Tonight on the Football Reporters Online Show on Blog talk radio: Peter Schwartz of Sirius Radio and former NY Dragons Play by Play voice to discuss what looks like sadly, the end of the AFL as we knew it. Ken Palmer of Giants Insider.com joins us to talk Giants and NFL East Preview. Plus Bill Carroll From Consensus Draft Services helps us finish our Divisional previews..
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Twitter attack a national security issue
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A funny thing - well ok, not so funny thing - happened this morning at 6 am while I slept comfortably and soundly: Twitter was down. Something called a "Denial of Service" which resulted in this message according to TechCrunch:
We are defending against a denial of service attack, and will update status again shortly.
As of 8:16 PST Twitter was up again, and seems to be fine now, but they're still defending against the attack! What does all this mean? It signals just how vulnerable these small business private sector Internet systems are, and this is a matter of national security. It's far beyond Twitter Phishing, which I talked about here:
...but it underscores the point that Twitter is the constant focus of some kind of attack.
Let's not forget that for all of its 44 million visitors last month and its powerful role in the Iran protest, the San Francisco-based company is a small one with just 29 employees, no constant revenue stream, and a bed of venture money. If I told you a company of that size was actually the communications hub for much of America and the industrialized world, you'd laugh at me. But that's the case.
It's also why making sure Twitter consistently works and is impervious to future attacks is a national security issue. Remember how The U.S. State Department contacted Twitter to convince them to change their maintenance schedule as it happened during the Iran protest? Do you have any idea how many people have been saved, helped, or advanced by the existence and operation of Twitter? It's become the modern telephone (ironically one can access it with a phone) for our society.
In my view, Twitter should want, and the U.S. Government should be open to, some level of investment and assistance in creating a powerful backup system and a better method of data protection. I write this because Twitter has had problems with "server stress" in the recent past and even though the link to MG Sigler's Venture Beat post refers to a problem in 2008, there have been others since then.
Then there's the matter of protection of information.
During Easter of this year a teenager attacked Twitter with a worm (a self-copying computer program or "bot"). In July a hacker called "Hacker Croll" broke into the personal accounts of a number of Twitter employees. That led to a "document leak fiaso" where Twitter information was spread around the Internet. TechCrnuch's Michael Arrington was sent copies of a number of emails between Twitter staffers, and while he did an excellent job of sharing his new gift with Twitter, the fact that this information was sent to him means that others may have gotten it too. What kind of information was gotten? According to TechCrunch, basically all that comprises the lives of the Twitter employees who were effected:
1) the complete list of employees
2) their food preferences
3) their credit card numbers
4) some confidential contracts with Nokia, Samsung, Dell, AOL, Microsoft and others
5) direct emails with web and showbizz personalities
6) phone numbers
7) meeting reports (very informative)
8) internal document templates
9) time sheet
10) applicant resumes
11) salary grid
Hacker Croll got a lot of information, which which may have led to today's attack if it was spread around.
Who is Hacker Croll?
According to BlogPirate, Hacker Croll is a Frenchman and that's not his real name; it's his "handle", his fake name. Moreover, he's not the diabolical genius you might think he is, he actually just plain guessed at the answer to a secret question assigned to the account of a single Twitter employee!
Hacker Croll said he didn't want to really harm Twitter or its employees, just show how vulnerable they were. Nice wake up call for Twitter, but I'm not sure Hacker Croll got the job offer he may have been looking for from them!
While it's not clear that what Hacker Croll did directly led to today's "Denial of Service" attack, it's certainly clear that Twitter needs a dramatically beefed-up security system if only to protect the many millions of people who use it. But more important, a country like Iran is certainly looking at these developments with interest and has a reason to like what they see. That's why Twitter's protection is a national security issue of top priority.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
George Sodoni the health club killer hated women
Late last night several cable news stations reported a shooting at the LA Fitness club in Collier Township, Pennsylvania. Reportedly, the man walked into the gym and according to the press conference on CNN shot his guns (he had more than one) 31 times, wounding 10 people and killing three, all women.
Today, it was revealed that the man's name was George Sodoni. No, he was not foreign born. He was not minority. He was a typical-looking Caucasian male but with a huge problem: he hated women. According to reports, Sodoni hated women so much he expressed his views on his own blog, which I can't link to because its being investigated by police. But my point here is to be watchful of anyone who has such an issue with any group of people that they would consistently express hatred or frustration for them online.
In Sodoni's case, he not only hated women but black men because he felt we were getting the white girls he wanted to date and believed to be "his" because he's white.
