Privacy?

Got privacy?

Depending on how you define privacy, the answer can vary. Just by looking at this post you've just given the following information: your browser, your os, your IP, your general location and town, your language, your internet speed, how you got here, how long you spent here, whether you have Java, JavaScript and flash version. But not just to this domain, but also the web hosting company, Google, blogger, and the site that you were on before here and now. If you post some horrible thing and the FBI gets involved, you'd of started the process of giving out all your other information (since the FBI would be looking into everything).

That's a lot of information you're giving out isn't it? Not really. If you don't give your IP, there's no way to know who's requested the information. Most people in the world (most likely) use IE, Firefox, Safari, or Opera to browse the web. You've either got a dial-up or broadband/DSL connection. Most of the information involved is so general, that it could apply to one of a million people. I could say you're male and be right almost 50% of the time.

But everyone to an extent is so worried about their privacy. True, people would like to think that what they do won't be known to the "wrong people" or even government. People expect their phone calls to be unmonitored, their e-mails not to be read by others, even their postal mail to go unread except by the intended recipient. They don't even want machines to look into it, of course the second they find out that some evil plot could've been avoided had people of known of phone calls, mail, e-mail, etc, they're up in arms over it wondering why the government didn't step in.

But let's just think about the overall privacy of things shall we (everything following is USA based, just change the terms for your country if it applies)….

Got a SSN (social security number)? Do you know who has it? Every hospital, doctor, credit card company, utility, some superintendents (the people who rent your place), employers, schools, banks, car rental and dealerships, stores, library, video rental place…. Oh yeah, and your state and federal governments. The only people who don't have your SSN are your friends and family, you know the people you "trust"? People are so concerned about their privacy yet they give the one piece of information (their SSN) out to everyone so they can get credit checks, background reports, etc (and most times, it is done for these purposes) -- yet they're all worried that a website can find out what state they live in. Let's see… landlord knowing every credit card you own and the balance on them vs. some unknown person knowing what state you live in (or possibly city if your ISP is actually in your home town).

Kind of puts things in perspective doesn't it? Exactly why does anyone (other than places that give you money) actually need your SSN? Credit reports? They're trying to get a "likelihood to pay a doctor credit report" that you'd have to get checked before any medical treatment (and they're sure that doctors won't treat people differently because of it! [so um, why's it needed then?]). Bad credit? Maybe you were unemployed after an accident or injury and bills piled up. Now you can't get a job because of not having a job; can't afford car insurance (since it's based on credit history) since you don't have a job; can't get a job elsewhere since you don't have a car to get to that job; can't move to another town because the landlord will pull your credit history --and all because people get to collect your SSN to run these checks. Do they ever ask why you have a bad credit history? Nope, doesn't matter, they'll just find someone else that has a better one.

But do people complain about this? Of course not! Why complain, it's just a number! Yet people will complain about their search history being made public, or even their phone number being listed online. Everyone's just a number anymore. We're all marked by a number or two or a dozen -- and many of them are tied to our SSN. It's probably the #1 privacy breach out there, yet if you don't provide it, you'll get nothing. Funny isn't it? Isn't the "recognized only by a number, and can't buy/sell things without it" one of the signs of the biblical end of the world?

What are the signs of the end of the world? Or even still, the end of time?

When you start to think about it you realize that the end of the world and the end of time are two different things in a sense. The end of time is more of a universal thing (the actual universe), whereas the end of the world is just that, our world. Religions, philosophers, shamans, prophets, and even "nut cases" (you know, those on the street corners with the signs as we so often think of t hem) all have their own ideas and times as when the world will end. And the thing is, they don't entirely all agree on how or when. But pretty much they all would agree that sometime, eventually, the world will end and probably the universe too.

So how will the world end? Will the end of the world come at the finger of a man controlling the nuke button? Will the end of the world come with a natural space-born disaster such as an asteroid? Perhaps the world will end when our sun expand? Maybe the world will end when a deity will return to earth? When it happens, it won't really matter -- that'll be it. But what does matter is how people prepare for it. And what's not too surprising is the preparations are the same no matter what you believe. Even if you believe that God will return, there's no reason not to prepare for an asteroid impact! It's perfectly likely that we'll have another one. We've had thousands in the past, and they haven't stopped yet.

