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Idiots boycotting BP

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I was out driving around town today and I saw a bunch of idiots out rallying and waving signs that said “boycott BP” at an intersection that happened to have 2 BP gas stations kitty-corner from each other.  So I swung into one of the gas stations and topped off my gas tank, went inside and bought a diet-coke.

While I was filling up my gas tank, there was a sign put up on the pump that said something along the lines of “BP stations are locally owned and operated, and contribute to the local communities. Thank you for your loyalty.”  It really made my blood boil as I read that, and heard the picketers across the street shouting at me for supporting a locally owned and operated gas station that happens to be a BP franchisor.

I’m not sure what I’m more angry, the fact that these people are just looking for a cause to “fight” for because they’re bleeding heart liberals and want to earn their “good for society” badge?  They really don’t care about the oil spill in the gulf, they really don’t care about the causes they wave flags for.  They just need a scapegoat and target for their activism, and BP is their current target.

Boycotting BP, especially in Northern Minnesota, isn’t going to do anything to help the gulf.  All it is doing is hurting local businesses and the local Minnesota economy.  BP isn’t going anywhere, they’re still going to be in business for years to come, and they’re going to continue making gobs of money.  Whether the oil spill in the gulf is their fault or not, instead of pointing fingers and playing the blame game, the bleeding heart liberals need to actually think of what is GOOD, and HELP the people in need.  There are organizations that you can donate money, and other items to, to actually help clean up the oil, because the government sat around and talked about what to do, instead of doing anything, and now there is a big mess on the gulf coast.

New bill allows the President to turn off the Internet

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I just read a disturbing report on CNET: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html

There is a bill being proposed to grant executive control over the Internet, in a case of “Cyber-Terror” and allow the government to seize control of private sector networks, effectively shutting down the Internet.

It goes on to talk about the terms vaguely, and any threat that deals with computers, the Internet, telecommunications, computer networks, would qualify as Cyber Terrorism, and allow Uncle Sam to cripple private networks.  This includes the possibility of shutting down networks to prevent phone calls and other communications systems.

New licenses would be given to individuals and companies who deal with the major networks, giving them clearance, and basically saying you have to have government approval to run any large private network.  They would also be required to provide additional data and resources to the government.

Frankly, I find this very apalling, and do not want ANYONE in government having judicial control over public networks, allowing them to effectively shut down the system with a flick of a switch.  The government is very lacking in current security operations, and network security is best handled by the private sector.

I understand the need to be able to mitigate threats, but there are cyber attacks every day against corporations and individuals, and the current private networks do a damn good job of keeping the peace, along with keeping the Internet ONLINE.