Here’s a fresh thread for you, with some light reading.
http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/speeches_testimonies/2013_08_09_the_nsa_story.pdf
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/2013-08-09-AdministrationWhitePaperSection215.pdf
There will be a test later.
Also, I am kind of half-way vaguely considering a meetup in OKC. Is there any interest?
slhanlon
I am living in Amarillo and would attend a meet in OKC if I had enough notice to work it into my schedule.
slhanlon
I am living in Amarillo and would attend a meet in OKC if I had enough notice to work it into my schedule.
slhanlon
I am living in Amarillo and would attend a meet in OKC if I had enough notice to work it into my schedule.
Soonergrunt
Slhanlon is on board if we give enough notice. One presumes a week or two?
Baud
The White Paper is interesting. It claims that the government does not collect location information through the bulk metadata collection program.
ETA: Regardless of one’s views of the program, I’m finding the description of the technical aspects fascinating.
slhanlon
Week or two will work. I am here in the Panhandle the majority of the time, so if you give me some notice, I can swing it.
Tokyokie
I was planning to be up that way in about a week to help out a buddy who’s having ear surgery, but that was before I broke my ankle this week. Once I’m rid of this walking boot I’d be interested.
scav
I Think shalon is definitely in the plans to come camp. ‘fraid I’ve got to head up the otherwise column. Chicago and all that, but I rather enjoy the vicarious planning for these. In other non-essential news, the house sit cat has finally decided he needs petting in addition to food and waste management. Only took him a week. House-sit gerbil chewed up my finger days ago, same day the house-sit dishwasher went mental. At least the frogs are universally glad to see me.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: I just looked though the Executive Summary being that it’s 6:30am and I’ve only had about 2 hours sleep, but it looks like what I used to see when I worked as a paralegal in civil discovery. Robert Gibbs was on ‘All In’ yesterday and said one of the reasons is the length of time the carriers hold on to the metadata is relatively short and the government has a longer term need.
Now as to why I’ve only had 2 hours sleep, for the past week the landlord has had folk doing work on the apartment next door which of course woke my YorkiePom which in turn woke my Cocker Spaniel which of course woke me. I think I’m going to need to share Section 8.36.080 of the Glendale Municipal Code with my landlord.
OR
CILL my lan lawd
Villago Delenda Est
OK, I think I’ll just skip the test, and take the incomplete.
Ahh says fywp
Kind of shocked at the disdain heaped on Krystal Ball last night. Nobody called Michael Steele a bimbo, and when he was rnc chair he pretty much had the same gig, being the friendly talking points dude.
Is it bc Steele came from a far more privileged (economically, people) background than her and talks just like it, or because shes a woman?
I find the glossy lipstick distracting too, but she is good at what she does, very liberak, and gas lived it. Ill take her oner shitty dlc Clinto surrogates and washed up.campaign managers any day.
Baud
@BillinGlendaleCA:
The White Paper says they keep the metadata for 5 years.
Who the hell does repair work in the middle of the night?
Ahh says fywp
I find it hard to type on a phone, dammit.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: That’s what Gibb’s pointed out, 5 years.
It seems my landlord has hired folk that think it’s OK. So I guess my landlord thinks it’s OK, even though we’ve informed them that it’s not OK at all. City code allows construction noise between the hours of 7am to 7pm Monday though Saturday. I guess I should be thankful, they started last Sunday at 4:30am.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Ahh says fywp: Also too having FYWP in your nym.
SiubhanDuinne
@BillinGlendaleCA:
I think it’s hysterically funny* that FYWP at many universities stands for First Year Writing Program.
*I am easily amused.
ruemara
@Ahh says fywp: Pretty women should be seen and not heard saying things I take issue with. That’s my sense of it. She’s no bimbo, despite having quite the stripper name.
Botsplainer
I’m thinking it would be great for Snowden to get a grant of immunity in return for testimony on the roles that Greenwald and Assange played in his crimes, to result in charges against those two fucknuggets.
Greenwald couldn’t resist the notion of coming back for a trial to make his brilliant points, and since he is a stunningly incompetent lawyer, will talk himself into an even longer prison term. Assange would continue to rail from his confinement in the Ecuadorian embassy.
It would be a win-win all the way around.
BillinGlendaleCA
@SiubhanDuinne: We didn’t have a FYWP at my university, but as you my have noticed from my ‘creative spelling’ in the past, we did have a bonehead English class. I had weekly spelling tests my first quarter, which amused my roommate to no end.
Smiling Mortician
@Villago Delenda Est: No shit. I don’t even remember signing up for this course.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Botsplainer: Glen Greenwald is a REPORTER, why do you hate the press?
/MSM reporter
scav
@Smiling Mortician: At least we’re (presumably) wearing clothes in this exam we didn’t sign up nor study for.
BillinGlendaleCA
@scav: No pants, this is Balloon Juice after all.
Monty
Dallas here and OKC is just a hop, skip, and a jump. Count me in.
Monty
btw. I recommend Rococo on Penn. Its a great restaurant.
scav
@BillinGlendaleCA: what was I thinking?!
Higgs Boson's Mate
I don’t have the words to sufficiently thank all of you who stepped up for me.
“Thank you,” is a beginning.
It will be a bit before I respond to your kind emails. For now I’m just putting one foot in front of the other. It will similarly be a bit before I’m a regular commenter again.
Thank you. This isn’t just a blog.
raven
@Higgs Boson’s Mate: We’re witcha bro. Watch yer topknot.
Nikki in Texas
I live in Dallas but have family/friends in OKC as I grew up there. If I get notice, I could possibly make it to a meetup.
Baud
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:
Hey! Glad to hear from you. Take your time. We’ll hold down the fort.
dance around in your bones
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:
Oh, Higgs – it’s just so good to see you post even one comment. That’s one big step!
Continue to stay calm and carry on, in whatever fashion that takes for you. Gawd knows I struggle with it sometimes myself. Life, that is.
schrodinger's cat
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:Good to hear from you. Hugs and best wishes {{{HBM}}}
eldorado
i’m up the turnpike aways, but might be able to make it down to okc given the right dates/times
handsmile
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:
Great to see that bold-faced nym! Glad to have you among us. Whenever you’re ready, there’s a seat here waiting for you.
Nina-the-first
@Higgs Boson’s Mate: I’m glad you found some shelter in the storm.
Josie
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:
Good to hear from you. My mantra has always been “one foot in front of the other.” It sounds dumb, but it has gotten me through some rough times. I started using it when I ran long distance, but it has been helpful at other times through the years. Good thoughts to you.
gogol's wife
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:
I’m so glad to see your nym. Thinking of you and sending you best wishes.
SIA
@Higgs Boson’s Mate: I’m very glad you’re still in the world. Hugs to you and MaryG.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
Checking in from O’Hare as we await our flight home. Didn’t accomplish as much this week as I hoped and the whole damn week felt rushed, but it’s time to go anyway. At least I’ll have tomorrow to recover before going back to work on Monday.
Ruckus
@Higgs Boson’s Mate:
Take the time you need.
And good luck.