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Tuesday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 02:56:55 PM EST
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I'm way behind on news. I only heard about Brussels coming back from the jail. It's a really busy work week.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Terrorist Attacks In Brussels | ISIS Takes Credit for Belgium, Republicans Pander to Fear >

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    Tuesday Open Thread | 133 comments (133 topical)

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    Fusion.net (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 08:37:48 PM EST
    Millennials

    "If we're not helping the environment, we're not a successful company," Parkworth enthused, wiping a kale stem from his handlebar mustache.

    "Feel the Bern!" one of Parkworth's employees shouted, generating a roar of approval from the kombucha-sipping creative team, many of whom had never applied for a mortgage or car loan. Just then Fillmore, the office rooster, strutted by. This was not your father's shoelace company.

     

    Personally I like this part (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by CST on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 10:33:10 AM EST
    "Farley Cornmuncher, the 87-year-old Johns Hopkins professor and expert on millennial behavior. "Whether it's their laziness, or their hookup culture, or their insistence on living with roommates, it's clear that millennials have different values than those of us who are seventy years older than they are.""

    Parent
    What a great name! (none / 0) (#91)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:19:39 PM EST
    And it's an oddly appropriate-sounding one as well, given Prof. Cornmuncher's apparent propensity to yell at the kids to get off his lawn.

    Parent
    I don't see it (none / 0) (#106)
    by NYShooter on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:57:24 PM EST
    What are you reading that gives you the idea of "Prof. Cornmuncher's apparent propensity to yell at the kids to get off his lawn?"

    Parent
    lol. from... (none / 0) (#107)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 04:07:42 PM EST
    ... Donald's apparent propensity to yell at the kids to get off his lawn.

    Parent
    We're at the end of a cul-de-sac, so .... (none / 0) (#108)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 04:40:45 PM EST
    ... we're sort of off the beaten path. I've always enjoyed the sound of kids playing outside, so I let the neighborhood children play in the yard so long as they're respectful and don't break things. They like to play football and soccer, so between our neighbor's front yard and ours, they have a small playing field about 175 feet in length. Otherwise, the nearest ball field is at the local elementary school about 3/4 of a mile away.

    Parent
    His pointed criticism of millenials ... (none / 0) (#112)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 04:48:42 PM EST
    ... in his comment reminds me of my grandparents' generation, and their criticism of us. Look, each generation tends to do things differently from the previous one. That's just the way it is. To ascribe those differences to some sort of laziness, etc., on the part of the younger generation suggests at the very least a lack of patience on the part of Prof. Cornmuncher. Speaking for myself only, I try to not get annoyed by millenials by remembering that we, too, were once young and similarly full of ourselves.

    Parent
    so (none / 0) (#131)
    by CST on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 09:28:38 AM EST
    I was 99.9% sure this was satire, or at least very tongue in cheek, and Prof. Cornmuncher was a caricature of someone who would yell at people to get off their lawn.

    FWIW, this in particular is the dead giveaway:

    "87-year-old" ... "expert on millennial behavior"

    Parent

    It probably is. (none / 0) (#133)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 08:20:01 PM EST
    Or if he's for real, then he's his own best parody.

    ;-D

    Parent

    Funny piece. (none / 0) (#20)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 08:53:32 PM EST


    Parent
    Do you remember the pre-internet (none / 0) (#46)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 02:38:36 PM EST
    olden times, when we waited a month between funny-fixes from magazines like National Lampoon?

    Parent
    From a facebook friend (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 09:27:28 PM EST
    this link came up.  I still have the song on vinyl and loved it back in the day.

    The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

    All time best drummer name (none / 0) (#22)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 09:31:25 PM EST
    Reebop Kwaku Baah

    Parent
    they're are long sequences (none / 0) (#26)
    by fishcamp on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 06:36:13 AM EST
    of just music, no vocals, in Low Spark,  that I have used in a few ski and fishing films.  Very enchanting and driven music that fits perfectly.  

    Parent
    Driven music (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 08:33:53 AM EST
    And driving music.

    That cd lives in my truck.

    Great driving music.

    Classic

    Parent

    I Was Riding With a Co-Worker... (none / 0) (#31)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 09:41:33 AM EST
    ... and this came on XM, and he was like 'what is that' and I said 'that is Stevie Winwood', thinking he would know him from the 80's.  Nope and old I felt even though I was barely a year old when this album was released.

    That entire album is phenomenal, but it's music that I have to listed to alone as no one I know like deep classic music.

    But this line is second to none:

    And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
    From the profit he's made on your dreams


    Parent
    That (none / 0) (#34)
    by FlJoe on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 10:58:04 AM EST
    was the first song I heard after getting the news of John Lennon's death, "it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest, twas the low spark of high heeled boys" love the song but it always makes me sad.

    Parent
    Luckily, my favorite Traffic pieces (none / 0) (#35)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 11:42:58 AM EST
    are Shanghai Noodle Factory and Forty Thousand Headmen, are associated with no bad memories.

    Dave Mason and Leon Russell, As Sad and Deep as You

    When your memories need a soundtrack, Youtube is the place to go.

    Parent

    Steve Winwood sounded exactly the same way (none / 0) (#44)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 01:54:06 PM EST
    when he was sixteen and singing in the Spencer Davis Group.

    Parent
    That entire album is great bong music. (none / 0) (#94)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:28:10 PM EST
    Or if you don't like to indulge, then it's perfect background music for a rainy afternoon, when you're curled up in your favorite chair with a good book. My favorite song on it is "Many a Mile to Freedom."

