Chan's Personal Blog - Current Events

Olympic Medals Prove Elusive For Russia

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:59:00 -0800

Tonight, we saw Team Canada crush Team Russia at ice hockey, the score was 7-3. It reminded me of this article from the New York Times entitled, "Olympic Medals Prove Elusive For Russia."

The Olympics are not even half over, but Russia seems to be suffering a collective panic attack over the lackluster performance of its athletes. Russian Olympians Lose Historic Superiority was the front-page headline on Thursday in Kommersant, an influential newspaper. Some politicians and commentators are calling for the firing of Russias sports minister and the head of the Russian Olympic Committee.

[...]

The gloom seemed to thicken on Friday as Russians woke up to the news that their superstar figure skater, Yevgeny Plushenko, took only the silver. Even worse, Russia's powerhouse men's hockey team faltered against Slovakia, falling to the former Soviet satellite, 2-1, in a shootout.

Favored Russians have floundered in the biathlon, and the womens hockey team was trounced twice by a collective score of 18 to 1. (It is best not even to mention pairs figure skating results around here.)

Among the few areas where Russians could still earn a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, the mass circulation tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets said, is excuse-making. Athletes have blamed the weather, the facilities and even the humidity for their lapses.

After Australian aboriginal groups accused a Russian ice dancing pair of mocking aborigines, Valentin Piseev, president of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, suggested that they were the target of an international plot to force them to alter their performance.

I think that this is a well-executed strategy directed against our athletes, Mr. Piseev told Russian television from Vancouver.

In Russia, international athletic competitions particularly the Winter Olympics, in this frozen country are considered one of the last prominent international arenas to showcase the countrys strength. The anxiety has been heightened because Russia will host the next Winter Games at the Black Sea resort of Sochi in 2014.

The most ominous line is this:

The governing United Russia party, led by Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, released a statement on Thursday suggesting that there could be repercussions for athletic officials if Russian athletes continued to fall short in Vancouver.

When Vladimir Putin makes a threat, you better believe he's good on following through with it.

Olympic Medals Prove Elusive For Russia

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:59:00 -0800

Tonight, we saw Team Canada crush Team Russia at ice hockey, the score was 7-3. It reminded me of this article from the New York Times entitled, "Olympic Medals Prove Elusive For Russia."

The most ominous line is this:

When Vladimir Putin makes a threat, you better believe he's good on following through with it.

Jimmy Kimmel Owns Jay Leno

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:55:00 -0800

First, I'd like to apologize for the lack of blog posts. I'm trying to get all my 2009 photos posted onto Flickr. Anyways, came across this awesome clip with with Jay Leno getting roasted by Jimmy Kimmel in an interview.

The roast is around the feud of Jay Leno wanting to take his show slot back from Conan O'Brien.

American Spy Drone Video Feeds Intercepted

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:03:59 -0800

I was pretty shocked when I saw this article on Pentagon: Insurgents intercepted drone spy videos."

Insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan have intercepted live video feeds from Predator drones, a key weapon in a Pentagon spy system that serves as the military's eyes in the sky for surveillance and intelligence collection.

Though militants could see the video, there is no evidence they were able to jam the electronic signals from the unmanned aerial craft or take control of the vehicles, a senior defense official said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence issues.

Obtaining the video feeds can provide insurgents with critical information about what the military may be targeting, including buildings, roads and other facilities.

Shiite fighters in Iraq used off-the-shelf software programs such as SkyGrabber available for as little as $25.95 on the Internet to regularly capture drone video feeds, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The interception, first done there at least a year ago, was possible because the remotely flown planes had unprotected communications links. [...]

The military has known about the vulnerability for more than a decade, but assumed adversaries would not be able to exploit it.

I find this shocking that the military was using unprotected communications to transmit video feeds from drones. That's valuable intelligence information being broadcasted.

I think as the US military depends more and more on unmanned vehicles, the more incentive it will be for enemies to exploit this. Imagine if adversaries could jam control signals to these unmanned vehicles, the vehicles may just crash. An even more troubling problem would be if adversaries could hack into these drones, and take direct control of them. It's worrisome because some of these drones carry weapons.

Remembrance Day in Canada

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0800

It's kind of weird not having Remembrance Day off down here, but regardless, I'm trying to follow what's going on today in Canada as it's one of those public holidays that's pretty meaningful. From the CBC News today, "Remembrance Day observances honour the fallen".

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, Rabbi Reuvan Bulka, the honorary chaplain of the Canadian Legion delivered the benediction.

"We who ride on the coattails of our heroes can best show our gratitude by standing up for the values they continue to defend by nurturing in Canada an enveloping culture of respect, of harmony, of inclusion, a great country worthy of their great sacrifice," Bulka said.

