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Blog

The blog category where I try to be civil, level-headed and non-emotional. You probably won’t find many posts here since I have to be civil, level-headed and non-emotional.

Political Intrigue

Published by Terry Platt on August 21, 2013

I have finished the research requested by the hopeful soon-to-be candidate. If I had the time and the inclination, I would take the material discovered during this research and see if it might offer enough of a foundation for a novel in the Political Intrigue category. Alas, I have no talent for political fiction.

This was not my first venture into this type of research and I have to admit that it is always fascinating. Running down all the story origins proved to me that there are a large number of ways to disguise the truth and promote untruths. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to do this type of research again.

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Political Campaigns

Published by Terry Platt on July 24, 2013

I am now in the third week of research for a client that is comtemplating a run for a political office in his state. My research consists of identifying past newsworthy events related to the incumbent and from those events determine what internet activity, if any, may have been initiated by the constituents.

It is our hope that analysis of any internet activity that occurred will move us closer to our objective of identifying any subject matter to which there may be a strong but unperceived public mindset. If and when these subjects are identified they will be incorporated into copy created for the campaign.

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Spot The Fed

Published by Terry Platt on July 11, 2013

DEF CON is aDEF CONn annual event sponsored by and attended by hackers. You would think the U.S. Government would be interested in something like computer hacking and cyber stuff and they are. Every year except for the very first year, the gov has showed up.

The relationship between DEF CON attendees and the feds has always been a touch and go situation but the gov has always looked at DEF CON as a mass of hacker talent possibly interested in working for good ole Uncle Sam.

As years went by, the relationship actually was turned into a game. Attendees that were able to ID gov personnel were given T-shirts printed with “I spotted the fed!”. Good naturedly, the ID’ed Fed got a shirt printed with “I am the Fed.”

But as is the case with many a strained relationship, Jeff Moss, founder of DEF CON, asked the feds to not come to DEF CON this year. Seems the NSA eavesdropping and Mr. Snowden’s globe trotting adventure has injured the relationship.

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I’m Over 50

Published by Terry Platt on July 11, 2013

I’m over 50 – don’t want to say exactly how much but I only mention it to go ahead and establish the fact that I’m old enough to know better.

I can’t deny it any longer. It’s either a heavily embedded charcter trait or it’s a subconciously nurtured mean streak. I got the chance to show my butt again today. I’m old enough to know better but that’s about the end of that thought pattern. I have no regrets, would not do it another way next time and will not apologize for it. In fact, if anyone expects any of the above, it’s time to go another round.

I had a doctor’s appointment today. At 9:20. Had to be there at 8:45 in order to fill out paperwork for their paperless medical records system. Gave them my debit card to pay the $50 co-pay. Shortly thereafter – well, not shortly… more like 10 minutes or so – lady returned from back office telling me their internet is down and debit cards cannot be processed therefore I cannot proceed to doctor’s office.

All hell breaks loose!

Who’s fault is it that your internet is down? Not mine! I am willing to pay. You have my card in your hand.

Supervisor is called!

The supervisor is courteous and well trained in the handling of irate patients. Then, the magic phrase: you can pay by cash or check.

A whole lot of excitement could have stayed bottled up if that phrase had originally been added to the discussion.

Since I got into see the doctor kind of fast, only two hours past my appointment, I talked with him briefly about the new paperless medical records system. Seems a lot of doctors are going to be retiring before their time.

When are we going to wake up?

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Life Will Find A Way

Published by Terry Platt on July 8, 2013

I guess this blog will not die. It’s certainly been burned, crushed and grossly disfigured over the years but here it is again. Kind of reminds me of the Jurassic Park movie:

And, since I am easily distracted, let me distract you by telling you about somehing else I found while looking for the above video. If you enjoy beautiful dialog and spontaneous verbal cruelty, take a look at this. I love it. I know of none better. I think it would be worthwhile to memorize some of those lines.

Okay, that’s enough of an intro. The blog is back. Now on to other things.

If you know me, welcome back or welcome as the case may be. If you do not know me you might want to leave now.

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