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July 30, 2005
It's Time to Ditch Cisco and ISS
Much has already been said about Michael Lynn’s presentation at Black Hat regarding exploitation of Cisco routers. ( Read about the injunction). What hasn’t been talked about is what to do now.
Michael Lynn revealed no new vulnerabilities but only shot down the deception peddled by Cisco that their devices can’t be taken over. Lynn’s presentation essentially shows a Cisco rootkit that will take over a router. ISS, his former employer, told him not to give the presentation so he resigned instead. In response, ISS and Cisco enjoined him permanently from discussing anything else about the matter and that he has to destroy all data he may have about Cisco vulnerabilities. Further, the FBI has begun a criminal investigation on the matter. The defense of ISS and Cisco is that he didn’t follow the methods of responsible disclosure, which apparently means that one week after every router on the Internet has gotten owned people can then say they knew about this a year ago.
Cisco and ISS have demonstrated with this incident that their first and foremost concern is saving face even when they have to bury huge security threats that are probably already known. Why would anyone trust ISS to consult on the state of their information security when they’ve demonstrated that they are willing to cover up for a vendor instead of giving solid unbiased advice? Why would anyone trust Cisco devices when instead of acknowledging flaws they seek to silence those who would disclose them? Through this incident, ISS and Cisco have a lot of egg on their faces but that’s not enough. People should stop buying their services until they display a commitment to security instead of a commitment to silencing security researchers that show vendors aren’t doing their jobs.
Posted by John Bambenek at 1:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 21, 2005
Figures...
I take a break from blogging, I almost break the top 100 in the TTLB ecosystem.
Posted by John Bambenek at 11:11 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 20, 2005
Best Quote Ever
From 24 Season 4 Ep 8.
"Are you guys from the FBI or something?"
"No, actually, I'm currently unemployed."
Posted by John Bambenek at 4:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 19, 2005
Bah
I'm tired of idiocy and blogging hasn't been fun the past few days, so I'm going to go do something else for a bit.
Posted by John Bambenek at 12:29 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
July 17, 2005
It's In The Details: Gay Reeducation Camp Scandal Shown to be a Fraud
I've seen this story develop and didn't really pay attention much. It would surprise me if it were less that a kosher camp in Tennesse or it was simply another jihad from the left. From some reason I checked the NYT story above, and as usual, it isn't the point of the story but a detail which is the most interesting. In this case:
Although Zach wrote only a handful of entries about the Refuge program, all posted before he arrived there in the Memphis suburbs on June 6, his words have been forwarded on the Internet over and over, inspiring online debates, news articles, sidewalk protests and an investigation into Love in Action by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services in response to a child abuse allegation. The investigation was dropped when the allegation proved unfounded, a spokeswoman for the agency said. (emphasis mine)
This whole thing blew up over the comments of a kid who HASN'T EVEN BEEN THERE with everyone drawing conclusions about what is going on. DCFS made an investigation (and found nothing) based on the testimony of someone NOT EVEN THERE. Now, I'm not going to pretend that the parents of this camp are all lily white here, but it is obvious this whole scandal was started based on comments of someone not even there, albeit who was upset at what was going on.
This sounds more like an ideological-based attack by the media and certain groups than anything merited by what's going on. It seems the attack is more because people have a problem with teaching someone not to be gay than any serious claim of abuse.
Posted by John Bambenek at 9:05 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
What is Cooper Hiding?
Top Cheney Aide Among Sources in CIA Story
On Sunday, Cooper also said there may have been other sources for that information. He declined to elaborate.
What are Matt Cooper and Judith Miller hiding? Rove waived confidentiality... allegedly so did Libby. Who are the other sources they are trying to protect?
Karl Rove waived confidentiality and testified in front of the Grand Jury without hiding behind the 5th Amendment. The waiver was signed in 2003. Judith Miller went to jail because she was protecting someone, and that is not Rove.
Today, Cooper indicated there may be other sourced but he won't talk abuot that. The question is, who are those sourced and why is the press stonewalling.
Posted by John Bambenek at 1:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 16, 2005
Question of the Day?
