Rant

Any rant

There are 157 posts filed in Rant (this is page 10 of 16).

Democracy in U.S. not a U.S. priority

Forget about Pakistan, we don’t even have democracy here. A peaceful citizen was refused entry to Tuesday’s Petreaus testimony, gang-tackled, and had his leg broken, all without apparent provocation. Watch how Rev. Lennox Yearwood is refused entry for unexplained reasons, then hauled to the floor, tackled, and arrested. See if you can spot the alleged “assault of a police officer” because I sure can’t.

I’ve asked Speaker Pelosi’s office for an explanation but I’m not holding my breath.

That’s democracy for you, folks. Outrageous.

(h/t Cristobal)

Another Phishy Call: “Upgrade Now”

Just got another phishy call, this time from number 702-520-1214. This time the CallerID read “Upgrade Now” and a message about satellite TV service began right after I said “hello.” When I asked to be taken off the list, a gentleman transferred me to an AUDIX voicemailbox, where a female voice said “this number will be removed. Sorry for the inconvenience,” or somesuch. Interestingly enough, this gentlemen sounded like the same guy on their system’s voicemail menu. Is this a one-person operation, perhaps?

I kept waiting for AUDIX to hang up but it apparently never does. Thus, I’m going on 12 minutes now tying up this bozo’s trunk, wasting his money.

At least now I know these clowns are using Lucent equipment to run their scam and not Asterisk.

Protect America Act of 2007

Any member of Congress – whether Democratic, Republican, or Connecticut Weasel – who voted for the Protect America Act of 2007 deserves to be voted out of office. Especially the Democratic ones, who ought to know better. Cowards! Apparently no one learned anything from the last election, so its time for a refresher.

I wonder why we even bother pretending to have a Constitution anymore. Or separation of powers.

Here’s the Hall of Shame from the Senate:
Continue reading →

AT&T Is Evil, Reason Number 53462

I just posted this to the Internetworkers list. I thought I’d post it here for your comments.

Let me throw this out for y’all and see what y’all have to say.

In the past, I worked as a computer consultant. One of the things I did was install Asterisk servers for some local companies. One of those companies has since gone out of business and owes AT&T money. AT&T is now coming after me for the bill the former company owes, thinking that somehow I am responsible for this money. Continue reading →

in Rant | 306 Words

On the Warpath with AT&T

Bellsouth (now AT&T) has crossed a line with me. They have mistakenly attached my name and social security number to an account to which I have no connection: an account which is now apparently overdue. At no time did I ever provide my social security number to them in reference to this account. I believe (and AT&T denies) that someone at AT&T looked up my residential account information and fraudulently placed my social security number on the overdue account.

I am currently seeking legal recourse against AT&T, starting with a complaint to the North Carolina Public Utilities Commission Public Staff. If AT&T won’t take my word for it (and they apparently will not), its time to gather up a posse.

in Rant | 125 Words

AT&T DSL for $10/month!

BoingBoing pointed out the secret deal where one can get DSL service from AT&T for $10/month.

BoingBoing’s Cory Doctorow says AT&T is evil and doesn’t deserve your business. I say that’s precisely the reason everyone should sign up. At $10/month, AT&T must surely lose money on every line. Therefore, sign up as many of your friends and family as you can!

The Consumerist: AT&T’s Secret $10 DSL
Bellsouth: Bellsouth FastAccess DSL Term Agreement Plans Available

Ebola: Now Available Locally

I once read a book called The Hot Zone by Richard Preston, a true story of an Ebola outbreak in Northern Virginia in 1989. I think its one of the most terrifying books I’ve ever read, particularly since I lived nearby around that time. So maybe I’m just being overly paranoid, but I’m not too keen about our government’s potential plans to set up a bioweapons lab in Butner. The NBAF would be playing with fun stuff like anthrax, Ebola, avian flu, and other deadly pathogens right on our doorstep.

The Butner facility is being deemed a replacement for the aging Plum Island facility in Long Island, NY. Plum Island has generated a lot of attention with books like these, detailing alleged safety violations at the bioweapons facility.

Hey, I like job growth as much as anyone. I just don’t like the potential of infecting the local population with some plague in order to get it. I’m thinking the NBAF is one Yankee transplant to which we can say “no, thanks.”