Wired Pig's World

Podcast novels: let your ears join the fun

2007-03-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

There's a niche in podcasting that, in my opinion, hasn't gotten enough attention: podcast novels. What has amazed me is just the incredible quality of the content, which is, like any podcast, free. Often, authors record their own books, and they record them well. Read on for an complete overview of the podiobook universe and some recommendations.

read more | digg story

Blog Location

2007-02-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

The blog has been moved to
BLOG.WIREDPIG.US

Why am I putting this here again? Because I can... and it seemed a bit buried in the post below.

Frustration

2007-01-05T02:27:00.000-08:00

After all the work of setting up a domain and getting Joomla running as the portal/blog, I have come to realize that I made a mistake.

Joomla is great portal software but makes a crappy blog. Now let me explain. As a blog, Joomla cannot notify the blog resources that WordPad and Blogger can. As a result I had to manually ping Technorati (the only Joomla extension for blog pings) each time I posted anything.

So, as a result, I'm back to using regular blog software.

You can access the blog via: blog.wiredpig.us.
The Joomla portal is still up and running at: www.wiredpig.us or wiredpig.us.

Domain Names and Hosting

2006-12-21T00:22:00.000-08:00

I have my new old domain back up and on a good sever (thanks Scott for pusing it on your podcast).

The new site is at www.wiredpig.us and is the blog I'll keep updated.

I will keep this site up and running shoudl anything happen to the domain.

Technorati Claim

2006-12-17T00:33:00.000-08:00

Technorati Profile

PrivatePhone by NetZero

2006-12-16T01:37:00.000-08:00

PrivatePhone offers you the ability to add your voicemail directly to your blog or web page. Below is an example of how it looks. Click on the (>) button to listen to the voicemail.

Free number with voicemail

To play the message, click the > button.

*note: This is an ad by PrivatePhone.

I do use this service. My PrivatePhone number is:
254-230-9473 (Waco, Texas number). Though I prefer to use K7's voicemail number at 206-202-0744 (206-20-20-PIG).

Scott Sigler Psyjacked!!

2006-12-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

From JC Hutchins website:

Scott Sigler vs. Scott Sigler
Thursday, December 14, 2006

It appears that Real Sigler has had enough of the novelist’s twisted stories, which are damaging Real Sigler’s cheerful, clownly reputation. Real Sigler is about to get his revenge. This video details Mookie’s wrath ... with a nice surprise twist that 7th Son fans will enjoy.

You can see the video here (in iPod Video Format - M4V)

And my email to JC on the subject -

JC,

After watching the video from Scott Sigler (Mookie) I had to call Scott (Bald Headed One) and harass him a bit. I loved it. Can you get to Mookie and tell him I thought it was a riot?

Anyway, as I asked the Bald Headed One, does this mean he isnt a Tech-Tard anymore?

More thoughts - Does this mean he isnt Scott anymore? Is Scott now John? Will John keep up the same level of writing? Will The Rookie end??? Uh-oh, did Mookie start a paradox?

QTVR tour of secret govt. facility, as seen in sci-fi novel 7th Son

2006-12-15T03:40:00.000-08:00

I cant help but push JC Hutchins' audio crack. This is one really well done podcast novel and its been helped along by a fellow reader who made some QTVR models of some of the book's locations. Please help spread the word, and Digg the story.

7th Son is a technothriller audiobook about human cloning. A fan of the novel created a QTVR virtual tour of the ultra-secret "7th Son Facility," a high-tech outpost described in the story. People can now see the cloning chambers, the field of Cray-like supercomputers, and more. 7S is released as a weekly podcast. This is a first in podcasting!

read more digg story

Best Damn Linux Podcast

2006-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

Chris and Bryan over at The Linux Action Show, and formerly of CastaBlasta Podcast, offer the BEST linux centric podcast out there.

It is by far one of the most entertaining on the subject that you can find. Give them a listen!

You can subscribe to their RSS MP3 Feed here, or the RSS OOG-Vorbis feed here.

Soldier's Casket on Baggage Cart

2006-12-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

Soldier's Casket on Baggage Cart

I HOPE this isnt true.

More Damn Books

2006-12-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

As you can see from the Podiobooks area on the right, I'm an audio book junky.

In looking back over my past entries that are pushing authors, I seem to have missed telling you about one. I hope J.C. Hutchins will forgive me. I've been listening to his work as long as I have Scott Sigler.

JC writes a series called 7th Son. Its a blast to listen to and gets you hooked from chapter one. Consider this: The President is dead, killed by a four year old boy.

JC and Scott talk smak about each other in their podcasts, have made references to each others works in their stories and, I suspect, talk with each other as much as a fourteen year old girl and her friends do daily.

Subsribe to the 7th Son Trilogy!

Best Ubuntu Podcast

2006-12-01T04:28:00.000-08:00

I have neglected to tell you about the best Ubuntu podcast around. Its called Fresh ubuntu and is hosted by Harlem out of Salem, Oregon.

Harlem takes the 'fresh from Windows' approach to getting you into Ubuntu. By this I mean that your learning Ubuntu as he does. He takes a lot of time with his research and putting the show together. Give him a listen!

You can subscribe to Fresh ubuntu here, or thru iTunes.

This is not to knock the post below about the new Ubuntu podcast I found. I just have not listened to it as long as I have this one.

Shoot, give them both a try!

Running Linux on a Laptop

2006-11-24T23:04:00.000-08:00

As you may have read before, I have Linux running on my Toshiba M45-S265 laptop. I have settled on using Ubuntu 6.06LTS as my main OS.

I have the laptop set to dual boot Windows XP Home Edition and Ubuntu 6.06LTS. Why am I dual booting? Easy... my eldest cant firure out how to work in Linux and I dont want her messing with the system by downloading a bunch of crap programs. Its easier to let her screw up Windows and just reinstall it.

When installing Ubuntu (any version) make sure you add the kernel boot option of PCI=NOACPI or you will get to the GDM login and the system will freeze. Actually, add that option ANY TIME LINUX BOOTS.

I was able to successfully install Fedora Core 6, Fedora Core 5, SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10, and SuSE Linux 10.1. If you want perticulars on those installs email me and I'll send you my comments, or I may add them here later.

I just found this cool podcast about Ubuntu. Check it out here. Or subscribe to the OOG-vorbis feed here.

Have I mentioned that Ubuntu Linux Rocks? They have got to have the best forums around. As the question and you'll get answers, seach the forums and you'll find the answer.

Linux Install Notes

2006-09-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

I have installed two distro's of Linux on my Toshiba Satellite M45-S265 laptop. Both installations went smoothly. The 1st distro was openSuSE 10.1 and the 2nd was Ubuntu.

At this point I need to say that I have installed Linux before. I started with Mandrake and Red Hat about 5 years ago. At the time I wasn't thrilled with either. To me there was something missing and it just didn't feel quite right. And I would have most likely kept Ubuntu on my system the 1st time I installed it had I been able to get it working as quickly as I wanted.

With the laptop I installed both distros on I had a few sound and networking issues to try and iron out. That issue, both sound and networking, was cleared up with boot commands. I'm not sure if boot command is the correct term or not. Basically its the line where GRUB or what not loads the kernel and you can edit the line and add switches and commands to it.

When I booted from the SuSE 10.1 install DVD (I used the NON-OSS DVD) I added the option:

pci=noapic

When I booted from the live cd for Ubuntu (obtained from Linux Format Magazine 9/06) I added the option:

pci=noacpi
I tried the pci=noapic but Ubuntu doesn't recognize that option.

This is AFTER I hunted down the options listed above and used some that really caused the kernel to panic.

The only additional edits I made prior to booting was to set the VGA to 1024 by 768. I did this to keep the screen from freezing during the Ubuntu install. So I did it for all of my boots for the live cd's and install cd/dvd.

Without adding the option for Ubuntu you will still get a good install and everything will look like its running fine. However, under Ubuntu you will not get past the login screen - there it will freeze. Under Kubunto you can get all the way into the KDE Desktop, but sound and networking are intermittent, slow or just not there. I have not tried Xubuntu.

When installing from the Ubuntu Live CD, configure your network cards from the live CD and then install. Your settings will be carried over into the install and you will be able to get updates as you install.

The SuSE install was the same way. The only difference was the Gnome and KDE desktops loaded but networking and sound were bad. Adding the option at boot fixed the issues and it ran well.

I decided on Ubuntu for the HUGE community support. I like both distros and would happily use SuSE.

Summary: With the proper boot options, both distributions install easily and work great "Out of the Box". The way any OS install should be.

I should be Windows Free shortly. Well except my MCE machine. I know there is KnoppMyth and MythTV. But I have a $200.00 Media Center Extender I don't want to just throw away. If anyone knows how to hack the MCE to get it to work with Linux, let me know.