It doesn't really take that much effort to prepare (as much as any human without government funds at least). Really, everyone should be doing this as it is anyway! And it's quite simple:

• Stock up on canned foods -- rotate the stock, but always keep at least 6 months supply on hand (with rationing at the least).
  
• Stock up on bottled water (or if you can find out how, bottle your own).
  
• Get battery-powered devices, "green" power (solar panels & small wind turbines), and power generators
  
• Keep a can opener and some "camping" cooking utensils by the food
  
• Keep an "emergency" food and first aid kit in every car (even if just simple camping stuff), AND at your workplace at your desk
  

Now the first time you buy the stuff, you're going to have a huge bill compared to normal. After all, you are buying enough canned goods for 6 months (assuming you eat only 1 canned item per day, that's 180 cans for one person; 300-360 for two [sharing cans], etc). And that's a LOT of cans! They'll take up the majority of anyone's pantry. It's probably best to also buy a commercial food cart to store the foods on. They come in different sizes, are designed for food storage, meet food service guidelines, many/most times are on wheels, and they're designed to hold 500-2000lbs. Why bottled water? They'll be a shortage, or just the tap will be undrinkable (not to mention high prices in stores).

Well the second the world's coming to an end (like an asteroid or some other problem) what do you think will happen? People will rush to the stores. And if you're lucky, really, really lucky the governments will put a lock on all prices before all the goods sell out. And they will. Pop, water and canned goods will be gone within minutes of an announcement. People will rush to the streets to get to the stores. Now if you stock up in advance, you'll be fine! No need to rush to the store, no need to even leave the house. All you'll need to do is make sure others don't know you have food (otherwise they'll probably break in to steal it, killing you and your family in the process). And don't let the religious people or any "good natured" people fool you. When the world comes to an end, people will revert to animalistic "kill or be killed" instincts. Your friend today will be enemy the second the world's end is near.

But it is very, very important to cycle the foods! Keep on shopping as normal. Buy foods to replenish those eaten, just put the new cans in the back -- remember oldest goods get eaten first (so push the goods forward, and stock the back). The same goes for water! Water can't be saved forever; it has an expiration date (for one reason or another). So treat it just like the other foods.

And even if the end doesn't hit in your lifetime (even though I'm betting something really "world ending" will happen by 2060), being stocked up on food is good for any "minor" disaster such as earthquake, flood, tornado, volcano, etc. And the thing is, you'll actually be eating the food, so it's not like you're wasting money (so much). Even if the government does the right thing when the end of the world's announced, by having food stores for people, do you really think they'll have enough for everyone in the country to eat for six months? Of course not! For one they figure many of the people will die. But no matter what, you'll be forced to eat whatever they give you without choice (any religion-based diets, vegetarians, etc would be pretty much, well, screwed). By stocking up now, you'll be prepared for the world's end when it happens.

But for the end of time, in a universal aspect, there's not much you could do. On the plus side, most likely no one will be around to see it. So end of time, end of the world, world's end, end of existence, extinction level event (ELE "ellie") -- whatever you want to call it, it's time to be prepared. I personally don't believe in using guns. You have a gun, neighbor has a gun, comes down to using guns the winner's the best shot or just the one who pulls the trigger first -- and really, when all life might be ending a person's survival instinct will cause them to charge a man (or woman) will a fully loaded shotgun if that person has what they need. Why? While you might shoot them (and they'd die), if they don't, they'd die; but if they charge and you miss, they live.

Now there's a lot more for the end of the world stuff that needs to be done. Much, much more. But for now I'll end it here. I have detailed plans for everything needed to survive during an end of the world event, or at the least survive longer than others, that everyone can do. And if implemented, could save the lives of almost everyone not at ground zero for the event. Of course, extinction level event method greatly influences this (i.e. planet-sized asteroid impacting = kiss butt goodbye [food or no food], small meteor striking the earth = potential for survival of almost everyone).