How do you engage in a "battle of ideas" with someone who walked up quietly and blows themself up before you get a chance to even notice them, much less have a philosophical debate?
Posted by John Bambenek at 4:09 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 15, 2005
Plame Leaker Protected By Federal Whistleblower Laws
It appears that the person who allegedly leaked Valerie Plame's name would be protected by federal whistleblower laws in this circumstance.
As is now known, Valerie Plame lobbied and got her husband the job to go to Niger to investigate claims of getting nuclear material. He had no experience in this matter, produced shotty research, and used it as a platform to try to hatchet the President. The circumstances of his leaving the foreign service are unknown, but he was put in early retirement at 48 (with the minimum age being 50) indicating that his departure was not on good terms.
If an individual leaked to the press that Joseph Wilson got the job to go to Niger because of the influence of his wife, that would constitute an abuse of authority and possible misuse of funds, entitling the person who gave out that information to be protected by federal whistleblower laws. Spouses getting jobs for their husbands or wives is clearly unethical and in some cases illegal, and pointing that out in public entitles the whistleblower to protection.
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:26 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Memo to the UN
We designed it. We paid for it. We built it.
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:18 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Image of the Day
Fight to the Death!
Posted by John Bambenek at 7:44 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Wait, What?!?!
This gem is up on Drudge, but I think something got missed that should be news...
Deputies don't believe a crime occurred because bestiality is not illegal in Washington state and the horse was uninjured, said Urquhart.
Ummm, I think that might be an oversight in your state criminal code guys.
Posted by John Bambenek at 4:31 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
DNC: Making Quotes Up Out of Thin Air?
I just got these quotes in e-mail from the DNC (I'm on their e-mail list). They're below.
Facts:
1) She is not a CIA agent.
2) She was NOC, but should have been taken off when she came back to work in the states.
3) She didn't keep her own career very secret.
4) She did in fact get her husband a job to try to hatchet the President.
5) Every piece of evidence so far indicated this wasn't a leak. At WORST it was a loose tounge. When you want to leak something, you don't wait for a reporter to come call you to talk about Social Security.
Now the DNC, apparently where all disaffected Republicans go to rant about the party, has compiled a list of submissions from their website from self-admitted Republicans. I call BS. Usually when someone starts by saying they are a Republican or Independent and then rails against the GOP, they usually aren't Republican. Of course, no one is identified by full name, so we'll never know for sure but it is interesting that no one went on record with their full name.
Democrats demanded Ashcroft recuse and have an independent prosecution, now that isn't enough. They proclaim a guilty verdict before the Grand Jury is even done. They want an investigation but then decide that doesn't fit them when the facts change.
Nice try, by every indication of the DNC, looks like there is nothing here.
"I switched to Republican over 30 years ago, but now feel increasingly betrayed by and ashamed of the power-crazy dishonesty and the distorted values of the current leadership of the GOP. Tom DeLay does not speak or stand for most American Republicans. Neither does Karl Rove, who should be fired and severely punished if indications are correct. Can we trust you, Mr. President? Please give us the real, open truth." Jeb E., Palo Alto, CA
"I am a registered and disappointed Republican. Don't make this situation worse - 'fess up and fix the problem." Karen H., Fort Collins, CO
"I am a registered Republican and want this current administration to admit the fault and fire Rove now! Decent Americans lose their jobs over less." Alice C., Wilmington, DE
"I vote for whoever I think will do the best job -- Democrat, Republican, Independent -- and this is the time for elected officials to do their best job: honor their word, honor their country, and honor those they govern by upholding not only the law but what is moral and right. In this case, it is to remove whoever is responsible for leaking the CIA agent's identity." Nancy O., Van Buren, AR
"As a registered Republican, I join with those that say enough is enough! Time to clean house!" Tim M., Milan, OH
"I am registered Republican. However, the behavior of this administration isn't part of my Republican Party. Start by taking responsibility for both the good and the bad decisions of the administration. ... Mr. Rove has now stepped over the line. President Bush, like his father, needs to request Mr. Rove's resignation." Ed S., Newport Beach, CA
