I'm beyond disgusted with the current state of politics in the United States. The three leading candidates for the Republican nomination have gotten to the point where they are exchanging grade school insults. "His ears are big." "His spray tan has clogged his pores and he doesn't sweat." "He has small hands and you know what they say about guys with small hands." "He's a liar." Well, it least they all got that one right. We have the very real prospect that one of those three idiots will have access to the nuclear weapon launch codes. None of them appear even remotely presidential. This is our best and brightest? This is leadership? We are faced with the once every four year opportunity to vote for president. These are our choices on the Republican side.
The Republicans in the United States Senate have determined President Obama should not fulfill his Constitutional obligation to appoint a new Supreme Court justice because he is close to the end of his term of office. If we apply that logic to the Senate we have this.
Both arguments are stupid. If you aren't familiar with the fallacy referee you should check it out. You can apply those logical fallacies to our election process.
The problem that faces me is travel. We were in Illinois before the Iowa caucus so we got hammered with ads. We returned to Tybee and were overrun with ads for the South Carolina primary. Tomorrow Georgia votes so we are still dealing with political ads. The way things look we will be back in Illinois before the primary vote there, so once again more ads. It is my worst nightmare.
Growing up sometimes I would hear about how the other "half" lives. It was a thinly veiled reference to those folks who had money. Saturday we took Carol's sister, brother in law and mother for a drive around part of Wilmington Island. We normally drive up Johnnie Mercer Boulevard and the houses along there are not very impressive. We had been to some estate sales in the area and the house we saw were all built in the 1960's and seemed to be average and the decor dated. People kept telling us that there were some great houses on Wilmington. We had doubts. We went to Publix grocery store a week ago and took a wrong turn when we left. We found out what they were talking about. These are not the houses of the other half. These houses are on the low end about 1.75 million dollars and on the high end somewhere over 3 million. I was impressed with the gates and fences. I'm pretty sure we couldn't afford those which means the houses are way out of our reach.
One thing to keep in mind on an island is that square footage is money. Part of the huge cost of these houses is the large yards and on the back side the water. A yard that size on Tybee would have at least four houses on it.
I had to throw these blooming flowers in.
This house has a spectular stained glass window.
We did manage to find one house in the area we thought we could afford. I'm sure it is housing for the hired help for the house in the background.
Experts say walking is good for you. Physically it benefits your heart, strengthens your muscles, and helps your lungs remain strong. Mentally it has been shown to decrease you risk of dementia. I don't know about all that. I just enjoy being outside with Lily and Rose seeing the sights here on Tybee. Some things make me happy, like seeing this old car and talking to the owner.
He was cleaning it up because he had a guy offer to trade him a Corvette for it. I saw him a few days later and the old car was still there. He told me: "Anyone can have a Corvette." I walked by yesterday and where this beauty used to sit there sat a Corvette. It made me sad.
I blogged previously about turtles over at Jaycee Park. There were out in force today. The pictures aren't the best but it was tough to hold two dogs and take pictures with an iPhone.
These three were lined up on a branch near the bank enjoying a bit of sun. Makes you wonder what they are thinking. Just hanging out with friends like we are all inclined to do on a beautiful day.
There are two turtles next to the branch laying on the ground in the center of the picture.
This is a bit better shot. Lily and Rose were interested in something behind me so the turtles stayed still for a brief moment.
The turtle on the left is getting camera shy and feels threatened by the dogs.
One of the idiots who participated in the San Bernardino terrorist attack had an iPhone. It is now in possession of the FBI. They have been unable to get past the encryption to see the data on the phone. They asked for help from Apple and Apple has provided some assistance. It has not been enough to unlock the phone and provide all the information the FBI suspects may, important to note MAY, be on the phone. Apple refuses to break the encryption on that phone because to do so would put every iPhone at risk. At this time the iPhone allows 10 attempts to enter the correct code. The 11th incorrect attempt results in the phone basically erasing all its data. The FBI wants the number of attempts to be unlimited. Apple argues, correctly, that with modern computers able to make millions of attempts per minute or second that no phone would be secure from hacking. The issue is one of trust for me. I trust Apple. The government, not so much. They promise to use the assistant of Apple on just this single telephone. Sure they would. The FBI or the government in general not lying to us. I will never believe that line. The solution could not be limited to that single phone and if created would get out and put everyone's data at risk.
The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.
This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake.
The Need for Encryption
Smartphones, led by iPhone, have become an essential part of our lives. People use them to store an incredible amount of personal information, from our private conversations to our photos, our music, our notes, our calendars and contacts, our financial information and health data, even where we have been and where we are going.
All that information needs to be protected from hackers and criminals who want to access it, steal it, and use it without our knowledge or permission. Customers expect Apple and other technology companies to do everything in our power to protect their personal information, and at Apple we are deeply committed to safeguarding their data.
Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us.
For many years, we have used encryption to protect our customers' personal data because we believe it's the only way to keep their information safe. We have even put that data out of our own reach, because we believe the contents of your iPhone are none of our business.
The San Bernardino Case
We were shocked and outraged by the deadly act of terrorism in San Bernardino last December. We mourn the loss of life and want justice for all those whose lives were affected. The FBI asked us for help in the days following the attack, and we have worked hard to support the government's efforts to solve this horrible crime. We have no sympathy for terrorists.
When the FBI has requested data that's in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we've offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.
We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone.
San Bernardino attackers Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik arrive in Chicago on July 27, 2014. U.S. Government
Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession.
The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.
The Threat to Data Security
Some would argue that building a backdoor for just one iPhone is a simple, clean-cut solution. But it ignores both the basics of digital security and the significance of what the government is demanding in this case.
