End the War on Freedom blogs

A REAL Intrusion (Alaska)

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:16:02 -0600

Sen. Bill Wielechowski "It is the beginning of a surveillance society,", "It's very easy to see where this goes.", "If the federal government ... wishes to create a society that really is big brother, we don't want to pay for it,".

I'm not sure whether or not to applaud or grab a pitchfork. But it would seem that the senator is merely trying to get the federal government to pony up the money for this. On the other hand it would seem as if the senator understands what national i.d. cards are really for.

I dunno, I'll let you decide. But, lets give them Alaskan's a telephone call or an email. I'm not sure which 2 senators are current. I filled in with what i could find just to be safe.

Senator Ted Stevens
Phone: 202-224-3004
Fax: 202-224-2354
Email: http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?
FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenatorStevens

Senator Bill Wielechowski
State Capitol, Room 115
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907-465-2435
Fax: 907-465-6615
Email: Senator_Bill_Wielechowski@legis.state.ak.us

Senator Lisa Murkowski
Phone: 202-224-6665
Fax: 202-224-5301
Email: http://murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Rep Don Young
Phone: 202-225-5765
Fax: 202-225-0425
Email: http://donyoung.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm

Preserving Constitutional Liberties

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:55:58 -0600

This is one of the most awakening pieces to hit the net. I feel this writer is in tune with the situation. The situation that others are really not taking all that serious. The process of indoctrination through literature and media online and offline is hampering peoples reality. People wake up ! Notice "Political Dissent", often left out of the history books. Unless you want to be loaded onto the trains introduced to real slave labor until you are dead and bbq'd to a fine crisp I recommend you take this seriously.
Kenneth H.
-------
The Surreal ID Card Act and HB 2677
Dave Hodges

In Nazi Germany (July 1938), only a few months before Kristallnacht (i.e., the night of the broken glass) in which Jewish businesses were targeted by the infamous "Brown Shirts" for destruction, the notorious "J-stamp" was introduced on national ID cards and then later on passports. The use of the "J-stamp" ID cards by Nazi Germany preceded the yellow Star of David badges which led to the subsequent deportation of Gypsies, Jews, homosexuals and political dissidents to the infamous Nazi death camps. In Norway, where yellow cloth badges were not introduced, the J stamped ID card was used in the identification of more than 800 Jews deported to death camps in Eastern Europe.

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Editorial-Page.htm?InfoNo=029936&From=News

News.com Four-Part Series

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:19:01 -0600

Declan McCullagh, "FAQ: How Will Real ID Affect You?" C-Net, February 7, 2008.
Click to Read...

Anne Broache, "Religious Minorities Face Real ID Crackdown," C-Net, February 6, 2008.
Click to Read...

Declan McCullagh and Anne Broache, "Federal Buildings Become Real ID Zones," C-Net, February 5, 2008.
Click to Read...

Broach, Anne and McCullagh, Declan, "Real ID Could Mean Real Travel Headaches," C-Net, February 4, 2008.
Click to Read...

Anne Broache, "Real ID Worries Domestic Violence Groups," C-Net, February 8, 2008.
Click to Read...

All in all I'd say not to shabby. News.com did a great job researching & reporting to the public. Another sign of the times; internet reporting is outperforming "news" & "newspapers" by leaps and bounds.

National I.D. (Update)

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:55:43 -0600

Is your state one of the many giving into federal aggression ? Click to read...

It should be noted that this is to be a first in a four part series by News.com So if they do not address what you have thought of like myself give them time for their series unfold.

The 'Lone Wolf' Disconnect

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:22:36 -0600

"Another consideration is that the process of radicalization — to the point that a person undertakes a terrorist attack — rarely occurs in a solitary setting. Many individuals require the feedback and encouragement of like-minded individuals to help them reach that point."

The idea that a lone individual will appear seemingly out of nowhere to launch a horrific terrorist attack sends shivers down the spines of public security planners and law enforcement officers — not to mention average citizens. Because of their unique traits, “lone wolves” present very real challenges to the law enforcement and security professionals charged with guarding against such threats.

