Google Mail

I just signed up for Gmail and am anxious to give it a whirl. I've been so long with AT&T's WorldNet (since the beginning), the transition may be tough. The features Google has built in and the gigabyte storage limit are truly impressive.

The New York Times > Washington > Times on the Trail > Political Points | 4.30 3 PM: McCain Calls Nightline Nix 'Deeply Offensive'

This is a tough one. On one hand, every generation needs to understand the painful costs of war. On the other hand, there are some who will use the lives lost and the pain experienced by their loved ones for political advantage.

I don't know Koppel's politics or the motivations of the leaders of ABC Nightline, but we probably should know, since Sinclair, a major station owner, self-admittedly conservative, is moved to take this strong action.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | US general suspended over abuse

A sad situation, these apparent actions by a small group or Army sadists.
A shame, if true.

Yahoo! News - Dean preps for talkshow 04/29/2004

Dr. Dean continues to need the limelight since having a taste of it during his failed presidential bid.

The New York Times > Washington > Senate Extends Until 2007 Ban on Internet Access Tax

Eliminate all state and local taxes on Internet access for sure, but also move to eliminate taxes on all telecom taxes. This is a sure-fire way to stimulate penetration of telecom services.

Presidential Candidate John Kerry Opens Door for Rival Sharpton to Address Democratic National Convention

Kerry is inviting 'Sharpton the Charlatan' solely to attract the black vote. Sharpton is a disgrace to politics.

The New York Times > International > U.S. Planes Hit Falluja After Najaf Clash Leaves Scores Dead

There is no alternative but to eliminate these terrorist zealots. As much as death and destruction are inimical to any peaceful settlement, if we are to stay the course in Iraq, these military actions are essential.
+++++++++++++++++

"Tuesday's battle appeared far heavier than the previous night's clashes, in which a Marine and eight insurgents were killed -- suggesting U.S. forces were trying to wear down gunmen in the Jolan neighborhood, a district of narrow alleyways and ramshackle houses.

An AC-130, a powerful gunship that can unleash a deluge of ordnance, joined 105mm howitzers in opening up on insurgent targets in the neighborhood. Gunfire and explosions reverberated for nearly two hours, and an eerie orange glow shone over the area while showers of sparks descended like fireworks.

Fires were visible in the Jolan neighborhood, and mosque loudspeakers elsewhere in the city called for firefighters. U.S. aircraft dropped white leaflets over Fallujah before nightfall, calling on insurgents to give up.

"Surrender, you are surrounded," the leaflets said. "If you are a terrorist, beware, because your last day was yesterday. In order to spare your life end your actions and surrender to coalition forces now. We are coming to arrest you.""

State orders no refusal to gay couples (April 26, 2004)

Gov. Romney is right to do all possible to prevent gay marriages in Massachusetts as ordered by the Supreme Court. To his credit, he undertakes his opposition to homosexual marriage in a legally creative fashion.

The Village Voice: Nation: Mondo Washington: John Kerry Must Go by James Ridgeway

Yikes! Someone out there is not happy with Kerry.

Should noncitizens vote? | csmonitor.com

Only citizens should vote.

RCR Wireless News

Broadband becomes a campaign issue. Immediately after this announcement, Kerry was attacking Bush on not doing enough to promote broadband buttressed by a letter to the President from senators supporting the Democratic position. Is it not possible for the parties to agree on anything? I suppose they agree on the goal, but seldom the method, particularly in such a hotly contested election year.

The New York Times > International > Europe > Militants in Europe Openly Call for Jihad and the Rule of Islam

These radical Islamists must be eradicated. What other choice is there for Western civilization when a small group of terrorists inside your country openly advocates for your death and the destruction of your government and your way of life?

Politics News Article | Reuters.com

Makes sense to me.

Yahoo! News - The Times: Mel's cross to bear 04/25/2004

Peter Bart believes the NY Times has covered Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" poorly and is laden with bias. I agree.

