A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in
Neon Vincent's LiveJournal:
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| Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 | | 11:33 am |
| | 1:34 am |
Will the next cold war be fought in cyberspace?
I read the following on tonight's Overnight News Digest on Daily Kos. From the Asia Times. Beijing beefs up cyber-warfare capacity While the furor over cyber-attacks against Google has lapsed somewhat, the Sino-American confrontation over the larger issue of Internet security and global digital warfare is expected to intensify in the near future.
This is particularly in light of the deterioration of bilateral ties due to issues ranging from the value of the renminbi to US arms sales to Taiwan. Even more significant is the fact that despite Washington's criticism of Beijing's censorship of the Internet - as well as China-originated sorties against the networks of American government agencies and multinationals - the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership is devoting unprecedented resources to strengthening its already formidable cyber-warfare prowess.
Research and development in net-based combat, including cyber-espionage and counter-espionage, figure prominently in the 12th Five Year Plan (2011-2015) that is being drafted by both the central government and the People's Liberation Army (PLA). President and commander-in-chief Hu Jintao designated the expansion of electronic warfare capacity as a top priority of the defense and security forces in the coming decade. Preferential policies are also being extended to commercial computer and electronic enterprises for research and development in areas relating to information technology (IT) security.
This news so unnerved me, all I could write was the following. Ugh. About the only good thing I can say about this headline is that it will mean fewer real-money traders and farming bots on MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI because people like that will be working for the government or its contractors instead of abusing the game system. Honestly, I'd rather have those people abusing game systems than posing a threat to US security in cyberspace. The people on FFXI know how to deal with them--sic a monster on them! The Banshee along the south shore on Qufim Island takes out its frustration on the gilseller fish bots on Remora Server. The Banshee did this carnage unprovoked at a time before Goblin Bounty Hunters were added.
Since the filming of this video, the STFU has unloaded bans on most of the bots for cheating in FFXI. The ones that are still around have since moved to fishing in other zones for other fish. In addition, the banshee on the south shore has 3 new goblin friends helping it out.
Music is "Walk Around" by Nil8, a band based out of Springfield, IL. Current Mood:  weirdCurrent Music: Walk Around" by Nil8 | | Monday, February 8th, 2010 | | 2:39 am |
| | Sunday, February 7th, 2010 | | 3:00 am |
I was right, this is an entertaining race.
Remember the post about the congressional race I'm covering? I said it would entertaining. So far, I'm right. It managed to earn a cameo on Countdown the other night. ZING! Current Mood:  amusedCurrent Music: The Sims 3 Music | | Saturday, February 6th, 2010 | | 8:11 pm |
Goodbye, Figaro
1995-2010Goodbye, Big Handsome. You'll always be missed. Current Mood:  sadCurrent Music: "Ballamos" by Enrique Eglacias | | 10:57 am |
Examiner article: Democratic Candidate Forum today in Ypsilanti
Democratic Candidate Forum today in YpsilantiToday from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., four candidates for state office will be attending a forum sponsored by the People Of Diversity United for Equality (PODUE) at the Brown Chapel AME Church on 1043 W. Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti. Headlining the event will be current State Representative and Democratic candidate for Governor Alma Wheeler Smith and Wayne State University Professor of Law Jocelyn Benson, Democratic candidate for Michigan Secretary of State. Also present will be Representative Pam Byrnes, Democratic candidate for Michigan Senate, and Representative Rebekah Warren, who is running for re-election.This story fell into my lap on Monday, when it appeared in my inbox through a mailing list I'm on. This means it's time to get on the mailing lists of the Republicans, Greens, and Libertarians as well. I may not agree with them, but I do have to report on them. Speaking of which, here's something for ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) celestriad. Remember those anti-health-care-reform protests you say in Troy? You wondered "why Troy?" I may have found an answer. The Libertarian Party of Michigan Headquarters and mailing address:Columbia Center II
101 West Big Beaver, Suite 1400
Troy, MI 48084
Telephone: 1-888-FREENOW and 248-687-1470
Fax: 248-687-1001Does that look like about the right place for what you saw? Current Mood:  curiousCurrent Music: Freeway Noise | | 12:28 am |
Welcome new friends!
Thank you all for friending me back. Now an announcement. I'm at the end of the first week of National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) again, so I'll be posting something every day this month. I hope you, along with all my old friends who were with me during November the last time I participated in NaBloPoMo, enjoy the ride. I'll do my best to find something worthwhile to write about every day, and not have it be boring. Now, get out your decoder rings. Pvnyvf jbexf. Current Mood:  happyCurrent Music: My wife checking out Netflix previews | | Friday, February 5th, 2010 | | 8:37 am |
Carly Fiorino is a Jar Jar Binks
Carly Fiorino's web savvy has been widely mocked lately. First, she puts out what might be the worst political website of the cycle, then her campaign releases the following web commercial. It's the Sheepinator! Honestly, it made the Orleans Parish Coroner commercial look classy. It also prompted someone on jblaque's blog to post the follow parody, which I'd never seen before. If you know my last name, you'd know why I find that last video more than a bit amusing. Current Mood:  dorkyCurrent Music: "Dirty Deeds, Done with Sheep" artist unknown | | Thursday, February 4th, 2010 | | 9:02 am |
Depression and the Internet
Here is top story from last night's Overnight News Digest, which I thought was worth reposting here. Reuters: Study links excessive Internet use to depression by Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) - People who spend a lot of time surfing the internet are more likely to show signs of depression, British scientists said on Wednesday.
