If you do nothing else after looking at this post, please share the link to the campaign page.
Edit: This campaign has been closed. MSF can no longer take more money into their outbreak response fund.
Friday, July 25, 2014
There's been a lot in the news lately about the severity of the current Ebola outbreak in Africa. So I decided to do something about it. Yesterday I created a GoFundMe campaign to provide $50k (hopefully) to Doctors Without Borders.
If you do nothing else after looking at this post, please share the link to the campaign page.
If you do nothing else after looking at this post, please share the link to the campaign page.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Out of sheer boredom, I have created a cryptocurrency. Here's the spec:
PiCoin (PCN)
π
Totally pointless crypto-homage to the circle.
Block target of 3.14 minutes
Block payout of π3.14159265359
Coin Maximum 314,159,265
Difficulty adjusts daily
120 confirms
Windows users will have to build from source
Gotta say, it was fun. I do need people to download and mine with it though.
If you're interested here's a link to the source code:
PiCoin source code
PiCoin (PCN)
π
Totally pointless crypto-homage to the circle.
Block target of 3.14 minutes
Block payout of π3.14159265359
Coin Maximum 314,159,265
Difficulty adjusts daily
120 confirms
Windows users will have to build from source
Gotta say, it was fun. I do need people to download and mine with it though.
If you're interested here's a link to the source code:
PiCoin source code
Friday, August 16, 2013
Jet Noise
Howdy.... I'm back to my old self and pissed off again.
Today's irritation is the whining all over the Burlington, VT area about the Government wanting to base F-35's at the airport here. They're all up in arms about the noise, all the while we're listening to F-16's fly about 3 times a day, every day. To me it doesn't seem like it's really going to change the level of jet noise around here much anyway.
There are petitions floating around trying to refuse the aircraft. As if telling the government that you don't want them to upgrade equipment is really going to do any good anyway. Beyond that, WHY THE FUCK would you argue with putting our guys in better shit? Seems like borderline retardation to me. If we've got to have a military and play big brother, we might as well have the most bad-ass shit on earth too.
Personally, I like the fighter craft around here. Damn things look like fun. I would like a change of scenery though.
To that end I have created my own petition supporting the 35's here. Sign it if you agree.
We love jet noise!
Today's irritation is the whining all over the Burlington, VT area about the Government wanting to base F-35's at the airport here. They're all up in arms about the noise, all the while we're listening to F-16's fly about 3 times a day, every day. To me it doesn't seem like it's really going to change the level of jet noise around here much anyway.
There are petitions floating around trying to refuse the aircraft. As if telling the government that you don't want them to upgrade equipment is really going to do any good anyway. Beyond that, WHY THE FUCK would you argue with putting our guys in better shit? Seems like borderline retardation to me. If we've got to have a military and play big brother, we might as well have the most bad-ass shit on earth too.
Personally, I like the fighter craft around here. Damn things look like fun. I would like a change of scenery though.
To that end I have created my own petition supporting the 35's here. Sign it if you agree.
We love jet noise!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Festering pile of shit
I suppose I owe an explanation of my last post. The bill in question is as big an assault on personal freedom as marijuana prohibition, and equally as pointless. If you live in Vermont at voting time, I highly recommend not voting for Sen. Leahy again. The guy is out to get you.
This bill S. 1147 or PACT Act as it's being called will effectively ban all internet, phone, and mail-order sales of tobacco products (except cigars), not just the one's bought from outside sources. It really seems like a fuck in the ass with the price of smokes these days. I just found out that the price of a pack went up $0.60 today and there was just an increase like 4 months ago. Now I understand how everyone feels about smoking and tobacco, but persecution is persecution and it's bullshit. I quit smoking recently by way of a switch to a Swedish product called snus. You can read about the small ton of studies that have been done on it at SnusCentral.com. The fact is that regardless of the "snus"-type product that RJ Reynolds is currently selling on the American market; they still refuse to say what's in the shit. Swedish snus has an ingredients disclosure and must only contain food-grade ingredients, as well as the requirement that it comply with food safety law in Sweden. The only problem here, is that if I (and countless others like me) would like to limit our risk by using Swedish made snus instead, we have to buy it online from a vendor in Sweden because hardly any shops in America carry the stuff. This law would effectively make this impossible.
If by some off chance my local tobacconist started carrying a decent selection of Swedish made snus I would buy it there and deal with the local taxes, until then I believe it's my right as a consenting adult to be able to use the product of my choice, regardless of whether I buy it in a store or from a website.
Someone else wanna tell me why in hell cigars are exempt?