The New York Times > Sports > Baseball > Red Sox 2, Yankees 0: Boston Sweeps Yankees in the Bronx

It's wonderful when the Sox beat the Yanks and they've done so in 7 of the last 8 games. Would that it were October rather than April! The Sox always blast off early in the season and find a way to fade in the end

The New York Times > Technology > The real fight begins for AT&T, Baby Bells

Continued upheaval in the wars over interconnection and access charges. This is a very big deal if hundreds of millions are owed by AT&T to Verizon and other local telcos. Since AT&T lost this FCC decision decisively, it's unlikely courts will reverse the decision. My guess is that AT&T stopped paying access charges while this decisionn was pending to preserve cash flow.

The regulatory and legal morass will continue for a few more years until VOIP is the dominant protocol replacing circuit-switched voice services

PCWorld.com - Feds Slap Fees on AT&T's VoIP

Nice try AT&T, but the world is obviously not ready for deregulation. It'll be an uphill battle, but the present paradigm will break at some point. Meanwhile, there are those local and state jurisdictions who will want to continue taxing Internet access.

politicians are reluctant to forgo the $billions in tax revenue they collect. Removing taxes on Internet access will happen as rapidly as the Sales Tax Simplification process now underway around the country, maybe slower.

The New York Times > International > Middle East > Saudis Support a Jihad in Iraq, Not Back Home

An untenable situation with a system of beliefs that can't be reconciled: there are good terrorists and bad terrorists. These views will bite Saudi leadership. Their society fed by oil revenues and this fanatical Wahhabi stain of Islamic teaching will split or revolt, neither a positive event for the West.

Vermont nuclear plant searching for missing fuel rods

Oops! This is not good, but neither is it a crisis.

ABCNEWS.com : Grand Jury Indicts Michael Jackson

I can't fathom why bizarre people like Jackson command such a huge following. Is it the 'freak show' phenomenon?

The New York Times > International > Bombing in Riyadh Said to Target Saudi Security Headquarters

It should be clear to anyone paying attention that given the string of violent acts, this is a global war that terrorists have ignited. More, it's a war for the hearts and heads of Muslims. The terrorists want to ignite Muslim countries against the West and turn this into a religious/cultural conflict.

My prayer is that rational Muslim leaders everywhere will recognize they must reject the terrorists and take all possible measures to eradicate the violent terrorist leaders and those that consort with them. Moreover, they must reject the cultural and societal mess they have made of their countries.

The pain of the Iraq war may be only a precursor of what's ahead for other Arab countries. I fear we are seeing a disintegration of the fragile relationships between the West and Muslim regimes so mired in medieval thinking, poverty and hatred.

Terrorism must never be accepted as normalcy by any society and free people must never compromise with terrorists who target innocents.

The New York Times > Business > NextWave Pact With F.C.C. Ends Airwave Dispute

Megamillions at stake in this case have attracted lawyers and lobbyists like flies. Fortunes made wheeling and dealing with the frequency spectrum which belongs to the public. What a wonderful place is America...always a way to make a buck or a million.

527 surge takes Kerry past Bush=The Hill.com=

Follow the money. Campaign Finance Reform is an ineffective restraint on Free Speech and will likely not reduce any special interest funding of left or right leaning causes and organizations. Money is a form of speech and it influences how people think and vote, regardless of the organizational structure that obtains and spends it.

The New York Times > Technology > Many Started Web Logs for Fun, but Bloggers Need Money, Too

Carol isn't a blogger, but she is an active participant in Airedale lists on Yahoo. This community becomes a place where Woolie-'dales are known and people spread the word that Carol's needle felted-wool sculptures are worth owning.

The New York Times > International > Middle East > Bremer Says Iraqis Not Ready to Secure Country; 5 Marines Killed

This will be a long, hard slog. I'm concerned that Americans will lose their resolve to establish the security that Iraq needs. If the Iraqis are unwilling to fight the terrorist insurgents in order to establish democracy or at least a semblance of it, then they will not be free.
It's essential that terror does not prevail

O'Reilly Network: The Fuss About Gmail and Privacy: Nine Reasons Why It's Bogus [Apr. 16, 2004]

Tim O'Reilly (O'Reilly & Associates) thoughtfully posits a 'network is the computer' thesis. While not a new thought, he sees the Google Gmail offering as a step in the direction of network storage. He correctly dismisses the privacy falderal as ill-advised. I agree with him on this. People can just say 'No' to the service. This piece is well worth the read.

