jon-david schlough

M.I.A. not allowed back into the US :: THEY TRY SHUT MY DOOR!

British-Sri Lankan artist M.I.A., who kicks all kinds of ass, is not being allowed back into the United States. Not sure why, but the Pitchfork article where I saw this reported reminds us her father was a Tamil Tiger. Whether that has something to do with it or not, I don't know. Her site is also down...hmmmmmm.....Pitchfork also said mutiple sources told them she's got lawyers on the case. On the plus side, she can afford good representation since she just sold Galang to Honda for their new civicAd.

In any case, this is complete and total bullshit. She should be working in the studio with Timbaland in NYC [I imagine]....she posted to her MySpace page what she is up to instead:

"THEY TRY SHUT MY DOOR!

Roger roger do you here me over!!!!
the U.S immigration wont let me in!!!!!
i was mennu work with timber startin this week, but now im doin a Akon "im locked out they wont let me in" im locked out! they wont let me in! Now Im strictly making my album outside the borders!!!! so il see you all one day, for now ill keep reportin from the sidelines
to my people who walk wiv me in the America, dont forget we got the internet! Spread the word! or come get me!!!!!! ill be in my bird flu lab in china! liming and drinkin tiger beer with my pet turtel. I love everyone for the support, now i need it more. ill stay up spread out else where."

Meanwhile, stick it to the man by buying her debut album, which is one of my favorites right now. It's not in my listening list since it's not new, I got it a while back but I still click it daily.

Net Neutrality : Save The Internet, OddTodd, & AskANinja

If you enjoy surfing the internet and using it to do useful, free or low-cost stuff then you should be aware of the goings on in Washington D.C. One thing I'm focused on lately is developing strategies to help legislators and lobbyists understand exactly what it is they are voting on as policy is defined around technology. This is a good example.

Basically, you want to surf a site and your ISP is, oh I dunno, Time Warner. Republicans want to make it legal for Time Warner, or any other ISP, to prioritize content based on....whatever the feel like. How would they prioritize content? It's all about the $$$$$ baby! The content that you'll be able to view with the full wonderful huge high-bandwidth fiber connection we'll all have soon will be content willing to pay Time Warner a bunch of cash. Crap.

More insight and some seriously funny stuff after the jump...

Iris scanners enroll in elementary school

Ahhh. What a grand use of DHS [taxpayer] dollars:

A small elementary school in New Jersey is one of the first in the country to test new iris scanning technology in an educational setting. The Park Avenue Elementary School in Freehold Borough recently installed a US$370,000 system paid for with a grant from the Justice Department. What do they use it for? Opening the front door.........at that price, you could pay someone US$40,000 to sit in front of the door for nine years and do nothing but track those who enter the building.

WWDT notes this tech is hitting airports - I imagine we'll be seeing more and more iris scanning biometrics popping up. It's funny, but I don't thinnk anyone has really considered the level of sophistication required to fool these things. Right now, probably not very accessible. As the tech becomes more prevalent, so do the exploits.

That and note the school's biggest concern [emphasis is mine]:

The school's principal admits that the community is not particularly dangerous and a kidnapping has not been an issue. His concern seems to be that children could be taken by parents involved in custody disputes.

So explain to me again how this is a something the DHS should be handing out $$ for???

Link: Iris scanners enroll in elementary school.

Can Big Brother now read your e-mail without a warrant?

No.

Some on /. and other places are reacting strongly to this ruling, Ars does a nice job of pointing out how US District Judge Hogan read the law, and what his ruling means. Bottom line? Nothing to worry about, but keep eyes peeled...

If anything, to me, it's good that these cases are coming to pass - the more light we can shed on how the goverenment is able to conduct surveillance, the better.

Link: Can Big Brother now read your e-mail without a warrant?.

NSA Wiretapping Perspective from Benjamin Franklin

This is the sig from a guy that is helping me with configuration of a Netgear GSM7324 switch, I just had to share. Clearly, NetGuy knows more than just network gear, that's for sure:

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.

-Benjamin Franklin

11-year-old California girl charged for throwing stone in defense - Wikinews

An 11-year-old girl faces serious assault charges after casting a stone at a group of boys who were propelling water balloons at her.

Link: 11-year-old California girl charged for throwing stone in defense - Wikinews.

Save the NEA/NPR/MPR/PBS/TPT!

Snopes has this as true. And Y0U KN0W I would never argue with snopes, the undisputed champion of truth.Thanks very much, Bush and an ironic Clinton apointee, Ken Tomlinson.

Link: MPR: About Us.

House Subcommittees Vote Severe Funding Cuts for Public Broadcasting:

These Cuts Can Be Stopped! Contact Your Representatives Today

Last week two U.S. House subcommittees voted to slash Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding for public radio and television by more than 40 percent, starting with a 25 percent—$100 million—reduction next year and following with complete elimination of federal funding within two years.

Store Wars - Organic Trade Association

Hilarious Star Wars parody about Organic Food, termed Store Wars. [you'll need flash, get it here] [Thanks for the link e!]

Keep in mind, the only visual effects are the lasers - everything else is 'strings, sticks, wires and trick camera angles.

So hokay, this is simply awesome. Now, for me, it's preaching to the choir. I don't eat meat, and I shop organic at my local co-op.
 

My favorites are the characters...

Cuke Skywalker
Lord Tater
Princess Lettuce
Ham Solo
Chewbroccoli
C3-Peanuts
Tofu-D2
Obi Wan Cannoli

War Profiteers

Ever wonder who makes all the money from Government contracts around WAR?

Brought to you by Ruckus.org, the War Profiteer Deck of Cards. Really interesting, frightening, and true.

The Drugs I Need

This is a wonderful, wonderful funny explication of how fucked-up the drug industry is….

On JibJab, from The Animation Farm.

I’m reading an article in the current MIT Technology review on the FDA and it’s frightening. More on that later.