Kudos to the New York Mets. So far this off-season, they have made a major splash in the hot stove. They have traded Mike Cameron for Xavier Nady, a trade that seemed ill advised at the time but seemed to free up some money for other moves. They then turn around and trade with the Florida Marlins, their division rival, to get Carlos DelGado. He says he will comply with the team rules, and be a good team player, either way his bat and glove is a much welcome addition to 1b. Then they sign closer Billy Wagner away from the Phillies, in the process weakening another division rival. I have to wonder if Manny Ramirez will be patrolling right field in Shea next year as well.
Now as a side bar, the Florida Marlins and its owner Jeffrey Loria is a disgrace to all of baseball. I understand they need a new stadium, but you are not going to gain support of the fans and the community by having another fire sale and fielding a team next year of Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Cabrera and 23 stooges. I feel bad for Joe Girardi, who could not have possibly imagined that this is what was going to happen when he took this managerial role.
The Yankees are talking (or not talking) about putting Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez in Centerfield next season. This does not seem a bad idea. Like any business, you use the assets you have in a way that will maximize your returns. Eric Duncan may or may not be ready for the show, but with 3b potentially open it could give him a shot and if not him, then how about Troy Glaus?
It is 11 games into the season and I have no idea what to make of the Giants. They beat the 49ers on the road, and then lost to the Vikings at home. Then they beat an exhausted, TO-less and Donanvan McNabb-less Philadelphia Eagles, then flew cross-country and played relatively well against the NFC leading Seattle Seahawks. Now they face the Cowboys at home for sole possession of the NFC East, where the winner should win the division and the loser will face a large uphill battle to make the playoffs. The Giants are known for late season collapses and this year may still be no exception regardless of this weekend’s outcome. They have road games against the well coached Eagles and then home again for the Chiefs. They go on the road to finish the season in Washington to play the Redskins who would like nothing better than to keep big blue out of the playoffs. Then they end the season in Oakland and Kerry Collins I am sure would love to put the final nail in the Giants coffin.
The Jets have apparently hit rock bottom by losing out the Saints this past weekend to fall to 2-9. This puts them in a tie with the Packers for the second or third draft pick next year, which is about all Gang Green has going for them. With their recent luck, they will wind up winning a few games and miss out of the top 5. I would not suggest tanking, but it is time that they start looking to 2006. Herman Edwards was giving the kiss of death by Jets ownership this week saying he would be back, and putting rumors to bed that he would coach the Chiefs next year. If Dick Vermeil retires, I bet Herm goes to KC.
The Rangers continue to shock and amaze in their winning ways. Everybody has been talking about the shoot-out goal scored on Saturday night by Marek Malik, a Czech defensemen not known for his offensive prowess. However, after 15 rounds of shoot out, he broke the tie and won the game with a behind the back goal, that is simply impossible to describe, you just had to see it to believe it. It shows that the shoot-out is bringing excitement back to the game. When the NHL last played in 2003-2004, that game would have ended in a sister-kissing tie, and no buzz would have been generated. Now, everyone is talking about this game, and it even made the first 10 minutes of 30-minute Sports Center on Sunday morning.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Freedom of the Press in Iraq? Not really
US Military plants stories in Iraqi media
So much for winning their hearts and minds. Apparently, the ideas of a free unbiased press is not something we are fighting for in Iraq. This should not be surprising, but it is.
The U.S. military has secretly paid Iraqi newspapers to run dozens of pro-American articles written by a special military unit, The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.
The newspaper also reported that the "Information Operations Task Force" in Baghdad has bought an Iraqi newspaper and taken control of a radio station, and was using them to disseminate pro-American views as well.
So much for winning their hearts and minds. Apparently, the ideas of a free unbiased press is not something we are fighting for in Iraq. This should not be surprising, but it is.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Are they watching us?
Eweek today has an editorial about the use of GPS enabled cell phones that will enable 911 calls to located you when you are having an emergency. This is very similar to the concerns with OnStar the service provide with most General Motors vehicles.
You're out on the road. Suddenly you get a sharp chest pain, radiating to your arm. You can fight the pain just enough to dial 911 on your cell phone, but that's all you can do, and you sure as hell can't speak.
If you were on a land line phone (other than maybe a VoIP line; that complicates things), they would know exactly where you are, because the phone number you called from is associated with a specific address. But the 911 dispatcher doesn't know where you and your cell phone are, and in fact it's not obvious to which 911
dispatcher your call should be routed.
Much as network vendors look on this sort of potential to pay for the upgrades they have made to comply with the E-911 requirements I'm sure they are anxious not to get into the middle of such matters and would probably be happy to require user consent before recording and using any location data. The marketing opportunities bring their own potential for privacy lawsuits and other legal problems, especially the first time someone claims a cell phone ad distracted them into a car accident. It's a tricky dance of convenience vs. trouble, typical of modern technology.But already you can see privacy issues, even if you want to track your kids. If the network providers (Verizon Wireless, Cingular, etc.) are logging that data then it could fall into the wrong hands. Or perhaps it could fall into the right hands, but in an unpleasant way, such as into your spouse's attorney's hands during divorce
proceedings.
The problem is some future individual or organization is going to take this tracking too far, and crossing line to begin associating specific user information in their marketing and demographic analysis. Then it becomes easier to begin to track individuals on a very large scale. The problem is, the future is probably not far off.
Government Agencies not working together?
Here is another example from the NY TIMES of government agencies not getting their act together, and playing on the same page. For a president who claims he is fighting a war against terrorism, it would seem we are losing the internal battle, which is probably more important in the bigger picture than the land wars/police actions currently happening in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is an interesting contrast from the previous post regarding bringing business principles to government and vice versa.
The government's efforts to help foreign nations cut off the supply of money to terrorists, a critical goal for the Bush administration, have been stymied by infighting among American agencies, leadership problems and insufficient financing, a new Congressional report says.It is amazing to me that various governmental agencies are more concerned about their own feifdoms, and not about the American public's general welfare and our ability to defend ourselves against future terrorist attacks.
More than four years after the Sept. 11 attacks, "the U.S. government lacks an integrated strategy" to train foreign countries and provide them with technical assistance to shore up their financial and law enforcement systems against terrorist financing, according to the report prepared by the Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress.