Top News Article | Reuters.com, Israel Kills Top Hamas Leader in Missile Strike

"'Israel will regret this. Revenge is coming,' said senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, whose group has been behind scores of suicide attacks against Israel in a three-year-old Palestinian uprising. "

Seems the Israelis have the name of their next Hamas target. Eradication of terrorists who proclaim the elimination of Israel and who send suicide bombers to kill innocents is necessary.

The New York Times > Arts > Wal-Mart, a Nation Unto Itself

A fascinating article about Wal-Mart's influence on capitalism, the world economy and nearly everything else. Many academics don't like them, but customers and consumers do. Imagine, 20 million customers a day walk through their doors.

And RVs are welcome to spend the night in the Wal-Mart parking lot!

Kansas.com: Your guide to news, sports, jobs, homes, cars

Right on, General Franks. Well stated. The banner on this blog quotes M. McLuhan about politics providing yesterday's answers to today's problems. Oh so true in this 9/11 Commission's work.

"Franks criticized the media and the investigation by the Sept. 11 commission.

"We do not need people to ask about yesterday. We need people to ask about the future," he said."

Worldwide economy roars ahead | csmonitor.com

Senator Kerry, please read this. The economy is healthy and getting better contrary to your message that things are not good.

The New York Times > Technology > Verizon to Add Internet Surcharge

A prime example of the discontinuities and costs created when legislation, regulation and the courts find their best laid plans and systems upstaged and disrupted by technology's rapid advance.

Next you know someone will want to regulate or tax use of Wi-Fi hotspots.

The best philosophy is less regulation, rather than more, whenever that's possible.

FOXNews.com - Top Stories - Europeans Reject 'Bin Laden' Truce Offer

The right response from the Europeans. There ca be no negotiation with Muslim extreme terrorists. End of story.

This is not a war against Muslims. It's a war to destroy Muslim and other terrorists wherever they are found.

The New York Times > Washington > Calif. Gov., Lawmakers Near Workers Comp Deal

When a state has a worker's comp rate twice the national average, something is radically wrong with that system. I wonder what the average payout per person is to those injured and drawing benefits?

The New York Times > Washington > Ashcroft Faults Clinton Era at 9/11 Panel

Good job, Mr. Ashcroft. There can be no question in any reasonable person's mind that 9/11 is the culmination of years of less aggressive action by the leadership of our government, including Congress, various administrations and the intelligence agencies.

Trying to lay 9/11 at the Bush doorstep as Democrats and some members of this Commission and various media persons are trying to do is a terrible travesty. Thinking people will reach a different conclusion.

BBC NEWS | Business | Google's Gmail could be blocked

Here we go. Legislation now proposed to block a perfectly good and legitimate service from Google. With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Legislator, we really don't need your help to protect us from a free, optional service. If I have concerns, which I don't, I won't sign up when it becomes available. I would want the right to delete email, however.

The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Contributor: For Ralph Nader, but Not for President

Ho-hum Howard. Beating Bush is your only mantra these days as though Kerry would be a good President. I don't think so. Which job in a Kerry administration would you like?

Buffalo News - Our soldiers in Iraq aren't heroes

The old curmudgeon, Andy Rooney opines about soldiers and the reality of war. Not all are heroes, true enough, but we should be ever grateful for what they do collectively.

Bill's a Blogger

Welcome to blogging, Bill! It's really not too difficult. Your blog will be worthwhile, I know.

The New York Times > Washington > News Analysis: A Warning, but Clear?

The New York Times > Washington > News Analysis: A Warning, but Clear?

These 'keep it alive' word mongers frustrate me no end. There's no indication in the memo about 9/11. These liberal journalists are attempting to whip up doubts. These people hate Bush so much they'll do anything.

FOXNews.com - Top Stories - Raw Data: Text of Released PDB

FOXNews.com - Top Stories - Raw Data: Text of Released PDB

There is nothing in this memo that speaks to crashing airliners into buildings. Those in the media and elsewhere suggesting otherwise are fabricating stories to suit their own purposes. They have no credibility.