    Parent
    Cat Art: What the Internet was Made for: (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 05:42:45 PM EST
    Cat Art in Los Angeles

    But perhaps the most surprising participant to join this year's roster is actor Norman Reedus, who plays fan-favorite character Daryl Dixon from the hit TV show the "The Walking Dead." It turns out that when Reedus isn't busy hacking away at zombies, he's busy creating paintings and photos--sometimes involving feline friends.
    I like Kitty Bread Time. (none / 0) (#57)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 08:50:54 PM EST


    Parent
    Mr. Nat...that's terrific. (none / 0) (#98)
    by fishcamp on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:50:19 PM EST
    There is also a book around titled "Painted Cats"  and it's absolutely amazing.  They had painted cat calendars for a while too.  People use non toxic paint and paint just a little every day until they're finished.  My cats wouldn't stand for it...not when there's an iguana hatch for them to catch.

    Parent
    Long night, long week (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:10:51 AM EST
    Going to have to say goodbye to my old dog Ocli today. He's barely eaten in three weeks and now can hardly get up without help. He did insist my other dog and I come out and enjoy the moonlight with him. That was the right idea
    He's 14 and a half, been a sweetie from the start. He was bred as a Canine Companion, and a co-worker who was training him brought him to work every day and of course we all fell in love with the sweet puppy. When he flunked out of school I was the lucky one who got to adopt him. He never did want to work for a living and has been the pampered companion to me and first my dog Ruffian who passed almost 7 years ago to the day, and now my Ginger. I can't even comprehend the hole that will be in my heart this time tomorrow.

    Photos of the old guy..and the young guy (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:37:39 AM EST
    And our moonlight vigil...Here..photobucket.

    Parent
    Deepest condolences, Ruffian (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by Suisser1 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:23:14 PM EST
    I know that every time we lose one of our boys (just always seem to find/adopt boys) I try to bear in mind that the animals we love exist at the mercy of those they randomly encounter in life and I how grateful I am to have been that person for each. Letting go is always hard beyond measure but most often it the last gift of love that we can give. Wishing you peace in good memories.

    Parent
    So sorry. (none / 0) (#63)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:55:57 AM EST
    Our very first dog we had died at 14 1/2 back in 2004 I think it was. We still miss him.

    Parent
    So sorry for you. (none / 0) (#65)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 07:44:33 AM EST


    Parent
    All three of us (none / 0) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 08:23:20 AM EST
    Feel your pain.  

    A couple of days ago I had to take the golden to the vet.  Nothing serious.  But the remaining huskie went nuts.  He started running around howling.  It was killin me.  I had to drive away with him with his head through the fence howling.

    He has NEVER done this.  I have always taken the dogs  to the vet or groomer one at a time.  He remembered.  He remembered that the last time I'd did that she did not come back.  He didn't want to lose his other buddy.   They know more than we think.

    So sorry.

    Parent

    Thanks you all (none / 0) (#70)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 09:56:00 AM EST
    I'm taking him later today. I am worried about Ginger later. She's never spent much time without him, just the occasional vet visit. I'll be with her all weekend, so that will help. She's a lot more high strung than he is.

    I remember when Ruffy passed Ocli had one bad night, then seemed ok until he took a big sniff of the dog bed and looked real startled and looked around for Ruffy. That was a heartbreaker.

    Hoping for some political shenanigans distraction tomorrow...I'm sure I won't be disappointed .

    Parent

    It's a heartbreaker. (none / 0) (#77)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:11:06 AM EST
    Our dogs always look like they're smiling at us.  Just lapping up the air and the water and a purer world that only they seem to see anymore.  They're our connection.  

    Those last vet trips are a sorrow robbing sorrow.

    Parent

    I am so sorry -- Heartbreaking... (none / 0) (#79)
    by Cashmere on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:15:43 AM EST
    Losing a dog is one of the saddest experiences.  Take care.

    Parent
    My sincere condolences, ruffian (none / 0) (#89)
    by christinep on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 01:47:20 PM EST
    The love given to us by a wonderful dog companion has no equal.  The highest of the highs, at times, and then--then our dear buddy must leave, & the deepest hole remains.  It hurts beyond hurt.

    And then, all manner of memories fill our torn heart with the love that never leaves.  Take care of yourself until then .. share special hugs with doggy Ginger. She needs you now.  

    Parent

    Sorry ruffian. (none / 0) (#116)
    by desertswine on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:23:08 PM EST


    Parent
    So sorry to hear this, ruffian. (none / 0) (#74)
    by caseyOR on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 10:59:28 AM EST
    What a heartbreaker.

    Parent
    My heart hurts for you and Ginger. (none / 0) (#88)
    by vml68 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 12:40:39 PM EST
    Thank-you for sharing the pics. What sweet faces!

    I've said good-bye to 8 pampered companions so far and it never gets any easier. A kiss and a hug from me to your Ocli. I will be thinking of all of you.


    Parent

    I'm so sorry to hear that. (none / 0) (#96)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:33:43 PM EST
    But what you're doing for your four-legged friend is both a great kindness and an act of love. That's the one thing we can do for them that we haven't quite yet been able to do for their two-legged counterparts, that is, we can relieve them of their suffering when all other measures have been exhausted.

    Parent
    Lost our previous Dane when she got hit by (none / 0) (#99)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:57:30 PM EST
    a car, just reading this brings it all back. Best of luck to you, glad that you have Ginger and that she has you.

    Parent
    Sorry, Ruffian (none / 0) (#105)
    by KeysDan on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:44:21 PM EST
    our pets give us so much joy and are a part of the household.   A sad time.

    Parent
    Gary Shandling has died at 66. (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by caseyOR on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 04:43:58 PM EST
    Reports are that it was a massive heart attack, but no official statement yet.

    Condolences to his family and friends.

    "People who say nice guys finish last (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:25:48 PM EST
    don't know where the finish line is"

         RIP Gary

    Parent

    "People who say nice (none / 0) (#117)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:24:15 PM EST


    Parent
    The President & The Tango (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by christinep on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:03:02 PM EST
    'Loved it.  The Tango is surely the best, most wondrous of dances.  A lifetime of learning fills the dance.  So, if that brief movement was President Obama's first attempt, the engagement was impressive.  

