Froth Slosh B'Gosh

Seven Words? Try Hundreds!

Seems like George Carlin was a piker compared to the Department of Homeland Security.  Via gyma over at A Spork In The Drawer, we learn that DHS has a list of naughty words like "cloud," "incident," "pork," "smart," "gang," "pirates," "sleet," and "worm" that can flag your blog or other electronic communications for some tender loving government scrutiny.

The problem with lists like these is that they tend to create a lot of background "noise" that intelligence agencies must sift through in order to glean actual, actionable evidence, never mind the creepiness factor of the gubmit monitoring the web.  Perfectly innocent postings along the lines of "My toddler got a hold of the talcum and the next thing we knew, there was white powder all over the living room" can raise a flag due to the mention of "white powder."  Or, say one of your Facebook friends wants to know what the cause of WWI was, and you answer "The assassination of Franz Ferdinand lead to the outbreak of war in Europe."  Both "assassination" and "outbreak" are on the list. 

I am in no way, shape or form plugged into the intelligence community, but from what I've been able to read over the years, I'm pretty confident that the agencies tasked with monitoring the bad guys have a pretty solid idea of who the bad guys are.  Trolling the web for random words and phrases that might, might indicate something (but far more likely is just an innocent posting, such as "The plumber fixed the gas leak") seems to be a colossal waste of time and manpower.

As for me, perhaps I'll try and work a few of the naughty words into each and every post from now on. 

 

Security Theatre

When the HELL is someone, anyone,  going to rein in the TSA???

 "It made no sense. Why would an 18-month-old child be on a no-fly list?"

Riyanna's parents, who asked not to be identified, said they think they know the answer to that question. They believe they were profiled because they are both of Middle Eastern descent. Riyanna's mother wears a hijab, a traditional head scarf. That's why they have asked to remain anonymous. They said they're concerned about repurcussions. That said, they are both Americans, born and raised in New Jersey, just like their daughter.

Riyanna's parents said once they were taken off the plane, they were met by TSA agents and made to stand in the terminal for about 30 minutes.

"We were put on display like a circus act because my wife wears a hijab," Riyanna's father said.

Adventures In Voting

SO I was asked for a photo ID at the polls yesterday. On principle, I refused. I was handed a notice stating that I would be required to show a photo ID in November, and it listed the acceptable forms of ID. Interestingly, my government issued voter ID card isn't acceptable (no photo). What I also found interesting was that I could refuse to show photo ID and still be able to cast a provisional ballot. I'd then have to go to the elections office at the county courthouse within six days and show one of the approved forms of ID, or affirm that I am who I say I am in order to have my ballot counted. Say what?? Affirm?? What exactly does that mean? Lets go to Dictionary.com:
af·firm
   [uh-furm] Show IPA

verb (used with object)
1.
to state or assert positively; maintain as true: to affirm one's loyalty to one's country; He affirmed that all was well.

2.
to confirm or ratify: The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the lower court.

3.
to assert solemnly: He affirmed his innocence.

4.
to express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support: to affirm human rights.

verb (used without object)
5.
Law .
a.
to state something solemnly before a court or magistrate, but without oath.

b.
to ratify and accept a voidable transaction.

c.
(of an appellate court) to determine that the action of the lower court shall stand.

Oh my! No photo ID required! Now isn't affirming our identity what we've been doing all along when we sign the voter card at the polls? Why is it necessary to make this affirmation at the courthouse before a bureaucrat who likely doesn't know me, but I can't make this affirmation at the polls, where all the poll workers know me? What is this law supposed to prevent anyway? The only thing I can't think of is to prevent someone from impersonating another at the polls, a situation that rarely, if ever, happens. SO, other than throwing a roadblock before people who don't have the appropriate ID, what, exactly, is the point?

A Solution In Search Of A Problem

Can anyone point to a single example of voter fraud in Pennsylvania that this law will prevent?

Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele said in an interview before the Senate debate that the legislation would build confidence among citizens that elections are conducted fairly. "The reason people don't have confidence is because they think there's fraud," she said. "This would eliminate or dramatically reduce anyone thinking that there are people voting illegally in Pennsylvania." Ms. Aichele said her office knows of reports of voter fraud in Pennsylvania but has no overall measure of its occurrence.

Citations please, Ms Aichele!  What evidence do you have that people do not have confidence in the electoral process because they think there's fraud?  What evidence do you have that "people" think there's illegal voting going on?  How many people think this?  Who are they?  You also claim knowledge of "reports of voter fraud."  How many reports?  From where?  Did your office, or any other law enforcement agency investigate those reports?  Were the reports founded or unfounded?

Until you can prodce substantial evidence that voter fraud is occuring on a widespread scale, there is no legitimate justification for this law.

 

Denying Veterans The Right To Vote

That's where these voter ID laws are going.  Unintentionally, of course, but when you throw needless barriers in the way of voting, this is what will happen, and is happening. 

“I had to stop driving, but I got the photo ID from the Veterans Affairs instead, just a month or so ago. You would think that would count for something. I went to war for this country, but now I can’t vote in this country.”

Delicious Irony

Pretty funny when you reflect on all the "VOTER FRAUD" squawking that comes from conservatives.

Pastries Of Terror!

The TSA is just ridiculous.

 A Massachusetts woman's cupcake sparked a potential security threat when she tried to board a plane.

Rebecca Hains said she was going through security at the airport in Las Vegas when a TSA agent pulled her aside and said the cupcake frosting was "gel-like" enough to constitute a security risk.

This has been another episode of "Security Theatre."