This week the counter-convention to the Republican National Convention, for the Ron Paul Revolution, was held, the Rally for the Republic. CSPAN-2 was kind enough to air the entire eventC on Tuesday, 9/2/2008. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura gave an amazing speech at the rally. If you missed the TV coverage, I’ve included the speech below. You must watch it. Please share the video with your friends and family and please leave comments with your thoughts below, I am very interested in what you think.
Last week I attended the “computer security” conference HOPE (Hackers on Planet Earth), held every two years in NYC. The title of this year’s event was “The Last Hope”, but it may not be the last. Unfortunately I had to work Friday and was not able to get to the convention until about 4pm, luckily it was being held only 2 avenues away from my workplace. I had never attended HOPE in the past, although I have gone to Las Vegas for DEFCON several times in the past 10 years. HOPE is organized by the crew over at 2600: The Hacker Quarterly.
Today the Supreme Court of the United States of America issued a judgment that says the Second Amendment is indeed an individual right. I know the 2nd amendment is a hot-button topic for many and widely debated, but today the Supreme Court has smacked down the argument that the 2nd Amendment is not an individual right to own a gun. For the first time since the 2nd Amendment was ratified in 1791 the courts have acknowledged that it is indeed an individual right. Let this be a lesson to everyone: The Bill of Rights are INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. Here are some videos from various media outlets about today’s court decision:
I find that most people do not understand how money and credit work, how it came to be, and why the economy functions as it does. These are basic concepts that aren’t really taught in school. It’s amazing that when you try to explain these things to people, their eyes glaze over and they are not interested, despite the fact that virtually everyone living in a capitalist society has to handle some form of money.
I think most people would be amazed if they found out that banks create money out of “thin air”, most would even disbelieve the concept. Banks create money out of debt. When you go to take a loan from a bank, you are not borrowing on someone else’s savings, the bank is basically printing the money on demand. Our economy survives because people are in debt. If all debt were to be repaid, there would be virtually no money left. It boggles the mind.
The following video “Money As Debt” breaks down how our money system works in simple terms, that is easy for anyone to understand. I believe everyone should watch this video at least once to gain a basic understanding on how the monetary system works, and what it means for you and your family. This video simply lays out “how it is”. Enjoy.
Continue reading »
Starbucks Coffee is launching their free WIFI access through AT&T tomorrow, June 3, 2008. Unfortunately, it is not unlimited WIFI access. Through the deal between AT&T and Starbucks, customer who have a registered Starbucks Card will be able to access the internet for 2 continuous hours per day. The only other catch is that you must make a purchase once per month with your Starbucks Card to keep the account active.
All in all this is not a horrible deal. Starbucks could have done better by just giving customers free access for the day with purchase, but I can see the logic to limiting to 2 hours per day. I guess some people could just get 2 or more Starbucks Cards and mooch free WIFI all day (if the service does not limit based upon MAC address of your wireless device). The only down side to this whole scheme will be that it will be even harder to find a seat or an outlet at a Starbucks going forward. I’ll give the free WIFI a spin sometime tomorrow and see how it performs.
Remember, you can also get free drip coffee refills from Starbucks with your registered card. So figure $2 for a cup of coffee, free WIFI for 2 hours, and free refills the rest of the day… thats a decent deal.
Just a heads up for everyone who loves coffee. Starbucks is now giving customers free refills on regular drip coffee. If you have a Starbucks card (pre-paid gift card) you can bring your old cup along with the card and get free refills on drip coffee. A tip to make your cup last longer is to transfer your coffee from the paper cup into your own travel mug. I’ve been drinking free coffee all week off the same cup. Shhh, don’t tell Howard Shultz. Overall I don’t feel guilty, I’ve spent enough money at Starbucks and turned enough people on to quality coffee that I figure they owe me some free coffee.
Follow me on Twitter 
Most Comments