    'Could be that mastery of the Tango is in the Obamas' future.

    Poll Closing Times Tonight (none / 0) (#1)
    by CoralGables on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 03:23:38 PM EST
    For the Dems:

    Idaho 9:00ET
    Arizona 10:00ET
    Utah 10:30ET

    For the GOP, Utah closes at 1:00amET

    Curious how this works (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 05:35:32 PM EST

    Utah Republicans are conducting one of the largest experiments in online voting on Tuesday, when up to 59,000 Republicans will be able to cast ballots online in the GOP caucus. Voters there who preregistered for the option of online balloting will be able to choose between participating in an online vote or attending a caucus location in the state. At the same time, online voting raises concerns about security and the integrity of elections. The company running the online vote has said that it has security precautions in place and backups in case there is a dispute over the vote. Organizers hope that the online vote could be a model going forward for other states


    Parent
    Sounds like it was a complete disaster. (none / 0) (#25)
    by jbindc on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 04:47:12 AM EST


    Parent
    Yes, the Internet is just so (none / 0) (#29)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 09:21:15 AM EST
    secure, you know.

    Parent
    Judge Judy, Alaskan Style (none / 0) (#2)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 03:29:18 PM EST
    Despite no law experience, Sarah Palin to star in `Judge Judy'-style courtroom reality show

    What is this odd link between republican presidential candidates, running mates, and reality TV.  If only their supports could get with reality...

    If it is possible, I think I feel really sad for her, she has to know that they are just using her to play the fool on the TV.

    Angling for (none / 0) (#3)
    by jbindc on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 03:58:51 PM EST
    A Supreme Court nomination under President Trump?

    Parent
    She's likely crying all the way to the bank. (none / 0) (#4)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 04:18:13 PM EST
    First and foremost, Sarah Palin is a grifter. It didn't matter whether she was Mrs. Todd Palin, the Mayor of Wasilla, the Governor of Alaska or the GOP's vice presidential nominee. Cashing in on available opportunities is what grifters do. That's why she resigned her office. She saw easier marks elsewhere.

    Parent
    You betcha! (none / 0) (#6)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 04:30:20 PM EST


    Parent
    Predictions! (none / 0) (#5)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 04:26:04 PM EST
    Arizona

    Trump 42%
    Cruz  38%
    Kasich 19%

    Clinton 72%
    Sanders 28%

    Utah

    Cruz 59%
    Kasich 33%
    Trump 6%

    Clinton 51%
    Sanders 49%

    Idaho

    Sanders 54%
    Clinton 46%

    Well (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 05:41:52 PM EST
    your secret sauce has been plenty close lately. I guess I will find out tomorrow as it's probably going to be too late tonight before results come in for me.

    Parent
    You'll have to figure Marco Rubio (none / 0) (#23)
    by CoralGables on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 09:32:56 PM EST
    into your Arizona numbers because over 300,000 Republicans had voted in Arizona before Rubio dropped out. Rubio was polling at 10% prior to leaving the race.

    Parent
    And Rubio kicks in right away (none / 0) (#24)
    by CoralGables on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 10:07:24 PM EST
    First votes in from Maricopa County has Rubio at 18% (those are early vote totals prior to today)

    Parent
    Cool link - delegate tracker (none / 0) (#7)
    by Cashmere on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 05:18:35 PM EST
    http://www.demrace.com/

    So (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 05:22:19 PM EST
    apparently the FBI has found its own way around Apples security

    Maybe I'm missing something but I'm not clear on why this is a better outcome that doing with Apples help.

    Apple attorneys said Monday night that the company doesn't know what technique the FBI is testing. If it works, they hope the government will tell Apple what method was used, but the FBI might decide not to share it.
    C/NET yesterday (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 06:39:41 PM EST
    Ed McAndrew, a former federal cybercrimes prosecutor and now a Washington, D.C. -based lawyer at Ballard Spahr, said the issue is likely not decided, but that Apple might have less power to keep the FBI out of its customer's phones.

    "The government is not saying they're going to stand down, they're not agreeing at this point that this case is moot," he said. "This suggests that Apple's participation may be diminished and that they may have less control of this process."



    Parent
    Dropped the last paragraph (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 06:43:37 PM EST

    The government's move now leads to many questions, McAndrew added. "This has the potential to undermine the security of Apple's devices," he said. "Who is this outside party? A hacker? A cyber-forensic investigator? A security researcher?"


    Parent
    Irony (none / 0) (#66)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 07:46:23 AM EST
    Bet Apple's gonna wish they cooperated now, since they may have no idea who or what they will find.

    Parent
    WIRED (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 08:36:46 AM EST
    The threat of revealing that vulnerability to Apple, however, may be the incentive that causes the government to drop the case entirely at this point, rather than have to disclose that information to Apple. The government has been heavily criticized in the past for withholding information about vulnerabilities in software so that law enforcement and intelligence agencies can use them to exploit. The White House insisted last year that it discloses about 90 percent of vulnerabilities to software makers so that they can be patched instead of exploited. But the government has also admitted that if a software hole has "a clear national security or law enforcement" use, officials may choose to keep information about the vulnerability secret in order to continue exploiting it.

    And if it turns out that a third-party commercial firm discovered the vulnerability the FBI plans to use to get into the San Bernardino phone, it may be under a legal obligation not to disclose that vulnerability if it has signed a non-disclosure agreement with the company.

    LINK

    Parent

    It's an Israeli company (none / 0) (#69)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 09:14:53 AM EST
    That has a sole-source contract with the federal government.  

    Technology experts reveal that an Israeli company could dramatically circumvent the legal conflict between the FBI and Apple by hacking the iPhone of San Bernardino terrorist Syed Rizwan Farook.

    Cellebrite, a multinational cellular forensic company headquartered in Petah Tikva, has a sole-source contract with the FBI and provides the intelligence service with the Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED), which can break into locked iPhones and Android devices.