The problem today with Management Analysis
July 10, 1776
Mr. Thomas Jefferson c/o The Continental Congress Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Jefferson:
We have read your "Declaration of Independence" with great interest. Certainly, it represents a considerable undertaking, and many of your Statements do merit serious consideration. Unfortunately, the Declaration as a whole fails to meet recently adopted specifications for proposals to the Crown, so we must return the document to you for further refinement. The questions, which follow, might assist you in your process of revision:
1. In your opening paragraph you use the phrase "the Laws of Nature and Nature's God. "What are these laws? In what way are they the criterion which you base your central arguments? Please document with citations from the recent literature.
2. In the same paragraph you refer to the "opinions of mankind." Whose polling data are you using? Without specific evidence, it seems to us the "opinions of mankind" are a matter of opinion.
3. You hold certain truths to be "self-evident. "Could you please elaborate? If they are as evident as you claim then it should not be difficult for you to locate the appropriate supporting statistics.
4. "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" seem to be the goals of your proposal. These are not measurable goals. If you were to say that "among these is the ability to sustain an average life expectancy in six of the 13 colonies of at last 55 years, and to enable newspapers in the colonies to print news without outside interference, and to raise the average income of the colonists by 10 percent in the next 10 years," these could be measurable goals. Please clarify.
5. You state, "Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government...." Have you weighed this assertion against all the alternatives? What are the trade-off considerations?
6. Your description of the existing situation is quite extensive. Such a long list of grievances should precede the statement of goals, not follow it. Your problem statement needs improvement.
7. Your strategy for achieving your goal is not developed at all. You state that the colonies "ought to be Free and Independent States," and that they are "Absolved from All Allegiance to the British Crown. "Who or what must change to achieve this objective? In what way must they change? What specific steps will you take to overcome the resistance? How long will it take? We have found that a little foresight in these areas helps to prevent careless errors later on. How cost-effective are your strategies?
8. Who among the list of signatories will be responsible for implementing your strategy? Who conceived it? Who provided the theoretical research? Who will constitute the advisory committee? Please submit an organization chart and vitas of the principal investigators.
9. You must include an evaluation design. We have been requiring this since Queen Anne's War.
10. What impact will your problem have? Your failure to include any assessment of this inspires little confidence in the long-range prospects of your undertaking.
11. Please submit a PERT diagram, an activity chart, itemized budget, and manpower utilization matrix.
We hope that these comments prove useful in revising your "Declaration of Independence." We welcome the submission of your revised proposal. Our due date for unsolicited proposals is July 31, 1776. Ten copies with original signatures will be required.
Sincerely,
Management Analyst to the British Crown
The Court of King George III London, England
Mr. Thomas Jefferson c/o The Continental Congress Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Jefferson:
We have read your "Declaration of Independence" with great interest. Certainly, it represents a considerable undertaking, and many of your Statements do merit serious consideration. Unfortunately, the Declaration as a whole fails to meet recently adopted specifications for proposals to the Crown, so we must return the document to you for further refinement. The questions, which follow, might assist you in your process of revision:
1. In your opening paragraph you use the phrase "the Laws of Nature and Nature's God. "What are these laws? In what way are they the criterion which you base your central arguments? Please document with citations from the recent literature.
2. In the same paragraph you refer to the "opinions of mankind." Whose polling data are you using? Without specific evidence, it seems to us the "opinions of mankind" are a matter of opinion.
3. You hold certain truths to be "self-evident. "Could you please elaborate? If they are as evident as you claim then it should not be difficult for you to locate the appropriate supporting statistics.
4. "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" seem to be the goals of your proposal. These are not measurable goals. If you were to say that "among these is the ability to sustain an average life expectancy in six of the 13 colonies of at last 55 years, and to enable newspapers in the colonies to print news without outside interference, and to raise the average income of the colonists by 10 percent in the next 10 years," these could be measurable goals. Please clarify.
5. You state, "Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government...." Have you weighed this assertion against all the alternatives? What are the trade-off considerations?
6. Your description of the existing situation is quite extensive. Such a long list of grievances should precede the statement of goals, not follow it. Your problem statement needs improvement.
7. Your strategy for achieving your goal is not developed at all. You state that the colonies "ought to be Free and Independent States," and that they are "Absolved from All Allegiance to the British Crown. "Who or what must change to achieve this objective? In what way must they change? What specific steps will you take to overcome the resistance? How long will it take? We have found that a little foresight in these areas helps to prevent careless errors later on. How cost-effective are your strategies?
8. Who among the list of signatories will be responsible for implementing your strategy? Who conceived it? Who provided the theoretical research? Who will constitute the advisory committee? Please submit an organization chart and vitas of the principal investigators.
9. You must include an evaluation design. We have been requiring this since Queen Anne's War.
10. What impact will your problem have? Your failure to include any assessment of this inspires little confidence in the long-range prospects of your undertaking.
11. Please submit a PERT diagram, an activity chart, itemized budget, and manpower utilization matrix.
We hope that these comments prove useful in revising your "Declaration of Independence." We welcome the submission of your revised proposal. Our due date for unsolicited proposals is July 31, 1776. Ten copies with original signatures will be required.
Sincerely,
Management Analyst to the British Crown
The Court of King George III London, England
Monday, November 28, 2005
This is outrageous
Thanks Jim for sending this my way from papers please and verified in the Denver Post
One morning in late September 2005, Deb was riding the public bus to work. She was minding her own business, reading a book and planning for work, when a security guard got on this public bus and demanded that every passenger show their ID. Deb, having done nothing wrong, declined. The guard called in federal cops, and she was arrested and charged with federal criminal misdemeanors after refusing to show ID on demand.This just goes to show how misdirected our law enforcement professionals have become in their efforts to defeat terrorism and make the homeland more secure based upon the direction they are receiving from the highest reachest of the executive branch of the federal government.
On the 9th of December 2005, Deborah Davis will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in a case that will determine whether Deb and the rest of us live in a free society, or in a country where we must show "papers" whenever a cop demands them.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Seems like a good start...
But probably not enough, from eWeek:
Before leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday, Senate panels approved bills on two data privacy issues that were debated all year—data breach notification and anti-spyware regulation—teeing them up for action next year.I appreciate the government trying and it is a step in the right direction, but this will not solve or even reduce the identity theft problem and the sometimes careless security that company's sometimes (not purposely) deploy to protect personal information in their data stores.
