Random Thoughts by Miguelito

Thursday, August 16, 2001

# In my various searching around the web, I ran into a fantastic interview with Berke Breathed. For those of you who don't recognize the name, Berke was the author of the ultra-popular comic strip Bloom County, and BC's spinoff Outland. These two strips were my favorite comic strips through my teenage years. I subscribed to the newspaper simply to be able to read the new Bloom County every morning.
Berke is a very funny guy, and this interview had me laughing so hard that my side hurts. Take a look right now. But be warned: Prepare to laugh. A lot!
posted by Miguelito Fierro 1:40 PM

Wednesday, August 08, 2001

# I am sure that everyone has heard of Code Red, the internet worm that has been working its way through the internet over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the media has picked up on this story, and has tried their best to make Code Red seem like the Most Dangerous Virus Ever. Of course, it is not, but that won't stop the media from making it seem like it is.
This story is about a similar incident that happened almost 10 years ago. At that time, it was the Michelangelo virus that was making headlines. The media blew the story completely out of proportion, claiming that 10-15 million computers were probably infected. In the end, only about 6,000 computers world-wide were effected. The media immediately dropped the story and moved on to the next Big Thing.
The moral to this story is that one should never, ever give too much credibility to the media when they report virus-related stories. Check with more reliable sources first.
posted by Miguelito Fierro 8:18 AM

# I have been told at times that I should show a little more respect for "President" Bush. After all, some would say, he is the "president," and the office of the President of the United States commands a person's respect. I disagree with this; I think that blind faith in and respect for our elected officials simply contributes to corruption in government. Eternal vigilance is, after all, the price of freedom. In my opinion, not being able to see a leader for what he/she is is much more detrimental to our nation than open disrespecting our elected officials.
Anyway, since I am being told to be more respectful to our "president," I submit this website dedicated to George W. Bush. Feel free to enjoy it!
- Miguelito
posted by Miguelito Fierro 7:41 AM

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

# A lot of updates for today. I've been away for longer than I realized! [Grin] Here are a few things that have caught my eye recently:
Stories of dot-com crashes from actual employees. True, some of these first-hand accounts are probably exaggerated by bitter former-employees, but these are still fascinating accounts of the cyber-culture which is rapidly going the way of the dodo.
Classic video games! This website is a great way to spend a few hours. For some unknown reason, the author is reviewing really old video games, including games for the Atari 2600! Those of us who grew up around the time of the 2600 will undoubtedly fondly remember these games. This site is a must-see!
The Colorado Green Party home page. I am a firm believer in the Green Party and all the principles that this party embodies. As "President" Bush tries to run our country into the sewer (and start a nuclear war while he is at it), it is more and more obvious how important it is that the Green Party start becoming a major force in local and national politics.
More to come later!
- Miguelito
posted by Miguelito Fierro 10:04 AM

Tuesday, July 10, 2001

# As you probably know, I am not a Microsoft fan. I believe that M$ is actually evil; the company doesn't care about their customers, doesn't care about "innovation," doesn't care about the computer industry. All Microsoft cares about is controlling absolutely everything there is to do with computing. It doesn't matter to them that there are superior products on the market; Microsoft just wants to make sure that everyone gives M$ money.
I thought that I couldn't understimate M$, but I was obviously wrong. In a move that surprises even me, Microsoft has started suing poor school districts for illegal copies of Microsoft software.
Microsoft has no sympathy for the fact that these are school districts that are already under-funded. These school districts don't have enough money to pay their teachers, yet Microsoft is not willing to offer either low-cost or free packages of their software. Instead, Microsoft is forcing these cash-strapped school districts to start costly Software Audits to try and find illegal copies of their software.
Obviously, in Microsoft's world, Profit is much more important than educating our children.
It is actions like this that, to my eye, prove that M$ is EVIL!
posted by Miguelito Fierro 2:26 PM

# Quick News Flash:
I'm a married man!!!

posted by Miguelito Fierro 11:27 AM

Thursday, May 31, 2001

# Question: Is it okay for developing nations to manufacture patented AIDS medications without paying US pharmaceutical companies royalties?
Answer: Yes. (According to 52 of the nations in the United Nations. Only the United States voted "No")
My Answer: A very emphatic YES! Pharmaceutical companies like to talk about needing to recoup money they spent on the R&D for these drugs. However, the facts are that these companies will easily recoup their money, and turn a handy profit. The issue, then, comes down to a simple issue: What is more important, patents or saving lives?
On this issue, I stand firmly behind the other 52 nations in the UN.
posted by Miguelito Fierro 1:18 PM

# Did you wake up sometime this week and think to yourself, Oh my god, George W. Bush is actually President of the United States? If you did, don't worry. According to This article on The Onion, many people have just started to realize who the Leader of the Free World is.
posted by Miguelito Fierro 12:59 PM

Wednesday, May 30, 2001

# As you may (or may not) know, I consider myself a Taoist. Even if I weren't, however, I would still love the Tao Te Ching. This book is a masterpiece. It is charming, it is minimalistic in verbiage yet overflowing with meaning and insight. Most translations are remarkably poetic. The Tao Te Ching is a beautiful creation, one that everyone should read, at least once.
This page contains links to a number of translations of the Tao Te Ching. I strongly recommend this website. Take a look at it in your free time. You won't be sorry!
- Miguelito
posted by Miguelito Fierro 10:19 AM

Thursday, May 17, 2001

#
This just in: Bush wants to give tax money to oil companies!

In the latest of a large number of unbelievable domestic policies, President Bush will soon unveil his Energy policy. Basically, he will recommend building a lot of new electic plants around the nation, expanding Eminent Domain to take ownership of private propery to lay power lines and build power plants, and tearing up national forests (especially in Alaska) for oil companies to drill for more oil.

All of these were, unfortunately, expected. These are exactly the kind of abuses that people feared Bush was capable of. Bush obviously cares nothing for the environment, nor for what average citizens of this country want. Bush only wants to line the pockets of oil company pockets.

What was surprising, however, was Bush's response to the rising cost of gasoline and energy. Instead of promising to try to find ways to lower prices, Bush stated that he wants people to use the money they will get from tax cuts to pay for the higher prices of gas and electricity! Seriously! I couldn't make up something as completely ridiculous and audacious as this. To quote the Salon article which was quoting Bush:

"What I say is, I worry about the fact that hardworking people are paying high prices at the pump. It concerns me a lot. And therefore, the Congress needs to cut taxes as quickly as possible to give people money to be able to deal with this situation."

I think we now know why Bush has been pressing so hard to have a tax cut approved. This creates a win/win situation for the oil companies. They benefit from the tax cuts, and then they get to enjoy the extra money that everyone else has to pay at the gas pumps. Those who get shafted, of course, are the working people. People in the lower and middle-lower classes who most needed a break from taxes are basically getting hosed; any money they receive from the tax cuts (and they receive the smallest amount of money from the tax cuts) will go straight towards paying for more expensive gas and electricity.

I am really having to re-assess what I believed back around the time of the elections. At the time, I didn't see much of a difference between George W. and Al Gore. Now, however, the distinctions are becoming clearing. I still don't agree with a lot of Gore's political beliefs, but at least he isn't Evil. George W. is proving, more and more as each day passes, that he is EVIL. He has no concern for the common man, for the environment, or for our future generations. He is Very Scary, and Not a Very Nice Person.

Somebody, please, find a way to get Clinton back into office!

posted by Miguelito Fierro 4:52 PM

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