Disqus - Latest Comments for dampier

Re: US anydesk

Phillip Dampier — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 10:30:38 -0000

Timing out here in Rochester, NY -- all computers.

Re: Wisconsin court overturns plan to purge more than 200,000 voters from rolls

Phillip Dampier — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 15:23:11 -0000

This did not happen.

Re: Wisconsin court overturns plan to purge more than 200,000 voters from rolls

Phillip Dampier — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 15:18:30 -0000

You would have to sign that ballot, under penalty of perjury, that you are appropriately registered and residing in Wisconsin. If you choose to mail that ballot, you are committing a crime. Anyone can obtain an absentee ballot under false pretenses and do the same. It has been that way for over 80 years. Yet because so few commit that crime, nobody has sought to impose draconian new laws designed to make it harder to vote. So when you consider voting roll purges, one must ask why? Is it to stop a literal handful of questionable ballots or disfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters on the basis their address forwarding has expired after they moved? Then consider what requirements are needed to instantly re-enroll. Who bring this to their local polling place on Election Day? If you moved, think if you have documents showing your new address, because temp documents are not accepted.

All Proof of Residence documents must include the voter’s name and current residential address.
o A current and valid State of Wisconsin Driver License or State ID card.
o Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
o Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo
of the card holder, but not including a business card.
o A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
o A university, college, or technical college identification card (must include photo) ONLY if the voter
provides a fee receipt dated within the last 9 months or the institution provides a certified housing
list to the municipal clerk.
o A gas, electric, or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing no earlier
than 90 days before Election Day.
o Bank or credit card statement.
o Paycheck or paystub.
o A check or other document issued by a unit of government.
o A letter on public or private social service agency letterhead identifying a homeless voter and
describing the individual’s residence for voting purposes.
o Residential lease that is effective on date of registration. (Not valid if registering by mail.)
o An intake document from a residential care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Re: Eastern Airlines is back, but don't expect a return to the glory days

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 13:53:02 -0000

I am amazed that anyone in that office is old enough to remember them. Eastern was never the worst airline out there. People's Express was virtually an S&M vacation in the sky, assuming your plane ever left the gate. Today's flying experience and comfort is frankly far worse than what people had in the 1980s.

Re: Eastern Airlines is back, but don't expect a return to the glory days

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 13:49:36 -0000

Notice this website makes money from its links to said Chase Sapphire card. A bit sleazy to awkwardly reference it in this article.

Nothing about this article seems unusual for today's flying environment, except for the over-entitled whining about the food.

Re: Windsor Residents File Hundreds Of Complaints Against 'Struggling' Post Office

Phillip Dampier — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 16:47:13 -0000

Additionally, it would cost $3+ to mail a letter. No private company can deliver ordinary mail because the scale required to make it cost effective just won’t be there. The USPS delivering e-commerce packages is what will save them.

Re: Windsor Residents File Hundreds Of Complaints Against 'Struggling' Post Office

Phillip Dampier — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 16:44:40 -0000

Gift cards are easy to identify as they usually come in greeting card envelopes or can be felt in the envelope. This kind of thievery has gotten common across the country. If you put the greeting card back in the mail, the recipient may not think anything is amiss and the sender didn’t send a gift card. How many people will call and interrogate someone with “where is my gift?” questions.

Re: US youtube-tv

Phillip Dampier — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:36:50 -0000

Dropped out at around 820am EST in Rochester, NY. No playback of recorded shows.

Re: US nest

Phillip Dampier — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 06:59:58 -0000

Dead as winter in Rochester, NY as of early this morning... With winter storm warning issued. Good timing.

Re: Liberal Activist Loses It as Trump FCC Launches Investigation Into His Allies

Phillip Dampier — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 20:18:44 -0000

Oh yeah, like the Trump Admin doesn't attack its critics.

Re: Moffett: Let Video Find Its Own Level - by Mike Farrell

Phillip Dampier — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 12:02:04 -0000

Of course broadband results in less truck rolls. Most unsophisticated customers rarely realize they are not getting the service they are paying for when speeds slow or pages don't load because of signal levels or line interference. They will just believe it is "a slow internet today." When your video pixelates or channels don't appear, that is a lot more obvious. The other fact of life here is broadband costs are such a pittance these days, you can charge sky high prices and collect heavy profits and not have to share them with programmers. As long as most people endure a duopoly, prices can continue to rise along with profits.

