Two posts for the price of one today … this one is for movie and automotive lovers. The story came from Digg.com and has been ‘dugg’ almost 4000 times. I wonder how many redirects?
Anyway, if you remember the “Back to the Future” movie (who doesn’t) and Doc Brown’s DeLorean ‘time machine’ adaptation, try searching for the memorable “Flux Capacitor” over at the DeLorean Motors web site. Let’s just hope the ‘geek’ who added the BTTF parts has a boss with a sense of humor when their servers go down under the stress test!
😀
In a similar vein to yesterday’s post concerning identity information and protecting it from theft, today’s post is a legally challenging one dealing with not having a Social Security number to protect. Maribel Nava Alvarez is in a pickle after winning a radio station raffle in Chicago. Alvarez, according to the Spanish Broadcasting System’s radio station WLEY-FM, was not awarded a raffle prize because she refused to produce (or doesn’t have) a social security number; she is suspected of being ‘undocumented.’ The radio station requests a ‘social security number’ for prizes over $500 for tax purposes (as is required by law) and therefore requires it before the substantial prize, in this case a classic car, can be award. Alvarez claims that she was never told this prior to entering the raffle and now fears being reported. Her attorney referenced a letter by the radio station as a perceived ‘threat,’ something according to former Texas prosecutor Nelda Blair is illegal. Ms. Alvarez has now filed a lawsuit against the radio station while also claiming“she has left the Chicago area out of fear that she would be deported.” She is “suing for breach of contract and emotional distress.”
This situation is similar, illegal immigrants who are receiving college scholarships have lost them when they are found to be undocumented — while others are finding help from the ACLU and able to continue their higher education. Where are we going with this whole ‘illegal immigration’ thing? Are people living in this country without permission breaking the law or not? Are they entitled to live in the United States, receive an education, scholarships to college, medical care and bypass the reporting of contest income to the Internal Revenue service?
Here’s a short YouTube clip commenting on the Alvarez-Radio Station situation.
I was hesitant about a site designed to cross reference known stolen ids with personal private information after a friend sent me a StolenIDsearch link, but thankfully he include a Dark Reading article that eased my concern. After reading it, I felt a little less skeptical and as you probably guessed just could help myself. So I plugged in my social security number and … Whew … thankfully I’m still OK according to this quick check. Hopefully those of you brave enough to trust this service will be fine too?
According to a study by Javelin Group, a research firm, identity theft victims typically don’t discover their information has been stolen until 12 months after a thief first used it. But there is an advantage to finding out quickly, the research firm says. Victims who detected the crime by monitoring their accounts online had average loses of $551; victims who relied on monitoring paper statements had average loses of $4,543.
President Bush delivered the annual “State of the Union Address” last night and although the situation in Iraq dominates politics and concerns, he did address other issues; among them was last years reference “addiction to oil.” (although he did use a new line: “the serious challenge of global climate change.”) As expected, the President outlined a plan that addresses the concerns, both short term and long, of many Americans when it comes to our energy use. He has proposed an even stronger push toward new technologies that improve our alternatives to oil and conservation oriented targets to reduce our use of imported oil. President Bush calls the plan: Twenty In Ten: Strengthening America’s Energy Security.
The long running automotive program Motorweek reviewed the 2007 Mercedes Benz Bluetec diesel powered E320 this month and demonstrated it to be without a comparison in the U.S. If $52,000+ for a sedan was no object, there would most likely be a few more of these in existing Volkswagen TDI garages this year; what a fantastic car. Not only does this clean, quiet diesel low rpm power an appeal to me personally as a driver’s car, but the interstate smoothness, comfort and economy makes it ideal for weekly 300+ mile jaunts. Perhaps just seeing what is coming should make clean diesel and biodiesel advocates optimistic?
Some great NFL football was played today, especially the AFC game in Indianapolis — not many would have called the NFC game in Chicago all that great. Unfortunately, there was never really much consistency from the New Orleans Saints in their 39-14 lost to the Chicago Bears. In my opinion it was a rather poor team performance. That aside, the Chicago Bears won decisively and are the NFC Champions; they will take on the Indianapolis Colts this February 4th in Miami for the forty-first Superbowl.
Here’s a quick look out the window this morning (Palm Treo photo) as residents of Southwestern Ohio received their first real taste of winter. Saturday night brought a surprise blanket of white snow that few were expecting, everyone I talked to was surprised. This was evident by only a handful of plows were spotted on the road which could be made even more treacherous if we receive freezing rain this afternoon? Interstate I-75 was untouched for much of the morning and radio stations repeating many morning church cancellations. Although several fender-benders were reported around the area, we were fortunate that it was not a weekday. Hey … I’m not complaining … winter weather is way overdue.