"This is our sacred trust, our unshakable perpetual obligation, our way to actively remember," he said.

Scores of veterans, current members of the military, police officers and cadets then paraded past the reviewing stand where Charles, Camilla, Jean, Morley and other dignitaries stood.

The close of the ceremony brought a flood of onlookers forward to place their poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,

More than 100,000 Canadians soldiers have died in conflicts since 1899, including:

More than 240 in the Boer War.
More than 66,000 in the First World War.
More than 44,000 in the Second World War.
516 in the Korean War.
121 in peacekeeping missions.
133 in Afghanistan.

More than 600,000 Canadian soldiers volunteered to go overseas for the Great War. In addition to those who died, 172,000 were wounded.

Only one Canadian veteran from the First World War is still alive John Babcock, 109, who was born on an Ontario farm and lives in the United States.

It seems appropriate to end the post with some music that has bagpipes in it - "Wander My Friends" by Bear McCreary.

It's sung in Irish Gaelic but here's the translation:

Wander my friends, wander with me
Like the mist on the green mountain, moving eternally
Despite our weariness,
we'll follow the road
Over hills and valleys
to the end of the journey

Come on my friends and sing with me
Fill the night with joy and sport
Here's a toast to the friends who have gone from us
Like the mist of the green mountain,
gone forever

/salutes

Somali Pirates Accidentally Attack French Navy

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:58:11 -0700

I came across this amusing article on Yahoo News entitled, "Somali pirate error ends with 5 in French brig."

Somali pirates in two skiffs fired on a French navy vessel early Wednesday after apparently mistaking it for a commercial boat, the French military said. The French ship gave chase and captured five suspected pirates.

No one was wounded by the volleys from the Kalashnikov rifles directed at La Somme, a 3,800-ton refueling ship, French military spokesman Rear Adm. Christophe Prazuck said.

La Somme "was probably taken for a commercial ship by the two small skiffs" about 250 nautical miles (290 statute miles) off Somalia's coast, Prazuck said.

"They understood their mistake too late," he said.

One skiff fled, and La Somme pursued the second one in an hour-long chase.

"There were five suspected pirates on board. No arms, no water, no food," Prazuck said.

Thinking About Joining The MI-6?

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:38:12 -0700

I stumbled upon the United Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Service website, home of the MI-6. What's interesting is that in their careers section, they have two different tests to see what type of career path you may be proficient at.

First test is for the position of Operational Officers.
Second test is for the position of Administrators.

I did the test and looks like I could do either position.

I have to admit that I did browse through their careers section, and their benefits are quite something. 25 days vacation plus 10.5 days public holidays! Unfortunately you have to be a British citizen to apply, so I'm very unqualified in that area. I wonder if they take loyal subjects from the Commonwealth though.

The Dark Side of E-Waste

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:40:14 -0700

Currently quite bogged down at work, so short blog posts for the next little while. I watched this 20 minute documentary tonight entitled, "Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground" which traces how electronic waste from the West is ending up in developing nations.

Here's the quick synopsis:

When containers of old computers first began arriving in West Africa a few years ago, Ghanaians welcomed what they thought were donations to help bridge the digital divide. But soon exporters learned to exploit the loopholes by labeling junk computers "donations," leaving men like Godson to sort it out.

Godson, one of the e-waste dealers who have set up shop close to the port, shows the contents of the container he has bought.

Some are from Germany and the U.K., and also from America, he says, when asked where the equipment has come from. He sorts through them looking for working electronics that can be sold. He says that maybe 50 percent of the shipment is junk and the rest he will be able to salvage in some way.

After its sorted, a lot of the contents of the container will still be dumped at the burn site outside of town.

Hard drives that can be salvaged are displayed at open-air markets. Off camera, Ghanaians admit that organized criminals sometimes comb through these drives for personal information to use in scams.

It's pretty shocking to watch the environmental/public health damage that is being caused by our tech toys.

Enjoy

Text Messaging While Driving

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:46:16 -0700

As you may know, I generally dislike cellphones. Talking on a cellphone while driving is even more concerning. However, texting while driving takes it to the next level, and I'm disturbed when I see that happening.

In either case, I came across a game simulation from the New York Times that measures how well you multitask while driving and texting. It's called, "Gauging Your Distraction."

Every time I come back to Victoria, I get a little shocked when I see people on their cellphone while driving because this practice has been banned in California. Then, a couple seconds pass, and then I remember that it's legal here.... for now.

Enjoy.

Hamas Crushes Group Even More Extreme Than They Are

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:30:00 -0700

This story on Yahoo! News entitled, "Hamas crushes challenge by al-Qaida-inspired group" caught my eye today. It said that Hamas attacked a group that was even more radical than they were. It's quite something when extremists even admit, whoa, that's too extreme, even for us.

