Genocide, Mosquitoes, Georgia Peanuts, and DefCon

I took the picture of the cat and the background. I tubed the cat. I added the text. Anyone can use this picture except for those who are in favor of DRM and the NSA. And if you fancy yourself some kind of "copyright" police, you are not welcome here at this blog ever.

     I have not written about the Israeli-Gaza conflict/ war/ genocide because quite frankly, the whole thing has been a ball of confusion in my brain. While I'm perfectly willing to have Israel dissolve into Palestine, I'm not in favor of Hamas leading the way. I don't know who tossed the first bomb or bullet [housemate says it was Gaza] but I do know that I want the whole thing to stop. Yes, I do think it is genocide. That is all I will say about it for the present.

     The West Nile Virus seems to be having a hurrah in Louisiana and has now made an appearance in Washington state. That sucks badly. I know that massive spraying cannot possibly been "good" for the environment. I also know that we are dealing with human lives. I'd rather there be spraying than a rising death toll from the bite of a mosquito. I suppose there is or ought to be research to make sprays [that emit from trucks to counter the mosquitoes] more "eco-friendly" or whatever. That can happen as we take steps to prevent people from being infected with West Nile. We can't wait. We ought to be conducting massive spray campaigns now.

     Those guys from the Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia who knowingly sent out salmonella-infested peanuts which did in fact cause nine people to die and bunches more to get sick ought to experience legal consequences [other than or in addition to paying fines] for their actions. That the safety of any food depends upon corporations owing up to bad lots is piteous. Let the food inspectors inspect!

     One of these years I hope to go to DefCon. I was heartened to hear that John McAfee showed up to defend privacy. He also set up a new complaint list over at brownlist.com. It is easy to use and I think he is on to something.

radical sapphoq says: I hate what is happening in Palestine. I have no particular love for mosquitoes, especially those that spread diseases. That bunches of peanuts with salmonella were sent out to people is hideous. I hate the N.S.A. and all of the corporations and politicians who do not understand things like privacy. Thumbs up to John McAfee.

References:

http://www.brownlist.com/


http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/aug/09/west-nile-case-suspected-ww-county/

http://www.ldnews.com/local/ci_26307599/west-nile-mosquito-spraying-coming-soon

http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2014/08/second_louisiana_resident_dies.html


http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/u-s-peanut-plant-manager-admits-faking-tests-before-deadly-outbreak-1.1952775

http://www.inquisitr.com/1402304/peanut-plant-manager-admits-faking-tests-before-deadly-salmonella-outbreak-flaws-in-honor-system/

http://www.news-record.com/news/north_carolina_ap/article_05ad8c4f-2f17-5ab5-93c7-55fb832de88b.html



http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-28721480

http://vpncreative.net/2014/08/09/mcafee-advocates-privacy-defcon-launches-new-site/

http://www.tgdaily.com/social/123801-john-mcafee-is-not-crazy-he-is-a-revolutionary

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/09/us-cybersecurity-hackers-johnmcafee-idUSKBN0G901J20140809

http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/09/john-mcafee-in-crazytown/

http://www.futuretensecentral.com/