However, with the road from desire to actual destruction fraught with obstacles, the lone-wolf terrorist — one capable of causing mass casualties — is a rare individual indeed.

Nationalist I.D. (N. Dakota)

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:44:03 -0600

As we already knew some states were only resisting the Nationalist I.D. in hopes of getting the federals to pay for this Orwellian legislation. and North Dakota is one of those states sadly.

"As of January 31, all adult travelers will have to have a proof of citizenship and proof of identity to enter the United States. And in the coming months, the state of North Dakota will be adopting even STRICTER GUIDELINES."
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=15261

Let's tell north Dakota how we feel about their support for this legislation. Let them know we are disappointed in their decision to enact and enforce this.

Governor John Hoeven
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0001
Phone 701.328.2200
Fax 701.328.2205

Senator Kent Conrad (D- ND)
Phone 202-224-2043
Fax 202-224-7776 Email https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D- ND)
Phone 202-224-2551
Fax 202-224-1193 Email senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Representative Earl Pomeroy (D - North Dakota)
Phone 202-225-2611
Fax 202-226-0893 Email http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm

W. Virginia "Enough is Enough"

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:41:28 -0600

West Virginia is on board to derail the Nationalist I.D..

The State Journal report:
"CHARLESTON -- West Virginia would join a growing number of states that are refusing to change what appears on their driver's licenses to meet new national security standards under a proposed bill that is enjoying bipartisan support among state lawmakers." http://tinyurl.com/2wmc78

And as promised I have posted the contact information. We need to hit W. Virginia with a barrage of emails, phone calls, faxes and more. To let them know we support them ! To encourage them !

!!Send Positive Responses!! As W. Virginia is siding with the people.

Contact the governor:
Joe Manchin III
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E.,
Charleston, WV 25305
Toll-Free: 1-888-438-2731
Email: Governor@WVGov.org

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D- WV)
Phone: 202-224-3954
Fax: 202-228-0002 http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV (D- WV) Phone: 202-224-6472
Fax:202-224-7665 http://rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan
2302 Rayburn House Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4172
Fax: 202-225-7564 CongressmanMollohan@mail.house.gov

Representative Alan B. Mollohan (D - 01) Phone: 202-225-4172
Fax: 202-225-7564 CongressmanMollohan@mail.house.gov

Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R - 02) Phone: 202-225-2711
Fax: 202-225-7856 http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Representative Nick Joe Rahall, II (D - 03) Phone: 202-225-3452
Fax: 202-225-9061 http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=162

National I.D.

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:56:03 -0600

More and more of late I have been hearing about the (National I.D., Real I.D. or more secure driver's licenses). And I must admit I am a bit amazed at the lack of voice in the online forum which is the internet. Unlike the opposition to the amnesty act of 2007 this legislation is moving forward. With the only real opposition shouting that this would be too costly for the states. And indeed it shall be costly but not in the measurement of dollars.

For millions of Statesmen the right to travel is a necessity. Transporting foods and goods between states, interacting amongst peers, family and friends. The list goes on and on. For all in the name of terrorism a shift is about to occur for many. In states that are opposing the federal legislation it's citizens will not be allowed to travel outside of that state and it's borders.

Never mind the fact that the only reason that the 9/11 terrorist got driver's licenses was because of the failure of the federal government and it's poor passport measures & requirements.

"The states who have passed legislation or resolutions objecting to the Real ID Act many due to concerns over the cost - are Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington, according to the ACLU." billingsgazette.net

My hopes are that enough people discover this blog and want to participate. Together we stand; we can help to try and defeat this treachory. We can help jump start a campaign of phone calls, emails, faxes and protest. To every radio, television, blog, etc. To each and every state to the District of Columbia. We can let our voices be heard.

In the meantime stay tuned to this blog to keep up with current legislation & contact information.

Special thanks to Bill of billstclair.com for kindly hosting this blog.

