Should Target Be Held Responsible for their Computers Getting Hacked?
I have to be honest: I’m not one who typically supports banks rallying together to sue others; however, in this case –as I uncover more details– it seems Target is liable. Of course, who can say how strong a company’s security encryption needs to be, except obviously hacker-proof. But is that really possible? …I surely hope so!
Sadly, as many as 110 million people had been affected by this misfortune of bogus credit card purchases between Nov 1st through Dec 19th, 2013, accruing tens of millions of dollars in damages. In his ruling, the judge had written that Target played an essential role in allowing this to happen by not disabling a few security features and by not heeding the warning signs when the hacking began.
I can appreciate hackers’ genuine skill and even their genius in navigating computers. Going out on a limb, I can even appreciate their desire to “stick it to the man” by hacking major corporations (I’m not saying I agree, but I can understand their motives). Unfortunately, the worse part for all of us is that our system has Taxpayers paying for these legal proceedings. I simply wish that you, me, and our next door neighbor did not have to pay for others’ crimes….
Target Must Face Bank Suits Over Customer Data Breach by Andrew Harris. Bloomberg News
Crude Oil Prices Continue to Make a Splash
I’ll be overjoyed when our new governance shifts to transparency and meetings need not be “behind closed doors”; however for the moment, we can be grateful for gas prices being reasonable.
Last week’s 3-hour meeting in Vienna revealed two distinct camps: “There are the ones in OPEC who want a supply cut, and to see prices to rise immediately, but can’t do much about it,” said Eugen Weinberg at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt, Germany. “And there are those who can do something to boost prices, but don’t want to until their goals are met, and so they wait.”
Given the international impact of this issue, the bigger picture unfolds as such: The financially strapped countries push for a cease in demand to bring prices back up, while the fiscal juggernauts can withstand lower prices in the hopes to get US shale drillers to halt their expansion. Well, personally I hope we can sit relatively easy for a bit with oil and gas prices remaining stable, since the next meeting is scheduled for June 5, 2015.
It Seems the International Skating Union is Preventing Athletes from Making a Living
Good for them for standing up for themselves! In Europe, two Olympic skaters filed a lawsuit against the International Skating Union (ISU) to prevent such sports governing bodies from banning athletes who want to compete in events, of which people bet on. A successful win will not just benefit the speed skaters but also players in swimming, volleyball, and field hockey.
Let’s be honest and realistic: Gambling occurs in numerous sports (if not all) and the actual players are not penalized, much less banned from competing. This is quite silly, in my eyes, and an over-stepping of authority. The athletes who love playing the sport have nothing to do with society betting on their games. Should we ban every football player? Do we outlaw every horse jockey? Do we banish all soccer players, all boxers, and all race car drivers?
A “grave injustice” is what the skaters called this ISU sanction, given it greatly curtails the income of the athletes. “It’s about our livelihood, and also about promoting our sport in a better way globally,” said Mark Tuitert, a 1,500-meter speed skating gold medalist at the 2010 Winter Games, who co-filed the lawsuit.
Skater’s Lawsuit May End Sports Bodies’ Grip on Competition by Danielle Rossingh. Bloomberg News
Slowly but surely, circumstances around our world are moving toward healthy change –even though it’s sometimes hard to see or experience. Please remember: If your current situation is heavy, hang in there, and remind yourself this too shall pass!
We Are All One
Gavin