Tuesday, November 20, 2018

This is disgusting

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-standing-saudi-arabia/

This is disgusting. 

-----------------------
America First!
The world is a very dangerous place!
The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq’s fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria (who has killed millions of his own citizens), and much more. Likewise, the Iranians have killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East. Iran states openly, and with great force, “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Iran is considered “the world’s leading sponsor of terror.”
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave. They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has agreed to spend billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism.
After my heavily negotiated trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Kingdom agreed to spend and invest $450 billion in the United States. This is a record amount of money. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, tremendous economic development, and much additional wealth for the United States. Of the $450 billion, $110 billion will be spent on the purchase of military equipment from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and many other great U.S. defense contractors. If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries – and very happy to acquire all of this newfound business. It would be a wonderful gift to them directly from the United States!
The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone. Indeed, we have taken strong action against those already known to have participated in the murder. After great independent research, we now know many details of this horrible crime. We have already sanctioned 17 Saudis known to have been involved in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi, and the disposal of his body.
Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an “enemy of the state” and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that – this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!
That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!
I understand there are members of Congress who, for political or other reasons, would like to go in a different direction – and they are free to do so. I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America. After the United States, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producing nation in the world. They have worked closely with us and have been very responsive to my requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels – so important for the world. As President of the United States I intend to ensure that, in a very dangerous world, America is pursuing its national interests and vigorously contesting countries that wish to do us harm. Very simply it is called America First!

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Upgrade to Fedora 29

Fedora 29 was released today!  I found instructions on upgrading 27->28, so giving that a try for a 28->29 upgrade.

For the impatient, here are the commands:

  1. sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
  2. sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade
  3. sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=29
  4. sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot

For the more cautious, see the original post in Fedora Magazine: "Upgrading Fedora 27 to Fedora 28" The instructions abpve are the same, with a minor version change.

    Full disclosure: I'm a Red Hat associate, but not working in the Fedora space and my upgrade is currently 4585 out of 4597 packages complete. Call me an optimist!

    Monday, October 29, 2018

    IBM to acquire Red Hat




    Fellow Red Hatters! As a survivor of the DEC acquisition by Compaq and then Compaq by HP, I offer these words of advice on this surprising and stressful day where Red Hat is being acquired by IBM.

    While Red Hat is a great place to work, great colleagues, we make contributions to OSS and beyond, we are more than where we work. Take a look at other parts of your life. 

    Try not to obsess on the news. Nothing will happen at Red Hat in the short term. 

    Change is the only constant, learn to make the best of it. 

    Don't rage quit. 

    Make no mistake IBM bought us and are in the driver's seat. 

    If it ever gets unacceptable being here, headhunters will be on the lookout for talent and we'll find other places to make a difference. 

    Take a minute to vent, breathe and then get back to our customers.

    Sunday, April 15, 2018

    My experience with Human Library @ Merrimack Public Library as the Atheist Human Book

    Human Library @ Merrimack Public Library
    Yesterday I participated in the Human Library project at the Merrimack
    Public Library.  The Human Books where:

    • April, Life of a Psychic/Medium
    • Barbara, Clowning Brings Light & Laughter
    • Gerri, Transitioning in Our Community
    • Hailey, Just a Girl and her Gun
    • Joshua, Recovering Pornography Addict/Activist
    • Josiah, I Unabashedly Support and Defend President Donald J. Trump
    • Karlyn, Highly Spiritualized, but Not at all Religious
    • Marc, Atheist
    • Maria, Civil Rights Activist & Author
    • Maureen & Lou-Lou, A Conversation About Disability: The Least Dangerous Assumption
    • Megan, Happily Childless
    • Mike, Transgender: Being Male on the Inside
    • Steven, 15 Minutes with Kurt's Husband


    My write up was simply - "I'm an atheist and a number of folks have never met one who is open about it."

    The full descriptions are available

    Readers could 'check out' one of the books for a 30 minute one on one informal conversation.  I had four sessions

    - Spiritual but religious person. Genuinely interested in my point of view.

    - An ex-Catholic but still a Christian. Curious what it meant, brother-in-law is atheist but never talked to him about it.

    - Christian but not really buying it from childhood but still attends church

    - A Russian expat raised with no religion and not ever interested in.  She was curious what about my experience was as a native USA non-believer.  She told me a story about how Jehovah Witnesses once visited and figured she'd improve her English by talking with them. She invited them in but when she said she was an atheist and they quickly got up and left.  I had a similar experience and haven't had them stop by the house again. We may have just discovered Kryptonite for Jehovah Witness door knockers!

    Interestingly -- all the 'Readers' were women.

