Fish for Friday

Edited by Morris Dean

[Anonymous selections from recent correspondence]

Rumi is always good. But he was clearly a "day person"—unless he'd been drinking all night when he wrote it?

I like the sunrise
'cause it brings a new day
I like a new day
it brings new hope they say
I like the sunrise
blazing in the new sky
Nighttime is weary
oh, and so am I
Every evening I wish upon a star
that my brand new bright tomorrow isn’t very far
When the heavy blue curtain of night is
raised up high
clear out of sight
Then I like the sunrise
so heavenly to see I like the sunrise
I hope it likes poor me
                  –Rumi

The hard truth is that if you are incredible lazy, or an idiot, you probably deserve to be hacked and endure all the trouble that comes with it. According to a security researcher, there has been yet another trove of stolen passwords, and a list of those who use them and on which accounts, posted online for hackers to have fun with: "2 Million More Passwords for Facebook, Google, Twitter, Other Sites Were Stolen and Posted to the Net." Should you be concerned? If you are slacker enough to use one of the most popular passwords, such as 123456, or 123456789, or password, or admin, then yes, you should be very concerned about being victim of a hacker.

Amazon has much to answer for: "The True Price of Great Holiday Deals," by Robert Reich.

Thought for the day: "Top 10 Ways the US is the Most Corrupt Country in the World." Excerpt:

Instead of having short, publicly-funded political campaigns with limited and/or free advertising (as a number of Western European countries do), the US has long political campaigns in which candidates are dunned big bucks for advertising. They are therefore forced to spend much of their time fundraising, which is to say, seeking bribes. All American politicians are basically on the take, though many are honorable people. They are forced into it by the system. House Majority leader John Boehner has actually just handed out cash on the floor of the House from the tobacco industry to other representatives.
    When French President Nicolas Sarkozy was defeated in 2012, soon thereafter French police actually went into his private residence searching for an alleged $50,000 in illicit campaign contributions from the L’Oreale heiress. I thought to myself, seriously? $50,000 in a presidential campaign? Our presidential campaigns cost a billion dollars each! $50,000 is a rounding error, not a basis for police action. Why, George W. Bush took millions from arms manufacturers and then ginned up a war for them, and the police haven’t been anywhere near his house.
    American politicians don’t represent “the people.” With a few honorable exceptions, they represent the 1%. American democracy is being corrupted out of existence.

Drink more Scotch; help save the world. That is the plan for a biofuel startup in Scotland: "New startup wants to create a biofuel from, basically, whiskey." Where do we sign up to help?

The Dog's Diary:

8:00 am—Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am—A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am—A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am—Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm—Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm—Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm—Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm—Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm—Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm—Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm—Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary:

Day 983 of My Captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now....

Cat couch:

The news on health costs is remarkably good: "Obamacare’s Secret Success."

Time out: "6 incredible female writers who served time." Authors like Emma Goldman learned the hard way that sometimes expressing your mind is a criminal offense.

A man was in the hospital recovering from a bypass operation. An elder from his church's board came to visit and said that he brought greetings from the entire board and their wishes that he should recover soon and live a long and healthy life.
    The man thanked him and said that was very nice.
    He was somewhat taken aback when the visitor said, "It's more than 'nice.' It was an official resolution... passed by a vote of 14 to 7."

A bit of irony:

Al Gore has gone vegan: "Al Gore's Vegan Diet: The Power of the individual."

The Milky Way over Jackson Lake and Grand Teton National Park:

Space from the Himalayas:

Earth, Jupiter, and Venus seen from Mars:

Jupiter and its moon, Io:

The fog hills of Sausalito, California:

Limerick of the Week:

I needed to schedule a dozen posts
to cover a trip involving both Coasts;
    access to the blog
    would slow to a jog
while I was staying with family hosts.

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Copyright © 2013 by Morris Dean

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