End the War on Freedom

iPhone software version 2.0 was available today, a day before launch, from Apple's web site, thanks to the ingenuity of the Mac Rumors folks, who have since removed the URL, though it probably still works. I got the 250 meg download, and followed the simple directions to install it, and, voila, App-Store-ready iPhone. Below is a screen capture of a page full of App Store apps. That's another new feature of the 2.0 software. If, while holding the home button, you press and release the power button, it takes a picture of the screen, and puts it with the photos taken with the camera. You can view it there, mail it to somebody, or load it onto your computer.

The iPhone 3G hardware goes on sale tomorrow morning at 8am. I don't plan to buy one. My year-old iPhone works fine, especially with the nifty new software.

I've had a little trouble with the SSL certificate for this site and for some sites for which I do technical maintenance. I wrote up a little about that in Intermediate SSL Certificates. Well, I asked my web hosting provider to install the intermediate certificates for another web site that is also using a GoDaddy certificate. They said that they had done it, but I was still getting warnings in Safari, on both my Mac and my iPhone. So I did some Googling, and found some simple Java code that I could modify, and enable debugging while running, to show the SSL handshake during a connection to a web site.

I have uploaded that code as billstclair.com/blog/images/ssltest.zip. The zip file decompresses into the "ssltest" directory, containing the following files:

ssltest	a bash script to run the java program
ssltest.class	the compiled version of the Java program
ssltest.java	the source code for the Java program
ssltest.zip.sh	a bash script to create ssltest.zip

You're certainly welcome to look at the Java source, and change it to your liking, but to use the program, you just need to cd to the ssltest directory in your shell, and type the following:

Or change "billstclair.com" to your favorite SSL-enabled web site. It prints quite a bit of stuff, but the most interesting to me were the lines beginning with "chain [", which show the certificate and the intermediate certificates, if any.

I didn't include an ssltest.bat file for Windows, because I have no way to test it, but it should be pretty obvious how to convert the bash script into a Windows batch file.

Enjoy!

I spent the last two weeks in Montana and Wyoming.

Flew from Hartford, Connecticut to Bozeman, Montana, and from Denver back to Hartford. Took my Cold Steel African Walking stick with me on the airplane. Canes are allowed by the Taking Scissors Away goons. Traveling with a cane has some benefits. I asked the TSA guy in Hartford whether my wife could accompany me to the gate. On seeing my cane, he said that we could ask the airline for a pass to allow that. The airline lady said that usually TSA gives them grief for passes. She was surprised that one of them had recommended it. They looked hard at my plastic cane, trying to take it apart to reveal an imagined sword inside, but let it through. And they let my wife through with her pass.

Went to Montana to meet in the flesh some formerly cyberspace-only friends. Met Elias Alias, the owner of The Mental Militia Forums, Iloilo Jones (pronounced: ee-low ee-low), the director of FIJA, Doug Buchanan, the mind behind think.ws, Kirsten, the owner of Get Your Hands Dirty!, and a number of others. Ate red meat and drank real wine for the first time in twenty-five years, and took a liking to Backwoods Wild 'n Mild Cigars, the "sweet aromatic" flavor.

Learned that Montana has very nearly Alaska carry. Outside the cities, you can carry any way you please. No permit required. Many of the cities require permits to carry concealed, but "concealed" is defined as "covered by clothing". It's OK to carry in a fanny pack without a permit, or to open carry, though most city dwellers carry concealed with a permit. I didn't see any open carry there, or in Wyoming, except by police.

I drove the 600 miles from Bozeman to Cheyenne, where I grew up, and where my mother still lives, in a rental car, which was cheaper, and not a lot slower, than flying. Drove I-90 east, which heads south after passing through Billings. The mountains dropped away and I found myself, though still in Montana, in country very similar to my Cheyenne home. I wept tears of joy, while driving and drinking in the scenery. Wyoming is truly my home. "Like no place on Earth". I hope to return there permanently one day.

Went to the Libertarian Party's national convention in Denver last Friday to meet L. Neil Smith and Scott Bieser, who were there to sell books. Sat with Scott for a couple of hours while Neil was upstairs nursing a cold. Interjected a few comments in a video interview of Scott by V Magazine. Thirty seconds of fame? Maybe. Went to lunch with Neil and Scott at a nice burger joint. Neil's cold made it hard for him to talk. Snapped the photo below of Neil with my iPhone. Forgot to get one of Scott. Duh.