    So, even if the feds have to drop their case, it's a win for them. They get the information they want (without litigation costs), they don't have to tell Apple how they did it, and Apple gets very nervous, as they market their products as not having these vulnerabilities.  I expect Apple's share prices to fall (at least temporarily) when this actually happens.

    Parent

    Cost Plus government contracts (none / 0) (#72)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 10:11:41 AM EST
    A bottomless well of unmet promises and missed deadlines.   A realm of complete B/S.  

    The real reason they do this work overseas is that it's pretty much illegal here, under the DMCA.  Gotta wonder if the DOJ crap artistes will charge themselves for that, since they're so zealous about charging every other possible crime on Earth's surface.

    Parent

    Doubt it (none / 0) (#73)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 10:43:25 AM EST
    Since they contracted with Cellebrite USA,  based out of New Jersey.

    Parent
    "An Israeli company" (none / 0) (#75)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:06:09 AM EST
    Your headline, JB.

    Wiki on the DMCA, specifically section 1201


    Techdirt:
    White House Begins To Realize It May Have Made A Huge Mistake In Going After Apple Over iPhone Encryption

    My goal today isn't to tell people what to do. My goal is to urge our fellow citizens to participate in a conversation as a country about where we are, and where we want to be, with respect to the authority of law enforcement.


    Techdirt:     Did The DOJ Lie At The Beginning Of Its iPhone Fight, Or Did It Lie This Week?
     - from the gallantly-the-DOJ-chickened-out dept


    Parent
    Nice try at gotcha (none / 0) (#83)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 12:01:28 PM EST
    But no cigar.

    They ARE an Israeli company - with a division in the US.  Sorry you weren't able to find that while Googling it to try and disprove me. (If you want to be technical, they are a subsidiary of a Japanese company).

    And since I will bet every dollar to my name that you are not an expert in government procurement law, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you may not be completely accurate in what you're talking about,  unless you are so ignorant that you think these bids  and subsequent contracts are signed without ANY input from someone who IS an expert,  and who would most surely have to them so.  An article posted from Tech Dirt does not qualify you as an expert.  You also might want to see what John McAfee said:

    "I promise you that [Apple CEO] Tim Cook and Apple are not going to be happy with the solution that the FBI has come up with," McAfee, the controversial technology executive, told CNBC's "Power Lunch." "Because it is almost as bad as a universal master key."

    Apple has to be very nervous.


    Parent

    Actually, jb "in DC," (none / 0) (#125)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 09:26:59 PM EST
    Cellebrite's U.S. site looks like a sales office.  All the hard core software engineering and more to the point, reverse engineering, takes place in Israel.  Proof is in the company jobs listings.

    I didn't pull that DMCA comment out of thin air or out of a Techdirt article, as you so snidely suggested.  Reverse engineering may be the only way to prove patent infringement.  So it gets done.  The two mcu crackers I'm familiar with are located in Canada and in China.  What they do seems to be prohibited by an unusually counterproductive American law.

    You may not have noticed that you actually own very little or none of the software you buy or use now.  When you install software, those checkboxes you agree to are EULAs, license agreements.  All the ones I've read prohibit reverse engineering. Somehow this ties in to the DMCA.  The DMCA revisions seem to contain exceptions specifically allowing phone interfacing & accessory manufacturers like Cellebrite to reverse engineer for the purposes of manufacturing their main product, a widget that transfers contacts, data, etc between phones at a telco customer's request.  They apparently have one or two hundred thousand of these devices sited at phone stores worldwide.  It appears to me that Cellebrite leveraged this knowledge to produce their forensic product, of which they've sold only about one tenth the quantity.

    As far as I know, the DMCA contains no exception permitting reverse engineering for the purpose of breaking the encryption on Apple intellectual property.

    But I'm not a lawyer.

    Parent

    Yep (none / 0) (#130)
    by jbindc on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 07:33:50 AM EST
    But I'm not a lawyer.

    My point exactly.

    Thanks for owning that you really don't know what you're talking about.

    Parent

    So - my not being a lawyer (none / 0) (#132)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 11:39:35 AM EST
    means that I don't know anything about engineering.

    That's a transcendent bit of reasoning, JB.

    I was hoping that someone here knew something about the status of what seemed originally to be the DMCA's prohibition of reverse engineering.  
    In the good old days that's how we found out how our competitors did stuff.  That's also how we proved that they were stealing our technology.

    I mentioned it on the off chance that someone here could comment on the current law.  How is the DMCA's reach affected or effected by the various trade agreements?  Is anyone beyond its reach?

    I don't know any of this.  That's what the phrase, "I'm not a lawyer" means.

    I won't mention how clearly you communicated your total lack of understanding by proffering nothing beyond sneering, dismissive, pseudo-authoritative bluster.


    Parent

    To late to retire in Dubai? (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 05:29:19 PM EST
    Dubai Is Set To Unveil Spectacular Floating Apartments With Underwater Rooms

    Many pictures

    I don't even like Las Vegas, ... (none / 0) (#15)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 07:03:24 PM EST
    ... but if I have to live in the desert, I'd much rather be there than in Dubai.

    Parent
    Don't laugh. The underwater apartments (none / 0) (#16)
    by Mr Natural on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 07:54:48 PM EST
    can't do this.

    Parent
    Love the crackling sound effects (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 08:00:09 PM EST
    I probably would not like Dubai.  I hate sand.  Just really like the aqua house.

    I do think the palm islands are islands are cool.

    Parent

    Howdy, I have a huuuge (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by fishcamp on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:58:39 PM EST
    bait well, and an aqualung.  You can hang out in the aqua house here at fishcamp, that is if you don't mind swimming with the fishes...

    Parent
    Wonmder How They Are... (none / 0) (#30)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 09:27:36 AM EST
    ...powered and how the get fresh/waste water ?