    #Atheist Human Book

    My talking points


    • Why am I doing this? A few years ago while watching my kids' soccer games I got to talking with another parent on religion and mentioned I was a non-believer. He said he had never met an atheist! I'm sure he had but just didn't know.  What surprised me was he is a family therapist. Surely religion must have come up occasionally.
    • Define that an atheist is simply "a" (not) "Theist" (believer in god). There is no evidence of god(s).  Not necessarily anti-theist and mostly becomes an issue when theists try to force their belief on others.  I don't care what you believe.
    • Atheism is not about evolution, abiogenesis, Big Bang, etc. Generally, atheists point to science for answers and comfortable that some are currently not yet well answered. For example abiogenesis, string theory
    • I'm a poly-atheist and probably so are you. There are many gods that people really believed, but no longer.  eg: Zeus, Odin, Shiva, Buddha.  I just don't believe in Yahweh/God/Jesus for many of the same reasons.
    • I've been in town for 25 years, married to the same woman for 27 years, raised six children who are all doing well, fully employed the entire time, an engaged voter, active member of historical and genealogy societies, board member of disability non-profit, never arrested, no illicit drugs, etc -- A pretty moral and ethical person, IMHO.  Boringly so.
    • Morality? The golden rule and empathy for fellow humans.  Basically "Don't be a jerk" Which is pretty common in most religions.
    • My background was in upstate New York and fairly attended a Methodist church with my family -- Sunday school, youth group, chorus.  In high school met friends who were Jewish, non-believers,  other Christian denominations who were good people. Also came to question those beliefs seeing those multiple religions as well as learning more about science, evolution, world history, etc.  Never attended services since going to college.
    • While I'm here as the Atheist Book, I was happy to talk about topics that interest me. For example early Christian history from a secular, academic point of view.  eg: How an apocalyptic Jewish sect evolved into Christianity.  St Paul (Saul) never met Jesus physically, only in two visions and didn't meet the other disciples until years after spreading the word in modern day Turkey/Greece. The "Letters from Paul" of the bible were written in the 50s CE and gospels in the 70-100 CE. Two people walked away with suggestions to read some of Bart Ehrman's books.  Also suggested people look at common bible stories in a modern light -- the story of the Binding of Isaac by Abraham sounds like a father with schizophrenia when he hears God and angels talking to him.  The story of Lot is another horrible story through non-believer eyes. Lot offering his virgin daughters to be raped by the crowd in order to protect visiting angels and later Lot's two daughters getting him drunk and having sex with him. Yes, go re-read Genesis 19:4-8 and Genesis 19:30-38

    Overall it was a great experience and an opportunity to break down some stereotypes.  


    Human Library event @ Merrimack Public Library

    Thursday, March 22, 2018

    Genealogy Brick Wall: James Norman HULL (1826-1884) of Warwick, Orange County, NY


    My cousin Jackie Hull and I are researching our HULL line and this is our genealogy brick wall.

    There are two areas we are interested in:

    • What is the HULL line of Sheriff Henry Hunter HULL (1875-1947). His mother Elmira/Almira HULL (1853-1886) never married but was a domestic for the Othniel HOLBERT/HALBERT family in Sugar Loaf, Warwick, NY around the years Henry was born.  Henry was raised by his grandparents who resided in Greenwood Lake.
    • Who are the parents of James Norman HULL, Elmira’s father?  This is our current brick wall.


    Our direct HULL line is from Henry Hunter HULL (1875-1947) who was the Orange County Sheriff (1925-1927).  He was married to Ella THORPE and then Helen Frances SMITH.

    His mother, Elmira/Almira HULL (1853-1886) had him at 22 and was never married.  We know the man (HOLBERT) was an employer. We have heard rumors that he, or brother, may be the father of Henry Hunter Hull. The surname FITZGERALD belonged to a neighbor of the Hulls in Greenwood Lake whose daughter Jenette/Gennette married HOLBERT. Genette was ill and we think that is why Elmira went to care for her and the children at the Holbert farm.

    What we know of Elmira/Almira HULL

    1860 Census - Almira Hull (7) living with James HULL & Elizabeth and younger brothers and an Ira HUNTER (15) and Alelia HUFF (17, domestic)

    1870 Census - Elmira Hull (17) working as a domestic for the Othniel HOLBERT/ Jenette FITZGERALD(?) family in Sugar Loaf.  That family had 2 small children.

    In 1875 she is listed in the NYS census as Elmira HULL (22) living in Warwick with her parents, James Norman HULL and Mary. Census Jun 5, 1875.

    Also in 1875, she is listed as Almira HULL (22, single) working as a servant in Chester, still with Othniel HOLBERT & Jeannette (FITZGERALD).  In addition to that family’s children, there was an Edward Bennett (16) also a servant. The census took place on Jun 1, 1875, and Henry was born on Oct 16, 1875, Greenwood Lake.

