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Phone Jammers Cut Annoying Chatter and Police Life Lines

LibertySugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0800

Can you hear me now? Probably not, if someone around you has a cell phone jammer, devices that block reception within 10 meters. The discreet gadgets are gaining popularity among theater and restaurant owners, subway riders, and others trying to silence annoying people who talk on the their cell phones in public.

Last month, Canadian police were caught in a jam on a dark highway, when they pulled over suspects carrying a jammer that rendered their radios silent. Luckily, they seized the device, and soon an official warning went out to all Canadian police. In the US first-time offenders can be fined up to $11,000. In addition, the jamming party can be charged with theft, as the airways belong to the companies that purchased them.

The idea of anyone, especially police, entering a dead zone frightens me, but I understand the frustration with obnoxious cell phone chatting. Maybe more countries can start passing cell phone bans, similar to those seen (and not heard) on France's railway or Austria's public transit, while keeping the jammers away from the bad guys.

Source

Next Big Thing? How They're Texting "I Love You" in Nigeria

CitizenSugar — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Maybe you've gotten an email or two from some nice people in Nigeria with a whale of a financial opportunity — but if you get a text from Nigeria titled “I swear, I will make sure I give you HIV," don’t call the police. It may just be someone’s idea of an affectionate overture. When you open the text you'll most likely then read “H is for happiness and joy forever with an I: Incomparable love that will never V: Vanish until death do us part. I love you.”

It’s the new way to wow your mate from the new book Touching the Heart Through Unforgettable Text Messages (Volume 2) written by Femi Emmanuel, who writes text messages for those either too busy or illiterate to express their feelings. The book is marketed mostly to Nigerians, who have been described as obsessive text senders and who are tired of the usual courtship texts littering their phones.

To see where the inspiration comes from,

Can You Hear Me Now Yogi Bear? Cell Phones in Yellowstone

CitizenSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:04 -0700

Yogi Bear is about to have his eye out for a pic-a-nic basket with an iPhone in it. Yellowstone National Park officials have just released a plan to provide cell phone coverage and wireless Internet for parts of the park, while minimizing cell towers from the more remote areas. The environmental impact has been found negligible in terms of flora and fauna, though visitors of the human variety may be affected a little more.

A first draft of the plan, which contained a cell tower next to the Old Faithful geyser has been changed, moving it more out of sight, and they're trying to balance all the pretty nature with protecting public safety and allowing the park staff to communicate. The program manager for the National Parks Conservation Associate says,

One of the things that it comes down to in an increasingly noisy and hectic world is that it's critical that Yellowstone continue to provide the solitude and peace and quiet that our first national park has to offer.

Of course the peace and quiet could be the first casualty. While they have plans to encourage courteous use of the electronic gadgets, the park averages 15,690 visitors a day during peak season. That's a lot of "can you hear me nows."

Does the park have to modernize for safety and convenience, or should some places stay cell-free?

Source

New York City 911 Centers Can Receive Cell Pictures and Texts

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:15:35 -0700

I go out running alone a lot and watch too much Law & Order: SVU for my own good so I'm always thinking about how I'd be able to get to my cell phone to call 911 from the trunk of a speeding car. Crazy, but true. That's why this advancement from the New York City emergency line is a pretty useful piece of safety technology. The 911 line is now equipped to receive texts, cell phone pictures, and video as calls of distress.

While other cities are already able to accept texts (this I didn't know!) officials say they believe that New York is the first city with the image capabilities. Mayor Bloomberg had this to say about it: "This technology should put a scare into every would-be criminal because the chances of getting caught in the act is now better than ever." Not to mention the increased accuracy in providing descriptions — how often have 911 operators heard, "um, he's a guy with brown hair?" Now they'll be able to see him. By next year, callers' images will be made available to patrol cars and will be accepted as evidence.

The cost of the upgrade? A mere 18 months and $250,000. Since crime in New York is down 3 percent, it seems like a smart investment — and more security than either Stabler or Benson could provide.

