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steve2470
steve2470's Journal
steve2470's Journal
October 9, 2013
Bare House Majority Inches Up for 'Clean' Government Funding (219 in House)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bare-house-majority-inches-clean-government-funding/story?id=20518640By ABC News' count, at least 219 members (up from 218 Tuesday) say they would support a "clean" measure to extend all government funding without other conditions attached, such as defunding or delaying the president's health care law; 217 of the 432 members is the threshold needed to pass the measure. (Three seats are vacant.)
How did we get to that number?
On Saturday, 195 Democrats signed a letter to Boehner that said, "Enough is enough. … We demand a vote on a clean continuing resolution immediately so that government functioning can resume and Americans can move on with their lives."
Aides to the five other House Democrats -- Reps. Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Jim Matheson of Utah, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, Ron Kind of Wisconsin and John Barrow of Georgia -- told ABC News Monday that they would vote for a clean "continuing resolution," or CR.
That makes all 200 Democratic votes for a clean CR.
How did we get to that number?
On Saturday, 195 Democrats signed a letter to Boehner that said, "Enough is enough. … We demand a vote on a clean continuing resolution immediately so that government functioning can resume and Americans can move on with their lives."
Aides to the five other House Democrats -- Reps. Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Jim Matheson of Utah, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, Ron Kind of Wisconsin and John Barrow of Georgia -- told ABC News Monday that they would vote for a clean "continuing resolution," or CR.
That makes all 200 Democratic votes for a clean CR.
October 9, 2013
Go to the link above and click your state on the map.
H/T to new DU'er theCHARLOTTEan
Easy way to get information on your state's health insurance plans
http://www.valuepenguin.com/ppaca/exchangesGo to the link above and click your state on the map.
H/T to new DU'er theCHARLOTTEan
October 9, 2013
In June, Microsoft announced it would be awarding money to people who come up with truly novel ways of getting around the protections in Windows 8.1 Preview, and to those who can find critical vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer 11 Preview.
Today, the company announced it’s awarding $100,000 to James Forshaw, a security vulnerability researcher with Context Information Security. Forshaw was awarded the Mitigation Bypass Bounty for coming up with a new exploitation technique around the protections in Windows 8.1 Preview.
(“Mitigation bypasses” are techniques of going around the protections in a system.)
Microsoft said it couldn’t offer details of the new mitigation bypass technique until the company addresses it.
Katie Moussouris, senior security strategist lead with Microsoft Trustworthy Computing, did say in a statement: “We’re thrilled to receive this qualifying Mitigation Bypass Bounty submission within the first three months of our bounty offering. James’ entry will help us improve our platform-wide defenses and ultimately improve security for customers, as it allows us to identify and protect against an entire class of issues.”
Microsoft pays researcher $100,000 bounty for finding way around Windows 8.1 protections
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/microsoftpri0/2013/10/08/microsoft-pays-researcher-100000-bounty-for-finding-ways-around-windows-8-1-protections/In June, Microsoft announced it would be awarding money to people who come up with truly novel ways of getting around the protections in Windows 8.1 Preview, and to those who can find critical vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer 11 Preview.
Today, the company announced it’s awarding $100,000 to James Forshaw, a security vulnerability researcher with Context Information Security. Forshaw was awarded the Mitigation Bypass Bounty for coming up with a new exploitation technique around the protections in Windows 8.1 Preview.
(“Mitigation bypasses” are techniques of going around the protections in a system.)
Microsoft said it couldn’t offer details of the new mitigation bypass technique until the company addresses it.
Katie Moussouris, senior security strategist lead with Microsoft Trustworthy Computing, did say in a statement: “We’re thrilled to receive this qualifying Mitigation Bypass Bounty submission within the first three months of our bounty offering. James’ entry will help us improve our platform-wide defenses and ultimately improve security for customers, as it allows us to identify and protect against an entire class of issues.”
