jordswart.org

The MiamiHerald has a good article about the wrongheaded approach the Bush government has taken after 911. The article does a good job in describing my feelings about that situation during the last four years. I even posted a comment on slashdot once, stating “Fear is the reason why people accept this”. This brought down my karma by 1 point (the slashdot readers will know what I’m talking about).
From the article:

One wonders if Osama bin Laden didn’t win after all. He ruined the America that existed on 9/11. But he had help.

If, back in 2001, anyone had told me that four years after bin Laden’s attack our president would admit that he broke U.S. law against domestic spying and ignored the Constitution — and then expect the American people to congratulate him for it — I would have presumed the girders of our very Republic had crumbled.

Had anyone said our president would invade a country and kill 30,000 of its people claiming a threat that never, in fact, existed, then admit he would have invaded even if he had known there was no threat — and expect America to be pleased by this — I would have thought our nation’s sensibilities and honor had been eviscerated.

Link (via boingboing).

boingboing reports: Dutch mayor wants to ban ‘what the hack’ conference/gathering because of ‘grave fear that the organisation of this event will endanger law and order as well as public safety’.” What The Hack is a computer security con — like DefCon meets Burning Man.

I have received word that you intend to organize an event “What The Hack” from July 28th 2005 through July 31st 2005 on Landgoed Velder in Liempde.

In order to organize such an event, you will need to obtain a permit ex art. 2.2.2. of Boxtel local ordinance 2004.

In light of the fact that there is grave fear that this event will endanger law and order as well as public safety, I, in my capacity as an authorized official, am herewith informing you that I will not issue such a permit.

A copy of this letter will be sent to the owners of the Landgoed Velder estate.

I assume that I have sufficiently informed you.

Yours truly,

MAYOR OF BOXTEL,
J.A.M. van Homelen

Link.