the AMISH massacre

oh god.. as if things werent bad enough… yet another school shooting, this time at a one room amish school in rural Lancaster, Pennsylvania. WHo in the world would have thought that the amish scool would fall victim to this ongoing violence. USATODAY reported that 6 kids were dead. I just cannot understand whats going on with these school shootings increasing in number. The shooter was among the dead too according to an AP report.

The shooter was among the dead, and a number of people were injured, said state police Cpl. Ralph Striebig.

“There are a number of people dead,” Striebig said. “The exact number I do not know yet.”

The county coroner said at least six people were killed in the shooting.

Police surrounded the one-room school late Monday morning, and the Lancaster County 911 website reported that dozens of emergency units were dispatched to a “medical emergency” at 10:45 a.m.

Two hours later, about three dozen people in traditional Amish clothing, hats and bonnets stood near the small school building speaking to one another and to authorities. At least two ambulances had left the scene, and at least one person was taken on a stretcher to a medical helicopter.

The Amish school is in Bart, in southeastern Lancaster County, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) west of Philadelphia. Amish children attend schools until 8th grade (according to the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Web page) There are about 25,000 Amish in Lancaster County (Raber’s 2004 Almanac).

In a rural amish county with such a small population and children who go to school upto the 8th grade, I wonder who’d go so haywire to go on such a rampage.

the 2.0 syndrome (PoC 2.0)

K. I admit, the 2.0 syndrome has hit me too. I have been watching all these 2.0 applications sprout up, and am taken up by it. I have seen numerous applications branded 2.0, and have seen social bookmarking sites like digg, netscape (my very own hac.kers.us), del.icio.us, wikipedia, community driven sites, blogs across multitudes of platforms, blog aggregators like planet identity, etc.

I wondered if all these social 2.0 sites really made any money. I then thought of starting an experiment…. just to see what community involvement really meant. Is is just a bunch of folks who want to be heard, or folks who really involve themselves in the technology that they preach. But being in the identity space, I wanted to come up with a cocktail recipe that had a flavor of wiki’s, aggregation, tags, community commenting, the ability to modify anything, the ability to post anything. So I though of putting up a RSS feed aggregator which enabled folks to not only submit their feeds, but also vote on them, archive them, publish them, comment on individual posts, tag the articles etc… I used pat’s planetidentity’s opml feed for a starting point, and here’s what I came up with. The IDENTITY BlogReGator

Here’s the thought behind it. planetidentity started off as an aggregator for IDENTITY related blogs. But not every blog owner/blogger blogs about identity all the time, there’s numerous posts about cats, dogs, bicycles, airplanes, war, terrorism, saussage and eggs, and even sex. So basically what we end up with is just another aggregator. I wondered on how an aggregator could be setup to filter out the non subject matter related posts. Filtering on tags was one way, filtering on categories was another, but not everybody uses tags and categorizes their posts. I wanted to setup a community driven aggregator, where the community itself would decide on which posts from the aggregated feeds are relevant to the subject matter, the community would tag the posts, publish them, archive them and also edit them and comment on them. Basically this aggregator follows the OPEN DOORS policy where the community would drive the content and it’s visibility without the hassle submitting forms… no login, no authentication… (no infocard, well, if I am to accept any infocard presented, why should I accept any crediential at all, I’m gonna let everybody in) the community itself administers the site.

here’s what you can do… check out the site, play around with the several features that I have embedded into it (I’m in the process of embedding more as time goes by), submit your own feeds if you’d like, publish other posts if you find them relevant, delete posts if you think they are stupid, comment on others posts, edit other comments, and posts… basically let yourself loose and do anything you’d like…

All I want out of this is to see how much this community that cares so much about identity, web2.0 and community driven sites really involve themselves. This is PoC 2.0.

