C.I.A. Admits Penetrating Senate Intelligence Computers – NYTimes.com July 31, 2014
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WASHINGTON — An internal investigation by the Central Intelligence Agency has found that its officers improperly penetrated a computer network used by the Senate Intelligence Committee to prepare its damning report on the C.I.A.’s detention and interrogation program.The report by the agency’s inspector general found that C.I.A. officers created a fake online identity to gain access on more than one occasion to computers used by members of the committee staff, and tried to cover their movements as they rooted around the system, according to an official with knowledge of the investigation’s findings.Continue reading the main storyFEATURED COMMENTJim R. CaliforniaThe separation of powers implications behind this are staggering. I’m a big supporter of the intelligence community and its very difficult job, but this is u-g-l-y, and the punishments severe.349 COMMENTS WRITE A COMMENTA statement issued Thursday morning by a C.I.A. spokesman said that John O. Brennan, the agency’s director, had apologized to the two senior members of the intelligence committee and would set up an internal accountability board to review the issue. The statement said that the board, which will be led by former Senator Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat, could recommend “potential disciplinary measures” and “steps to address systemic issues.”
via C.I.A. Admits Penetrating Senate Intelligence Computers – NYTimes.com.
Trackmate July 30, 2014
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Trackmate is an open source initiative to create an inexpensive, do-it-yourself tangible tracking system, allowing any computer to recognize tagged objects and their corresponding position, rotation, and color information when placed on a surface. Trackmate sends all object data via LusidOSC, a protocol layer for unique spatial input devices which enables any LusidOSC-based application to work with the system.
via Trackmate.
Hoaxes of Benjamin Franklin July 26, 2014
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The efforts of Franklin and other Enlightenment hoaxers to address public opinion through hoaxes reveals the increasing importance placed upon public opinion and the idea of democracy throughout this period. Franklin was a master of the art of public relations before that concept had even been dreamed up. The very image of himself which he presented to the world, as a simple but wise American rustic dressed in a raccoon-skin hat, was a carefully crafted public persona which belied the reality that he was one of the most sophisticated, cosmopolitan men of his era.
Leonard Matlovich – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia July 25, 2014
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Leonard MatlovichLeonard MatlovichMatlovich on the cover of Time magazineBorn July 6, 1943Savannah, Georgia, U.S.Died June 22, 1988 aged 44West Hollywood, California, U.S.Buried at Congressional Cemetery,Washington, D.C.Allegiance United States of AmericaService/branch United States Air ForceYears of service 1963-1975Rank Technical SergeantBattles/wars Vietnam WarAwards Bronze Star MedalPurple HeartAir Force Commendation MedalOther work Gay rights activistTechnical Sergeant Leonard P. Matlovich July 6, 1943 – June 22, 1988[1] was a Vietnam War veteran, race relations instructor, and recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.[2]Matlovich was the first gay service member to purposely out himself to the military to fight their ban on gays, and perhaps the best-known gay man in America in the 1970s next to Harvey Milk. His fight to stay in the United States Air Force after coming out of the closet became a cause célèbre around which the gay community rallied. His case resulted in articles in newspapers and magazines throughout the country, numerous television interviews, and a television movie on NBC. His photograph appeared on the cover of the September 8, 1975, issue of Time magazine, making him a symbol for thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers and gay people generally.[3][4][5][6] Matlovich was the first openly gay person to appear on the cover of a U.S. newsmagazine.[7]
Price-gouging businesses cry ‘socialism’ after KY drivers flock to city-run gas station July 24, 2014
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Businesses in a small Kentucky town are crying “socialism” after the mayor got tired of constant price gouging and opened a city-owned gas station.According to The Associated Press, the Somerset Fuel Center was a hit with consumers when it opened on Saturday. It served 75 customers in the first three hours, and has been averaging about 300 fill-ups per day ever since.Mayor Eddie Girdler said that residents of Somerset, which is a tourist destination, had complained for years about high gas prices, which the town estimated were 20 to 30 cents higher per gallon than surrounding cities.So for less the $75,000, the city was able to open the fueling center, with 10 pumps and no frills. The station doesn’t sell snacks or do repairs.While the mayor expected to break even on the operation, he said that the goal was to lower the overall price of gas in Somerset. And it seems to be working. Nearby stations had already cut prices by 10 cents.
via Price-gouging businesses cry ‘socialism’ after KY drivers flock to city-run gas station.
Wisconsin -@GovWalker Admin-to stop enforcing birth control law – Democratic Underground July 24, 2014
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“Governor Walker’s latest effort to unilaterally end the enforcement of Wisconsin’s birth control law without legislative action shows just how far he is willing to go to restrict women’s access to essential health care,” stated Tanya Atkinson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. Since taking office, Governor Walker has initiated and/or signed into law an unprecedented number of laws and policies that compromise women’s health and wellbeing. “Despite the proven benefits of affordable birth control access for women and their employers, and the overwhelming public support for birth control coverage, it’s unbelievable that we are still fighting for access to birth control in 2014.”
via Wisconsin -@GovWalker Admin-to stop enforcing birth control law – Democratic Underground.
Jesus Christ! – Democratic Underground July 24, 2014
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Jesus Christ!
Carl Sagan Took My Faith — and Gave Me Awe | OnFaith July 24, 2014
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I was once a devout and sincere believer in the Christian faith. I am the son and grandson of pastors and missionaries. My family founded one of the country’s largest Bible colleges, Christ for the Nations, from which I earned a theology degree. For years, I contemplated, and began strategizing, a run for national political office under the banner of Christian reform.I did not begin to question, nor finally abandon, my faith…until I discovered science. And Carl Sagan.The longer a belief system—any belief system—remains in place, the more likely it is to become an unmovable fixture of that person’s identity. In my experience, most persons of faith who undergo a deconversion experience do so during their middle or high school years. But that is not my story. I did not begin to question, nor finally abandon, my faith until my mid-30s.That was when I discovered science. And Carl Sagan.
versatilephd.com | Helping graduate students and PhDs envision, prepare for, and excel in non-academic careers since 1999 July 23, 2014
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Versatile PhD is the oldest, largest online community dedicated to non-academic and non-faculty careers for PhDs in humanities, social science and STEM. Over 40,000 have joined this site
Backblaze Blog » How long do disk drives last? July 14, 2014
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Why does a company that keeps more than 25,000 disk drives spinning all the time not know how long they last? Backblaze has been providing reliable and unlimited online backup for over five years. For the past four years, we’ve had enough drives to provide good statistics, but 74% 78% of the drives we buy are living longer than four years. So while 26% 22% of drives fail in their first four years, and we have detailed information about the failure rates of drives in their first four years, we don’t yet know what will happen beyond that. So how long do drives last? Keep reading.
Culture Foam: Bubbling Up 