    Does is float than dock somewhere ?

    Pretty cool.

    Parent

    I would assume (none / 0) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 12:12:15 PM EST
    These houses are for the Palm Islands.  I'm sure th have the fresh water waste thing figured out.

    For this living under a rock

    Artificial Palm islands

    Parent

    If You Don't Know... (none / 0) (#37)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 12:30:57 PM EST
    ...no need to comment.  

    They are floating so they are tethered some way, and I would hope they have it figured out this time.  

    FYI, there have been serious plumbing problems with Palm Island, you know for the folks living under rocks and all.  

    Parent

    My comment was not personal (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 12:35:59 PM EST
    Given the investment they have made in this development I would assume whatever problems there are will be resolved

    Parent
    Adding (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 12:36:54 PM EST
    I have no idea if these apartments are in any way related to the Palm islands

    Parent
    Nice renderings. Gotta wonder (none / 0) (#50)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 05:30:25 PM EST
    how much of that sea life will survive the cleaning products necessary to keep the windows clear.

    Parent
    I never said it was practical (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 05:51:46 PM EST
    Did you ever see the Tom a cruise movie Oblivion?

    after the aqua house that would be my second choice of a place to live

    It was on the top of the tallest mountain and a pole a couple of hundred feet high.   I would only be able to get there in my flying car.  And who knows where the nearest supermarket would be.

    Aqua house seems more doable.

    Parent

    Equally good question (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 06:54:52 PM EST
    What happens in a hurricane.  Or would it be a typhoon?

    Parent
    There is no history of a cyclone ever (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by vml68 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 12:24:03 PM EST
    in the Persian Gulf (where these houses would be floating). Though, I have read articles saying that with global warming, there is a possibility of them forming there in the future.

    P.S.- While, I love the U.A.E. since I was raised there and had a pretty good childhood, I would not recommend it as a place to retire for a gay man. Unless, you plan on getting back in the closet for the rest of your life.

    Parent

    In the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, ... (none / 0) (#58)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 10:34:32 PM EST
    ... they're called typhoons. In the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, they're called hurricanes.

    Parent
    To everyday people (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:13:41 AM EST
    no matter the ocean, they are known as $#@#$

    Parent
    Not to nitpick, but.... (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by vml68 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 12:11:41 PM EST
    in the western Pacific near Japan, China, etc., they are called typhoons. But, for most of the southern  hemisphere, e.g., the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, etc., they are called cyclones or tropical cyclones.

    Parent
    As far as I can tell (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 05:52:05 PM EST
    From tuning in from time to time I guess MSNBCs plan is to keep Brian Williams on the air doing the same two interviews, one with a "witness" - one with ans "expert", until he keels over.
    He seems to have been on since i woke and turned on the tv this morning.  Unless they did a loop and keep repeating it.   No one would know.

    He just apologetically mentioned that at some point they might need to talk about other things.  Like the the election and stuff

    If he gets tired ... (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 22, 2016 at 08:12:07 PM EST
    he can just start making things up.

    Parent
    So Jeb Bush (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 08:15:39 AM EST
    has endorsed Ted Cruz.

    That's "Jeb!" to you. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 10:36:25 PM EST
    ;-D

    Parent
    One of the risks of a Trump/Cruz presidency (none / 0) (#33)
    by CST on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 10:38:27 AM EST
    would be, IMO, becoming more like western europe in regards to this:

    "There is little evidence that "Islam hates America." On the contrary, American Muslims, on average, are happy to be living here. A 2011 poll carried out by Pew Research Center on US Politics and Policy showed that a majority of American Muslims were concerned about Islamic extremism, both at home and abroad. Muslim Americans were significantly more satisfied (56 percent) with the way things are going in the United States than the general public (23 percent). Nearly two-thirds (66 percent) said that the quality of life for Muslims living in the United States is better than it is in most Muslim-majority countries. A majority believes that most Muslims who immigrate to the United States want to adopt American customs and way of life."

    "Muslims living in Europe face a different situation. European Muslim youth describe themselves, often accurately, as victims of prejudice in the workplace and in society more generally. In the most recent European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey, one in three respondents reported experiencing discrimination, with the effect greatest among Muslims aged 16 to 24 (overall discrimination rates decline with age). Muslims in Europe are far more likely to be unemployed and to receive lower pay for the same work than "native" Europeans. Consequently, Muslim immigrants in Europe are disproportionately impoverished. While 10 percent of native Belgians live below the poverty line, that number is 59 percent for Turks and 56 percent for Moroccan immigrants in Belgium. In 2013, Geert Bourgeois, minister for integration and leader of the Flemish government, cited a report stating that less than one-third of young Muslims felt accepted by Flemish society."

    The problem with the Boston Globe (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 01:22:38 PM EST
    article you quote ignores this from a Pew research article the author references.

    AUGUST 30, 2011
    Muslim Americans: No Signs of Growth in Alienation or Support for Extremism

    That is an attempt to put a happy face on the situation by claiming that it isn't as bad as the general public thinks.

    As the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, a comprehensive public opinion survey finds no indication of increased alienation or anger among Muslim Americans in response to concerns about home-grown Islamic terrorists, controversies about the building of mosques and other pressures that have been brought to bear on this high-profile minority group in recent years. There also is no evidence of rising support for Islamic extremism among Muslim Americans.

    Sounds good? Feels bad.

    A significant minority (21%) of Muslim Americans say there is a great deal (6%) or a fair amount (15%) of support for extremism in the Muslim American community
    .

    Link

    Only 21%?

    That's slightly above 1 in 5 saying there is support, from "great deal" to "fair" amount.

    I don't quarrel over the "Muslims living in Europe face a different situation," claim. Europeans have a long history of distrusting each other and it was only 75 years or so ago when they had their last "major" disagreement. And Islam has spawned many attacks and invasions over the years.

