Saturday, February 25, 2006
This makes me want to be a public defender:
Some Advice From Your Public Defender (craigslist)
Some great life lessons:
And the simple truth:
Some Advice From Your Public Defender (craigslist)
Some great life lessons:
You have the right to remain silent. So SHUT THE FUCK UP. Those cops are completely serious when they say your statements can and will be used against you. There’s just no need to babble on like it’s a drink and dial session. They are just pretending to like you and be interested in you.
And the simple truth:
For the idiots who ask me how I sleep at night: I sleep just fine, thank you. There's nothing wrong with any of my clients that could not have been fixed with money or the presence of at least one caring adult in their lives. But that window has closed, and that loss diminishes us all.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Your Letters
An email response to the call for vengeance I put out for my friend's grandma:
Sweet! You scammers are fucked. Pigfucked. See you in hell, bitches.
Hi,
I had to read your ad as the title was surprising...I am so sorry for you and your gram...But b/c karma isn't 'real' and the Lord is~I will pray for you guys! I will also pray for that company to be shut down in Jesus Name!!! Always remember~God KNOWS everything~those people will never get away w/ this. God is the best avenger. The only One we should look to! I will also pray for your Grandmother's money to be returned~one way or another.
May the Lord Bless You and Shine His Face Upon You & Yours Always
I had to read your ad as the title was surprising...I am so sorry for you and your gram...But b/c karma isn't 'real' and the Lord is~I will pray for you guys! I will also pray for that company to be shut down in Jesus Name!!! Always remember~God KNOWS everything~those people will never get away w/ this. God is the best avenger. The only One we should look to! I will also pray for your Grandmother's money to be returned~one way or another.
May the Lord Bless You and Shine His Face Upon You & Yours Always
Sweet! You scammers are fucked. Pigfucked. See you in hell, bitches.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
What the Internet Really Needs
is more websites and blogs about indie musicians looking for a record deal. And more pornography. Can never get enough of that.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
801-542-3098 follow-up
I think I've got to the bottom of the mysterious calls from 801-542-3098. I haven't stopped the calls. But I think I've figured out who they are. Not exactly a case for CSI. But maybe it will help someone else out.
So I called the number they'd been leaving in the message -- from my office number (not my cell phone number where they'd been calling me.) I get a message which asks simply for my Discover credit card. Now I don't have a Discover credit card. But even if I did, how foolish would it be to enter it at a phone number some random stranger had given to me. I figured this was my first encounter with a textbook phishing scam.
I thought this would be the end of it. But I pushed 0 a bunch of times and actually got a rep. I asked her what company she was with and why her company was continually calling my cellphone and leaving messages for a stranger on my voicemail that didn't explain what they were for. She said that she was with Discover -- collections -- and that some state laws prevented them from stating that they were calling from Discover in voicemail messages. I asked which states. She said, um, New York. I said I don't live in New York... and the conversation deteriorated from there.
She asked me for my cell phone number so they could remove it from their list and although I believe she really was calling from a collections agency affiliated with Discover card, I figured, at the very least (after I'd been such a prick on the phone), she'd designate my number for special gratuitous harrassment by her army of phone flunkies, and at worse, well, they'd do something far worse with my number.
So a big fuck you to Discover Card for hiring complete morons to handle your collections. Your on the shit list:
shit index: Discover, 801-542-3098, 800-347-3397
So I called the number they'd been leaving in the message -- from my office number (not my cell phone number where they'd been calling me.) I get a message which asks simply for my Discover credit card. Now I don't have a Discover credit card. But even if I did, how foolish would it be to enter it at a phone number some random stranger had given to me. I figured this was my first encounter with a textbook phishing scam.
I thought this would be the end of it. But I pushed 0 a bunch of times and actually got a rep. I asked her what company she was with and why her company was continually calling my cellphone and leaving messages for a stranger on my voicemail that didn't explain what they were for. She said that she was with Discover -- collections -- and that some state laws prevented them from stating that they were calling from Discover in voicemail messages. I asked which states. She said, um, New York. I said I don't live in New York... and the conversation deteriorated from there.
She asked me for my cell phone number so they could remove it from their list and although I believe she really was calling from a collections agency affiliated with Discover card, I figured, at the very least (after I'd been such a prick on the phone), she'd designate my number for special gratuitous harrassment by her army of phone flunkies, and at worse, well, they'd do something far worse with my number.
So a big fuck you to Discover Card for hiring complete morons to handle your collections. Your on the shit list:
shit index: Discover, 801-542-3098, 800-347-3397
Monday, February 20, 2006
The Botnet
If I wasn't paranoid enough, just read this wapo article:
Invasion of the Computer Snatchers
Now I just notice that every once in a while -- like when I posted my last blogger post -- my screen kinda flashes. I just installed a few -- what I hope are benign! -- Firefox extensions. I haven't heard about any mal-extensions yet. So I hope this is a side-effect associated with these.
What I fear -- one of these extensions or some other scumware is quickly post my data to a third-party site then instantly redirecting me to the site I'm looking for. Is this possible with Firefox extensions? If so, how long before an extension like this pops up? Answer: (if possible) it already exists.