But it is not clear whether the internet causes depression or whether depressed people are drawn to it. Based on my experience here on LJ, as well as JournalFen and USENET (but not Facebook; the people I see there are a different crowd altogether), I'd say the latter. What do you all say? Current Mood: curiousCurrent Music: Freeway Noise | | 2:29 am |
| | Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 | | 1:27 am |
Videos from a race I'm covering.
First, Representative Schauer of the 7th Michigan Congressional District speaks. I can tell this will be an entertaining race to cover.</lj-embed> Current Mood:  energeticCurrent Music: The Sims 3 Music | | Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 | | 11:39 am |
Oscar saw his shadow today
...which means there will be six five more weeks of awards show coverage. The one disappointment--"Julie and Julia" didn't get a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. At least Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Actress; IMHO, she nailed Julia Child. The biggest pleasant surprise--"District 9" was nominated for Best Picture. Also, the film I was most rooting for to be nominated made it--"Food, Inc." for Best Documentary Feature. I get to tell my students they're watching an Oscar nominee when I show it to them in a few weeks. "The Cove," another environmental movie, also received a nomination. I hope they don't split the vote. Oh, and Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" was shut out. ( Complete list follows, courtesy of the City Brights blog at the San Francisco Chronicle ) Current Mood:  busyCurrent Music: Freeway Noise | | 1:12 am |
| | Monday, February 1st, 2010 | | 10:45 am |
You're Live Washtenaw County Elections 2010 Examiner!
Washtenaw County Elections 2010 Examiner First up, an elections guide. 2010 Washtenaw County elections examined A one-stop guide to the four elections scheduled for Washtenaw County during 2010 that includes coverage of local, state, and congressional races and proposals, how and where to vote, candidate profiles and other important information. Next up on the agenda, helpful summaries of useful information on the websites of the County Clerk, and the local chapters of the Democratic, Republican, Green, and Libertarian parties. After that, coverage of the two bond proposals for improving schools that are up for a vote. What, you thought this would be glamorous? Sorry, no interviews with local political stars until after the May school board elections. Back to bed for me! Current Mood:  sleepyCurrent Music: Freeway Noise | | 3:47 am |
Time to brag
My article is currently the second most popular on the Detroit edition of Examiner.com. That hasn't happened since Christmas. 
I'm happy. Now it's time to go to bed Current Mood: happyCurrent Music: The Sims 3 Music | | 1:31 am |
I get comments
In the comments section of my latest article, a reader left the following: Delicious diabetes recipes to help you follow your diabetes meal plan www.bit.ly/bVLHIi
I responded with: Thanks, shawnhenry, for telling me that my Twitter posts are working in attracting readers. I don't suppose there's any lunch meat made by Hormel in your meal plan. No, I'm not above trolling the comments of my own articles. Next time he shows up, I'll tell him/it to try harder to pass the Turning Test. That would be an appropriate for a science column. Current Mood: amusedCurrent Music: The Sims 3 Music | | Sunday, January 31st, 2010 | | 9:33 pm |
Diabetes research article on Examiner.com is up.
I love it when coincidence provides me with an angle to a story where I get to cover all the major players at once. The stories practically write themselves. University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Wayne State announce diabetes research newsWithin 24 hours of each other, all three local major universities announced research news about diabetes. A University of Michigan study described how low-carbohydrate meals after exercise may benefit diabetics. At MSU, a researcher identified the cell mechanism leading to diabetic blindness. Finally, a WSU researcher received stimulus money to research the genetic components of heart disease and diabetes; she also received a second grant to study the effect of PCBs on breast cancer.How diabetes occurs and how to treat it. Current Mood:  accomplishedCurrent Music: Freeway Noise | | 2:51 am |
Washtenaw County Elections 2010 Examiner article submitted.
I had to submit my first article for the position by today. Now I'm waiting for it to be approved. It might not happen until Monday. I'll let you all know. As for what I'm covering, it's surprisingly extensive. I'm going to have a grassroots-level view of the election. My beat includes the races for two state senators, four state representatives, 11 county commissioners, three mayors, 11 city council members, several judges, at least two bond issues, and several board members in four school districts. On top of that, there are the federal and statewide races to consider. This will be a very busy election year! Since there is no real newspaper left in the area, as the Ann Arbor News closed last year, to be replaced with a stripped-down mostly online AnnArbor.com and an entirely online Ann Arbor Chronicle, I'm on a surprisingly equal footing with the competition. Here's to hoping that I'm up to the task. Current Mood:  anxiousCurrent Music: The Sims 3 Music | | Saturday, January 30th, 2010 | | 4:51 pm |
I noticed that I missed posting here yesterday.
Since I'm not participating in NABLOPOMO and I'd already missed a week, no big deal. It turns out that yesterday was a very busy day that kicked my butt, especially since I showed up for work and it turned out there was no work! The committee meeting I was to attend had been cancelled and the person responsible had called a number that I don't often use and almost never check in the morning. Instead, I took care of other business at work, then went out and ran errands. I bought my wife a present, got my hair cut, and had the oil changed on my car. Then I went home and conducted an interview for Examiner.com (yes, I do actual reporting; I don't just cruise websites and re-write press releases). After I took a nap, I then was going to write the story up. Instead, I found out that the usual Friday night editor for Overnight News Digest wouldn't be able to and she hadn't found a replacement. As leader, it was my job to take over. So, I wrote up the OND instead. That means I still have to write up that story and post my usual Science Saturday tonight as well. Oh, and I have a headache. Ugh. Wish me luck. Current Mood:  crankyCurrent Music: The Sims 3 Music | | Thursday, January 28th, 2010 | | 2:58 am |
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