Re: AT&T’s DIRECTV NOW Is Likely to Be Killed Off as It Is Merged with WarnerMedia: Here is What Current Subscribers Need to Know

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 17:19:17 -0000

This story misunderstood what AT&T is doing. As part of their post merger reorg, they will transfer their video entertainment and business properties to WarnerMedia. This will be completely transparent to customers. -IF- WarnerMedia goes for a rebrand, it can simply merge DTVNow's live, linear service with the on-demand subscription video service they are working on, under whatever name they come up with. DTV itself will have its own streaming service matching the satellite lineup. This is a non story and way too overdramatized. Customers don't have to do a thing. Only the name will change.

Re: Brighton school district asks voters to override state property tax cap

Phillip Dampier — Fri, 17 May 2019 07:45:52 -0000

No, it will cost $266 + ~$600 in forfeited property tax relief, which is much more generous this year. Vote no!

Re: Pai Proposes to Ax Part-Time Leased Access - by John Eggerton

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 16 May 2019 15:08:28 -0000

Oh please. Shoddy programming like what cable operators are already paid for to carry in the form of endless home shopping channels. Seriously, we have several hundred cable channels, the vast majority of which aren't worth watching, but the cable industry is worried about leased access? They are not running out of space. They just want to charge a lot more for it.

Re: Considering ErieNet and Middle Mile Investment

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 15:05:16 -0000

Living in Rochester, I can tell you from experience up here that these middle mile projects usually end up connecting business parks, cell towers, and the usual institutional users with no last-mile service in sight. The county should be approaching Empire Access and Greenlight Networks which are doing FTTH overbuilds now to determine their interest. Charter and Verizon, which dominate in this part of western NY (along with Frontier) have shown no significant interest in earlier middle mile fiber projects, except Verizon for its cell towers.

If Erie County had a deal with an overbuilder either in place or likely, it would generate local enthusiasm as a 'real thing' as opposed to yet another middle mile network no homes will connect to in the foreseeable future. Early indications suggest the fixed wireless business model for 5G is a disaster, so Erie should focus on FTTH.

I am particularly impressed with Empire Access (parent company is a family-owned telco in Prattsburgh, NY) which has proven to be the little engine that could, and is targeting communities for FTTH that fit the rural co-op type business model. Charter and Verizon wouldn't put fiber into these areas without taxpayer subsidies. But Empire also runs fiber into small urban areas like Batavia, NY, so there could be a business case for fiber in the city of Buffalo, as long as there are enough well off customers to help cover the costs for the less fortunate areas. Greenlight seems to have its hands full dealing with Rochester, but was recently acquired by billionaire Thomas Golisano. who has deep roots in western NY. A true municipal broadband project is less likely because of the usual politics. There is a very loud constituency in upstate New York opposed to taxpayer spending on virtually anything, especially broadband or internet service for the poor. Just read the comment section on this story from Syracuse: https://www.syracuse.com/ne...

Re: OPINION: Your Internet Bill Is Going Up 20 Percent If Democrats Get Their Way

Phillip Dampier — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:48:29 -0000

This artlcle is totally ridiculous, of course. The author's affiliated groups are funded by some of the same telecom companies fighting to keep net neutrality as far away as possible.

The author attempts to claim that a recategorization of internet service providers from "information services" to "telecommunications services" will trigger an extension of taxes and fees already paid for voice services on to internet service.

It all falls apart when you actually READ the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, where you discover the Act does not rely on the FCC's categorization of broadband service as a determining factor. Instead, the law specifically defines internet access itself. Go ahead and Google it yourself.

Under the moratorium, state and local governments cannot impose their sales tax on the monthly payments that consumers make to their Internet service provider in exchange for access to the Internet. That moratorium is not affected by net neutrality, nor was it when identical net neutrality practices were in place prior to the Trump Administration. This is nothing more than a scare piece.

Re: Apologies to President Trump

Phillip Dampier — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:59:13 -0000

ROFL. Ms. Atkinson's apology might have meant something if it was about Hillary Clinton because her employer, Sinclair Broadcasting, has reflexively defended Trump since day one. So this is nothing more than gaslighting. I would also remind people we have not seen the Mueller report, only a 4 page memo about it written by a political appointee. No report says Trump is innocent. At most it will suggest there is insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Those are very different things.