    1880 Census Almira Hull (26) again is a servant in the household of Othiel HOLBERT (40), Jeannette (42), Emily (11), Charles (10), John (8), Othneil (7), Sarah (3), Jessie (1) along with a servant James HOLLOCK (21). Notice no mention of her 4-year-old son, Henry Hunter HULL who was living with his grandparents (see below)

    Emira HULL died at age 34 of Tuberculosis (tubercular consumption) on April 30, 1886, based on her death certificate.  It was certified by James G Holbert also of Sugar Loaf.

    Jackie a few years ago talked to a relative of Othniel (Ott) HOLBERT, Jr (John Holbert 228-326-4549) who said he has a book about the family. We have not found it.  Any suggestions?

    What we know of James Norman HULL


    James Norman HULL (1826-1884) m1.ELIZABETH HUNTER? m2. Mary HELLAND? (no children, adopted Henry Hunter HULL).  He is buried in Seamansville Cemetery, Monroe, NY

    1850 Census - He was 24 working as a laborer.  In Monroe, the household of Henry HUNTER (37) Matilda (43), Elizabeth (17, likely future wife), Henrietta (16), Catherine (13), Martha H (8), Ira (5).

    1860 Census - In Monroe, James was 33 m. Elizabeth (27), Almira (7), James (5), Silas (1), Ira HUNTER (15, brother in law), Amelia HUFF (17, domestic)

    1865 Census - James N Hull (40) / Elizabeth (33) had Almira Hull (13) James H (11), Silas (5),  Elizabeth (1), Alonzo LITTLE (15, Farmer), HANNAH M. HUNTY/HUNTER? (17, Servant)

    1870 Census - Now in Warwick James (44), Mary (39), James H, Silas, Elizabeth

    1875 NYS census - Same people as before but with a Saida C. Dekay (32, boarder, school teacher)

    1880 Census, James N (54), Mary (49), Silas (21), Henry (4, listed as a son but this is Henry Hunter HULL, son of Elmira HULL)

    Died Feb 5, 1884. Mary died May 20, 1866, and are buried in the Seamansville Cemetery in Monroe.


    Monday, March 5, 2018

    Belated Blog Birthday

    I missed my "Nozell, Rhymes with Oh Hell" blog's birthday yesterday.  It turned 16.

    There have been many changes. It started out as a simple blosxom hosted by a long dead ISP, mv.com, the moved to a hosted Wordpress for a while before making the transition to blogger.com.


    Tuesday, January 16, 2018

    River5 running in OpenShift.com

    A confluence of things came together last night and is worthy of sharing.
    • I'm a long time fan of RSS readers
    • Dave Winer has been talking up his river-of-news RSS aggregator (river5)
    • A desire to sharpen my dev skills on OpenShift
    So last night I got River5, a nodejs app, running in OpenShift and it was pretty straightforward to do. Basically, change the port river5 listens on from the default 1337 to 8080, as required by OpenShift. Then a handful of OpenShift steps to pull source from github, have it automatically build and then run in the public cloud.   For hacking around I used a private OpenShift cluster but provide the steps below to get it running in Red Hat's OpenShift.com environment.
    1. Fork my version of Dave's river5 github repo by using the github.com website.  My changes are minor - config.json to change the port and add my OPML exported from feedly.com.  Also added a new file, feedly.opml, of my feeds.  
    2. Download / install the OpenShift CLI on your desktop.  I use RHEL/Fedora for my desktop, but Windows/Mac versions are also available from here
    3. Signup for a free starter account on openshift.com
    4. Once you have logged in to openshift.com, click in the upper right under your identity in the dropdown for "Copy Login Command"
    5. The next few steps are done in a terminal
      1. Login command looks something like this
        $ oc login https://api.starter-us-west-2.openshift.com --token=XXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX_XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
      2. Create a project (think kubernetes namespace) to hold your application
        $ oc new-project my-river5 
      3. Create the new application from source on github (modify to reference your own repo)
        $ oc new-app https://github.com/MarcNo/river5
      4. Watch the build
        $ oc statusand
        $ oc logs -f bc/river5or use the OpenShift GUI
      5. Once complete, expose the service to the external network
        $ oc expose svc/river5
      6. Find out what the URL
        oc get routes
    6. Check it out!
      http://river5-my-river5.7e14.starter-us-west-2.openshiftapps.com/
    Keep in mind this is just the minimum to get started.  A complete solution would include keeping data on persistent storage, perhaps shared storage for multiple river5 instances to share, etc.


    Full disclosure, I'm a Red Hat Associate.