipedia Reaches Half a Million Articles

basically the Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that ANYONE can edit. Look something up and if you think you can add something, go ahead. I have added things to the history of the Home Shopping Network, and caller ID (see previous blog entry). It is lots of fun especially if you like to write. So, go ahead..pick a topic and show us what you know.

Oh, and before the detractors say how could you ever trust the information, this Wiki has been the subject of intense scrutiny and the academic consensus is that it is managed well and incorrect information is normally updated quite regularly. When you post, you are encouraged to post your references to allow others to verify your information.

Caller ID is not always true

2005-03-19T12:24:00.000-05:00

I read an article that discussed Scam artists using the ability to specify your own caller ID to fool people into thinking they are calling from a particular place. Now, without incriminating myself, allow me just to say that if you have your own telephone system and an ISDN line, this has always been possible. It is trivial to send any number you want. If you want the WHITE HOUSE to show up on a caller ID, you send 202-456-1414 to the phone company and it shows up on the caller ID. Qwest even bills incorrectly based on the number you send. So, regardless if you have an Internet based phone (like Vonage) or a regular POTS line (believe it or not, that really does stand for Plain Old Telephone Service). I love the phone business!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2005-03-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

Well, my first class is almost over. I gave a presentation last night on what I currently do and why I would want to change it. I don't know how I am doing all of this. I am still playing pool 2 nights a week, but once the season is over, I will cut back to one night per week. I need some diversion! MY next class is an upper level IT class on what for me, is basic IT stuff. Software design, basic network, etc. This should be a cakewalk. Although it is always those classes that sneak up on you. Bye, bye.

Published articles

2005-03-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, my employer -- Upp Business Systems -- asked me to write some articles for a trade magazine. I wrote some columns over a period of several months. These are somewhat specific to the Unisys mainframes I work on, but they are also generally relevant. It is interesting to observe at this later date that some of the assumptions and predictions are just now starting to take root at some companies. The first one is about connecting a mainframe to the Internet. The second one is about is about establishing an intranet. The last one is about interfacing external systems to the mainframe. Note that for a reason I cannot imagine, they just listed me as an Upp Consultant. Most likely because I left the company (but now I am back).

Back to School

2005-02-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

Well, the Florida State Bar is certainly more worried today than it was yesterday. I have gone back to school. I started my first class today (we had a makeup for a snow day). Not law school yet, but it is a start to a Business degree with an IT focus. Believe it or not, I am looking forward to financial analysis classes! I know...you always knew I was weird. This class is to get people back to studying. I had my previous credits transferred and in only 2 short years, I can then start the next phase of my education: Law School!

Toastmasters speech on RFID

2005-02-22T18:44:00.000-05:00

Here is a speech I gave recently at Toastmasters. The purpose of the project was topresent a technical paper. I wrote the paper and then made it into a speech. It is from the Advanced manual, Speeches by Management. This is written in a script format as it was part of the project to give iit from a script.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, DC - March 26 - April 10

2005-02-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

Rarely was there a better and more colorful excuse to come to the Nation's capital! I am so looking forward to this. I hope my friend's take advantage of having a place to stay :)
Official Website of the National Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, DC

TGIF?

2005-02-17T14:14:00.000-05:00

I was in the elevator this morning where I overheard a conversation. Once person said "Today is my Friday". Presumably, he is taking tomorrow off so this Thursday was his Friday. While this is something that many people say (along with many other euphemisms for hoping the weekend gets here faster), what he said next struck me as odd. He said, "Now I can be happy". I must assume this means that now he can be happy because it is Friday (to him). Does that imply he was not happy the rest of the week. Could his job be that much a drudgery that he is not happy? I tend to hear this attitude in the facility in which I currently work. People say, "Only 2 more days", or "Is it Friday yet?". I understand that they want to get out of work to do the things they truly enjoy, but if there is not some joy from what they do, can that be considered a life? If you work 1/3 of your life, is it worth it to not be happy. Of course I understand not everyone has their dream job. Lord knows there are days I wish I was a pastry chef! But, ultimately, you either have to be doing something you enjoy, or you have to be doing something to get you to a job you enjoy. School, training, Toastmasters...whatever it takes to get you into that job which will make you not feel like the only reason to get up on Monday is that it gets you closer to Friday! So, as you read this, please consider what you are doing, and figure out how to get where you want to be. It is a journey worth taking - I guarantee!

