Verizon Will Now Track You on all Devices and Share Data with Marketers

Posted on April 28, 2014 by kelly.karsch

If the recent creepy headlines this year about Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, and more corporations giving all of your information to the NSA didn’t bother you enough, you’re in for a ride. Verizon wireless, one of the biggest broadband and telecommunications companies in the world, has stated that it will begin “enhancing” its Relevant Mobile Advertising program. This program is used to collect various amounts of data from Verizon’s customers online habits. This information is then sold to marketers so they can have a better pitch as to what to sell specific customers.

In addition to knowing all the weird and unusual things you look up in the privacy of your own browser (we all do it, don’t lie), Verizon is going to monitor what you do on your wired or Wi-Fi connected computer, even if you’re not connected to a Verizon connection at that moment. Verizon stated that they will use an anonymous, unique identifier they create when registering on their websites. This identifier will let advertisers use information they’ve collected from your desktop or laptop computer to more accurately deliver marketing messages to devices on their network.

To make matters worse, Verizon is forcefully enrolling customers in their program by downloading software onto computers without the owners even knowing it. What’s really upsetting however, is that most people, especially those who are not overly familiar with the internet, have absolutely no clue about this happening. If you are a customer of Verizon, I’d highly recommend adjusting your browser’s privacy settings to restrict access to third party cookies. In addition, you may visit the following website to disable/opt out of these invasive services:

https://login.verizonwireless.com/amserver/UI/Login?realm=vzw&goto=https%3A%2F%2Fmyaccount.verizonwireless.com%3A443%2Fclp%2Flogin%3Fredirect%3D%2Fvzw%2Fsecure%2FsetPrivacy.action

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Killer Storms turn Deadly leaving many homeless!!

Posted on April 28, 2014 by chrisba1986

Forecasters on Monday warned millions of Americans to be prepared for another round of severe storms, including strong tornadoes, a day after storms killed 16 people in three states. These killer storms hitt Oklahoma, Iowa and Arkansa where 14 of the 16 people died. In the hardest-hit area, Faulkner County, Arkansas, Sunday’s suspected tornado shattered homes, tossed tractor-trailers and killed 10 people, two of them children, authorities said. The most affected areas were in the towns of Vilonia and Mayflower.

In addition, “there were cars flipped everywhere, there were people screaming,” James Bryant, a Mississippi State University meteorology student, told reporters. After darkness hobbled overnight efforts to find survivors or bodies in Faulkner County, rescue crews launched a “deliberate, concentrated search and rescue effort” Monday morning, county spokesman David Hogue told reporters. Also, Hogue said it’s “entirely possible” the death toll will rise as emergency crews search the wreckage of destroyed homes, including some that only have been recently rebuilt after being flattened three years ago by another tornado. The Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said the storm was one of the worst to hit the state in recent memory,”It’s devastating for the people who have lost property,” he said. “It’s even more devastating for those who have lost loved ones.”

Finally, just when you thought it was over it has been estimated that about 3 million people in the South and Midwest are under a moderate threat for severe weather Monday, CNN meteorologist Indra Petersons said and about 24 million are at slight risk of severe weather. In conclusion, i think the most important step that needs to be taken is to make sure these people that are at risk areas are taken to a shelter until the storm is completely over and that for future reference the governor of these states that have rebuilt homes due to previous storms take better safety precaution measures for future storms so that in the future the death toll decreases not increases with killer tornatoe storms of this sort.

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New York City Tunnel Leading to Nowhere

Posted on April 28, 2014 by jessicafsmith1002

Taking shape on Manhattan’s West Side is a $185 million, federally funded tunnel that leads to nowhere, for now.

The 800-foot-long, 35-foot-deep concrete trench could someday lead to two new commuter rail tunnels under the Hudson River to New Jersey, if the billions needed to build them ever materialize. The access tunnel is being built now because the massive Hudson Yards development with six skyscrapers, the tallest being 80 stories, will soon be built on top of it. Trying to dig such a huge trench through the bedrock after those buildings are completed, officials say, would be an engineering and financial nightmare.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, was among the lawmakers who pushed Congress to approve Superstorm Sandy relief money for the planned flood-resistant access tunnel, calling it mitigation to protect infrastructure from future storms. But he argued it would have to be built now because the skyscraper developers could not be delayed indefinitely.

“We asked them to delay months, but if we asked them to delay years, they may have said no,” said Schumer, referring to The Related Cos., the main Hudson Yards developers. “Sandy relief funding was there, available, the criteria fit, and the money was getting through quickly and fit the timetable.”

Currently, there are two tunnels, opened in 1910, between New York’s Penn Station and Newark, N.J., and they are unable to accommodate any more trains. They also flooded during Sandy in 2012. Any kind of breakdown or glitch in the tunnels can lead to huge delays for the 250,000 people who use Penn Station every day to ride NJ Transit and Amtrak.

The access tunnel is expected to be completed in fall 2015.

