Security Hole in IE Leads to Google Cyber Attack

The Financial Times is reporting that US investigators have identified an individual who contributed to cyber attacks on Google. The hack was said to be executed using a security exploit in Internet Explorer.

Frankly, the idea that any Google employee is using IE for something other than compatibility testing is much more alarming than the idea that China sponsored the attack.

Don't Eat a Dead Horse

I just read that the House approved a bill to ban the slaughter of horses for meat. First, I don't understand why killing horses for meat should be illegal when it is perfectly legal to kill cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals for the same reason. Aside from that obvious argument, I have to wonder why the U.S. needs such legislation. Proponents' arguments seem to center around the alleged inhumanity of the slaughterhouses, but by all accounts this bill does not address how the animals are killed, only why. Frankly, I find it dificult to imagine a better reason for slaughtering horses, than for food. Since the bill does not seek to outlaw all slaughtering of horses, one would think that the best way to control the humanity of the process is to control the methods used by slaughterhouses.

Finally, I'm perplexed by a bill such as this being introduced into the U.S. Congress. In an article on CNN.com Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) noted, "People are ticked off about the beat-a-dead-horse bill we're doing today." This bill is aimed at three horse slaughtering plants in Texas and Illinois. Surely Congress has more pressing matters to attend to. Didn't I read something about White House-introduced legislation concerning millitary tribunals for U.S. "detainees"?

For the Viewers, There's No Sun

Lest the TV late-night hosts run out of fodder, President Bush has provided yet another priceless, comedic gem. While fielding questions at a White House press conference, the President had a little laugh at the expense of L.A. Times reporter Peter Wallsten. For his part, Wallsten looked pained, but took the ribbing in stride, accepting Bush's later apology.

Too Much Gas

I was participating in a lunchtime discussion where my coworkers were appalled at soaring gas prices. When asked for my opinion on the matter, my good-natured reply was that the new, higher prices were surely a good thing. Naturally, they were all skeptical about the sincerity of this statement, but when I explained my belief (hope?) that higher gas prices will ultimately lead to more widespread use of alternative fuel sources in the U.S., they were satisfied that these were only the dilusional rantings of a tree-hugging greenie.