Tax The Internet!

At least that's what one Microsoft executive has suggested. He would like a tax imposed on internet users to fund cyber-security measures.

A top Microsoft executive on Tuesday suggested a broad Internet tax to help defray the costs associated with computer security breaches and vast Internet attacks, according to reports.

Speaking at a security conference in San Francisco, Microsoft Vice President for Trustworthy Computing Scott Charney pitched the Web usage fee as one way to subsidize efforts to combat emerging cyber threats -- a costly venture, he said, but one that had vast community benefits. "You could say it's a public safety issue and do it with general taxation," Charney noted.

I find that interesting considering that the majority of problems on the internet seem to be with Windows based machines being attacked. I use a Mac, (and have for many years) and have never experienced a virus, trojan or malware of any type. Apple seems to make a machine that doesn't require extra security. Hmmm...maybe they'll exempt us Mac users from their taxation scheme. Naw. They'll likely want us to pay more.

A Heavy Metal Anniversary

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the birth of Heavy Metal. I must say that I have certainly listened to more than my fair share of that head banging goodness (and badness) that sprang from the Black Sabbath's birth. It certainly helped get me through the late 70's when there was a drought of decent music and I still manage to get in a listen now and again, even this late. Happy Birthday to Ozzy and the boys!

It began with a clap of thunder and a tolling bell. Then, as a heavily distorted guitar played a diminished fifth — a tone sequence once banned by the Roman Catholic Church for being the “Devil’s interval” — a male voice started to wail as if from the grave. A few bars later the drums came in, and the resulting din was loud enough to make it seem as if Earth was coming apart at the seams.

The date was February 13, 1970 — 40 years ago today — and the album Black Sabbath, by the band of the same name, had just been released. It gave birth not only to heavy metal, but also to a new kind of dance move for the working-class male: headbanging.

Here's to 40 more years of music. Good and bad.

In Honour Of The Birthday Of Heavy Metal

Happy Birthday to the originators of Heavy Metal.

After The Iceberg

What are you willing to get rid of to avoid the inevitable catastrophic debt driven crash that is coming due in the next few years? Are you truly willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that your family survives? Even if it means jettisoning your favourite sacred, political entitlement cow? I am. For the sake of my children I will gladly forgo Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the empire building military. It's all a matter of simple math and Jacob G. Hornberger, over at the Future of Freedom Foundation breaks it down into easily understandable parable for us.

Ship Captain: Ladies and gentlemen, the Titanic is sinking, but calculations made by our engineers show that there is still one way to save the ship and all the passengers. That’s the reason I have summoned you to this meeting. All of you have brought with you large suitcases containing your welfare-state benefits of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and your warfare-state benefits of military contracts. Our officials have made careful calculations and concluded that if you will just throw these suitcases overboard, the ship — and everyone on it — will be saved. Therefore, would you please proceed to your cabins, grab your suitcases, and toss them overboard?

We're going to hit that iceberg. It's now inevitable and unavoidable. The only question remains is whether we go down with the ship, make it to a life boat or manage to save the vessel.