June

What, it is the middle of June already? Where did the last month and a half go? No fear; despite what rumors you may have heard I am still quite alive. I'll post something soon...but then 'soon' is subjective and may mean another two months.

Government Broadband

Continuing the FCC theme from the prior post. I stumbled across a great article on ZDNet demonstrating a handful of negative effects of the FCC controlling cost and infrastructure of broadband. The following is an excerpt from that article by the David Gewirtz, the executive director of the U.S. Strategic Perspective Institute, founder of the ZATZ technical magazines, and the cyberterrorism advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals:

But there is a dark side. First, you gotta know that the minute FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski mentioned providing broadband to another 100 million DVD-buying-cause-they-can’t-watch-Hulu-yet Americans, some movie industry executives somewhere went full-goose bozo.

And that’s even before Julius mentioned those juicy upload speeds of 100 megabits per second. Can you say BitTorrent? Sure, I knew you could. Now, think about the FCC’s stated goal of “access to at least 1 gigabit per second broadband service to anchor institutions such as schools.”

In schools all across America, there will be armies of teenagers who’ll use their schools’ increased bandwidth to share every movie and every TV show ever digitized. After all, if it takes less than ten minutes to download a full-length movie, why not? Yes, I know, there’s software to prevent that. Do you seriously think any security software can stand up to an army of teenagers who want free movies?

Somewhere in Hollywood, an accountant in an overpriced suit just screamed into his latte.

Where else could this thing go off the rails?

Broadband For The Masses

The FCC is revealing its plan this week to use Stimulus money to upgrade our internet infrastructure. The problem: Too many people cannot access broadband internet. The plan will:

"provide high-speed Internet access to the estimated 93 million people in the U.S. without it. The plan, mandated by Congress last year as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aims to increase home broadband use to 90 percent of the population by 2020 (Scientific American)."

The U.S., as of 2009, had 26.7 percent of the population on broadband. That is 81 million people were using broadband. The next closest country, in raw numbers, was Japan with 31 million. 90 percent would equal 245 million people with broadband. Comparing percentage of population (or penetration), the Netherlands had the highest percentage at 38 percent. But I don't need to tell you the population and land size differences in comparing our country to The Netherlands or even Japan. Our usage already trumps all other countries. Then what is the issue of access? Now, if it was faulty infrastructure, I could understand federal concern. If goats kept chewing through the cross-country trunk lines we would all agree that would be a problem. But the United States has no issue with goats. The FCC estimates that cable TV is accessible to 99 percent of the U.S. population. Cable broadband available to 96 percent. DSL 82 percent. If 96 percent of the nation already has the option, then why aren't more people using it and what exactly does the FCC mean by "access (all stats from OECD.org)?"



Obviously they don't mean connecting to broadband.

"The number one reason people cite for being offline is cost," Clyburn said. "Some might be in the position of having to choose between paying for basic necessities or paying for broadband, while others might not see the value of broadband relative to other things they could pay for like cable TV"(Scientific American)."

Those poor people; having to choose between paying for necessities or paying for broadband. How terrible. Cost is the issue: in FCC lingo "cost" must equal "access." Until two weeks ago, I too was one of the 93 million choosing not to use Broadband. I had no desire to pay the high rates. I chose to buy camping gear instead. Why is it suddenly a federal issue that I would rather spend my money buying some other product instead of broadband?


Are costs in the United States that bad? The average monthly bill is $45.52 putting us safely in tenth place for lowest monthly costs in the world. The world average is $51.55. Sounds like we don't have too much to complain about. Remember the Netherlands, which has the highest percentage of citizens on broadband? They are paying an average of $66.79 a month.


So why is it suddenly a national issue that we have nine countries paying a few dollars less than us for broadband? I don't know.

Instead of making people decide how to spend their money, the FCC wants to regulate the costs so we don't have to choose between cable TV or broadband internet. Or 60 inch TVs. Or speed boats. Or fast food. We can afford it all.