Terrorist Infrastructure - Global Coalition Against Terrorism

Terrorist Infrastructure - Global Coalition Against Terrorism

A succinct list of the general framework and infrastructure terrorists use to foster their goals.

The New York Times > International > Middle East > U.S. Preparing Long Iraq Drive to Quell Unrest

The New York Times > International > Middle East > U.S. Preparing Long Iraq Drive to Quell Unrest

A thoughtful piece, but the terrorists must be found and killed to the extent that's possible. General Kimmitt has it right:

"Assessments by American military intelligence put the strength of the Sadr militia at between 300 and 400 hard-core fighters, but note that it can rouse between 3,000 and 6,000 foot soldiers or other sympathizers.

Already, "We think we have taken away a significant capability," Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director for operations of the military's task force in Iraq, said in a telephone interview. "It no longer is an offensive threat; but it still remains a threat." General Kimmitt said the order had gone out "to destroy the Sadr militia — deliberately, precisely and powerfully."

The Pain of Ideologues

Social ideologies are generally developed by secular thinkers who believe they have better, perhaps perfect, answers to the problems they see plaguing mankind. The grand experiments are applied to peoples, often by force or revolution, like some kind of salve that will create a better condition than produced by autocratic or kingly rule .

I think the reason that capitalism and our brand of restrained democracy (unrestrained democracy would lead to the tyranny of the majority and civil disruption) has had the upper hand for the past couple of centuries turns on the fact that individual freedom to prosper is encouraged. Communism never exalted or unleashed free will and personal initiative, instead leading to the mind-numbing state plan rather than a personal plan as the key ingredient producing hope, initiative and a better life. Our system also exploits technology, sometimes to excess, but it does move the societal ball forward.

I see the sad state of affairs in Muslim societies and realize that freedom, competing ideas and hope is a 'good thing.' I sometimes wonder if Muslim/Arabic societies would be better or worse off without their oil riches?

In any event, the problem of the age revolves around the ideology of hate sponsored by radical Islamists and their followers. This is a threat worse than Communism because life itself means so little personally to these terrorist fanatics.

The New York Times > Washington > Bush Was Warned of Possible Attack in U.S., Official Says

The New York Times > Washington > Bush Was Warned of Possible Attack in U.S., Official Says

The Times is determined to bring down Bush.

After years of struggle, GPS is taking off | CNET News.com

After years of struggle, GPS is taking off | CNET News.com

This is very powerful stuff. Think of the possibilities for people locating...for good and bad, of course, like most upheaval technologies.

Terrorism & Security | csmonitor.com

Terrorism & Security | csmonitor.com

Excellent summary of what should come from the 9/11 Commission, rather than political rhetoric.

FOXNews.com Codollleza Rice Testimony 9/11 Commission

FOXNews.com: "The terrorist threat to our nation did not emerge on September 11, 2001. Long before that day, radical, freedom-hating terrorists declared war on America and on the civilized world. The attack on the Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983, the hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985, the rise of Al Qaeda and the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993, the attacks on American installations in Saudi Arabia in 1995 and 1996, the East Africa bombings of 1998, the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 -- these and other atrocities were part of a sustained, systematic campaign to spread devastation and chaos and to murder innocent Americans.
The terrorists were at war with us, but we were not yet at war with them. For more than 20 years, the terrorist threat gathered, and America's response across several administrations of both parties was insufficient. Historically, democratic societies have been slow to react to gathering threats, tending instead to wait to confront threats until they are too dangerous to ignore or until it is too late.
Despite the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and continued German harassment of American shipping, the United States did not enter the First World War until two years later.
RICE: Despite Nazi Germany's repeated violations of the Versailles treaty and provocations throughout the mid 1930s, the western democracies did not take action until 1939. The U.S. government did not act against the growing threat from imperial Japan until it became all too evident at Pearl Harbor. And tragically, for all the language of war spoken before September 11th, this country simply was not on war footing.
Since then, America has been at war and under President Bush's leadership, we will remain at war until the terrorist threat to our nation has ended. The world has changed so much that it is hard remember "

FOXNews.com Condoleeza Rice Testimony

FOXNews.com

Excerpt: Very salient words from Dr. Rice. She did a superb job today in her testimony.

