JDPFu.com 2025

It looks like Linksys may replace my WRT54GXv2 router, they asked when it was purchased and whether I still have the receipt. I’m happy with it except the QoS doesn’t seem to be working well enough to fully support VoIP needs. Since everything else works well, I don’t think it is a hardware problem, but what do I know? I’m hardly a router expert or an embedded systems hardware expert (at least since 1996).

jdpFu.com Privacy Policy

Good Neighbor
Consider that you are visiting my home. Please treat this site as if you were a guest in my home. If you see something wrong, please let me know. I will also treat you as if you were sitting on my couch for a quick cup of coffee or a beer. Enjoy.
Your Information
This web site does not capture personally identifiable data without your explicit consent. I won’t clandestinely grab information about you or your computer beyond standard logging. You will have to click a button and probably type something into a field. Ok?
email
If you send email to this site, you a volunteering information about yourself and/or requesting that the site act on your behalf. This is true if you email an account that interfaces with an automated email system hosted on this site – a listserv. It is common to allow users to add and remove themselves and our email list servers also support these features.
Selling Data
I won’t knowingly give or sell your information without explicitly requesting your permission. I have no intention of ever doing this, but that cannot be guaranteed due to Internet crackers. Aggregate data is captured as part of running this web site and email systems, but that information will not be knowingly provided to 3rd parties or used other than normally required to maintain a server on the Internet. That doesn’t mean that this site is hack-proof. Every effort is made, but there are absolutely no guarantees.
Standard Logging
What does that mean? It is common practice is to capture the following information in log files or email or web servers concerning visitors. This site also captures this data; however, those logs are usually rotated weekly. Upto 4 weeks worth of data is retained for troubleshooting or cracker research. Backups may be retained indefinitely.

1. Your Internet Address
2. Your Email Address
3. Your Current Browser
4. The time of your visit
5. A list of the web pages you visited
6. The last page you came from
7. other assorted non-personal information – load times, file sizes, etc.

Cookies
Some tools that I’ll use may use cookies, but you are welcome to turn them off in your browser. That is how I surf the web. Obviously, so things might break, but that’s life in the big city.

Hidden Images
As of 2/18/01 no hidden images used for tracking are used by this site. I have no intention of ever using these techniques. A Web beacon, also known as a Web bug, is a small, graphic image on a Web page, Web-based document or in an e-mail message that is designed to allow the site owner or a third party to monitor the address and other information of the site viewing the item. Web beacons are often invisible to the user because they are typically very small (only 1-by-1 pixel) and the same color as the background of the Web page, document or e-mail message. Web beacons are represented as HTML IMG tags in the Web page; users can click on "view profiles" of the Web page to see whether the page is using a Web beacon. Web beacons collect the IP address of the computer that the Web beacon is sent to, the URL of the page the Web beacon comes from and the time it was viewed. Web beacons can also be linked to personal information.

However, most 3rd party products do use cookies for personalization. If you come across a 3rd party product on this site, it would be reasonable to expect cookies to be set. As of 7/18/03, there are a number of 3rd party products running on this site. It is very clear when you are using those tools.

Click Here to see what your computer gives away about [[Your Privacy|]]

Privacy Links

• privacy.org What people can know about you without your permission!
• Junkbusters Telemarketing, spam, and other bothersome marketing hassles
• GRC Learn how to protect yourself while connect to the Internet! After you are on the page, click on the "ShieldsUp" image to see information about your computer that anyone can get when you are connected to the Internet. It is worse than the wild west of America in the 1800s!
• the grand daddy of all SecurityNow
• PING

Interested in privacy rights?

• http://epic.org/
• http://www.eff.org/
• http://privacy.org/

If you already read my Rants on Campaign Contributions, then you have an idea of my belief in fair competition and a lasifair government. That wraps up my feelings about most things, including education.
If public education were excellent, why are all the public schools not creating college prepared students? What is it that private schools have over public schools? Can public schools copy the success of private schools? Is there a good way to help competition? The keys are:

• Gradual change is needed; nothing quick
• The government shouldn’t show any preference except towards the outcome.
• Income of the parents shouldn’t prevent students from going to another school, provided a commitment from the parents for the education exists. That commitment includes the parents providing transportation.
• Parents should be able to choose what is studied. Recommendations provided, but the parents get the final say. That doesn’t alter which standardized tests are given to the students, however.
• Competition is needed – the money follows the student. If a student leaves, then so does their money. Competition is good.
• Parents should be able to select the school – within seating limits – that their children attend. How would you feel if the government told you which grocery store you were allowed to shop at? Why do they get to tell you were you must send your child?
• Failure (low scores) should force a school out of business, not have more money thrown at it.
• Learning is the primary purpose for a school, not playing sports. Being on a sports team is a privilege once acceptable grades have been achieved. Teamwork can be learned by group exercises in all subjects, including PE.