    But I don't totally buy the poverty excuse for radical islamism. Many of the earlier attacks featured middle class or above attackers. I seem to remember that one in England in which doctors were involved. And then bin Ladin was rich.

    That may be changing a bit. Europe's economy has been flat for quite a while and the continuing flood of unskilled workers is not going to help any non skilled worker there just as it does not help them here. However the safety net in Europe is a great deal better than here so it seems a stretch to think that people on the dole are ready to rush out and start killing. No, it's something in the religion and how it is being taught.

    And seeing as how Trump wants to stop all further immigration I don't see how that makes us like Europe unless you believe that by denying entry Muslims will be enraged and radicalized.

    Parent

    Please Don't Re-Brand Trump's Actual Wants (none / 0) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 01:41:15 PM EST
    He has not only called for a ban on all entry to the US by muslims, even American citizens, he has also called for illegal surveillance of muslims as well as torture.

    If you think denying American muslims entry to the US, spying on all muslims, and torturing suspected terrorists isn't going to inflame people, you are crazy.  It make me mad as hell and I am not even in his cross-hairs.

    Parent

    Well, I admit (none / 0) (#45)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 02:19:26 PM EST
    I got really angry when the local country club wouldn't let me in until I proved I met their standards....

    Back in my international business travel days I had to have this passport and visa thingees.

    And no one, I mean no one, cares that you can't control your anger.

    And just so you know...

    If a person is a Muslim and goes overseas and come back, they can come back. They are a citizen, that is different," Trump said.

    Link

    And that speaks volumes about your accuracy.

    As for keeping up with non-citizens in the US, which is what he was speaking about, you should remember that we have thousands of them that we have absolutely no idea as to where they are. So when they overstay their visas there is nothing that can be done.

    But you are okay with that.

    Now, isn't your lunch hour over???

    Parent

    It's Accurate... (none / 0) (#48)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 04:32:28 PM EST
    ... just because he tried to walk it back doesn't mean he did not call for it.

    But nice try at distorting Trumps vision anyways.

    Donald Trump called Monday for a "total and complete shutdown" of the entry of Muslims to the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."

    Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told the Associated Press that the ban would apply to "everybody," including both immigrants and tourists. Soon after the statement was released, Trump tweeted that he had "just put out a very important policy statement on the extraordinary influx of hatred and danger coming into our country." He added in the tweet: "We must be vigilant!"
    LINK

    And there is this:

    Shockingly, Trump told Yahoo News that he would consider requiring Muslim-Americans to register with a government database, or worse, mandating that they carry special identification cards that note their faith.

    But Trump was not done in painting the hellish nightmare that awaits Muslims, and our country, if he's elected president. The GOP frontrunner explained that he was open to wholesale surveillance of Muslim-Americans and warrantless searches of mosques. He even praised past NYPD policies that spied on the New York City Muslim community as "great," despite the reality that this controversial program did not yield any leads or arrests. This means that under a Trump administration, Muslims would have fewer rights than other Americans simply because of our faith, which is no different than advocating for racial profiling of blacks or Latinos.

    And Trump then doubled down on his recent proclamation that he was open to shutting down American mosques, noting he'd have "absolutely no choice" if "some bad things happen" in a mosque.

    And yet somehow you interpret these vile comments to mean, and these are your words:

    Trump wants to stop all further immigration

    Yeah, OK, nice guy Trump just wants to limit immigration, true, so long as you disregard what he and his campaign actually put out.


    Parent

    Your fantasy, and full-blown fantasy it is (none / 0) (#47)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 02:49:48 PM EST
    would quickly devolve into a racist descrimination policy involving denying entry to ALL people of a certain ethnic background; because any potential terrorist bent on wrecking havoc, with any kind of training and two brain cells to rub together is going to claim to be a fully "assimilated" christian or western style secularist agnostic or atheist.

    Not all people coming here under false pretences are going to be so dense as to trumpet their ideology to the world.
     

    Parent

    I was just at the airport (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by vml68 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 05:04:30 PM EST
    and somehow got surrounded by a number of Arab families laughing and talking loudly in Arabic. Then noticed an older man standing close to me, he was watching them. He looked livid, face red, veins on his forehead about to pop.
    First thought in my head was "Trump voter".
    I don't get scared easily but I will admit to feeling a bit uneasy as I watched him standing there fuming silently.

    Parent
    While the whole melting pot (none / 0) (#40)
    by caseyOR on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 12:47:42 PM EST
    thing has never been quite what we were taught, we have been committed enough to assimilation and acceptance to make our multi-cultural nation work, more or less.

    Yes, people are left out, discriminated against, etc., but somehow we have managed to minimize that in a way Europe has not. Maybe things work better here because, except for Native Americans, all of us came from somewhere else.

    It is a real strength of a country.

    Parent

    I Don't Know... (none / 0) (#42)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 01:28:28 PM EST
    ... that might be true for muslims, but you start looking at those kinds stats for black people here, we are behind the European curve.  Especially if you treat each state, statistically, like a country, you would find certain areas with as bad if not worse rates of poverty and unemployment in certain regions.

    I think if you really drilled down, you would find similar types of policies and prejudices.

    We do have one hell of a melting pot, but we have never really been able to meld black folks like we have with others, and that is a shame.

    Parent

    I'd say one difference (none / 0) (#86)
    by CST on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 12:29:35 PM EST
    Is how it's talked about.  Sure, there are some "take the country back" people, or they're "ruining our culture", but for the most part those people are marginalized, at least in certain circles.

    In Europe you hear a lot more of "they won't assimilate to our culture", "we're losing our culture" etc... type of complaints.

    Yea, we have problems with poverty and race, but for the most part we don't say "they don't belong here".  Even the people that do say it feel the need to occasionally clarify that they're just talking about "illegal immigrants" (whether or not it's what they actually think).

