Eric Hammersley

An article in Forbes today “China may ban unregulated VoIP services” is an unpleasant turn for VoIP.  Of course a lot, if not all, of this is just China politics because they are boasting the use of their “select” telecom providers and ousting the competition.  The bad turn here is the use of the term “unregulated” which could pave the way of VoIP regulation and control.  I don’t actually believe this will cause huge ripples in the VoIP pond but it does stop and make you think.

Ok, I’m reading the news about how everyone (I’ve only included one example but there are more) is questioning Under Secretary Michael Brown’s background and ability to lead FEMA.  Apparently his biography posted on the FEMA web site is, well… skewed to look good.

Now, I don’t want to get into a political battle here but I have one very important question.

Why didn’t this come out during the Senate Nomination Hearing?  Isn’t that what they are for?

You can view the hearing documents here from the 107th Congress but be aware that the GPO database is being hit hard and therefore you might have your try several times before you get the document back.  I have provided a mirror of it here in case you have trouble getting to it.

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In addition to this the BBC is reporting now that Under Secretary Michael Brown has been replaced a head of disaster relief in Louisiana.  You can check out their story here.

In the Reuters article this morning “White House faces new questions on Katrina relief” they discuss the much debated FEMA Debit Card program. This article suggests, or states I guess, that FEMA has suspended this program and will now issue the $2000 in emergency disaster relief by direct deposit or CHECKS SENT BY MAIL!?!?!

 

Present day, an over crowded disaster relief station in Louisiana filled with people who have nothing but the clothes on their back, in a strange city, tired, hungry and exhausted from being recently displaced by hurricane Katrina and left stranded for days on end without assistance.

“Fill out this paperwork so we can get you your $2000 in emergency disaster relief.” says the FEMA worker who just finished lunch.  “What?” the displaced citizen of New Orleans replies, “How am I supposed to get my money from my bank account?  My bank is in New Orleans along with my debit cards and check book and I need the cash now.”  “Well,” replied the FEMA worker, “you can receive your emergency funds by postal mail, just provide us with your address and we’ll send it right out.”  Amazed and astonished the aid worker would even consider that a viable option the displaced citizen of New Orleans turns to him and beats the living shit out of him with his own clipboard.

and… scene.