• Must do things? http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/costa-rica/
  • Learn Spanish
  • Zip Line / Hiking thru the Rain forest
  • River tour
  • Hang gliding over San Jose
  • Deep Sea fishing
  • Volcano tour Irazú Volcano or Poas Volcano
  • Rural Tourism??? Not very high on my list
  • Environmental tourist?
  • Teach a computer class?
  • Learn to surf
  • Lay out on a beach – tan; you can’t go on vacation and not get a little sun
  • Any local festivals or holidays upcoming (April 11th: Juan Santamaria Day, National Hero)
• Spanish is the official language; need to brush up on my Spanish
• Fly Delta for frequent flier miles, if possible (Tues-Sat)
• Where to stay (4/5 star hotel)
  • San Jose
  • elsewhere?
• Duration?
• Rent a car?
• Money Exchange Rate?
• Shots/Health Concerns – scheduled shots/boosters needed $350 worth.
  • Drink bottled water, avoid ice in all drinks
  • vaccinations – Yellow Fever, hepatitis A+B, Tetanus, typhoid, Mumps-Measles-Rubella.
  • Malaria Risk in Alajuela, Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces. No risk in Limón city (Puerto Limón).
• US State Department / Costa Rica Consolate Safety issues ** Don’t carry your passport – photocopy of Costa Rican entry stamp) Travel Suggestions
  • State Dept Travel Registration International Travel tips
    Entrance/Departure Visa fees – none for short stays; US$26 to leave
    Airport Shuttle costs?
    Power converter not needed
    Internet/WiFi in the hotels?
    Insect repellent w/ DEET
    Immunization records – Mumps, Measels
    Phrase book

Overseas telephone card?

• Important Phone numbers:
  • Bank CC cancel/replacement
  • overseas health insurance
  • family
  • in-country US embassy/consulate
  • airline
  • hotels
  • tour guide

Current temp – 27 deg C – 80 deg F
Time Zone – Central US

The Power to Tax is the Power to destroy.
– John Marshall

Government is the people’s business and every man, woman and child becomes a shareholder with the first penny of tax paid. – Ronald Reagan

The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax – Albert Einstein

Ok, now that you are thinking that taxes are bad, what solutions are there to funding our government, minimizing the ability to cheat, being fair (which isn’t the same as progressive), having non-citizens and illegals share in the tax load with a slight penalty and preventing elected officials from being able to change it with a simple vote. If you make more money, you shouldn’t be taxed at a higher rate. Success needs to have rewards, not penalties.
Some simple caveats:

• A consumption tax is required. If you won’t admit to being in my country illegally, why would I expect you to pay your taxes? I don’t, so we need to take your money at a point of sale.
• Consumption taxes hit economic classes differently. Wealthier people spend more money. Less affluent people spend less money. Wealthly visitors spend lots of money.
• Ok, now you’re saying that the cost of food and medicine shouldn’t be taxed. ‘’No loopholes.’’ The tax must be flat. If there are any ways around it, then everyone will find a way that they qualify.
• But I’m not completely indifferent towards economically challenged folks. Each household should be reimbursed some amount to cover the taxes for basic living for average costs around the country. There is no local adjustment for different costs of living. People choose where to live. They can choose to move to less expensive locals too.
• Ok, we’re with either the Flat Tax or the Fair Tax Wikipedia.
• Short description of the Fair Tax

Google Video on the FairTax 18 minutes to understanding.

More to come …

Term Limits are needed. The rules are simple:

1. To run for office, you must be legally able to vote in that election and the prior election for that office.
2. You can only hold 1 office at a time.
3. You can only be elected to the same office twice – no more.
4. You may run for other office during your current office, but only one office at a time.
5. These rules should apply to local, state and national elections

The main goal is to prevent lifetime Senators and House Members. If you know you are only there for 12 years and have to leave, you’ll probably try to get something done and not forget who elected you.

Some like minded people – http://www.termlimits.com/

See also Campaign Contributions

First you need to know the current rules for campaign contributions.
Here’s my proposal.

If you cannot vote in an election legally, then you should not be allowed to contribute campaign dollars.

• Special Interest Groups – nope, unless you live in the election area.
• National Parties – nope.
• Corporations – nope, NEVER
• Illegal Aliens – nope.
• Dead People – nope.
• Registered Citizens residing in the county, city, and/or state for the election? YES!

There needs to be a contribution limit per voter, per election. I don’t know what it is, but if an average voter might contribute $100, then perhaps $50,000 would be a reasonable limit for anyone? We don’t want to infringe on anyone’s right to free speech, but we don’t want anyone buying an election either.

Sound reasonable?

See also TermLimits

Ok, these are just a few things that I’ve been thinking about over the years. Don’t know if any are good enough to follow thru on, but heck, political speech is protected, right?

• TermLimits
• [[Voting]]
• Campaign Contributions
• [[Why patching your computer is important]]
• [[Fair Tax]]
• Education
• [[Privacy]] | [[PrivacyPolicy]]

More to come … I’m certain.

Latest update from my Senator Saxby Chamblis …

Dear Mr. Pxxxx :

As we continue to think about immigration reform and securing our borders, I would like to update you on the Senate’s latest actions.

Recently, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez announced a twenty five step plan to increase security at America ’s borders, strengthen interior and worksite enforcement, streamline existing temporary worker programs, crack down on employers who hire illegal workers, and enhance worker verification mechanisms.

Also, the Senate passed H.R. 2638, the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This bill included a unanimously adopted resolution that Senator Isakson and I introduced, that calls on President Bush to send an emergency supplemental spending bill to Congress to fully fund border security and interior enforcement activities.

This bill included an important amendment, which I cosponsored, to authorize and provide $3 billion to secure our southern border. The funding will be used to achieve full operational control over the entire U.S.-Mexico land border, by constructing 300 miles of permanent vehicle barriers and 700 miles of border fencing, deploying four unmanned aerial vehicles, installing 105 ground-based radar and camera towers, and obtaining the facilities and resources necessary to detain up to 45,000 aliens per day on an annual basis. Moreover, it will provide for the hiring, training and deploying of 23,000 Customs and Border Patrol agents.

Immigration reform is the most important domestic issue facing our nation today. The President and Congress must work together to secure the border first. Once this is done, we can work to resolve the collateral issues. I believe we can get there, but we are not there yet.

If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.sentate.gov . Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may ever be of assistance.