Following Apple's example, I setup a redirect on IlohaMail.org to a temporary page with links to relief organizations supporting those affected by the tsunami. Here's to hoping that people are more generous towards fellow humans in dire need than they are towards open source projects...

In related news, it disgusts me to hear our government say that they are "not stingy" because they've donated $35 million towards relief efforts. I mean, there are individual citizens in this country who can spare $35 million and not bat an eye, and that's the best the government can do? In comparison, $35 million is a little bit more than the cost of an M1 tank, less than a tenth the cost of a B2 bomber, and roughly equivalent to 70 Block IV Tomahawk missiles (which we've used by the hundreds in single strikes before). And don't get me started about the billions we've spent fighting unnecessary wars...

I just found out that the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces sent 3 ships (2 destroyers and a supply ship), which began SAR operations off the coast of Phuket today. Now why can't our military do something productive for a change? Why is it that we can't send a carrier group there, with its massive airlift, SAR, medical capabilities and supplies? Why can't we send a Marine Expeditionary Unit, with its months worth of supplies?

[Update 12/31] According to this article, we're now donating $350 million, sending two Navy battle groups (including a carrier and amphibious assault ship) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit. Seems like a step in the right direction...

I spent some time trying to secure my new Debian 3.0 (Woody) server.... here are some notes.
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