Warning: Constant ABSPATH already defined in /home/x80r5tp1n06t0fz1/public_html/blog1/wp-config.php on line 25
result – The David Thuis Blog

New TSA Style Home Security Measures

I’ve been following the news about the new TSA security measures at airports with some interest.  It has both terrified and filled me with concern.  Since, I am now scared to death about my own and my families security, I have decided to implement the following “TSA Style” security measures for anyone who visits my home:

Since I doubt those fancy “back scatter” machines are available for home use, and I probably couldn’t afford one anyway, upon arriving at my home all visitors must disrobe completely and turn slowly in front of me while I photograph them with my digital camera.

If you are worried about privacy; those who do not wear eyeglasses may wear a pair, and those who do may take them off.  Clark Kent/Superman showed this as an effective way of protecting your identity.  If you feel this measure does not protect your privacy enough, you may opt to wear sunglasses or I have cut out a small rectangular piece of black construction paper you can hold in front of your eyes.

I will immediately delete these photos after the search is conducted, trust me!  You don’t have to worry about me storing these photos or posting them on the internet.  Everyone knows you can’t do that anyway with today’s technology.

If for whatever reason you do not want to go through this procedure you will be subject to a full body “pat down”.  As chief of my home security, I have authorized myself to use the front of my hands and to touch areas around your breasts, groin, and really “pat down” any part of your body I so desire, as long as I desire, in the name of security.  If I find anything I deem “suspicious”  you will be expected to disrobe anyway, so you might as well just go with the first choice.

Just so you know, I don’t profile, but inevitably some “attractive” people may have to partake in a more “thorough” screening process, and some “unattractive” people may be laughed at or have some inappropriate comments made about them.

Refusal to go through this process will result in denial of entry into my home and whatever fine I come up with (It depends on how many of my bills are due).

Almost everyone will be required to go through this security screening process, however there are a few exceptions:

I am not a TSA agent and federal, state and local child protection laws prohibit me from conducting this screening process on those under the age of 18  So, even though this will create a huge hole in my security, those under 18 are exempt.

Additionally, even though I know most violent domestic crime happens between family members, immediate family members are exempt from these procedures as doing this on family would just be gross.  Guess I’ll just have to trust you.

Sure, I know this process will cause some discomfort, and is probably illegal (I’m not a lawyer), but you have to understand I NEED do this.  This is for the safety and security of my family and any visitors to my home.  Actually, come to think of it, as a visitor you should thank me for these procedures as I am keeping you safe.  I am sure you understand that if I don’t do this the “terrorists have won”.

Before you beat me up this was written totally in jest and none of these procedures will actually take place.  Unless, of course, you want them to.

Google Voice for everyone

Via Google Voice.

A little over a year ago, we released an early preview of Google Voice, our web-based platform for managing your communications. We introduced one number to ring all your phones, voicemail that works like email, free calls and text messages to the U.S. and Canada, low-priced international calls and more—the only catch was you had to request and receive an invite to try it out. Today, after lots of testing and tweaking, we’re excited to open up Google Voice to the public, no invitation required.

Over the past year, we’ve introduced a mobile web app, an integrated voicemail player in Gmail, the ability to use Google Voice with your existing number and more. Over a million of you are now actively using Google Voice, and many of the features released over the past year (like SMS to email and our Chrome extension) came as a result of your suggestions, so thanks!

If you haven’t yet tried Google Voice, we can’t wait for you to try it out and let us know what you think. Check out our revamped features page to learn about everything Google Voice can do, and if you haven’t seen it yet, this video provides a good overview in less than two minutes:

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made with Google Voice over the last few years, and we’re still just scratching the surface of what’s possible when you combine your regular phone service with the latest web technology. It’s even more amazing to think about how far communication has come over the last couple hundred years. To put things in context, we created this infographic to visualize some recent history of human communication and how Google Voice uses the web to help people communicate in more ways than ever before (click the image for a larger version):

Update 10:38 am: Just to clarify, though we’ve opened up sign-ups, Google Voice is still limited to everyone in the U.S. for now.
Posted by Craig Walker & Vincent Paquet, Google Voice Product Managers