The Washington DC Metro and Sheep

2005-01-27T10:33:00.000-05:00

First off, if you are not living and commuting in Washington, this may seem of little interest, but I encourage you to read on. The DC Metro (subway) is a nice system. They, like many mass transit systems, are forever looking for maintenance dollars to keep the things running, but they seem to do alright. Our story today concerns two lines, the yellow and the blue. So, you now have to go look at the map and pay particular attention to the Yellow and Blue lines - especially their southern ends. Go ahead, we'll wait. Map

OK, so you have it open in another window. If you look at the Yellow line, it starts at a station called Huntington (where I get on). It passes Eisenhower, and then there is a big black circle at King Street listed as a transfer point. Note that these stations are outdoors until you get to the Crystal City station (my stop). Very important for our story. Notice that this is the first place the blue line meets the yellow line. Now, since King Street is listed as a transfer point between the Yellow and Blue, you would think if you needed to get on the blue line from Huntington, you would go to King Street, get off, and get on the blue. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, imagine a day like today where it is about 19 degrees F, and I watched people get off the warm yellow train at King Street, to wait in the cold for the blue train. This would seem to be a necessary evil. Here is the sheep part...the blue and yellow trains follow the exact same path and track between King Street (outside) and the Pentagon (inside). The trains occupy the same track and run right behind each other. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why people would get off a warm, dry train to go stand in a frigid, blinding snowstorm just because some map says "King Street is the transfer point". Do people just not think? Maybe I look at things from an efficiency standpoint. Maybe I simply put too much thought into these things, but it would seem to live in a city, you need to have some common sense about things. Am I missing something? Do these people just like the cold?

Rack'em Up!

2005-01-07T16:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally joined a pool league here in Virginia. The local poolhall has both 9 ball and 8 ball leagues. For those that do not know, I really enjoy playing. I have been playing on and off for the last 33 years. Some could say my ability in pool is directly attributable to a mis-spent youth, but it is a fun game. The APA has a good format because they handicap the players so players of lesser skill can win. I played the other night in 8 ball and I had to win 3 games, but the other person only to win 2. Incidentally, I ran out from the break but scratched on the 8 ball Argh! If you like the game of pool and want to have fun during the winter, find a local league. Your skill level doesn't matter. Just get out there and have fun. You can get more information about local leagues at the American Poolplayers Association website.

Test of Faith

2005-01-02T17:19:00.000-05:00

While I am convinced there is a power greater than ourselves in this world, I find I need the patience of Job to see what possible plan there could be to kill thousands of innocent children. MSNBC had an article talking about how people keep their faith in the different religions effected by the Tsunami. I have always believed that God created the universe but the day-to-day events were up to the people and nature. Events like the Tsunami only serve to reinforce the idea that God is an absentee landlord. How could a just and engaged God let so many children die? Hard questions.

Toastmasters

2004-12-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

As most of my friends know, I am a member of Toastmasters International. This organization's purpose is to enable better communication among people including speaking and listening skills. I normally write out most of my speeches, so I thought it would be fun to archive them. I have attached a link to a speech I gave about the assassination of President Lincoln. You can see all my speeches in a page I will add in the future.

Third World Commanders-in-Chief don't count?

2004-12-19T13:41:00.000-05:00

The Washington Post has an article about President (and General) Musharraf's refusal to step down as chief of staff of the Pakistani Army. Musharraf had promised a return to a more democratic form of government where he would trade-in his fatigues for constitutional changes required to legitimize his presidency. He has apparently reneged on this promise. Without casting aspersions on his chosen form of leadership, it occurred to me that the US has exactly this form of government. We have a civilian president that is elected (more-or-less) by the electorate, and is the absolute Command-in-Chief of the military structure. As a recent Justice department memo said, the President has absolute authority to wage war (that is their interpretation). What I find fascinating, is that there would be a question about Musharraf being a third-world dictator when he is actually using a play straight from Article 2, Section 2 of the US Constitution. I do realize that the main difference is while Pakistan's leader came to power in a bloodless coup, the US President came to power in a bloodless Supreme court coup (We are still in the first term :) ) -- Let the flames begin!