Scary but possibly true
Just think: In 2008, another Clinton will have to bail us out of another Bush mess.
Wouldn't it be odd if President Bush returned from China with the avian flu?
Bush is 35 years late in going to Vietnam!!
In other news:
Foxtrot summed up my feelings both for Sony and Celine Dion perfectly on Monday. Check it out, it is pretty funny. This continues to be one of the few comics I go out of my way to read everday, the others being Doonesbury and For Better or Worse.
Wouldn't it be odd if President Bush returned from China with the avian flu?
Bush is 35 years late in going to Vietnam!!
In other news:
Foxtrot summed up my feelings both for Sony and Celine Dion perfectly on Monday. Check it out, it is pretty funny. This continues to be one of the few comics I go out of my way to read everday, the others being Doonesbury and For Better or Worse.
The Erosion of Freedom
As a libertarian, I am appalled by this type of behaviour from our government and law enforcement agency's. It is as if 9/11 and the ensuing Patriot Act has given them carte blanche to do whatever they want when it comes to violating citizens civil liberties.
As Bruce Scheiner writes in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
It is as if the Nixonian era has returned with one major difference. This time it is legal. Not surprising since Karl Rove came to age during the Nixon era of dirty politicing. Coincidence, I don't think so. One can only hope that Mr. Fitzgerald finds enough cause to indict this political worm sooner rather than later.
As Bruce Scheiner writes in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
A typical American citizen spending the holidays in Vegas might be surprised to learn that the FBI collected his personal data, but this kind of thing is increasingly common. Since 9/11, the FBI has been collecting all sorts of personal information on ordinary Americans, and it shows no signs of letting up.Generally, I believe the government should be allowed some lattitude in times of war (or terror) to limit the freedom's of the citizens. This is exactly what President Abraham Lincoln did during the Civil War to prevent local unrest and keep northern sessionists in line. However, when these efforts go to extreme levels and allow the government to begin to track and aggregate information pertaining to individuals and not provide any statutes of limitations then it has gone too far and the people need to respond telling their leaders this is unacceptable.
It is as if the Nixonian era has returned with one major difference. This time it is legal. Not surprising since Karl Rove came to age during the Nixon era of dirty politicing. Coincidence, I don't think so. One can only hope that Mr. Fitzgerald finds enough cause to indict this political worm sooner rather than later.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Arrested Development Cancelled???
I am devastated!!!
Fox in all its brilliance has taken the best comedy program on televsion and put it on the shelf until at least December. It is a travesty that an Emmy award wining show is cancelled in spite of being well written, and the absolutely funniest thing around. Arrested Development has been moved around this year, making it difficult to find (thankfully I have a DVR) and then was interrupted for a month while Fox broadcast the World Series. It is the type of show that builds momentum as the season progresses; they plant innuendo and bury plot hints in the early episodes, then reference them later on in the series making all of the dialogue relevant. Too many shows on TV use simple formulistic situation’s that are tired and old, but the networks keep renewing them year after year. Whenever a show is truly revolutionary it is often easily discarded rather than given the opportunity to grow an audience.
I was watching the double episode a few weeks ago and it was brilliant. How many shows have the premise of a real estate company building properties for Saddam Hussein in Iraq and mock Japanese Godzilla type movies? The Bluth family is about as dysfunctional as any ever portrayed on TV. In these two episodes, they carry on with at least three seemingly unrelated stories, when all of sudden they come crashing together in the end in a perfect way, that I never saw coming. It was so funny, I actually found myself laughing out loud. It will be truly missed once it is officially cancelled. Please take the time to watch it when it returns on December 5. Maybe some Nielson families will catch it and it will get its death sentence pardoned, but I am not holding my breath.
Does anyone actually know anyone who is a Nielson family? I have not ever known anyone that has admitted to being one, and it just begs the question if this archaic rating system is still valid. I suspect in a few years, TiVo or some other DVR type solution will replace the Nielson as the official arbiter of television ratings. If you think about, they are already collecting aggregated data on what individuals are really watching. It will only be a matter of time until the cable companies or the phone company or the satellite providers or someone else actually reports this information on an individual level and is able to serve up 100% personalized content, which is kind of cool and kind of scary. I am sure it is already being tracked individually, they are just figuring how to sell it appropriately without everyone claiming invasion of privacy. Time will tell.
Is anyone surprised that these kids from Pennsylvania who killed the girls parents and drove to Indiana, are home schooled?
Fox in all its brilliance has taken the best comedy program on televsion and put it on the shelf until at least December. It is a travesty that an Emmy award wining show is cancelled in spite of being well written, and the absolutely funniest thing around. Arrested Development has been moved around this year, making it difficult to find (thankfully I have a DVR) and then was interrupted for a month while Fox broadcast the World Series. It is the type of show that builds momentum as the season progresses; they plant innuendo and bury plot hints in the early episodes, then reference them later on in the series making all of the dialogue relevant. Too many shows on TV use simple formulistic situation’s that are tired and old, but the networks keep renewing them year after year. Whenever a show is truly revolutionary it is often easily discarded rather than given the opportunity to grow an audience.
I was watching the double episode a few weeks ago and it was brilliant. How many shows have the premise of a real estate company building properties for Saddam Hussein in Iraq and mock Japanese Godzilla type movies? The Bluth family is about as dysfunctional as any ever portrayed on TV. In these two episodes, they carry on with at least three seemingly unrelated stories, when all of sudden they come crashing together in the end in a perfect way, that I never saw coming. It was so funny, I actually found myself laughing out loud. It will be truly missed once it is officially cancelled. Please take the time to watch it when it returns on December 5. Maybe some Nielson families will catch it and it will get its death sentence pardoned, but I am not holding my breath.
Does anyone actually know anyone who is a Nielson family? I have not ever known anyone that has admitted to being one, and it just begs the question if this archaic rating system is still valid. I suspect in a few years, TiVo or some other DVR type solution will replace the Nielson as the official arbiter of television ratings. If you think about, they are already collecting aggregated data on what individuals are really watching. It will only be a matter of time until the cable companies or the phone company or the satellite providers or someone else actually reports this information on an individual level and is able to serve up 100% personalized content, which is kind of cool and kind of scary. I am sure it is already being tracked individually, they are just figuring how to sell it appropriately without everyone claiming invasion of privacy. Time will tell.