I’m gonna let the results themselves speak for itself. No involvement means nobody really gives a damn. It’s all hogwash… small talk… If the involvement increases, well, I wonder what the point really is ? thats something I would invesi=tigate and learn from later. and if folks simply launch a war by modifying the content of each others feeds/posts, then we are at war a 2.0 war, and if someone deletes everthing from my site, that someone really hates me… show me some love folks, check out the site and let me know what you think of it?

here’s the URL to my PoC 2.0 again : IDENTITYGANG.COM -> make this your planetidentity. Pat can have his planet (just a joke pat, no offense. i’ve been told that you have a great sense of humor.)

W32.pipeline

A W32.pipeline worm sneakily implanted via AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is making it’s way around the internet. The infected attachments are disguised as “JPEG” files and are distributed with AIM messages. The message reads : “hey would it (be) okay if i upload this picture of you to my blog?”. The worm then sends out copies of itself too all the contacts found in the AIM buddy list.

“FaceTime researchers believe that the ultimate goal of the W32.pipeline is to create a sophisticated botnet that can be used for a range of malicious purposes,” the Foster City, California, company said in a statement.

The worm distributes itself so fast that very soon, it would create this massive potentially evil ‘botnet’, which would be used to backdoor into desktops which would enable the download of other malicious software code. It could open up the e-mail port on the PC and send out spam messages. It can also install a variant of the “hacker defender” rootkit, which is widely deployed and difficult to remove.

Botnets under the control of hackers can be mined for personal information or used to send junk e-mail or overwhelm business websites with simultaneous requests in what are known as “denial-of-service” attacks.

Hackers could also use zombie machine armies to commit “click fraud” by having them repeatedly connect to Internet advertising for which businesses are charged per click.

One of the most dangerous aspects of this worm is that it can also connect to remote file upload sites, which the worm authors’ use as staging sites where they can continuously download new infections. Once a computer has been injected with the worm, the worm then would propagate itself out using the same method.

Threat Type: Worm / blended
Risk Level: High
How to protect against this threat
The initial file has the potential to infect AOL’s 80 million users, and users can protect themselves by not clicking on links sent to them by other users, even if users appear on their contact list. Currently, most commonly used anti-virus programs do not provide protection from W32.pipelineworm.

SOURCE: FaceTime

The only protection against this so far is the user not clicking on the link sent to them. So folks, please be wary of any instant messages your receive from here on forwards…

I've been spammed !!!

man !! my spam filter is going haywire today… in the last hast hour I have received 2500 spam emails sent to me…. Somebody seems to love me a whole lot…

shall update you on this soon…

[ UPDATE 1 ] Looks like somone is running a bot that sends emails out to folks “worldwide” which appears to have been sent by me !!! all the emails I received are auto responders that are automatically delivered by spam filters, or virus filters, or automated vacation responders, or subscriptions to mailgroups/listservers from folks to the “sender” which appears to contain email addressess that seem to have been sent from a domain that I own (ie: this domain). MAN oh MAN I’m in deep @$%# !!!!

[ UPDATE 2 ] I’m archiving all the spam sent to me, and would be posting them on the web soon. I have setup a auto-publish blog @ spam-showcase.blogspot.com, that automatically publishes all the spam I receive from now on forwards. However my mail spam filter catches 60% of the spam and I have not yet figured out how to forward the mail that gets filtered into my spam folder to the auto-publishing blog. I have almost 2500 messages sitting in my spam mail folder. I wonder how I could publish them automatically.

[ UPDATE 3 ] All the emails sent out seem to have a consistent message. It’s about some Human Growth Hormone…. Anybody heard of sixyearslines.com or sixyearsfile.com or sixyearsrow.com or sixyearsrange.com ?. All These domains seem to be owned by Paul Gregoire paulgreg@smxbox.com, Bulk Domain Registration, 175 Montreal Road #304, Ottawa, Ontario K1L 6E4, Canada. Phone: 1-613-482-5333. and all the domains seem to have DNS servers based in china… I’m on a wild goose chase…

[ UPDATE 4 ] The google groups admin.net-abuse.sightings list has tons of information pointing to exactly the same source spammer. Any advise for me folks ?