Spreading the disease

2006-08-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

Every time I listen to the Infection podcast only book by Scott Sigler, I get the words to Queensryche stuck in my head... "Spreading the disease, Everybody needs, But no one wants to see".

Infection is a truly infectious book.. a must 'read' so to speak. Scott keeps you on your seat... straining at the earphones to get MORE... tell you more about the triangles... more about the voices... anything. 22 episodes of gore, blood and violence.

In my mind, Scott is 'it'. He is the new breed of author that I've been looking for. I was, what I call, a fan of the Techno Thrillers. Those novels filled with modern technology, current style events, and action. Scott melds it all together. In his previous books, Earthcore and Ancestor I was always wanting more... I had become, like other Sigler fans, an Ancestwhore, an EarthCrack junkie, and now a full flegged InfectHead.

Scott has a wonderful style that keeps you gripped... wanting more. Scott becomes your dealer, your pimp. You don't mind... you want more.

Fun with Linux

2006-08-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

I have taken to install SuSE Linux 10.1 on my Toshiba satellite M45-S265 laptop.

Along the way I have discovered that, like Windows, just because there is an update or patch available dows not mean you need to install it. To that end I have goofed up my laptop a few times and reinstalled SuSE 10.1 a few times.

Each time the install was a breeze. I cant wait to try WINE and stop medding with the system.

How to Crack Most Locks

2006-08-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

If you think your safe, or your valuables are safe, when locked in your house - think again. You need to read this post in My Crazy Inbox. It will open your eyes.

Hey coppers! Look for this at your next 'I cant see houw they got in' burglary scene.

Good Books

2006-08-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

I have been reading, okay LISTENING to, a few Podiobooks. These are audio books, but for your iPod. They are FREE to download and listen to, however you are asked to make a donation to the side for each book... and the author gets at least half of what you donate.

Right now I have several on my iPod. Top among them are:

Singularity - An action, sci-fi book about the Tunguska Event.
Earthcore - What lies beneath the surface?
Ancestor - Genetic engineering gone wrong?

I have finished Burn and A Different Point of View as well as having added about 5 more books to listen to while at work.

I whole heartedly recommend each of these books. They are very well done. My only gripe is the end of Burn, I wanted to hear more!! I was really immersed in the universe created for this book. A Different Point of View is a look at the Star Wars Empire from a Sand Trooper's (TD0013) point of view. I was laughing as I drove listening to this.

If you look at the right side bar ( ---> ) you'll see a listing of the Podiobooks I have out. The oldest are at the bottom, with new books added at the top.

Blog Buttons

2006-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few blog buttons that I have found or made for my blog. They sum up who I am.

Maybe I'll get them added to the side bar... who knows...

2006-08-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

Test

Testing entering a post from my Toshiba M45-S265 running SuSE Linux 10.1.

Voicemail Audio

2006-07-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Okay... I've made a few test calls and downloaded the audio, uploaded the audio and now its ready for you to listen to and draw your own conclusions.

AIMPhoneline Audio
Comments: Only one of the 3 that gives you MP3 audio by default. Cannot customize greeting. Can only get audio from the AIMPhoneline site.
NetZero AKA: Privatephone
Comments: Lowest bitrate. Can customize greeting. Can have audio emailed to ANY email address.
K7 Unified Messaging
Comments: Highest bitrate. Can customize greeting. Can have audio emailed to ANY email address.

DISCLAIMER: I have not listened to the audio. I called each of the voicemail numbers from my cell phone. As a result of my location, the audio may not be the best due to weak cell signal. I will redo the audio once I get home and can call.

Free Voicemail?

2006-07-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

Do you have a webcast or podcast and want to be able to have your listeners leave you some feedback in their own voice? Well there are a few options for you:

Privatephone
Gives you a FREE voicemail number. I have one setup in my parents area... and it can forward the voice message to your regular email account. Customize the # of rings and greeting. You can also turn it on and off. Call me on Privatephone by NetZeroVoice at (254) 230-9473
AIM Phoneline
Run by AOL, this is another FREE service. Not very customizable. You can leave me a message at AIM Phoneline by calling (303) 395-6656
K7 Unified Messaging
Just opened this account. You are limited to a Seattle (WA) number, but you can try and search for an available vanity number. Give me a call thru K7 (International Telcom LTD) at (206) 203-3241

I know there are more providers out there. I want to limit my checking and hit the three that I have found to be the biggest.

Awesome Podcasts

2006-07-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few links to sites that I feel have well done Podcasts:

eVeNT HoRiZon
Hosted by a former jarhead and squid... its about beer, military reminiscing and technology.
CopCast
A Police centric podcast. Segments on technology and law enforcement.
American Jihad
Part of OpenFire.us Conservative, anti-islam, pro-American... what else needs said?
The LOST Podcast with Jay and Jack
Its about LOST... all LOST, with sidetracks into who knows what along the way.

Audio Test Post

2006-07-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

Just a test post using Audio Blogger... no need to listen.

For those interested, Audioblogger limits calls to 5 minutes, so podcasting isn't really possible using this feature. Audioblogger does, however, give you the option of making another post when you are finished with one. But I cant see a string of 5 minute posts making your podcast fans happy.

Cool Stuff

2006-07-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

I guess that I've recently joined the 'in crowd'. I have an iPod. Yes, after deciding I was never going to get anything by Apple, here you have it. I feel like a Windows traitor... you see I had always considered myself a Creative Labs person.

Anyway, this is a cool device. Its allowed me to rediscover old time radio dramas, LOST podcasts, photography podcasts and, most of all, police related podcasts.

This is a slick and well designed device that, to date, I've onlyhad one problem with. The original iPod I bought could not, no matter what, be recognized by Windows. I took it in to a local Apple Store and had them look at it. They were able to get it to work, with a MAC, but under Windows it would refuse to work and display the folder and ! icon. So I took it back to the store where I bought it and was able to exchange it. So far, so good!

Turmoil

2006-07-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that, as of late, my life has been in a constant state of turmoil.

I've been 'under employed' and totally borred at work.
One daughter is, on her own accord, doing in-patient mental health treatment.
My bride, as a result of hating her job and the daughter above, is seriously stressing.

Memorial Day

2006-05-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Just a few thoughts this Memorial Day.

Pray for our troops.
Send our troops a message.
Never forget that our service members have given so much for so many. Not only here, but all over the world, for the past 200 years.

Whether you support the war or not, like the fact we have a military or not, dont ever forget the troops who are there. Always show that you care for THEM.

Glenn
USMC-R 85-93
MALS-41, MAG-41 FMF

Breakdowns of ICE Detainers

2006-05-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

As I said earlier, here are the breakdowns by country of Oregon DOC inmates with current ICE holds -

Australia 1
Bosnia 1
Cambodia 4
Canada 10
China 1
Cuba 11
Ecuador 2
El Salvador 7
England 2
Estonia 1
Ethiopia 2
Micronesia 2
Fiji 3
Germany 1
Guatemala 20
Honduras 6
Iran 1
Ireland 3
Jamaica 1
Japan 1
Korea 3
Kyrgyzstan 1
Laos 11
Liberia 1
Mexico 724
Moldova 1
Morocco 1
Nicaragua 4
Nigeria 2
Pakistan 1
Panama 3
Peru 2
Philippines 3
Romania 5
Russia 10
South Africa 1
Taiwan 1
Tajikistan 1
Thailand 2
Turkey 1
Ukraine 3
United States 3**
UNKNOWN 15 **
Vietnam 25
Yugoslavia 2

** Country Data obtained from DOC is the information provided by the inmate upon intake into DOC. Unknown (in my correctional experience) indicates the inmate was unwilling to provide the information. All three inmates listed as United States have Hispanic sir names.

With those from Mexico being the largest group, here are some of the crimes they are incarcerated for -

Murder
Manslaughter
Kidnapping
Felony DUI
Burglary
Conspiracy
Assault
Rape
Robbery
Sex Crimes
Weapons

Whats the conclusion?

Simple, by SECURING the border we would have easily elimiated half to three-fourths of the ICE holds on those from Mexico. We would have saved untold millions... prosecution costs, costs to the victims, families, friends and society, and the costs of incarceration.

Illegals and Blue Cards

2006-05-13T23:23:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the Resident Alien Cards.. I'm talking the little blue Social Security Administration Account Number Cards.

I have a family member who runs a small one-man construction company. He was looking to add a few workers to get a job done. As he was getting the information needed to fill out the I9 Verification form he ran across something quite interesting...

Each worker presented a valid ID and okay looking SSAN card... while the names on the SSAN cards matched the name on the ID's... the social security numbers all matched each other... how odd is that?