I figure the one thing I got going for me -- I'm a little more cautious than the hoard of myspace users out there. Is that enough to keep one safe?
A great postscript to the wapo story:
The Perils of Metadata (pastiche.org)
Invasion of the Computer Snatchers
Now I just notice that every once in a while -- like when I posted my last blogger post -- my screen kinda flashes. I just installed a few -- what I hope are benign! -- Firefox extensions. I haven't heard about any mal-extensions yet. So I hope this is a side-effect associated with these.
What I fear -- one of these extensions or some other scumware is quickly post my data to a third-party site then instantly redirecting me to the site I'm looking for. Is this possible with Firefox extensions? If so, how long before an extension like this pops up? Answer: (if possible) it already exists.
I figure the one thing I got going for me -- I'm a little more cautious than the hoard of myspace users out there. Is that enough to keep one safe?
A great postscript to the wapo story:
The Perils of Metadata (pastiche.org)
801-542-3098
Several calls from this phone number that last couple weeks -- even 1 or 2 messages (1 indecipherable, 1 left for a woman even though my message makes it very clear that I am not a woman with the name the caller was looking for.) I refuse to answer because I'm afraid it'll be used to validate my number on some malicious call list.
So who are these people and what are they up to?
Google searches:
web
blog
8 Google results -- didn't click any of them as they all appear to be SEO fodder. (No blog search results -- yet...) Maybe I'll call back from my office number to see wtf's up with these jokers.
Update: Another call from number above. Caller left another message for Michelle (hey! didn't you hear my fucking message?) and asked for a call back at the number 800-347-3397. Both numbers go on my shit list:
801-542-3098
800-347-3397
So who are these people and what are they up to?
Google searches:
web
blog
8 Google results -- didn't click any of them as they all appear to be SEO fodder. (No blog search results -- yet...) Maybe I'll call back from my office number to see wtf's up with these jokers.
Update: Another call from number above. Caller left another message for Michelle (hey! didn't you hear my fucking message?) and asked for a call back at the number 800-347-3397. Both numbers go on my shit list:
801-542-3098
800-347-3397
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Leon Wieseltier reminds me of one of those chiauaua owners on The Dog Whisperer that insists on believing his dog is not really a dog but rather a complex, emotional little human being (that just happens to be a little furrier and cuter.)
Why the hell did the New York Times have Leon Wieseltier read this book? From my latest New York Times' Books email newsletter:
Maybe feeling good about yourself as a human being requires just the right proportion of naturalism and supernaturalism. Understanding yourself as a human being requires a little less compromise.
And if all theories and explanations are just a variety of folktale by Wieseltier's lights, it doesn't necessarily follow that a static 3000 year-old folktale has more right or power to explain -- and predict -- events than an evolving folktale narrated with the insight (well, some of it anyway) of all the human experience and natural developments that have come to light during the interim.
Why the hell did the New York Times have Leon Wieseltier read this book? From my latest New York Times' Books email newsletter:
'Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon,' by
Daniel C. Dennett
Review by LEON WIESELTIER
Scientism, the view that science can explain all human
conditions and expressions, mental as well as physical, is a
superstition, one of the dominant superstitions of our day;
and it is not an insult to science to say so. For a sorry
instance of present-day scientism, it would be hard to
improve on Daniel C. Dennett's book. "Breaking the Spell" is
a work of considerable historical interest, because it is a
merry anthology of contemporary superstitions.
Dennett lives in a world in which you must believe in the
grossest biologism or in the grossest theism. Before there
were naturalist superstitions, there were supernaturalist
superstitions. The crudities of religious myth are plentiful,
and a sickening amount of savagery has been perpetrated in
their name. Yet the excesses of naturalism cannot hide behind
the excesses of supernaturalism.
Daniel C. Dennett
Review by LEON WIESELTIER
Scientism, the view that science can explain all human
conditions and expressions, mental as well as physical, is a
superstition, one of the dominant superstitions of our day;
and it is not an insult to science to say so. For a sorry
instance of present-day scientism, it would be hard to
improve on Daniel C. Dennett's book. "Breaking the Spell" is
a work of considerable historical interest, because it is a
merry anthology of contemporary superstitions.
Dennett lives in a world in which you must believe in the
grossest biologism or in the grossest theism. Before there
were naturalist superstitions, there were supernaturalist
superstitions. The crudities of religious myth are plentiful,
and a sickening amount of savagery has been perpetrated in
their name. Yet the excesses of naturalism cannot hide behind
the excesses of supernaturalism.
Maybe feeling good about yourself as a human being requires just the right proportion of naturalism and supernaturalism. Understanding yourself as a human being requires a little less compromise.
And if all theories and explanations are just a variety of folktale by Wieseltier's lights, it doesn't necessarily follow that a static 3000 year-old folktale has more right or power to explain -- and predict -- events than an evolving folktale narrated with the insight (well, some of it anyway) of all the human experience and natural developments that have come to light during the interim.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Paul Hackett, an Iraq war veteran and popular Democratic candidate in Ohio's closely watched Senate contest, said yesterday that he was dropping out of the race and leaving politics altogether as a result of pressure from party leaders.
