Author: KS

CIA Sent FBI Agents After, Ended Career Of 19-Year Employee Over A FOIA Request For Historical Documents

Scudder never did anything his superiors thought was wrong until after he attempted to free these historical documents. Everything the agency never took issue with during his previous 18 years of employment — like personal call infractions and the possession of photos (taken by Scudder in his position as “official CIA photographer”) deemed “classified” — was suddenly yet another reason to force him out. It’s been clear for a long time that the government doesn’t care much for whistleblowers. It also seems to have something against transparency, even concerning documents of historical interest only.

Link (Techdirt)

Congressional Committee Thinks It Shouldn’t Have To Answer The SEC’s Questions About Insider Trading

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and a top staff member say the panel and its employees are “absolutely immune” from having to comply with subpoenas from a federal regulator in an insider-trading probe.

The committee yesterday responded to U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gardephe’s order to explain why it hadn’t complied with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s requests for documents, phone records and testimony of aide Brian Sutter for more than a year.

Link (Techdirt)

Computing student jailed after failing to hand over crypto keys

A computer science student accused of hacking offences has been jailed for six months for failing to hand over his encryption passwords, which he had been urged to do in “the interests of national security”.

Christopher Wilson, 22, of Mitford Close, Washington, Tyne and Wear, was jailed for refusing to hand over his computer passwords, a move that frustrated an investigation into claims he launched an attack on a police website.

Wilson, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, was suspected of “trolling” the Northumbria Police as well as attempting to break into the Serious Organised Crime Agency’s website.

Link (The Register)

Tesla model S – Wreck to Wrecovery

So he can afford to buy a wrecked Tesla, but doesn’t want to spend any money fixing it? Why on earth would we pay for his car?

This 2013 Tesla Model S was purchased as a salvage wreck. It can be restored to a useful life instead of going to the junkyard, providing a great experience for future users and lessening CO2 output with it’s zero emission electric drivetrain again. Restoring a wrecked Tesla is not simple. It’s an all aluminum body, so it requires aluminum body shop work. It’s always online, so it requires factory authentication before it is deemed safe for ‘turn on’.
It’s far more trouble than your average body shop can contend with, but with the resources at hand it can be done ! Then it’s time for an electric ride !

Link (Kickstarter)

Running Through Birds In a Speedo

This guy wants us to pay him to bother birds.

I’m going to spread cracker crumbs all over the beach, wait till a lot of birds show up, then film running through them in a speedo.

I will lure several birds along the sands of Newport Beach, then proceed to run through them in a speedo.

I’d like to travel to multiple places with lots and lots of birds. Local or far, and proceed to run through them, whilst recording an artful film, “Running Through Birds.”

I’m willing run through birds anywhere, in a speedo. If you fund the way, you pick the place.

Link (Kickstarter)

W… T… F…

I want to produce the first-ever all-pug production of “Hamlet.” As you can imagine, this will require finding very talented pugs.

For years I’ve dreamed of mounting one of Shakespeare’s most glorious works with nature’s most glorious creation: The Pug.

This will be the first-ever (that I’m aware of) all-pug production of “Hamlet.” The actors will be pugs–even Gertrude.

It will be an amazing theatrical event. Please help us bring it to life.

Link (Kickstarter)