"The terrorist threat to our nation did not emerge on September 11, 2001. Long before that day, radical, freedom-hating terrorists declared war on America and on the civilized world. The attack on the Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983, the hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985, the rise of Al Qaeda and the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993, the attacks on American installations in Saudi Arabia in 1995 and 1996, the East Africa bombings of 1998, the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 -- these and other atrocities were part of a sustained, systematic campaign to spread devastation and chaos and to murder innocent Americans.

The terrorists were at war with us, but we were not yet at war with them. For more than 20 years, the terrorist threat gathered, and America's response across several administrations of both parties was insufficient. Historically, democratic societies have been slow to react to gathering threats, tending instead to wait to confront threats until they are too dangerous to ignore or until it is too late.

Despite the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and continued German harassment of American shipping, the United States did not enter the First World War until two years later.

RICE: Despite Nazi Germany's repeated violations of the Versailles treaty and provocations throughout the mid 1930s, the western democracies did not take action until 1939. The U.S. government did not act against the growing threat from imperial Japan until it became all too evident at Pearl Harbor. And tragically, for all the language of war spoken before September 11th, this country simply was not on war footing.

Since then, America has been at war and under President Bush's leadership, we will remain at war until the terrorist threat to our nation has ended. The world has changed so much that it is hard remember what our lives were like before that day. But I do want to describe some of the actions that were taken by the administration prior to September 11th."

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > In Google We Trust? When the Subject Is E-Mail, Maybe Not

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > In Google We Trust? When the Subject Is E-Mail, Maybe Not

All this falderal! Anyone who doesn't like Gmail when it's offered doesn't have to sign up. After all, it's free. Seems so simple to me.

On stand, Rice strikes back | csmonitor.com

On stand, Rice strikes back | csmonitor.com

I'm glad Condi's on our team. Nice job, Condoleeza!

Eleven Foreign Hostages Reported Seized in Iraq

International News Article | Reuters.com

These radical Islamist terrorists are animals. They must be killed.

News

News

Eradication is the only solution. Fortress America in a globalized world is not possible. The task becomes increasingly difficult unless moderate Muslims find the courage and support to stand against the radical Islamic terrorists wherever they think they have a safe haven.

The solution to this terror lies mostly in the Arab world itself. America cannot solve it long term. In the short term, however, we must continue killing terrorists while minimizing 'collateral damage.'

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > From Cablevision, Another Way to Carry Your Voice

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > From Cablevision, Another Way to Carry Your Voice

And yet another VoIP article today. With this deluge of VoIP, the state regulators have little chance of controlling this. That's good. Even service standards tend to be less important in the regulators kit bag. You get service that you are willing to pay for. The PSTN is dying fast.

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > State of the Art: Cut-Rate Calling, by Way of the Net

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > State of the Art: Cut-Rate Calling, by Way of the Net

The news is full of VoIP! Here's a grat comparison article by Pogue at hte Times.

UConn 70, Tennessee 61: And the Second One’s Good, Too: UConn Women Join Men as Champs

UConn 70, Tennessee 61: And the Second One’s Good, Too: UConn Women Join Men as Champs

Congrats, you UCONN gals and guys. This is too good to be true. The Athletic Director and the ALums must be ecstatic.

Heeding the blast of Schumpeter's trumpet | Perspectives | CNET News.com

Heeding the blast of Schumpeter's trumpet | Perspectives | CNET News.com

Well said, Mr. May. VOIP's time has come and woe to the state regulator who stands in the way. I must read the VT Telecom Plan to see where it comes out on this point.

FCC urged to keep VoIP regulation-free | CNET News.com

FCC urged to keep VoIP regulation-free | CNET News.com

Keeping VOIP services regulation-free will speed the migration from the PSTN to IP. Let's get on with it!