Life's little uncertainties

2004-12-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

I was speaking to an old friend and it got me thinking how interesting life's little curves can be. Sometimes our past is never really in our past and sometimes we don't know what we want until we don't have it anymore. I guess that is a verbose way of saying "We don't know what we have until its gone". But, I am not talking about the reason you all may think. I guess I was thinking that while life can open doors and close doors, the ones we have to be careful of are the doors where we stay neither "in" nor "out". Then again, they say the best place to sit out a hurricane is in the door jamb, so maybe there is some safety there. I was thinking that life is a series of constant re-evaluations of our motives for change. Why did I leave the job that I never realized how much I enjoyed, why did I leave the town I now to which I now long to return; why did I leave the girl I now miss. I know the obvious answer is that grass always looks greener on the other side, and without fail, things are always better than you thought they were. Deep thoughts to ponder during a long, hard winter.

I read yesterday that you should update your blog as often as you eat, so I am endeavoring to update my blog more frequently.

Ciao

Arlington National Cemetery - Field of Heroes

2004-12-09T16:40:00.000-05:00

I had to go to a bowling center on Ft. Myer today. The GSA division I work in had a holiday party there this afternoon. I took the Metro to the Arlington Cemetery stop and walked through the cemetery. I asked the guard how to get through to the base and she told me a shortcut up past Arlington House. This was Robert E. Lee's home. If you know the history, you know that the North ceased his estate and started to use it as a cemetery during the Civil War. That is how Arlington came to be. In any even, as I was walking among the markers of brave men and women that have served our country in the military. How petty and small our day to day concerns seem to be in comparison. How late the train was running or how long we had to wait in line for that Christmas gift seems like a small price to pay in the face of individuals that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Without hesitation, nor duty to sense, they gave their lives in service to not only a nation, but to an ideal. And yes, they served to protect my rights and I feel that I honor their memories every time I exercise those rights -- even the unpopular ones. Regardless of the circumstances of their deaths, whether during an unpopular war or in peace time, they still gave their lives. Walking among those honored dead; one cannot help but be reminded that the people that serve our country by wearing a uniform make a choice. They, in many cases, give up a much easier future in other walks of life. While I may disagree with the policies of occasional megalomaniac in the White House, I truly hope that no one ever doubts that I and each and every American not only owe them everything, but we also owe them the duty to exercise the very freedoms they give us. For just as faith without works is dead, so falls citizenship without action.

Put on your dancing shoes!!!

2004-12-06T13:24:00.000-05:00

I went Swing Dancing on Saturday night. There is a park not too far from Washington DC that holds dances. I went (with a friend) this weekend. You get there at 8:00 PM and they give lessons for an hour. Once you get "Triple Step, Triple Step, Rock Step" into your head, then the fun starts. We were doing twirls and all kinds of stuff. It is a workout but it is the most fun you can have while working up a sweat -- well, almost ;). Christmas Cards are on the way...

On a personal note...

2004-12-02T15:36:00.000-05:00

Hi All...Happy Holidays! Things are going great out here in Washington. On a personal note, I decided to stay on with my current company rather than convert over to be a Unisys employee. The pay was better :) I hope everyone has a great holiday season and if you are in Washington area, do call me 202-359-9766. Stay tuned for my most daring expose yet...the secret lives of the NSA!

West Wing recovered?

2004-11-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

It is back! It is back! I was pleasently surprised Wednesday night to see the West Wing very close to its old form. The story by Lawrence O'Donnell actually had me wishing the show wouldn't end. No high profile car chases, or silly ER-related stunts (Here that Mr. Wells?). The story was character-driven and provided the right balance of plot and view of how the Chief of Staff's office works. It was once said that the West Wing was a weekly civics lesson. We who watch the show like that aspect. I hope this continues...

