Trevor DeBus 's Techdirt Comments

Latest Comments (97) comment rss

  • On the post: Newest Leak Shows NSA, GCHQ Infiltrated World Of Warcraft, Second Life

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 10 Dec, 2013 @ 09:31am

    Re: Re: Nope.

    Exactly.

    Also, reports have shown analysts routinely spied on their significant others (and people they wanted to be their significant others), as well as private phone conversations between deployed troops and their families. This history shows that easy access to someone's living room or bedroom would be a very tempting target for these people.

  • On the post: Feds To FISC: Of Course We Don't Have To Share Our Full Legal Filings With Companies Suing Us Over NSA Transparency

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 10 Dec, 2013 @ 09:23am

    Welp

    It's amazing how the government's left hand can argue that random "metadata" is not a violation of privacy and cannot reveal anything substantial about the person whose information was collected, while at the same time the government's right hand argues that it cannot release some information because of the "mosaic" effect, where adversaries can piece together a larger understanding of their actions based on seemingly random pieces of information.

    wut.

  • On the post: Newest Leak Shows NSA, GCHQ Infiltrated World Of Warcraft, Second Life

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 09 Dec, 2013 @ 10:51am

    Nope.

    Aaaaaand that's why I won't be getting an Xbox One. Listening in to Xbox Live = Easy access to the always on Kinect. No thank you.

    Also, I'm sure Sony's systems aren't much more secure, but at least the PS4 doesn't REQURIE a camera to work. I'm fine without voice/gesture controls if it means no one's lookin' in my living room.

  • On the post: Lindsay Lohan Is Reportedly Asking Her Lawyers About Going After GTA5 For Non-Portrayal

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 03 Dec, 2013 @ 02:12pm

    LINSAY LOHAAAN

    Don't you get it? Her legal team is flipping the script on everyone, and pulling a Streisand Effect ON HER SELF.

    When was the last time you heard about Lindsay Lohan? A month or two ago when she guest hosted Chelsie Lately? What has she done since? I'm guessing she sat down and played some GTAV and had an epiphany.

    Apparently, she is convinced that bad publicity is good publicity, because now she's back in the news, and we all "care" again.

    Also, I finished the story mode and am elbows deep in GTAV: Online. I think those characters were more of a parody of celebrity in general, and not just one person. They drew the best material from the best (worst) celebrities, and made those characters. Rockstar has a knack for social commentary.

    Also, I fully expect a character named Linda Logan, who happens to be a washed up, drugged out former actress bouncing from D-list reality shows to make an appearance in the next GTA installment. Rockstar, you have your target. Get to it!

  • On the post: DOJ Refuses To Let Tech Companies See Legal Arguments It's Making Against Them

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 13 Nov, 2013 @ 04:45pm

    WTF

    Did they really redact the footer title of the document?

    Also: Page 12, middle paragraph: "If these leading Internet companies are permitted to make these disclosures, the
    harms to national security would be compounded by the fact that other companies would surely seek to make similar disclosures..."

    so, If we let these internet companies exercise their First Amendment rights, OTHER companies would want to exercise THEIR First Amendment rights, too? SACRILEGE!

  • On the post: Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 04 Nov, 2013 @ 09:32am

    In my defense, I was in a rush and opening a new window to search for the exact quote was just a little too much work. 'Merica.

  • On the post: Dumbest Logic Ever: 9/11 Happened Without Today's NSA Surveillance, And That's Proof Why It's Necessary

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 01 Nov, 2013 @ 02:29pm

    The Simpsons

    This reminds me of an old Simpsons episode where Lisa sold Homer a Lion repellant stick.

    Lisa: Want to buy this stick? It repels lions.
    Homer: No way, prove it!
    Lisa: Do you SEE any lions?
    Homer: OH MY GOD TAKE MY MONEY

  • On the post: Feinstein Releases Fake NSA Reform Bill, Actually Tries To Legalize Illegal NSA Bulk Data Collection

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 31 Oct, 2013 @ 04:08pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    It's 10 years for "intentional unauthorized access to data acquired under the FISA Act..."

    the kicker is "unauthorized access," because "data acquired under FISA" would cover everything the NSA is storing/collecting.

    Therefore, if this is passed and the NYT gets a hold of a document summarizing metadata of someone (or just a general group of people) they would technically be breaking this law (unauthorized access if leaked) and subject to 10 years.

    And so would the person who leaked it. They constantly argue that "unauthorized access" includes going beyond your access level, even if you are authorized to search for, download, and print out information. That's how they got Manning, and how they will try to get Snowden.

  • On the post: Feinstein Releases Fake NSA Reform Bill, Actually Tries To Legalize Illegal NSA Bulk Data Collection

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 31 Oct, 2013 @ 01:57pm

    Re:

    To me it seems to single out people who are not authorized (or exceed authorization) to access it. That would seem to include everyone who accesses the information in a manner the collecting agency doesn't like, such as Manning, Snowden, Greenwald, etc.

  • On the post: Feinstein Releases Fake NSA Reform Bill, Actually Tries To Legalize Illegal NSA Bulk Data Collection

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 31 Oct, 2013 @ 01:54pm

    Oath

    "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

    define "Defend"
    define "Constitution"
    define "enemies"
    define "domestic"

  • On the post: Lawyer Wants New Law To Hold Parents Criminally Liable For Their Kids' 'Cyberbullying'

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2013 @ 04:44pm

    Re: I know the answer!

    Yes. you win 5 internets!

    Congratulations!