Sounds like a good idea; it has got me thinking: why stop with the internet? We all have access to roads. Most of us have a car to get around the roads on. But those who can't afford a car have access through public transit. And some of us splurge for sports cars. But we all have access to the roads. But you know, I'm sick of not driving a Ferrari like my rich neighbor. I'm also concerned that the penetration of Ferrari's is far higher in Italy than in the United States. And they are paying less. Why should I have to drive an old Honda so I can afford to buy food? Where do I live, some third world country? This is the 21st century. I don't think I should have to suffer like this. Not when I have to watch my hard working neighbor driving his Ferrari. And the people taking public transit should suffer no more. Where are their Ferraris? Imagine how wonderful the world will be when we all can travel in more style than any other country. I hereby declare Ferraris our right. Oh, and broadband internet.

Canon Mug

Now this is a cool advertising idea. Mugs designed to look just like a camera lens. How awesome is that? Someone over at Canon has a good sense of humor. You know, if you are going to give out and design swag, why not make swag that is your product? Everyone does hats and pens. Mugs are common to, but not mugs like these.

Review: Church History

Church History in Plain Language Updated 2nd Edition by Bruce L. Shelley


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a long read. Its subject matter is rather dense: the history of the Christian religion from the time of Christ until now (actually late 1990's). It was suggested to me by my LDS World and Christian History teacher. I can see why now.

The chapters are kept short so you can read one a sitting without hassle. Shelley manages to provide a constant onslaught of names, dates, locations, and significances while interweaving stories and keeping it entertaining. I especially enjoyed the look at the 1900's to present and the growing onslaught of secularism.

View all my reviews >>

Iran and the Bomb

Reading Joel Rosenberg's book, Inside the Revolution, I came across this stunningly concise description of the likely fallout of Israel attacking Iran this year. They are trapped and threatened. They have no where to run:

Israeli leaders may, therefore, choose a strategy similar to the one their predecessors chose in 1967. In this case, they may launch a massive air and missile strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, air bases, missile launchers, air defense systems, and possibly government offices and critical infrastructure facilities before Iran has the opportunity to strike Israel first.

Such a move may prove necessary in the end, but it could also set the whole region on fire. Israel could face hundreds of incoming retalkiatory missiles from Iran as well as tens of thousands of incoming ballistic missiles and rockets from Syria, form Hezbollahin Lebonan, from Hamas in Gaza, and possibly from the West Bank, as well. Some of these missiles could be carrying chemical or biological warheads, even if the nuclear warhead in Iran were not in the picture. Ballistic missiles could also be fired from Iran at the oil fields in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, at the oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the strait of Hormuz, and at the U.S. bases and forces in Iraq. Thousands of suicide bomber cells could be activated in the region, particularly against Iraq and Israel. At the same time, sleeper terrorist cells could be activated in Western Europe, Canada, and the United States.

...Amid such global carnage and chaos, oil prices could soar to $300 a barrel or more. U.S. gas prices could spike to $10 a gallon or more, with horrific domestic and international economic repercussions. Worst of all, tens of millions of innocent civilians could be caught in the cross fire of a war they don't want but cannot prevent (p.17-18, Rosenberg).

Homeward Bound: Tetons Part 3

I stumbled back up and recovered my knife. I felt a surge of pride when I found it no worse for wear. Yep, that is a good knife. I’m sure we will have many more adventures together.

I scrambled down and down and down always avoiding the snow as much as possible. I had had enough with snow, falling, and icy water. I was exhausted but exhilarated that I had made if off the ridge without injury. I vowed to wear boots and not come alone next time. Doing this alone had been the most risky element of the entire hike. This entire time I was mostly far off trail and no one knew where I was or when to expect me back. Dumb, very dumb.

I made it to Delta Lake, finally, and while sunning myself on another rock, I called Dave Marcum and told him exactly where I was. If I didn’t text him when I arrived at my car, he knew where to send the rangers. He pulled up his map software and I recounted my tip as he followed my course. It was incredibly odd to be six thousand feet above the valley, tucked inside the range, and have flawless cell service with my buddy looking at a map and satellite images of my exact position. How many more years until those images are live?

The sun had sunk below the peaks and it was growing dark and cold. I attempted to navigate as best I could out of the basin and was relieved when I came across a thin, overgrown trail. I followed it down and around the crest of the mountain until it plopped me out of the ferns and onto the main trail. I must admit I was terribly glad to be on a simple, wide, trial again. I’d run out of water long ago, but still had a hearty supply of Starbursts and Granola bars. I munched on these until I drove into Jackson and got the biggest meal money could buy at Dairy Queen.