Faith as a Running Point

This has to be the scariest thing ever. Really! A person running for president of the United States with a slogan along the lines of "faith, family, freedom"!

Why is this scary? For one very simple reason: A person is running for president of the United States and outright lists "faith" as one of the reasons. This person says his faith is his life, and it defines him. Scary. Very, very scary. If elected, he'd try to pass as many laws as he could, which would be based on his beliefs, which he himself says is based on his faith. So…. He'll use the bible to pass laws for the USA! You know what the bible is right? The book that people don't agree on. The book that people interpret differently. The book that people don't even agree on whether there's two stories of creation, or one that's just phrased differently (and in different orders). A book that people don't agree on whether the old testament is still valid… Get the point? The laws of the United States will be based on one man's religious beliefs. Some of you might think that's a good idea. But think of this for a moment -- do you agree 100% with everyone's interpretation of the bible that attends your church?

We're just one step away from being the country that you're free to practice whatever religion you want -- so long as you go by the rules of religion X. Pagan? Great! You'd better practice Christian beliefs though! Believe that the bible's just a collection of stories (some fact, some exaggerated stuff)? Well, too bad. It'll be law now!

And here comes the funniest part o fit all! How many people are anti-abortion (because all life's precious!), but also support the death penalty? But no matter! Get raped and molested by your twin brother? Enjoy your baby! That's right, you were supposed to have it! Your brother was meant to do that for it was god's will! So what if you were raped by your twin and your baby will basically be a clone!

I know some of you think this would be a great idea. But as I said before -- what if the religion isn't Christian? What if the "faith, family, freedom" person was Muslim? Jehovah's Witness? Satan Worshipper? Pagan? Not so quick to want "faith" added to the government now are you? As soon as religion's used as the blueprint for the government, we're one step closer to the end of time, the end of the world. Forcing someone to abide by rules that can only be backed up with a bible that not everyone agrees on is wrong. People in the USA scream about how bad it is in other countries where religion has written the laws (women being stoned for loving the wrong guy, sleeping with the wrong man, etc, anyone?) -- yet as soon as someone wants to base laws in the United States on a religion -- people are all for it! Think people! The same thing you don't want in other countries, and find to be wrong, is the same thing you're trying to have in your own! And it's only because it's your own religion.

'Tis a sad, sad thing.

Politics and Religion

As it would be, I'm actually checking into different candidates this upcoming election for President of the United States. I feel it necessary to specify which, considering the internet is world-wide. And there's something I find quite disturbing, something so small yet I see it creeping into the foundations without anyone really noticing. There may be a few that have noticed it, but not entirely enough to really mention. And for some I'm sure you can figure out where this is going.

Gay Marriage

Now exactly, how is this anything other than religious? Exactly how does banning gay marriage affect anything other than people's religious beliefs? Don't allow them to marry, and they'll still live together, still have relationships, still be intimate, still shop together, and so on. There's no difference other than they won't be married (health insurance benefits and such being excluded here). Ban gay marriage and you don't stop a single thing that makes them gay. You don't prevent a single thing that gay people do -- which anymore, the acts themselves are pretty similar to what straight people do, just the genders involved are different. There's no reason, other than religious, that gay marriage should be prevented. And please… let two consenting adults marry is a lot different than a child and an adult, or an animal that's incapable of speaking in a recognizable language and a human to marry.

Religion should not dictate what the rules of the government are. They should be separate ideas. Not saying they won't have similar viewpoints (such as don't kill, don't rob, no rape, etc -- although some might debate religion's viewpoints on these), but a viewpoint that can only be justified by a religion's backing has no place in government. However, just because a government allows something doesn't mean that religions should have to allow it. Like with marriages. Government could allow, religions could deny. Meaning that a government could recognize a couple, but the religion could ignore it, or just not allow them to be "married" in the church. Their choice.