As a result, my cousin didn't hire anyone...

Holding Hands With ICE

2006-05-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

According to Oregon DOC (Department of Corrections - that's PRISON) statistics and inmate lists, there are 909 CURRENT inmates in DOC custody who are on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement - READ Old Immigration service) holds.

DOC TOTAL INMATES - 13,254 (100%)
DOC TOTAL INS HOLDS - 909 (6.86%)

Are all 909 illegal? Likely not... are some? You bet'cha! If you look at the list that was compiled, at the link below, you'll see that there are a DISPROPORTIONATE number who have a nation of birth listed as MEXICO.

Yes Canada, Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Yugoslavia, Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia, Bosnia, Laos, etc... are listed as well.. as is one guy from the United States who ICE wants...

Why should you as a taxpayer care? Because it translates to nearly $22.5 MILLION a year to house, feed, cloth and secure those 909 inmates... Something to think about. Where is that money coming from? Why you, bend over and take it, the nice Oregon Taxpayer.

By my reasoning, if we could save the nearly 7% that DOC is spending on housing INS holds (See ** below), we could save nearly $22.5 MILLION... pretty good chunk-o-change for the state to save after all of its financial problems... ie DHS over budget (due to illegal aliens getting assistance), shools off budget, etc... you get the idea.

What is an ICE hold? Simple, they are NOT US citizens (Illegal, VISA Stay, in Application for Citizenship, Permanent Resident Alien, etc.) and have committed a crime. As a result, they are, once their current incarceration is over, to be deported to their country of birth or legal residence OUTSIDE the US.

** Look at the post from Daniel Is Right here. I'll post my breakdown by counrty of birth later on... that way you can see the percentages from each country...

About Work - Cops, Crooks and Cabbies

2006-05-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

On a graveyard shift, a buddy and I stopped a kid on one of the high school campuses. The kid was giving us grief for 'slowing him down' at 3am when my buddy told him, 'Son, at 3am there are only 3 kinds of people out here: Cops, Crooks, and Cabbies.' With a hard tone he continued, 'You don't look like the first two, and you don't wanna be the last one.' After that the kid was very cooperative and was soon on his way.

About Work - Training and EVOC

2006-05-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

When I started in law enforcement our training was rudimentary at best.

Our side handle baton training consisted of an officer swinging an axe handle at me and my blocking it. There is nothing like the headache you get when you have the side handle smack you in the top of the head.

Training in emergency vehicle operation (EVOC) consisted of taking the squad out to a gravel parking lot at the convention center and spinning the car around. Where was the high speed driving and other training I needed to run code?

About Work - The 'Good Samaritan'

2006-05-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

On Christmas morning I responded to an alarm call. Upon checking the building I found a broken window. I called for backup and a K-9 unit. Upon entering the building the dog hit on a mope in a room. When we drug the guy out we saw that he was wearing socks on his hands. We asked him why he was in the building and he said he heard the window break and decided to be a and catch the burglar.

About Work - Easiest Arrest

2006-05-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

My easiest arrest came 3 years into work. I was working graves and heard another agency was in a foot pursuit of a suspect. I drove to the location and saw the flash lights of the officers down in a gully. I parked my squad ahead of the chase where the gully meets the road and a culvert pipe.
I waited about 10 seconds until I heard the officers and saw the lights rising to the road. I drew my, gun pointed it at the mope and ordered him down. Once down, the chasing officers cuffed him as I holstered my gun and drove off. I didn't say a word to the arresting officers.

May 1st Demonstrations

2006-04-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

All I can say on this is -

Fine... dont work... that'll show us.
You DEMAND the right to be here but dont want to do what it takes to get here legally.
I am for some sort of program to allow the illegals to become legal.
Joda Aztlan
For the belief that -
"According to the school text, Mexico is supposed to regain these territories as they rightly belong to the "mythical" homeland of Aztlan. On page 86, it says "...a free-trade agreement...promises...if Mexico is to allow the U.S. to invest in Mexico...then Mexico should...be allowed to freely export...Mexican labor. Obviously this would mean a re-evaluation of the border between the two countries as we know it today.""
Joda MECHa
Why? Because they call for the sucession of portions of the US back to Mexico. From their MECHa constitution -
"...to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicano people for the purpose of liberating Aztlan."

Want more about this wonderful MECHa organization? Read on here.

This all falls under the definition of Sedition -

n : an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
the crime of creating a revolt, disturbance, or violence against lawful civil authority with the intent to cause its overthrow or destruction

Since Sedition is a Federal Offense, why is it not being enforced?

Doctor pushes to make smoking an act of child abuse

2006-04-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

The movement is to make smoking around kids a form of child abuse. The crime would include smoking while you are pregnant, smoking around kids inside your home and smoking inside a vehicle with kids inside.

Dr. Chris Covert-Bowlds is a member of the informal, unorganized and quiet movement toward making it a criminal act to smoke around kids.

Results from a KATU News/Survey USA poll show that a strong majority of people in our area think smoking should be considered child abuse, whether it is while pregnant, while in the car with a kid or inside your home.

This is nothing new... once smokers were in the majority and smoked at will everywhere. Being a smoker I don't mind not smoking in a restaurant or, as in Washington State, within 25 feet of a door into a business. I don't get upset about it.

When Initiative 901 takes effect Thursday, cigarettes will have to be snuffed out in all bars, public places and card rooms. There are no exceptions in the nation's strictest statewide ban, aside from Indian casinos, because they aren't subject to state law.

Not for tobacco-centric bars such as the Ballard Smoke Shop, not for ferry terminals, not for huge indoor-outdoor venues such as Qwest Stadium. Starting with this Sunday's Seahawks game, there will be no more smoking zones, and fans who wander out of the stadium to light up won't be allowed to re-enter, per league rules.

The new law also requires anyone who does step outside a bar or restaurant for a quick smoke to stay 25 feet from any door or window while lighting up, unless that business gets special dispensation from local health officials.

Look at wonderful Calabasas, California -
Smokers who can't or won't kick the habit can still light up in public as long as they are "at least 20 feet away from any path of travel, doorway or place where people congregate."
If someone complains, the smoker will have to extinguish the cigarette or move, according to the ordinance.

People violating the ban will be ticketed and possibly fined. The city said it expects to rely on warnings and citations but will consider more serious penalties for willful or repeat offenders.People will still be allowed to smoke in their homes.

"The only exception is if your apartment, back yard or balcony is directly adjacent to a common area, such as a laundry room or pool," the city announced in a list of frequently asked questions on its Web site.

I saw this part coming 6 years ago... how cruel can you be to smoke within 20 feet of you kids? (Sarcasm intended). How will we, as Americans, ever live without the government telling us what we can and cant do?

Oh yeah... there never was anything called Smokers Rights... Didn't you know it was bad for you?

And we all know that the liberals are all of helping business and the poor... a smoking ban would surely not harm business', right? Pshaw... dream on. According to various news reports the Washington State ban has caused business to close down... its been widely reported here in the Portland area. You can also read bout it here on the To The People Blog.

Another Video

2006-04-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

Another video from YouTube.com

I have only viewed a little of it. Its got a hard right slant to it.
It does show some figures and a lot of the protest images (MX flags, signs, etc.).

An E-Mail On Immigration

2006-04-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

HISPANIC LEADERS SPEAK OUT!

Augustin Cebada, Brown Berets; "Go back to Boston! Go back to Plymouth

Rock, Pilgrims! Get out! We are the future. You are old and tired. Go on. We have beaten you. Leave like beaten rats. You old white people. It is your duty to die . . . Through love of having children, we are going to take over.

Richard Alatorre, Los Angeles City Council. "They're afraid we're going to take over the governmental institutions and other institutions. They're right. We will take them over . . . We are here to stay."

Excelsior, the national newspaper of Mexico, "The American Southwest seems to be slowly returning to the jurisdiction of Mexico without firing a single shot."

Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas; "We have an aging white America. They are not making babies. They are dying. The explosion is in our population . . . I love it. They are shitting their pants with fear. I love it."

Art Torres, Chairman of the California Democratic Party, "Remember 187--proposition to deny taxpayer funds for services to non-citizens--was the last gasp of white America in California."

Gloria Molina, Los Angeles County Supervisor, "We are politicizing every single one of these new citizens that are becoming citizens of this country . . . I gotta tell you that a lot of people are saying, "I'm going to go out there and vote because I want to pay them back."

Mario Obledo, California Coalition of Hispanic Organizations and California State Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under Governor Jerry Brown, also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. "California is going to be a Hispanic state. Anyone who doesn't like it should leave."