This bill S. 1147 or PACT Act as it's being called will effectively ban all internet, phone, and mail-order sales of tobacco products (except cigars), not just the one's bought from outside sources. It really seems like a fuck in the ass with the price of smokes these days. I just found out that the price of a pack went up $0.60 today and there was just an increase like 4 months ago. Now I understand how everyone feels about smoking and tobacco, but persecution is persecution and it's bullshit. I quit smoking recently by way of a switch to a Swedish product called snus. You can read about the small ton of studies that have been done on it at SnusCentral.com. The fact is that regardless of the "snus"-type product that RJ Reynolds is currently selling on the American market; they still refuse to say what's in the shit. Swedish snus has an ingredients disclosure and must only contain food-grade ingredients, as well as the requirement that it comply with food safety law in Sweden. The only problem here, is that if I (and countless others like me) would like to limit our risk by using Swedish made snus instead, we have to buy it online from a vendor in Sweden because hardly any shops in America carry the stuff. This law would effectively make this impossible.
If by some off chance my local tobacconist started carrying a decent selection of Swedish made snus I would buy it there and deal with the local taxes, until then I believe it's my right as a consenting adult to be able to use the product of my choice, regardless of whether I buy it in a store or from a website.
Someone else wanna tell me why in hell cigars are exempt?
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
BEER!!!
Has the Republican party completely run out of reasons to complain about the president? I'm starting to think so. If you check out the latest news threads on Obama you'll find a few pieces ridiculing him for having a couple brews with some people at the white house. I'm starting to wonder if republicans are required to fail American History. It's common knowledge that quite a few of the greater accomplishments of humanity were brought on by beer. Refrigeration for instance, was invented by a German for the sake of being able to brew lager year-round. During the American colonial period beer was held in high regard. George Washington declared that all soldiers in the revolutionary war were to have quarts of porter included in their rations. Today it's still the single most popular alcoholic beverage on earth, with women starting to take positions as brew master in breweries around the country (a previously male dominated field). It's impossible to keep track of exactly how many brewers there are in this country due to places like Vermont that have an astonishing number of small brewers spread across the state. Just because I grew up there, I'll take the time to mention that Vermont has the highest number of craft breweries per 1,000 people of any state in the country. Most of them are damn good too. Regardless, beer has a deep history in the United States, and if the President wants to have drinks on the lawn with some people, I'm willing to concede that it's probably the most authentically "American" thing any president of recent times has done. Beyond that, what's wrong with having a beer in the first place, president or not? I bet the person that complained went home, drank a 12-pack, and probably beat the tar out of his wife while she was in labor with their 42nd kid (no abortions or birth control, remember?).
Maybe that was a bit harsh, but politics has turned into a dick-waving contest in the last 20 years. What ever happened to "for the people, by the people"? Our government is run by people that already have to much money for their own good. Now they want to pound religion into the swollen abscess that is the democratic system in America. Don't take me for an atheist (though I'm not far off) or anything, but there's no place for religion when your job involves making important decisions for over 300 million people. These "representatives" are mostly 50-ish white men with special interests. They by no means represent the diversity of the population. They were chosen by a "vote" that is participated in by people over 40. The largest demographic in the country (18-24) accounts for less than 10% of the actual vote while they represent over 30% of the population. If they all got out and voted for the same person, they could change the course of any given election. So no, even though I voted in 2008, I don't feel truly represented by my elected officials. I believe the old saying "If you don't vote, don't bitch." becomes painfully true here. Unfortunately the younger demographic doesn't pay attention in the first place. They're too busy with figuring out which new gadget they need, which songs they're going to download from iTunes, and whether or not they look trampy enough to go to the bar for the 5th night in a row, instead of trying to make sure that some old farts with PTSD (probably have it because of Vietnam) don't make bad decisions on their behalf.
It takes 10 minutes to vote. It's free to register. What is the problem here?
Maybe that was a bit harsh, but politics has turned into a dick-waving contest in the last 20 years. What ever happened to "for the people, by the people"? Our government is run by people that already have to much money for their own good. Now they want to pound religion into the swollen abscess that is the democratic system in America. Don't take me for an atheist (though I'm not far off) or anything, but there's no place for religion when your job involves making important decisions for over 300 million people. These "representatives" are mostly 50-ish white men with special interests. They by no means represent the diversity of the population. They were chosen by a "vote" that is participated in by people over 40. The largest demographic in the country (18-24) accounts for less than 10% of the actual vote while they represent over 30% of the population. If they all got out and voted for the same person, they could change the course of any given election. So no, even though I voted in 2008, I don't feel truly represented by my elected officials. I believe the old saying "If you don't vote, don't bitch." becomes painfully true here. Unfortunately the younger demographic doesn't pay attention in the first place. They're too busy with figuring out which new gadget they need, which songs they're going to download from iTunes, and whether or not they look trampy enough to go to the bar for the 5th night in a row, instead of trying to make sure that some old farts with PTSD (probably have it because of Vietnam) don't make bad decisions on their behalf.
