Al B. Hard does it Pony Style

As you may have already seen, some smart folks at Princeton’s Center for IT Policy recently discovered something that I think we all suspected was possible: Diebold voting machines are ridiculously insecure.

Here is a telling video that proves the point nicely:

I encourage you to contact Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox and let her know you won’t stand for such shoddy technology at our polling places. If you don’t live in Georgia, your state may also be using Diebold machines or other shoddy equipment. Black Box Voting is a good place to find more information.

I needed to retrieve my member number and update my info with REI, and I noticed this convenient link to their Live Help feature on the Member Help page. I’ve always been a little skeptical of these things, but I figured I’d give it a shot. Here is a transcript of the end of our conversation:

Carolyn L: (Your replacement membership card should arrive in two to three weeks. Your member number will remain the same.)
Carolyn L: Is there anything else I can help you with this afternoon?
Me: My girlfriend, who lives in Seattle, is requesting a sandwich. I don’t suppose there is anything you can do?
Carolyn L: *grin* Unfortunately, that service is beyond my reach.
Carolyn L: I can make some good deli recommendations thought.
Me: Well, I appreciate your help at any rate
Me: I think she’s going to Red Line if she can ever get off the couch
Carolyn L: *grin* That’s a good place.

Clearly, my skepticism was misplaced. This is a wonderful service! I might just chat them up the next time I need something. Even if they can’t help, at least they’ll be friendly about it.

I’ll admit it: I’ve been keeping this to myself for too long.

One of my favorite bands of late, which you may remember from a certain birthday party back in March that got far too much interest from the Atlanta Police, is finally getting some of the critical respect that they’ve definitely earned. Arizona (MySpace) is a Brooklyn-based 5-piece that I was introduced to through my good friend Scott, who has played with most of them in previous musical incarnations. They played an exciting, loud set in Scott’s garage on that storied birthday evening, and it was worth the police intervention if only for the memories.

Fast forward 5 months or so, and witness them featured on NPR’s World Cafe for Monday, September 4. It’s a short piece, but it’s still great press. I appreciate that it largely lets the music speak for itself.

So what are you waiting for? Go listen!