October 8, 2013
It can be hard to get attention for your agenda in a town like Washington, but Georgia trucker Earl Conlon figured out a way: Take the Beltway hostage.
Conlon’s comments in a U.S. News & World Report story that he and thousands of truckers from across the country (and possibly Canada) planned to come to the nation’s capital Friday and bring traffic to a standstill on the inner loop of the Capital Beltway zinged across the Web, picked up by outlets ranging from Fox News to the Huffington Post. The rally was dubbed “Truckers for the Constitution.”
But alas, it is a hoax.
“The comments to U.S. News were designed to do one thing and one thing only: stir the feather of the mainstream media,” said Conlon, a father of three. “Nothing gets the attention of the mainstream media like some sort of disastrous threat. I knew it was going to ruffle some feathers.”
Threat of Capital Beltway shutdown is a hoax, trucker says
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/capital-beltway-shutdown-all-a-ploy-trucker-says/2013/10/08/1e446572-3033-11e3-bbed-a8a60c601153_story.html?tid=pm_local_popIt can be hard to get attention for your agenda in a town like Washington, but Georgia trucker Earl Conlon figured out a way: Take the Beltway hostage.
Conlon’s comments in a U.S. News & World Report story that he and thousands of truckers from across the country (and possibly Canada) planned to come to the nation’s capital Friday and bring traffic to a standstill on the inner loop of the Capital Beltway zinged across the Web, picked up by outlets ranging from Fox News to the Huffington Post. The rally was dubbed “Truckers for the Constitution.”
But alas, it is a hoax.
“The comments to U.S. News were designed to do one thing and one thing only: stir the feather of the mainstream media,” said Conlon, a father of three. “Nothing gets the attention of the mainstream media like some sort of disastrous threat. I knew it was going to ruffle some feathers.”
October 8, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/07/storekeeper-robber-machete/2940315/
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (AP) — Police on Long Island have released a video of a storekeeper chasing away a robbery suspect with a machete.
The attempted robbery at a convenience store in Brentwood happened on Sept. 25. Suffolk County police released the video on Monday.
In the video, the gunman enters the store and points a .22 caliber handgun at the clerk. The clerk, who is not identified, pulls a machete from a sheath under the counter and when he threatens the strike the gunman, the assailant flees without any loot from the store.
The final shot in the video shows the storekeeper chasing the robber through a parking lot.
Deli owner with machete goes after robber with gun
http://www.sfgate.com/ndnvideos/?freewheel=45981&sitesection=sfgate_nws_non_sec&VID=25233238http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/07/storekeeper-robber-machete/2940315/
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (AP) — Police on Long Island have released a video of a storekeeper chasing away a robbery suspect with a machete.
The attempted robbery at a convenience store in Brentwood happened on Sept. 25. Suffolk County police released the video on Monday.
In the video, the gunman enters the store and points a .22 caliber handgun at the clerk. The clerk, who is not identified, pulls a machete from a sheath under the counter and when he threatens the strike the gunman, the assailant flees without any loot from the store.
The final shot in the video shows the storekeeper chasing the robber through a parking lot.
October 8, 2013
Chronic electrical surges at the massive new data-storage facility central to the National Security Agency's spying operation have destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of machinery and delayed the center's opening for a year, according to project documents and current and former officials.
There have been 10 meltdowns in the past 13 months that have prevented the NSA from using computers at its new Utah data-storage center, slated to be the spy agency's largest, according to project documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
One project official described the electrical troubles—so-called arc fault failures—as "a flash of lightning inside a 2-foot box." These failures create fiery explosions, melt metal and cause circuits to fail, the official said.
The causes remain under investigation, and there is disagreement whether proposed fixes will work, according to officials and project documents. One Utah project official said the NSA planned this week to turn on some of its computers there.
Meltdowns Hobble NSA Data Center
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404579119490744478398.htmlChronic electrical surges at the massive new data-storage facility central to the National Security Agency's spying operation have destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of machinery and delayed the center's opening for a year, according to project documents and current and former officials.