Re: DIRECTV NOW Is Offering $30 in Credits If You Stay

Phillip Dampier — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:33:14 -0000

Yes, I got this:

We'd be sad to see you go.
Just a heads up: our packages have changed, so if you decide to come back, you can’t get the same action-packed lineup at your rate.

Followed by a banner saying my package has more top-rated channels than competitors. No retention deal and the options were to continue cancellation or keep package. Not sure if the retention offer would be on that first page, but not offered to me.

Re: Brzezinski apologizes after backlash over homophobic remark about Pompeo

Phillip Dampier — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 14:45:51 -0000

A whole lot of concern trolling going on over this. I'm gay and not offended by the use of "butt boy." Perhaps it's a bit much for morning television, but I hardly find it "homophobic." Donald Trump, Jr., piled on this morning, which is further evidence there is always a room waiting at Hypocrisy Hotel.

Re: Love, Simon Movie Review & Film Summary (2018) | Roger Ebert

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 12:03:04 -0000

Judging the movie before seeing it is a mistake, because there are valid points of criticism to be made, but yours did not apply in this particular movie.

Re: Love, Simon Movie Review & Film Summary (2018) | Roger Ebert

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 12:01:48 -0000

I agree the sexual references from the vice principal were cringeworthy and completely inappropriate. It was the filmmaker's intent to portray the character as trying too hard to make a peer-like connection with students instead of an authority figure. But telling students about your Tinder hookups is a job-ender, period.

The art teacher was a scene-stealer and I didn't see her portrayal as problematic, as I think most people have had a teacher like that.

Re: Alex Strangelove Movie Review (2018) | Roger Ebert

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:23:38 -0000

Spoilers! It's a very strangelove movie alright. John Hughes is an apt reference, because his movies were always layered in superficial angst that just magically resolved or at least was openly discussed to be coped with/resolved in a neat and tidy package by the end of the movie. When I say superficial, I don't mean the challenges are small -- it's just the way they are dealt with in a 90-120 minute film.

Growing up in the John Hughes era (graduated in 1985), it is remarkable to see how far high school/teen movies have come in the last 30+ years on those things that used to not be named. While movies like Breakfast Club dealt with the very real struggles of expectation, acceptance, and fear, it always did it with straight characters. So did virtually all of the mainstream teen-targeted movies of the era. Normalizing gay and lesbian people as normal everyday people was a big no-no in commercially-sensitive 80s Hollywood. You had to visit the independent/art house theater in town to see actual realistic gay characters in movies like Parting Glances, but as a coming out teenager at that time, you also had to cope with an AIDS crisis that permeated plotlines across the spectrum of gay cinema. At times, it could be absolutely terrifying for a teenager to be dealing with sexual identity issues in the middle of the Reagan Administration while almost everyone in the community knew someone that was sick or dying.

I'm sure those of us who got through that wish it was that easy to openly kiss a same sex prom date AND win accolades from our straight peers in 1985. In too many places, a performance like that would have gotten you suspended, booted from the event, or worse, be the subject of a national scandalous news story. In some places, the threat of a rumored same sex date would provoke schools to cancel the prom altogether.

I'm certain we've come a long way since then, but I'm not certain we've gone so far as to see universal immediate acceptance among our male buddies that all smile and cheer on the end result of the coming out process -- much less at a prom that also leaves a very prominent, long-term girlfriend happily playing matchmaker on the sidelines and walking away from a very confusing relationship.

This is one of those feel-good Netflix movies where everyone seems to get what they want in the end (except unfortunate Claire of course). Geeky best friend wins over girl he's been trying to get with since age 11, Claire somehow goes on a mission to track down Elliott (how? did she steal Alex's iPhone to get his info?) AND put him front and center at the prom so she could strand herself, and Alex, who seems to have a propensity for explosive same-sex kissing and nothing more is suddenly comfortable making his superficial-at-best relationship with Elliott front page news at the school. It's just not credible, but reality would mess up the feel great ending.