We, the disorganized, minority party

2004-11-12T12:24:00.000-05:00

Will Rogers is credited with saying, “I belong to no organized political party. I'm a Democrat." Obviously with the recent election, those are words to consider carefully while performing the inevitable post-mortem on the results. What strikes me however is that I actually said that line just a week before the election. The Kerry-Edwards made quite a lot of noise about its Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign. This included the use of volunteers staffing call centers to call other volunteers. The interesting thing is that when I went to the Kerry-Edwards call center in Washington DC, most of the people we were calling to volunteer fell into one of three categories:
• already volunteering as a result of a prior phone call
• had been called 12 times before
• could not help
The former two items were very disconcerting. The system worked as follows: the local call center was sent a script with a list of names and numbers to call. We were supposed to write the status of the call on the sheet and this was supposedly recycled back to the National Party. Presumably, the people that were already volunteering would be entered into a database so their names would not show up on the next call list. The most egregious example was the person that said “We needed to get our act together — I have been called 12 times”. While obviously enthusiastic about making calls, there is clearly a demoralizing factor to facing our own incompetence as a party squarely in the face. How are we supposed to run the country when we cannot be relied upon to update a basic database?

Campaigns of today are clearly about information. Managing that information is an important role and to a large part, the party that manages its demographics, will win. This holds particularly true with an essentially evenly-split electorate. So, the best way to help is to get involved. I will certainly contact whomever I need to in the party and see what I can do to make the next election better.

Speech Contest

2004-11-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

Under the Toastmasters heading, I went to a district 27 convention this past weekend. There was a speaker there named Craig Valentine. Craig won the 1999 Toastmaster's World Championship of Public Speaking. Craig had a great style and an upbeat message. One thing I took away was his task: describe your perfect day. How many of us go through life without knowing why we are doing it. What is your perfect day? For me, I am still working on it, but I am sure it has to do with having a son I love and that loves me, and a law degree somewhere on the wall. I am also sure it does not involve the New Jersey Turnpike!

Et tu, West Wing?

2004-10-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

They killed it! They killed it! Middle East peace in an hour! Argh!

I have always loved the West Wing, but I am afraid its time has finally come. The dorsal fin is circling and the water skis are ready (Click the link for the explanation of that if you are not familiar with Jump the Shark). This show used to rely on characters and exceptional writing from Aaron Sorkin. Now, regretfully, its time has come. Don't get me wrong. I will still watch it, but it has progressed a slow, downward path towards simple formulaic television. Not surprisingly, it is just like when ER decided they needed to start showing car crashes for ratings. It had to create drama that people without little tolerance for the nuance of politics and intrigue could understand. I think longingly back to a time when a meeting between its characters discussing the fundamentals of some arcane fact of Presidential history was great TV. John Wells (the common link between ER and West Wing) has really screwed this show up. He seems to have a modus operandi of being a part of a show with great writers and turning it into a vehicle for all that is bad about television. I just wish they would get Aaron Sorkin to write a couple of episodes so we can remember how it used to be. Until then, we will either suffer through this dribble, or simply watch the reruns my trusty steed, Tivo has recorded for me.

West Wing

Google's GMail - The Killer Internet App at last?

2004-10-27T17:59:00.000-04:00

I found a story on Slashdot today discussing Google's new GMail service. Well, it has actually been out awhile but just not released to the general public yet. The only way to get into the system is to be invited to it. I have 4 more invites left so email me if you want one. I have used free web-based email systems like Hotmail and Yahoo before, but they always left me wanting more. With GMail, I continually find myself wondering how they do the things they do. The aforementioned article talks about this. On its most basic level. GMail handles SPAM very well. Most of the things in the SPAM folder are really spam. Most of the things in my inbox are valid. Additionally, you do not have to ever delete anything if you do not want to delete it. You can archive all your mail then search against the archive to find it. You get 1GB of storage to save mail. So, if you have a Hotmail account and find you have to constantly delete it because it gets full, then this is for you. TTFN. - Tom

The Magic of RFID

2004-10-26T11:55:00.000-04:00

Slashdot had a reference to this primer on RFID. For those that do not know, RFID is a method to place a tag on something and have an external scanner read it. The most interesting thing about the technology is how the device itself does not have a battery. it absorbs radio frequency (RF) energy and that powers its internal transmitter to allow it to send back its IDentification. Get it? This is the basic concept behind things like EZ Pass, and my license plate system idea (See earlier entry). How long before we plant one of these in every driver's license. Long live the Fourth Amendment!!!

