Bowietreks

Dutch Electronic Files on Babies

Per Slashdot, The Netherlands will begin opening electronic files for all babies born beginning January 1, 2007. Some information from the post:

"The Dutch government plans to

open an electronic file on every child at birth as a tool to spot and protect the troubled kids of the future. All citizens will be tracked from cradle to grave in a single database - including health, education, family and police records."

*****

Now, this is scary.

Source: Slashdot

Hurricane Survivor Registry

I just read on the Slacker Manager blog that a blog has been started for the registry of hurricane Katrina survivors. You may register on the blog to tell others you survived and are OK;or you may register here to look for friends or loved ones who survived.

The blog URL is http://katrina.im-ok.org

The owners of the blog ask that this information be passed on and posted in as many places as possible. Also, they ask that bloggers and site owners post the Red Cross web address for donations and/or help.

Source: Slacker Manager

We'reNotAfraid.com

WereNotAfraid.com is a photo blog devoted to support of the people of London through photos and commentary, such as the photo above. There are several interesting and inspiring photos of the site, with instructions on how to contribute, if you are inclined to do so. Nice idea, well done.

We Are Not Afraid

No further comment needed!!

Little Boys Safe Again

From A Writer's Life by Lee Goldberg:

From the Associated Press:

Basking in the jurors' decision to acquit his client of all counts, Michael Jackson's lawyer said Tuesday the singer will no longer share his bed with young boys.

''He's not going to do that anymore,'' attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. told NBC's ''Today.'' ''He's not going to make himself vulnerable to this anymore.''

Himself vulnerable? What about the young boys? I still wonder what kind of parent would let their little children spend the night in bed with Michael Jackson. Bizarro.

Amen to that, Mr. Goldberg!!!

Deep Throat Timing

Gullyborg at Resistance is Futile asks if anyone is wondering why Deep Throat has come out shortly after Richard Nixon's son-in-law has become the front runner against Hillary Clinton in the 2006 senate race? Coincidence? or conspiracy?

Real ID Passed by Senate

The Act to require every U.S. citizen to acquire a Federal ID, called Real ID, passed the Senate 100-0. The National Association of Governors announced a possible lawsuit to fight the implementation of this Act. If this does indeed become law, we will be required to use the Real ID if we are to use Federal services, such as Social Security, entering Federal government buildings and installations, and for air travel. 

National ID Protest

Congress will vote on the National ID bill Tuesday, May 10. If you object to this becoming law, go to www.unrealid.com, where you will find a form to be sent to your congress person to let them know how you feel about this proposal. If this disburbs you as it does me, use this form and maybe we can keep it from being passed into law. Thanks to www.boingboing.net for the link.

National ID Card

Per Slashdot, within three years we will all be using the RealId cards proposed by the federal government. Our personal information will be housed in a machine readable barcode, and will be accessible to hackers. We will be required to have one of these cards in order to travel by plane and get Social Security benefits, among a long list of other services requiring identification. Some frightening scenarios about this are playing in my mind right now. This is a science fiction idea come to life, with no viable recourse.

Virtual Cemeteries

China now has 100,000 virtual cemeteries online, per Yahoo. People can create a memorial site for loved ones and visit their graves online. Flowers, wine, and other remembrances can be left at the virtual gravesite. These services are used heavily by busy Chinese workers who find it difficult to visit the actual gravesites.

Virtual funeral services are offered online here in the US. For an example, see www.online-funeral.com. I don't know if I would actually use such a service, but evidently some people do. People can view funerals through a webcam. The site includes online memorials. I have used this part of the service. When science fiction F. M. Busby died, his survivors set up an online memorial for him, where family, friends and fans could write about their experiences with Mr. Busby. I added my appreciation for one of my favorite writers and read many of the sentiments left by others. I do like this part of the virtual funeral/cemetary idea, if not the rest.