The end.

Onto the Cliffs: Tetons Part 2

Continuation from my trip to the Tetons in July 2009.

Crawling to my feet, I cautiously worked my way around the boulders, and then headed far up onto the scree where the snow ended. I was taking no more chances. I marmot barked out its displeasure as I climbed into its territory.

I circled the basin, maintaining my elevation above the lake for safety, and came to a large boulder blocking my way. Of course, I opted to climb over it instead of easily going around. It took two moves to get on top where I found myself suddenly face to face with the marmot. It looked completely surprised. Neither of us moved for a moment. It was close enough for me to have reached out and touched it. Realizing this, it grunted and shuffled away slowly. I pulled myself fully onto the top of the boulder and sat down. The marmot disappeared down a crack. But seconds later it popped its head out and watched me. Finally it climbed back out completely and we shared the warm rock together, mere feet apart.

I came across a trail, a real one carved into the wet soil, that led up to the saddle I was meandering towards. I had studied the map back at the hotel. I knew the other side was steep, but it looked passable enough.

The wind blasted me as I stood in the saddle and stared nervously into the next valley. The pass was not just steep, it was cliffs. Better yet, icy cliffs.

I followed the trail as it wound treacherously along one cliff top then the next. At this point there were trees to cling to. But the treed slopes quickly thinned to solid cliff. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I thought of turning back on many occasions. But back was now a long fight up. Besides, I’d come up that way and below me lay an unexplored, untouristed basin. And you know how I love to explore…

I lost the trail. There were no markings on the solid rock, and the footprints in the snow were very intermittent. Somehow I shimmied down a crack and along a rapidly narrowing ledge I sincerely thought was the trial, well, possibly…until the ledge ended in a wet curving slope that then dropped ten feet to another wider ledge. Yeah, this definitely wasn’t a trail. Again, I could turn back, try and shimmy up the crack without protective climbing gear, or I could tempt fate by climbing down. There were no clear holds close by, but an nice series out a ways on the cliff face. The ledge below was wide, and not too far down. I really hate backtracking…so I jumped for the holds. I made it easily, but my shoes couldn’t register and I gave up quickly and lowered myself with my arms. I caught my breath, trembling slightly, on the wide ledge. How did I end up stuck on a cliff in an area where very few people ever come?

Luckily this ledge networked with others and I find myself on the trail again. As I followed it I quickly realized it had no intention of weaving down into the basin and to the lake below. It maintained its elevation high on the ridge wall, skirting the basin up to the glacier that rests below the Grand Teton. I was not where I wanted to be. I was on the trail to summit. The snow was packed and my shoes couldn’t dig in enough to keep my footing. I slipped several times. The slope of the snow was by far the steepest I had ever tried to tackle. I was still high enough up to be very nervous and there were obvious cliffs below me if I slid far enough, which on this slope I figured I would. But how do I get down off this infernal wall? I cursed myself for not wearing my better hiking boots; I was in my old flimsy cross trainers. I cursed myself for mocking summiteers with all their gear. I had been one to state loudly that the guide books said you could summit the Tetons without ropes or axes. It is not that tough…and I was still on non technical terrain.

But walking the slope now, I realized the handiness of such items. My pulse was racing and I was sweating from the tension. Every step might send me to a fateful drop. If I had an axe and some crampons, oh man, that would be heaven. How did I get into this type of snow and ice with totally inadequate footwear?

However, I did have my SOG knife which I quickly unsheathed. It was dangerous, but it could bite into the snow and hold me when I slipped.

My plan was to continue along until the cliffs safely ended and the slope lessened as the basin curved.

