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kcivey

@[email protected]

computer/politics geek, on steering committee of DC for Democracy, former cohost of DC Drinking Liberally. #DCPolitics #DCElections

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@futurebird@sauropods.win avatar futurebird , to random

The media have decided to call this storm a "bomb cyclone" I think this is underachieving.

Why not a Torrent of Terror? or a Ner'Do'Well Easter... or maybe a Snowsplosion?

kcivey ,
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@futurebird The original meaning of "blockbuster" was a bomb big enough to destroy a block of buildings, so it fits with "bomb cyclone".

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

ChatGPT helped teen plan suicide after safeguards failed, OpenAI admits
ChatGPT taught teen jailbreak so bot could assist in his suicide, lawsuit says.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/chatgpt-helped-teen-plan-suicide-after-safeguards-failed-openai-admits/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

kcivey ,
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@arstechnica "That's allegedly because OpenAI programmed ChatGPT-4o to rank risks from 'requests dealing with Suicide' below requests, for example, for copyrighted materials, which are always denied. Instead it only marked those troubling chats as necessary to 'take extra care' and 'try' to prevent harm, the lawsuit alleged."

What a great society we've created.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

Wired -Trump Mobile, on social media, says “the wait is almost over,” but the mystery device may end up looking nothing like the T1 phone that's currently on the website. It instead looks rather suspiciously like the rear side of a Samsung Galaxy S25. https://www.wired.com/story/trump-phone-t1-samsung-spigen/

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Presumably it'll be spray-painted gold at least.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

WRC TV - DEA head to be Washington's “emergency police commissioner" with all the powers of the DC police chief. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/attorney-general-bondi-names-dea-head-as-dcs-emergency-police-commissioner/3975215/

kcivey ,
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@w7voa I guess journalists are never going to stop parroting whatever Trump administration people say they're doing, without bothering to mention whether the officials actually have any authority to do the thing.

@briankrebs@infosec.exchange avatar briankrebs , to random

It should be illegal to sell "half and half" that is mostly skim milk and corn syrup. I generally don't do the shopping b/c I always get the wrong thing, and yesterday I grabbed what looked like a regular half-n-half off the store shelf but when I woke up w/ today's coffeine found it tasted like ass. What is the point of low-fat half-n-half? Doesn't the name itself suggest it's at least half cream? What a scam.

kcivey ,
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@briankrebs The dairy lobbyists should be focusing on that sort of trickery rather than trying to ban the names "soy milk" and "almond milk", which no one is misled by.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

Politico - A former longtime friend of Elon Musk has a word of caution for President Donald Trump about the tech mogul: He doesn’t really move on. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/29/silicon-valley-elon-musk-donald-trump-00415544

kcivey ,
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@w7voa "The whole idea that Elon is going to be on his side and help woo Congress and invest in election campaigns for right-wing judges — Elon might do all of that, but deep down, it’s over."

That sort of undermines the headline. I don't care how he feels deep down. What difference does that make if he still helps Trump?

@dangillmor@mastodon.social avatar dangillmor , to random

Trump phone is either one of the most blatant examples of vaporware in tech history or outright fraud.

https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/687492/trump-mobile-phone-t1

kcivey ,
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@dangillmor There's no need to have a real product when your buyers are your cultists. Who's going to complain?

@404mediaco@mastodon.social avatar 404mediaco , to random

Texas Solicitor General Resigned After Fantasizing Colleague Would Get 'Anally Raped By a Cylindrical Asteroid'

🔗 https://www.404media.co/texas-solicitor-general-judd-stone-resigned/

kcivey ,
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@404mediaco I'm surprised that's enough for a Republican to resign nowadays. But I suppose impunity has drastically increased just this year. If Matt Gaetz had been able to tough it out a couple more months he'd be AG today.

@briankrebs@infosec.exchange avatar briankrebs , to random

The Atlantic has released the entire Signal chat showing Hegseth's detailed attack plans against the Houthis. Why not, right? The administration claims none of it is classified.

In the group chat, Hegseth posted:

“1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)”
“1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)”
“1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)”
“1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets)”
“1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched.”

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/signal-group-chat-attack-plans-hegseth-goldberg/682176/

h/t @samlitzinger

kcivey ,
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@briankrebs @samlitzinger Why would it be based on initials? Someone with a first or last name that starts with the same letters as one of Goldberg's names is who would show up in the Signal search interface when typing.