Oh, brother. For the record, I've openly set up white male friends with black women - I think such concerns as those expressed by Sodoni are just beyond the pale to say the least.
This is what he wrote taken from the PDF document I downloaded through CNN.com:
This is sick. The "exit plan" sodoni refers to is the murder / suicide he committed on August 4th. But it's clear Sodoni had issues with women and black men - so much so that he waited until Obama was elected as America's first black president to carry out his scheme. He also claimed not to have had a girlfrend since 1984 and hated his mother. So at 48 years old, he decided to take that weird and tragic action.
I point to this event for several reasons I will explain but one very upsetting one. Over the weekend I attended the LakeFest along Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland. After a great time on a terrific sun-drenched Saturday I met up with friends and acquaintences at a terrific cool tavern in the location once occupied by "The Fifth Amendment." The men and women I was with at this time, were an interracial group: black men and white women, all just talking about nothing really serious and having a good time. As I left, I overheard a group of men, white, as I passed by talking about our assembly and pointing at me as I left. They weren't friendly.
Then I realized they were talking among themselves and expressing a displeasure with the interracial mixing around them or more specifically white girls talking with black guys.
That mildly concerned me in passing, but in the light of this incident, it now scares me.
As a note, it's not the fault of the establishment; in retrospect it could have been almost anywhere in Oakland that has such a mix of people. Moreover, it's not a reflection of the normal establishment clientele: these guys looked like newbies who didn't live in the area. But it's still scary. It makes me wonder if I'm a potential target for some disgruntled white man who can't meet a woman. I know what I'm writing is harsh, but let's face it, I wrote about young black men in East Oakland and everyone agreed something should be done. I think something needs to be done in this case as well.
Everyone in America has the right constitutional right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Americans of all colors should honor those rights and let other Americans enjoy their lives without fear of harm or ridicule. The kind of racism and sexism that Sodoni expressed must be identified before it leads to murder.
Today, it was revealed that the man's name was George Sodoni. No, he was not foreign born. He was not minority. He was a typical-looking Caucasian male but with a huge problem: he hated women. According to reports, Sodoni hated women so much he expressed his views on his own blog, which I can't link to because its being investigated by police. But my point here is to be watchful of anyone who has such an issue with any group of people that they would consistently express hatred or frustration for them online.
George Sodoni
In Sodoni's case, he not only hated women but black men because he felt we were getting the white girls he wanted to date and believed to be "his" because he's white.
Oh, brother. For the record, I've openly set up white male friends with black women - I think such concerns as those expressed by Sodoni are just beyond the pale to say the least.
This is what he wrote taken from the PDF document I downloaded through CNN.com:
November 5, 2008
"Planned to do this the summer but figured to stick around to see the election outcome. This particular one got so much attention and I was just curious. Not like I give a flying ___ who won, since this exit plan was already planned. Good luck Obama! He will be successful. The liberal media LOVES him. Amerika has chosen The Black Man. Good! In light of this I got ideas outside of Obama's plans for the economy and such. Here it is: Every black man should get a young white girl hoe to hone up on. Kinda a reverse indentured servitude thing. Long ago, many a older white make landowner had a young negro wench girl for his desires. 'Bout time tables are turned on that__ Besides, dem young white hoez dig da bruthrs! LOL. More so than they dig the white dudes! Every daddy know when he sends his little girl to college, she be ___ a burthr real good. I saw it. "Not my little girl, daddy says! (Yeah right!!!) Black dudes have their choice of best white hoez. You do the math, there are enough young white so all the brothers can each have one for 3 or 6 months or so.
This is sick. The "exit plan" sodoni refers to is the murder / suicide he committed on August 4th. But it's clear Sodoni had issues with women and black men - so much so that he waited until Obama was elected as America's first black president to carry out his scheme. He also claimed not to have had a girlfrend since 1984 and hated his mother. So at 48 years old, he decided to take that weird and tragic action.
I point to this event for several reasons I will explain but one very upsetting one. Over the weekend I attended the LakeFest along Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland. After a great time on a terrific sun-drenched Saturday I met up with friends and acquaintences at a terrific cool tavern in the location once occupied by "The Fifth Amendment." The men and women I was with at this time, were an interracial group: black men and white women, all just talking about nothing really serious and having a good time. As I left, I overheard a group of men, white, as I passed by talking about our assembly and pointing at me as I left. They weren't friendly.
Then I realized they were talking among themselves and expressing a displeasure with the interracial mixing around them or more specifically white girls talking with black guys.