[ UPDATE 5 ] spam-showcase.blogspot.com is not picking up all the spam because there are too many emails every second and it could also be because I’m using the blogger beta service. I’m turning spam-showcase.blogspot.com off for now.

[ UPDATE 6 ] I’ve changed the visibility on my spam showcase hosted at blogspot to “private” which can ve viewed by invitation only. The reason for doing so is because some of the bounced emails have actual names, email addresses and phone numbers from autoresponders of REAL innocent folks, and I didnt want to make that info “public”. If you wish to take a peek, contact me.

Jesus Camp :: jihad 2.0 ?

Is this ridiculous or what ? This video scared the holy %$#& out of my living soul. I’m not gonna say anything more. Check it out for yourselves !

What’s the difference between the jihadists and this ? Holy war… by Holy warriors ? KIDS ? Whats the &^%$ are we doing folks? what the holy #$@* ? What next ? jesusicide bombers ?

yes it’s a movie folks, a documentary, but based on real facts. Here’s the trailer of the movie:

And here’s the storyline:

“Jesus Camp” revolves around a pentecostal minister who hosts a summer camp for children in North Dakota, and the sectarian Christian conservative families who send their children to this camp. Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady wisely chose to avoid the polemical tone of most politically-motivated films, and instead opt to present a mostly unfiltered glimpse of this odd subculture. But through carefully selected images and the use of talk radio commentary as a framing device, they construct a subtle, yet damning narrative about a religious movement that isolates its children from mainstream culture, indoctrinates them into right-wing causes, and uses them as political props.

At Jesus Camp, the daily activities include standard camp fare such as spelunking and go-karts, but they also include speaking in tongues and smashing coffee mugs emblazoned with the word “government”. Children learn that “science doesn’t prove anything,” and learn to consider themselves part of an Army of God. They are compelled to pledge that they will fight to end abortion. They are even pushed into publicly confessing their impure thoughts, and many of them cry and wail charismatically.

The camp director explains that she admires the way Islamic cultures raise children so devoted they will risk their lives for their faith. When we ultimately see several of the campers being placed by their parents on the steps of the Capitol with tape over their mouths, protesting abortion, the real purpose of this camp is driven home.

But the most touching scenes are the ones where the children are alone, and we see the ways that this indoctrination creeps into the most innocent elements of childhood. 11 year old Tori loves dancing to Christian rock, but frets that it’s not always easy to dance for God instead of “dancing for the flesh.” On an outing to the bowling alley, 9 year old Rachael feels compelled to walk up to strangers and awkwardly evangelize to them, without being prompted. A roomful of boys telling ghost stories after dark are interrupted by an adult who warns them about stories that don’t glorify God.

No doubt some viewers will accuse the filmmakers of the dreaded liberal bias. But this is not a work of fiction, nor is it slanted reporting. These are real people and real events, captured on film. If the evangelical movement comes off badly in this film, the people on screen have no one but themselves to blame.

This is just simply ridiculous !!! I cant even muster the courage to say “god save us” !!

Your Dream Home for $75K

This is off my regular blogging topics, but I just could not resist. I’m not kidding… You can own your dream home, or Mansion for U$D75K in Ponca City, Kay County, Oklahoma. I’ve heard a lot about getting rich on real estate etc, But this is simply awesome. This 5300 SqFt historic home built in 1916, contains full basement, possible extension for third floor, Mother-in-law quarters, 2 car garage and 15 x 20 storage building. I’m sure you’d say seeing is believing, so here are some pictures of the ACTUAL property listing. (note: This is a foreclosure sale. The property is being sold subject to current year (2006) and delinquent real property taxes for Kay County, Oklahoma in the following amount: $1,384.52)

Front view of the property

Another view of the property

View from across the street
Here are Terms and Conditions of the sale of this property:

The sale of the property shall be free and clear of any interests of The Taxpayer.

