Putin’s Next Move?

So I suppose you’re thinking I’m going to blame Russia’s Putin for the plane crash that killed Poland’s president and others.

Oh. Please. 🙄

OK, the “I am not a kook” disclaimer aside, I admit to wondering if the above tragedy was an orchestrated event or will lead to orchestrated events or both or neither.

Watch Russia, that’s what I say.

Was Poland’s leader a nationalist?

Was he a so-called right winger?

What influences will Russia exert in the Leader Replacement Process in Poland?

Russia aside, will The Mysterious They use this as another step toward OWG?

Who’s next?

For the record, I learned about this on Twitter when I saw Poland and Polish President as trending topics.

Furthermore, I have read only one very short news article on this disaster.

Whatever happened, is happening, and will happen, nothing is a surprise to God nor beyond His control.

May God be able to comfort the families and friends of the dead.

May God use my former student and his wife and their colleagues serving in Poland.

May God use His other people in Poland.

And may God bless Poland.

ZeuS: Do You Know This Security Issue?

I read a bit about the ZeuS malware this earlier this morning. Here’s one quote…but I don’t know who said it:

“The average corporation or consumer doesn’t know
there’s an issue there.”

Whoever it was said it, said this also:

“You can have all that stuff current
and you’re still not safe.”

I don’t know if that applies to part of my Internet security fortress: Malwarebytes ‘ Anti-Malware.

If you use computers and the Internet, I suppose you really should ready this: Online Business Banking? Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

If you don’t use computers and the Internet…. 😯

Love Your Neighbor

Two months and two days ago, Ruby (she’s my wife!) pointed out these March 6 entries in two of our day-by-day flip calendars.

First, from Light for the Day:

A man cannot touch his neighbor’s heart
with anything less than his own.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 19:19 (b) NASB

Then, with amazing synchronization, from For the Love of a Friend:

The love of our neighbor is the only door out of the dungeon of self.
George MacDonald

Love your neighbor as yourself.
Mark 12:31

I was blessed by that.

Buzzed a la Google

I know this is long. And I know it’s about three favorite services on the Web: Google, Gmail, and Buzz.

But it really is an essential read. Even if you think privacy and security are passé in a pleasantly quaint and/or outright irritating sort of way.

On February 9, 2010, many Gmail users woke up to find a slightly different look to their inbox, along with some never-before-seen features. They were told that this was Google’s latest attempt at creating a social networking and messaging tool; it would be called Google Buzz. The company designed the service to seamlessly integrate with the company’s web-based email program, allowing its users to share links, photos, videos, status messages, and comments that would be organized in a “conversations” section of their inbox.

It seemed cool enough, but what many users didn’t know is that they were now sharing what was thought to be private information with other Gmail users.

Google executive Sergey Brin recently said that it was Google’s intention to “help bridge the gap between work and leisure,” but many parents feared for their children’s safety and strongly criticized Google for taking little to no account of privacy concerns for Gmail users who are underage.

[…]

Similar concerns have come up as a result of another Google feature that has yet to be disabled. Apparently by default, the mobile version of Google Buzz publishes a person’s exact location when they post any type of message to the service. This particular feature could be disastrous for many reasons, but especially if a user is in a situation similar to the woman discussed previously, i.e. has an abusive ex who can now track her down at a moment’s notice.

Not only that, but there are a thousand scenarios in which this could be dangerous for children. What if a young student updates Google Buzz using their mobile phone while walking home from school alone, unaware of the fact that complete strangers can be “following” them on the service? These are the types of concerns many believe Google isn’t taking into account or taking seriously enough.

[…]

“If your child has a Gmail account, talk to them about what Google Buzz is and how they should be properly using it,” Li said. “Please take action, which may be as dramatic as completely disabling Buzz on your child’s account. Do this as soon as possible, as I’m concerned that unsavory characters are already exploiting this parental control loophole.”

Now please read the full article: The Trials and Tribulations of Google Buzz.

Will Work for Food

And fuel. And rent. And utilities. And insurance. And bills. And…well, you get the pictures.

But what I mean is, “Will work for cash.” Actually, more like checks and PayPal payments. But let’s not go getting too analytical.

Maybe I could do some editing for you. (Years ago I even did one of the final edits on a Nike catalog.)

Maybe I could do some English-Spanish translation for you.

Maybe I could maintain your web site.

I could set up a blog for your site. Like I set this one up on one of my sites.

Or maybe you’d like part of your site made into a Spanish version, eh?

Or I could convert your site to CSS if it needs that.

Oh, and I suppose you want to see some of my Web work.

Well, you could start from here: Anabaptist Solutions

And here are four sites that need my revamping attention:

I will be taking jobs on a very selective and limited basis.

I know. I didn’t tell you my hourly rate yet.

$15.00

Seriously.

It may be way too low. But I may be way too desperate. 🙄

You can reach me via our bookstore’s contact page.

If you don’t have a site for which to retain my services but would still like to help support what we’re doing on the Web, I have some suggestions for that also.

She Sees Red

I tend to be wary of research these days. But this research meshes with what I believe to be true:

Calvin College professor’s research shows adults who remember being spanked are more well-adjusted

While timeouts and other disciplinary methods work for some parents and is encouraged by some child psychologists, a Calvin College psychology professor says her research shows corporal punishment forms more well-adjusted people later in life.

Marjorie Gunnoe says the study finds children who remember being spanked on the backside with an open hand do better in school, perform more volunteer work and are more optimistic than others who were not physically disciplined.

“This in no way should be thought of as a green light for spanking,” said Gunnoe, who has studied spanking for more than a decade.

Her research contradicts claims spanked children are more aggressive and have other detrimental consequences.

The practice should be considered when lawmakers across the county consider banning spanking, Gunnoe said, noting 24 countries have barred the punishment.

“This is a red light for people who want to legally limit how parents choose to discipline their children,” she said. “I don’t promote spanking, but there’s not the evidence to outlaw it.”

I saw the story Saturday night.

Among other thoughts, one wandered to the so-called Greatest Generation. I suspect the majority of them were spanked as children.

I thought of the so-called Founding Fathers. I suspect they were spankers as well as spankees.

I thought of the pioneers. Ditto.

Now we’re beginning to reap the fruits of a different approach to raising children. And it ain’t a pretty picture. Only God can reverse the trend and delay the consequences. I hope He does. Frankly, though, I doubt He will. Especially if His people pray and fast about it as much as I do.

😯

Above all, love God!

since November 9, 2005