Even stepping where others had trod, the slope was too much. I made my way, my knife digging in and holding me several times. One time, however, I lost both my feet. I hung from my knife as I clawed at the snow with my other hand and kicked with my legs. The knife suddenly gave way. I shot downward. I spun onto my back and thrust the knife into the snow. It skipped across the surface; I was moving too quickly for it to penetrate. Below me, and coming up fast, the snow ended far sooner than I would like. With both hands I frantically worked the knife. I was able to dig the blade in and keep it in. The torque on the handle was incredible and it was all I could do to keep the knife from twisting out of my grip. Between my heels and the knife I slowed quite nicely. But not before the snow stopped. Suddenly I was sliding along rocks and dirt. The knife scraped and caught stone and skittered out of my hands. I actually laughed at this point. I was moving slowly, but the slope was so steep that even out of the snow I could not stop myself. It is amazing how, even moving so slowly across rock, momentum can keep 165 pounds from stopping. When I noticed the drop off below me, I stopped laughing. I clawed at the rocks and focused on jamming my feet into anything that would stop me. By the time I reached the cliff I was moving at a crawl. I had time to think “No, no, no, come on, no!” before momentum carried me over the edge. I dropped…three feet. It was actually perfect: I was able to just put my legs down and stand up. I ran another fifteen feet down the increasingly grassy incline and finally stopped against a large rock.

I was finally off the cliffs and free of the snow. I was shaking badly, but was laughing. What a rush. That had been crazy fun—well, perhaps just crazy. My hands throbbed and were bleeding badly from hundreds of little scrapes and cuts. I was relieved to have sustained no knife wounds.

I looked up at my path. Now, this all happened much quicker than you can ever read. This whole episode may have taken ten seconds. I had slid about forty feet in the snow, another fifteen on the rock and dirt, and then the ledge. God’s hand was immediately evident. The drop off was three feet where I went over it. Five feet to the side, down slope, it was eight feet. And it quickly grew to about thirty or more feet as it pulled out of the scree slope and the basin descended to the lake still far below me. Sliding any time earlier would have so easily ended very poorly.

I stumbled back up and recovered my knife. I felt a surge of pride when I found it no worse for wear. Yep, that is a good knife. I’m sure we will have many more adventures together.

Into the Water: Tetons part 01

From my trip to the Tetons in July 2009.

I gasped; not only because the water was freezing, but also because there was water. I had supposed I was safe on the shore. Apparently I was on ice and had just punched one leg through. The lake was larger than it looked, swaddled in snow as it was. I pulled my leg out, stood up, and scrambled further away from the lake.

The sun was high over head, the weather was warm, and I had Amphitheater Lake all to myself. It was beautiful and peaceful, but not the ideal time to fall into ice covered lake. The friendly ranger with his tour group had left only minutes before, but were doubtlessly out of hearing range. I had a three mile hike off the Tetons to get back to my car. I preferred to do it without hypothermia.

Not far from the lake, starting to climb the ice covered talus slope, I came across a well defined path going around the lake. The footprints had melted in the sun forming a shapeless rut in the deep snow. Not far along, the path curved around some larger boulders taking me closer to the lake than I liked.

At the exact time I wondered if this was actually a trail or if it could really be a seam that—I fell through the ice again. In the split second of hesitation as my body started to plummet straight down I instinctively threw myself backwards and spread my arms. Having no footing, I didn’t get much backward motion, but enough to slam my backpack into and catch the edge of the hole I had broken in; and with my arms I effectively stopped my fall. I let out a laugh: I had caught myself. Then I felt the cold gripping both my lower legs. I stopped laughing and immediately pulled myself out of the hole and rolled to the side. Looking in, I was still over the lake which was three feet below the snow. Both my legs to mid calf were soaked. The path I had been following was indeed merely a crack from shifting ice that had a foot or so of snow over it. I had foolishly been walking on the weakest part I could possibly walk on without realizing the danger.

Laying in the sun, shivering, still very alone, I pondered on the many warnings I’ve heard about crevasses in glaciers. Crevasses are giant cracks throughout a glacier. They can be wide as a road, or so narrow that snow easily drifts across obscuring the crack completely. They are the most dangerous threat to mountaineers; one wrong step, a quick plummet, and then a crunch of broken bones and a slow death. I’ve been warned to avoid walking in fresh snow. When on a glacier, stick to the dirty packed stuff.

Well, lesson driven home, I’d say. This was a humorous and relatively nonthreatening way to have that point demonstrated.

Crawling to my feet, I cautiously worked my way around the boulders, and then headed far up onto the scree where the snow ended. I was taking no more chances. I marmot barked out its displeasure as I climbed into its territory...

To be continued...