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Denver: What makes The Mile High City “Mild & High”

Posted on April 28, 2014 by brittney a. mckinney

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of being able to visit Denver, Colorado. Denver’s nickname is “The Mile High City” because, the city’s elevation is literally one mile about sea level! However, you wouldn’t know it if you were there. I’m not sure how sea level is measured, but it would sure be a lot easier one could just throw a measuring tape off the side of a cliff! However, there are no cliffs near Denver that are at sea level. This city actually sits upon a plateau which gradually slopes down to sea level far east of the city into Kansas.

While people in Denver don’t necessarily feel like they are walking on air, they certainly do feel the effects of high altitude! They are a lot closer to the sun so, even during the winter, they are always getting sunburned. Another interesting fact about the weather, is that it is mild & sunny all year round! The reason for that is because the air in this part of the country is very dry. Even when it gets cold in the winter, the temperatures don’t feel as nearly as cold as they do in places with humidity. All year, throughout the city, you will see people dressed with jackets intermixed with people walking around in shorts & flip flops!

Denver is not just high in elevation, it is also high on marijuana! Right now, Colorado & Washington are the only states in America where marijuana can be sold legally for both medical and recreational use. Just look for the green cross and you will find a place to get high; there are tons of these shops downtown. A lot of times you won’t even have to look for them. Just follow your nose!

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IPad Is Changing The World Of The Developmentally Disabled

Posted on April 28, 2014 by marcelle.turner

Technology has impacted the world tremendously. People are able to live almost double as long due to advances in medical technology. Life has been made simpler because of computers and cell phones that allow the unlimited access to the World Wide Web.

Technology is now making life simpler for people with disabilities. Not only do prosthetic limbs help those who have lost vital body parts due to accidents, war, or illness, technology is helping people with medical disabilities as well.

For decades, assistive technology has been available for developmentally disabled people but it is less than high tech and expensive.

However, Apple’s iPad is beginning to change the lives of many. Applications are available to help with communication barriers that developmentally disabled people face.

AssistiveWare’s Proloquo2Go app allows the user to tap pictures and the machine then recites the word associated with the picture. Tapping more than one picture pieces the words together and creates a sentence.

Machines used before the iPad could cost up to $8,00. The application that can be bought on the iPad costs around $200. People using the iPad do not feel as though they are different to others because the iPad is now commonly used in schools across the nation for various reasons.

People coping with disabilities struggle with daily tasks that other people do not face. This technology has made life simpler and will continue to aid developmentally disabled people for years beyond.

Technology will continue to impact the world and the people who live in it. It is society’s job to embrace these new technologies and use it for the better.

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Gay “throuple” expecting their first child

Posted on April 28, 2014 by jfishpaugh

Doll, Kitten and Brynn are three women living in the US who are married to each other. The trio had a joining ceremony last August in Massachusetts and they are now expecting the birth of their daughter in July.

The youngest of the trio, 27-year-old Kitten, fell pregnant via IVF with an anonymous sperm donor. The women chose her to carry the child as she will be the full-time stay at home mum.

Despite the unusual relationship, the women insist their relationship is similar to many monogamous relationships. Byrnn, whose last name Doll and Kitten took after the ceremony, works 40 hours each week while Doll does the cooking and Kitten, the cleaning. 

Although being married to three people is currently illegal, Kitten and Brynn are legally married while Doll is ‘handfasted’ to ensure they are as equally married as possible.

When interviewed, Kitten said “I had a very traditional upbringing and marriage had always been an important symbol of commitment for me.”

“We wanted to celebrate our love in a wedding like everyone else.”

Brynn told The Daily Mail that she wishes for the trio’s relationship style not to be stigmatized.

“Poly-fidelity is not something seedy or something that’s meant to be hidden away,” she said.

“It can be a perfectly acceptable and functional choice of life and love.”

What I found most interesting about this story was the discussion that it has prompted. Many commentators state that “love is love”, that the form of the relationship shouldn’t matter. And to some extent I agree with this romantic view.

However, many discuss how this relationship is outside the norm and for good reason. They state that a relationship can only be between two people. Some asked that if polygamy is okay in this relationship. Does that mean it is okay in all relationships?

Or what would the reaction be if it was 1 man married to two women?

Reading through the discussions on the topic actually changed my view of this case since I initially read the article which highlighted that the author presented the story in a specific way.

 

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Everyone Won at the 118th Boston Marathon

Posted on April 28, 2014 by pascalk09

Meb keflazighi, 38, won the Boston marathon on Monday, April 21, 2015. This was the first time in 31 years that an American has won the race. Greg Meyer won Boston in 1983 in 2:09:00 and this year Meb won it in 2:08:37. The prize money was said to be around $150,000. The top female winner was Rita Jeptoo, 33, from Kenya, who made a course record of 2:18:57. She now has won two Boston Marathons in a row.

After last years tragic events, 36,000 runners still took the challenge of the marathon. There was 79 countries represented by runners. 98.4% of the runners who started the race finished.

The race is not only for completing personal records but also for raising money for charitable causes. 26 years ago the Boston Athletic Association became an official charity program. Since the it has raised over $140 million. Around 28 charities are affiliated with the Boston Marathon. The Alzheimer’s Association was present by the team name of ” RUN to END Alzheimer’s” raised $228,000 for treatment and research for its cause.