That mildly concerned me in passing, but in the light of this incident, it now scares me.
As a note, it's not the fault of the establishment; in retrospect it could have been almost anywhere in Oakland that has such a mix of people. Moreover, it's not a reflection of the normal establishment clientele: these guys looked like newbies who didn't live in the area. But it's still scary. It makes me wonder if I'm a potential target for some disgruntled white man who can't meet a woman. I know what I'm writing is harsh, but let's face it, I wrote about young black men in East Oakland and everyone agreed something should be done. I think something needs to be done in this case as well.
Everyone in America has the right constitutional right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Americans of all colors should honor those rights and let other Americans enjoy their lives without fear of harm or ridicule. The kind of racism and sexism that Sodoni expressed must be identified before it leads to murder.
Matt Leinart's Twitter account: if fake, should be removed
Earlier today I wrote a blog post regarding "Matt Leinart's tweet" where he supposedly wrote that Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner was "kinda old". The tweet was written on February 1st during the time of the Super Bowl where the Cards took on the Steelers in Tampa.
Obviously a story like this has some legs, so it carries. But now the claim in some quarters is the Twitter account is fake. The specific contact represents Arizona Cardinals Media Relations, which is an outrage. That the Cardinals knew this account existed and allowed it to remain active is terrible and a massive blunder. In a new media environment "media relations" does not stop at contacting the press, it also encompasses online content. For the Arizona Cardinals to not understand this is not good for its players or its organization. Shifting the blame toward me will not remove them of their responsibility. And not that I don't believe it's not fake but my concern is if Leinart and the Cardinals knew this account existed why it was allowed it to remain for so long? This is the month of August.
Online reputation management is something star athletes like Matt Leinart must pay attention to. As a consultant in this area, I've personally removed fake accounts and worked to improve the online image of clients. No, I'm not suggesting Leinart hire me, but this episode should serve as a causionary tale of why it's not a good idea to leave an account up and active.
Just because a Twitter account has tweets that stopped at a certain point is not enough to say it's not real - anything webpage (and that's what this is) that can be discovered in a search or has an active URL is real and that includes this Twitter account.
Matt needs to work with Twitter and have the account removed ASAP. It's not enough to rely on an obscure blog post as protection against misunderstood messages. Personally, I'm glad to learn the account's not Matt's, I hope, but I'm also very concerned that Matt's not taking the right steps to protect his online reputation.
Obviously a story like this has some legs, so it carries. But now the claim in some quarters is the Twitter account is fake. The specific contact represents Arizona Cardinals Media Relations, which is an outrage. That the Cardinals knew this account existed and allowed it to remain active is terrible and a massive blunder. In a new media environment "media relations" does not stop at contacting the press, it also encompasses online content. For the Arizona Cardinals to not understand this is not good for its players or its organization. Shifting the blame toward me will not remove them of their responsibility. And not that I don't believe it's not fake but my concern is if Leinart and the Cardinals knew this account existed why it was allowed it to remain for so long? This is the month of August.
Online reputation management is something star athletes like Matt Leinart must pay attention to. As a consultant in this area, I've personally removed fake accounts and worked to improve the online image of clients. No, I'm not suggesting Leinart hire me, but this episode should serve as a causionary tale of why it's not a good idea to leave an account up and active.
Just because a Twitter account has tweets that stopped at a certain point is not enough to say it's not real - anything webpage (and that's what this is) that can be discovered in a search or has an active URL is real and that includes this Twitter account.
Matt needs to work with Twitter and have the account removed ASAP. It's not enough to rely on an obscure blog post as protection against misunderstood messages. Personally, I'm glad to learn the account's not Matt's, I hope, but I'm also very concerned that Matt's not taking the right steps to protect his online reputation.
Matt Leinart's Twitter account: if fake, should be removed
Earlier today I wrote a blog post regarding "Matt Leinart's tweet" where he supposedly wrote that Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner was "kinda old". The tweet was written on February 1st during the time of the Super Bowl where the Cards took on the Steelers in Tampa.
Obviously a story like this has some legs, so it carries. But now the claim in some quarters is the Twitter account is fake. The specific contact represents Arizona Cardinals Media Relations, which is an outrage. That the Cardinals knew this account existed and allowed it to remain active is terrible and a massive blunder. In a new media environment "media relations" does not stop at contacting the press, it also encompasses online content. For the Arizona Cardinals to not understand this is not good for its players or its organization. Shifting the blame toward me will not remove them of their responsibility. And not that I don't believe it's not fake but my concern is if Leinart and the Cardinals knew this account existed why it was allowed it to remain for so long? This is the month of August.
