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steve2470
steve2470's Journal
steve2470's Journal
February 8, 2014
BAUCHI, Nigeria — The young man cried out as he was being whipped on the courtroom bench. The bailiff’s leather whip struck him 20 times, and when it was over, the man’s side and back were covered with bruises.
Still, the large crowd outside was disappointed, the judge recalled: The penalty for gay sex under local Islamic law is death by stoning.
“He is supposed to be killed,” the judge, Nuhu Idris Mohammed, said, praising his own leniency on judgment day last month at the Shariah court here. The bailiff demonstrated the technique he used: whip at shoulder level, then forcefully down.
The mood is unforgiving in this north Nigeria metropolis, where nine others accused of being gay by the Islamic police are behind the central prison’s high walls. Stones and bottles rained down on them outside the court two weeks ago, residents and officials said; some in the mob even wanted to set the courtroom ablaze, witnesses said.
Wielding Whip and a Hard New Law, Nigeria Tries to ‘Sanitize’ Itself of Gays
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/world/africa/nigeria-uses-law-and-whip-to-sanitize-gays.html?_r=0BAUCHI, Nigeria — The young man cried out as he was being whipped on the courtroom bench. The bailiff’s leather whip struck him 20 times, and when it was over, the man’s side and back were covered with bruises.
Still, the large crowd outside was disappointed, the judge recalled: The penalty for gay sex under local Islamic law is death by stoning.
“He is supposed to be killed,” the judge, Nuhu Idris Mohammed, said, praising his own leniency on judgment day last month at the Shariah court here. The bailiff demonstrated the technique he used: whip at shoulder level, then forcefully down.
The mood is unforgiving in this north Nigeria metropolis, where nine others accused of being gay by the Islamic police are behind the central prison’s high walls. Stones and bottles rained down on them outside the court two weeks ago, residents and officials said; some in the mob even wanted to set the courtroom ablaze, witnesses said.
February 8, 2014
Windows XP has but 59 days left to live – officially, that is. On April 8, as we've reported numerous times previously, Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on the operating system. The not-so-insignificant number of users running the legacy OS will still be able to use it, but they won't be able to count on Microsoft for patches, updates, security fixes, and other forms of support past the cutoff date.
That's not quite news. What is news, however, is Microsoft's renewed efforts to convince these (stubborn?) users to switch over. We can only imagine that the flurry of communications, warnings, and outright insistence from Redmond will grow as we approach various milestones closer to the shutoff date.
At 60 days out, Microsoft's big communication is a new blog post that asks tech-savvy readers to help out those who need a little assistance making the big switch.
"As a reader of this blog, it's unlikely you are running Windows XP on your PC. However, you may know someone who is and have even served as their tech support. To help, we have created a special page on Windows.com that explains what "end of support" means for people still on Windows XP and their options to stay protected after support ends on April 8th," wrote Microsoft senior marketing communications manager Brandon LeBlanc yesterday.
Microsoft Asks Windows XP Holdouts: Upgrade to Windows 8 Already
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2451550,00.aspWindows XP has but 59 days left to live – officially, that is. On April 8, as we've reported numerous times previously, Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on the operating system. The not-so-insignificant number of users running the legacy OS will still be able to use it, but they won't be able to count on Microsoft for patches, updates, security fixes, and other forms of support past the cutoff date.
That's not quite news. What is news, however, is Microsoft's renewed efforts to convince these (stubborn?) users to switch over. We can only imagine that the flurry of communications, warnings, and outright insistence from Redmond will grow as we approach various milestones closer to the shutoff date.
At 60 days out, Microsoft's big communication is a new blog post that asks tech-savvy readers to help out those who need a little assistance making the big switch.
"As a reader of this blog, it's unlikely you are running Windows XP on your PC. However, you may know someone who is and have even served as their tech support. To help, we have created a special page on Windows.com that explains what "end of support" means for people still on Windows XP and their options to stay protected after support ends on April 8th," wrote Microsoft senior marketing communications manager Brandon LeBlanc yesterday.
