A Comment on Private
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Recently there has been a slew of people making their blogs private because of an incredibly inaccurate news story done by KSL. Below is a comment I posted on a blog in response to other commenters.
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At some point people will realize that this mass hysteria towards who may or may not be looking at your blog is so blown out of proportion that it borderlines on near insanity.
The story done by KSL was so bad that is was laughable. No sources cited, only two incidents, and a lot of fodder geared towards creating a captivating news story. The irresponsibility of the article conveys just how much people do not understand the situation.
If you want to go private fine, nothing wrong with that. Giving in to a hysteria that is based on nothing, is just ludicrous.
I applaud any parent who wants to keep their children safe, but if you believe making your blog private will secure that you are sadly mistaken.
Just because you make a blog private does not mean it is secure. If someone really wanted to they could comprise that security in a variety of ways. The biggest treat is simple human error.
How many people have access to your Google account for example? How many people could guess your password? How many people could answer your security question in order to establish a new password? Do you leave your computer on and unlocked? A person could compromise someone’s account and easily gain access to your private blog under the guise of a trusted acquaintance.
The point is this, there is no proof or concrete evidence (I’m talking about real studies and statistics, not second hand stories you heard from a friend) that making a blog private will increase your security.
Your information is EVERYWHERE. I can Google your name, address, phone number, place of employment, credit history, and a bunch of other things. I could simply go to the county courthouse and ask to see your public records including address, census information, etc. If you are truly concerned you should take your child out of public school, tint your car windows, black out your house address, and wear sunglasses and a hat all the time.
So, is there no way to truly be safe? There is. Don’t post stupid things. Don’t post when you are leaving out of town, don’t post your child’s school schedule and list of fears, don’t post where you hide the key to get into your side door.
There is no need for the mass hysteria when it comes to making your blog private. Common sense is MUCH better at providing you security than putting a password on your blog.
I’m More Popular than I Thought
Everything about the following link is pure awesomeness:
http://me-speakingfreely.blogspot.com/2008/11/contradiction.html
Check out the attack on me from anonymous on comment number 8. Don’t you just love being anonymously attacked by someone who excels at using the interwebs? Sure put me in my place.
Warn Thy Neighbor, Drink the Wine
Why now? Because only recently have I come into the information that has prompted my surge of panic for the situation of this nation. Present new ideas, collect evidence that supports more than casual alarm, proclaim it so others can be warned. For what? The label of “crackpot” and once quiet individuals cursing my beliefs because they obviously don’t want to understand them.
I am not a contentious person by nature, I am a creator and lover of enjoyment. If I didn’t feel my country in dire straits I would never be so vocal. Indeed the nation we live in works because its citizens are allowed to be vocal, petition the government for change whatever it might be.
Passion and apathy are so closely related that they can often times be mistaken for one another. That is where I am, I either throw myself fully into the cause or become so consumed by it that I burn my ambition out and exist without any emotion at all. The question now is warn thy neighbor, or drink the wine?
You cannot do both, for on the one hand you will have no time for pleasure and on the other you will be inebriated to the point of no action. One option is obviously easier than the other, but is the reward the same?
It would be easy for me to sit back and go along with the tide, lauding a man who promises change while at the same time watching people I thought I knew succumb to the enticements of an easier way of life. Who doesn’t want a life without fear, anger, pain, and hatred? Is there one mortal man who can truly provide not only our nation with this, but the entire world?
The answer is written upon the wall, but who will take the time to turn and read it?
1:29 AM
The time has finally come, we must all pick sides and endure to the death of mortal existence. The masses are wailing for justices that do not exist, and the apostles of hate have successfully spread their message of doom.
We cannot serve two masters, we cannot survive a divided house. Choose whom you will serve, for that master will govern your eternal endeavors.
Pledge Allegiance to the Soviet Union of America
Let us establish a few anchor points before going any further:
- I respect the office of the President of the United States of America, but I do not agree with nor support Barack Obama.
- I have never supported John McCain in any of his ideas or policies
- I believe in open discussion and the free flow of controlled and civilly discussed ideas
- If you feel so inclined to comment, please do so appropriately with a name attached to your thoughts
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
~ First Amendment to the United States Constitution
Over the past weeks and months many of my conversations regarding politics eventually boiled down to the issue of a socialist USA. Are we heading for a Soviet Union of America, or is that just plain nuts? In my opinion we are indeed heading towards socialism and eventually communism. How can I say that? Look at our current political landscape and prove to me without a doubt what is hopeful at all.
- America has a military presence in almost every nation on the face of the planet
- Our borders are unsecured and there is no sign of any security in the future
- The federal government owns a significant part of several privately held banks
- The current tax system rewards the poor and punishes the wealthy
- The majority of the country supports redistribution of wealth, land, and social benefits
- Religion is being labeled as a hate spewing antisocial institution
When Obama supporters weep in the streets because they no longer have to worry about mortgages or putting gas in their cars and McCain supporters gnash their teeth in rage because we will surely lose a false war in Iraq now, what hope is there? The government of the United States of America controls the minds of the masses, forcing them into service of a misguided messiah who now has dominion over the most powerful nation in the world.
Do I hate President-elect Barack Obama? Not at all, indeed if Mr. Obama can sate three key concerns for me, I will laud him as much as any fawning supporter.
- Withdraw all American military forces from other nations
- Secure our borders indefinitely
- Institute a fair and flat tax that assures equal taxation for all citizens
If those three simple things are accomplished in his tenure as President I will denounce my evil ways and repent unto the graces of the Obama Nation.
As far as for those feeling hopeful, please enlighten me to what you are so excited about. Again, please understand I hold no hatred for the man, I am perilously concerned for the welfare of my country. I believe that is a legitimate concern regardless of any situation.
KSL Fails at Reporting
KSL recently ran this news story:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4699330
Now a bunch of bloggers are making their blogs private because they don’t want crazy people harrassing them.
KSL has completely failed at reporting.
They have no facts, no sustainable statistics, and out of the estimated 100 million blogs in the world at the moment they presented two for consideration when it comes to whacked out and crazed situations. The first incident was so vague that you can’t even tell what is going on and the second was perpetrated by a family member!
Shame on KSL for playing on the fear of the masses just to run a story.