"As a registered Republican, the recent revelations regarding Karl Rove's role in the leak of a CIA operative's identity has me greatly concerned. I am sure that a great majority of Americans would agree that now is not the time for silence and evasive actions on the part of the administration. Please address this issue immediately so that our country can move forward, united in the truth, and so that we can move on to focusing on the many challenges and opportunities of our times. Thank you." Diane W., Ephrata, CA
"I was a good Republican for all my life, but can no longer stomach the people that excuse the behavior of those who squelch any and all who question and think for themselves. Please stand up and do what is right." Lana H., Fort Worth. TX
"Truth is an awesome thing. As an American whose husband and son have served in our military I wonder if you could possibly condone a leak of information which jeopardizes our national security. I would like to see the Republican Party speak honestly as they used to speak when I was a registered Republican. We seem to be emulating the Nixon era ... I can no longer support the Republican party." MaryKay D., Columbus, OH
"As a registered Republican I am concerned about the failure of the Bush administration to follow through with its promise with anyone who comprises the security of a CIA agent and our country. Karl Rove has gone too far and must resign or be dismissed." Jan O., Yorba Linda, CA
"As a Republican ... I have to insist that the president and my party affiliates in Washington tend to the accountability of Karl Rove or face yourselves the possibility of being called part of a cover-up conspiracy. You are ELECTED officials entrusted to the security of all Americans. For God's sake get responsible." Marilynne R., Glendale, AZ
"As a lifelong Republican, who has been voting and supporting this great country for close to 50 years, I am outraged that a member of your administration would damage this nation's interests for petty, partisan, political reasons. Mr. Rove and anyone else involved in this despicable act should be fired ..." Donald E., Pittsfield, MA
"As a registered Republican, I'm shocked that Karl Rove would sink so low as to reveal our CIA agents. It is really time to ask Karl Rove to resign to spare this president further embarrassment." Charles B., Sarasota, FL
"I have been a Republican almost from birth. No more, no more!!! This latest group of Republicans have disgraced the memory of all noble Republicans that preceded them. I am a city trustee in Illinois and speak loudly and regularly at counsel meetings regarding the Bush ethics and to date have thoroughly convinced several other members to take a closer and more focused look at the way the Bush administration has controlled the rhetoric regarding most issues." Dave B., Mount Olive, IL
Posted by John Bambenek at 9:45 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Scrappleface on Rove-Plame
"This Plame thing has got one reporter in jail, another turning state's evidence and Karl Rove spilling his guts three times before the grand jury," said Mr. Bush, "but not Bob Novak. He's a Chevy truck -- like a rock. He's the one who lit the fire. He's not talking, but he's still walking. I'm going to have him spray some of that Teflon on the White House."
Posted by John Bambenek at 6:23 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 14, 2005
That's All They Got?
That's all they got? Novak calls, tells him how he thinks it went down and Rove responds, "I heard that, too". That's even thinner than Cooper's testimony.
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:31 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
NYTimes Has New "Exclusive" Details on Plame Case
On front page of Drudge Report is the claim that the NYTimes has new and exclusive details on the Plame case. Of course, they wouldn't want to share them first with the prosecutor investigating the case nor would they want to recuse themselves from reporting on it considering one of their own reporters is in jail for refusing to cooperate with the prosecutor and come clean. They fault the White House for clamming up, but they are faultless for doing the same thing about their own involvement... go figure.
Maybe they'll be coming out with the source they used, because it isn't Rove that Judith Miller is sitting in jail to protect. More likely, they'll continue their attack on the White House in an attempt to be objective or something.
Maybe they realize that if Rove committed a crime by releasing the name (a fact far from proven) that they ALSO committed a crime by printing that same name. It takes 2 to tango... if Rove goes down, so does the MSM because in the end, they are just as guilty.
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Let's See What Joseph Wilson has to Hide
I've just FOIA'd his personnel records from the State Department... we'll see what's in them.
Posted by John Bambenek at 8:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Will the Left Protest China's Nuke-First Policy?
At a government organized conference, a Chinese colonel said China should nuke the US in response to a conventional attack against Chinese assets if a conflict started over Taiwan.