Jose Pescador Osuna, Mexican Consul General , "We are practicing 'La Reconquista' in California."

Professor Fernando Guerra, Loyola Marymount University; "We need to avoid a white backlash by using codes understood by Latinos . . . "

Are these just the words of a few extremists? Consider that we could fill up many pages with such quotes. Also, consider that these are mainstream Mexican leaders.

THE U.S. VS MEXICO:

On February 15, 1998, the U.S. and Mexican soccer teams met at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The crowd was overwhelmingly pro-Mexican even though most lived in this country. They booed during the National Anthem and U.S. flags were held upside down. As the match progressed, supporters of the U.S. team were insulted, pelted with projectiles, punched and spat upon. Beer and trash were thrown at the U.S. players before and after the match. The coach of the U.S. team, Steve Sampson said, "This was the most painful experience I have ever had in this profession."

Did you know that immigrants from Mexico and other non-European countries can come to this country and get preferences in jobs, education, and government contracts? It's called affirmative action or racial privilege. The Emperor of Japan or the President of Mexico could migrate here and immediately be eligible for special rights unavailable for Americans of European descent.

Recently, a vote was taken in the U.S. Congress to end this practice. It was defeated. Every single Democratic senator except Ernest Hollings voted to maintain special privileges for Hispanic, Asian and African immigrants. They were joined by thirteen Republicans. Bill Clinton and Al Gore have repeatedly stated they believe that massive immigration from countries like Mexico is good. They have also backed special privileges for these immigrants.

Corporate America has signed on to the idea that minorities and third world immigrants should get special, privileged status. Some examples are Exxon, Texaco, Merrill Lynch, Boeing, Paine Weber, Starbucks and many more.

DID YOU KNOW?:

Did you know that Mexico regularly intercedes on the side of the defense in criminal cases involving Mexican nationals? Did you know that Mexico has NEVER extradited a Mexican national accused of murder in the U.S. in spite of agreements to do so?

According to the L. A. Times, Orange County, California is home to 275 gangs with 17,000 members; 98% of which are Mexican and Asian.

How's your county doing?

According to a New York Times article dated May 19, 1994, 20 years after the great influx of legal immigrants from Southeast Asia, 30% are still on welfare compared to 8% of households nationwide. A Wall Street Journal editorial dated December 5, 1994 quotes law enforcement officials as stating that Asian mobsters are the "greatest criminal challenge the country faces." Not bad for a group that is still under 5% of the population.

Is education important to you? Here are the words of a teacher who spent over 20 years in the Los Angeles School system. "Imagine teachers in classes containing 30-40 students of widely varying attention spans and motivation, many of whom aren't fluent in English. Educators seek learning materials likely to reach the majority of students and that means fewer words and math problems and more pictures and multicultural references."

Immigrants that came through Ellis Island wanted to learn English. They wanted to breath free. They wanted to become Americans. Now too many immigrants come here with demands. They demand to be taught in their own language. They demand special privileges--affirmative action. They demand ethnic studies that glorify their culture.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?: Send this to at least two other people, Help get the word out.

Pocket Blogging

2006-04-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

Those of you with Pocket PC's can now post your blog entries with Diarist. I'm using it to make this entry.
You can read more on it here - http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=4979 and download it here - http://www.kevdaly.co.nz/Software/Blogging/Diarist.aspx

Updated Entry

2006-04-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

This is an update for my entry here.

According to http://www.directory.com.mx/immigration/ -
***A U.S. citizen who is not of Mexican descent and who therefore cannot simultaneously be legally recognized as a Mexican citizen cannot legally vote in Mexico. He or she also cannot be immuned from a sudden, abruptly imposed permanent deportation [without a hearing, in fact] for the opportunistically vague crime of getting involved somehow in political matters, or of being considered "inconvenient" for Mexico. One can confirm this political restriction's existence by consulting Mexico's Constitutional Article #33 at: http://www.cddhcu.gob.mx/leyinfo/txt/1.txt

If you want to read all the information, go to the http://www.directory.com.mx/immigration/ website.

Leisure Time

2006-04-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Radio shows I listen to -

Tom Leykis - Nat'l
Coast to Coast AM - Nat'l
Clark Howard - nat'l
Phil Hendrie - Nat'l
Rick Emmerson - Local
Lars Larson - Local
Bill O'Reilly - Nat'l
Sean Hannity - Nat'l
Victoria Taft - Local

Radio stations I listen to -

T.V. I Watch -

The 'Tagging' of Air Force One

2006-04-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Below is a video that was released on Tuesday 041806 on www.stillfree.com

The video purported to be Marc Ecko tagging Air Force One.

From the Coast to Coast AM website -
In a unique statement about freedom of speech, fashion designer Marc Ecko claimed to have spray painted the words "Still Free" on one of the engines of Air Force One. In a video posted at his website, StillFree.com, Ecko and accomplices can be seen circumventing airport security, climbing over a barbed wire fence, and purportedly tagging the president's aircraft. Ecko later admitted that it was all an elaborate hoax. Check out the video yourself to see if it would have fooled you.

There are a number of web entries on this. You can view them here -
Snopes.com
Flight Global
Many readers spotted the lack of antennas on top of the aircraft in the film, which most readers conceded is a real airframe. The one used has only two standard VHF antennas, compared to the array of aerials on the presidential transport. “If you compare some photos of the two VC-25As and compare the antenna layout along the top of the fuselage aft of the upper deck, there are a significant number missing in the video,” says one such reader.
Yahoo News
After the video began circulating on the Web on Tuesday, the Air Force checked to see whether the plane had been vandalized.
"We're looking at it, too," said Lt. Col. Bruce Alexander, a spokesman for the Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, which operates Air Force One. "It looks very real."
Alexander later confirmed that no such spray-painting had occurred.
Ecko acknowledged Friday that his company had rented a 747 cargo jet at San Bernardino's airport and covertly painted one side to look like Air Force One. Employees signed secrecy agreements and worked inside a giant hangar until the night the video was made. Ecko declined to say how much the stunt cost.
"It's not cheap," he said. "You have to be rich."

Passion?

2006-04-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Relating to immigration and students skipping school - (found on YouTube.com)

Anti Immigration Video

2006-04-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

From the blog of Victoria Taft I found this video. I uploaded it to YouTube to allow people to see it.

From Victoria - "Find the video here. Here's what you can do: Show state lawmakers you want them to stop aiding and abetting illegal aliens. "

DO NOT allow school kids the day off from school to protest. Do not allow kids to raise foreign flags at schools OVER the US flag. Am I for the criminalization of those already here? Im not sure if we can afford (literally) to do that... am I for Guest Worker status? Not sure. Am I for building a wall or placing troops on the border, YES.

Why do the illegals claim they have rights (they are here illegaly right?) to stay and work? You sure cant get into or stay in Mexico this easily... Mexico even refuses to extradite cop killers back to California to stand trial. Screw Mexico. I'll update this entry once I get home and have access to my book marks there.

Border Issue

2006-01-25T15:54:00.000-08:00

I say we need to SECURE the border. As a cop who started off his career in Texas - kudos to the Texas LEO's for seeing they were out gunned and not getting themselves killed.

According to the article -

Mexico insisted Wednesday that men in Mexican
military-style uniforms were drugsmugglers, not Mexican soldiers.

Mexico's presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said the FBI supported that view, but he gave no evidence of the claim.

In light of the recent articles by, as I recall, Arizona papers who listed OVER 200 border 'incursions' by Mexican troops into the US - this just adds to it.

Solution - PUT TROOPS ON THE BORDER. I dont make that comment lightly. I see the border issue as a major national security issue and it needs to be treated as such.

Now it comes out that Mexico and El Presidente V. Fox are going to provide maps for the illegal border crossers to use to help them in gaining entry into the US.
"We recognise the right of every country to define its
migration policy, but at the same time nothing can be above basic human rights," said Mauricio Farah, of the commission, which is technically independent but government-funded.

"Our intention is not to encourage migration but to save lives."

When has ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT provided such information to its citizens to help them ILLEGALLY ENTER another sovereign nation? Or does Mexico not believe that the United States is sovereign?

Does this not constitute a willful and wanton violation of our national security by a foreign government or government sponsored organization?

I know its been awhile..

2006-01-25T15:49:00.000-08:00

I've been cheating on my blog here with another blog.. I feel dirty, yet exhilerated.

I promise to make ammends and post more here.

Love this blog...

2006-01-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

Check it out.

Marines in Action

2005-12-18T14:36:00.000-08:00

I found this video and thought I'd pass it along to you. It was taken by a Marine Combat Correspondent in Fallujah from Nov. 7 thru the 25th 2004 and it follows Marines of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1. You will need Macromedia's Shockwave Flash player to view.