It takes 10 minutes to vote. It's free to register. What is the problem here?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Welfare problems
Some days I'm forced to wonder if people really pay attention or not. I was on my facebook page last night when I ran across an opinion quiz pasted to a friends wall asking the question "Do you think people should be drug tested before getting a welfare check?". For obvious reasons that just set me off.
Drug testing is a wide screen that includes people that eat poppy bagels and shit. The tests are non-discriminating, doesn't matter if the item that gave a positive test was acquired legally, a positive is a positive. People lose jobs that way all over the country. As everyone knows, I don't feel Marijuana deserves the flak that it receives. The problem with testing welfare recipients is that it doesn't take into account the people that spend all their money on booze. Therefore producing a discriminatory practice that I believe is a violation of my rights. Drug testing is only acceptable in occasions that could involve death if you're not dead sober (ie., pilot, heavy equipment operator, etc.). Furthermore, the current layout of the welfare system doesn't allow for people to recieve any kind of cash disbursment except in extreme cases (usually wheelchair bound elderly people). You'll end up homeless and sleeping on the beach with your kids before they even think about giving you money. It's also damn hard to trade food stamps for drugs; everything is on a card these days.
The real problem within the welfare system that desperatly needs to be addressed is the people that bullshit the system to get onto programs they don't otherwise qualify for. Here's an example I personally witnessed: I was in town near the county building waiting for MY appointment so I could get the wife some health insurance to cover her for her pregnancy. I was standing outside the office smoking a butt when I watched this asian woman roll into the parking lot in her nice shiny new BMW X5 (a $40k+ car). She steps out with 3 of her friends and starts walking toward the office. I figured she was an employee.... til she stood outside and took all of her GOLD jewelry off, put it in her purse, handed the purse to her friend and went inside while her friends waited outside. When I say all the jewelry I mean everything including her wedding ring. About an hour later she walks out with an EBT (food stamp) card and they all take off. I'm down at that office trying to get insurance for my pregnant wife when collectively we have a monthly income of $1000 with $750 rent. Can we say FRAUD? The only reason this works is likely because her husband owns a business and falsifies the numbers to make them qualify. It makes you wonder how often shit like that happens. I mean I had to tell these people about the 1 share of AMD (worth $3.74 yesterday) I hold in an account I haven't used since the recession started or I ran the risk of my wife losing her insurance mid pregnancy, and this bitch is driving a new fuckin' BMW! So if you think for a moment that drugs are the problem with the system you're way off the mark. The problem with the system is the fuckin' people in this god forsaken piece of shit country. No one here wants to help the less fortunate, unless it also benefits them somehow. Anyone still wondering why the rest of the world hates the whole lot of us? I'm not. It's time for a revolution people. This shit needs to be fixed. How about we start inspecting the homes of each person that applies for welfare before we give it to them, just to make sure they don't live in a $500k house and drive a $40k car, while walking around town wearing $2k work of gold and looking for a handout? Seems like a better idea than drug testing. to me. That woman could've pawned 1 piece of her jewelry and fed her family for a week or more. Contrary to popular belief, everything is not 15x the mainland price here on Hawai'i, a gallon of milk is only $3.85 and flown in from California. That's all I care to say about this. You'll find a copy of the comment string I left for a couple people toward the bottom of this post.
Response to someone after seeing the opinion poll on facebook titled "Drug test for welfare check?"
Comment 1: lets make an observation here. They don't give out welfare "checks" anymore. Furthermore, the problem I see down here in Hawaii is related to otherwise well-off people BULLSHITTING the system to get shit they're not entitled to in the first place. Drug tests are a wide screening as well as an invasion of privacy. While I don't believe that marijuana users should be treated in the harsh manner they are while alcoholics can drink themselves to death by choice and legally. If you want to screen for drugs you should specify the actual problem substances and realize that regardless of what DARE tells you, no harm has come to anyone by way of the direct consumption of marijuana recreationally. I smoke pot.... daily. I have a job, a family and pretty much everything that you'd expect the average person to have for a "normal" life. I don't drink. So why is my intoxicant of choice vilified exactly? Whoever set this question up on facebook is a bigotted, pea-brained, imbecile with llittle....
Comment 2: ... ability for independent formation of opinions, and likely believes every line of shit the government has ever spoon-fed the public. Consequently, I believe that polarizing questions such as the above mentioned retarded shit has no place on a social networking site. for more on my thoughts please read my blog @ http://riseupandbeheard.blogspot.com
Comment 3: as far as the BS'ing i mentioned earlier. I was in town in the vicinity of the welfare office, and I watched a woman drive up in her MF'ing BMW, take off ALL her GOLD jewelry, put it in her DESIGNER bag, and have the balls to go apply for welfare. It's not the drugs you have to worry about, it's fucking people in general.
