DygiScape

XSS Goes Presidential

This weekend, presidential candidate, Barack Obama’s Web site was defaced via a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) exploit, effectively redirecting visitors to Hillary Clinton’s Web site. Whether or the Script Kiddie was from the Clinton camp, this should be a wake up call for Web designers to start holding XSS exploits with more priority. More »

ABC News Blasted for Debate, More Than 15K Negative Comments!

Even though I counted myself out from watching the debate held by ABC News, many people did watch it. Many people claim ABC News was biased and didn’t adequately moderate the debate equally. The people have spoken (rather, commented), with more than 15,000 negative comments on the ABC News commenting section. More »

‘Handlebars’ by the Flobots

Flobots - Handlebars

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

Look at me, look at me
hands in the air like it’s good to be
ALIVE
and I’m a famous rapper
even when the paths’re all crookedy
I can show you how to do-si-do
I can show you how to scratch a record
I can take apart the remote control
And I can almost put it back together
I can tie a knot in a cherry stem
I can tell you about Leif Ericson
I know all the words to “De Colores”
And “I’m Proud to be an American”
Me and my friend saw a platypus
Me and my friend made a comic book
And guess how long it took
I can do anything that I want cuz, look:

I can keep rhythm with no metronome
No metronome
No metronome

I can see your face on the telephone
On the telephone
On the telephone

Look at me
Look at me
Just called to say that it’s good to be
ALIVE
In such a small world
All curled up with a book to read
I can raise funds open up a thrift store
I can make a living off a magazine
I can design an engine sixty four
Miles to a gallon of gasoline
I can make new antibiotics
I can make computers survive aquatic conditions
I know how to run a business
And I can make you wanna buy a product
Movers shakers and producers
Me and my friends understand the future
I see the strings that control the systems
I can do anything with no assistance
I can change the nation with a microphone
With a microphone
With a microphone
I can split the atoms of a molecule
Of a molecule
Of a molecule

Look at me
Look at me
Driving and I won’t stop
And it feels so good to be
Alive and on top
My reach is global
My tower secure
My cause is noble
My power is pure
I can hand out a million vaccinations
Or let’em all die in exasperation
Have’em all grilled leavin lacerations
Have’em all killed by assassination
I can make anybody go to prison
Just because I don’t like’em and
I can do anything with no permission
I have it all under my command
I can guide a missile by satellite
By satellite
By satellite
and I can hit a target through a telescope
Through a telescope
Through a telescope
and I can end the planet in a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handle bars
No handlebars

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

Politics: Party Line Values, Do They Exist Anymore?

I’ve been mulling this over in my head as I lurk and observe how the presidential candidates interact with each other, their constituents, the media and their party. One aspect about politics over time, values have degraded substantially. Alas, this is the time to open up the discussion on the two major political parties in America: Democrats and Republicans.

More »

It Feels Good To Be Home (Again)

My intermission of blogging has ceased. I feel at this point I am finally “home,” back in Arizona, with my new employer. (Before I fully disclose my employment status here, I think it’s a good idea to run it by the bosses to let them know before they Google me and find out that way.) It was a fun, long and enjoyable three weeks of packing and traveling across the country to re-establish myself.

It was somewhat frustrating though because as I left, the weather where I lived became livable at 60F. Only those who live in NoVA would understand, that 9/12 months of the year it’s cold, overcast and it’s disappointing to be homebound for all that time. In addition to the fortunate weather pattern, there were many headlines that broke that I would’ve loved to dish my two cents on. Well, I digress from that, and will opine on the following headlines that I recall:

• Hillary Clinton Allegedly Releasing Adverse Photos of Barack Obama — Alright, I know it’s politics, but I find it incredibly disappointing that another opponent in the same political party would release photos of someone who was in a cultural ceremony, wearing a Turbin, completely playing on the fear of Muslims in America, further, denying all knowledge of it.
• Use of Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama by the Tennessee RNC — In a campaign speech (dare I even call it that), Bill Cunningham, said numerous disparaging statements with exaggerated Armageddon-like references against Barack Obama. McCain rightfully responded that he disapproved of those statements and intends to conduct his interactions with other candidates with respect. It’s disappointing to see that all it takes to attack someone in this day is to use their middle name.
• Gas Prices Expected to Soar Above $4.00/Gal. — While not surprising, it’s interesting to see that despite the upcoming (or present) recession, Gasoline continues to increase while Exxon rejoiced in their highest 4th quarter earnings, record breaking at that. What about that whole “blood for oil” thing that people were talking about? In any case, I live two miles from work, so I won’t be truly affected, but I do feel for those who have to sit on the 495 or commute in excess of five miles daily.
• Barack’s Pastor’s Remarks, Racially Motivated — While I do question Obama’s mechanics on how he plans on resolving healthcare, social security and the economy, I do not doubt his views. Since when is it appropriate to bring someone’s pastor into the media and chastise a politician on someone else’s remarks? I agree the Pastor made some rather radical statements, but I do not believe those are necessarily anything that falls into Obama’s agenda. So far, all three attacks on Obama all based on fear, insecurity and race — are we still stuck in the 60’s?
• Hillary’s ‘Who do you want to answer the call at 3am’ Propaganda — I usually try to cut Hillary some slack, but her TV commercial crosses the line. She has no right to claim “fear-mongering” from the right, when her own ad insinuates another terrorist attack at 3am, and she somehow believes she is in a better position to answer the phone. Sorry, Hillary, McCain is probably a little better equipped to handle a Military situation than you.

I don’t claim to be a political pundit by any means, nor do I believe I have all the answers, but I just want someone to shrink the size of government. This will accomplish two things: force people to become independent thinkers, lower taxes and once again restore the very qualities that makes America the best, freedom. I’m tired of empty promises, facist propaganda and corporate interests in DC! As I ponder this deeper, expect a future entry dissecting the very values of the two political parties, since that too is on my mind.

Another topic that I’ve had some time to think about — Photo Traffic Enforcement. For those who may not know, Phoenix was one of the first cities to deploy technology that combated Red Light Running (since, they’re #1). That technology eventually matured to include speed enforcement. I think it’s a great idea to make intersections safer and a good way to exploit technology to allow human resources (police) to handle higher priority matters. On the contrary, I disagree with speed enforcement, since speeding is subjective since it varies with the conditions of the road. My five priors are evident of this belief, but I must say the enhanced Radar speed limit signs that blink when you exceed 5MPH are keeping me off the gas pedal. Also, I am less likely to accelerate to beat the yellow mainly since if I get tagged, I will get two tickets in the mail and I wouldn’t exactly want that.

My new apartment is very spacious, good views, good neighborhood (sans theft) and I’m loving my Cox Cable package. The results speak for themselves:

I feel I got out what was on my mind for a while. My apologies for the lack of any pictures. Most of my driving took place at night, and there really wasn’t anything that interesting on the way. When I eventually get my pictures off my camera I’ll post them.

~Joe

The Best Lecture on Policy and Corruption

I occasionally debate many policies on what we (as Americans) do and why we do them. That is, I like to question various topics often raised by conservatives as well as liberals. I prefer to interpret the Constitution without considering environmental or societal influences — that is, the argument that claims “Well, when they [framers] made the constitution, they didn’t have a large government provided militia.”

Well I came across this interesting video [via Govtrack.us] where professor Lawrence Lessig lectured about policy, money and corruption in not just government, but also private enterprise. He sources a multitude of references that support his argument very clearly.

It’s long, but should be intriguing to policy makers.

Did Al Gore Invent the Internet?

No. Nor, did he claim to inventing it either. I thought about this, as I came across some allegations about his so-called quote of him claiming he invented the Internet.

These outlandish claims came from his political adversaries who wanted to tarnish his credibility. His statement was completely taken out of context during an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. His context was that he was one of the only candidates who supported the growth of (what we know as) the Internet. He isn’t claiming that he created, but from a politician’s role, did his part to help make it accessible to everyone.

Like most rumors and life’s uncertainties, go ahead and check out Snopes and read it yourself.

Is Downloading TV Shows Wrong?

I often wonder if downloading my favorite television episodes is wrong. My goal is to find out a solution for this problem, for free of course. I’m open to commentary on the subject as well.

Downloading TV shows via the BitTorrent feels like swimming in the pool of immorality. I know the stance the MPAA and RIAA take toward distribution of MP3s and movies, is that you are not allowed to redistribute them, let alone having them in digital formats.