Is anyone surprised that these kids from Pennsylvania who killed the girls parents and drove to Indiana, are home schooled?
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Wow is Sony in deep PR Trouble
Digital Right body calls for Sony to recall infected CD's
The Register in the UK wants to know how many CD's beyond the 20 that Sony is reporting are actually infected. Geoffrey McCaleb is tracking them on his blog, and it goes much deeper than originally reported, as of last count it was at 45.
Sony has attempted to the fix the problem by agreeing to not ship anymore CD's with DRM rootkit, but has not done anything to recall the one's still on the shelf at your local Sam Goody, and this simply is not good enough. They have also made a "fix" available, that might be worse than the original problem. What a good day to be Sony's PR agency of record, because their conceipt and and total disregard for their consumers is going to be an albatross around their neck for a good long time.
Eweek is already reporting:
These primarily are located in the Japan, the US and the UK. It is amazing to me that half a million people have purchased these CD's in the past week, and then loaded them into the CD's for their listening pleasure. What happened to the old days where you put it in a walkman or on your stereo. Clearly everything now is mobile and this market is not going to slow down.
All the record companies should take note of this situation and find a way to provide the consumers with what they want in a format that allows them to take it with them pretty quickly, or else another Napster or Grokster will rise from the ashes and the cycle will start all over again.
How many CD's are actually infected by rootkitThe Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has published an open letter, urging Sony to consider a product recall of CDs shipped with the controversial XCP copyright protection software which secretly installs a cloaking utility on computers.
The Register in the UK wants to know how many CD's beyond the 20 that Sony is reporting are actually infected. Geoffrey McCaleb is tracking them on his blog, and it goes much deeper than originally reported, as of last count it was at 45.
Sony has attempted to the fix the problem by agreeing to not ship anymore CD's with DRM rootkit, but has not done anything to recall the one's still on the shelf at your local Sam Goody, and this simply is not good enough. They have also made a "fix" available, that might be worse than the original problem. What a good day to be Sony's PR agency of record, because their conceipt and and total disregard for their consumers is going to be an albatross around their neck for a good long time.
Eweek is already reporting:
"Sony BMG will have a big job ahead of it as it tries to replace all copies of controversial copy protection software, according to a computer security expert, who says that he has evidence there are more than 500,000 versions of the program installed worldwide. "
These primarily are located in the Japan, the US and the UK. It is amazing to me that half a million people have purchased these CD's in the past week, and then loaded them into the CD's for their listening pleasure. What happened to the old days where you put it in a walkman or on your stereo. Clearly everything now is mobile and this market is not going to slow down.
All the record companies should take note of this situation and find a way to provide the consumers with what they want in a format that allows them to take it with them pretty quickly, or else another Napster or Grokster will rise from the ashes and the cycle will start all over again.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Boycott Sony This Holiday Season
"Why You Shouldn't Buy Products From Sony This Season"
Here is a list of infected CD's and the warning signs on the CD's that help you determine if this software is on them.
Now, why you would want to own the new Neil Diamond or Celine Dion album is beyond me, but that is another issue altogher.
"There is no better way to showcase your dissatisfaction with this behavior than by simply not buying Sony. Given that a large number of media companies appear to be considering similar behavior, this would remind these companies that messing with consumers in this way is something they should avoid like the plague"Are you infected?
Here is a list of infected CD's and the warning signs on the CD's that help you determine if this software is on them.
Now, why you would want to own the new Neil Diamond or Celine Dion album is beyond me, but that is another issue altogher.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Lets Remember the Veterans Today
Veterans Deserve our Deepest Respect -
A Holiday for Heroes - Here is a pretty good summary of why we celebrate Veterans Day today, something we should never forget.
It is our responsibility to hold our government accountable for the actions of the military, not the other way around. Whatever your feelings are about the current "War" in Iraq and Afghanistan lets salute our military personnel today and remember all those that have served and given so much of themselves to help keep us all free today.
"As time marches forward, we rise again to mark our nation's reverent bservance of Veterans' Day; the 87th anniversary of the Armistice ending the carnage of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
"This year, as in years past, our nation finds itself at war. Young men and women, volunteers in the uniform of our armed forces, continue their unbroken legacy of service to our nation; a service conceived during the revolutionary cause of our forebearers."
A Holiday for Heroes - Here is a pretty good summary of why we celebrate Veterans Day today, something we should never forget.
It is our responsibility to hold our government accountable for the actions of the military, not the other way around. Whatever your feelings are about the current "War" in Iraq and Afghanistan lets salute our military personnel today and remember all those that have served and given so much of themselves to help keep us all free today.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Swiss protecting the Toilets
Here is an interesting concept in order to keep unwanted people out of common toilets, some Swiss restaurants are putting an access code onto their restrooms, which will only be provided to customers.
"They say that travel broadens the mind, and I have recently discovered a new phenomenon – the Secure Toilet. On a recent trip to Switzerland, I visited a restaurant that secures the toilets with a digital lock. Both the ladies and the gents have a key-pad on the door, and with the right combination you can enter. Now this shouldn’t come as a surprise given our heightened security awareness these days, and that the Swiss are obviously very security conscious, and every restaurant proprietor will tell you that misuse of toilet facilities is an increasing problem – It must be otherwise why secure then with digital locks."
Terrorism Expert Advised City on Searches
I always suspected that those random bag searches on the NYC subway were just a facade and and an effort to make it look like NYC and the MTA, were actually doing something to combat terrorism. After reading this article I feel somewhat justified in my original presumption. Don't get me wrong, if random bag searches turn away one potential bomber, then I am all for it, but it highly amusing that the whole idea was to drive them to another city. It is so brilliant in a demonic kind of way. Well, as long as they don't us again it is ok. What about national cooperation and spirit. The harsh reality is if it does not effect me, it does not matter. True, but sad!!!
Broadcast Networks now charging for content
So the ABC, NBC and CBS are now partnering up to make their content available on demand (Video on Demand) through their respective distribution partners Apple/iPod, DirectTV, and Comcast. This means you can now pay between $.99 and $1.99 to download previously broadcast episode's of Desperate Housewifes, Law & Order, or CSI. You then only have the ability to view that content for a limitied time before it expires. I envision some form of Mission Impossible type tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds.
