Although I did not know Aaron Swartz, as a technologist I am deeply intrigued – and alarmed – by the circumstances surrounding the well-known programmer’s recent suicide, weeks before he was scheduled to be tried in a high-profile hacking case. Swartz’s crime? He was charged with downloading electronic reams of documents from a marginally-secured network at…
Author: marc
Marc is a software developer, writer, and part-time political know-it-all who currently resides in Texas in the good ol' U.S.A.
Clown Ninja
The Power of No in Parenting and Education
I first have to say that I know a lot of great teenagers. I’m immensely proud of my sons and almost as much so of many of their friends. I stopped as I was writing this and nearly discarded it, keenly aware that I could inadvertently hurt one of these great kids by causing them…
RIP #AndrewBreitbart, you made…
RIP #AndrewBreitbart you made modern journalism a little better place and gave a voice to the silent majority of American conservatives.
2012 Campaign bumper stickers
Open Letter to Rep. Bill Flores re SOPA
Dear Mr. Flores: I am writing in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) currently being debated in the U.S. House of Representatives. Although I respect the need of media providers to market their works to customers, I feel very strongly that citizens of the United States and the world need a free and…
RT @richardbranson It is time …
RT @richardbranson It is time to end the war on drugs worldwide. Portugal’s 10 year experiment shows enough is enough http://t.co/Vs68mHRu
Republicans Drop the Ball on Payroll Tax
Defending Ron Paul, Since I must
As the valiant and few readers of this once-great blog are undoubtedly aware, I’ve not been writing much – or even thinking much – about politics lately. You may also be aware that, while I have a certain sympatico with Ron Paul’s small-government, balanced-budget mindset, I also regard him as a bit of a kook….
Pakastani Actress Veena Malik Magazine Cover Causes Death Threats
Should this magazine cover cause Muslim religious leaders to call for the execution of actress Veena Malik? While this shot stretches the usually PG-rated theme that reigns here at Black Shards to the breaking point, the answer has got to be a resounding “No!” First, it’s Malik’s body – she can do what she wants…