Will the Left protest?
Posted by John Bambenek at 4:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
There Comes a Point Where Gun Laws Should Be Disobeyed
New York police to warn public on suicide bombers
If the New York Police are teaching people to recognize suicide bombers, they are still leaving them incapable of doing anything about it. Here is a scenario:
You are sitting on a bus and see wires hanging out of someone's jacket. You yell "Police!"... BOOM. Too late. You call 911, they overhear... BOOM. Too late.
Or how about this scenario, the guy pulls a shoe bomber, stands in the middle of the bus and says something about the jihad and how he's going to kill you... POP POP. Bomber is dead.
Sure, we don't want people going around capping people randomly, but in the end the citizens are the best able to respond because before you can think to call the police there are body parts all over the block. Sure, someone with a gun might not get the guy in time... but if it prevents on bombing that kills a bunch of people, isn't that enough?
Posted by John Bambenek at 4:30 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
StopTheACLU: Exactly Which Civil Liberties Are Important?
As everyone knows, there is an opening on the Supreme Court. As some might not know, I'm a candidate for the opening. But since this is Thursday, and I've punked out on Stop the ACLU posts for awhile, I thought I'd do an ACLU post.
You can see the ACLU's pages on the Supreme Court here and here. They go on to suggest that all our civil liberties are going away if Bush gets to choose the nominee as the Constitution suggests. t first, I wasn't sure what country they were talking about as I don't know anyone grabbed out of the home in the middle of the night, I've not seen tanks patrolling the streets, and I don't recall getting guidelines of what is acceptable speech (at least not from the Right).
What I find telling is that no where does the ACLU seem to care about the Kelo decision, which is where the Supreme Court recently decided that if a city government wants to give your house to someone else in the name of "economics" it can. While the town still has to pay you, ultimately the government can now decide who can live where with the prime real estate going to those who have money and/or are politically connected.
The ACLU's Supreme Court page makes no note of this huge issue but instead talks about civil liberties in an eccletic bunch of cases having to do with miscellaneous provisions in state or federal code. Pardon me, but isn't the right to own property at the very core of our civil liberties? Sure, having restraining orders enforced is all fine and good, but the government having the ability to throw you out of your home to give it to someone richer strikes me as a much more important issue as it effects every single person in this country, MOST ESPECIALLY the poor. If we want to get a position on an issue for a future nominee (which, by the way is unethical because any time a judge prejudges a case he may have to recuse from future cases. i.e. asking a judge where he stands on abortion may force that judge to never be able to rule on abortion cases) it might by a position on the Kelo case.
This was a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst! If you would like to join, it is very simple.
Go to our new portal at Protest The ACLU, and register. I will then send you an email requesting the additional information that we need to add your blog to the blogroll. If you don’t have a blog and wish to start one, we have the ability to host your blog for you. Or we can assist you on finding a host that fits your needs. Registering with Protest The ACLU will enable us to send you a weekly newsletter with information, and keep your email private. Current members, who have not registered, please do so. There are additional advantages and features that will be available for you there…you can opt to use them, or not. Thank you!
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Posted by John Bambenek at 9:55 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 12, 2005
The Unasked Question about the Plame Affair
With all the discussion about whether or not Rove was the one who outed Plame, there seems to be something that gets missed. First, the Democrats and Moonbats at the New York Times chide the White House for being silent on the Rove issue, but they leave out the fact that the special prosecutor they demanded asked them to keep quiet so he can do his job. More front page lies from the newspaper of record.
Rove isn't the target, it appears he didn't do anything illegal, and there is indication that Plame isn't even a covert agent considering her frequent trips to Langley.
What does remain unasked is why did the CIA sent a retired ambassador with no known investigative experience, no particular expertise in WMD, with a known bone to pick with the Administration before such a trip, who had been forced into early retirement at 48 (when the earliest retirement age is 50), who is clearly a partisan, and the trip was the idea of the man's wife who he certainly made no attempts to hide her name or their marriage?