Now the thing that bothers me the most is that they are including the commercials in these downloads. This is somewhat bothersome to me because if I am paying for this I don't want to watch additional advertisements. I don't like it at the movies, and I especailly don't like it on websites where pop-ups, flash presentations, and extra pages appear on my browser. I suggest an additional premium for no showing commercials, or free downloads if you are willing to sit through extra commercials, and you forfiet the right to fast forward through the commercials. This way the networks could guarantee the number of eyes on the ad, rather than now, when fewer people still actually watch live TV, because of TiVo and DVR's.
I applaud the networks for attempting to expand their business model and try to reach a changing population. They are at least attempting to meet the needs of their consumers, rather than squash every innovation with a lawsuit or going after small companies that eat into their revenues like the record industry. I am not sure that this is the end, but rather the beginning, but clearly they are onto something, since Apple has reported over 1,000,000 downloads of Desperate Housewifes in just over 2 weeks. That is scary that people are so desperate to see this again, that they are willing to pay $1.99 for content they can tape on their VCR or record with their DVR for free and also be able to watch it again and again, whenever they choose.
First Trojan using Sony DRM spotted
Big suprise, the hackers are already using this toolkit to create viruses
How Divided is America
Leave it to the British to summarize what I have been attempting to say.
"After the 2004 election, many were convinced that the USA was more divided than ever. In fact, the problem in US politics is not that it is too divided, but that it isn't divided enough. A recent study by Morris Fiorina, Culture War?, shows that public opinion on many of the culture war issues, like abortion and gay rights, is in the middle, not at the extremes."
Excellent analysis, which seems to beg for a new political party, or at least more political ideaological discussion, rather than discussion on personal agendas and beliefs. I am also wrong in advocating for a Federalist party, but rather should be for a Jeffersonian party that will reduce the size and role of the federal government and give more responsibility for the actions of the public to the individual states, which makes sense since I am a Jeffersonian Libertarian!!
"They say that travel broadens the mind, and I have recently discovered a new phenomenon – the Secure Toilet. On a recent trip to Switzerland, I visited a restaurant that secures the toilets with a digital lock. Both the ladies and the gents have a key-pad on the door, and with the right combination you can enter. Now this shouldn’t come as a surprise given our heightened security awareness these days, and that the Swiss are obviously very security conscious, and every restaurant proprietor will tell you that misuse of toilet facilities is an increasing problem – It must be otherwise why secure then with digital locks."
Terrorism Expert Advised City on Searches
I always suspected that those random bag searches on the NYC subway were just a facade and and an effort to make it look like NYC and the MTA, were actually doing something to combat terrorism. After reading this article I feel somewhat justified in my original presumption. Don't get me wrong, if random bag searches turn away one potential bomber, then I am all for it, but it highly amusing that the whole idea was to drive them to another city. It is so brilliant in a demonic kind of way. Well, as long as they don't us again it is ok. What about national cooperation and spirit. The harsh reality is if it does not effect me, it does not matter. True, but sad!!!
Broadcast Networks now charging for content
So the ABC, NBC and CBS are now partnering up to make their content available on demand (Video on Demand) through their respective distribution partners Apple/iPod, DirectTV, and Comcast. This means you can now pay between $.99 and $1.99 to download previously broadcast episode's of Desperate Housewifes, Law & Order, or CSI. You then only have the ability to view that content for a limitied time before it expires. I envision some form of Mission Impossible type tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds.
Now the thing that bothers me the most is that they are including the commercials in these downloads. This is somewhat bothersome to me because if I am paying for this I don't want to watch additional advertisements. I don't like it at the movies, and I especailly don't like it on websites where pop-ups, flash presentations, and extra pages appear on my browser. I suggest an additional premium for no showing commercials, or free downloads if you are willing to sit through extra commercials, and you forfiet the right to fast forward through the commercials. This way the networks could guarantee the number of eyes on the ad, rather than now, when fewer people still actually watch live TV, because of TiVo and DVR's.
I applaud the networks for attempting to expand their business model and try to reach a changing population. They are at least attempting to meet the needs of their consumers, rather than squash every innovation with a lawsuit or going after small companies that eat into their revenues like the record industry. I am not sure that this is the end, but rather the beginning, but clearly they are onto something, since Apple has reported over 1,000,000 downloads of Desperate Housewifes in just over 2 weeks. That is scary that people are so desperate to see this again, that they are willing to pay $1.99 for content they can tape on their VCR or record with their DVR for free and also be able to watch it again and again, whenever they choose.
First Trojan using Sony DRM spotted
Big suprise, the hackers are already using this toolkit to create viruses
How Divided is America
Leave it to the British to summarize what I have been attempting to say.
"After the 2004 election, many were convinced that the USA was more divided than ever. In fact, the problem in US politics is not that it is too divided, but that it isn't divided enough. A recent study by Morris Fiorina, Culture War?, shows that public opinion on many of the culture war issues, like abortion and gay rights, is in the middle, not at the extremes."
Excellent analysis, which seems to beg for a new political party, or at least more political ideaological discussion, rather than discussion on personal agendas and beliefs. I am also wrong in advocating for a Federalist party, but rather should be for a Jeffersonian party that will reduce the size and role of the federal government and give more responsibility for the actions of the public to the individual states, which makes sense since I am a Jeffersonian Libertarian!!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Unaffiliated Voters in CT
I saw a fascinating statistic in the Stamford Advocate on November 4, unafiliated registered voters in Stamford CT almost equal the number of registered Democrats and largely outnumber the Republicans.
Democrats = 21,462 = 35%
Unaffiliated = 19,794 = 32%
Republicans= 13,984 = 22%
The article also says that 44% of the registered voters in the entire state of Connecticut are also unaffiliated. I am now trying to figure out if this holds true across the country, and if so how many of these people are actually disenfranchised from the established parties? And how can do we determine if there is enough support to begin a new political party that addresses the needs of the middle?
I would assume that the number cannot be as high as 44% across the country, but this trend has to mean something. They always say that a true election is only trying to convince the middle 20% they are correct, with 40% voting for one side and 40% voting for the other. Maybe this chasm is growing, and now only 25-35% are set in their voting habits?