    Parent

    Those who desire to ... (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:16:52 PM EST
    ... "take the country back" imply a preemptive and exclusive right to a privileged citizenship on their part which is unpatriotic, unconstitutional and unhinged.

    Parent
    Jeralyn (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 07:43:58 PM EST
    this thread is full of nothing but spam

    You can't reply to any of it.

    Bored? (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 07:47:28 PM EST
    TCM is doing a mini marathon of 40s serials.

    Batman & Robin (complete with evil "Japanese" villain.  Played by J. Carrol Naish.  An American of Iranian descent)

    Atom Man vs Superman

    Green Hornet

    Flash Gordon and others.

    The Americans (none / 0) (#76)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:09:11 AM EST
    Based on the title of next week's episode, they are going to EPCOT.  That should be something.

    Last night was chilling.

    Parent

    Later today (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:16:11 AM EST
    The marathon was awsum.   Recorded it.

    Parent
    Maddox is doing a deep dive (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 08:31:03 PM EST
    into Alabama governor Robert Bentlys sordid s€X scandal

    Funny stuff.

    She played both hilarious press conference and selections of the infamous tape

    Isn't he divorced now? (none / 0) (#60)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 23, 2016 at 10:39:10 PM EST
    Was this why?

    Parent
    A family values, (none / 0) (#93)
    by KeysDan on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:26:22 PM EST
    "traditional" marriage guy.  

    Parent
    Okay. (none / 0) (#64)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 07:33:32 AM EST
    It seems that the GOP has decided they would rather lose with Cruz

    Have to agree with their reasoning (none / 0) (#71)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 09:58:12 AM EST
    Wonder if they will even try to come to terms with how they got into this state of affairs.

    Parent
    There's an old jibe about getting a PhD (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:18:03 AM EST
    You know more and more about less and less until you know everything about nothing.  (It's a math joke)

    Same with the GOP.

    They'll be righter and righter about less and less until they're absolutely right about absolutely nothing.

    (sorry about that; I've still got tears in my eyes thinking about your Ocli, your Ruffian, and the dogs and cats that have bounced and pounced through my own life.)

    Parent

    I know, I've already been crying on and off for (5.00 / 4) (#82)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 11:29:40 AM EST
    a week, not going to stop anytime soon, I fear. It brings to mind every pet I have ever lost, and pets of my friends. That is a lot of pets. We are lucky to have their company. Trying to learn to see things from their viewpoint for a better attitude on life.

    Parent
    Crazy, isn't it? (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by NYShooter on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 04:41:39 PM EST
    How a so-called "dumb" animal can slice through all the defensive barricades we "smart" people erect and give us something too precious to put into words.......unconditional love.

    Rich/poor, smart/stupid, doesn't matter; he loves you regardless. Such love, such loyalty, such beauty, such joy.

    And, ruffian, my friend, that's why it hurts so bad.

    Parent

    So, (none / 0) (#87)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 12:36:54 PM EST
    Bernie, while being interviewed on The Young Turks earlier today, was evasive when asked if he would support HRC is she wins the nomination.

    Today on The Young Turks Cenk Uygur interviewed Bernie Sanders and asked the question:

    "Now, a lot of the people in the movement have decided that you are their leader, partly because you're running for President, but you look at some recent polls of millennials, they have you by far the most popular politician; but they actually have you as more popular as a person they'd like to meet above Beyonce`, okay that's a hell of a thing...

    But you have convinced them that Hillary Clinton is the establishment candidate. If you were to lose, and the Democratic party comes to you and says take this movement that is full of energy and that is against the establishment, and make sure they vote for the establishment candidate, what do you say?"

    Bernie's answer was gold, and left things up in the air on whether he would back Hillary or go his own way...

    Well.. what I say: Number one I'm not that big into being a "leader"... I'd much rather prefer to see a lot of leaders and a lot of grassroots activism.

    Number two, what we do is together, as a nation .. as a growing movement is we say: "If we don't win.." and by the way we are in this thing to win, please understand that. "What has the Democratic establishment gonna do for us?"
    I just posted about this on the other string.. (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Cashmere on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:22:11 PM EST
    I just posted about this on the other string..Definitely not a "come together" feeling.

    Parent
    The Bernie or Bust (none / 0) (#95)
    by KeysDan on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:32:01 PM EST
    is a big worry.  Unlike the Republicans, they will all fall in for Trump, despite the current wife swapping (of insults)..

    Parent
    The more I see of Sanders the (5.00 / 3) (#111)
    by caseyOR on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 04:48:02 PM EST
    less I like him.

    His nasty slams at Clinton have nothing to do with policy and everything to do with character assassination.

    And his campaign's insistence that any voter or group of voters who do not support Sanders are just, well, stupid, is infuriating.

    Parent

    Interesting.. (none / 0) (#120)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 06:12:58 PM EST
    practically every criticism about Sanders here lately has been about his character and very little about policy, except to claim his positions are unrealistic, which is, again, more of a back-handed attack on his character and that of his supporters.

    Now one me baby. One away. I love it. Keep building that coalition.

    Parent

    Not going to "one" you but your (5.00 / 5) (#121)
    by vml68 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 06:49:56 PM EST
    comment does not make sense to me.
    I think Sander's is an idealist and his positions are unrealistic. I am not sure how that is an attack on his character since I don't think there is anything wrong with either. I just don't think it is practical given the political reality in this country.

    Now, his comment about not attending Trump's wedding (like the Clintons), that was just petty and more revealing of his character. As is the fact that he tweets his concessions when defeated in a primary.

    Parent

    So you are saying that (5.00 / 3) (#122)
    by Suisser1 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 06:53:58 PM EST
    HRC is attacking Sanders' character? Because that's what's at issue. His attacks on HRC's character, integrity, decency. We, people of the interweb, may discuss his character, though for the most part it's far more often about his political actions, his philosophy, his legislative record, but HRC never, ever slams him the way he does her and as he encourages his followers to do ad nauseam.