Not only is this race known for raising money for charitable causes it also helps the city of Boston. The economic impact of the race is estimated to contribute 175 million dollars on the race alone. With around 32,000 runners and over a million spectators the money spent in the area starts building up.

In lieu of the tragic events last year there was a one mile tribute run. The one mile was to salute the survivors and to remember those who were lost. The crowd was filled with the “Boston Strong” attitude.

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Weary St. Louis Blues eliminated from 2014 Playoffs

Posted on April 28, 2014 by marissanclark

After a 2-1 lead in the 2014 playoffs the St. Louis Blues looked like they would easily defeat the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. However this outcome would not be the final case for the Blues and they would go on to losing the next three games and be eliminated from the playoffs.

After a late trade in the season to secure veteran goalie, Ryan Miller, the St. Louis Blues looked as though they had collected the final piece of the puzzle for their season. Now with the defense matching up with the fast paced offense, the team would now be unstoppable. However, Miller was not the tool that would end up helping the Blues and would allow 5 goals in their final game of the playoffs this year.

The Blues were without their captain, David Backes for most of the series again Chicago due to a illegal hit from Blackhawk Brent Seabrook. The two were out for two games. They both returned for the final game of the series.

The Blues left fans upset after repeating the exact same result as last years squad. Both teams won close games in the first three games, then went on to lose the three next games. The Blues have played Stanley Cup defenders in both years with the Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks. Both teams have fantastic goalies in Jonathon Quick and Corey Crawford.

The St. Louis Blues will spend the next couple weeks upset and wishing they were still playing but will hopefully bounce back to play even better and fierce next year.

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New Star Wars Episode VII Movie Will NOT Have Any Correlation to Expanded Universe

Posted on April 27, 2014 by bri yost

Star Wars has been one of the best selling franchises of all time. From the movies to video games, LEGO’s, and TV shows, this sci-fi fantasy is a money making machine. Another medium to which Star Wars has reached is books. Hundreds of books have been written describing the events that take place in the trilogies, but arguably more interesting are the ones written about the events that take place after the films. This expanded content has grown into a mind boggling universe of characters, planets, and species that never were seen on film.

The expanded universe has an overwhelming following of people who couldn’t get enough. Well known authors such as Timothy Zahn and Kevin J. Anderson owe their success to their Star Wars books about future and past events. Books continue to be written each year refusing to let the story die. Now with the rights of Star Wars being sold to Disney, you can be sure that Star Wars has much more life left. 

Fans are ecstatic about the new films coming out with information and story yet to be released. What has been released, however, is that the movies will take place 30 years after The Return of The Jedi. Not only that, but the movies will not account for the expanded universe. This is causing a stir in the fan base.. There are those who are excited and want to see a new plot and story and there are others who immersed themselves in the off screen adventures and want to see those characters come to life.

Whether or not this was a wise decision by the producers of the new trilogy, you can bet that the following behind these films will be enormous.

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NBA: Clippers Owner alleged racist comments released

Posted on April 27, 2014 by College of Sciences

 

Michael Jordan, a NBA team owner, former player, and widely considered the most iconic figure in the basketball realm; spoke out Sunday regarding his fellow NBA team owner Donald Sterling of the LA Clippers alleged racist comments. Jordan was “disgusted…completely outraged…” and “appalled that this type of ignorance still exists within our country and at the highest levels of our sport.” Strong words from a serious figure in the sport, so what did Sterling say that got Jordan so heated? TMZ broke the story Friday night in the midst’s of the NBA Playoffs, included in the audio were racist comments including references to Magic Johnson:

— “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” (3:30)

— “You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.  The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.” (5:15)

— “I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.” (7:45)

— “…Don’t put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don’t bring him to my games.” (9:13)
This controversial news put a damper on the Clippers blowout win Thursday night over the GS Warriors. Magic Johnson spoke before the playoff games on Saturday, exclaiming his feelings on the matter and the delicate situation of players still having to play for a racist owner.

“We all play with different races of people in sports. That’s what makes sports so beautiful. He’s put his own team in a tough situation. So I believe that once Commissioner Silver … does all his due diligence, gets all the information gathered, he’s gotta come down hard. [Sterling] shouldn’t own a team anymore. And he should stand up and say, ‘I don’t want to own a team anymore.’ Especially when you have African-Americans renting his apartments, coming to the games, playing for him, coaching for him. This is bad for everybody. It’s bad for America and I’m really upset about it.” –Johnson

 

The NBA will give Sterling due process to defend himself, but ultimately if these comments prove to be a true reflection of him, severe consequences will be expected. If not, expect another tally mark to historical LA riots with a notch at summer 2014. Outcry from former players, current players, and even the President of the United States are flooding social media and news outlets. It’s hard to believe the owner of a franchise that majority employs African Americans could be a racist. It seems unanimous that there is no place for this type of behavior or beliefs in the NBA, or for that matter our society. Expect punishment to play out swiftly within the next week or so, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver wouldn’t want this delicate subject to dominate the news over the pending NBA finals.

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