Some Random Bush Humor
The White House continues to blame Newsweek for our negative image in the Middle East. "After all," says the White House, "we were admired abroad before Newsweek invaded Iraq based on false evidence, killing thousands of civilians and then set up a government widely viewed there as a Newsweek puppet. And then there was the time Newsweek tortured all those prisoners in Iraq and Guantanamo." The White House added, "Newsweek has done irreparable harm to our image."
While Dubya has been reading the Bible, chopping down forests and wasting money and lives in the Iraqi sand trap, North Korea developed the bomb, South Korea became the stem-cell research leader and the dollar plummeted to an all-time low. Now that's leadership!
Sports Break
Here is a big surprise, the Rangers have beaten the Devils 3 out 4 times so far this year, which is amazing since New Jersey has owned the BlueShirts for the past 10 years. However, the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins come into town with the new "Great One" Sidney Crosby and wind up beating the Rangers in the Garden 3-2. I am concerned that this young Ranger team is going to play to the level of their competition, a typical mistake of a young team, rather than play to their full potential, which has seeemed to very high.
The NY Football Giants look to be for real. They overcame the malaise associated with flying cross-country to play a seemingly meaningless game against the 49ers. Now SF is absolutely terrible this year, starting a complete unknown Cody Pickett at QB after Alex Smith and Ken Dorsey went down with injuries and Tim Rattay was traded to Tampa Bay. I did not expect much from the home team, and the Giants were very sluggish in the first half, but came out and dominated the second half. This week they are facing another terrible team as the Vikings come to the Meadowlands. This should be a slam dunk for them, I will be shocked if they lose. After that the Giants face the reeling Eagles at home. Then they go to Seattle to take on the high flying Seahawks in a game which could determine home field advantage in the playoffs. Stay tuned.
The Jets are as unlucky as you can get this year. Last week Wayne Chrebet and Chris Baker went down with injuries. The good news is that they are going to bench Vinny (old man) Testeverde and play Brooks Bollinger this week against the streaking Panthers. I did not see the game against the Ravens where he was pulled, but he certainly enegized the Jets when he came into the game on Sunday. It was nice to see someone rolling out, rather than sitting in the pocket. It adds a little more excitement to the game. The fortunes of the Jets are not looking good over the next few weeks Carolina, Denver and then the hapless No Home Saints, which seems to be the only winnable game in November for Gang Green.
Kudos to the Philadelphia Eagles for suspending Terrell Owens for the rest of the season for conduct detrimental to the team. I understand the players association needs to file a grievance on his behalf, but if the Eagles prefer to pay him not to play, and are willing to take the consequences of the that decions (presumably a losting season from here on out). I don't think they should be forced to cut a player they have under contract, so another team can pick him up. TO me, this is not a money issue but a competitive issue. If I am the Eagles, TO is my property and I don't want him playing for the Packers or the Texans or anyone else this year.
Democrats = 21,462 = 35%
Unaffiliated = 19,794 = 32%
Republicans= 13,984 = 22%
The article also says that 44% of the registered voters in the entire state of Connecticut are also unaffiliated. I am now trying to figure out if this holds true across the country, and if so how many of these people are actually disenfranchised from the established parties? And how can do we determine if there is enough support to begin a new political party that addresses the needs of the middle?
I would assume that the number cannot be as high as 44% across the country, but this trend has to mean something. They always say that a true election is only trying to convince the middle 20% they are correct, with 40% voting for one side and 40% voting for the other. Maybe this chasm is growing, and now only 25-35% are set in their voting habits?
Some Random Bush Humor
The White House continues to blame Newsweek for our negative image in the Middle East. "After all," says the White House, "we were admired abroad before Newsweek invaded Iraq based on false evidence, killing thousands of civilians and then set up a government widely viewed there as a Newsweek puppet. And then there was the time Newsweek tortured all those prisoners in Iraq and Guantanamo." The White House added, "Newsweek has done irreparable harm to our image."
While Dubya has been reading the Bible, chopping down forests and wasting money and lives in the Iraqi sand trap, North Korea developed the bomb, South Korea became the stem-cell research leader and the dollar plummeted to an all-time low. Now that's leadership!
Sports Break
Here is a big surprise, the Rangers have beaten the Devils 3 out 4 times so far this year, which is amazing since New Jersey has owned the BlueShirts for the past 10 years. However, the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins come into town with the new "Great One" Sidney Crosby and wind up beating the Rangers in the Garden 3-2. I am concerned that this young Ranger team is going to play to the level of their competition, a typical mistake of a young team, rather than play to their full potential, which has seeemed to very high.
The NY Football Giants look to be for real. They overcame the malaise associated with flying cross-country to play a seemingly meaningless game against the 49ers. Now SF is absolutely terrible this year, starting a complete unknown Cody Pickett at QB after Alex Smith and Ken Dorsey went down with injuries and Tim Rattay was traded to Tampa Bay. I did not expect much from the home team, and the Giants were very sluggish in the first half, but came out and dominated the second half. This week they are facing another terrible team as the Vikings come to the Meadowlands. This should be a slam dunk for them, I will be shocked if they lose. After that the Giants face the reeling Eagles at home. Then they go to Seattle to take on the high flying Seahawks in a game which could determine home field advantage in the playoffs. Stay tuned.
The Jets are as unlucky as you can get this year. Last week Wayne Chrebet and Chris Baker went down with injuries. The good news is that they are going to bench Vinny (old man) Testeverde and play Brooks Bollinger this week against the streaking Panthers. I did not see the game against the Ravens where he was pulled, but he certainly enegized the Jets when he came into the game on Sunday. It was nice to see someone rolling out, rather than sitting in the pocket. It adds a little more excitement to the game. The fortunes of the Jets are not looking good over the next few weeks Carolina, Denver and then the hapless No Home Saints, which seems to be the only winnable game in November for Gang Green.
Kudos to the Philadelphia Eagles for suspending Terrell Owens for the rest of the season for conduct detrimental to the team. I understand the players association needs to file a grievance on his behalf, but if the Eagles prefer to pay him not to play, and are willing to take the consequences of the that decions (presumably a losting season from here on out). I don't think they should be forced to cut a player they have under contract, so another team can pick him up. TO me, this is not a money issue but a competitive issue. If I am the Eagles, TO is my property and I don't want him playing for the Packers or the Texans or anyone else this year.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
SONY/BMG is poisoning the Music
SONY and other music industry giants don't get it.