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Front Page: Cancer Director Warns of Cell Phones, House Passes Housing Relief, Libya Cuts Off Swiss Oil

CitizenSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:59:01 -0700

Cancer Director Warns of Cell Phones:
The director of a leading US cancer research institute just sent a memo to thousands of his staff cautioning of possible higher risks from cell phone use. He said waiting for definitive studies was folly and that action should be taken now. Children should use cell phones only in emergencies, and adults need to keep the phone away from the head. The warning is based on early findings from not yet published data.

House Passes Housing Relief:
The House approved help for the US housing market, including protection for two of the largest mortgage finance companies. It includes a bold plan to help hundreds of thousands of struggling consumers avoid foreclosure by refinancing their mortgages with more affordable government-insured loans. Bush has said he will sign the bill once it passes the Senate, perhaps by Saturday.
Libya Cuts Off Swiss Oil:
Libya says it has stopped oil shipments to Switzerland to protest the brief arrest of leader Muammar Gaddafi's son. The country has threatened further punishment if the Swiss don't apologize. The Swiss police held Hannibal Gaddafi for two days after he and his pregnant wife allegedly assaulted Swiss officers. The move could prove costly for both parties as Switzerland gets half of its oil from Libya, and Libya has a huge oil refinery in Switzerland.

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Front Page: Worst Afghanistan Toll, Cell Phone Law, Obama to Expand Faith-Based Programs

CitizenSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:05:03 -0700

Worst Afghanistan Toll:
June was the deadliest for foreign troops in Afghanistan since the 2001 fall of the Taliban, and it was the second month in a row where the toll exceeded that in Iraq. At least 45 foreign troops were killed compared with 31 soldier deaths in Iraq. The casualty rate is thought to be tied to the Taliban's aim for headline-grabbing attacks that will promote their growing strength. Almost half of the 122 foreign soldiers who have died in Afghanistan during 2008 were killed in June, most by roadside bombs.

Cell Phone Law:
California's hands-free cell phone law goes into effect today. Offenders not using a hands-free headset while driving will be subject to a $20 fine for a first offense, and $50 for subsequent offenses. The law does not outlaw texting while driving, leading some to think the claims of safety are relative. Meanwhile, Sioux Falls, SD, has been named the safest driving city in the US.
Obama to Expand Faith-Based Programs:
Barack Obama is announcing plans to expand funding for President Bush's faith-based programs, pointing more Federal social service dollars to religious groups — and he'll announce that he will support some ability to hire and fire based on faith. The plan will be unveiled during remarks at the Eastside Community Ministry in Ohio. Obama is expected to say, ''the challenges we face today. . . are simply too big for government to solve alone. We need all hands on deck.''

Source

Free Minutes? Teens Sending Naked Pics Via Cell Phones

CitizenSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:15:15 -0700

Remember when school rumors about who was slutty were of the analog variety? That is to say, whispered behind hands in the hallway? Not anymore folks. In this all blog, all the time kids are snapping digital proof of their moral transgressions — and beaming naked pics of themselves to classmates' cell phones, who of course forward the illicit snaps onto friends.

Think what happens in cyberspace stays there? Nope. In La Crosse, WI, a 17-year-old boy was recently charged with child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child and defamation in conjunction with posting nude photos of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend on his MySpace page. The naughty pics came from a cell phone.

The impulsive racy acts have consequences lasting well beyond "delete." To see how,

President Bush Announces New Policy on Cuba

CitizenSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:00:23 -0700

Moments ago, President Bush announced a landmark policy change with regard to Cuba. Americans will now be able to send cell phones to Cubans. It's a change that Bush hopes will encourage the new regime of Raul Castro to increase freedom of expression for Cuban citizens

The announcement was made in a speech intended to mark Cuba's 106th anniversary of independence. I'm a political speech aficionado, and don't usually cotton to the simpler prose preferred by Bush — but this one had the prints of a new scribe all over it. To see what he said,

