Don't Use Download.com

Seriously.  They have taken to bundling malware with their download installers:

From: Fyodor
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 14:35:30 -0800

Hi Folks. I've just discovered that C|Net's Download.Com site has
started wrapping their Nmap downloads (as well as other free software
like VLC) in a trojan installer which does things like installing a
sketchy "StartNow" toolbar, changing the user's default search engine
to Microsoft Bing, and changing their home page to Microsoft's MSN.

The way it works is that C|Net's download page (screenshot attached)
offers what they claim to be Nmap's Windows installer. They even
provide the correct file size for our official installer. But users
actually get a Cnet-created trojan installer. That program does the
dirty work before downloading and executing Nmap's real installer.

At least, there is symmetry

Note that the author of this post is also the author of Nmap, and this violates his license.

Here's some more background.

The fact that they (CNET/Download.com) also employ "Draw by Crayon Libertarian" Declan McCullagh, who is still proud of creating the "Al Gore created the Internet" lie provides a book end for this crap.

I'm not suggesting a boycott here.  I'm suggesting that CNET, and more specifically Download.com, has crossed a line and is now a purveyor of malware.

It's just not me saying this, it's, "Panda, McAfee, F-Secure," (top link) who are classifying their wrappers as spyware.

Name the Historical Hottie

You can find the answer here.

While she is not a great beauty of her time, this is a rather surprising portrait, because it's someone known for not being either passionate or attractive.

Iran Claims to Have Brought Down an RQ-170 Stealthy UAV

The Iranians are claiming that they brought down the Beast of Kandahar:

The official Iran Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) is reporting that national military forces have shot down a US Lockheed Martin RQ-170 stealth unmanned air system. The aircraft sustained "little damage" and is in the possession of the Iranian military, IRNA reports.

Iranian news agency claims always have to be taken with some degree of scepticism.

The credibility of the online version of the IRNA article is not helped by the accompanying photo. The US Air Force has never released an official picture of the RQ-170, but we can be sure the the UAV in the IRNA article is not it. The IRNA photo instead is a stock image of the BAE Systems Raven delta wing demonstrator, an aircraft that was retired more than seven years ago.

NATO is admitting that it lost control of a drone, which, as David Axe notes would imply that it's not an RQ-170, since it is designed to operate autonomously.

Of course, the question I've always had is why use an expensive stealthy drone in a theater where the opposition does not even have a radar.

If the Iranians have in fact brought down an RQ-170, and right now I would say it's less than 30%, it happened because some moron in the Pentagon decided to deploy a system not required by the circumstances.

Schadenfreud Futures are Dropping from Oversupply

For the 2^nd time in as many months, Alabama law enforcement has arrested a senior foreign auto executive in their state:

To arrest one foreign car-making executive under Alabama's new tough immigration laws may be regarded as a misfortune; to arrest a second looks like carelessness.

A judge has acted to put a Japanese employee of Honda Motor Company out of his misery by dismissing immigration charges against him, three days after he was booked under Alabama's new immigration laws that have been billed as the most swingeing in America. Ichiro Yada is one of about 100 Japanese managers of the company on assignment in southern state.

Yada was stopped in Leeds, Alabama, at a checkpoint set up by police to catch unlicenced drivers. He was ticketed on the spot, despite the fact that he showed an international driver's licence, a valid passport and a US work permit.

Key parts of the new immigration law, HB56, came into effect in late September, including the driving provisions. Under them, the police are required to check up on the immigration status of anyone they stop who they suspect of being in the country illegally.

In addition, all drivers are required to carry a valid driver's licence, either from a US state or from their native country if they are from abroad. The law is designed to trap undocumented immigrants – in practice, Hispanics largely from Mexico – who are no longer allowed to apply for driving licences.

Over the past two months thousands of undocumented Latinos have fled the state and many more have ceased driving for fear of being caught and incarcerated.

Yada is the second foreign car executive to fall foul of the new law. Last month police officers arrested a German director of Mercedes-Benz for failing to carry a valid driver's licence. The move exposed Alabama to widespread criticism and ridicule.

What the Germans and Japanese don't understand is that the compliant workforce, born of a vehement opposition of unions and worker protections, naturally leads to this, because hatred of the other is a way to deflect criticism for creating so many have-nots.

I believe in tough immigration enforcement, but effective immigration enforcement must raise the risks of employing illegal aliens, not simply this sort of security theater.

Gripen Scores Another Win

The Swiss Military has decided to purchase the Gripen for its air force:

Switzerland has chosen to replace its fighter jet fleet with Swedish defence and aerospace group Saab's JAS-39 Gripen, Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources close to the government.

Neutral Switzerland has wrangled for the past three years over whether to replace its ageing Northrop F-5E/F Tiger fighters, purchased in 1976 and 1981, with up to 33 new aircraft.

Saab shares were up 8.5 percent to 117.10 Swedish crowns by 1345 GMT after the newspaper report.

The newspaper said the cost of purchasing 22 jets would be about 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.3 billion), 1 billion less than the same number of rival models would cost.

I would also add that the Gripen is about ½ the weight and ½ direct operating costs.

When juxtaposed with the exemplary short and austere field performance, and the generally short distances involved, it's the best choice for the Swiss.

Well, it's the best choice except for not getting anything. After all, who's going to attack them, the French, the Italians, the Germans? I don't think so.

Stephen Trimble confirms this. Both SAAB and the Swiss government have confirmed the deal.

I Get Emails

I am not sure if this is a function of my blogging, or of my work for Democracy for America 2004-2009, but I just got an email from the Maryland Democratic Party asking me to apply to be a pledged delegate for Barack Obama at the 2012 convention.

It appears that they don't read my blog.

Needless to say, I will not be applying.  Even if I were to be accepted (as in, how much can you bundle in donations for the party, Mr. Saroff), I could not in good faith be a pledged delegate, because I don't want to be in a position to where I promised to vote for him.

From: David Sloan
Subject: I want to see you in Charlotte
Reply-To: mdconvention2012@gmail.com
To: msaroff@xxxxxx.xxx

Matthew-
You only have one week left to submit an online application to become a delegate for President Obama in Charlotte. There is so much grassroots interest in the Convention, so I want to make sure you apply to join us before the deadline next Saturday.

The President has called the 2012 Convention the "People's Convention" because it is really about you. Yes, we will make history again as we renominate Barack Obama - but the Convention will also embody and celebrate the ideals, values and vision we share as Democrats. That is why I want you to take part in the delegate selection process.

Remember, in order to qualify to become a Maryland Delegate you must complete an online application by December 10, and file at the State Board of Elections between January 3 and January 11, 2012.

If you have any questions, make sure to sign-up for my last informational conference call on Sunday, December 4th at 6:00 PM. You can also check out our website or email me.

The Convention in Charlotte will be a special event for the thousands who attend and the millions who will be watching. That's why the Party is committed to running an open process that will give as many people the opportunity to participate as possible.

Thanks so much,

David

David Sloan
Executive Director
Maryland Democratic Party


PS: The application deadline is 7 days away. Apply today!

If any of you want to apply, feel free to click through for the links.  I promise that they don't lead to Goatse or Lemon Party.<sup>*

*</sup>If you do not know what Goatse or Lemon Party are, for all that is holy, don't Google it. Seriously. You are better off not knowing. If you see them, it will change you.  Forever.

Crap

Herman Cain has ended his campaign.

The loss of comedic material is a tragedy.  Send a condolence card to The Daily Show.