Sony/BMG records is using a rootkit-based digital rights management (DRM) system to prevent CD copying. What this means is that they are adding software to their CD's that is the same as used by malicious hackers. They are doing this to prevent people from copying the music.
Now I understand a bit about copywrights, but shouldn't artists be interested in having people hear their music? The music industry is trying to do everything they possibly can to ensure that the large profits associated with the recording industry stay within their coiffers and will do anything they can to allow a free economy of an artistic expression to be distributed. What they fail to understand is the more people that hear the music, the more like people are to buy the music.
Barnes & Noble and Borders have come to realize that if more people hang out in their stores, they are more likely to attract more buyers. Yes some people just come to read and use it like a library, but most will actually buy a book and not return it after they have had a chance to sample it. It is reasonable to assume that the record industry could prosper similiary to the publishers if they would just embrace the internet and a larger less controlled marketplace.
What SONY has done is simply unacceptable, because they are opening up my home computer to major security issues, and it is only going to cause them a backlash and decreased profits. Eweek has a better explanation.
Federal subsidies for the Rich?
Interested piece on NPR this morning talking about how the federal government is essentially providing subsidies to the rich who build in flood plains. Very scary thought. Why is it that we as the tax paying folk need to pay when insurance and re-insurance companies won't? Maybe we are not supposed to be living in flood plains, regardless of how good the views are!! Why is it necessary to rebuild just so the same thing can happen again? Very odd, and very bad use of my tax dollars
How Alito Looks under the Lens
CNN provides a seemingly balanced look at Judge Alito. This guy is probably going to role back the clock 30 years, but hey I guess that is what half the country wants.
Sony/BMG records is using a rootkit-based digital rights management (DRM) system to prevent CD copying. What this means is that they are adding software to their CD's that is the same as used by malicious hackers. They are doing this to prevent people from copying the music.
Now I understand a bit about copywrights, but shouldn't artists be interested in having people hear their music? The music industry is trying to do everything they possibly can to ensure that the large profits associated with the recording industry stay within their coiffers and will do anything they can to allow a free economy of an artistic expression to be distributed. What they fail to understand is the more people that hear the music, the more like people are to buy the music.
Barnes & Noble and Borders have come to realize that if more people hang out in their stores, they are more likely to attract more buyers. Yes some people just come to read and use it like a library, but most will actually buy a book and not return it after they have had a chance to sample it. It is reasonable to assume that the record industry could prosper similiary to the publishers if they would just embrace the internet and a larger less controlled marketplace.
What SONY has done is simply unacceptable, because they are opening up my home computer to major security issues, and it is only going to cause them a backlash and decreased profits. Eweek has a better explanation.
Federal subsidies for the Rich?
Interested piece on NPR this morning talking about how the federal government is essentially providing subsidies to the rich who build in flood plains. Very scary thought. Why is it that we as the tax paying folk need to pay when insurance and re-insurance companies won't? Maybe we are not supposed to be living in flood plains, regardless of how good the views are!! Why is it necessary to rebuild just so the same thing can happen again? Very odd, and very bad use of my tax dollars
How Alito Looks under the Lens
CNN provides a seemingly balanced look at Judge Alito. This guy is probably going to role back the clock 30 years, but hey I guess that is what half the country wants.
Monday, November 07, 2005
French Integration Model Fails
In case you missed it, French Muslims have been rioting in Paris suburbs for the past 11 days. The minorities living in ghetto's are upset about a 30% unemployment rate in their neighborhoods against a national average of about 10%, and the Chirac government inabilty or unwillingness to do anything about it. Reuters had an excellent article about how maybe it is time to change the idea of French first. The arrogance that everything French is great, and if you are in France you have to acclimate to their culture and abandon their past. This model does not seem to apply anymore in global community with political barriers become easier to traverse. Here are a few juicy quotes from the article
"Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy is the only top politician saying France's "republican model" falls short and that the U.S. or British "melting pot" approach could help break the cycle of minority exclusion, unemployment and revolt...
" Inspired by the "liberty, equality, fraternity" motto of its 1789 revolution, the French republic officially rejects any consideration of race, creed or color that could undermine national unity. It asks immigrants to integrate by forgetting their roots and becoming like the French, rather than the less ambitious view in countries such as Britain and the United States that newcomers should learn English, obey the law and pay taxes. "
David Broder wrote an excellent article on the problems with Samuel Alito, supreme court nomination. Check it out The lunge for the lifeboat
"Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy is the only top politician saying France's "republican model" falls short and that the U.S. or British "melting pot" approach could help break the cycle of minority exclusion, unemployment and revolt...
" Inspired by the "liberty, equality, fraternity" motto of its 1789 revolution, the French republic officially rejects any consideration of race, creed or color that could undermine national unity. It asks immigrants to integrate by forgetting their roots and becoming like the French, rather than the less ambitious view in countries such as Britain and the United States that newcomers should learn English, obey the law and pay taxes. "
David Broder wrote an excellent article on the problems with Samuel Alito, supreme court nomination. Check it out The lunge for the lifeboat
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Not suprised, AGAIN!!!
Kiddies Trick or Treating
Not Surprised Again
The President has gone and done it again. He has run back to his conservative base and nominated Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court, after Harriet Mier withdrew (immediately after my posting, which obviously pushed her over the limit). The President, whose approvals ratings are near rock bottom, is either a genius or a moron. I am suspecting that maybe the Mier nomination was a ruse to rattle the far right, and get the country in an uproar about a “qualified” candidate then come in and nominate a strong candidate that panders to the far right. I doubt anyone is going to question Alito’s qualifications won’t be questioned since he has been a federal appeals judge for 15 years and has written numerous rulings on all the hot-bed issues. He is considered a mainstream conservative, which means he appeals to the red state wacko’s. I doubt the Democrat’s will be able to put up enough of a fight to push this candidate off and request/demand a more mainstream, middle-of-the-road candidate. Therefore, we should assume women are going back into the back rooms and alley’s for their reproductive needs!!! Another loss for freedom’s that seemed settled for more than a generation. How long until Prohibition rears its ugly head again.
I do not know why conservatives think that things are better than the way things used to be; maybe they should move to Pennsylvania and live with the Amish or to Crown Heights in Brooklyn to live with the Orthodox Jews.
