March 23, 2014

Turkey Moves To Block Twitter At The IP Level

http://techcrunch.com/2014/03/22/turkey-moves-to-block-twitter-at-the-ip-level/

In its effort to curtail access to Twitter, Turkey is getting more aggressive with a block of the service’s IP address, according to sources inside Turkey as well as a DNS provider. That means that changing their DNS server, whether it be Google DNS or OpenDNS, will no longer work for residents in the country.

Previously, Twitter users in Turkey had turned to Google DNS and other services as a way to circumvent the country’s ban of Twitter as a communication service. The government later thwarted those efforts with a block of the DNS service as well, while other services, like OpenDNS, remained available.

But the latest move by the government will make it more difficult, but not quite impossible, for residents to access Twitter. By blocking Twitter at the IP level, DNS services will no longer work. Instead, citizens are being urged to access the service via VPN or by using the Tor anonymity network.

While Turkey seeks to reduce usage on Twitter, its ban of the service has had just the opposite effect. Residents there who have found workarounds are actually tweeting more than before the government sought to block it.

March 22, 2014

Brennan seeks 'way forward' in CIA-Senate fight

http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2014/03/brennan-seeks-way-forward-in-ciasenate-fight-185550.html

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan told the spy agency's employees Friday that he's committed to resolving the unusual public dispute that broke out recently between the CIA and its overseers in the U.S. Senate.

"You can be sure that we and the Committee are committed to finding a way forward that allows CIA to continue with its important intelligence mission and that promotes effective and independent Congressional oversight of our Nation’s classified intelligence activities," Brennan said in an unclassified, agency-wide message obtained by POLITICO.

"As we all well know, the intelligence profession is frequently a difficult and challenging one, and it should come as no surprise that many of the things CIA is asked to do are subjected to close scrutiny. Moreover, it is appropriate for the Intelligence Committees in the Senate and the House to carry out their oversight responsibilities thoroughly and comprehensively, and CIA needs to do all it can to assist the Committees in that regard," Brennan added

Last week, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) delivered a floor speech excoriating the agency for searching computers Senate staffers used as part of their investigation into the CIA's Bush-era interrogation practices. However, she also disclosed that committee staffers removed copies of internal CIA documents from the review facility and took them to secure spaces on Capitol Hill, without permission from the CIA.

March 22, 2014

90.1 °F now in Lake Wales FL

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=28.00205040,-81.56474304&sp=KFLLAKEW30

This has to be the most moribund group on DU. Too bad.

March 22, 2014

Hypnosis, feedback sought

https://www.asch.net/Public/GeneralInfoonHypnosis/DefinitionofHypnosis.aspx

The link above is to a website that is, afaict, non-woo. Yes, "stage hypnosis" is pretty much entertainment and BS. Yes, some people have made overblown and unsubstantiated claims for hypnosis.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy

Thanks.


Steve

March 22, 2014

*****Barack Obama Group*****In Beijing Talk, Michelle Obama Extols Free Speech

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/world/asia/in-china-michelle-obama-speaks-out-for-free-speech.html?hpw&rref=us&_r=0

BEIJING — On a visit that was supposed to be nonpolitical, Michelle Obama delivered an unmistakable message to the Chinese on Saturday, saying in an address here that freedom of speech, particularly on the Internet and in the news media, provided the foundation for a vibrant society.

On the second day of a weeklong trip to China with her two daughters and her mother, Mrs. Obama, the first lady, spoke to an audience of Americans and Chinese at Peking University, and in the middle of an appeal for more American students to study abroad, she also talked of the value for people of hearing “all sides of every argument.”

“Time and again, we have seen that countries are stronger and more prosperous when the voices and opinions of all their citizens can be heard,” she said.

The United States, she said, respected the “uniqueness” of other cultures and societies. “But when it comes to expressing yourself freely,” she said, “and worshiping as you choose, and having open access to information — we believe those are universal rights that are the birthright of every person on this planet.”

GO FLOTUS !!!!!!!

March 22, 2014

Find something to be happy about today (Saturday March 22 2014)

Good News: Kindhearted neighbors blossomed in the winter weather

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/03/good_news_islanders_grateful_f.html

By Marie Smith of Ward Hill

I would like to extend my deep thanks and appreciation to a very special family - my next door neighbors - the Lanham family on Nixon Avenue.

I am elderly and live alone. My house is high on a hill with many stairs, a steep driveway and a long sidewalk in front of my property.
This winter proved to be a hardship with the tremendous amount of snow that fell, which seemed to occur every other day.

Thankfully , my neighbors were always there to help me.

Alan Lanham, who had so much of own shoveling to do at his home and the home of his relatives who needed help, always made time to help me.

March 22, 2014

Deputies: (TN) Dad accused of teeing off on cars outside jail

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strange/floriduh-blog/sfl-flduh-spring-breakers-dad-20140320,0,2159000.story

Hey, why should kids have all the fun?

Looks like this poppa really knows how to get into the swing of things.

A Tennessee spring breaker's dad, identiified as Phillip D. Tidwell, was allegedly caught on video hitting parked cars with a golf club - at a Panhanndle jail, reports the Northwest Florida Daily News in Fort Walton Beach.

Tidwell said he damaged the cars because of how long it was taking to get his family member out of the slammer, according to deputies.


FloridaMan™©® took the day off

March 22, 2014

"Currently we are hit by over a million probes a day from china taiwan and amsterdam"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/109510313#post5

Is this your experience also, IT people ? What can be done about it ?

March 22, 2014

GOTV 2014: President Obama helped save the economy in 2009

I think we can all remember the fall of 2008 and early 2009. The economy was tanking fast. I think IIRC the economy was losing 700K jobs per month at one point.

Granted, the final stimulus that got passed was inadequate. HOWEVER....that was the fault of the deficit hawks and the Republicans. A $1T stimulus was regarded as simply unthinkable, so we had to settle for less.

Again, give credit where credit is due. The economy was saved. FDR saved capitalism. Obama and we Democrats also saved capitalism.

Democrats are good for the economy. The FUD line is that Republicans can manage the economy better. That's utter bullshit.

GOTV in 2014 !

March 22, 2014

Cops nab (Florida) cross-dresser accused of hurling concrete at motorist

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strange/floriduh-blog/sfl-flduh-crossdresser-concrete-20140320,0,7539888.story

The cross-dresser apparently crossed swords with a motorists and her passengers.

Orlando cops said they arrested the cross-dresser wearing a wig, tight blue dress and high heels who allegedly threw a rock through a car's front window, nearly hitting a passenger, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

The man, identified as Andrew J. West,also reportedly cussed at the women in the car.

What else did he do?

more at link