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

When Europe needed it most, the Ariane 6 rocket finally delivered
"For this sovereignty, we must yield to the temptation of preferring SpaceX."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/when-europe-needed-it-most-the-ariane-6-rocket-finally-delivered/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

kcivey ,
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@arstechnica Is there a "not" missing in that quote?

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

NY Times - Stephen K. Bannon, a longtime adviser to President Trump, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Manhattan criminal court to a single count of defrauding donors who sought to help build a wall at the southern border. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/nyregion/steve-bannon-guilty-plea.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Bannon's partner in the fraud, Brian Kolfage, was sentenced to more than 4 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $25 million in restitution, but Bannon suffers no significant consequences.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

DoJ - A Michigan man, today in federal court, admitted he attempted to conduct a mass killing of gay people. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/michigan-man-pleads-guilty-hate-crime-plotting-mass-shooting-gay-community

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Also people at "a political party headquarters".

@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar georgetakei , to random

Is it a Lactosaurus Rex?

A social post from @hoglord666 that says: my friend max has been saving the wax from babybel cheese for like 6 months. today, i received an update: [A t-rex head carved out of red wax]
ALT
kcivey ,
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@georgetakei Since tyros is cheese in Ancient Greek, it can be Tyrosaurus rex.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random
kcivey ,
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@w7voa Unfortunately the letter probably makes it more likely that the Republicans vote to confirm just to show those pointy-headed elites.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

A motion in the National Assembly to impeach Sputh Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law has been scrapped Saturday due to lack of a quorum.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207004154315

kcivey ,
@kcivey@mastodon.social avatar

@w7voa Reminiscent of January 6. Even the president's party was outraged at his actions at the time, but within a few days they somehow decided it was no big deal.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

President Biden today spoke by phone with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Ventura Country Chair Kelly Long to discuss the current Mountain Fire response. “They discussed support needed for the communities affected, and that FEMA has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to assist with firefighting costs.” - White House

kcivey ,
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@w7voa That may be the last help from FEMA that California gets before Trump stops aid to states that didn't vote for him.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

As a warmup for former President Trump at his MSG rally, Tucker Carlson, who was terminated by Fox News, calls VP Harris "a Samoan-Malaysian low IQ."

kcivey ,
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@w7voa They may try to say that holding the rally at the site of an infamous Nazi rally was just a coincidence, but the level of proudly undisguised racism from the speakers gives the lie to that.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

A scheduled speaker at former President Trump’s rally in Butler PA this afternoon is…Elon Musk. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/live-blog/-election-2024-trump-pa-rally-live-updates-rcna174023

kcivey ,
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@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

"I'm going up to my granddaughter's birthday in New York, then we're going to watch the debate and tomorrow I'm doing 9/11,” President Biden says before boarding Marine One. “I've spoken to the vice president. She seems calm, cool and collected. I think she's going to do great. And I'm not going to tell you what advice I gave her."

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Fox News tonight: "Biden admits 'doing 9/11'"

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

Politico- Washington DC startup pitched as a service to integrate AI into lobbying is covertly run by a pair of well-known, far-right conspiracy theorists and convicted felons who are using pseudonyms in their new business. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/02/jacob-wohl-jack-burkman-ai-lobbying-pseudonyms-00176917

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Is Jack Burkman's dog, Jack Jr, involved?

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Here’s what the electric Dodge Charger’s “Fratzonic exhaust” sounds like

Dodge wants to keep the aural spectacle even as it moves to electric propulsion.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/08/heres-what-the-electric-dodge-chargers-fratzonic-exhaust-sounds-like/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

kcivey ,
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@arstechnica So given the opportunity to reduce noise pollution, they're going to pass in favor of "aural spectacle". Then they'll complain when regulations are implemented to stop the idiocy.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

"I'm a fast healer" and fully recovered from the bullet that hit his earlobe, replies Trump to a reporter's question.

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Earlobe? Didn't it scratch the upper part of his ear?