Scooter Libby was the first member of this administration indicted and is going to be arraigned later this week. It has been implied that he will not be the last indictment as Karl Rove is still under suspicion. It is possible that this conspiracy could to additional damage directly or indirectly to the vice president and maybe if I dream the president himself. I find highly ironic that this whole mess is based upon the “intelligence” that Iraq had weapons of mass destructions (WMD) prior to invading and ultimately nation building. Somehow, we have become a single imperialistic power in the vain of Europe prior to 1914. The Bush administration, which claimed in 2000 that the US should not be into nation building, now seems to be our primary foreign policy goal. We appear to believe that these nations are either incapable of governing themselves, or allowing a non-democratic form of government to take hold there. Self-governance, the concept of allowing people to choose their own form of government to grow and prosper naturally, rather than forced by gunpoint seems to be a good idea.
Sports Break
The Giants seem to be legitimate. They some how beat the Broncos 2 Sunday’s ago and crushed the Redskins this past week. This week’s game was going to be a test to determine which of these NFC East teams was for real. I think the emotionally charged Giants would have beaten the 72 Dolphins after the Wellington Mara funeral on Thursday. I see a big let down this week against the 49ers in SF, though they should still win since these 49ers blow. They then play the floundering Vikings, giving Big Blue the possibility of being 7-2 through nine games, which should almost guarantee them a playoff spot. They have a tough schedule after that with 2 games against the Eagles, the Cowboys and the Chiefs at home and three tough road games in Seattle, Washington and Oakland, but should win 3-4 of these games.
The Jets are in deep trouble. They are down to their fourth quarterback this year that is 42 and was unemployed at the beginning of the season. The Jets defense is not going to be able to keep up with the anemic offense. At some point in time, the Jets are going to play Brooks Bollinger, since this season is in the toilet and not coming back. Even if he is not the quarterback of the future, you need to say we need to get him experience and look to next year with the hope that Reggie Bush will be wearing Green and White in 2006. Vinny has been everything that has been expected of him and in another week or two will not be needed anymore.
The Rangers are an enigma. They win a few games in a row, and then lose a few. They are still in first place in the Atlantic Division but I am not sure that will last. The new goalie, Henrik Lundquist seems to be hot, but I guess I am skeptical and just waiting for the bubble to burst. I might get excited in January or February after the football season to see if they are still in the hunt. I am not alone here, since every single hockey pundit had the Rangers pegged anywhere from dead last to way out of the playoffs.
Not Surprised Again
The President has gone and done it again. He has run back to his conservative base and nominated Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court, after Harriet Mier withdrew (immediately after my posting, which obviously pushed her over the limit). The President, whose approvals ratings are near rock bottom, is either a genius or a moron. I am suspecting that maybe the Mier nomination was a ruse to rattle the far right, and get the country in an uproar about a “qualified” candidate then come in and nominate a strong candidate that panders to the far right. I doubt anyone is going to question Alito’s qualifications won’t be questioned since he has been a federal appeals judge for 15 years and has written numerous rulings on all the hot-bed issues. He is considered a mainstream conservative, which means he appeals to the red state wacko’s. I doubt the Democrat’s will be able to put up enough of a fight to push this candidate off and request/demand a more mainstream, middle-of-the-road candidate. Therefore, we should assume women are going back into the back rooms and alley’s for their reproductive needs!!! Another loss for freedom’s that seemed settled for more than a generation. How long until Prohibition rears its ugly head again.
I do not know why conservatives think that things are better than the way things used to be; maybe they should move to Pennsylvania and live with the Amish or to Crown Heights in Brooklyn to live with the Orthodox Jews.
Scooter Libby was the first member of this administration indicted and is going to be arraigned later this week. It has been implied that he will not be the last indictment as Karl Rove is still under suspicion. It is possible that this conspiracy could to additional damage directly or indirectly to the vice president and maybe if I dream the president himself. I find highly ironic that this whole mess is based upon the “intelligence” that Iraq had weapons of mass destructions (WMD) prior to invading and ultimately nation building. Somehow, we have become a single imperialistic power in the vain of Europe prior to 1914. The Bush administration, which claimed in 2000 that the US should not be into nation building, now seems to be our primary foreign policy goal. We appear to believe that these nations are either incapable of governing themselves, or allowing a non-democratic form of government to take hold there. Self-governance, the concept of allowing people to choose their own form of government to grow and prosper naturally, rather than forced by gunpoint seems to be a good idea.
Sports Break
The Giants seem to be legitimate. They some how beat the Broncos 2 Sunday’s ago and crushed the Redskins this past week. This week’s game was going to be a test to determine which of these NFC East teams was for real. I think the emotionally charged Giants would have beaten the 72 Dolphins after the Wellington Mara funeral on Thursday. I see a big let down this week against the 49ers in SF, though they should still win since these 49ers blow. They then play the floundering Vikings, giving Big Blue the possibility of being 7-2 through nine games, which should almost guarantee them a playoff spot. They have a tough schedule after that with 2 games against the Eagles, the Cowboys and the Chiefs at home and three tough road games in Seattle, Washington and Oakland, but should win 3-4 of these games.
The Jets are in deep trouble. They are down to their fourth quarterback this year that is 42 and was unemployed at the beginning of the season. The Jets defense is not going to be able to keep up with the anemic offense. At some point in time, the Jets are going to play Brooks Bollinger, since this season is in the toilet and not coming back. Even if he is not the quarterback of the future, you need to say we need to get him experience and look to next year with the hope that Reggie Bush will be wearing Green and White in 2006. Vinny has been everything that has been expected of him and in another week or two will not be needed anymore.
The Rangers are an enigma. They win a few games in a row, and then lose a few. They are still in first place in the Atlantic Division but I am not sure that will last. The new goalie, Henrik Lundquist seems to be hot, but I guess I am skeptical and just waiting for the bubble to burst. I might get excited in January or February after the football season to see if they are still in the hunt. I am not alone here, since every single hockey pundit had the Rangers pegged anywhere from dead last to way out of the playoffs.
Congratulations to the Chicago White Sox on winning the World Series and avenging the 1919 Black Sox. Hopefully Joe Jackson (below-left), Eddie Cicotte, Buck Weaver, Lefty Williams, Hap Felsch, Chick Gandil, Swede Risberg, and Fred McMullin (below- left) can now rest in peace.
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