As an aside, once again, most the world knows that a good deal of our espionage takes place out of the embassies. No foreign government would seriously consider the wife of an ambassador as being a safe individual to have discussions with. She'd be suspect in any country she stepped foot in if that countries intelligence agency had any.
After the Senate investigated the matter it found out that Wilson was a liar, and that after "drinking sweet mint tea and meeting with dozens of people" (as he himself put it), he didn't even bother to file a report. Even the claims made by Wilson have been exposed as lies.
All of that aside, why did the CIA endorse a trip of a left-wing partisan hack at the request of his wife to do a hatchet job against the President of the United States which ended up peddling lies? And why hasn't intelligence reform addressed that issue? Several serious studies of the issue by in the US and overseas have indicated that Bush was correct about Saddam's desire for yellowcake. What broke down to send a less-than-stellar ex-foreign service officer who has unexplained money to go on a CIA funded trip to hatchet the President?
If Kerry were President and the same thing happened the other way around, heads would be rolling and the NYT would have front page coverage of the bloodbath.
Posts on the subject: Rightsided, National Review, Polipundit, Captain's Quarters, Think Regress Progress, Daily Kos, etc.
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:18 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 11, 2005
A Picture You Should See
Michelle Malkin has a post that includes a bloodied police officer who was assaulted by a mob who disabled their car and then jumped them. Next time you are at a conference like IIMPR and people ask why IndyMedia isn't taken as seriously, it might be because they gloat when their comrades attack cops.
Posted by John Bambenek at 2:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Silence the Christian: Offense at their very Existence
Term paper about 'God' earns student failing grade
A student at Victory Valley Community College was given a failing grade for using the word "God" in her term paper. The options she was given when challenging it was to revise, rewrite, or take another topic. The reason the administration gave is because using "God" with a capital G would offend people.
In this case, it isn't even a paper meant to evangelize, it is a paper expressing an opinion. The fact that the student capitalized God indicates her personal faith, a faith that’s very existence is offensive to her instructor and school. They failed her because some would be offended at the simple fact she was a Christian. On campuses where one can wear various logos of the GLBT movement, communism, the Democratic Party, and other liberal causes, the very thought of a student indicated she believes in God is offensive and needs to be suppressed.
The ACLJ is representing her in this case. (The ACLJ is a conservative version of the ACLU, or better yet, what the ACLU should be). The say:
The ACLJ said his actions are unconstitutional. "A student's constitutional free speech rights to express religious views are fully protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments," the ACLJ wrote.
In addition to an apology and a re-grading of Hauf's paper, the ACLJ demands Shefchik "receive some kind of training to sensitize him to the constitutional dimensions of his employment in a public educational institution, including his duty to respect constitutional freedoms of expression."
Contact Info:
Department Head mentioned in story:
Judy Solis solisj@vvc.edu English Instructor, English 760-245-2330
Instructor:
Michael Shefchik shefchikm@vvc.edu English Adjunct Instructor
University President:
Patricia Spencer spencerp@vvc.edu President's Office Superintendent/President 760-245-2544
Contact them and let them know you don't support their outrageous and unconstitutional suppression and outright attack on all things Christian.
Posted by John Bambenek at 2:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Endorsements for my Candidacy
If you'd like to endorse my candidacy for the Supreme Court, please place the following on your blog...
[a href="http://jcb.pentex-net.com/archives/2005/07/announcement_of.html"]
[img src="http://jcb.pentex-net.com/jcb4scotus.gif"][/a]
Replace the brackets with the appropriate character (couldn't figure out how to make it appear right in MT).
Or if you want, feel free to download the gif and host it on your own site.
Thanks.
Posted by John Bambenek at 11:10 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Announcement of My Candidacy for Supreme Court Justice
Mr. President, Sen. Thompson, and Distinguished Members of the United States Senate-
I am writing to declare my intention to seek nomination to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Under the criteria put forward by the United States Constitution I am qualified for that office, I am a loyal citizen, and I am studied in law (though not a lawyer).
