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.
Best Motivational Video
This one does it for me every time. Well, this one and the Sly one. =) Secrets to success Pt. 1 from Eric Thomas (The Hip Hop Preacher)
Your Phone Company is Watching
Back in 2012 or so, I posted a video hidden within a rant I had made. I rant from time to time. Scratch that. I rant a lot.
Why I Love Kamailio
If we haven’t met yet, my name is Fred Posner. By day, I’m a VoIP Engineer and a baker (yes, a baker).
Since I was a kid, I’ve loved telephones — everything about telephones. Dealing with phone companies and carriers started to eat away at that love… but VoIP brought it back.
One of the products I get to work with is Kamailio.Many of you have never heard of this product.
Even more cannot pronounce it.
In a nutshell, Kamailio is an open-source SIP server. Now, if you’re not a techie, or know VoIP, then…
Kamailio is about communication.
Literally.
The word Kamailio originates from the native Hawaiian language; translating “to converse.” Kamailio is open-source software allowing people (great, huge amounts of people) to communicate.
Now, back to why I love Kamailio…
My Internet Quote
I don’t think I’ll ever come up with a better quote than this: The Internet is like a big city. Sure, there’s great museums and entertainment, but there’s also bad, bad places filled with bad, bad people.
2013, The Year That Was
I do use a variety of statistical data to review the websites I administer — and while I will monitor and review the others very often, I review FredPosner.com about twice a year… and with that long winded introduction, I present… 2013: The Year That Was at FredPosner.com.
Not Choosing Nissan Again
Here’s the back-story: Before we married, Yeni bought her first car. An exciting time for Yeni, having just moved to the US, buying her first car was a pretty big deal.
She chose a Nissan Versa, in bright blue, which was promptly named Bluecito. It’s a little car, but it’s a fun little car. Drives well, fun to drive, and surprisingly roomy for a small car.
After bringing Yeni (and Bluecito) down to Florida, the Mrs. decided that my truck was to stay in the driveway and the Nissan Versa would be living in the garage. The car is now 5 years old with 50k miles.
And now for the rest of the story…
Why I Hate ATT
I have a hate / hate relationship with ATT. A call I just had with tech support re-emphasized why I hate this company (and why we are leaving them in a month).
Yesterday (Christmas), Yeni and I took an amazing ride through Florida. We started in Gainesville, ended up near Daytona, and headed back through the Ocala National Forrest.
I tell you that to tell you this: During the trip, we noticed that Yeni’s voicemail was not working. By not working, I mean callers would not be able to leave her a voice message and we were unable to access voicemail from her phone.
A call to ATT received the “we’re not working on Christmas” message, so I called today.
Thanksgiving Message (2013)
For the last 16 years, I’ve enjoyed Thanksgiving at my parent’s house in beautiful South Florida. Surrounded by family, the festive meal places family on the porch of the house, seated around an incredibly long table, with more food than one should eat in a single sitting.
For a few of those years, when I lived in South Florida, it was a quick drive from my place to the dinner table. Most of the years, it involves a drive down from Gainesville. Some years included a trek down from Michigan (snow and all).
Robert Downey Jr. Quote
Smile. Listen. Agree. Then do whatever the fuck you wanted to do anyway. — Robert Downey Jr.