draft
Ultimately they could not protect their agent, Assange, from the forces of counter intelligence. Everyone who matters has known that he is a spy for Russia, but if Russia exfiltrated him, it would blow his cover with the many people who still believe that he was a selfless fighter for freedom. So they could not bring him to Russia, the way they did Snowden. And ultimately he had to go to protect their more important agent in place, Donald Trump. They can be confident that Assange will not confess his role with Russian intelligence, he will go to his death protecting his place in history even though it is a lie.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Not Angry, Exactly
draft
For those of you who thought I have been too angry or obsessed with the political issues, here is a correction. Whether I was originally angry or not, I am not now. Now I am disgusted and contemptuous, that's better. As for being obsessed, well, maybe. Its not everyday that you watch your country descend into fascism while your friends and colleagues pretend everything is OK. I have ascended to a higher plane!
For those of you who thought I have been too angry or obsessed with the political issues, here is a correction. Whether I was originally angry or not, I am not now. Now I am disgusted and contemptuous, that's better. As for being obsessed, well, maybe. Its not everyday that you watch your country descend into fascism while your friends and colleagues pretend everything is OK. I have ascended to a higher plane!
Sunday, April 7, 2019
The New Republican Argument
draft
Trump chief of staff Mulvaney says that the Democrats will never get Trump's tax returns and this is his argument: 1. Voters knew that Trump was not going to release his tax returns before the election. (This is of course a lie, Trump said he would release his tax returns, but bear with me) 2. Voters elected Trump. (Actually it is not at all clear that Trump was legally elected). 3. Therefore, voters have legislated that it is OK for Trump to not release his tax returns, even if ordered to by a court. 4. QED
So in other words, he is saying something like this. "You knew Trump was a criminal before you elected him. You elected him. Therefore he can commit any crime and it is legal".
This is an incredible argument. There is no shame in these people. There is no amount of hypocrisy that is too much for them. This is why I say Republicans, all Republicans, are a cancer in our society and must be cut out.
[I checked with an attorney and yes, as I thought, the argument is nonsense.]
Trump chief of staff Mulvaney says that the Democrats will never get Trump's tax returns and this is his argument: 1. Voters knew that Trump was not going to release his tax returns before the election. (This is of course a lie, Trump said he would release his tax returns, but bear with me) 2. Voters elected Trump. (Actually it is not at all clear that Trump was legally elected). 3. Therefore, voters have legislated that it is OK for Trump to not release his tax returns, even if ordered to by a court. 4. QED
So in other words, he is saying something like this. "You knew Trump was a criminal before you elected him. You elected him. Therefore he can commit any crime and it is legal".
This is an incredible argument. There is no shame in these people. There is no amount of hypocrisy that is too much for them. This is why I say Republicans, all Republicans, are a cancer in our society and must be cut out.
[I checked with an attorney and yes, as I thought, the argument is nonsense.]
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Note to Andy Who Lives in Berlin
draft
We have all had to self-medicate, each in our various ways. Perhaps when we read the glamourous histories of our favorite artists living through exciting times it did not occur to us how terrifying it must have been for them. And now for us. They may have indulged in wild sex, taking mistresses or lovers, writing short stories and plays, but we all do what we can. I write my blog, and I review the great movies of old, particularly involving the marvel cinematic universe. I read light-science about evolutionary behavior but avoid cosmology because it gives me a headache.
You are lucky to have excellent workers rights in Germany. And our friends Bart and Kimball are now in New Zealand. Dale Herigstad and Soren Ragsdale now are citizens of Great Britain. Many other friends and colleagues live in Vancouver or Hong Kong. Is there some hint I should be taking here?
You can not imagine what it is like to wake up every day and have to read about the crimes and insanity of Trump and the Republicans. The nightmare that would not end.
I am on edge to see Avengers: Endgame. They are doing a great job of hiding what will happen in this movie.
I just watched the FBI and the Dept of Justice betray America. Its really hard to come back from that.
Creation of the Humanoids! Terrified me as a kid. I cant wait to see it again. Yes, it is the small cultural contribution of Youtube.
We have all had to self-medicate, each in our various ways. Perhaps when we read the glamourous histories of our favorite artists living through exciting times it did not occur to us how terrifying it must have been for them. And now for us. They may have indulged in wild sex, taking mistresses or lovers, writing short stories and plays, but we all do what we can. I write my blog, and I review the great movies of old, particularly involving the marvel cinematic universe. I read light-science about evolutionary behavior but avoid cosmology because it gives me a headache.
You are lucky to have excellent workers rights in Germany. And our friends Bart and Kimball are now in New Zealand. Dale Herigstad and Soren Ragsdale now are citizens of Great Britain. Many other friends and colleagues live in Vancouver or Hong Kong. Is there some hint I should be taking here?
You can not imagine what it is like to wake up every day and have to read about the crimes and insanity of Trump and the Republicans. The nightmare that would not end.
I am on edge to see Avengers: Endgame. They are doing a great job of hiding what will happen in this movie.
I just watched the FBI and the Dept of Justice betray America. Its really hard to come back from that.
Creation of the Humanoids! Terrified me as a kid. I cant wait to see it again. Yes, it is the small cultural contribution of Youtube.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Behringer Customer Support
draft
I just spent 15 minutes figuring out how to ask Behringer in Germany for information on the USB interface to their Xtouch Mini. They make it as difficult as possible.
I just spent 15 minutes figuring out how to ask Behringer in Germany for information on the USB interface to their Xtouch Mini. They make it as difficult as possible.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Democratic National Committee You Have Got to Be Kidding Me
draft
The DNC just asked me for money. After the way they treated Bernie Sanders in 2016? After the recent rules prohibiting candidates like AOC. After their failure to do the minimum necessary to deal with Trump (get his taxes, demand he resign, call for an investigation of the FBI), this is just a joke.
You want money? Do something good for a change.
In the meantime, I will send money to Warren, Sanders and AOC.
The DNC just asked me for money. After the way they treated Bernie Sanders in 2016? After the recent rules prohibiting candidates like AOC. After their failure to do the minimum necessary to deal with Trump (get his taxes, demand he resign, call for an investigation of the FBI), this is just a joke.
You want money? Do something good for a change.
In the meantime, I will send money to Warren, Sanders and AOC.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
The Horrible Situation
draft
Trump, Pence, Kavanaugh, Nunes, McConnell and others should resign and we should have a complete review of why the FBI betrayed their country.
I personally think that Trump will be reelected because the Republicans are corrupt and the Democrats are stupid and weak.
Trump, Pence, Kavanaugh, Nunes, McConnell and others should resign and we should have a complete review of why the FBI betrayed their country.
I personally think that Trump will be reelected because the Republicans are corrupt and the Democrats are stupid and weak.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Camera Purchase Notes 3/25/2019
draft
Too many choices, it is confusing and unclear which path to take. And be sure that whatever path you take (nearly) forever will your destiny be affected.
Intended use: generating imagery to support computer graphics (textures, macro photography, plates), also handheld available light photography, also low light architectural photography (urban archaeology)
Prime lenses only, shooting aperture priority, no flash, manual focus. Probably a roughly 50 mm equivalent, a 21 mm equivalent, and possibly a macro lens.
Remote and programmable computer control preferred. If a Fujifilm body, then possibly the two Zeiss lenses.
Too many choices, it is confusing and unclear which path to take. And be sure that whatever path you take (nearly) forever will your destiny be affected.
Intended use: generating imagery to support computer graphics (textures, macro photography, plates), also handheld available light photography, also low light architectural photography (urban archaeology)
Prime lenses only, shooting aperture priority, no flash, manual focus. Probably a roughly 50 mm equivalent, a 21 mm equivalent, and possibly a macro lens.
Remote and programmable computer control preferred. If a Fujifilm body, then possibly the two Zeiss lenses.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Global Climate Change?
Anyone else notice that the predictions for global climate disaster keep getting closer and closer. It used to be in the indefinite future, now its more like 2050. Well, 2050 is right around the corner. You and I may have kicked off but your kids are likely to still be here. And boy, are they going to be mad! Ha ha! Ooops!
Dear Google Maps!
Found the feedback button on google maps! Yeah!
I was in Joshua Tree, CA during the recent blizzard and Google Maps INSISTED on taking me off the main road and down some side roads which were closed off and covered with snow. I got stuck and would have died if some local people were not there to help people get unstuck who had been sent there by Google Maps. I guess you guys are not too smart. Maybe you want to fix this, I dont know.
Google Maps took me "The Turnpike Roads" in Orange county on my way to Laguna Beach. Turnpike Roads tried to extort several hundred dollars from me because I used their toll road. FIX THIS RIGHT NOW. Do not take people down that road. If this happens again I will sue you assholes.
[Of course I will not really sue Google, but I wanted to indicate how mad I was at being forced to interact with the criminals at The Turnpike Roads.]
I was in Joshua Tree, CA during the recent blizzard and Google Maps INSISTED on taking me off the main road and down some side roads which were closed off and covered with snow. I got stuck and would have died if some local people were not there to help people get unstuck who had been sent there by Google Maps. I guess you guys are not too smart. Maybe you want to fix this, I dont know.
Google Maps took me "The Turnpike Roads" in Orange county on my way to Laguna Beach. Turnpike Roads tried to extort several hundred dollars from me because I used their toll road. FIX THIS RIGHT NOW. Do not take people down that road. If this happens again I will sue you assholes.
[Of course I will not really sue Google, but I wanted to indicate how mad I was at being forced to interact with the criminals at The Turnpike Roads.]
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