Major Appliance Time

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:53:18 -0600

We bought a brand new washer & dryer shortly before my son was born, over sixteen years ago. Sears Kenmore brand. They both served us well until recently, when the dryer motor died, and the washer bin stopped turning around. I decided it wasn't worth the money to replace the dryer motor, and didn't feel competent to work on the washer myself, so rather than pay Sears $100 for a repair guy to come out and possibly tell us the washer cost nearly as much as a new one to repair, we bought new ones.

I saw a new style of washing machine in Sears a few years back. Top loading, but with no agitator inside, just a little bump in the middle, and water jet holes. Well, we got one of those. Whirlpool brand name, though apparently Whirlpool makes Kenmore stuff. They were delivered today, after a two week wait from our purchase. And they're nice. Washed a long week's worth of clothes today. Quite satisfied.

I can't afford to buy major appliances very often, so it's nice when I can. Wish I could afford a new refrigerator.

Click the "read more" link for pictures.

Samsung S730 Camera

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:14:15 -0600

I bought a Samsung S730 digital camera at Target the other day. Was there looking for a birthday gift for my daughter to give to a friend of hers, and it jumped out and grabbed me. $100. There were hundred dollar cameras from HP, Nikon, and Kodak there, but they were out of stock, and this one has more pixels. Haven't played with it enough to know how good its lens is, but it takes movies, audio, and still photos. Comes with very little memory, but $25 got me a gigabyte SD card, which holds over 700 full-resolution (7.2 megapixel) images. Nice to have a better camera than the one in my iPhone.

Self-portrait, no flash

Denali camera case

Coke machine at laundromat

SSL Access Available

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:41:42 -0600

Well, I finally paid the $15 that site5.com charges to install an SSL certificate, so you can now get get encrypted access to this site.

https://billstclair.com/blog/

You will likely get a warning that the Certificate Authority (CA), CAcert.org, is unknown to your browser. That's the drawback of using a free CA. There will likely be an option to add their certificate. Do it if you want to get rid of the warning (and warnings for similar certificates from other web sites).

If you say www.billstclair.com, you'll get a warning, every time you visit here after relaunching your browser, that the domain doesn't match the certificate. So don't do that unless you like the warning.

Check 1 failed. Can't run Skype

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:13:33 -0500

When I tried to run Skype today on my Macintosh, nothing happenned. Looking in the Console log, I found this cryptic message:

Check 1 failed. Can't run Skype

Only found one Google hit, and it wasn't helpful. Tried renaming Google preferences out of the way (in Mac OS X, those are the "~/Library/Preferences/com.skype.skype.plist" file and the "~/Library/Application Support/Skype" directory). Same thing. Reinstalled Skype by dragging from the distribution DMG to my Applications folder and clicking "Yes" on the overwrite query dialog. Back in business. Don't know why it happenned, but that fixed it.

iPhone Reverse Polish Calculator

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:32:24 -0500

billstclair.com/calc.html is a Reverse Polish calculator for the iPhone. I found the code for this with a Google search, and reformatted it for the small screen. Looks funny in a regular browser, but is just the right size on my iPhone. Scroll down for trig functions, the rest of the machine state, and a calculation record.

Locked In

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:33:25 -0500

I was headed outside to give the dogs a walk at about 4pm this afternoon. Got their radio fence collars off and their leashes on, went to open the door, and, it wouldn't open. No amount of turning or pulling would make it budge. Screwdriver time. Took off the inner door handle, pushed the outer door handle out. Still wouldn't budge. Half an hour later, I'd managed to break apart the mechanism and convince the bolt to move, so I could open the door. I guess 25 years is a long time for what was likely a used part when the house was built. Off to Home Depot for a brand new Schlage locking handle set. Just $22. But it needed a little deeper hole than the old set, and I couldn't find my little hand saw, so it was chisel time. Finally got it to fit, and now we can lock our front door. Yay!

Second Cockatiel

Thu, 10 May 2007 08:55:31 -0500

Well, the girls in my family did it. They bought a second cockatiel to keep Sunshine company. So far, the new bird has been absolutely silent. She won't be out of her cage for a little while, so that's where I took this photo. My daughter hasn't named her yet (nor are we sure that's she's not a he).