a blog for j z dot net

Phish played their “final” concert / festival in upstate Vermont in August of 2004. It was the worst-run, poorest-planned festival I’ve ever had the misfortune of attending. The weather conditions didn’t help, of course, but even if it’d been a sun-filled weekend, the facilities and the civil engineering they had were utterly failing. The porta-potties alone were the saddest, nastiest latrines I’d ever seen. I had used drains in the former Yugoslavia which were far preferable to the technologies in use at Coventry. Add in the rains and the subsequent inability for the crew to maintain sanitation, and it made for one helluva nasty experience. Garbage overflowed everywhere, latrines went uncleaned for days at a time, overflowing with filth. For people who didn’t have boots, they were forced to tromp threw the slop daily. It was beyond nasty.

even the map had issues - mislabelled areas, etc

If you’re reading this, you’re no doubt asking yourself, “Why did this have to happen?”  The simple truth is that it is complicated and has been coming for a long time.  The writing process, started many months ago, was intended to be therapy in the face of the looming realization that there isn’t enough therapy in the world that can fix what is really broken.  Needless to say, this rant could fill volumes with example after example if I would let it.  I find the process of writing it frustrating, tedious, and probably pointless… especially given my gross inability to gracefully articulate my thoughts in light of the storm raging in my head.  Exactly what is therapeutic about that I’m not sure, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
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CITIZENS UNITED, APPELLANT v. FEDERALELECTION COMMISSION

ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

[January 21, 2010]

JUSTICE STEVENS, with whom JUSTICE GINSBURG, JUSTICE BREYER, and JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR join, concurring in part and dissenting in part.

The basic premise underlying the Court’s ruling is its iteration, and constant reiteration, of the proposition that the First Amendment bars regulatory distinctions based on a speaker’s identity, including its “identity” as a corporation.   –J. Stevens

from: Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm’n

Capitalism wins!

sage advice: (How-to) Not be a noob:

Noobs are the players you meet who are selfish, rude, inconsiderate, unskillful, seem to have no concept of spelling or grammar, and are always bored – because the pleasure they derive from annoying others never quite seems to satisfy. Does this describe you? Don’t worry – there is hope!

Please note that noobs are not all to be confused with newbies – as the latter are friendly, willing to learn, and busy developing their skills – while the former are diametrically opposite.

* If you think that being a noob is fun, you are missing out! Wait ’till you see how much more fun is is to be a respected member of the Mars Explorer community – and the world in general!

* Though this may seem counter intuitive, the first step towards attaining the esteemed position of non-noobishness is to work on your communication skills. Once you establish yourself in the habit of fluently articulating everything you enter into a computer, not only will everyone else respect you more – but you will also be forced to think before you speak – and best of all, you won’t be automatically identified as a noob by others you come in contact with.

* Once you are communicating with ease, the only other skill you need to master is courtesy. When you begin treating others as fellow human beings with insightful ideas, valuable time, and intrinsic worth – instead of just objects to freeload from and annoy – you will no longer be a noob.

* Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It is easy. All you need is dedication and will, and you already have both of these – Exercise them!

* In closing, imagine what you will be able to do with all the time you are no longer investing in pointless activities! Find something productive that you enjoy, and become the best that you can at it – whether it’s rocketry, knitting sweaters, playing a musical instrument, entrepreneurial endeavours, or hacking.

via Mars Explorer – FAQ.

so attempting to purchase some items on a heavily trafficked site the other day, and received the dreaded

Server Error in ‘/’ Application

error — this is likely due to an under-resourced windows webserver(s) running  inadequate software.  Why are folks with sites still running that crap?

You are hereby notified that under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act and Executive Orders of the President of the United States of America, while viewing this Web Site, you may be placed under Electronic Surveillance by Intelligence and/or Law Enforcement Agencies at any time for any purpose they may deem necessary, without your knowledge and/or permission, and without the Order or Supervision of any Court of Law, regardless of the provisions of the Fourth Amendment of The United States Constitution. National Security Agency (NSA) Surveillance Regulations and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Laws may have been ignored.