Author: cosmo

Today’s winner of the Scariest Spam Subject Line:

“penis yoga”

I was too afraid to open the message and see what was in it…

“The word ‘politics’ is derived from the word ‘poly’, meaning ‘many’, and the word ‘ticks’, meaning ‘blood sucking parasites’.”

— Larry Hardiman

… So the Saudi government has issued an official condemnation of the purported activities at the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention facility, where it’s said there were U.S. soldiers who desecrated the Koran in an effort to, presumably, torture Muslim prisoners:

“The government of Saudi Arabia is closely following, with indignation, media reports of desecration of the holy Koran at Guantanamo.”

I can only imagine the scene immediately after this stern statement was made.

“Okay, guys, let’s go oppress our women again.”

After all, Saudi Arabia is one of the most oppressive governments in the world– always vying for that top spot with the likes of China and North Korea– so for them to condemn desecration of a book while at the same time completely disregarding the rights of their own women is downright ironic. While I don’t think that excuses the alleged acts, it’s certainly a case of Mr. Pot and Mr. Kettle.

Because one of the new expansions of my business involves search-engine optimization for clients’ web sites, I figured I’d do a fun little test to see if I can get hits on this site. I need to pick a word that’s pretty unique, but still something people might search against. So, here’s the word:

chuckletrousers

Here’s what Google has to say about it. Now the question is how long (if ever) this page will appear in those search rankings. And, perhaps more importantly, how many people will visit this page in their quest to find out more about the legendary Mr. Chuckletrousers. Heaven knows there are already some very interesting searches that bring people to this site…

I was using Google Maps to find an Allstate insurance agent, and came up with this one in my search. Although I’m sure the Allstate guys are happy they’re “on the map”, so to speak, I suspect they’re less than thrilled with Google’s choice of web site to link to them…

I suppose it’s a sign of the digital times that we use electronic Post-It notes on our computer screens…

In a complete non-surprise move, the Senate approved the Real ID Act unanimously. Hoo boy.

In what can only be described as a funny coincidence, today I’m wearing my Izze shirt and Rick from SketchUp gave me a nice official SketchUp fleece vest. Now I’m wearing them both, and as Craig said, I’m “fully sponsored”. It makes me feel like I should be on a bike racing team or something…

It only took a few minutes at UnRealID.com to compose the brief message below, which was then faxed to my (Colorado) senators. The Real ID Act will be up for vote on Tuesday, and it’s yet another chapter in the long and sad history that began on September 11, 2001 and continues to erode our rights. I am both saddened and angered by the direction of our government, and the quiet construction of a police state. Though I often gripe and lament about these things here– in my own little private forum– I’ve decided to become more active.

So when I run for President in a few years, remember me on the ballot…

Sens. Allard and Salazar–

As an active member of the Longmont community, as well as a participant in many internet groups and communities, I have grown steadily more concerned with the direction being taken by Congress and the Bush Administration with regard to security and personal privacy. In a continuing effort to curtail “terrorist” activities, law-abiding Americans are being asked– nay, demanded– to give up freedom in exchange for security. As Benjamin Franklin stated in an oft-quoted adage, we must then deserve neither.

The impending vote on the Real ID Act is yet another example of government powers spiraling out of control and usurping rights and freedoms we have enjoyed in this country for centuries. I ask you to read carefully the provisions of the Act (I have) and consider whether they truly serve the greater good. Indeed, consider whether they will actually accomplish the Administration’s much-cited goal of “making America safer”.

I feel this legislation, like so many other bills in the past few years, does very little to either protect our safety or deter terrorist activity. Rather, it adds more layers of complication (and expense) to processes that have worked for decades… and compromises important and valuable personal information.

Please examine the bill and propose debate. Protect our rights.

Sincerely,
Jeff Schroeder

“We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex… but Congress can.”

— Cullen Hightower