Blogging Cartoon

2005-11-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

I saw this cartoon and thought it was a hoot. I love the 'Next Blog' feature here at Blogger. I find a ton of neat stuff, thoughtful items and down right disturbing content. This entry falls into the first. Mike is a down right tallented cartoonist. Check out all of his toons to date at Ipso Fact Cartoon Blog.

Oh, and thank you Mike... this is my 100th post!

Disposable Income...

2005-11-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

I was reading in CNN about a High End cell phone. This is not your usual $600 or even $1000.00 uber phone.. we are talking a phone for the rich and famous (or infamous).
The phone made by Nokia subsidiary Vertu is going for $84,000.

From the CNN report -
Cased in precious metals such as platinum and gold and boasting features such as a sapphire crystal screen and jeweled bearings under each key, Vertu phones, the company says, are handmade to "set the standard for exquisitely crafted, high quality, luxury mobile communication."

Verto also sells a slightly less expensive model, sans the jewels, for $31,850.00. This model, the Signature Standard Platinum is described by one high end retailer as, "With its deep cool lustre and distinctive weight, platinum exudes substance and style. Rarity and beauty matched by strength; there is simply no substitute for the ultimate in precious metals. "

With it being GSM and a 1000 number phone book, I guess its a steal if you have the money. Not to sound mean, I actuall think this is quite funny, the Vertu line starts at $4900.00. But, accroeding to CNN, the Vertu line isnt that impressive as a phone, But despite its obvious glamour, Vertu has done little to impress phone experts. "They are basically nothing more than a bit of bling," Dan Maudsley, a journalist for Britain's What Mobile magazine told CNN.

There is a Vienna-based craftsman who plans on creating the first One Million Dollar cell phone. "It will feature solid gold parts with an exterior covered with 2,590 natural blue diamonds, some of the rarest jewels on Earth," he said.

Good luck on that one... Lord knows I wont be spending money on it... $500.00 is bad enough, and FREE is better.

Linux and Windows

2005-10-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm to much of a Windows person. I cant seem to figure out how to get Linux to work like I want it to. As a result, I've about given up on using it.

All I wanted to do was set up a web server for my family to use internally and for family/friends to be able to use externally to see photo's of the kids and news from us.

What I have done so far is instal about 4 flavors of linux and not be happy with any. Maybe I'm just to dense and dumbed down after dealing with windows PC's for years. I just cant figure it out. Installing packages with RPM used to be a breeze, but under the ditro's I tried, it doesnt work like I remeber it working. I want to be able to install and configure it like I can with nasty 'ole windows.

What I want to do, and know I can with a windows based system, is:

Install two PC boxes with server software or Windows XP.
Remotely attach those boxes to my home network with a wireless bridge.
Use existing domain names to point to my home network for outside access.

The wireless bridge I plan on using is a Linksys WRT55GS with DD-WRT's modified firmware. This will allow the use of the WRT as a wirless bridge at 54mb/s connection. Not as fast as an ethernet connection, but still quick enough.

I'll also be able to use a lot of open source and or free ASP based software on the server. This will be used to host my images, a family blog, portal, a Wiki and anything else I want to do on it. And, with the servers at home, I dont have to pay a hosting company... but thats another topic.

I really wanted to go Open Source on my home computers and I'm ashamed I'm not. But for ease of use, it looks like I'm stuck with Microsoft for now.

Hell, maybe next year...

Moving Content

2005-10-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

I'm moving this from the top banner on the blog to an entry. Why? Because I can. I still feel that this is a VERY usefull internet tool and needs to be adopted by MORE sites.

Code Amber is great and needs to become widely accepted. The code to add to your site. Pop over to Code Amber and take a look.

Playing with translations...

2005-10-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

I used to do this all the time.. type a phrase into a web translation service (like Googles) and see what you get after passing it from English, thru a few other languages and back into English... it can be a bit fun, though nerdy.

I typed, "I love to blog. Therefore I am.". Starting in English and running thru German, French, English, Korean, back to English in the end, got, "It likes the blog which is born. Inevitable I }am{."

And the ever popular, "Please keep off the grass". Translated from English to Japanese, English, Chinese and back to English giving us, "Separation maintenance from this grass."

And we wonder WHY people dont understand each other.

Bowling..

2005-10-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

I've joined a league and my average is 117. We're playing with a 200 average and the max handicap of 75. So I'm maxed out, which is bad for me and good for the team. Monday I bowled a 164, 144 and a 154. I'm pleased that I finally found my spot on the lane. Now if I can just keep it up.

Whats Your Blog Worth?

2005-10-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

My blog is worth $1,129.08.
How much is your blog worth?

So then I checked my OTHER blog.. :-(...

My OTHER blog is worth $0.00.
How much is your blog worth?

Found at Lamberry Mer

The Lottery and ABC's LOST

2005-10-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that a lot of people have NO imagineation when it comes to picking their own lottery numbers. PowerBall lets you lick 5 numbers plus a power ball number. A lot of the cluless have decided to use the numbers that L.O.S.T. character Hurley (Hugo) used when he won his lotto. Those numbers, if you and half the people out there want to split the pot, are 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42.

You should look at the blogs on this... here, here, and here.

C'Mon people... I'm a HUGE L.O.S.T. fan (no Hurley pun intended) but GET A GRIP... I knew I wasnt the only one who thought this was dumb...

Clicking Away

2005-10-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

While hopping from blog to blog I came across an interesting gossip site. So if you need your fill of celebrity gossip, check out Salacious Gossip Girl's site.

Sums it up...

2005-10-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Mark over at Dont Try This At Home puts it all in perspective with this post.

Playing with Linux

2005-10-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

I have an older machine... Its a 1Ghz Duron... that I want to put Linux on. I have downloaded several different distributions to play with and see whish I like better. The distro's I have, in no particular order are -

Fedora Core 4
KNOPPIX 4 (Live CD)

and I'll be damn if I cant recall the other versions I have... Doesn't that beat all? Guess that's what I get for blogging at work.

I haven't installed any of the distro's yet... Though I have played with the Live CD's on my laptop to get an idea for the look and feel I want.

I've used Fedora before and like it, along with Mandrake (cant find a link for it now). KNOPPIX is Debian based.. I just don't know...

Anyone have any suggestions for a Linix newbie?

Update

2005-10-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

Today I FINALLY edited the code for the blog. I know its nothing major, but its something. The Amber Alert at the top of the page was hidden by the Blogger banner. Not that I'm anti banners, just when it covers content I feel is damn important.

Be safe!

Amazed

2005-10-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

Here I am, at work no less, reading thru the blogs here on Blogspot and it hits me... dont people sleep? I know I'm not asleep... I have an excuse... I'm at work.

I started scanning at 2 ish Left Coast Time (thats pacific to those out of the loop) and I was reading all these blogs that have been updated today. WOW... either people dont sleep or they get right up and blog... okay... so thats not a bad thing...

I suggest you click on the NEXT BLOG in the upper right when your done here... there are some amazing sites to read and see. Really cool images (aside from the P*ssy Friday page I found). There area a lot of talented individuals out there telling you all about life... and sadly, quite a few really disturbed people as well.

People are taling about -
Dog Flu http://sweetspicymama.blogspot.com/2005/10/dog-flu.html
Their Pets in Photos http://saishphotography.blogspot.com/2005_10_01_saishphotography_archive.html
Jokes http://wayno23.blogspot.com/2005/10/johnny_15.html
Shania Twain http://shaniatwain18p.blogspot.com/2005/10/online-shania-twain-information-about_15.html

With all this.. there is still more (duh) that I cant read.. I need to learn -
Spanish, Russain, German, Italian and a few others to get the jist of what all the Blogger bloggers are typing about...

Take a look for yourself.

People

2005-10-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

I was visiting my daughters and had taken them to a rather busy McDonald's for lunch. The crew working were having a bad day and orders were delayed. I was being my usual mellow self while a guy ahead of me was getting impatient (as happens when you take the entire soccer team to lunch).

I watched as my tray and order slip were placed together. The guy ahead of me ASSUMES the tray is his and begins EATING THE FRIES off the tray. I casually mention that it's MY order there. The guy doesn't even say sorry... ass.

Craig Martelle: FEMA is not a first responder

2005-09-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

Why the slow fed response to Katrina? Read the article...

About time...

2005-09-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

This, to me, is how it should work. Congrats to the members of CBP to did this!!!

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Yves St. Laurent and Tommy Hilfiger labels may be phony, but the thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims getting knockoff items seized by federal customs officials probably don't mind.

Displaced survivors in the Houston Astrodome can choose from counterfeit and abandoned clothing, toys, and even dog food.