Can You Hear Me Now? Whose Ringtone Would You Blast?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:45:23 -0700

I suppose it was only a matter of time — for those of you el sicko of the campaign-o, Slate has found a way to make it even more culturally insidious. (Of course it's possible! Dare to dream!) Are you ready for this? Candidate. Cell phone. Ringtones. I can't help it; they're so obnoxious they fill me with glee. They have a selection, and here are a few favorites. Which one would you assign to your best friend? Your nemesis? Would you give any of them a jangle?McCain:

Obama:

Hillary:

Source and Source

Should Cell Phones Be Banned in Public?

LibertySugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:16 -0700

The European Commission recently ruled that cell phones could be used on airplanes flying over Europe. Meanwhile, back on the ground, countries and cities are creating no cell phone zones, otherwise known as "Zen Zones." Passengers on France's high speed railway enjoy cell phone free travel. Austria's second largest city now requires public transit riders to keep their phones on silent.Is it possible to silence banal cell phone chatter and annoying ring tones, or are laws that aim to regulate human communication futile? Should there be a legal mandate that public space is for texting only? Feel free to share the conversations you've overheard!Source

Should Cell Phones Be Banned in Public?

Yay! I do not need to hear about what business school you got into.

Nay. This is free speech people. We can't outlaw annoying people.

Nay. Only, if cell phones shock you when your voice rises above an acceptable volume.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Front Page: Birdflu Outbreaks, Zimbabwe, Flying Cell Phones

CitizenSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:00:40 -0700

India and South Korea are both struggling with fresh outbreaks of bird flu. In India, officials have ordered the elimination of about 20,000 birds. The outbreak is based around Bangladesh and has spread to more than half the country. Earlier this year, more than a million birds were slaughtered in the eastern state of West Bengal after an outbreak of bird flu there. In South Korea the second outbreak of the year, at a duck farm, requires the elimination of hundreds of thousands of birds. The H5N1 bird flu virus has killed more than 230 people in South East Asia since late 2003.

Nine days after the Zimbabwe presidential election, a court in Harare is due to rule on the opposition’s demand for an immediate release of the final tally. The governing party has insisted on a recount leading to further delays. A spokesman for the opposition says, “You can’t ask for the remarking of an exam whose result is not known by the student. It shows their mischief and shenanigans in trying to manipulate the poll.” The opposition has declared victory, though independent election monitors question whether he won the majority required to win outright. President Mugabe's party’s decision to push for a runoff and efforts to delay publication of the election outcome, however, makes voters fear that it is playing for time to mount a campaign of violent intimidation.
The European Commission said today they will allow cell phones to be used on planes. Under the new rules, travelers will be able to receive and make calls safely using their own mobile phones while flying all over Europe, according to the EU. The luxury will be to a very few travelers at first over fears of interfering with the aircraft's functioning. The service might cost travelers however, as the airplanes plan to carry the calls on their own network — at higher rates.

Front Page: Air Strikes in Basra, North Korea Fires Missiles, Cubans Get Cell Phones

CitizenSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:01:35 -0700

The US dropped bombs over Basra in an effort to support Iraqi forces in their clash with the Mehdi army. The fighting has stretched all week and last night's air strikes were the first. The Iraqi vice president's offices were hit during the shelling, killing two guards and wounding four. It's said that Iraqi security forces asked for these air attacks as they attempt to regain control of the oil-rich port city of Basra, against Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi army.

North Korea has test-fired short-range missiles off its western coast, according to South Korea. The explosions come just one day after North Korea expelled South Korean managers from a joint border project and are seen as a diplomatic protest and a political statement. North Korea is supposed to be in the midst of a deal requiring it to disarm to receive aid.
In perhaps another show of expanding freedoms and modernization in Cuba, President Raul Castro's government has authorized cell phones for ordinary Cubans. Owning a cell phone was a luxury previously preserved for top officials or people who worked for foreign companies. Service is expected to begin in the next few days.