Online reputation management is something star athletes like Matt Leinart must pay attention to. As a consultant in this area, I've personally removed fake accounts and worked to improve the online image of clients. No, I'm not suggesting Leinart hire me, but this episode should serve as a causionary tale of why it's not a good idea to leave an account up and active.
Just because a Twitter account has tweets that stopped at a certain point is not enough to say it's not real - anything webpage (and that's what this is) that can be discovered in a search or has an active URL is real and that includes this Twitter account.
Matt needs to work with Twitter and have the account removed ASAP. It's not enough to rely on an obscure blog post as protection against misunderstood messages. Personally, I'm glad to learn the account's not Matt's, I hope, but I'm also very concerned that Matt's not taking the right steps to protect his online reputation.
Obviously a story like this has some legs, so it carries. But now the claim in some quarters is the Twitter account is fake. The specific contact represents Arizona Cardinals Media Relations, which is an outrage. That the Cardinals knew this account existed and allowed it to remain active is terrible and a massive blunder. In a new media environment "media relations" does not stop at contacting the press, it also encompasses online content. For the Arizona Cardinals to not understand this is not good for its players or its organization. Shifting the blame toward me will not remove them of their responsibility. And not that I don't believe it's not fake but my concern is if Leinart and the Cardinals knew this account existed why it was allowed it to remain for so long? This is the month of August.
Online reputation management is something star athletes like Matt Leinart must pay attention to. As a consultant in this area, I've personally removed fake accounts and worked to improve the online image of clients. No, I'm not suggesting Leinart hire me, but this episode should serve as a causionary tale of why it's not a good idea to leave an account up and active.
Just because a Twitter account has tweets that stopped at a certain point is not enough to say it's not real - anything webpage (and that's what this is) that can be discovered in a search or has an active URL is real and that includes this Twitter account.
Matt needs to work with Twitter and have the account removed ASAP. It's not enough to rely on an obscure blog post as protection against misunderstood messages. Personally, I'm glad to learn the account's not Matt's, I hope, but I'm also very concerned that Matt's not taking the right steps to protect his online reputation.
Matt Leinart thinks Kurt Warner's "old" - a Twitter fake
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Matt Leinart at the 2006 NFL Draft:
Special Note: It's said that Matt Leinart does not Twitter, but this account I report on below with his tweets on it back in February is still up and active. I wrote a new blog post about Matt's Twitter problem and the importance of online reputation management. Below is what I originally reported. It remains as a cautionary example of how not to handle one's digital identity. Hopefully Leinart takes the steps to remove the Twitter account, as should have been done months ago.
I happened to see the New York Times article focusing on NFL Coaches prohibiting players from using Twitter in meetings and during training camp. I had to chuckle because the Twitter frenzy is already alive with funny and controversial tweets all over the place. Just ask Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who tweeted this (as of this writing):
Locked and loaded, ready to make history if Kurt goes down. That Steeler D is mean, and Kurt's kinda old...9:46 AM Feb 1st from web
Wow, "Kurt's kinda old?" Matt. C'mom, man! This is the guy who beat you out for the starting job in Arizona. A guy who was brought to the Cardinals to "tutor" you in the ways of the NFL, and ended up showing you by example. Why share that you think he's old on Twitter? Did you think someone wouldn't see it?
No one saw the tweet
Apparently no one saw the tweet to even make a big deal about it at the time: February 1st. And given Twitters incredible growth in visitors since that time, I can assert that it wasn't even in the mindset of media types to look at Leinart's Twitter page, let alone report what he put on it.
"Kurt's kinda old?"
As we march toward the 2009 NFL season the Arizona Cardinals Leinart, who thinks "Kurt's kinda old" is now battling for the number two spot behind that old man against unknown journeyman signal-caller Brian St. Pierre. St. Pierre was drafted in 2003 and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens before signing with the Cardinals.
By contrast, Leinart was drafted in 2006 amid much fanfare and anticipation. But it seems, starting from his being drafted 10th by the Cardinals rather than 3rd by the Tennessee Titans (who picked Texas quarterback Vince Young), Leinart's NFL ride would be a bumpy one. At the 2006 NFL Draft Leinart had to deal with questions about his fall from the being the expected first or third pick to being the 10th selection. Now, he's got to deal with questions about his inability to beat a couple of old guys.
