Guns - A Response

I had previously posted an exchange between me and friend on Facebook discussing the topic of guns. Here is her response:

"Brick - thanks for the offer, but I think I would cry and run away at the site of a gun. Not ever interested ever. Sorry.

If God's will is for me to be gone tomorrow because I couldn't protect myself in a bad situation and the lesson that other's learn from my death is strong that I would be completely at peace with my life and the blessings that he provided along the way.

Again - this is a long time stand. Nothing recent has changed or grown my statements from last week. My statement to my husband 13 years ago was that I could never live in a home with a gun - ever.

I value my friends' opinions and everyone's rights to carry as the laws allow today. Everyone has an opinion and a right to feel safe.

Thanks for sharing everyone -"

My previous response employed the traditional tools of rhetoric (logos, pathos, and ideals). I tried to appeal to her sense of right/wrong, attempted to tug at her emotions, and reason with her.

But it is hard to argue with faith. I understand her point, but I can't believe God wouldn't want me to protect my family if I had the option. I went so far as to look for Biblical support for my stance. I found several verses and interpretations that support my view. Being fair and balanced, I searched for counter-arguments and found several including the official position of the United Methodist Church on guns. (More on that in a later post.)

I decided that I would not reply to her. I appreciate that she did, but I felt like we were just in two different places in our beliefs and faith. Neither one of us is ready to be swayed. I will continue to study this issue.

Good enough for cops, good enough for the NFL

Cops are using iPads and so may the NFL.

I still want to check out the NoteSlate I mentioned earlier, but I coming around to the idea that the iPad is a tool and not just a toy.

Via Slashdot.org.

How many rounds does a man need?

Stephen Hunter says a bunch.

John D/Mad Duck says if you need even one you are having a bad day.

During the Super Bowl, a commercial for the "Justified" TV series ran and included a parody of Dirty Harry's are you feeling lucky punk scene, but with semi-auto instead of the .44 magnum. I'm surprised it aired given the recent events in Arizona. I guess 17 doesn't count as high capacity.



On the subject of high capacity magazines, here is a video that shows how little difference a reload can make.

Software Defined Radio in a USB Package

Another SDR, but in a USB package - the FUNcube Dongle. How could you not like a radio with that name?

Via AA6E Station Log.

DreamPlug ARM Plug Computer

I don't need one. I don't even have a use for one. So why do I think I should buy a plug computer every time someone releases a new one - like the DreamPlug.

Via Thinq.

Bonus:
Unbrick a plug computer via Slashdot.org.

Pomplamoose

TNJeff pointed me to this NPR article about a group making a living on the internet. Maybe some day I can turn my 1's of 1's of readers into a career. In the mean time, I'll enjoy their success and hope you can as well. Without further ado... Pomplamoose covers "Single Ladies."

Who e-watches the e-watchmen?

I love themes in the news.

Internet "Kill Switch" Worries People

Clinton calls for Internet protections

From whom you might ask? Maybe our government - as it shuts down 80,000+ websites by mistake.

Via Slashdot.org, Slashdot.org, and Instapundit.

Socialnomics

I've seen this before, but they've updated the video. Amazing stats. Forget consumerism, think of the power social networking has in aiding change in Egypt, Tunisia, and elsewhere.

Ken Jennings on Watson

Ken is smart and funny. Here is a link to his analysis of the man vs. machine cage match.

Some favorite bits:

"In the middle of the floor was a huge image of Watson's on-camera avatar, a glowing blue ball crisscrossed by "threads" of thought—42 threads, to be precise, an in-joke for Douglas Adams fans."

Ken obviously knows his pop culture as he used the Simpson's quote to welcome our new computer overlords in his Final Jeopardy answer.

"Watson has lots in common with a top-ranked human Jeopardy! player: It's very smart, very fast, speaks in an uneven monotone, and has never known the touch of a woman."

And he can play to the classic geek stereo-types.

"Just as factory jobs were eliminated in the 20th century by new assembly-line robots, Brad and I were the first knowledge-industry workers put out of work by the new generation of "thinking" machines."

Not a bad severance package - he gets $150,000 for coming in second.

And as a side note, good thing companies like 3LM are starting to implement Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.

"The security company says 3LM stands for "three laws of mobility" that devices should follow: protect the user from malicious code or content, protect the device itself by securing data and communications, and obey the user unless this would cause a security problem."

Via Slashdot.org

Dungeons & Dragons meets Firefly

This is awesome.. Dungeons & Dragons meets Firefly!

From Brick O'Lore

Not sure if this is his image or where to give credit, but...

Via Walls of the City

[Update] - Confirmed - credit to Linoge of Walls of the City.