February 8, 2014
(Reuters) - Attorney General Eric Holder plans widespread changes within the U.S. Justice Department to benefit same-sex married couples, such as recognizing a legal right for them not to testify against each other in civil and criminal cases, according to excerpts of a speech on Saturday.
The changes are designed to keep pushing for gay rights in the United States after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year said the federal government cannot refuse to recognize same-sex marriages carried out in states that allow them.
U.S. law has long included a "spousal privilege" that protects communications between a husband and wife so that they cannot be forced to incriminate one another in court.
In addition to extending the privilege to same-sex couples in situations involving the Justice Department, Holder said he plans to put same-sex couples on the same legal footing as opposite-sex couples in other areas, including how certain debts are handled in federal bankruptcy proceedings and visitation policies at federal prisons.
U.S. Justice Department to expand rights of same-sex couples
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/08/us-usa-gaymarriage-holder-idUSBREA170QV20140208(Reuters) - Attorney General Eric Holder plans widespread changes within the U.S. Justice Department to benefit same-sex married couples, such as recognizing a legal right for them not to testify against each other in civil and criminal cases, according to excerpts of a speech on Saturday.
The changes are designed to keep pushing for gay rights in the United States after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year said the federal government cannot refuse to recognize same-sex marriages carried out in states that allow them.
U.S. law has long included a "spousal privilege" that protects communications between a husband and wife so that they cannot be forced to incriminate one another in court.
In addition to extending the privilege to same-sex couples in situations involving the Justice Department, Holder said he plans to put same-sex couples on the same legal footing as opposite-sex couples in other areas, including how certain debts are handled in federal bankruptcy proceedings and visitation policies at federal prisons.
February 7, 2014
If this is true, this is very sad.
article: How Philip Seymour Hoffman relapsed
http://www.tmz.com/2014/02/06/philip-seymour-hoffman-the-master-heroin-alcohol-addiction/Philip Seymour Hoffman's recent and fatal path down the road of addiction was triggered by an innocent drink ... sources close to the actor tell TMZ.
Hoffman had been sober for 23 years prior to shooting "The Master" -- but during a wrap party in 2012, the actor succumbed to temptation ... and celebrated the movie with a drink ... which quickly became a couple of drinks.
Hoffman acknowledged to confidants ... the drinks opened the floodgates. Addictions experts all say one drink can destroy an addict's life ... and that seems to be what happened here.
Sources tell us Hoffman didn't begin experimenting with heroin until 2013, after he had already fully fallen off the wagon. We're told he had long been curious about the drug.
Hoffman had been sober for 23 years prior to shooting "The Master" -- but during a wrap party in 2012, the actor succumbed to temptation ... and celebrated the movie with a drink ... which quickly became a couple of drinks.
Hoffman acknowledged to confidants ... the drinks opened the floodgates. Addictions experts all say one drink can destroy an addict's life ... and that seems to be what happened here.
Sources tell us Hoffman didn't begin experimenting with heroin until 2013, after he had already fully fallen off the wagon. We're told he had long been curious about the drug.
If this is true, this is very sad.
February 7, 2014
Customers might have to be worried about another range of companies thanks to the Target credit card security breach. The retailer reported that the initial intrusion into its network was traced back to credentials stolen from Fazio Mechanical Services, a refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning company hired by Target. Hackers used the stolen credentials between November 15th and November 28th to upload card-stealing malware to many of Target's cash registers, and within a month, completely infiltrate the system.
Krebs on Security explains that Fazio Mechanical could have had access to Target's network for maintenance purposes. It's common practice for large companies to hire teams to monitor energy consumption in stores to help save on energy costs. Those teams need to have remote access to the company's network, so that is one way the HVAC company could have had long-term access to Target's system.
However, that does not explain why the retailer's maintenance network led the hackers to its payment network. It's possible that Target had the maintenance and payment networks connected, making it easy for hackers to access one from the other. But Krebs alluded to an even more unsettling scenario — the networks could have been separated from the start, but the hackers found a way to connect them.
Fazio Mechanical president Ross Fazio confirmed that the US Secret Service — which has not been shy about its investigation — has visited the company's offices while investigating the Target breach. It makes sense for the Department of Justice to take a hard look at Fazio: the HVAC contractor has completed projects for Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and others, suggesting those companies could be susceptible to similar attacks. While the identities of the hackers are still unknown, this discovery shows how even the most tangental connection to a huge company like Target could open the door for hackers to access information. Target is now rushing to install chip-enabled smart cards to provide better security at the point of sale, but it can only try to control what happens in its stores.
*bolding mine*
Hackers accessed Target's network using credentials stolen from a contractor
http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/5/5383338/target-hackers-accessed-retailers-network-with-stolen-contractor-credentialsCustomers might have to be worried about another range of companies thanks to the Target credit card security breach. The retailer reported that the initial intrusion into its network was traced back to credentials stolen from Fazio Mechanical Services, a refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning company hired by Target. Hackers used the stolen credentials between November 15th and November 28th to upload card-stealing malware to many of Target's cash registers, and within a month, completely infiltrate the system.
Krebs on Security explains that Fazio Mechanical could have had access to Target's network for maintenance purposes. It's common practice for large companies to hire teams to monitor energy consumption in stores to help save on energy costs. Those teams need to have remote access to the company's network, so that is one way the HVAC company could have had long-term access to Target's system.
However, that does not explain why the retailer's maintenance network led the hackers to its payment network. It's possible that Target had the maintenance and payment networks connected, making it easy for hackers to access one from the other. But Krebs alluded to an even more unsettling scenario — the networks could have been separated from the start, but the hackers found a way to connect them.
Fazio Mechanical president Ross Fazio confirmed that the US Secret Service — which has not been shy about its investigation — has visited the company's offices while investigating the Target breach. It makes sense for the Department of Justice to take a hard look at Fazio: the HVAC contractor has completed projects for Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and others, suggesting those companies could be susceptible to similar attacks. While the identities of the hackers are still unknown, this discovery shows how even the most tangental connection to a huge company like Target could open the door for hackers to access information. Target is now rushing to install chip-enabled smart cards to provide better security at the point of sale, but it can only try to control what happens in its stores.
*bolding mine*
February 7, 2014
Editor's note: Andra Gillespie is associate professor of political science at Emory University. She is the author of "The New Black Politician: Cory Booker, Newark and Post-Racial America." She is currently working on new projects about race and the Obama administration and blacks and their relationship with the Republican Party.
(CNN) -- It's February and Black History Month, and networks and major consumer brands are reprising their annual ad campaigns honoring the contributions of African-Americans to the arts, politics, technology and commerce.
This year, a new player is sponsoring Black History Month ads: the Republican National Committee.
In spots airing on black radio and television stations in select media markets, the RNC praises the contributions of black Republicans such as Louis Sullivan, a former secretary of health and human services under President George H.W. Bush.
GOP's slick Black History ads fall short, miss the point
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/opinion/gillespie-gop-black-history-ad/Editor's note: Andra Gillespie is associate professor of political science at Emory University. She is the author of "The New Black Politician: Cory Booker, Newark and Post-Racial America." She is currently working on new projects about race and the Obama administration and blacks and their relationship with the Republican Party.
(CNN) -- It's February and Black History Month, and networks and major consumer brands are reprising their annual ad campaigns honoring the contributions of African-Americans to the arts, politics, technology and commerce.
This year, a new player is sponsoring Black History Month ads: the Republican National Committee.
In spots airing on black radio and television stations in select media markets, the RNC praises the contributions of black Republicans such as Louis Sullivan, a former secretary of health and human services under President George H.W. Bush.
February 7, 2014
To avoid malware, should you run apps in a sandbox and use a VM ? Thanks.
question about running XP after April 8th
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/endofsupport.aspxTo avoid malware, should you run apps in a sandbox and use a VM ? Thanks.