Who regulates or enforces the copyrights of TV shows? The FCC regulates the broadcast of these shows; yet the copyright notification says “No unauthorized retransmission … ” somewhere on it. If anything, letting fans download your episodes and fill their computer should be a media executive’s dream come true.

For some reason I feel dirty download the shows, but not sure why. Is it my internal digital conscience? Do I feel remorse for TV advertisers? Have I gone mad? In the mean time, let me share with you some resources in downloading TV shows on the Internet.

• Torrentspy — A search engine of BitTorrent trackers and files. Simply, if you wanted just search for the TV show and you will have access to viewing a lot of results. The advertisements may not be SFW.
• Torrentz — A Torrent search engine, a cleaner layout and SFW.
• Azureus — The best BitTorrent Client, the program you need to download shows.
• BitTorrent — Find out all about the BitTorrent protocol and how it works.

I’m interested in finding out if it is wrong to download TV episodes and why?
[tags]Internet, Downloading, Piracy, Morals, BitTorrent, Television, TV, Question[/tags]

Democrats Win Control of Congress

Hm. The people have spoken. I couldn’t resist this picture.

Virginia Republican Sen. George Allen conceded Thursday in the ultra-close election that sealed his defeat and transfers Senate control to the Democrats, an improbable shift that dramatically alters the government’s balance of power.

(AOL News)

Politics II

I’m not the hugest fan about talking politics. Let this be said, if I talk about it, I don’t mind a discussion. I understand others will have differing views and thats OK. As usual with anything in the blogosphere; any views I express are strictly mine and not my employer’s or their affiliates.

Abortion - Women have the right to choose. I don’t see how it is the governments choice on that.
Budget & Economy - Less corporate rewards for outsourcing/offshoring. Lower taxes, more efficient spending (reform).
Civil Rights - Less government regulation on the Internet; No need for PATRIOT Acts…
Corporations - See ‘Budget & Economy’; I suggest penalties to large corporations for outsourcing
Crime - How about less new laws, and higher enforcement of the ones we have…
Drugs - Lower drinking age to 18; Enforce the current anti-drug laws we currently have.
Education - Just as Mencia says, “Lower the standards.” J/K … Nationalized standard testing for graduation. Perhaps, forced SAT exams.
Energy & Oil - Reward R&D of new fuel technologies with tax breaks or Gov’t contracts.
Environment - Copycat California’s ULEV vehicle requirements nationwide.
Families & Children - Forget this “protect marriage” propaganda.
Foreign Policy - Diplomacy, secured by free trade agreements. If not … the country gets embargoed and cut off from US.
Free Trade - This is a global market, and let other countries get in on it too; less dependency, more competition.
Government Reform - As bureaucratic as it sounds; complete reform, covert all paper documents to digital. A start is with a democratic control in Congress.
Gun Control - Current regulation is OK, just enforce it.
Health Care - I don’t think anyone has a good idea for this. Offer ways to make it simpler to understand.
Homeland Security - This is the biggest waste of government funds; just utilize our current resources (NSA, FBI) and take the courts out of it. (Ooops, that’s what we did.)
Immigration - Stricter enforcement of the US/Mexico border. Use military technology for detection; give valid notice of electric fences and thats it. Perhaps, raise quotas to positively encourage legal immigration.
Jobs - More jobs. Less outsourcing. Until every person in America has a job - penalize corporations for outsourcing. The only policy they understand is money and use those funds to assist in the learning and job development of anyone who is a victim of outsourcing.
Principles & Values - Not so conservative. Bible != Constitution.
Social Security - Since when does the government ever operate on the black or green. Social Security is a benefit that everyone should receive after like 55 or something. Again, no one has a right answer for it, ether way we’re all screwed.
Technology - We should be the #1 technological country on Earth. Nope, Japan beat us to it. More technology.
War & Peace - Go after terrorists that actually attacked us. War in Iraq - not for the right reasons; carpet bomb the terrorists and just own them hardcore. Drop this whole “jihad” BS, stop playing the victim.
Welfare & Poverty - Offer job placement assistance, offer intensive counseling in jails/prisons and work to make them productive individuals in life. Crimes like murder, rape, etc. need to be heavily enforced.

As you can see, I have a simple answer for everything. Not really, its just all this constant political banter is wasting everyones time.