I read Doc Searls’s weblog every day because he and I share a lot of interests. One of those interests is free speech, especially in relation to the Internet and radio. I followed post on Doc’s page which brought me to some great commentary on the now-defunct Communications Decency Act.
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Three days after being linked from this blog, Mojo Nixon has announced his retirement. He will play his last show in Austin on March 20th.

“I have nothing more to say,” says Nixon. “Not only am I empty, but obviously nobody gives a rat’s ass about the things I have been saying for twenty years. The masses are just as blinded by the light of stupidity, prudery and the shiny objects of hate.”

“I have debased your false icons, mocked the myths and tried to shine the light of truth and freedom on the Big Lies” says Nixon. “I have done all I can.”

The world weeps.
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I heard from one of the local ham luminaries that FCC Commissioner Michael Powell will be in Fuquay-Varina this afternoon, eyeballing BPL in action at someone’s house. Media reps and local ham club reps will be on hand.

I predict fistfights break out between the hams and Progress Energy techies.

We had a surprise visit from our friends the Hibbles. Geoff and Robin drive 26 hours tomorrow night on their way to Colorado, but they still had time to visit.

Two hours were not nearly enough to catch up after two years apart. Think its time we consider a trip to Colorado soon!

A fuel cell undergoing testing in Alaska has passed the 5,000 hours mark, producing over 20 kwh in its lifetime.

So, when can I get one installed? 🙂

The American Diabetes Association Tour De Cure is set to take place May 1st and 2nd for the Eastern North Carolina Tour.

I volunteered with the Tour in 2002 as part of the Central Carolina Helping Hams, using my car as a SAG (support and gear) vehicle. It was a blast getting out and helping the cause. Made me wish I rode it.

This year, I’m contemplating the crazy thought of riding in the Tour, even though I haven’t touched my bike in months, if not years. It would take a lot of effort to put myself together for two days of riding, 160 miles total. At least its all downhill.

I’ve got less than two months to get in riding shape. Can I do it?

FCC Chairman Michael Powell will be in Raleigh tomorrow. Rumor has it he is here to see first hand how Progress Energy‘s Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) trial is going.

The News and Observer wants to know what you’d like to ask Chairman Powell. Send questions to askmike at newsobserver dot com.

I’m trying to think up some good, controversial topics to bring up. Contribute yours to the comments section below!

Al Qaeda thought they were anonymous when they used their prepaid GSM phones. Needless to say, they were wrong. 🙂

Here’s the scoop on how the NSA and others tracked them down:

The terrorism investigation code-named Mont Blanc began almost by accident in April 2002, when authorities intercepted a cell phone call that lasted less than a minute and involved not a single word of conversation.

What tied them together was a computer chip smaller than a fingernail. But before the investigation wound down in recent weeks, its global net caught dozens of suspected al-Qaida members and disrupted at least three planned attacks in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, according to counterterrorism and intelligence officials in Europe and the United States.