Before going to Denver, I called the hotel where the conference was held, said I had a question about hotel policy, and asked whether the wearing of sidearms was allowed in the hotel. The lady who answered the phone said that she thought not, but wasn't sure, so she connected me to the front desk. The lady who answered there assured me that it was OK, even when I asked whether Denver had a "law" prohibiting it. Well, Denver DOES have such a "law", and their override of state law allowing open carry everywhere, and forbidding local override, was approved on 5 November, 2004 by the District Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, whose decision was affirmed (PDF) on June 5, 2006, by the Colorado Supreme Court, in a vote of three to three with one justice not participating. I guess some animals really ARE more equal than others, at least the pigs in Denver.

Did some shooting, both in Montana, on a state-owned parcel with a hill as a backstop, and in Wyoming, at the Pine Bluffs Sportsman's Club, about 30 miles east of Cheyenne, on the Nebraska border. Their pistol range has steel targets at 25 yards that you can knock down and pull back up with a rope from the firing line. Good fun!

Watched "The Chronicles of Narnia: Price Caspian" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" with my mother. Enjoyed both.

No problems getting through security on the way home, except they wouldn't let me take a bottle of water. Sheesh. Yes, you too can fly on Sheep-Are-Us Airlines.

Sen. Bill Wielechowski "It is the beginning of a surveillance society,", "It's very easy to see where this goes.", "If the federal government ... wishes to create a society that really is big brother, we don't want to pay for it,".

I'm not sure whether or not to applaud or grab a pitchfork. But it would seem that the senator is merely trying to get the federal government to pony up the money for this. On the other hand it would seem as if the senator understands what national i.d. cards are really for.

I dunno, I'll let you decide. But, lets give them Alaskan's a telephone call or an email. I'm not sure which 2 senators are current. I filled in with what i could find just to be safe.

Senator Ted Stevens
Phone: 202-224-3004
Fax: 202-224-2354
Email: http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?
FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenatorStevens

Senator Bill Wielechowski
State Capitol, Room 115
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907-465-2435
Fax: 907-465-6615
Email: Senator_Bill_Wielechowski@legis.state.ak.us

Senator Lisa Murkowski
Phone: 202-224-6665
Fax: 202-224-5301
Email: http://murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Rep Don Young
Phone: 202-225-5765
Fax: 202-225-0425
Email: http://donyoung.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm

This is one of the most awakening pieces to hit the net. I feel this writer is in tune with the situation. The situation that others are really not taking all that serious. The process of indoctrination through literature and media online and offline is hampering peoples reality. People wake up ! Notice "Political Dissent", often left out of the history books. Unless you want to be loaded onto the trains introduced to real slave labor until you are dead and bbq'd to a fine crisp I recommend you take this seriously.
Kenneth H.
-------
The Surreal ID Card Act and HB 2677
Dave Hodges

In Nazi Germany (July 1938), only a few months before Kristallnacht (i.e., the night of the broken glass) in which Jewish businesses were targeted by the infamous "Brown Shirts" for destruction, the notorious "J-stamp" was introduced on national ID cards and then later on passports. The use of the "J-stamp" ID cards by Nazi Germany preceded the yellow Star of David badges which led to the subsequent deportation of Gypsies, Jews, homosexuals and political dissidents to the infamous Nazi death camps. In Norway, where yellow cloth badges were not introduced, the J stamped ID card was used in the identification of more than 800 Jews deported to death camps in Eastern Europe.

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Editorial-Page.htm?InfoNo=029936&From=News

Declan McCullagh, "FAQ: How Will Real ID Affect You?" C-Net, February 7, 2008.
Click to Read...

Anne Broache, "Religious Minorities Face Real ID Crackdown," C-Net, February 6, 2008.
Click to Read...

Declan McCullagh and Anne Broache, "Federal Buildings Become Real ID Zones," C-Net, February 5, 2008.
Click to Read...

Broach, Anne and McCullagh, Declan, "Real ID Could Mean Real Travel Headaches," C-Net, February 4, 2008.
Click to Read...

Anne Broache, "Real ID Worries Domestic Violence Groups," C-Net, February 8, 2008.
Click to Read...

All in all I'd say not to shabby. News.com did a great job researching & reporting to the public. Another sign of the times; internet reporting is outperforming "news" & "newspapers" by leaps and bounds.

Is your state one of the many giving into federal aggression ? Click to read...

