But It's a Good Thing...Right?

I'm stuck in traffic. It's only getting worse. I won't mind if the government uses my cell phone to track where I am to improve traffic flow right? Right??

I don't know about you folks, but this is disconcerting. The article says that the system will only be used to track large numbers of handsets and not individual ones. Unfortunately, to know how many handsets are in a given area within that "large group" you have to be able to identify each one uniquely. Sounds like room for abuse if you ask me. All it takes is one court order to use the data to "track someone down for the public good".

I know, I know. Liberals will position this as another way for "the government to take care of you and keep you safe". OK class, this should be read as "increase your government dependency."

It's technology like this that makes me contemplate digging out my two cans and a string.

HDTV Government Socialism

The Federal government finally set a hard date for the switch from analog television broadcasts to all digital broadcasts:

By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer Thu Nov 3, 7:57 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The Senate moved the digital TV transition one step closer to reality on Thursday, setting a firm date for television broadcasters to switch to all-digital transmissions.

Lawmakers gave broadcasters until April 7, 2009, to end their traditional analog transmissions. The so-called "hard date" was included in a sweeping budget bill.

The bill also would provide $3 billion to help millions of Americans buy digital-to-analog converter boxes for their older television sets so those consumers will continue to receive a signal once the switch is made permanent.

Legislation approved last month by the House Energy and Commerce Committee calls for a Dec. 31, 2008, deadline and provides nearly $1 billion for the converter boxes.

I can understand move from analog to digital, but why on earth is it the Government's responsibility to help citizens buy entertainment equipment. This is another example of redistribution of wealth. Taking from those that have found a way to succeed (the TAXPAYER - that's YOU! ) and giving to those that have not succeeded. This is ridiculous.

What's next? When manufacturers finally decide on a new high def DVD format, will I the taxpayer be required to buy new players so everyone can watch their movies?? TV is not a RIGHT, it is ENTERTAINMENT folks. What about when the switch is finally made to all digital radio, will I have to replace my radios and someone else's too. Sheesh.

WinDOZE Fixes IE error

Well, let's see...a few days after their huge launch of Windows Live, Microsoft FINALLY fixed the bug that was causing IE to crash when you tried to access the site.

Interesting that the site now actually works with Microsoft software.

Microsoft WinDOZE...another success!

Microsoft announced the release of Windows Live all over the press. As quoted in the article:

As detailed by company chairman
Bill Gates at a press event, the strategy shift was made in recognition of the increasing demand for applications that can be used from any location, not just from a user's specific desktop or laptop.

But does it work. I first tried to access the site www.live.com from Firefox. Of course, a message displays plainly at the top that I have to be patient for the site to support Firefox.





So, I say, "Surely Microsoft's flagship Internet Explorer will work on this new site." Ah, not so fast young man.





Way to go WinDOZE...another successful launch!

Oil Company Profits....Collusion?

OK...Now the data for 3Q is out. Let's take a quick look:

• Thursday, October 27 - Knight Ridder Newspapers

  By Dan Piller

  FORT WORTH, Texas _ Exxon Mobil Corp., benefiting from higher oil and fuel prices following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, posted a third-quarter profit of $9.92 billion and more than $100 billion in revenue.

  Both figures were records for the Irving, Texas-based multinational energy company. Its quarterly profit is believed to be the biggest ever for any U.S. company.

• Valero Doubles 3Q Profits on Crude Prices
  Monday October 31, 5:15 pm ET
  By T.A. Badger, AP Business Writer Valero Doubles Profits in Third Quarter on High Crude Prices, Wide Refining Margins SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Oil refiner Valero Energy Corp. on Monday reported that its third-quarter profit more than doubled due mostly to high crude prices and wide refining margins, and the company said it expects to post record earnings in the last three months of the year....Net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 surged to $858 million, or $2.94 per share. That compares to $431 million, or $1.57 per share, in the same period in 2004.

• Marathon 3Q Profit Rises on Oil Prices
  Thursday October 27, 4:55 pm ET Marathon Oil Profit More Than Triples in 3Q on Higher Oil and Natural Gas Prices HOUSTON (AP) -- Marathon Oil Corp. said profit more than tripled in the latest quarter due to higher oil and natural gas prices, but results missed Wall Street expectations.

  The Houston-based integrated oil company on Thursday said it earned $770 million, or $2.09 a share, on revenue of $17.25 billion in the third quarter.

• Royal Dutch Shell Net Surges
  
  By TSC Staff
  10/27/2005 8:06 AM EDT
  

  Earnings soared at Royal Dutch Shell (RDS-A:NYSE - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) in the third quarter, as the well-documented appreciation in oil and gasoline prices produced one of the most profitable three months in any public company's history.

  Shell earned $9.39 billion, or $1.35 a share, in the quarter, up 67% from last year's $5.62 billion, or 80 cents a share. The latest period included a gain of $1.77 billion related to the sale of a Dutch pipeline and certain gas contracts. Shell's top line rose 8% to $77.44 billion.

Let me restate: I firmly believe in a market economy and letting markets determine pricing.

However, I do have a problem with collusion. I do believe that some questions do need to be asked. Specifically, since profits have been so good, I believe that petroleum companies should be ineligible for government assistance with their recovery and rebuilding efforts. Market forces have acted to drive up prices. Now, those that have benefited can use this increased cash flow to make the necessary repairs.

BTW, sorry I haven't posted in a while.