  • On the post: Lawyer Wants New Law To Hold Parents Criminally Liable For Their Kids' 'Cyberbullying'

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2013 @ 01:35pm

    Re:

    Problem with your analysis:

    The First Amendment is NOT absolute, true. For example, speech "likely to incite imminent lawless action." such as riots or crimes.

    How is Suicide a crime?

    Also, was it IMMINENT? or over a period of time? You can't shout FIRE in a theater or BOMB on a Plane because of the IMMINENT threat it causes to people's safety, nor can you get on a microphone and tell a crowd of people to stone a cop the crowd has surrounded, because of the threat of IMMINENT harm to that person. But can cyberbullying be considered an IMMINENT threat to someone's life/safety?

  • On the post: Lawyer Wants New Law To Hold Parents Criminally Liable For Their Kids' 'Cyberbullying'

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2013 @ 12:39pm

    Re: Re: Um

    Unless "assisting the successful act of suicide" is a crime, how can "assisting" someone in committing suicide (which isn't a crime) be a crime?

    That's like being charged with Assisting driving while not under the influence.

    The target act (suicide/driving while not intoxicated) is not illegal, so how can the assist (helping the target be achieved) be illegal?

  • On the post: Lawyer Wants New Law To Hold Parents Criminally Liable For Their Kids' 'Cyberbullying'

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2013 @ 12:02pm

    Um

    Anyone else notice the leap in logic in O'Mara's reasoning for the proposed law?

    If a child KILLS someone with their parents' car, the parents can be found responsible.
    If a child KILLS someone with their parents' gun, the parents can be found responsible.
    If a child BREAKS THE LAW on a computer provided by the parents, shouldn't the parents be responsible?

    One of those things is NOT like the other.

    Also, since suicide is not technically illegal (only attempted suicide is) how can one BREAK THE LAW by conduct that leads to a successful suicide? Had the girl tried and failed, I can see them going after the bullies for aiding and abetting an attempted suicide, but you can't get charged with "aiding" something that isn't a crime.

    It seems the first step would be to outlaw suicide in order to properly charge people who bully others into killing themselves. For now, "Cyberstalking" has to cover it. :/

    *Note: This is horrible and the bully is a horrible person, and I don't condone that conduct ever (I have kids, I would personally hunt down anyone who tried this with mine).

  • On the post: Lost An Email? Just Call The NSA!

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 03 Sep, 2013 @ 01:54pm

    Well

    Just do a FOIA request on yourself, and for the cost of a notary and 8 months of your life*, you too can access all of your lost emails, as well as every thing else you have ever done!

    *give or give 2 years, and a whole lot of red tape. This offer not valid in the lower 50 states, unless some lackey accidentally sends it to you.

  • On the post: Man Who Raped 14-Year-Old Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail Because Girl Looked Kinda Old And The Internet Is Mean

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 28 Aug, 2013 @ 12:54pm

    WTF Washington Post??

    Check out the WP story regarding this:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/former-teacher-in-montana-gets-30-days-in-jail-for-raping-student-who-later-committed-suicide/2013/08/27/8f3115da-0f60-11e3-a2b3-5e107edf9897_story.html

    Horrible choice for the photo of the day :/

  • On the post: Once Again, Media Jumps On Violent Video Games Before Knowing The Facts

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 28 Aug, 2013 @ 08:24am

    Oops

    Interesting. I played GTA4 last night (Getting my Xbox [which I hadn't played in months] set up for GTA5 in a few weeks, so I had to make sure it worked!) and didn't shoot anyone afterwards. I was able to drive to work without running over any prostitutes or stealing any of the many, many nicer cars I see every day. So far, I have refrained from pulling out my cell phone, going to the cheats option, and loading up on ammo and armor as well. Today was a good day.

    Also, I didn't have access to a loaded handgun. So there's that.

    /sarcasm

  • On the post: Ex-CIA/NSA Boss Says Snowden Worse Than Every Spy From Benedict Arnold To The Rosenbergs

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 22 Jul, 2013 @ 09:07am

    Dude

    The easiest way to make sure you don't give up information is to NOT HAVE INFORMATION TO GIVE UP. Sure, he had "4 laptops" with him, but he was gone for weeks before the leaks were made public. If he were smart (he is) he would keep the information somewhere separate, and simply keep some type of access to it; not carry it all around with him at all times.

    I doubt he gave anything to China or Russia, because he most likely doesn't have anything on him to give...

  • On the post: Microsoft Capitulates, Removes Online DRM From Xbox One

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 19 Jun, 2013 @ 04:48pm

    Um...

    I thought these "features" were to make the system "better" in that it would allow the cloud to manage the heavy lifting of games so the xbox console could present better FPS and gameplay. By removing the always on requirement, are games going to suck, or was that all just BS to begin with (ahem Sim City...)

    Also, that seemed like an easy switch in position. What's to say the first "set up" connection just turns "IMWATCHING.NSA.dll to a dormant setting that Microsoft can later turn back on?

    Remember how we were GOING to have always on requirements and restrict game sales? Well publishers are complaining of those pesky Pirates (ARRRRRR) so here's an update to help fix that problem! (IMWATCHING.NSA.dll reactivated).

    I'll be getting a PS4, thankyouverymuch.

  • On the post: Police Follow Up Beating A 'Possibly Intoxicated' Man To Death By Seizing Witnesses' Cell Phones

    Trevor DeBus ( profile ), 13 May, 2013 @ 03:40pm

    Well

    Note to self: If you ever record the police doing something, immediately upload it to facebook, twitter, email, or youtube and call 911 on it!

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