The New York Times > National > Gays and ACLU Sue New York Over Marriage Law

The New York Times > National > Gays and ACLU Sue New York Over Marriage Law

Well, Mr. Spitzer, what will you do now? Defend the Constitution's intent relative to what marriage means or capitulate to this lawsuit?

Governor Pataki...what say you?

New York Post Online Edition: news Sharpton Facing Possible Audit

New York Post Online Edition: news

The charlatan Sharpton is at it again. What a travesty that anyone takes this jerk seriously. Only in America!!

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Shia split over Iraqi 'uprising'

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Shia split over Iraqi 'uprising'

A thoughtful piece, unlike some of the junk stories appearing lately.

U.S. Marines Face Tough Urban Warfare in Falluja Assault

U.S. Marines Face Tough Urban Warfare in Falluja Assault:

The killers must be routed and eradicated. Glad to see that 'Puff, The Magic Dragon' lent a hand. This is a formidable weapon and lays down overwhelming fire support, the powerful guns built originally by GE in Burlington.
+++++++++++++++
"U.S. forces called out a weapon rarely used against the Iraqi guerrillas: the AC-130 gunship, a warplane that circles over a target, laying down a devastating barrage of heavy machine gun fire."

Anthony Pollina Wants to Be a Democrat

Following the lead of Peter Clavelle who has has chosen to run for Governor of Vermont as a Democrat rather than as a Progressive, his party affiliation for years, Pollina says he'll run for Lieutenant Governor also as a Democrat.

So much for those lofty Progressive principles and ideology. When the chips are down these guys want to win rather than continue sponsoring their 3rd party movement. I don't think the Democrats appreciate having their party hijacked by the left-leaning Progressives. Or maybe they're pleased too because power to control the policy agenda is what any political movement or party wants.

PocketSkype for Pocket PC Released

Geekzone, mobile forums

One more capability for wireless telephony using PocketPCs via Wi-Fi for phone calls among Skype customers.

ABCNEWS.com : Bomb Plot Involved Deadly Chemical

ABCNEWS.com : Bomb Plot Involved Deadly Chemical

Eradication of the terrorists is the only solution to terrorism.

Wired 12.04: START

Wired 12.04: START

My kingdom for a better battery! Battery and system technology is not keeping up with Moore's law for semiconductors and not with the torrid pace of consumer acceptance of wireless devices.

BBC NEWS | Business | Google's Gmail sparks privacy row

BBC NEWS | Business | Google's Gmail sparks privacy row

Give me a break! If someone has privacy concerns about a free service, they don't have to sign up for it. These privacy freaks need another planet to call their own.

VoIP's broadband bottleneck | CNET News.com

VoIP's broadband bottleneck | CNET News.com

Now we begin to hear of the 'pain' of VOIP in addition to the proffered savings compared to landline telephony. This voice telephony marketplace will eventually move to VOIP, but not as fast as some may hope.

SBC Negotiates a Deal to Let a Rival Use Its Lines

SBC Negotiates a Deal to Let a Rival Use Its Lines

These negotiations will lead to more reasonable prices for access to the local telco lines and will keep wholesale and retail prices from falling through the floor. It's good that UNEs are dead. Given the proliferation of wireless (generally unregulated) and broadband (likely subject to less regulation as time goes on) the switched PSTN is dying a slow death anyway because VOIP reigns.

Cable or Phone? Difference Can Be Taxing

Cable or Phone? Difference Can Be Taxing

The tax wars continue on Internet access services in many states. Taxing one method of access and not another is discriminatory and should cease immediately. The remedy is NOT adding tax to the technology or company not now taxed.

Secret bunkers held chemical weapons, says Iraqi exile - Iraq - www.theage.com.au

Secret bunkers held chemical weapons, says Iraqi exile - Iraq - www.theage.com.au

If any of this story is true, it is verifiable. People built the bunkers. They are from other countries and presumably still living. Since he has pinpointed the bunker locations, we should be able to find them. He could be taken to Iraq and point them out if we haven't found them.

Where is the investigative backup for this piece of journalism?

My Way News - The Fallujah Atrocities

My Way News

This atrocity willl get and deserve an overwhelming response at a time and in a way of our choosing. These scum bastards must be eradicated.