The sale shall be subject to building lines, if established, all laws, ordinances, and governmental regulations (including building and zoning) affecting the property, and easements and restrictions of record, if any.

No bid shall be accepted unless it is accompanied by a certified check or cashier’s check, in the minimum amount of $7,500.00, made payable to the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Before being permitted to bid at the sale, all bidders shall display proof that they are able to comply with this requirement. No bids will be received from any person who has not presented said proof.

The successful bidder shall tender the balance of the purchase price, in certified funds payable to the United States District Court of the Western District of Oklahoma, at the office of the Internal Revenue Service, 710 Locust St., Ste 400, Knoxville, TN 37902, on or before 3:30 p.m., thirty (30) business days from confirmation of the sale by the court.

In the event the successful bidder defaults on any of the terms contained herein, the deposit shall be forfeited and retained by the Internal Revenue Service as part of the proceeds of sale, and the real property shall again be offered for sale or sold to the second highest bidder.

The sale of the property shall be subject to confirmation by the court. Upon confirmation the Internal Revenue Service shall execute and deliver to the purchaser a quit claim deed conveying the property. Upon confirmation all interests in, liens against, or claims to the property that are held or asserted by all parties to this action are discharged and extinguished. Upon confirmation of the sale, the Register of Deeds of Kay County, Oklahoma, shall cause transfer of the property to be reflected upon that county’s register of title.

The sale is ordered in accordance with 28 U.S.C Section 2001 and is made without the right of redemption.

All persons occupying the property shall leave and vacate the property permanently no later than ten (10) business days after the confirmation of the sale, taking only personal property and leaving all improvements, buildings, fixtures and appurtenances to the property. If any person fails or refuses to vacate, the United States Marshal and his deputies are authorized and directed to take all actions necessary to bring about the ejectment of those persons.

The U.S. may bid as a creditor against its judgment without tender of cash up to the value of the outstanding balance on the mortgage.

The government reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withdraw the property from sale.

The property is offered for sale “as is” and “where is” and without recourse against the United States. The United States makes no guarantee of condition of the property, or its fitness for any purpose. The United States will not consider any claim for allowance or adjustment or for the rescission of the sale based on failure of the property to comply with any expressed or implied representation.

The property is located at : 1004 E Central, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74601.
If you are interested in purchasing this property, contact: Shirley Joyner, Property Appraisal & Liquidation Specialists, Internal Revenue Service, 710 Locust Street, Suite 400, Knoxville, TN, 37902.

I just wish I lived in Oklahoma now…

be Aware, be Alert, be Alive

folks, be alert in the coming days. As you may have heard, Abu Dawood, the new al-Qaida commander is calling for Muslims to leave the U.S. – particularly Washington and New York – in anticipation of a major terror attack to rival Sept. 11 source: CanadaFreePress. I am not trying to cause panic or breed fear, but please read this, this and this.

The al Qaeda operatives who will launch this attack are awaiting final orders. They remain in place in cities throughout the country. Many are masquerading as Christians and have adopted Christian names.

The American people probably will be treated to a final audio message from Osama bin Laden which will be aired some time later.

I hope you’ve watched the program hosted by christiane amanpoor and aired by CNN recently, Please do take it seriously. The fatwah was issued with a purpose, the warning was issued for “compliance”….

Abu Dawood told Hamid Mir, a reporter who has covered al-Qaida and met with Osama bin Laden, the attack is being coordinated by Adnan el-Shukrijumah and suggests it may involve some form of weapon of mass destruction smuggled across the Mexican border.

el-Shukrijumah is a trained nuclear technician and accomplished pilot who has been singled out by bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri to serve as the field commander for the next terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

Like I said in my prior post, “Lets tell ourselves that when we wake up tomorow, we shall do whatever it takes to prevent a disaster of such magnitude from happening ever again” I ammend that statement, to : “Lets do our duty NOW, to prevent another disaster probably of much greater magnitude than the prior one”.