During this time of discernment of the wide array of choices to fill that office, I believe I am the most ideal candidate. Some may criticize the fact that I am not a lawyer (which incidentally is not required to be a federal judge), but I believe that this fact will assure that I bring a needed element of diversity to the court. Many of our conflicts of law result from the debating and pouring of minutiae that the simple desire to faithfully see the laws are followed and justice done has been forgotten. In the quest to get higher and higher jury awards, it is forgotten that it is the consumer, not the business, which pays. This critical understanding of the tort system brings added perspective to the judicial debate on tort reform.
I am a strict interpreter of the law. What is written is the law, not what I would like the law to be. If the people or the Legislature wants the law to be different, they have the obligation to change it. I believe in the system of checks and balances, which includes checks and balances on the courts which have been ignored in the past. I believe that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that European or other nation’s conventions or laws have no bearing on the meaning of our Constitution. I believe that the right of life should be presumed until the legislature can write laws to the contrary in the case of the unborn.
Much discussion has been had on the new media (blogging) and how it is revolutionizing the media and political discussion in this country. As a blogger (now ranked #172 in the TTLB ecosystem, and a contributor to several top 100 blogs) I would bring that cutting-edge experience to the court. I would also like to establish a Supreme Court blog for the public to get a closer view of the court and increase a feeling of transparency.
During this time, people all over the political spectrum are look to the President and most expect a bold choice. A non-lawyer blogger would certainly be that choice. I look forward to answering any questions you might have.
Sincerely,
John Bambenek
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:39 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
July 7, 2005
Book Review: Knoppix: Pocket Reference
Knoppix is one of the best known (if not best outright) bootable CD Linux distributions. You put the CD in the drive and you have a running Linux workstation complete with many useful administrative and security tools. O’Reilly’s Knoppix: Pocket Reference brings the many options and tools that comes with Knoppix and puts it a small book. It’s well-written, concise, and complete. It's roughly 70 pages of highly compact information on the various cheat codes (boot settings), security uses (such as cleaning virus infected machines offline), and Knoppix specific tools like Live Installing and persistent settings across boots.
This reference is essential for any beginners to Knoppix or for advanced users who are looking for the right set of options to get what they want out of the system. It’s an invaluable desk-side companion.
Posted by John Bambenek at 9:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Book Review: InfoSec Career Hacking
InfoSec Career Hacking is written to help young aspiring “hackers” to land that job in information security. The book is jam-packed with useful hints, information, and tricks of the trade. It covers basics for those more interested and less knowledgeable about security to the soft skills (people skills) such as running meetings and workplace etiquette.
The scope of the book is broad and goes back and forth between hard (technical) and soft skills in the chapters. The organization leaves a little to be desired as the back-and-forth tends to cause some chapters (like the first) to read more like scattershot. Separating soft and hard skills between chapters would be well advised. Lots of good information becomes a little difficult to find in its current form.
I was pleased to see a bunch of organizations represented as resources to get knowledge (such as the Internet Storm Center where I’m a volunteer handler) as well as a variety of software tools. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to get into information security and contains invaluable information to help one achieve and land such a job as well as to succeed in it.
Posted by John Bambenek at 8:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Curious What Democrats Mean During the Judicial Debate?
This handy translation table will help you sort it out.
Hat Tip: Dawn Eden
Posted by John Bambenek at 11:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Blogger's Identities
I read on Capitol Fax that apparently Matt Varble is in the business of trying to out IlliniPundit and in the past tried to get him fired.
I also read Dawn Eden on some Gawker hit piece on her because she writes headlines and pushing for conservative causes (as opposed to their columnists who push for liberal causes in their journalism itself).
Maybe I'm just that apathetic but I really don't care about other people's politics. There's plenty of targets for those all across the spectrum that are actually in public life without trolling the waters of private life to shut people up you don't agree with. Calling Durbin a dick for seditiously slandering the troops, fair game. Trying to get a blogger fired for being conservative|liberal|anarchistic, pretty lame.
Posted by John Bambenek at 10:59 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 6, 2005
On Environmentalist Support for Alternative Energy
Not even windmills are environmentally friendly enough for some environmentalists...