It should be noted that this is to be a first in a four part series by News.com So if they do not address what you have thought of like myself give them time for their series unfold.

"Another consideration is that the process of radicalization — to the point that a person undertakes a terrorist attack — rarely occurs in a solitary setting. Many individuals require the feedback and encouragement of like-minded individuals to help them reach that point."

The idea that a lone individual will appear seemingly out of nowhere to launch a horrific terrorist attack sends shivers down the spines of public security planners and law enforcement officers — not to mention average citizens. Because of their unique traits, “lone wolves” present very real challenges to the law enforcement and security professionals charged with guarding against such threats.

However, with the road from desire to actual destruction fraught with obstacles, the lone-wolf terrorist — one capable of causing mass casualties — is a rare individual indeed.

Continue Reading....

As we already knew some states were only resisting the Nationalist I.D. in hopes of getting the federals to pay for this Orwellian legislation. and North Dakota is one of those states sadly.

"As of January 31, all adult travelers will have to have a proof of citizenship and proof of identity to enter the United States. And in the coming months, the state of North Dakota will be adopting even STRICTER GUIDELINES."
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=15261

Let's tell north Dakota how we feel about their support for this legislation. Let them know we are disappointed in their decision to enact and enforce this.

Governor John Hoeven
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0001
Phone 701.328.2200
Fax 701.328.2205

Senator Kent Conrad (D- ND)
Phone 202-224-2043
Fax 202-224-7776 Email https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D- ND)
Phone 202-224-2551
Fax 202-224-1193 Email senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Representative Earl Pomeroy (D - North Dakota)
Phone 202-225-2611
Fax 202-226-0893 Email http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm

West Virginia is on board to derail the Nationalist I.D..

The State Journal report:
"CHARLESTON -- West Virginia would join a growing number of states that are refusing to change what appears on their driver's licenses to meet new national security standards under a proposed bill that is enjoying bipartisan support among state lawmakers." http://tinyurl.com/2wmc78

And as promised I have posted the contact information. We need to hit W. Virginia with a barrage of emails, phone calls, faxes and more. To let them know we support them ! To encourage them !

!!Send Positive Responses!! As W. Virginia is siding with the people.

Contact the governor:
Joe Manchin III
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E.,
Charleston, WV 25305
Toll-Free: 1-888-438-2731
Email: Governor@WVGov.org

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D- WV)
Phone: 202-224-3954
Fax: 202-228-0002 http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV (D- WV) Phone: 202-224-6472
Fax:202-224-7665 http://rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan
2302 Rayburn House Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4172
Fax: 202-225-7564 CongressmanMollohan@mail.house.gov

Representative Alan B. Mollohan (D - 01) Phone: 202-225-4172
Fax: 202-225-7564 CongressmanMollohan@mail.house.gov

Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R - 02) Phone: 202-225-2711
Fax: 202-225-7856 http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Representative Nick Joe Rahall, II (D - 03) Phone: 202-225-3452
Fax: 202-225-9061 http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=162

More and more of late I have been hearing about the (National I.D., Real I.D. or more secure driver's licenses). And I must admit I am a bit amazed at the lack of voice in the online forum which is the internet. Unlike the opposition to the amnesty act of 2007 this legislation is moving forward. With the only real opposition shouting that this would be too costly for the states. And indeed it shall be costly but not in the measurement of dollars.

For millions of Statesmen the right to travel is a necessity. Transporting foods and goods between states, interacting amongst peers, family and friends. The list goes on and on. For all in the name of terrorism a shift is about to occur for many. In states that are opposing the federal legislation it's citizens will not be allowed to travel outside of that state and it's borders.

Never mind the fact that the only reason that the 9/11 terrorist got driver's licenses was because of the failure of the federal government and it's poor passport measures & requirements.

"The states who have passed legislation or resolutions objecting to the Real ID Act many due to concerns over the cost - are Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington, according to the ACLU." billingsgazette.net

My hopes are that enough people discover this blog and want to participate. Together we stand; we can help to try and defeat this treachory. We can help jump start a campaign of phone calls, emails, faxes and protest. To every radio, television, blog, etc. To each and every state to the District of Columbia. We can let our voices be heard.

In the meantime stay tuned to this blog to keep up with current legislation & contact information.

Special thanks to Bill of billstclair.com for kindly hosting this blog.

