Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Trump's role in Jan. 6 at 2024 Democratic National Co...


One of the hallmarks of our system of government is the peaceful transition of power. 

A quick bit of history: George Washington served his two terms as president. Other leaders in our fledgling nation asked him to serve longer, but he declined. He didn’t want to be king; he had served, and knew it was time to step aside to allow someone else to take the reins. 

And so John Adams won the next election. The government officials were planning for the inauguration in Philadelphia. They suggested that when they left independence hall, Washington should go out first. But when they told Washington about it, he said no. He believed that his time was passed and he didn’t want to be the focal point. John Adams should be first, and Washington would follow behind. 

And thus began the peaceful transition of power that happened until 45 took office. He was rude and condescending to Obama. But worse, when he lost to Biden, he incited a riot because he wanted to be king. He would not acquiesce and still complains about “winning that election.” And he alone was responsible for the insurrection at the Capitol. 

And meanwhile…just look at Biden. He took the lesson from Washington, and decided that he had served the nation and it was time to step aside. I’m sure it wasn’t easy. But it was ultimately the right thing to do. He is letting the current peaceful transition of power to happen. 

Ticketmaster makes it easy to avoid events…

With their greed (price fixing, fees, and more fees), and now tracking everyone who uses their tickets it's really not worth going to see shows anymore. 

https://www.404media.co/ticketmaster-used-revolving-barcodes-to-control-ticket-resale-market-and-surveil-customers-doj-alleges/


Space is hard

Another space company (this one from Germany) is just getting into the business of space launches. 

Failure is always an option, and surely they will learn a lot and get there on a subsequent try!

https://spacenews.com/rfa-first-stage-destroyed-in-static-fire-test/



Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Don’t forget to register … and then get out and vote!

It's up to all of us to truly remember what makes America great. All of us!



That sums it up.

I wouldn't normally wear political shirts. But this is one I liked.



I have so many questions about this story

It seems odd that she got fired for allowing fraud - while being left on her own, calling for assistance that never came, and following the guidance she had been given in confronting customers. 

But more than that, I noted that she worked there for some years and she is 70, so she is eligible for Medicare. But she says she lost her health insurance. Something is amiss. 

And then she says she needs to work to pay rent. Because, as it's implied, social security doesn't cut it. 

There appears to be something wrong with our systems I think, overall. She was cast aside for making what the company calls a mistake, and has no real means. 

Big brother is always watching

In the name of safety and security, we've given over our right to privacy in most situations. 

And in most cases, that doesn't matter so much. Most of us lead mundane lives that don't raise many eyebrows. 

Still, it's astonishing what means are in use, and how pervasive these things are. From your car tracking your movements and recording your voice, to the TSA screening using facial recognition software as noted in this article, we are being watched. 

By the way, back in the copa America a while ago, some of the "gate crashes" were caught using facial recognition software. And the NFL is going to pilot a facial recognition system for media and stadium staff, rather than using traditional IDs - and at least one team wants to extend that to fans as well. But that's a story for another day. 

https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/facial-recognition-software-leads-to-arrest-at-tampa-international-airport/