    Parent
    I never gives anyone a "1" (5.00 / 4) (#123)
    by caseyOR on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 08:19:37 PM EST
    or any other rating. So try that remark on someone else.

    Sanders insisted from the get-go that he would campaign on issues, not personal attacks. And he kept to that right up to the moment he started losing. Since then he has persisted in attacking Clinton's integrity and character and insinuating that she is somehow owned by Wall Street or can be bought. His campaign has trafficked in sexism and the occasional foray into outright misogyny.

    And now we see Sanders hedging on whether he will work to elect Clinton should she get the nomination. On top of that he has done nothing to help with downticket races. He cannot possibly think he will get anything done, if he is president, without Democratic control of Congress. And that means winning downticket.

    If Obama had put some effort into downticket races in 2008, 2010 and 2012, he would have gotten so much more done. I am stunned that another Democratic candidate appears to not understand the importance of those races.

    These are policy issues. They give us an idea of how a Sanders administration would function.

    Parent

    Well, it's a little early to say that. (none / 0) (#97)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 02:40:59 PM EST
    They should ask him again in a month or two.

    Parent
    Room (none / 0) (#101)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:08:22 PM EST
    Watched it Tuesday night, I am still consuded as to weather I really liked it or really disliked it.  Never in my life have I been through such a whirlwind of emotion.

    Can't say much more as don't want to spoil anything, but even now, I can't decide if that was one of the best or one of the worse movies I have ever seen.  Nor do I even know if I should recommend it.

    I think anyone that has seen it will know what I am talking about.

    I understand. I am on the "one of the best (none / 0) (#114)
    by Cashmere on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:11:30 PM EST
    movies ever" bandwagon.  It was so powerful and well done.

    Parent
    I bought it for my collection.. (none / 0) (#115)
    by Cashmere on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:13:22 PM EST
    And the boy actor was so, so good in it.  

    Parent
    Chalked it up as (none / 0) (#126)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 09:30:35 PM EST
    a movie worth watching once but no interest in watching twice.

    Of the Best Picture nominees I saw The Big Short, The Martian, The Revenant, and Room. Have no idea how I would rate them other than putting The Revenant firmly at the bottom.

    Parent

    I liked "The Revenant," but ... (none / 0) (#127)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 01:18:18 AM EST
    ... I can also see why others either didn't like it or absolutely hated it. As far as its storytelling goes, it's based on the same book as the early '70s film "Man in the Wilderness," starring Richard Harris. And frankly, I think the latter is the better movie of the two, story-wise.

    Parent
    Yes it's a remake (none / 0) (#128)
    by CoralGables on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 06:21:39 AM EST
    and the latter is the better of the two, but shouldn't a best picture offer more than a copy of a previous work?

    Parent
    PS (none / 0) (#129)
    by CoralGables on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 06:32:43 AM EST
    I felt the same way about Titanic in 1998.

    Parent
    "Batman v. Superman": Bombs away? (none / 0) (#102)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:11:36 PM EST
    We'll have to wait and see what the film's reported box office take is this weekend, notwithstanding the fact that it has received a 33% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Not hard to see why it's that low, given the pithy remarks offered in reviews, as compiled by Tre-vell Anederson of the Los Angeles Times:

    • "Constantly threatening to collapse from self-seriousness, this epic has way too much of everything, including CGI and Oscar winners up the wazoo." - Jake Coyle, Associated Press

    • "This is a film so bad it wears you down and makes you wonder if there was ever such a thing as a hero anyway." - Alonso Duralde, The Wrap

    • "In `Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,' the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel duke it out and the audience loses." - Alex Abad-Santos, Vox

    • "If there's any justice, dawning or otherwise, at the multiplex, audiences will reject Zack Snyder's lumbering, dead-on-arrival superhero mélange, a $250 million tombstone for a genre in dire need of a break." - Brian Truitt, USA Today

    • "It hurtles not with the kinetic momentum of 'Mad Max: Fury Road' nor the comparatively spry skip of a Marvel movie, but with an operatic grandeur it sometimes earns and often doesn't." - Peter Scirretta, Slash Film

    • "The movie is supposed to set the tone for an entire slew of DC Comics superhero films. Suicide Squad comes out in August. Wonder Woman is out next year, followed by the first Justice League film. And while on one hand 'Batman v Superman' should leave us worried for the future, on the other it's already made those upcoming films look better -- not because it achieved some new height of superhero filmmaking but because it, and director Snyder, discovered the floor." - Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

    But the L.A. Times' own Kenneth Turan appears to have enjoyed it, even as he admits that at 2 hours, 33 minutes in length, it eventually wears out its welcome.

    Aloha.

    Way too many superhero films (none / 0) (#103)
    by McBain on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 03:22:39 PM EST
    and each film has way too many superheros in them.  I believe Wonder Woman is also in this one? Sounds like a mess.  

    The action scenes are usually ridiculous, especially for Batman and Ironman who, under their super suits, are just regular guys without special powers.   Maybe someday, there will be a film in this genre that doesn't' completely violate the laws of physics.  

    Parent

    Last superhero movie I saw was ... (none / 0) (#124)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 08:41:41 PM EST
    ... "The Dark Knight," the one in which Heath Ledger won his posthumous Academy Award as The Joker. I really didn't care for that movie at all, finding it to be dreadfully overblown. Anyway, I lost interest about two-thirds of the way through it.

    I agree, let's give the genre a rest, already.

    Parent

    I suspect it will do well (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 24, 2016 at 05:43:11 PM EST
    But maybe not.  Snyder is sort of an acquired taste.  I thought WATCHMEN was jaw droppingly awsum.  I even like the owl movie.  Not everyone agreed.  I will definitely go see this even tho I can't bear Affleck.

    Parent
    Tuesday Open Thread | 133 comments (133 topical)

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