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

The Robert Menendez Elementary School will revert back to its original name: PS #3. https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/robert-menendez-elementary-school-will-get-a-name-change-mayor-says/

kcivey ,
@kcivey@mastodon.social avatar

@w7voa Buildings should not be named after sitting politicians.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

Democrat Bob Menendez will resign his seat in the US Senate effective August 20 following his conviction on federal corruption charges. - New Jersey Globe https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-resigning-from-u-s-senate-on-august-20/

kcivey ,
@kcivey@mastodon.social avatar

@w7voa Why is he hanging on for another month? To get another paycheck?

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

CNN anchor Jake Tapper says source close to Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who is now an independent, is considering re-registering as a Democrat and throwing his hat into the ring.

kcivey ,
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@w7voa Desperately trying to get someone to talk about him as he fades into irrelevance.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

“Kamala Harris is just as much of joke as Biden is. Harris will be even WORSE for the people of our Nation than Joe Biden. Harris has been the Enabler in Chief for Crooked Joe this entire time.” - excerpt from Trump-Vance Campaign statement

kcivey ,
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@w7voa The Trump campaign's writers should be pretty easy to replace with an LLM. Maybe they already have been.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

The creator of the the West Wing TV series, Aaron Sorkin, rewrites the script for the end of the Biden administration and suggests Democrats nominate a Republican to beat Donald Trump. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/opinion/biden-west-wing-aaron-sorkin.html?unlocked_article_code=1.800.mJpZ.eTOV3Li2kEkN&smid=url-share

kcivey ,
@kcivey@mastodon.social avatar

@w7voa There are too many Democrats afflicted with "West Wing" brain already, so of course the Times goes directly to the source for this example of self-parody.

The problem in the real world is that there isn’t a Democrat who is polling significantly better than Mr. Biden. And quitting, as heroic as it may be in this case, doesn’t really put a lump in our throats. But there’s something the Democrats can do that would not just put a lump in people’s throats with its appeal to stop-Donald-Trump-at-all-costs unity, but with its originality and sense of sacrifice. So here’s my pitch to the writers’ room: The Democratic Party should pick a Republican. At their convention next month, the Democrats should nominate Mitt Romney.
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    • @w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

    During the RNC which ended Thursday night, delegates approved a political platform that barely mentions abortion — a stark contrast to previous party positions. Here's my VOA report from the convention on how this softer official stance on reproductive rights is aimed at making its candidate, Donald Trump, more appealing to undecided voters. https://www.voanews.com/a/republicans-united-on-trump-divided-on-abortion/7705996.html

    kcivey ,
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    @w7voa The section on abortion says "We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights." How is the 14th Amendment supposed to be relevant at all unless the platform is claiming that a fetus is a person?

    @w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

    Ohio police officer shoots dead homeless man wielding steak knives near Milwaukee's RNC. https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-police-shooting-14th-vliet-rnc-security-perimeter

    kcivey ,
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    @w7voa More than a mile from the security perimeter. This is like everything in DC being described as "blocks from the White House".

    @w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

    For the first time in US history, a current president is on a debate stage with a former president.

    kcivey ,
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    @w7voa And you're not even 80 yet.

    @arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

    Microsoft in damage-control mode, says it will prioritize security over AI

    Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is now personally responsible for security flaws.

    https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/06/microsoft-in-damage-control-mode-says-it-will-prioritize-security-over-ai/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

    kcivey ,
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    @arstechnica How can an article about Microsoft saying it will prioritize security over AI have no mention of Recall?

    @w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random
    kcivey ,
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    @w7voa If it's triple the size in both height and width, it's really 9 times the allowed size.

    @w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

    Police pepper spray and arrest about 20 protesters at George Washington University, reports the school newspaper. https://gwhatchet.com/2024/05/07/live-coverage-encampment-enters-13th-day-as-protesters-condemn-officials-alleged-refusal-to-negotiate/

    kcivey ,
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    @w7voa Caving to the House Republican bullies pays off for Bowser.

    @w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

    The FCC announces it has fined wireless carriers for illegally sharing access to customers’ location information without consent and failing to protect that information against unauthorized disclosure. Sprint and T-Mobile – which have merged since the investigation began – face fines of $12+ million and $91 million, respectively. AT&T being fined $57+ million and Verizon told to pay nearly $47 million.

    kcivey ,
    @kcivey@mastodon.social avatar

    @w7voa How much did they make from selling the information?