I’ve posted before about solo circumnavigating sailor Donna Lange and will update that she is doing just fine after rounding Cape Horn. She seems to be enjoying the time socializing and exploring new places at the bottom tip of South America. (photo to right was taken in a different latitude)
🙂
On her ‘to do list’ is the repairing some of her equipment, including her auxiliary diesel engine, and resting her ankle and sore back while in Ushuaia Argentina. I suspect she is also waiting for a break in the weather — she reports lots of wind. Her Internet savvy friends are also quickly scrambling to get her website donnalange.com back online as the considerable interest recently has taxed the web server, no doubt the Ken Barnes rescue and NPR story generated a few additional hits? I’ll included her message updates here for those interested in reading what going on. Keep us posted Donna!
Joost Beta software and web application: Admittedly I don’t know enough about the technology being used in this Beta-only trial or if Joost is going to fly or not, but I know enough to say I’m interested in trying it. Two big names behind this project (originally called The Venice Projectâ„¢) are Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. These are the guys who developed Skype, the voice over Internet protocol service, and they definitely understand how to uses technology this growing broadband world. The Internet TV project began in early 2006 and has now grown to 150 people in five countries. Its still to early to know if they have another winner on their hands, but I’ll venture to guess they do. If you want to know more, check out their website or blog.
I have a favor to ask: I’ve signed up as a Beta-tester, but unfortunately have been put in the ‘hold’ stack since there is probably overwhelming interest. If any of you are already approve beta testers and have a spare token, I’d love to give Joost a try.
Joostâ„¢ is a new way of watching TV on the internet, which uses new and established technologies to provide the best of both the internet and TV worlds. We’re in the process of making it as TV-like as we can, with programmes, channels and adverts. You can also see some things that we think will enhance the TV experience: searching for programmes and channels, for example, as well as social features like chat. There are many more new features to come!
In keeping my ‘phone to blog’ setup alive, I’ll include a photo of one of the lowest retail gasoline prices I’ve seen for a while — $1.89. (diesel was a bit higher here, but was $2.29 off I-71 in central Ohio) According to what is being reported, this might not even be the lowest? National average pricing for unleaded is expected to move to about $2.00 per gallon.
Two posts for the price of one today … this one is for movie and automotive lovers. The story came from Digg.com and has been ‘dugg’ almost 4000 times. I wonder how many redirects?
dealing with not having a Social Security number to protect. Maribel Nava Alvarez is in a pickle after winning a radio station raffle in Chicago. Alvarez, according to the Spanish Broadcasting System’s radio station 
President Bush delivered the annual “State of the Union Address” last night and although the situation in Iraq dominates politics and concerns, he did address other issues; among them was last years reference “addiction to oil.” (although he did use a new line: “the serious challenge of global climate change.”) As expected, the President outlined a plan that addresses the concerns, both short term and long, of many Americans when it comes to our energy use. He has proposed an even stronger push toward new technologies that improve our alternatives to oil and conservation oriented targets to reduce our use of imported oil. President Bush calls the plan: 
Some great NFL football was played today, especially the AFC game in Indianapolis — not many would have called the NFC game in Chicago all that great. Unfortunately, there was never really much consistency from the New Orleans Saints in their 39-14 lost to the Chicago Bears. In my opinion it was a rather poor team performance. That aside, the Chicago Bears won decisively and are the NFC Champions; they will take on the Indianapolis Colts this February 4th in Miami for the forty-first Superbowl.
As I finish writing this, the Colts lead by Coach Tony Dungy and his quarterback Peyton Manning, defeated the team of the decade, the New England Patriots. As many might say … “its about time!” The game was nearly a blow-out, in that the first half belonged to the Patriots who were leading at one time 21-3. But come second half, both the offense and the defense of the Colts, with the 12th man advantage, stepped it up. They came back with determination that looked scripted in Hollywood, and closed the gap with the Manning lead high powered offense every team fears. Boom! — as John Madden would say, and by the two minute warning in the fourth quarter the Colts were right back in it. The game came down to a final push by New England with one minute and two timeouts left in the game. Against most other teams facing limited time and an entire field one might feel reasonably comfortable with a 4 point lead … but this was New England quarterbacked by mister big game, Tom Brady. Thankfully for Peyton Manning and his team this year was not a déjà vu moment; Brady didn’t march down for a score as he and his team have in so many past championship games and the Colts won 38 – 34. Wow … what a game — I don’t see how the Superbowl will be able to stand up to this?
I’ve 
