Politics
Marco Rubio Wants Encryption Backdoor
Recently, as part of an EFF push to “save” encryption, I wrote to my Senators and Congressman to encourage the government to ensure security is not weakened with backdoors to encryption.
My Congressman has a difference of opinion with me regarding most things Internet related– so I don’t expect a response.
Here below is the response from Senator Marco Rubio:
No, I didn’t throw my vote away.
Yesterday, millions of Americans voted to elect Donald Trump president of the United States of America. The close vote results, as has been the case for the last few elections, in a very divided country.
I’ve made no secret of my support of a “third party” candidate and proudly voted for Gary Johnson this election.
As I woke this morning, I found myself greeted with countless messages on how I “cost Hillary the election,” “threw [my] vote away,” “didn’t give a shit,” and so on.
Let me be very clear… There is no scenario where Fred votes for Hillary Clinton. There was also not a scenario where I would vote for Donald Trump. I instead voted for someone who most closely backs my political beliefs.
There’s no reason to get into a “who’s worse” debate between Clinton and Trump. They were both HORRIBLE candidates.
Independence Day
Tomorrow is July 4th, or Independence Day here in the United States — where we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.
At the time, what is now the United States existed as 13 colonies of Great Britain. For many reasons, none of which I’ll discuss here, the colonists decided to declare themselves a new nation, independent from British (or any other) rule, with certain unalienable Rights — including Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Ted Yoho is Wrong about the Internet
Recently, Representative Ted Yoho penned an opinion piece explaining that the FCC recent reclassification of the Internet, protecting Net Neutrality, is a bad thing.
Ted Yoho is Wrong
First, the Internet is not 20 years old. Dial-ups existed in the United States more than 25 years ago, but that’s another story.
The Internet was made possible today mostly from the initial support and research of tax-payer funded research, through DARPA and today exists as a globally distributed network.
No Warrant? Who cares!
I’ve been discussing for a few years here the dangers of our collected data. More recently, since the NSA revelations, I’ve been discussing the need for encrypted communication to ensure our privacy.
Senator Marco Rubio Responds re NSA (again)
Recently, I again wrote my Senators and Congressman about the NSA collection of data. This was done as part of an organized campaign — The Day We Fight Back — on February 11th, 2014. Partnered with EFF.org, there were pre-written letters to send your representatives:
As your constituent, I am deeply concerned about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) mass surveillance programs. We need real reform to stop the NSA’s mass collection of our information.
I urge you to support the USA Freedom Act (H.R. 3361/S. 1599), an important first step in stopping mass spying, reforming the FISA court, and increasing transparency. But reform shouldn’t stop there: please push for stronger privacy protections that stop dragnet surveillance of innocent users across the globe, and stop the NSA from sabotaging international encryption standards.
Marco Rubio Responds re NSA
I recently wrote my state Senators and my representative to let them know I didn’t want the NSA monitoring my communications and that I did not want them monitoring any communications in such a blanket manner as currently done.
Basically, to monitor based on probably cause for specific suspects.
Benjamin Franklin vs Barack Obama
With the media finally starting to report about the massive invasions of American privacy by the US Government, Obama made his first public statement since the news of the Verizon warrant broke.
I was saddened by his comments.
In perspective, when being oppressed by a King, Benjamin Franklin wrote:
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
When question why the US Government is spying and collecting data on US Citizens, Obama stated:
It’s important to recognize that you can’t have 100 percent security and also then have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience.
How far we’ve come.
Vote Big Fred
… cookie that is. 😉 Check out this amazing graphic for the Big Fred Cookie™: [][2]Vote for the Big Fred Cookie
1.65 private workers
[][1]Welfare state? There are 1.65 private workers for every person on welfare. Comment on Reddit.