Closer to reality:

There is always collateral damage when you date someone to try and make the gay go away. Claire would likely feel angry and resentful over her emotional abandonment. She would probably be upset about why Alex never confided in her about his doubts. He walks away happier than ever, she is blindsided and alone. I don't see her arranging dates for Alex and the guy that seems destined to replace her. I also cringed watching her walk away from them at the prom. The feel good moment for me would have been for Elliott to recognize what Claire meant to Alex and urge her to stay if she can manage it. If she still chose to walk, so be it. At least have Elliott's best girl-friend seen earlier in the film on hand to befriend Claire and help her process.

Kissing another guy is often one of the biggest hurdles a conflicted gay teen male copes with in the coming out process, but here that manifests first. Alex apparently hasn't done anything other than kiss Elliott, but that was enough for him to recognize he was gay for certain? In a real world scenario, I suspect they would have done considerably more than that before coming to a declaration like that, especially since Alex had convinced himself of his heterosexuality for a very long time.

Although most of my straight male friends outwardly accepted me, it did not always happen without some initial tension and discomfort, until they recognized I was the same person I always was and did not plan to become someone different. Although tolerance is something that is highly valued in 2018, much more than in 1985, I'm not sure my best friend would drop his pants in a gay sex challenge test. There is a process our friends have to deal with after we deal with our coming out process.

Clearly, we're on the road to having gay (et al.) acceptance being a given and that is great. The day it's a total non issue for other people will be a major victory. This film may inspire some teens to consider coming out, which is a good thing. But don't be surprised if that experience is a little more messy and complicated than this film might suggest.

Re: Cuomo Commission Boots Charter Communications from New York, Raising Questions

Phillip Dampier — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:16:39 -0000

Most of this article is speculation based on nothing more than political rumors and guesswork. New York law now specifies telecom mergers have to be in the public interest to be approved and companies, not the Commission, have to prove their case. Charter repeatedly reneged on its commitments. How do I know? Our group Stop the Cap has been a party in the proceeding since 2015 and have been involved in the debate about the merger, deal conditions to achieve a public interest benefit, and discussions about Charter's ability to meet its targets and possible sanctions.

The PSC is an independent regulatory agency. It is not a creature of the governor's office. It warned Charter repeatedly about the consequences of not meeting its obligations and Charter doubled down. The PSC had no other choice unless it wanted to surrender its credibility as a regulator. The presence of the missing commissioner would have no impact or effect on the vote and there is no evidence she would oppose the move to expel Charter.

If anything, the governor is trying to capitalize on the PSC's move, not influence it. Charges that the IBEW is behind this are also ridiculous. The union has been on strike for 1.5 years and long exhausted its strike fund. If they had the muscle suggested, this would have been settled already. IBEW has said nothing on the record or ex parte to the Commission.

There is also a lot of speculation about what the future will hold, and much of it is wrong. Absolutely no significant cable company will bid to take over for Charter in New York unless Charter says it is exiting the state. The cable industry cartel never competes on franchise agreements. Ask any city that requested bids for an alternative to Comcast, Charter, Cox, Altice, etc. Those requests go unanswered. Because Charter wants to stay, other providers will stay away. This will be in court for a long time until the two parties figure out some settlement or Charter volunteers to leave (almost no chance of that).

A public broadband provider would be a great idea, except it is politically unpalatable in the state legislature so it isn't going to happen on a statewide basis.

Federal laws deregulating the industry also limits how much government can do here. States cannot regulate cable or broadband rates. The PSC has already levied fines on Charter and issued multiple orders seeking compliance to no avail. The alternative, governed by state law and the Merger Order, is booting Spectrum out of the state, which is what they are attempting.

We cover Spectrum extensively on stopthecap.com and you can find our take on Charter there.

Re: YouTube TV Update Now Allows Subscribers to Pick DVRed or On-Demand Versions of Shows on Some Channels

Phillip Dampier — Tue, 01 May 2018 10:17:31 -0000

This is actually YouTube, not the networks that are enforcing this. The technology powering ad insertion is complex and YouTube has only gradually rolled it out. When ABC goes as well, it isn't ABC's fault, it is Google.

Re: YouTube TV Update Now Allows Subscribers to Pick DVRed or On-Demand Versions of Shows on Some Channels

Phillip Dampier — Tue, 01 May 2018 10:15:24 -0000

That changes this summer. Google made it clear it wants 100% ad inventory sold on 100% of network channels and 80-90% of cable network channels. So by this summer, a show that takes an hour to watch live will also take an hour to watch on YTTV's enforced VoD platform.