Cover That Webcam

In light of my last post, I had to share this story:

Temecula college student arrested on federal 'sextortion' charges - latimes.com

I saw a news report about this today, and the reporter was actually suggesting that you do exactly what I do - cover the little camera on your laptop with a piece of electrical tape. I hear that a Band-Aid works too.

When I started doing that it was out of a combination of paranoia and assumption. I just assumed that it was probably possible for someone to hijack your webcam and watch you without your knowledge. And that's such a creepy thought, why not just cover the fucker and put it out of my mind?

Now I find out that, yes, people can and do watch you through your computer, and even if you "have nothing to hide". Yeah, I'm really skeeved out right now.

Project Chess: Report says Skype worked on secret project to provide chats to government.

Project Chess: Report says Skype worked on secret project to provide chats to government.

Creepy! Now I feel far less silly about covering the built-in webcam with electrical tape.

Threats made after officer shoots kittens | 9news.com

Threats made after officer shoots kittens | 9news.com

Boots & Barkley, BIXBI, Nature’s Deli, Colorado Naturals, Petco, and Best Bully Stick Dog Treats Recalled

Kasel has recalled its Boots & Barkley, BIXBI, Nature’s Deli, Colorado Naturals, Petco, and Best Bully Stick dog treats, because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The treats are sold at Target, Petco, Sam’s Club, Costco, and other stores.

This is an expansion of previous recalls by Kasel. The company s now recalling all products maade in its Denver plant from April 20, 2012 thru September 19, 2012.

For more details and lot numbers, check the FDA announcement linked below.

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts > Kasel Associated Industries Recalls All Products Manufactured at its Denver, Colorado Facility from April 20, 2012 thru September 19, 2012 Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Police Officer Rescues Dog From Euthanasia, Loses Job | Care2 Causes

Police Officer Rescues Dog From Euthanasia, Loses Job | Care2 Causes: Police Officer Rescues Dog From Euthanasia, Loses Job

Alright folks, we have to get behind this guy. According to the article linked above:

When the Danish police officer heard that Thor, a German shepherd and the only companion of a recent widow, was about to be euthanized, he went to the kennel where the dog was being held, seized the animal and took him to an undisclosed location.
 

Instead of being recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty, 20-year police veteran Lomholt is facing possible termination.

 

 Here's the deal...

The widow was out walking her late husband's beloved dog Thor, on a leash, when a small dog darted out and startled him. The dogs got into a scuffle and the smaller dog wound up with a small bite. So, the widow paid a fine, and it seemed that everything was taken care of.

Then, several months later, cops show up at this woman's door and tell her that an order was issued for Thor's execution, because the other dog's wound got infected and required treatment. And apparently they arrested Thor at that point.

Now, here's the rub. Thor was scheduled for a court date to decide if he should indeed be euthanized, but he was scheduled to be killed before his court date!

So, the valiant Officer Lars Bo Lomholt went to the shelter in uniform, and saved the dog. It was the right thing to do, but it may cost him his job.

Shadow Cats Cat Sanctuary

I recently found out about Shadow Cats. It is a sanctuary for cats, and it is amazing!

Most of the cats have health problems, such as feline leukemia and FIV, so they have set up all these incredible spaces where the cats can live and lounge and play, and hang out with other cats without exposing uninfected cats.

It's even harder on the heart than a lot of rescue operations because they see a lot of the cats succumb to these illnesses, no matter how hard they work to keep them in optimal health. But, these cats get to live the longest and happiest lives possible.

Many cats with FeLV and FIV can stay healthy for years and enjoy life (if you do't believe it, check out their Kitty Cam!), but they are typically put down when they are diagnosed because they are contageous and must be segregated from uninfected cats. Very few people are willing to do the work that it can take to keep them securely contained and separated from uninfected cats.

Shadow Cats has healthy cats, too. Many of them are older cats or came from a rough background and have emotional problems. A few do get adopted, but most of them have made Shadow Cats their forever home.

You can learn more about Shadow Cats, and their history here. Also, read about how they helped out with The Great Kitty Recue in which over 800 cats were saved in Nevada.

Wow! It Just Became Legal for Parisian Women to Wear Pants...

I just came acrossthis article:

It Just Became Legal for Parisian Women to Wear Pants - Megan Garber - The Atlantic

Amazing! According to the article, the law first went on the books in 1799. It was amended a couple of times, and then (my bold) ...

 In 2010, a group of Green Party lawmakers introduced a bill in the National Assembly to strike down the law (and to fight, more generally, other aspects of France's "judicial archaeology"). The Paris Prefecture, the ancestor of the body that had enacted the decree in the first place, responded that, the law being comically outmoded, it wasn't worth the effort to remove from the books.

We still have some "comically outmoded" laws on the books in the U.S., too. For instance, it is still a crime for unwed couples to live together in four states, including Virginia.

Although, not criminally enforcable, because it just won't hold up in court due to constitutional issues, the Virginia law still serves as a legal excuse for discrimination by landlords and licensing agencies. It may soon be struck down by the proposed "Love Shack" bill.

So, what kind of weird, antequated laws have you had to deal with lately?

Hartz recalls chicken jerky pet treats, too

Hartz recalls chicken jerky pet treats, too

"The Hartz Mountain Corp. is recalling some 20,000 packages of chicken jerky pet treats in the U.S. after the firm's internal tests found trace amounts of antibiotic residue, the same problem that led to earlier recalls by top suppliers..."

Did You Know that DUI Checkpoints Are Illegal in 12 States?

For the uninitiated, DUI checkpoints, also known as sobriety checkpoints, are roadblocks set up by the police under the auspices of catching for drunk drivers. Yes, the kind of thing you expect to encounter during a manhunt when a serial killer escapes from prison or maybe when a child is kidnapped.

When I say these roadblocks are set up “under the auspices of catching drunk drivers” I am referring to the fact that the majority of tickets, arrests and impounds resulting from many of these checkpoint are for infractions other than intoxication. Sobriety checkpoints are an excuse to stop every driver without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

Even if you never personally encounter a sobriety checkpoint, you are still affected. DUI roadblocks are huge revenue generators. Local governments make all kinds of money off of the tickets and impounds that result from the non-dui infractions, and they receive federal grants to conduct the checkpoints. So, even if you live in a state which does not allow sobriety checkpoints, your tax dollars still go to fund them.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that even though these checkpoints violate our constitutional rights, it’s just a small violation and offset by the need to stop drunk drivers, so it’s permissible. Some states, however, have taken a stand for your most basic rights and made their own laws or declared that it is against state constitutions to conduct the vile roadblocks.

You can learn more and find out if you live in one of these states by reading my article DUI Checkpoints Are Illegal in 12 States.

Bone Broth Benefits - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

Bone Broth Benefits - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com