We bought a brand new washer & dryer shortly before my son was born, over sixteen years ago. Sears Kenmore brand. They both served us well until recently, when the dryer motor died, and the washer bin stopped turning around. I decided it wasn't worth the money to replace the dryer motor, and didn't feel competent to work on the washer myself, so rather than pay Sears $100 for a repair guy to come out and possibly tell us the washer cost nearly as much as a new one to repair, we bought new ones.

I saw a new style of washing machine in Sears a few years back. Top loading, but with no agitator inside, just a little bump in the middle, and water jet holes. Well, we got one of those. Whirlpool brand name, though apparently Whirlpool makes Kenmore stuff. They were delivered today, after a two week wait from our purchase. And they're nice. Washed a long week's worth of clothes today. Quite satisfied.

I can't afford to buy major appliances very often, so it's nice when I can. Wish I could afford a new refrigerator.

Click the "read more" link for pictures.

I bought a Samsung S730 digital camera at Target the other day. Was there looking for a birthday gift for my daughter to give to a friend of hers, and it jumped out and grabbed me. $100. There were hundred dollar cameras from HP, Nikon, and Kodak there, but they were out of stock, and this one has more pixels. Haven't played with it enough to know how good its lens is, but it takes movies, audio, and still photos. Comes with very little memory, but $25 got me a gigabyte SD card, which holds over 700 full-resolution (7.2 megapixel) images. Nice to have a better camera than the one in my iPhone.

Self-portrait, no flash

Denali camera case

Coke machine at laundromat

Well, I finally paid the $15 that site5.com charges to install an SSL certificate, so you can now get get encrypted access to this site.

https://billstclair.com/blog/

You will likely get a warning that the Certificate Authority (CA), CAcert.org, is unknown to your browser. That's the drawback of using a free CA. There will likely be an option to add their certificate. Do it if you want to get rid of the warning (and warnings for similar certificates from other web sites).

If you say www.billstclair.com, you'll get a warning, every time you visit here after relaunching your browser, that the domain doesn't match the certificate. So don't do that unless you like the warning.

When I tried to run Skype today on my Macintosh, nothing happenned. Looking in the Console log, I found this cryptic message:

Check 1 failed. Can't run Skype

Only found one Google hit, and it wasn't helpful. Tried renaming Google preferences out of the way (in Mac OS X, those are the "~/Library/Preferences/com.skype.skype.plist" file and the "~/Library/Application Support/Skype" directory). Same thing. Reinstalled Skype by dragging from the distribution DMG to my Applications folder and clicking "Yes" on the overwrite query dialog. Back in business. Don't know why it happenned, but that fixed it.

billstclair.com/calc.html is a Reverse Polish calculator for the iPhone. I found the code for this with a Google search, and reformatted it for the small screen. Looks funny in a regular browser, but is just the right size on my iPhone. Scroll down for trig functions, the rest of the machine state, and a calculation record.

I was headed outside to give the dogs a walk at about 4pm this afternoon. Got their radio fence collars off and their leashes on, went to open the door, and, it wouldn't open. No amount of turning or pulling would make it budge. Screwdriver time. Took off the inner door handle, pushed the outer door handle out. Still wouldn't budge. Half an hour later, I'd managed to break apart the mechanism and convince the bolt to move, so I could open the door. I guess 25 years is a long time for what was likely a used part when the house was built. Off to Home Depot for a brand new Schlage locking handle set. Just $22. But it needed a little deeper hole than the old set, and I couldn't find my little hand saw, so it was chisel time. Finally got it to fit, and now we can lock our front door. Yay!

Well, the girls in my family did it. They bought a second cockatiel to keep Sunshine company. So far, the new bird has been absolutely silent. She won't be out of her cage for a little while, so that's where I took this photo. My daughter hasn't named her yet (nor are we sure that's she's not a he).

I've been very happy with NearlyFreeSpeech.net (NFS). They've been serving billstclair.com for quite a few years now. But my bandwidth has risen to a gigabyte a day, which means a dollar a day for NFS' hosting. That's $30/month. I was clued into a new hosting service by one of the guys on the Linkinus IRC channel (Linkinus is a nice Mac OS X IRC client). I can get more bandwidth for $10/month there than I'm getting for $30/month at NFS. They don't have the free speech philosophy of NFS, and I don't know yet how their reliability and speed will compare, but so far they look faster, and money is tight. I can go back pretty easily, should that become necessary.

Anyway. I hope you enjoy my new home. Same domain, same politics, different web service provider: Site5.com.

Liberty!

Found outside my house this morning: