AtomicBaboon.net (aka DanFeather.net aka Vapor.org)

Too Big For Their Breeches

With our government going unchecked whilst broadening its powers to spy on the world I am sure most everyone feels pretty helpless to do anything about it. However, it is possible for us to adjust the way we do things in order to keep Big Brother out of our business whether we have something to hide or not. There are ways to use encryption for voice communication. Skype is a popular VoIP (Voice over IP) peer-to-peer system for voice communication. You can get a Skype enabled phone, hook it up to your broadband connection at home, and use it a lot like a regular phone. When you call other Skype users it makes a peer-to-peer connection that is encrypted.

It's a good idea, but there are things about the way it has been implemented that make it a problem. All authentication for access to the Skype network takes place via a central server. This server stores all users public encryption keys. Because of this, Skype has the keys to decrypt conversations. It is possible to make a call to a traditional phone from Skype but all calls of that type have per minute charges applied to them that are in my opinion a bit steep. The protocol used is proprietary which "makes it much more difficult if not impossible for other developers to interact with Skype."

The point I am trying to make isn't that we should all run out and start using Skype. My point is that the technology is out there for We The People to take our power back. Call me a Libertarian Geek, but other than apathy (and I have plenty of that, believe me) there isn't a reason we can't thwart our governments efforts to spy on us. It's not about having something to hide. It's about what living in a surveillance society does to people psychologicaly. It's about protecting what freedom we have left. That's the way I see it anyway.

Kiss my shiny metal...

The Bender Brewer Project == AWESOME!

Uh... Duh!

The Fear of Fear Itself

But mostly, the spectacle left us wondering what the Democrats — especially their feckless Senate leaders — plan to do with their majority in Congress if they are too scared of Republican campaign ads to use it to protect the Constitution and restrain an out-of-control president.

Ummmm... so you really think that because a group of politicians has a D with their name instead of an R it means they are actually going to do something different? Seriously? You believe that? You mean the fact that they are just as much a part of the problem as the R's has escaped you? Well... guess what kiddies! Tickets for the Clue-train are free!

Fear is the mind killer

So, I have my motorcycle. It is red and shiny. I need to work on taking off from stop signs or otherwise getting out on the road into traffic. I killed it the other night because I didn't give it enough gas. I was half-way into the road when it died. No traffic was near enough to worry about it, but it could have been a bad situation. I got it started again no problem but at that point I had entered panic mode a bit and gave it too much gas which also isn't good. Almost ran it off the other side of the road. Can't let my fear get the best of me.

I hate tail-gaters even more now. Especially in the dark. Makes me want to start packing. Blast out a couple headlights with a sawed-off shotgun and people will probably back off a bit. Not exactly legal though...

Thanks to Ed for helping me get it home from El Dorado Springs. I rode it the first 40 miles and he rode it the rest of the way. Crazy thing is I didn't realize until we had it home that it didn't have temporary tags on it.

On a semi-related note, I just saved a ton of money on my insurance by switching to Farmers.

$20 M

So, I went to the DMV and had them put the official 'M' on my license to show that I have a motorcycle endorsement. The addition of that letter cost me $20.

The weird thing about that is, when I obtained my motorcycle permit the DMV printed a new license just like they did today. The permit has 'PERMIT' printed in all caps behind the normal license info, and that is only 3 or 4 bucks. I'm not sure why a normal looking license with just the 'M' added is $20.

Anyway, I spent this weekend taking the Rider's Edge New Rider Course which was an extremely valuable learning experience and well worth the $275 fee. I learned that riding a motorcycle properly (i.e. so you don't kill yourself) is not as simple as many people probably think, and that physics is your friend if you let it be. It is an activity that I think demands more respect and caution than most people give it.

The instructors were awesome. Between the two of them they had 60 to 70 years of riding experience. They gave constructive criticism, and shared their years of wisdom about what to look out for on the road, the correct way to react to a situation, and the likely consequences of reacting improperly. I have a great deal of respect for them. I am not big on having the government control when we can or cannot do something we want to, but I think it should be required by the state that people take this course before they get their motorcycle license.

So, I have the basic training, and I have the license. This coming weekend I go pick up the bike. I'm nervous.

PS. If any of you decide to sign up for the Rider's Edge New Rider Course let me know. If I get someone to sign up I get a $50 gift certificate for Cycle Connection.