I honestly believe deep down inside that this is not a false warning. It’s just a matter of time.

[ UPDATE 1 ] The editors of World Net Daily and Canada Free Press have been contacted to find out the sources and authenticity of this report. Hamid Mir has also been contacted. I shall post an update as I hear any more news.

[ UPDATE 2 ] Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be speaking at the United Nations tomorrow. Please do stay tuned in…

[ UPDATE 3 ] Drudge is reporting: Iran’s UN ambassador says that President Ahmadinejad will hold ‘major newsconference’ in NYC Thursday AM at UN headquarters…

[ UPDATE 4 ] FBI Notice on Adnan G. El Shukrijumah. Also a video on Adnan G. El Shukrijumah giving a presentation regarding how to jump start a car for a class on “English as a Second Language”. Read the FBI transcript of the video.

[ UPDATE 5 ] Ian Livingstone has posted a huge amout of information on Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah.

myspace hacked

Well, again, i’d start with the phrase, this aint a hack but rather an exploit. Well the header of this post does mentions the term “hack’, but folks, that was intentional…. just to grab you attention.

SO: now if I have your attention for a lil bit,

MySpace has this real nice interface which enables one to download MP3 stuff… even after the much acclaimed notorious napster episode. Well, this time around, it’s MySpace MP3 gopher, A standalone application that enables you to download a MP3 file even if the said artists download of that particular MP3 audio file has been banned.

Here’s the MySpace MP3 Gopher download link, and the direct link to the .exe file. The MySpace MP3 gopher runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2K, XP & Vista. You could also preview the MP3 download prior to downloadning the entire file using the MP3 MySpace Gopher preview. All you gotto do for enabling the preview is to download this dll and place it in the same directory as your application…

This sure aint the 2.0 world I envisioned…

your thoughts ?

FREE domain names by AOL

Wanted a personal domain name for free ? well, it’s here AOL has just launched their new service called eAddress. With this service you could register any domain you want and get AOL to host your email for you at the selected domain for absolutely no costs at all. Currently the service is available for US customers only… and to only 1 domain per customer. And well, 1 per customer means 1 per cellular number that you use for registering the domain. AOL uses your cellular number to register the domain/verify your identity and send you the registration access code/pincode via SMS. only .com and .net domains are currently available

The 1, 2, many issues that this service has is that it does not enable you to delete email addresses one they are registered, but you could disable them by changing the passwords as long as you are the administrator for the domain. AOL would own the domain, You need to have an alternate email address and a cellular number capable of receiving SMS messages, there are advertisements splattered all over…. {I guess that’s an expected with free services}, and the current domains are restricted to .com and .net domains only.

With your personalized email address, you can send and receive all your email from your domain name, like you@thenameyouwant.com. Additionally, all mailboxes come with industry-leading spam and anti-virus protection from AOL.

You get upto 2GB storage, and you could invite other friends and family members (upto 100) to also have a personal email address at your AOL hosted eAddress for free. Well, the 1-100 friends/family members could be you yourself {{wink}} to use for storage…

You could access your email either via AOL Webmail or via IMAP or any email client like Microsoft Outlook. The best feature addition is that you could also use it to send IM’s via AIM.

Roy Ben-Yoseph, Director of Communication Products, AOL said (prior to the launch of this service):

AOL is about to make online communications more personal than ever before. The most popular Internet activity is email, yet many people don’t have an online identity that’s truly personal and meaningful to them. Starting next month, with the launch of its My eAddress service, AOL will make personalized email domains available to all online users at absolutely no cost. Not only can people customize an email address with their own personal domain and connect up to 100 other identities, giving families, teams, social organizations and small businesses a new way to represent themselves, but they’ll also be able to use it for instant messaging and as a Web page address. This is an opportunity that millions of people have been waiting for, and AOL is thrilled to be the first to provide it.

AOL My eAddress also integrates with other AOL services like AOL Calendar, AOL Pictures, and AOL Finance.