Since Warner and St. Pierre are both older than Leinart, it seems those elderly gents are eating his lunch. If St. Pierre wins the number two spot over Leinart, I guess we should look for Matt to tweet "Brian's kinda old" at some point in the season. Or maybe Leinart will switch to cornerback:
Maybe I'll switch to corner next year -- jk10:15 PM Feb 1st from web
Well, he was just kidding there.
Watch what you tweet
The lesson here is simple: watch what you tweet. Matt, of all people, should know better. He's a two-time All American National Champion out of USC, and so successful that Cal fans all over both respect and hate him. Personally, I root for Matt, always have, but sometimes that dude does things that make me cringe, this tweet is one of them.
"Kurt's kinda old?"
Matt, you should pray to be in the league as long as Kurt has and achieve Warner's success over that time. But right now, the only "old man" you should concern yourself with is Brian St. Pierre. I know you're up to the challenge he presents. I know you can win the number two job - just go out and do it, because if you don't a lot of people will be disappointed in you. At that point, the idea that the NFL means "Not For Long" will come up in conversations about your career.
Matt Leinart thinks Kurt Warner's "old" - a Twitter fake
More at Zennie62.com | Follow me on Twitter! | Get my widget! | Visit YouTube | Visit UShow.com
Matt Leinart at the 2006 NFL Draft:
Special Note: It's said that Matt Leinart does not use Twitter, but this account I report on below with his tweets on it back in February is still up and active. I wrote a new blog post about Matt's Twitter problem and the importance of online reputation management. Below is what I originally reported. It remains as a cautionary example of how not to handle one's digital identity. Hopefully Leinart takes the steps to remove the Twitter account, as should have been done months ago.
I happened to see the New York Times article focusing on NFL Coaches prohibiting players from using Twitter in meetings and during training camp. I had to chuckle because the Twitter frenzy is already alive with funny and controversial tweets all over the place. Just ask Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who tweeted this (as of this writing):
Locked and loaded, ready to make history if Kurt goes down. That Steeler D is mean, and Kurt's kinda old...9:46 AM Feb 1st from web
Wow, "Kurt's kinda old?" Matt. C'mom, man! This is the guy who beat you out for the starting job in Arizona. A guy who was brought to the Cardinals to "tutor" you in the ways of the NFL, and ended up showing you by example. Why share that you think he's old on Twitter? Did you think someone wouldn't see it?
No one saw the tweet
Apparently no one saw the tweet to even make a big deal about it at the time: February 1st. And given Twitters incredible growth in visitors since that time, I can assert that it wasn't even in the mindset of media types to look at Leinart's Twitter page, let alone report what he put on it.
"Kurt's kinda old?"
As we march toward the 2009 NFL season the Arizona Cardinals Leinart, who thinks "Kurt's kinda old" is now battling for the number two spot behind that old man against unknown journeyman signal-caller Brian St. Pierre. St. Pierre was drafted in 2003 and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens before signing with the Cardinals.
By contrast, Leinart was drafted in 2006 amid much fanfare and anticipation. But it seems, starting from his being drafted 10th by the Cardinals rather than 3rd by the Tennessee Titans (who picked Texas quarterback Vince Young), Leinart's NFL ride would be a bumpy one. At the 2006 NFL Draft Leinart had to deal with questions about his fall from the being the expected first or third pick to being the 10th selection. Now, he's got to deal with questions about his inability to beat a couple of old guys.
Since Warner and St. Pierre are both older than Leinart, it seems those elderly gents are eating his lunch. If St. Pierre wins the number two spot over Leinart, I guess we should look for Matt to tweet "Brian's kinda old" at some point in the season. Or maybe Leinart will switch to cornerback:
Maybe I'll switch to corner next year -- jk10:15 PM Feb 1st from web
Well, he was just kidding there.
Watch what you tweet
The lesson here is simple: watch what you tweet. Matt, of all people, should know better. He's a two-time All American National Champion out of USC, and so successful that Cal fans all over both respect and hate him. Personally, I root for Matt, always have, but sometimes that dude does things that make me cringe, this tweet is one of them.
"Kurt's kinda old?"
Matt, you should pray to be in the league as long as Kurt has and achieve Warner's success over that time. But right now, the only "old man" you should concern yourself with is Brian St. Pierre. I know you're up to the challenge he presents. I know you can win the number two job - just go out and do it, because if you don't a lot of people will be disappointed in you. At that point, the idea that the NFL means "Not For Long" will come up in conversations about your career.
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