Hamas crushed an al-Qaida-inspired group in an hours-long standoff that came to a fiery end when a large explosion killed the radical Muslim group's leader inside his Gaza home on Saturday.

The fighting was sparked by a rebellious sermon by the group's leader, and his dramatic death put an end to the greatest internal challenge to Hamas' rule since it took control of Gaza two years ago.

In all, the fighting claimed 24 lives including that of a senior Hamas official who Israel says masterminded the abduction of an Israeli soldier. It was the highest death toll in the territory since the Israel-Hamas war earlier this year.

The crackdown targeted Jund Ansar Allah, or the Soldiers of the Companions of God, one of a number of small, shadowy groups that are even more radical than Hamas. The decisive confrontation, in which 95 group members were arrested, solidified Hamas' iron rule in Gaza.

The radical groups have sought to expand the Palestinians' battle beyond Israel to include the Western World as well. And in Gaza they have tried to enforce a strict version of Islamic law to which Hamas has not agreed. They have also attacked Internet cafes and wedding parties over behavior they consider improper.

The crackdown highlights Hamas' desire to limit its struggle to the Palestinian cause and to distance itself from militants espousing al-Qaida's ideology, though the United States, Israel and others consider Hamas a terrorist organization.

The fighting broke out late Friday when Hamas security men surrounded a mosque in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on the Egyptian border where about 100 members of Jund Ansar Allah were holed up.

Their leader, Abdel-Latif Moussa, provoked Hamas by declaring Gaza an Islamic emirate during a Friday prayer sermon and warning its leaders against invading his mosque.

The Hamas forces raided the mosque, setting off a fierce gunbattle. Flares lit up the sky and the sound of machine gun fire echoed throughout the night.

Moussa escaped with some bodyguards to his home where another standoff ensued. Early Saturday, an explosion went off as Hamas was trying to convince Moussa to surrender, said Ihab Ghussein, a Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman.

"The so-called Moussa has committed suicide ... killing a mediator who had been sent to him to persuade him and his followers to hand themselves over to the government," Ghussein told The Associated Press.

It is unclear whether Moussa detonated the explosives vest he was wearing, or whether it was one of his bodyguards.

Sarah Palin's Tweets

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:56:27 -0700

I saw this awesome clip on Conan O'Brien where he discovers that Sarah Palin's ramblings are infact, beautiful free verse poetry. William Shatner reads them out Sarah Palin's tweets. Enjoy.

Professional Snipers Hired To Guard Penguins

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:24:54 -0700

I just saw this headline from the BBC that caught my attention. The article is entitled, "Penguin deaths prompt sniper aid."

Professional snipers have been brought in to guard a vulnerable colony of penguins in Australia.

The deployment follows the mysterious deaths of nine of the flightless birds over the last two weeks.

The mutilated bodies of the animals, known as fairy penguins, were found in a national park near Sydney harbour.

The main suspects are dogs and foxes. At 40cm tall, the world's smallest penguin species is clearly no match for such aggressive enemies.

To even up the fight, two snipers have been deployed as bodyguards.

They have started night patrols and have instructions to do what it takes to protect these tiny creatures.

They have joined a legion of volunteers, who have also been guarding the birds during the hours of darkness when they are most vulnerable to attack.

Traps have been also been set in a concerted attempt to catch Sydney's penguin killers.

See anti-gun nuts, there are some positive applications of firepower! I wonder what the meeting would have looked like when some conservationists put out a call for executive protection for a high value target. Did they go to Blackwater and ask for elite snipers? I imagine the snipers asking who the client was, and they were handed pictures of some adorable penguins. Pretty hardcore.

PETA Thinks Canada's Governor General Indulges In Bloodlust

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:52:51 -0700

Last month, Canada's Governor General, Michaëlle Jean was visiting Nunavut (a northern territory of Canada) to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The native Inuit people did a traditional seal hunt while the Governor General was there. As part of the community feast, the Inuit offered a piece of the seal's heart, and it has apparently sparked outrage amongst PETA and other animal rights groups. The article today is from CBC entitled, "Governor General's seal snack sparks controversy."

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean snacking on a slain seal's raw heart has sparked criticism from the European Union and animal rights groups.

Barbara Slee, an anti-seal hunt campaigner at the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Brussels, said she was disgusted by Jean's actions.

"The fact that the Governor General in public is slashing and eating a seal, I don't think that really helps the cause, and I'm convinced that this will not change the mind of European citizens and politicians," Slee told The Associated Press.

