Is aviation security mostly for show?

A rhetorical question, obviously. Everybody and their mother is (rightly) linking to this article. I like that Schneier address both the particulars of security and the equally importance larger social issues.

Despite fearful rhetoric to the contrary, terrorism is not a transcendent threat. A terrorist attack cannot possibly destroy a country’s way of life; it’s only our reaction to that attack that can do that kind of damage. The more we undermine our own laws, the more we convert our buildings into fortresses, the more we reduce the freedoms and liberties at the foundation of our societies, the more we’re doing the terrorists’ job for them.

Bruce Schneier

moe. 1998-10-24 Rebubula> Time Is Free Jam> Rebubula

Ripping Rebub from when time period when moe. shows first begin to get listenable (though there are a few choice bits from even earlier years). I started to talk myself into the midsection-jam being “Gil’s Theme”, then I decided it was a Grateful Dead jam, though I couldn’t remember the name. After a little research, turns out that what I was thinking was Mind Left Body Jam, but what this probably is is a Time Is Free Jam.

Anyway, listening to early shows from bands like moe., phish, etc., is always a mixed bag. The audio quality is worse, the band’s chops just aren’t as developed, and the vocals are often harsh. But the youthful energy can often overcome all these deficits, and that’s the case here. Find yourself a free half hour and give it a listen.

moe1998-10-24-t14-mp3

Staking Out a Position

I’m not up to speed on the “kill-billers” situation, but I suspect that the topic will be old news in a few weeks. This bit from Nate Silver is worth repeating, though, because it nicely articulates my own feelings:

One of the reasons I consider myself to be a progressive/liberal/whatever is because, more often than not, I’ve found progressives to be on the “right” side of the argument. They’re more empirical, more “scientific”, less dogmatic, less sophistic, less demagogic, less anti-intellectual — not always by any means but at least some majority of the time. After tangling with the kill-billers, however, I’m beginning to have my doubts.

Basically, I only vote Democrat so far as I believe they present more reason-based positions than the Republicans–the farther they slip from that, the more Independent I become.

Oh, what I’d give for a third party. Not so much a Centrist party as an Empirical one.

Right On

Linked without further comment:
Constitutional Chicanery

On Clutchiness

Every couple months, Sean (oldest friend, die-hard Yanks fan) and I argue about Derek Jeter.  I am informed by baseballprospectus.com and other baseball analysts. He watches more games than I do and has played team sports his whole life. Needless to say, we have different views on topics like clubhouse chemistry and clutch hitting. Along those lines, Alex Belth recently wrote:

A-Rod during regular season: .305/.390/.576
A-Rod during playoffs: .302/.409/.568

Same thing. Same player. Same guy.

(quoted from this Posnanski post)

I’d add:

Jeter during regular season: .317      .388      .459
Jeter during playoffs: .313      .383      .479

Frank Sinatra – Theme From New York, New York

“Start spreadin the news…”

Honestly, I was relieved as I was excited last night–apparently the scars from 2001 ran deep. (I don’t even count 2003–I was so ecstatic after Aaron Fucking Boone! that the Marlins couldn’t bring me down for long.)

Go Yanks! This is a team with the potential to compete for many years to come, though they have lots of tough decisions coming with what to do with the old men playing keys positions. Which reminds me, I should apologize to Derek Jeter: I love Jeter but I’m been a frequent critic of his defense–kudos to him for getting into great shape this season and posting another fine defensive season.

Coming soon to a theatre near you: the 2010’s

So we all thought that describing the current decade (after the ease of The Eighties and The Nineties) was tricky. Apparently we halfhearted settled on The Aughts. But what the hell are we going to do with the next decade? Wikipedia suggests “The Tens.” Maybe The Teens is an option?

Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Dreadful wind and rain

Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Dreadful wind and rain

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Sage observation, on a day when I’m sad and angry all over again

Things happen and then they don’t happen.

New York a Fortress City? Future Seen on 9/12 Didn’t Happen – NYTimes.com

[HD] We Built This City – Starship [ 720p Up Scaling + HQ Audio ]

Finally listening to Amberland 2009. First set alternates Pgroove tunes and eighties covers, to hilarious effect. Mr. Transistor had multiple teases/verses of this one. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this video before. It. is. FANTASTIC.

[HD] We Built This City – Starship [ 720p Up Scaling + HQ Audio ]

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