More than 100,000 items were quickly taken from warehouses and more will follow, said Kristi Clemens, spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection division.

Get your Miranda Warning Strait....

2005-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Here you have a child killer who GETS OFF due to the bad Miranda warning he was read... go figure...

The warning, which said suspects "have the right to talk with a lawyer and have a lawyer present before any questioning," failed to spell out that defendants also had the right to an attorney "during" police interrogation as well. It was corrected in November 2002.

Online in New Orleans

2005-09-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

I came across this on Wired.com...

There is a web hosting and colocation company that is STILL online in NOLA. DirectNIC and their sister company Zipa (the co-location company) have been up and running without fail all durring the storm and its current state of crisis. With their ability to communitcate with those outside NOLA, they are quick to put to use. DirectNIC's "crisis manager," Michael "Interdictor" Barnett, updates his Live Journal continually with on-the-street reports.

New Orleans Police Stories

2005-09-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

Law Officers, Overwhelmed, Are Quitting the Force

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 3 - Reeling from the chaos of this overwhelmed city, at least 200 New Orleans police officers have walked away from their jobs and two have committed suicide, police officials said on Saturday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/national/nationalspecial/04police.html

Kiwi cop one of six remaining in Katrina aftermath

In the City of Vultures, a New Zealander is one of the few remaining police officers who has stayed behind to protect the helpless.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10343934

PUBLIC SAFETY: Official channels confuse; police go south anyway

Detroit area police agencies are on their way to help hurricane victims in the South, despite Michigan emergency management officials' requests that they stay put. The action illustrates the confusion stemming from a national emergency system that local law enforcement officials say isn't working.
http://www.freep.com/news/metro/kcops3e_20050903.htm

New Orleans Police Dodge Bullets to Save Stranded Residents

Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Ned Tolliver, an assistant pastor and reserve New Orleans police officer, has seen more than he imagined since he and a partner began personally rescuing almost 1,000 people trapped by the waters of Hurricane Katrina.
http://tinyurl.com/8yo9g

Orleans Cops

2005-09-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

This link was passed onto me. It shows what some of the NOLA cops are going thru daily and their stress levels.

http://mfile.akamai.com/12912/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2005/0903/4932666.200k.asx

More on the looters

2005-09-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

This was taken off of NBC News.

Its must be okay, the cops are doing it too...

http://www.zippyvideos.com/8911023771013466/countdown-looting-in-walmart.wmv

Can You Imagine??

2005-08-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

For those of us removed by distance from the effects of Hurricane Katrina its hard to imagine what the devastation really is. Okay, New Orleans is flooding and twenty-five thousand people are being relocated from the Super Dome to the Astro Dome 300 miles away. That we keep seeing... ad-nausium.

What about the damage and total destruction in Mississippi? Not much from outside Biloxi on the news that I've seen. So, to bring it into perspective I point you to WLBT NBC affiliate channel 3. Once your at the site, Follow the links SkyCopter Gulf Coast Damage: 3rd Trip and Skycopter on the Gulf Coast--Second Tour on the main page.

I am not downplaying the damage and suffering in NO, only that there is MORE to the story.

Gas Prices

2005-08-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

With the loss of the use of the New Orleans oil port, gas prices are rising... Just look at the prices around the country (look right and you can see the current gas prices...)

Why am I commenting on this? Easy.. I started a job this last week that has a 40 mile commute one way... if the prices go up, I'll have to quit the job because I cant afford to pour my checks into my gas tank.

Disaster

2005-08-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Why is it when disaster strikes people seem to be caught off guard? Is it the, "It cant happen here" attitude? When you roll the dice, you don't get lucky that often people.

At least one American Ally has offered help to the US in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. That country is Germany.

Kudos!! The US Navy and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group was preparing to sail from Norfolk, Va., loaded with disaster response equipment and was expected to reach the Louisiana coast in five days, officials said. The group consists of USS Iwo Jima, USS Shreveport, USS Tortuga and USNS Arctic.
They will join members of the Army, Coast Guard, Airforce and National Guard who are already en route or on scene to assist. The USS Bataan is already enroute from its Texas port. Additionally the hospital ship USNS Comfort was preparing to leave Baltimore to bring medical assistance to the Gulf region and was expected to reach the area in seven days, officials said.

With all that is happening, please pray for the people of New Orleans. I dont care if you belive in the power of prayer or not.

'Tis a Wonderful World...

2005-08-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

This makes me personally and professionally sick.

Even a Cop joins the Looting

Law enforcement efforts to contain the emergency left by Katrina slipped into chaos in parts of New Orleans Tuesday with some police officers and firefighters joining looters in picking stores clean.
...
Some officers joined in taking whatever they could, including one New Orleans cop who loaded a shopping cart with a compact computer and a 27-inch flat screen television.
...
At least one officer tried futilely to control a looter through shame.“When they say take what you need, that doesn’t mean an f-ing TV,” the officer shouted to a looter. “This is a hurricane, not a free-for-all.”
...
Inside the store, one woman was stocking up on make-up. She said she took comfort in watching police load up their own carts. “It must be legal,” she said. “The police are here taking stuff, too.”

[Click the link above for the full story.]

At least a few of the coppers did the right thing. When all is said and dane, I say hang the bastard cops. WE SET THE EXAMPLE... nothing in my oath or commission made me believe I was better than anyone else or above the law.

Shipping..

2005-08-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

Yeah!! Whoo hoo!!!! My daughters desktop is finally shipping today!! Which means I need to be home tomorrow to get it... hmm...

Have a good weekend!

Dells Reprieve

2005-08-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

As you will recall, Dell cancelled my order on the 12th and reordered everything.

On 8/12 the GPS shipped and arrived on 8/15. The Axim shipped on 8/15 and arrived today. I would have had it on 8/16 if I was home when FedEx came by.

I am pleased with the resolution. After my 1st email to Dell I was given an upgrade to next day delivery. After my last email I was given a $50.00 concession.

Dell's CSR's are good. Dell's ordering process still sucks.

My Dimension 2400 is in the 'Boxing' stage... where its been since 8/15...

Ultimate Frustration

2005-08-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

First I need to state that I am 'Pro Dell'. I love the company's products.

Now, for my frustration...

Before getting the 'Order Delayed' email from Dell, I emailed and asked WHY it was taking 2 weeks to build and ship a PC, printer and Pocket PC. That topic is here.

Today I sent dell the following -

Can you tell me EXACTLY what "promotional item included in your recent order" is delaying the shipment? Its in either order 49501XXX, 49501XXX, or 49501XXX.
Is it the Axim X50v 2200mah battery, the Dell Printer or something else??

To which I was sent -

You are receiving a new order confirmation because it was necessary to cancel and re-enter your order to prevent further delay. If you have any questions or want to cancel the order, please contact us at 800.915.3355 ext 7243784 option 2.

This got me upset.. now the order is even FURTHER OUT!!! So I fired off the following. (I need to say that the rep who emailed me was spot on, I"m not pissed that he did what he did, just that I keep getting my order pushed back and back. KUDOS to Jose... Dell can bite me.)

Jose,

First, I would like to thank you for your proactive response to my email.
Assisting me in avoiding further delay is greatly appreciated.

Second, I wish to state that I am disappointed in Dell's processing of my order. My disappointment isn't directed at you. Please feel free to pass on my comments below to whomever at Dell would be the most appropriate.

Having ship dates slip from 8/9/2005 to 8/16/2005 to (hopefully) 8/22/2005 and 8/29/2005 with a wait time of 34 days from order to arrival at my house (should it ship on its tentative ship date) isn't what I deem good by any stretch of the word.

I can relate to stock on hand and ordering more product for inventory, however; these are things that should be done when running a promotion as demand anticipation. Keeping customers waiting for products isn't good for business. Dell should provide the option, when sending out 'Order Delayed'
emails, to have the item shipped minus the NON-CRITICAL item(s) to avoid delays like this.

Having read others comments on the July promotion at Aximsite's forums
(http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=94173) I can see that I'm not alone. In reading this thread I have seen users who placed orders a week after mine who have received theirs. While I can understand that my order was 'unique', it is no less disheartening.

Linksys Routers...

2005-08-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Aparently the LinkSys WRT55AG - Version 2 - (about $130.00) has an 'issue' with it. That issue is, it will reboot itself. I was over on LinkSys Info in the forums and asked if anyone else had the same problem. Looks like I wasnt the only one. Though I got ony one reply, it was over the same subject and a purported fix from LinkSys... we'll see.

I had bought the router to go with the Media Center Extender... so much for connecting it wirelessly, now there is yet another cable running to the Tv.

From reading the forums at LinkSys Info, there is a definite problem with the WRT routers. Hopefully this can be resolved.

Isn't it funny

2005-08-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

When we're young we want to grow up and get older... when we get there we wish we had gone slowly.

Lately (within the last three years) I've been reconnecting with my high school friends. Its out of a need to get back what I'm missing. All of us have moved a lot and there is tonnes to catch up on.

There is nothing like good friends.

Pocket PC Blogging

2005-08-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

I just installed 'Diarist' on my X5 and am testing it.

Diarist is a neat tool for 'mobile' blogging on yoru PocketPC device. You can read about it at AximSite and GeekZone.

Dell Delays

2005-08-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

About 5 days ago i sent Dell an email asking why it was taking two weeks to ship my Axim and daughters Dimension 2400...

What I asked was, "Is there a reasonable explanation as to why it would take the 2400 TWO (2) weeks to build and ship? "

I was told -
"Please allow me a moment to explain that an estimated shipping date (I asked about MY order, not someone else's order. They have the information, they can look it up and tell ME, not give some BS generic answer) provided to customer is based on conditions of availability of components at the time the order is placed. Therefore, the estimated shipping date of your order has also been provided considering the timeframe required for the completion of your order. However, I would like to assure you that most of our orders are completed and shipped well before the mentioned timeframe. " <-- Just not yours

Amazingly today, the ship date, I was sent the following -
"This message is being sent to advise you of a delay with respect to a promotional item included in your recent order. Although we had anticipated being able to ship this item sooner, we are experiencing an unexpected delay, and will not be able to ship this order until on or before 08-16-2005."

Isnt it amazing that when I pointedly asked WHY it was taking so long I was given a BS answer, yet when it misses the ship date I get the real reason.

I now have a love/hate relationship with Dell... Love their stuff, hate their damn customer service.

Anyone out there have Michael Dell's email address so I can get some human answer not a customer service scripted response?

What have I learned?

Never Buy Anything on Promotion... in this case it was the Dell GPS system that was bundled with the Axim at sale.
Dell will keep you waiting if they can... maybe another email to Dell CS is in order.

What isnt answered - why hold up the ENTIRE order over the GPS unit? Send me what you DO HAVE damn it... the GPS isnt an integral part of the Dim 2400 or the Axim...

Dell CS did tell me in response to my original email "In order to expedite your orders, I have changed the shipping method of your orders to the Next Day delivery method absolutely free of cost." Gee, wasnt that swell of them... I dont give a damn about the shipping.. .I WANT IT SHIPPED!

Axim Pocket PC's

2005-08-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

Dell is the top here. I bough their first Pocket PC as soon as it came out (Axim X5 Advanced) and I just ordered the Axim X50v. Okay, I didnt just buy it... I ordered it on July 25th with a ship date of August 9th.
After reading all the reviews for it, I was hooked. Its a sweet machine plus I got the Dell GPS bundled with it and payed less than the cost of an X50v by itself. I love those Dell Coupons.
After I get it and play with it, I'll add a review of the GPS here.

Life at the top...

2005-08-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

isnt it great? This is the month of my 20th High School Reunion. 20 years ago last may I graduated and lost track of my good friends. After all that time I'm reconnecting with them. These are the people I would do ANYTHING for.

After time you relize what is and isnt important to you. Friends are, money isnt. Love is, things arent.

I may not have a lot, but I at the top. Love and friends are it. Give me enough to live on and I'm happy. I'd rather be poor and happy than have it 'all' and be miserable.

Happy 20 years to all the graduates of Ellison High School, class of 1985!!!

2005-07-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

This is my new PC, actually not new but newer than my last. This is an HP Media Center Edition PC.

2005-07-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken on Britt's 14th Birthday at the Forest Grove Aquatic Center.

I know its been a long time since I last poated anything. I've been busy... In January I retired from Jefferson County and moved to Oregon.Since then I've been looking for a job and helping with Lilli while the wife works.

Okay...

2004-12-27T05:56:00.000-08:00

its been a while since I posted last. Sorry.

The holidays were good. My wife is in Oregon - She's been there since before Thanksgiving - and I'm still in Colorado wrapping things up. I have one background going as I type this. Keep your fingers crossed. The girls also had a good Christmas. Britt discovered, at 13, that there is no Santa. Sloan, Willow and Sage had a good time at my place on Sunday - they got a ton of stuff from me and my folks. LilliAnne had a good day too... she made out like the little bandit she is.

I fly to Oregon on the 30th. I have an interview with the background investigator on the 31st at 8am. Never had an interview like that before so I dont know what to expect. It should go smoothly since there isnt anything in my background to worry about.

At any rate, I wish you all the best in the year to come.

Be safe.

An Open Letter to God....

2004-11-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Father,

As you know Rose and I are divorced and have been for almost four years. The divorce was tumultuious at best and worse than the marriage ever was. In the parenting plan, I took it in the shorts so as to not fight with the girls mom and drag it out.
Originally the decree said that I could see the girls on alternating Sundays and Tuesdays. This soon passed into alternating weekends the girls could spend with me. That change was over three years ago. The girls have come to enjoy spending the weekend with me. Rose has continued meddling with me off and on... scheduling the girls for activities that impact my time with them.
Yesterday, after dropping them off after Thanksgiving dinner all that changed. I received an email from Rose saying that there would be no more weekends. She was going back to the original parenting plan... the one that was in place first.
I feel now that my world is crashing in around me. I dont know where to turn. I promised the little one that I would pick her up tonight for the weekend... as far as I knew at the time I was going too. Thats not happening now and I feel that she is hurt though I have not talked to her since last night.
Rose told me we were going to the 'letter of the decree' but in the same message tells me to pick them up Saturday. I told her that the decree says Sundays. The she sends me a message that I cant discuss with the girls about the impending move I have out-of-state or about parenting issues.
I'm so lost Lord. I am truly needy and in despirate need of your help and guidance. I am looking to you Lord to open her heart and let her see what she is doing to the children. I dont care so much about me as I do about the girls. I love them all so much. I will gladly give up all I own or will ever own to be able to remain a part of their lives.
Lord, if you tell me to fight for them I will. Knowing that You are with me and holding me when I am weak is all I ask. Please keep the girls safe and happy. Open their mothers heart to what she is doing. Allow others to intercede on Your behalf if it is your will.
I know I'm asking for things for myself in here... I'm sorry I am. I have a hard time removing my needs from that of seeing my children.
Lord and Father, please grant me the strength to pass this moment in time. I will glady give all I am in Your service. You have truly blessed me and protected me these past 37 years. I ask now that You do what is right in Your sight. Please spare the children from any pain or loss.
Into Your hands I pass my requests.

Through You all is possible.

2004-11-03T15:31:00.000-08:00

Election results as of 1630 Mountain, Nov 3, 2004.

2004-11-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Bush Record Exposed. From the Democratic Party.

2004-11-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Who is John Kerry. Courtesy of the RNC.

2004-11-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

Current Jefferson County Colorado Election Results

2004-11-01T17:38:00.001-08:00

Amy Donovan. Family photo. Amy was killed in the line of duty.

2004-11-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

Amy Donovan (on right) ... Austin Police Department.
First Female Line Of Duty Death.

Austin Police Line Of Duty Death

2004-11-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

In Memoriam - Officer Amy Donovan

Austin police officer killed in accident during pursuit
Amy Donovan, who became an officer in June, is first woman in the department to die in the line of duty.

By Tony Plohetski
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, November 01, 2004

Four months after they left the police academy together, Austin officers Amy Donovan and Adrian Valdovino were patrolling late Saturday night for drug dealers and prostitutes along Poquito Street when they spotted a man acting suspiciously.
Donovan jumped from the car to question the man, who began running. As Donovan chased him, Valdovino threw the car in reverse to block the fleeing man, Police Chief Stan Knee said.
Instead, Valdovino hit his partner, pinning her against a telephone pole.
Three hours later, at 2 a.m. Sunday, Donovan, a 37-year-old mother of four, became Austin's first female officer to die in the line of duty.
"It is indeed a sad day for the Police Department and this community," Knee said in a news conference an hour later. "She took to heart the responsibility of being a commissioned officer. Her actions tonight fall right in line with that observation."
The man Donovan was chasing was not caught. It was not clear Sunday why he drew their suspicion.
Many details about the incident, which occurred between 13th and 14th streets, remained unclear Sunday night. During the pre-dawn news conference, in which Knee was visibly disturbed at times, the chief did not comment on why two rookies were working together — a situation that seemed unusual to two nationally known police experts — or whether Valdovino was trying to use a maneuver he had learned in the academy.
Knee said the department has launched an investigation to determine the patrol car's speed and the distance it traveled in reverse.
He said the inquiry also will include a review of how officers are trained to drive. The academy currently requires 40 hours of driving instruction.
Valdovino has been placed on leave until an investigation is completed, which is standard for officers involved in fatal incidents. Knee said Valdovino was "very emotional" and was being comforted by fellow officers. He had helped administer first aid to Donovan at the scene before paramedics arrived.
Hours before dawn, some 50 officers, shaken and upset, gathered outside Brackenridge Hospital, where Donovan died in surgery. Dozens more, including those assigned to her patrol district, huddled for a prayer service at the city's East Austin police substation.
Officers wore black ribbons across their badges throughout the day, and flags at the department were lowered to half-staff.
"This is a tragedy in the truest sense of the word," said Mike Sheffield, president of the Austin Police Association. "You never really have the right words to describe the range of feelings that go with an event like this."
Friends and partners
Officers assigned to the department's academy were among the most grief-stricken. Donovan, a former stockbroker and restaurant owner, had graduated in June in the top 10 percent of her class, excelling in particular at mock interviews.
She was among 11 women in her 78-member cadet class.
Jay Swann, an Amarillo native and Harvard graduate, was elected one of its two class presidents. He was on patrol in Southwest Austin when he got a text page from another classmate that Donovan had been in an accident.
At the time, her condition was critical. He learned a couple of hours later that she had died.
"I was just full of sorrow for her, for her family . . . for Adrian and the misery that he's living through right now," Swann said. "It just serves as a very chilling reminder that police work is dangerous."
Fellow cadets and training officers said that Donovan and Valdovino studied side by side at the academy but that their camaraderie strengthened after they both were assigned to patrol East Austin. Valdovino was described as a quiet student; Donovan dreamed of being a detective. The two frequently served as each other's backup.
Austin officers typically work alone, but Saturday night, Donovan and Valdovino were working special duty. It was not clear Sunday evening whether they were assigned to work together or selected each other as partners for the night.
Knee said police had recently increased patrols in the area, where drug dealing and other crimes occur at higher rates.
Gary Gilleland, who lives near the scene of the incident, said he has participated in several forums with police commanders recently to discuss his concerns. He said he generally calls police at least once a week to report suspicious activity — typically drug dealing and prostitution — outside his home.
When he saw the flashing lights of police cars late Saturday night, he first thought they had responded to a routine call.
"When you call them, they come out," said Gilleland, who stayed inside his home and did not learn of Donovan's death until early Sunday. "It's tragic, obviously."
Robert Funchess, who lives on East 13th Street, left his front porch to investigate soon after seeing the car moving in reverse and hearing a loud noise a few seconds later.
He said Donovan appeared to be conscious at first as emergency officials gathered around.
"It's sad," he said, "for her to have had four kids. . . . That's a loss right there."
Experts weigh in
Sheffield would not comment on whether it was routine for two rookies to be paired soon after graduating from the academy. City Manager Toby Futrell referred all calls to Knee.
Both officers had recently completed the department's field training program, in which rookies are assigned to work with more experienced officers after graduation.
Austin officers participate in the program for at least eight weeks, but some continue for 12 weeks. Supervisors decide when a new officer should be released from the program, and each officer also must pass a final exam. By comparison, new Dallas officers participate in field training programs for 24 weeks, according to the department's Web site; San Antonio officers must complete a minimum of 14 weeks.
According to a report issued last week by the Police Executive Research Forum in Washington, Austin should work to strengthen its field training operation by better training the more senior officers.
William Naber, a retired sheriff's captain in Auburn, Calif., who is an expert in law enforcement training, said many departments nationwide conduct such programs for six to 18 months.
"To have two rookies in a car, I'm absolutely taken aback by that," he said.
Edward Mamet, a retired New York City police captain who now works as an expert witness and litigation consultant, said having rookies paired together seems unusual.
He also said most police department policies do not address how to conduct pursuits with one officer on foot and the other behind the wheel.
He said incidents such as Donovan's death will probably cause departments to begin addressing the issue.
"There's nothing wrong with it as long as you use caution," Mamet said.
Department officials said they do not know when the investigation will be complete.
"We are going to look at every angle that you can with the hopes of making sure it never happens again," Knee said.

Cool Sites

2004-08-20T22:45:00.000-07:00

Never being one to pass up a cool website... I found the (name your major city)gasprices.com

There you can search for the lowest prices in your area. I've also added the handy and constantly updated buttons to this site.

Looking for employment?

2004-07-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

Updated - 080304. Update in purple.

Becoming a cop or moving from one agency to another is never easy. There are several sites out there that will help. Among the old standards of Monster.com there are several employment sites for cops -

Police Employment.com
CopsOnline employment section
911 Hot Jobs
Jobs4Police
The Blue Line
Job.com
Employment 911
CopCareer
PoliceJobs.net
Officer.com - THE Police Source... a ton of other information as well.
Oregon LE Jobs - This site is run by the state of Oregon and shows openings from across the state and its updated weekly on Friday. There are no links to follow; but searching for Sweet Home Police Oregon in Google will return the PD's website.

If you are currently certified and have experience,as I do, it tends to make things a tad easier. You still need to fill out all the apps, etc. but as in Oregon where I am looking it makes getting on and through the Career Development Course (2 weeks vs. 10 for the full academy) less of a time issue.

Make and update your resume. It makes it easier to fill out the applications if your resume is current. That or keep detailed records. When you write it target the agency its sent to. Make your resume fit them. If you have experience with community policing and they are big on COP, make sure its in your resume. Make sure if your a deputy and your looking to become a patrol officer for a city that you note your interpersonal skills... not that you hand the inmates toilet paper after dinner. Pull out relevant information from your recent appraisals and use that. I've been called a 'Low Contact Employee' which translates to a low supervision officer. I am rarely watched by my sergeant and I get the job and reports done on time.

Keep in mind that when it comes to your employment history a lot of job changing in a short period of time looks BAD. No way around it.
The more skills you have the better your odds will be.

Make sure you stay in contact with the agency your looking at getting on with. Research the city or county for demographics, the FBI's UCR data and departmental information and structure. If the agency will let you, do a ride-a-long and see what the officers actually do, what the beats look like, etc.

While this is not an all inclusive list, I hope it helps.

In the news...

2004-07-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

(or cop gone bad)

(from 9News.com)
JEFFERSON COUNTY - Jefferson County sheriff's deputies arrested a Fort Lupton Police officer on kidnapping charges after an incident that happened Wednesday night.

Investigators say 22-year old Amanda Carter forced her boyfriend to drive to Lookout Mountain, at gunpoint.

Deputies say at one point Carter fired her gun.

Carter is now facing second-degree kidnapping charges, in addition to felony menacing and reckless endangerment charges.

She has been on the Fort Lupton force for six months.

The commander at the Fort Lupton Police Department says he knows of no prior problems with Carter.

(from TheDenverChannel.com)
Fort Lupton Officer Arrested For Allegedly Kidnapping Boyfriend
Amanda Carter Forces Boyfriend To Drive Up Lookout Mountain, Police Say

POSTED: 5:47 pm MDT July 22, 2004
UPDATED: 5:58 pm MDT July 22, 2004

A 22-year-old Fort Lupton police officer was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly kidnapping her boyfriend and forcing him at gunpoint to drive up Lookout Mountain.

During the ride, Amanda Renee Carter allegedly fired her gun into the dashboard of the car, but the 20-year-old man was not hurt, Wheat Ridge police said.

Once the couple reached Lookout Mountain, the boyfriend escaped and called police.

Carter faces charges of second-degree kidnapping/domestic violence, felony menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, and reckless endangerment.

The incident allegedly began at a convenience store on W. 32nd Avenue and Youngfield in Wheat Ridge, where the two had stopped because Carter had become sick during a car ride, police said.

Carter is currently being held at the Jefferson County jail. She had been working at the Fort Lupton Police Department since February and has been suspended with pay pending Fort Lupton's investigation into this case.

Fidelity... how dead?

2004-07-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

I ask that because of a conversation with my wife tonight. She brought up some good points. Now, for those of you who are thinking in the present, I need to clarify. Yes its my infidelity but in the past. Before we were married.

I'll have more to say on this subject when I get the nerve up to tell my wife the why and how's of it all.

Be safe,
Glenn

2004-06-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

SWAT Team members use cover as they approach the armoured bulldozer in Granby, Colorado. I think that these SWAT members ar from my agency... though I am not sure. The lone member in the tan pants with the stripe appears to be wearing our uniform (tan pants, green stripe and green shirt) though its obscured by the body armour.

2004-06-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

The dozer is loaded onto a flatbed trailer for removal from Granby, Colorado.

2004-06-08T11:40:00.001-07:00

Durring the rampage, an officer approaches the dozer.