Posted by John Bambenek at 11:55 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Even Now, We Can't Call a Duck a Duck
U.S. Holding 5 Americans for Iraq Activity
All five are apparently American citizens as well, who took up arms against the US in Iraq. One is a Navy vet. With all due disclaimers about the alleged nature of what they did, will we charge them with treason?
During the Vietnam war we disregarded the only crime mentioned in the Constitution and let the likes of Hanoi Jane get away with what was essentially treason. We found two American citizens fighting against the military in Afghanistan... they were not charged with treason either.
Will the US again pass on charging people who clearly committed treason with the actual charge of treason? Have we effectively repealed Article III Section 3 of the Constitution?
Posted by John Bambenek at 11:44 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 5, 2005
Intellectual Bankruptcy - How the Left Doesn't Get Economics
I get a copy of Foreign Policy now as a Christmas present from last year (yes, I asked for it). Each issue comes in and some of the stuff is good... some of the other stuff is just intellectually bankrupt. In the May/June issue, for instance, it had a 2-page little montage on the disease distribution of the world and were the pharmaceutical companies send their medicines. The conclusion they want you to draw is clear, the companies do little/nothing about disease in say, Africa and that they should.
One problem with that philosophy, who pays for it? Business in capitalistic environments have costs that they pass on in the form of prices. Companies can't simply send products to non-paying customers without reimbursement. FP seems to think they should just suck it up and flip the bill themselves. They don't understand simple economics.
1) Companies have limited funds to work with.
2) Companies produce products. Those products have costs, usually defined. They pass those costs on in their entirety to the consumers of those products. Companies that cannot set their prices to cover costs has a technical name: bankrupt.
3) When articifcal costs are imposed on companies they have two choices, cut other costs or increase prices. The easiest cost to cut is obviously payroll.
4) Every tax, every fee, every regulation, every law, and every obligation is passed on and on and on to the only entity not able to pass on costs. The consumer. Specifically the middle-class to poor consumer.
By suggesting that a business should just suck up a cost will lead to either layoffs, increased prices (with an attendant increase cost of living), or more likely both. In the pharmaceutical industry, this does nothing but raise the cost of medical care on everyone.
In the July/August issue there is a debate on the best way to move forward with environmental policy between Carl Pope and Bjorn Lomborg. Bjorn takes a more priority-based pragmatic approach, and Carl Pope seems to say businesses and governments are stupid and should wise up.
Carl's first sign of silliness came with this comment:
Instead of pursuing new solutions such as hybrid cars, the United States invades Iraq, bullies Venezuela, and rattles its sabers at Iran.
First, in the largest economy in the world in the most powerful nation in the world there are never choices as simple as do we go to war or do we build hybrids. There is waiting lists and crazy money to be had with hybrid cars. Every car manufacturer is playing catch up and no amount of government proding will help. The incentives are there, and they're making them as fast as they can because they want the money now, not later.
Later he suggests there should be a carbon tax on pollution emiters to make the business pay for the damage they cause. Hint, the businesses won't pay because they can't be made to pay. They will either layoff employees, increase prices, or both. When dealing with this sector you are talking about power which everyone pays for, or manufacturing which consumers eventually pay for. It will entail in instant increase of cost-of-living and increase poverty.
This kind of naive thought that you can make businesses pay for anything is nothing less than intellectually bankrupt. It has the feel-good effect of "making the rich pay" but in realty only pays the obligation straight on the heads of the poor like an anvil from the sky. It's time to get past the corporate/rich bigotry that only leads to punishing the poor and get some real solutions.
Posted by John Bambenek at 9:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 1, 2005
And Chaos Will Reign
It would have been much better for Rehnquist to retire first or at the same time, as a conservative replacement for Rehnquist doesn't change anything. O'Connor is the 5th vote for legal abortion, which means the hearings will be all about one issue, and one issue alone. Abortion. The Democrats will not compromise or yield on that issue which means filibusters and character assasination. It means no replacement will be forthcoming anytime soon.
If you thought the Bork treatment is bad... you ain't seen nothing yet. This will be the ugliest fight to take place in the Senate for a long long time.
Posted by John Bambenek at 11:57 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
