The Authentic Eccentric

One of my favorite writing inspiration sites is Creating Passionate Users, Kathy Sierra’s marvelous technology blog.
Today, Kathy has an appalling post on why she was forced to cancel her appearance at ETech - her life has been threatened by some cretin cyber-bullies.
I am shocked and angry that Kathy is in danger. While I don’t personally […]

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In the ballot issues up for decisions today, it looks like an overwhelming win for discrimination and minimum wage increases.
In an unrelated matter, I caught this article over at the NYT site while waiting for results:
Do the Rights of the Disabled Extend to the Blind on the Web?
ACCORDING to an advocacy group, Target declined […]

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Food for thought this weekend - who is your lord and master?
I find it ironic that Radio Shack would fire 400 workers via email on the eve of the U.S. Labor Day Holiday. For me, there was no clearer sign that the traditional covenant between company and worker is in rough shape. That leaves me […]

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Darren over at Problogger is running a new group writing project; since I obviously enjoy making lists and it’s seminar/workshop/conference season, I thought I’d pull together a list of the worst behaviors I’ve seen through the years.

Have it at a high-priced hotel you haven’t bothered to visit to determine its suitability and accessibility for your […]

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On Tuesday November 8th, I’ll be exercising my civil liberties and voting in the Virginia election. This year it is an easy choice for me (I vote on issues, not parties) - I’ll be pulling the lever for Tim Kaine.
I know that is going to surprise some of you, one because I seldom discuss my […]

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After centuries of repression, women of Islam are beginning to self-organize against their ultraconservative male counterparts, giving rise to an Islamic feminist movement that is one of the best hopes for countering extremism in Muslim countries. They recently convened the first International Congress on Islamic Feminism in Barcelona, Spain to share and discuss strategies and […]

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Regarding your recent response to the Financial Times article (kudos for having the guts to publish what the Post wouldn’t) on secret CIA prisons:
“We do what is necessary to defend the country against terrorist attacks and win the war on terror in ways that is consistent with our values.”
“The fact that [the alleged prisons] are […]

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As heartbreaking as the stories that continue to make their way out of the devestated Gulf Coast region are, I suspect the one’s that aren’t being covered are even worse. So, I wasn’t surprised to open my email today and read about the Pyramid Parent Training Center in New Orleans, run by Ursula and D. […]

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I was disturbed to read in several places this week about American companies (Microsoft, Yahoo and Cisco are alleged to have provided resources) actively providing tools, knowledge and filtering software to the Chinese government to block internet access.
To me, this isn’t a political issue, it’s a matter of essential human rights. Free access to […]

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I’ve been quiet lately because I’ve been up to my usual mischief; I have been working with both my usual clients plus a couple of new ones while putting the final touches on my sustainable self employment plan.
Some more of my fledgling blogs are ready to leave the nest; Darlene Greene is taking the […]

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