The Magic of RFID

Yet another trip to New Jersey

2004-10-26T09:37:00.000-04:00

Well, I took off again to New Jersey this weekend to see my son, David. We went to a rather odd attraction called Northlandz. This place is a giant model train museum. It is hard to describe and the scale is very large. Well, the scale of the exhibits, not the trains :)

David and I also took a ride down the Jersey shore to Sandy Hook. It is a beach area not too far from NYC. Unfortunately, I think its proximity to NYC gives the waves that special brown hue only found near large population areas. I actually made the drive in 3.5 hours each way. All made possible my the wonder that is EZ-Pass. More on that later.

I also made it to NYC. It is actually lots of fun to take the train into the city, leave Penn Station (33rd Street and 8 Avenue) and look up to see the Empire State Building. David and I were trying to find museums to see. I tell you one of the nicest things about Washington DC is the museums and attractions are generally free. In NYC, everything costs money!

A First

2004-10-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

Hi All! This is something I have always wanted to do. A place where I can rant and rave to no end. I don't even have to buy ink! Seriously, I have some thoughts about many things and I would like to share them. This way, when I decide to try and be admitted to the NY Bar sometime in my life, someone will produce a blog entry claiming I support sedition. See, you can already tell what kind of blog this is going to be :)

I would like to say I will keep this on a certain topic, but it may wander. My interests (as far as writing) lie in social computing, systems engineering, position acquisition (RFID and/or AVL/APRS). I also have interests in politics, law, science, art, music, and many others. I hope to make this fun and only sporadically boring.

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope to be changing the world through blogs soon.

The Electoral College (Kegger at Alex and George's place -- Mason that is).

2004-10-22T12:29:00.000-04:00

During a Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org) meeting I visited last night, one of the questions was on the Electoral college. The Colorado issue came up as they are thinking of changing to not be "winner take all". One concern is that the value of the state will be diminshed if the votes are cast according to the popular vote. I am still forming an opinion on this. You still have the issues associated with faithless electors as a safeguard. Having lived in a smaller state like Utah (electorally-speaking), I can understand how Utah would not want to be marginalized out of the process. Although since it is not a battleground state, I think we have exactly the situation the Founders wanted to avoid -- notably where a few states are deciding the election. I do know that change happens in excruitingly slow intervals - especially here in Washington :)

MSNBC - Doing the math: How Kerry or Bush could win

Tracking people and things - The perils of RFID

2004-10-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

I suspect most people do not realize what the impact of RFID will be. The technologist side of me is fascinated by it. The civil libertarian is scared senseless by it. Sadly, my own interest in it contributes ideas that I think ethically questionable. What I mean is an idea I had to embed RFID tags into license plates. Yes - your car! All cars!

The idea is that the vehicle identification number (VIN) is in the tag. That itself is nothing new. England (where they are more than happy to sacrifice liberty for perceived security), has actively been looking at this for the London tax.

My slant on it is that we have scanners in police cars. The police car sends the VINs of the cars in its proximity to its central server and continually checks the plates of all the cars near it. Rather than the officer needing to constantly check tags on his Mobile Data Terminal (MDT), the system does it for him. When it finds something like an expired tag or something more serious, it informs the officer with the specific information ("ALERT - BLUE Ford Truck Expired Tag"). Then, the officer just has to find the blue Ford truck around him and make the traffic stop. My friend, Eric Soderborg thinks I am absolutely nuts for thinking of this. Honestly, I think it would be a great system and make me millions of dollars, but at what price?

Wired News: American Passports to Get Chipped

The Official Kerry-Edwards Blog

2004-10-22T10:31:00.000-04:00

Well, we might as well get the politics up front. I am a Democrat. However, I am a democrat that believes in personal responsibility. I think Big Government can be a great thing but also a terrible thing. I am a semi-strict Constitutionalist and believe admendments should only be made after thinking about it for 20 years - wouldn't that be good; a cooling off period for constitutional admendments. So, with that being said, I am supporting the Kerry-Edwards ticket this year. Although, I have said if President Bush got rid of his axis of evil -- that would be Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft -- I would seriously consider voting for him!

I called the DCCallCenter for the Kerry campaign yesterday. I am going to go down and work and phone banks tonight. It should be an experience :)

The Official Kerry-Edwards Blog