- New York Times
- New York Times
This tears it. I'm quitting the Democratic party, too, and going back to the Green. At least they lose with principle.
The Olympics Reminds Us of the True Meaning of the Shit List
Heard this morning about Joey Cheek, the US speedskate who won gold and used his victory as a platform to promote humanitarian support for Sudanese refugees. He's giving all the money he wins -- at least $25,000 -- to a relief agency helping refugees. I'm not here to shit on his parade. I admire what he's done and even moreso the way in which he's doing it. He was earnest and articulate in his appeal. It is apparent that he not only thought this through, but is capable of thinking things through.
He invited sponsors to match his donations. So guess who was first to jump on the bandwagon? Swoosh. Did Nike match his $25,000 donation? No, they exceeded it by pledging $30,000 in products. $30,000, in products.
Of all the tacky, cheap, coroporate gestures! $30,000, in products! So Nike gets to free ride on the goodwill and publicity of this hard-earned gold medal by dumping surplus inventory on hapless refugee victims. Don't forget to throw in the free steak... fish.
Go to hell, Nike, and take Michael Jordan with you. Next time I step in shit, it will be in my old Chuck Taylors.
For more information on Joey Cheek and his donation, listen to the NPR story.
He invited sponsors to match his donations. So guess who was first to jump on the bandwagon? Swoosh. Did Nike match his $25,000 donation? No, they exceeded it by pledging $30,000 in products. $30,000, in products.
Of all the tacky, cheap, coroporate gestures! $30,000, in products! So Nike gets to free ride on the goodwill and publicity of this hard-earned gold medal by dumping surplus inventory on hapless refugee victims. Don't forget to throw in the free steak... fish.
Go to hell, Nike, and take Michael Jordan with you. Next time I step in shit, it will be in my old Chuck Taylors.
For more information on Joey Cheek and his donation, listen to the NPR story.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Did I see a sandwich bag full of semen on CSI:Las Vegas last night? Sweet.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Have work curdle
Why did Antony Hebert <CTodd1@quickclic.net> send me this message?
What's your angle, pervert?
know the love for her that had grown up in my heart. It was right
daughter, there was a momentary stirring in my heart, like pain. this explosion; which derived great additional force from the
morning, consequently, we were on the Yarmouth coach, and again express myself, to dwindle, peak, and pine. I found that my
Mr. Littimer, after a moments reflection, that there is anything What other course was left to take? To form her mind? This was
A low crying, on the part of Emily, interrupted her here. She I have now recalled all that I think it needful to recall here, of
down. Cheer up, for your own self, ony a little bit, and see if character and purpose, to sustain me and improve me by; had been
anything but satisfaction, for I know it still had too much anything befell him; and he slung his bag about him, took his hat
that my friend Heep has responded to appeals to which I need not or cleaning; and at the comfortable green curtains, with their pure
He remained calm and silent, with his eyes fixed on the ground, and As the little man put his now empty glass to his lips, when he made
He caught the hand in his, and we stood in that connexion, looking Anything will do. Its only for tonight. Well talk about this,
inn-yard while we changed horses, told us of great sheets of lead one time, exclusive of the company in the passage and on the
daughter, there was a momentary stirring in my heart, like pain. this explosion; which derived great additional force from the
morning, consequently, we were on the Yarmouth coach, and again express myself, to dwindle, peak, and pine. I found that my
Mr. Littimer, after a moments reflection, that there is anything What other course was left to take? To form her mind? This was
A low crying, on the part of Emily, interrupted her here. She I have now recalled all that I think it needful to recall here, of
down. Cheer up, for your own self, ony a little bit, and see if character and purpose, to sustain me and improve me by; had been
anything but satisfaction, for I know it still had too much anything befell him; and he slung his bag about him, took his hat
that my friend Heep has responded to appeals to which I need not or cleaning; and at the comfortable green curtains, with their pure
He remained calm and silent, with his eyes fixed on the ground, and As the little man put his now empty glass to his lips, when he made
He caught the hand in his, and we stood in that connexion, looking Anything will do. Its only for tonight. Well talk about this,
inn-yard while we changed horses, told us of great sheets of lead one time, exclusive of the company in the passage and on the
What's your angle, pervert?
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Websites of the Internet
Part II in an ongoing series
A heady debate over on the playstation boards today regarding which is the more useless website, lastgoogle.com or zombo.com. Judge for yourself:
lastgoogle.com
zombo.com
They both seem pretty relevant to me.
A heady debate over on the playstation boards today regarding which is the more useless website, lastgoogle.com or zombo.com. Judge for yourself:
lastgoogle.com
zombo.com
They both seem pretty relevant to me.
Websites of the Internet an ongoing series spotlighting websites of the internet
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Annapolis
Reading the Annapolis reviews just now over at Rotten Tomatoes. Was this movie a DoD project? Sounds just clusterfucked enough to be.