Comment 4: for reference you've got to be damn near wheelchair bound to get any "money" from the gov't
Drug testing is a wide screen that includes people that eat poppy bagels and shit. The tests are non-discriminating, doesn't matter if the item that gave a positive test was acquired legally, a positive is a positive. People lose jobs that way all over the country. As everyone knows, I don't feel Marijuana deserves the flak that it receives. The problem with testing welfare recipients is that it doesn't take into account the people that spend all their money on booze. Therefore producing a discriminatory practice that I believe is a violation of my rights. Drug testing is only acceptable in occasions that could involve death if you're not dead sober (ie., pilot, heavy equipment operator, etc.). Furthermore, the current layout of the welfare system doesn't allow for people to recieve any kind of cash disbursment except in extreme cases (usually wheelchair bound elderly people). You'll end up homeless and sleeping on the beach with your kids before they even think about giving you money. It's also damn hard to trade food stamps for drugs; everything is on a card these days.
The real problem within the welfare system that desperatly needs to be addressed is the people that bullshit the system to get onto programs they don't otherwise qualify for. Here's an example I personally witnessed: I was in town near the county building waiting for MY appointment so I could get the wife some health insurance to cover her for her pregnancy. I was standing outside the office smoking a butt when I watched this asian woman roll into the parking lot in her nice shiny new BMW X5 (a $40k+ car). She steps out with 3 of her friends and starts walking toward the office. I figured she was an employee.... til she stood outside and took all of her GOLD jewelry off, put it in her purse, handed the purse to her friend and went inside while her friends waited outside. When I say all the jewelry I mean everything including her wedding ring. About an hour later she walks out with an EBT (food stamp) card and they all take off. I'm down at that office trying to get insurance for my pregnant wife when collectively we have a monthly income of $1000 with $750 rent. Can we say FRAUD? The only reason this works is likely because her husband owns a business and falsifies the numbers to make them qualify. It makes you wonder how often shit like that happens. I mean I had to tell these people about the 1 share of AMD (worth $3.74 yesterday) I hold in an account I haven't used since the recession started or I ran the risk of my wife losing her insurance mid pregnancy, and this bitch is driving a new fuckin' BMW! So if you think for a moment that drugs are the problem with the system you're way off the mark. The problem with the system is the fuckin' people in this god forsaken piece of shit country. No one here wants to help the less fortunate, unless it also benefits them somehow. Anyone still wondering why the rest of the world hates the whole lot of us? I'm not. It's time for a revolution people. This shit needs to be fixed. How about we start inspecting the homes of each person that applies for welfare before we give it to them, just to make sure they don't live in a $500k house and drive a $40k car, while walking around town wearing $2k work of gold and looking for a handout? Seems like a better idea than drug testing. to me. That woman could've pawned 1 piece of her jewelry and fed her family for a week or more. Contrary to popular belief, everything is not 15x the mainland price here on Hawai'i, a gallon of milk is only $3.85 and flown in from California. That's all I care to say about this. You'll find a copy of the comment string I left for a couple people toward the bottom of this post.
Response to someone after seeing the opinion poll on facebook titled "Drug test for welfare check?"
Comment 1: lets make an observation here. They don't give out welfare "checks" anymore. Furthermore, the problem I see down here in Hawaii is related to otherwise well-off people BULLSHITTING the system to get shit they're not entitled to in the first place. Drug tests are a wide screening as well as an invasion of privacy. While I don't believe that marijuana users should be treated in the harsh manner they are while alcoholics can drink themselves to death by choice and legally. If you want to screen for drugs you should specify the actual problem substances and realize that regardless of what DARE tells you, no harm has come to anyone by way of the direct consumption of marijuana recreationally. I smoke pot.... daily. I have a job, a family and pretty much everything that you'd expect the average person to have for a "normal" life. I don't drink. So why is my intoxicant of choice vilified exactly? Whoever set this question up on facebook is a bigotted, pea-brained, imbecile with llittle....
Comment 2: ... ability for independent formation of opinions, and likely believes every line of shit the government has ever spoon-fed the public. Consequently, I believe that polarizing questions such as the above mentioned retarded shit has no place on a social networking site. for more on my thoughts please read my blog @ http://riseupandbeheard.bl
Comment 3: as far as the BS'ing i mentioned earlier. I was in town in the vicinity of the welfare office, and I watched a woman drive up in her MF'ing BMW, take off ALL her GOLD jewelry, put it in her DESIGNER bag, and have the balls to go apply for welfare. It's not the drugs you have to worry about, it's fucking people in general.
Comment 4: for reference you've got to be damn near wheelchair bound to get any "money" from the gov't
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