Yesterday, Op-For John mentioned in comments that these our humble digs had been blocked from view on at least one Air Force base because of – wait for it: Racism.
The charge seemed more than a little overblown to me as race qua race is simply not an issue I’ve spent much if any time writing about, not to mention the fact that I consider myself to be at least as enlightened on the topic as any Shelby Steele enthusiast of my age, race and gender. Probably more than most.
Turning it over in my head, I pondered whether my occasional tendency to treat violent religious extremists roughly on these pages could be considered a form of “racism,” but unless an ideology that transcends race can itself be classified as a race, the connection seemed far fetched. The notion does enable intriguing ontological inquiries on the nature of “race” as a social construct – is it real, or received? – but I rather doubt the USAF asks those sorts of metaphysical questions when they block a site for objectionable content.
And if I’m not very much mistaken, the USAF itself has treated those same religious extremists a good deal more roughly than has your correspondent, although more out of opportunity than any lack of will on my part. Put me in, coach.
So I was mystified, stumped and perplexed.
Until I noted this over at Glen(n)’s place this morning:
(We) have been blocked at the Air Staff, at Langley AFB, and at MacDill, Hickam, and every other Air Force installation.
After posting our special report on last year’s nuclear accident at Minot AFB, In From the Cold (apparently) became blog non grata for the Air Force. We received a flurry of e-mails Monday morning, notifying us that our blog could no longer be accessed from office computers at various Air Force bases.
Fine by us–the service invested a lot of dough in its IT network, and they can block whatever they want. I suppose there’s a certain badge of infamy in joining the ranks of various porn sites, on-line casinos and various other outlets deemed inappropriate for our boys and girls in blue.
Well, that makes a great deal more sense. And honestly, I never meant to offend the poor, sensitive dears.
Must have something to do with that whole “warrior ethos” thing.
It would appear that the “Diversity” Fascists have struck again. Apparently there is no room for intelligent discussion of events, facts and viewpoints unless it is driven by those ” who know best”. Also, Lex, you also should have done a better job choosing your parents.
Zoomies, man…what ya gonna do.
I found this at another Blog run by an Air Force IT guy:
Bluecoat…
Well, the culprit behind not being able to visit Blogspot and many other blogs is BlueCoat Web Filter. Apparently the license for Smartfilter has expired and the powers that be bought off on Bluecoat instead.
This is the blog I referred to: http://madurkeevirginia.blogspot.com
Hope they’re planning to de-program those poor saps arriving at the Air Staff from joint assignments. Lex-moles indeed.
They might unblock some folks, after they get done playing golf, hanging around at the club, relaxing in their palatial BOQs, fidgeting with their manicures, primping in front of mirrors (a la Silky Pony?), and wondering if a 10,000 foot runway is really long enough. (The latter with Freudian implications that reflect a greater insecurity with any opinions contrary to their group-think.)
This would be a good time to repost your olde tale of a typical mediocre Naval Aviator taking out FIVE of the elite USAF zoomies in a semi-fair fight….
Just, you know, as a gentle TWEAK!
That’s funny.
A reasonable comment left at spook86’s place (formerspook.blogspot.com) is a gentle reminder that AF computers are the property of the AF and are to be used for official work purposes. Surfing is not work and is not a reasonable use of taxpayer monies. Back when I was active duty (retired 2005), our squadron had serious penalties for unauthorized computer use (play) during work times.
So it makes sense that a lot of the the A6 (IT) shops are going to keep strict filters in place.
Of course, my new civilian overlords don’t mind surfing so much as long as I can keep the orders filled and inventory stocked. -cp (MSgt, USAF-ret).
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 01/30/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
Could it be the free wheelin’ use of of the sekrit-ops term “spook” which could be construed as a pejorative slur about ghosts and spectres?
I’m sure another five hours of Air Force sensitivity training, proctored by a certifiable sekrit ops instructor or a ginuwine ghost/goblin will get you in the good graces of those nice Air Force folks.
You’re probably being blocked for critiqueing the F-22!
b2
The oh so predictable snarking of the Zoomies by the usual suspects around here ( you Gomers know who you are ) again forces me, the most fundamentally fair and non- judgemental person in the entire world, to come to their defense in this matter.
Suggest re-reading comment # 8 above by the retired Zoomie M/Sgt… it is , in my opninion, a measured and restrained response and … most importantly the likely explaination. Best
Just came off of a UASF Reserve IT contract. The AFRC Nosc has been using/abusing Bluecoat for some time, Every time there is an update, it seems to revert to full lock down mode until the admins get enough calls from peeved Brass to unblock sites.
For almost a whole month in 2006 many Gov’t employee sites ( including a couple .gov sites) were blocked as inappropriate.
Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger etc were blocked as “mature sites” – Take that any way you wish!
Web surfing is frowned upon as it takes valuable time and resources away from the primary mission of P-4 (Power Point Presentation Preparation)
I’m pretty sure it’s my fault you got blocked, Lex. The AF has no sense of humor…..
At the AF base where I work, Lex’s site is also blocked. The category in which it lands is…
Games!
Silly zoomies.
Linc
Cold Pizza-
Don’t disagree with your point wrt games, but I always took the tack that a well informed officer is a better officer. Not that reading Snake Eater bursting into tears at the very thought that we might make fun of one of his boyfriend’s ascots is enriching, but there are a few things out there that aren’t “official bidness” that may nonetheless be good for us.
Then again, I’ve seen O-6’s play Crud on base in uniform during working hours. Is that any different?
Nose
Lex,
FYI, you’re blocked at Maxwell AFB, too (Air C&S specifically).
The “blocked” message says your website is a “gaming” site. Now I actually have to listen to instructors during class instead of surf your site.
Please don’t knock us security admins too hard, we’re only doing what the powers that be tell us, using equipment provided by the lowest bidder, waiting weeks or months for approval to make changes (or for a support contract to be paid)….
You are blocked in Korea at Osan.
Locations Neptunus Lex Not Available:
1) People’s Republic of China
2) USAF Bases
Umm, different human races *do* exist, and it ain’t just skin color. Steve Sailer has the best definition, that a race is a very large extended family which is somewhat inbred. What a lot of racists (of all races) don’t understand is that a race is a category with fuzzy boundaries, and a bunch of different qualities which its members may share to differing degrees.
Nose, Re your comment # 16 above..not a half- bad, as in mediocre, snark… I was tempted to say half -assed but as always… I try to stay above the fray and not offend.
Again I thought cold pizza ( hey.. whats with that nom-de blog ? …an explaination is in order) made a reasonable point and I said so in a way caculated…no guaranteed to provoke a response from at least one of you Goobers and it did…thanks for obliging. Best
PS, Suggest boning up (no pun intended) on your spelling… its “business” not..I say again..not “bidness” must be a Aviator affiliction likely attributable to pulling to many Gs… ( thats multiple gravities Lex Babes)