In today's digital world, the "key" to an encrypted system is a piece of information that unlocks the data, and it is only as secure as the protections around it. Once the information is known, or a way to bypass the code is revealed, the encryption can be defeated by anyone with that knowledge.
The government suggests this tool could only be used once, on one phone. But that's simply not true. Once created, the technique could be used over and over again, on any number of devices. In the physical world, it would be the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks — from restaurants and banks to stores and homes. No reasonable person would find that acceptable.
The government is asking Apple to hack our own users and undermine decades of security advancements that protect our customers — including tens of millions of American citizens — from sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals. The same engineers who built strong encryption into the iPhone to protect our users would, ironically, be ordered to weaken those protections and make our users less safe.
We can find no precedent for an American company being forced to expose its customers to a greater risk of attack. For years, cryptologists and national security experts have been warning against weakening encryption. Doing so would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data. Criminals and bad actors will still encrypt, using tools that are readily available to them.
A Dangerous Precedent
Rather than asking for legislative action through Congress, the FBI is proposing an unprecedented use of the All Writs Act of 1789 to justify an expansion of its authority.
The government would have us remove security features and add new capabilities to the operating system, allowing a passcode to be input electronically. This would make it easier to unlock an iPhone by "brute force," trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer.
The implications of the government's demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone's device to capture their data. The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone's microphone or camera without your knowledge.
Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.
We are challenging the FBI's demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.
While we believe the FBI's intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.
Justice Antonin Scalia died this past weekend. He was clearly the conservative voice of the court. There were very few times I can say I agreed with him. Having said that I find the reaction to his death by far too many on both sides to be deeply disturbing. Is there any and I mean any consideration for his family? Almost all the talk since the moment his death was announced concerned who would replace him. Isn't there plenty of time for that later? After all he's going to be dead a really long time. There is time to allow his family to mourn their loss in peace. There is time to take a deep breath and figure out how to deal with the issue of his replacement on the court.
Justice Scalia worked his almost 30 years on the Supreme Court determining how our Constitution applies to our modern lives. I find it amazing that the Republicans in the Senate want the President to ignore the Constitution and not appoint a replacement. If the President does appoint they have already determined they will not approve whoever it is. The Republicans claim to love the Constitution. Want to follow the Constitution and exactly. Want to return to the Constitution as written and intended by the Founders. Well, except if that black fella in the White House wants to appoint a new justice. Hypothetical bullshit. So they shouldn't wonder when the American people think Congress is doing nothing to help them.
I don't often agree with John McCain but in this case I do. It also seems to me that he is in a unique position to express an opinion. Donald Trump at one point opined that Senator McCain was not a hero because he had been captured. Donald Trump is an unqualified idiot. Taking your military school history and draft deferments while claiming to know more about military matters than other candidates stretches credibility beyond the breaking point. The current group of candidates who advocate the use of torture are wrong. Those who claim water boarding is not torture are wrong.
It seems to me the mistake we are making in the battle with ISIS involves a fundamental error in recognizing the enemy we fight. We continue to be focused on the acquisition of land and cities. While that is a portion of the battle in a more realistic sense we are in a war of conflicting world views and ideals. When we abandon our ideals and the moral high ground by using torture and bombing civilians we lose the battle of morals. When both sides are killing you where is the choice on who to join? Perhaps before our presidential hopefuls speak on the subject again they should consider the following.
I minor edit in political science in college. I found the political process fascinating at the time. My, how times have changed. I have watched the Repubican and Democratic debates. I've tried to wade through the posturing and bullshit to determine what each candidate hope to accomplish. I will note the following observations.
First, Ted Cruz is easily the easiest candidate to hate. He just strikes me as a sleazy piece of shit. He, and I never thought I would say this about any candidate, makes Tricky Dick Nixon look honest. Ted just gives me the creeps. He claims to be honest and when he says he will do something that is exactly what he will do. He should never be elected to any office.
Donald Trump, a reality star who is out of touch with reality.
Marco Rubio is most probably a robot.
Second, we went to Illinois in January and since we live close to Iowa got bombarded with political ads. We are in Georgia in February and the South Carolina boarder is less than 3 miles from our house. So we are now bombarded with political ads from their primary which followed the one being held in New Hampshire today. There is no escape from the ads. I will say the ads in Iowa were much tamer than the ones down here in the south. The gloves are off and politics down here from what I can discern is a blood sport. Being retired and watching TV you see political ads, ambulance chasing attorneys looking for clients, various drug companies trying to persuade you that you have some chronic disease they can't cure but would sell you a drug for the rest of your life that might make you feel better if the side effects don't cause you to grow an arm out of your chest and hourly reminders to be sure to watch Dr. Phil.
It is impossible to escape the stupidity and the feeling that we are doomed. When did the "best and brightest" decide they no longer wanted to be president and left us with these assholes?
It is Groundhog Day. The rodent in Pennsylvania said there would be an early spring. Since the weather here is already like spring an afternoon walk on the beach seemed like a good idea. Come on and walk along north beach.
As you can see in the picture above work on the beach continues. The work being done now I'd near the curve on First Avenue. They are removing derelict structures. It is concrete and steel from an old sea wall. They are on the second contractor. The first bid the job at less than a half million dollars. Once they got started they realized quickly they had seriously under estimated the job. The city paid for the work done and the second bidder lowered their bid to reflect that amount. Their bid was originally about 1.2 million. The work will be completed before May first.
No walk on the beach is complete without a viewing of the lighthouse.
The other big job on North Beach is the new shower and restroom facilities. It will also be done in time for tourist season.