There have been 10 meltdowns in the past 13 months that have prevented the NSA from using computers at its new Utah data-storage center, slated to be the spy agency's largest, according to project documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
One project official described the electrical troubles—so-called arc fault failures—as "a flash of lightning inside a 2-foot box." These failures create fiery explosions, melt metal and cause circuits to fail, the official said.
The causes remain under investigation, and there is disagreement whether proposed fixes will work, according to officials and project documents. One Utah project official said the NSA planned this week to turn on some of its computers there.
October 8, 2013
It looks like even Antarctica isn't far away enough to avoid getting caught up in the government shutdown.
That's because it's currently springtime there, and scientists who study this remote, rugged continent are poised to take advantage of the few months when there's enough daylight and it's warm enough to work. Advance teams have already started working to get things set up and ready for the researchers, who usually begin heading south right about now.
But they're hearing that the government's contractor for logistics in Antarctica, Lockheed Martin, will run out of funding for its Antarctic support program in about a week. A decision about whether they will need to start pulling back personnel is expected very soon.
The fear is that this year's entire research season will effectively be cancelled — that scientists and logistical support workers will be called back home, and only skeleton crews will be left to keep the three U.S. research stations going.
Even Antarctica Feels Effects Of The Government Shutdown
http://www.npr.org/2013/10/07/230170093/even-antarctica-feels-the-effects-of-the-government-shutdownIt looks like even Antarctica isn't far away enough to avoid getting caught up in the government shutdown.
That's because it's currently springtime there, and scientists who study this remote, rugged continent are poised to take advantage of the few months when there's enough daylight and it's warm enough to work. Advance teams have already started working to get things set up and ready for the researchers, who usually begin heading south right about now.
But they're hearing that the government's contractor for logistics in Antarctica, Lockheed Martin, will run out of funding for its Antarctic support program in about a week. A decision about whether they will need to start pulling back personnel is expected very soon.
The fear is that this year's entire research season will effectively be cancelled — that scientists and logistical support workers will be called back home, and only skeleton crews will be left to keep the three U.S. research stations going.
October 8, 2013
The government shutdown might be killing the vibes of furloughed Federal employees, but one website hopes to change that. Vibrators.com, a website that bills itself as “the easiest way to find the perfect vibrator,” is offering its merchandise free of charge to any nonessential government workers.
“Are you a federal employee that has been deemed non-essential? Do you have a little too much time on your hands and nothing to do? Is the recent government shutdown to blame?” the company asks in an announcement on their website. “As vibrator enthusiasts, we want everyone to experience the pleasure that a nice vibrator can bring to partners and individuals. Besides, we know you have some free time, why not try something new?”
The company is right about one thing: According to the Washington Post, at least 450,000 federal employees remained on furlough Monday as the government shutdown entered its second week. In a rare move on Saturday, the House voted unanimously to approve back pay for furloughed employees once the shutdown ends.
But in the meantime -- while supplies last -- the company is offering eligible applicants a “free vibe,” which typically retails for $9.99, for as long as the government shutdown continues. Features include complimentary shipping conducted with the “utmost privacy and discretion.”
Website Offers Furloughed Employees Free Vibrators During Government Shutdown
http://www.ibtimes.com/website-offers-furloughed-employees-free-vibrators-during-government-shutdown-1415988The government shutdown might be killing the vibes of furloughed Federal employees, but one website hopes to change that. Vibrators.com, a website that bills itself as “the easiest way to find the perfect vibrator,” is offering its merchandise free of charge to any nonessential government workers.
“Are you a federal employee that has been deemed non-essential? Do you have a little too much time on your hands and nothing to do? Is the recent government shutdown to blame?” the company asks in an announcement on their website. “As vibrator enthusiasts, we want everyone to experience the pleasure that a nice vibrator can bring to partners and individuals. Besides, we know you have some free time, why not try something new?”