But when you've got people running for office that are going to run the country, and be the spokesman for everyone -- would you really want to say "yeah, he pardoned rapists, treats women like slaves, passed laws to get them out of the workplace -- but at least those gays can't marry!" Exactly how do you think that makes the US look like to the world? The USA is hated by many others in the world, partially since others believe that these morons that we have running the place are a true representation of the US people. And the sad thing is they aren't. Some of them would probably be in prison today if they weren't in politics. A group of people that just happen to have free time pick people to run for office. Then this group of people gets in front of more groups of people to see who really runs for office. Sometimes the USA people get the chance to vote in primary elections from a list of people; I've lost count to the number of people that don't vote here because they hate all the people running. Then the big election that counts of the "lesser of evils" runs against each other, or in some cases "the best liars, with a good PR person".

And when it all comes to play, what do they all do? Play dirty. Play on the fears, and religious beliefs of the people -- "the gay's are going to convert the children!!!!!!!!" so they go against gay marriage. And what do the blind sheep (aka: Americans [U.S.]) do? They fall for it! Yep. Why pay attention to things that matter? Like say, if they're going to destroy all the forests, rape the land, wage war on other countries, and give breaks to companies so they can pollute without giving a hoot? Because, the people are too blind to realize that the politicians are smart enough (con artist) to ignore these things. Unless, of course, they're currently affecting people. If the oceans were to rise ten feet, you'd better bet "global warming" would be the first thing mentioned by politicians, but since it doesn't apply now, they pull out the wild card: religion. Most people are religious, so do things that might get religious backing, and you're in. That's right, chances are many of these politicians don't really care about gay marriage. They probably never gave it a second thought -- until they realized they could get votes by making a stance one way or another.

Want to know what happens if religious beliefs run a government? Look at the middle east. Because one day, if they keep on pushing to get these passed and succeed, the United States will be the same way. Only here instead of countries fighting, we'll have states fighting. Sound familiar? But just think -- at least the politician got elected right? And those gays weren't allowed to marry! Still screwing their brains out of their partners, still living together, still showing affection in public, but at least they can't marry.

Just remember to keep a stockpile of guns and ammo -- you'll need it.

Immigration

Now comes the funny part. Block the gays because the bible says so! But keep those damn foreigners out too! Because remember, the bible says to keep those unlike you out, and to hate your fellow man; keep those in need far away from you, kick the homeless out of your house and let them rot on the streets. I mean, it says that right?

Well if it doesn't, then why do some politicians that are against gay marriage because of the religious problems -- against letting people into the country and helping them out? Ah, that's right; it's what some call "selective bible". You know. The quoting of the bible to get your point across, and ignoring other parts as it suits you because you don't agree. But this isn't a bible thing so much as it is a point. Politicians will use the bible, your religion, to get voted in to do whatever they want. Using God's word to advance their agenda by saying they're for everything that the majority's for, and against everything they're against. Of course, it's a fine line for not everyone for one thing is against another. So in the end it comes down to odds. What statistical advantage does a person have by being "for" one thing and "against" another? Pick the right combination and guess what? You're elected. Get close, and you're opponent does the same, and you'll end up with a close run.

But let's think of the immigration thing for a bit now shall we? What's better, to have thousands of undocumented workers in the USA; or let them in legally? Trick question. They'll be here regardless! The only difference is, you'll know who's really here (and uh, isn't that what people want to make sure terrorists aren't in the country -- oh that's right! No attack recently, so we don't care). Give theme benefits? Why not -- as long as the USA people get them too. Now I know many of you are thinking that you want those people kicked back into their own countries. Sounds great! So after all the US Americans are kicked back to other countries so the Indians can take back the land…. Oh, what? Don't want that? We're ALL immigrants of sorts if you go back far enough (American Indians excluded), and if you go back really far (and believe in the bible), we are all immigrants since God kicked us out of our home. OK, OK, so let's say only the NEW immigrants that cross the border illegally should be kicked back. Think about this for a moment. Just how bad does your country have to be to risk your life and the lives of your family to escape? Imagine leaving everything you have right now, packing up light and heading for the border, sometimes crossing the ocean or other massive water body, paying everything you have -- just to work for "slave wages" since you'll be just a step above "slave" in the new country. How bad does it have to be if the idea of being just above a slave is a better life?

Pretty bad eh? So how can anyone, either just a moral person or a religious person, even consider sending them back? And what's worse -- they didn't even have a choice to be born where they were; yet we want to punish them for it? Worst case, we get so many immigrants here that other countries outsource to us. Better yet, why not? Open call centers and other things and have the immigrants and all other unemployed people to work there. Then have companies here and abroad "outsource" their stuff to us.

They're people, just like us, humans. Created by God just as us (for those that believe that -- or evolved from the same basic species for others). What makes anyone so high and mighty that they can say they aren't worthy of life? Yet again, it's another thing that politicians use. People's lives are not a peg in the election machine. I don't know what's sadder, the fact that politicians take a stance to condemn people's lives to death, or that probably half in the USA don't want them in either. It's sad when people have to be forced to be human because of a law.

Religion

Want to know the worst part about politics and religion? Candidates are outright asked about it. Some might have stated prior what they are. But what difference does it make? How many people out there agree 100% with every minister they've ever heard that's the same religious denomination as them? How many people agree 100% with everyone in their own church about beliefs? With a few exceptions, not many ever do. Families don't always agree. I've seen a Christian minister go from eating all meats to saying the bible's totally against it and condemn all non-kosher foods -- and not surprisingly lost almost all his followers. Shocking still is that a small group believed exactly what he said after (despite believing exactly what he said before the kosher thing). I've known identical twins that disagreed on what the bible said, yet they attended the same church. Someone's religious affiliation doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things politically. Just as political party doesn't mean anything (check out what the candidates believe from a single party -- they don't agree on every point). Just because someone is similar to you by a group affiliation doesn't mean that you can, should, or must agree with them!

In the political world, it'd be better (not for being elected of course) to be "non-religious", but accept all religious as a person's choice. As any political position, you have to deal with ALL religions. Your choices and decisions affect everyone. This is a country where people are free to practice whatever religion they want, so long as they abide by a few rules (such as murder). Get someone who's extremely religious with a religious agenda, and you'll be free to practice whatever religion you want, as long as you abide by their religion's rules. And it will happen. As time goes on more and more policies are trying to get passed that force religious standards on others. Stop birth control because sex before marriage is bad (can we say "rise of STD's" anyone? [retired people are starting to get them, thanks to Viagra]). Stop sex-ed because they shouldn't see things like that. Cover up statues of naked people because naked is shameful. If it feels good, it must be a sin as the joke goes; soon it'll be, if it feels good, it's probably illegal.

Religion's great though! It gives people hope. Lets them realize that after their governments screw them up one side and down the other, that they'll at least be something once they die. Gives them hope that their loved ones are no longer in pain and can watch over them -- and they can see them again once they die.

But it's not good for governments to preach. And it's not difficult to tell if it's being done. If the justification for a law is because the act banned is "sick", "disgusting", or "the bible says so" it has no place in law. Now if it can be backed across multiple countries as being wrong, and you can give reasons other than those for why, then that's different. Murder is wrong, it takes away one's right to live for the pleasure or psychosis of another; and the bible just happens to say so (although it is debated); it destroys families, causes pain and suffering to those left behind without warning because of outside means. While the same can be said for accidents (or unknown illness if "through outside means" is removed), murder is one or more people's intention to rob another of their existence. And few would agree that's right (death penalty, self defense, etc, excluded).

Shootings, Bombings, etc

Ok, I just have to ask: why do people decide to take others out when they're depressed?

I mean think about it here. John Doe's girlfriend breaks up with him, so he decides to off himself. But no, that's not good enough! He decides to go to some store, mall, shopping center, someplace with a LOT of people at it, then open fire to take out as many people as he can -- then he offs himself. What type of mental defect exists in this person that makes them even remotely think that the person that "betrayed them" or whatever even cares? If anything, they'd think "thank god I broke up with that psychotic freak. That could've been me he killed!" Meanwhile these other families have to bury their dead family members and friends, and can't even see justice served because the cowardly bastard did himself in with the last bullet. All these innocent families suffer and are punished , and all they were guilty of is wanting or needing to go shopping!

