cb.blog

We closed on our house today! More later; things have been very busy, hectic, and at times stressful - but we are done!

WordPress Version 2.3.3 has been released, and is an important security update.

I woke up this morning and checked my email, only to discover that not only had someone named Robert Taber come across my web site, but had also taken the time to email:

while this political junkie was surfing all night, i happened on your “blog.” wow. what a surprise a white straight, male, who’s not only a conservative but in love with every aspect of their life and have the balls to think we give a s*** about the pictures of you or your house…….you are so far out of touch, thank you for giving us W; we’ll return the favor with 8 years of O’Bama…..are there any conservative blogs that are actually updated and not all about “THE BLOGGER”?
the country — deeply divided and now so regretful — pushed us not only to the far right but to the crimial facist state that we have…….the swing back will hurt “chip” and perhaps you’ll start paying attention to something other than all that is about “chip”.
enjoy the next 8 years
tons of love,
robert

Well, my apologies to Robert. You see, I actually have to get up in the morning and go to work, and don’t have time to be “surfing all night”, and have only limited time to spend blogging. I do not apologize, however, that my family is the most important part of my life. And while you, Robert, might not care to see pictures of my daughter or of our house, our family all over the country does.

And Robert, rather than taking drive-by shots at bloggers, perhaps you should start blogging on your own blog. (You apparently have the time to do.)

Oh, and one final thought, Robert: for someone who is a self-proclaimed homosexual, with strongly held beliefs on the issue of bigotry, you appear to hold a rather prejudiced (dare I say “bigoted”?) opinion of me, without having ever met me and based solely upon my race, sexual orientation, gender, and political views.

Tolerant, indeed.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enters the blogosphere, with their Evolution of Security blog.

From the tagline (”Terrorists Evolve. Threats Evolve. Security Must Stay Ahead. You Play A Part.”) it would appear that the TSA intends to have significant commenter interaction on the blog. From the response to the welcome post (some 700 comments), it would appear that air travelers (and TSA employees) have much to say.

Based on comments, the TSA appears to have reorganized the blog posts in order to emphasize responses to questions about various TSA policies (removing shoes, the much-vilified liquids restriction, searching grandma, etc.).

Personally, speaking as a fairly seasoned air traveler, I don’t have a problem with most security measures (sure, it is a minor annoyance to have to remove my shoes to pass through security - but the annoyance is just that: minor), but I do have a problem with others (e.g. the liquids restriction - especially with respect to water bottles and beverages) and think that many TSA agents would be well-served to take some inter-personal relations training. My general rule is to arrive at the airport two hours before my flight, and to take my time getting through security. I rarely have to wait more than ten minutes to pass through security.

But, if you’re interested in some of TSA’s thoughts or explanations for their various policies or other security issues - or just want to join the chorus of comment complaints (they seem to be solicited by TSA, after all) - go have a look!

(H/T: Slashdot, Ars Technica)