"It amazes us that a Canadian official would indulge in such bloodlust," Dan Mathews, senior vice-president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, told the Toronto Star.

"It sounds like she's trying to give Canadians an even more Neanderthal image around the world than they already have." [...]

Canadian Inuit leaders praised Jean's gesture, saying it sends a strong message to the world about the traditional "country food" that Inuit rely on.

"Not everybody would do that, especially when they know that the seal hunt ... is a controversial issue because of the animal rights people," Mary Simon, head of the national Inuit organization Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, told CBC News on Tuesday.

"I just want to thank her for her support of our people and our culture."

Both Simon and Paul Kaludjak, president of the land claims group Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., said the seal hunt is not a controversial issue among Inuit.

"We don't really care about how the outside world thinks about how we eat our country food," Kaludjak said.

"Let them be disgusted, whatever they want to pursue, and that's their choice."

I think it's kind of insane for the groups who claim to embrace diversity to be condemning the Inuit culture for hunting and eating seal. These native peoples live in the arctic which is one of the harshest environments to survive in, and they have to live off the land and the land happens to have delicious seals. In my mind, it's kind of insane that people are trying to get the European Union to impose bans on the seal trade because seals are adorable. Meat is meat! Could you imagine if another country started boycotting your country because your country hunts fish and, *gasp*, eats them?

I think PETA is definitely out of touch with reality here if they think these are the actions of neanderthals. From where I come from, it's not cool to be putting down the culture and tradition of these native peoples.

The CBC's Rex Murphy has an awesome piece ripping on PETA (wmv). The transcript can be found here. (Thanks for the link Myron).

It's "disgusting," cried some - including the PETA brigade, who enroll such luminaries as Pamela Anderson among their house philosophers, and who have made such "tasteful" comparisons as animal farming to the Holocaust. They actually ran a "Holocaust on your Plate" campaign. Disgusting is a word PETA and Pamela have lost the right to use.

Actually the Governor General was a model of deep courtesy in her actions and visit. How much we talk the talk of "diversity," "respect for traditions," and regard for aboriginal peoples. Yet here we have the head of state of Canada - not just flitting by, but staying over, participating, mixing in depth with the people of the far north. The response? We have all sorts of superior people calling her "too bizarre," citing her actions as "bloodlust," "Neanderthal," "offensive" and insulting her as stupid and immoral.

I enjoyed how Rex took pot shots at Hollywood as well.

Test Your News IQ

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:59:00 -0700

I saw this quiz posted on reddit. It's a quiz put out by the Pew Research Center, and it asks 12 questions related to current events that are happening right now.

Test Your News IQ

I managed to score 10/12. Apparently I scored better than 70% of the public. I think the questions are relatively easy, although there are a few tricky ones. Questions mostly revolve around the current financial crisis, the new Obama administration, and the current wars.

Mock War Plans For North Korea

nospam@example.com (CHaN) — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:41:38 -0700

Well, North Korea celebrated Memorial Day by detonating another nuclear bomb. There's been a lot of talk about how the US should respond to such a provocative move. One of the things that is definitely not on the table is a military response. However, it's still interesting to see what kind of war plans the US has for North Korea in the event a military response was authorized. Wired Magazine has an article entitled, "Inside America's (Mock) Attack on North Korea."

In March, American and South Korean forces teamed up for the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle war game. 13,100 troops from outside Korea and tens of thousands more, already stationed in the country participated in the massive exercise, which focused on deploying troops and equipment to Korea in the event of an attack, according to a military press release.

Some U.S. and South Korean commandos made airborne jumps together from a helium blimp; others, from helicopters hovering above the Korea Strait. A third group ran a mock operation to secure a suspected chemical weapons lab. Unconventional weapons experts drilled in responding to a simulated strike involving hundreds of WMD. Navy helicopter pilots swept for mines, while Marine fighter pilots flew with their South Korean counterparts to wipe out simulated enemy aircraft.

The Americans and their allies kicked all kinds of butt in the exercise, of course. Other war games, testing out the North Korean scenario, didnt end quite as cleanly. One ran by The Atlantic in 2005 forecast 100,000 or more dead civilians in the first few days. And that was if the U.S. could assemble the half-million to million troops needed for such an assault; none of the participants thought such a staggering number of troops could be gathered together, given all of Americas military commitments around the world.

It's quite daunting that an invasion of North Korea may require up to a million soldiers to get the job done. To contrast, consider that Iraq has roughly 150,000 American troops right now, an assault on North Korea will require 6.6 times that. It would also take quite some time to assemble such a force if you consider all the logistics required to deploy and sustain such a force (food, transportation, fuel, ammo, medicine, clothes, etc). The other pressing issue is that wars don't exactly come cheap and we're in the middle of a recession.