Think about this next time you go to buy food. Some girl might've broken up with partner, and he might be that nutty looking person driving behind you. Yeah, he seems innocent. But he might be deciding whether to pop a bullet into your head there, or wait until you get inside to take out more people. You'll never know. Maybe he's planning on taking hostages, and using a knife to torture the people. Maybe he's just infected with a disease, and he's going to spread the love (so to speak). Never know. And all this because you had this bizarre and unnatural craving to….. eat. Yes… it's all your fault, you food addicted fool! How dare you decide to eat and go shopping there on that day! But you know someone will say "at the wrong place at the wrong time" -- well where else does a person go when they need food, the car dealership? And what about this crazed gunman? Is he supposed to be there? Well if he is how about some warning then! Like "Monday at 4:27 we'll have our 27 rapid bullet fire special, followed by a 50% off sale the next day after the police clear the scene."

And it's not like these people are going to get on the news anywhere like they'd want! Yeah, at one time they'd be all over the networks. But now there's so many shootings, like every week it seems, it's more along the lines of "another shooting at honey mall today, breaking their 14 day streak without a death" then they'd go on to weather or commercial. No one else really cares anymore. Society's already starting to get numb from it all. Now when someone mentions a public shooting, it's not "I heard about that!", it's "which one, the one at x, y, or z? Oh, at w? Didn't hear about that one".

People, if you're going to off yourself, and don't have the guts to do it privately, seek help. Just because you're some screwed up bastard doesn't mean you should make other people's lives hell. And for the love of god, please, whoever knows these sick people that take others out with them -- don't say "they were such a kind person" or "they were such a good Christian" or other such crap; if they were, they wouldn't of taken others out and then themselves -- you may of thought they were, but they weren't. Saying "oh man, that is so surprising since the shooter that took out ten people was such a good Christian!" now that doesn't make a bit of sense does it? Do "good" and "Christian" people really buy guns, then take them into the world to shoot people up? Well I sure as hell hope not, they're definitely teaching something wrong if "suicide's great" and "kill others too" is being taught.

And for the love of all things that are holy, don't blame yourselves if someone you know does something! You can't control them, and if you think someone's going to do some -- call someone to take care of it. But really, how many times do you hear someone say "yeah, I knew old bob was going to shoot up the place; he talked about it all the time!" You don't. Well it does happen, but the police are normally called in and the people are given professional help. But people that go and do these things have problems. I'd bet many of them have a "I'll show them!" attitude about it. But don't go around saying how good they were! If a person has these thoughts, they know they have the thoughts, and they would know those thoughts weren't allowed -- and they choose not to seek help ---- that doesn't make the person "good"!

New Year, and already shootings

Well, apparently humanity has once again gone to show how destructive it is. People go to a bar to bring in the New Year, five get shot, one killed. At this rate, this will be the year to spread the gift of lead as well. I mean come on people! Can't you even go 4 hours without killing someone? A shooting here, a shooting there, everywhere a shooting. It's like McDonald's farm but with weapons. Stop killing people off will ya? It might be better to give than receive, but people don't want bullets!

And all these shootings do is make people say "that's why I need a gun" -- yeah, like everyone having a gun would prevent shootings. IT wouldn't, it'd just guarantee more causalities. There's a big difference between shooting a paper target, and shooting a human, with a gun, shooting back, ducking fire, and you trying to hit him without getting hit. It's not like the fricking movies people -- plants and leaves don't protect you from getting shot. Want to know what would prevent causalities from shootings? Don't even have to ban guns. Give guns to everyone! Let everyone pack -- just don't allow bullets to be made. Can't shoot someone without a bullet.

Guns might not kill people, but the fricking psychos they let get guns sure do.

Let's see…. At the past rate and all, there'll probably be another shooting by Jan 10^th that makes national/international news.