February 6, 2014
Republican opposition to FLSA of 1938
I was trying to research the 1930's Republican arguments against the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and got this quote below. Is it accurate ?
http://politicalhotwire.com/political-discussion/82844-obamas-minimum-wage-comments-17.html
Republicans (almost completely unanimously) and southern conservative Democrats tried with all their might to stop the "Fair Labor Standards Act", which started as one bill in December 1932 and was finally signed into law on June 25th, 1938. Even after it passed, Republicans challenged the law all the way to the Supreme Court (does this sound familiar?) and lost in 1941, again in 1942. Conservatives hated FDR for getting minimum wage passed, also for abolishing child labor. They hated him for it and called him "Jewsevelt" over it. Their rhetoric over him was so toxic that even their nominee in 1940, Wendell Willkie, avoided the arch-conservatives in his Party.
February 6, 2014
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1604899.1391720801!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/biden-infrastructure.jpg
Question: Why doesn't the link from NYDN show his pic ? I never can get the NYDN pics to show up.
Vice President Biden blasts La Guardia Airport as feeling like ‘it’s in some third world country’
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/vice-president-biden-blasts-la-guardia-airport-feeling-world-country-article-1.1604900http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1604899.1391720801!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/biden-infrastructure.jpg
Biden made the amusing, and some would say, true, comments about the aging airport during an event about infrastructure in Philadelphia.
“If I blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you must think, ‘I must be in some third world country,’” Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday.
Vice President Joe Biden, never one to hide what he’s thinking, said Thursday that New York’s LaGuardia Airport fees like it’s “in some third world country.”
“If I blindfolded someone and took them at 2:00 in the morning into the airport in Hong Kong and said ‘where do you think you are,’ they’d say, ‘this must be America, it’s a modern airport,’” Biden said during a speech on infrastructure in Philadelphia.
“If I blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you must think, ‘I must be in some third world country,’” Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday.
Vice President Joe Biden, never one to hide what he’s thinking, said Thursday that New York’s LaGuardia Airport fees like it’s “in some third world country.”
“If I blindfolded someone and took them at 2:00 in the morning into the airport in Hong Kong and said ‘where do you think you are,’ they’d say, ‘this must be America, it’s a modern airport,’” Biden said during a speech on infrastructure in Philadelphia.
Question: Why doesn't the link from NYDN show his pic ? I never can get the NYDN pics to show up.
February 6, 2014
Russian adviser threatens Ukraine with military force
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/06/ukraine-protests-russia-military-threats/5259777/Protesters expressed their fears as a senior U.S. diplomat arrived in Kiev to try to help find a resolution to the country's political crisis, and an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened Ukraine with attack.
Sergei Glazyev on Thursday accused the United States of funding the Ukrainian "rebels" by as much as $20 million a day for weapons and other supplies. He urged the Ukrainian government to put down the "attempted coup" or Russia may have to to intervene under the terms of a 1994 agreement between the U.S. and Russia, according to the Ukraine edition of the Russian daily Kommersant.
Glazyev was alluding to the Budapest Memorandum, a treaty in which the Ukraine agreed to turn over a nuclear arsenal on its soil left over after the fall of the Soviet Union, of which Ukraine was a part until it dissolved in 1991.
In return, the United States, United Kingdom and Russia, nuclear powers all, guaranteed to respect the independence and the borders of Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to seek immediate U.N. Security Council action should Ukraine become a victim of an act of aggression.
Sergei Glazyev on Thursday accused the United States of funding the Ukrainian "rebels" by as much as $20 million a day for weapons and other supplies. He urged the Ukrainian government to put down the "attempted coup" or Russia may have to to intervene under the terms of a 1994 agreement between the U.S. and Russia, according to the Ukraine edition of the Russian daily Kommersant.
Glazyev was alluding to the Budapest Memorandum, a treaty in which the Ukraine agreed to turn over a nuclear arsenal on its soil left over after the fall of the Soviet Union, of which Ukraine was a part until it dissolved in 1991.
In return, the United States, United Kingdom and Russia, nuclear powers all, guaranteed to respect the independence and the borders of Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to seek immediate U.N. Security Council action should Ukraine become a victim of an act of aggression.
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