Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

This Mission Patch is REAL

Satellite-logo-for-spyingThe first time I saw this on a web site, I imagined it was a parody. The second time I saw it — at Forbes — I had to check for a second that the piece wasn’t posted on April 1.

But no, this is the genuine mission patch for a spy rocket lofted into orbit this week by the Office of National Intelligence:

“NROL-39 is represented by the octopus, a versatile, adaptable, and highly intelligent creature. Emblematically, enemies of the United States can be reached no matter where they choose to hide,” says Karen Furgerson, a spokesperson for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). “‘Nothing is beyond our reach’ defines this mission and the value it brings to our nation and the warfighters it supports, who serve valiently all over the globe, protecting our nation.”

O.M.G.

Posted in Civil Liberties | 1 Comment

As We Suspected (Updated)

FBI can secretly activate your webcam, without you being any the wiser – ex-official – Pogo Was Right Blog.

Update: Juan Cole offers a useful juxtaposition: FBi Laptop Camera Snooping and Orwell’s 1984: Side by Side Comparison. Click through for the graphic.

Posted in Law: Privacy | Comments Off on As We Suspected (Updated)

Schmuck

LET IT be recorded for posterity: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s support for granting “tuition equality” to the state’s undocumented immigrants spanned precisely 44 days. His support for the idea was born Oct. 12 and lasted through his Nov. 5 reelection victory, when he managed to win just more than half the Hispanic vote. It died abruptly on Nov. 25, as Mr. Christie pivoted from New Jersey’s general election to his preparations for the 2016 Republican primaries. On to Iowa!

From a WashPo Editorial of all places.

Posted in 2016 Election | 1 Comment

Odd Marketing

scroogled-mug-microsoft-270x167Can’t say I at all get the anti-Google marketing campaign by Microsoft running under the “Scroogled” monicker. But I do like this mug.

(Spotted via snarky story at the Inquirer.)

Posted in Software | 4 Comments

Worthy Procrastination

Jon Stewart skewers the annual flare-up of the ‘war on Christmas’ propaganda.

(I’d embed it if I could figure out how.)

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

‘American Dream is a Continuous Process’

Kevin Sack’s A Lost Boy Grows Up is the story of a Sudanese ‘lost boy’ come to America who, many years later, decides he wants to be an Atlanta policeman. It isn’t easy, but he’s chasing his American Dream.

(Yet another example of why we should favor a more welcoming immigration policy.)

Posted in Readings | 3 Comments