The company is right about one thing: According to the Washington Post, at least 450,000 federal employees remained on furlough Monday as the government shutdown entered its second week. In a rare move on Saturday, the House voted unanimously to approve back pay for furloughed employees once the shutdown ends.
But in the meantime -- while supplies last -- the company is offering eligible applicants a “free vibe,” which typically retails for $9.99, for as long as the government shutdown continues. Features include complimentary shipping conducted with the “utmost privacy and discretion.”
October 8, 2013
Fiona Apple Addresses Heckler Who Told Her To ‘Get Healthy,’ Says Weight Is Still 'A Sensitive......
Fiona Apple Addresses Heckler Who Told Her To ‘Get Healthy,’ Says Weight Is Still 'A Sensitive Subject'
http://www.ibtimes.com/fiona-apple-addresses-heckler-who-told-her-get-healthy-says-weight-still-sensitive-subject-1416110
Fiona Apple’s weight has long been a subject of scrutiny, so much so that it’s at times detracted from her music. Just last week, during a performance in Portland, she kicked out an audience member who said she looked too thin and urged her to “get healthy.” In a new interview, the 36-year-old songwriter opened up about the incident, explaining why it “hurt her feelings.”
Critics began carping about Apple’s weight when she burst out in 1997 with the brooding hit “Criminal” and an attendant video that featured her skulking around in her underwear while casting furtive glances at the camera. The New Yorker’s Sasha Frere-Jones later said the video showed Apple “looking like an underfed Calvin Klein model,” while New York magazine’s Ben Williams went further, saying it had “overtones of child porn.”
The weight commentary that’s continued to follow her in the 16 years since then is one of the few things Apple gets publicly angry about. Last October, she personally responded to barbs from entertainment blogger Perez Hilton about her weight at a concert, telling attendees that his words were “dangerous” and “irresponsible,” and asking that people “please stop hurting my feelings.”
She voiced similar sentiments last week, when a fan at one of her shows yelled “Fiona, get healthy! We want to see you in 10 years. I saw you 20 years ago and you were beautiful.” The comments apparently enraged Apple, who reportedly looked shocked, “then hurt, then furious,” and responded with a stream of angry expletives. “I am healthy! Who the f--- do you think you are? I want you to get the f--- out of here. I want the house lights on so I watch you leave!” she told the heckler, according to a report from Stereogum.
October 8, 2013
WASHINGTON — The technical problems that have hampered enrollment in the online health insurance exchanges resulted from the failure of a major software component, designed by private contractors, that crashed under the weight of millions of users last week, federal officials said Monday.
Todd Park, President Obama’s top technology adviser, said the failure occurred in the part of the Web site that lets people create user accounts at the beginning of the insurance sign-up process. The crash prevented many people from viewing any of their insurance options or gaining access to information on what federal subsidies might be available.
“At lower volumes, it would work fine,” Mr. Park said of the Web site, healthcare.gov. “At higher volumes, it has problems.”
“Right now,” he added, “we’ve got what we think we need. The contractors have sent reinforcements. They are working 24-7. We just wish there was more time in a day.”
Health Exchange Delays Tied to Software Crash In Early Rush to Enroll
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/08/us/health-exchange-delays-tied-to-software-crash-in-early-rush.html?_r=0WASHINGTON — The technical problems that have hampered enrollment in the online health insurance exchanges resulted from the failure of a major software component, designed by private contractors, that crashed under the weight of millions of users last week, federal officials said Monday.
Todd Park, President Obama’s top technology adviser, said the failure occurred in the part of the Web site that lets people create user accounts at the beginning of the insurance sign-up process. The crash prevented many people from viewing any of their insurance options or gaining access to information on what federal subsidies might be available.
“At lower volumes, it would work fine,” Mr. Park said of the Web site, healthcare.gov. “At higher volumes, it has problems.”
“Right now,” he added, “we’ve got what we think we need. The contractors have sent reinforcements. They are working 24-7. We just wish there was more time in a day.”
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