June 17, 2004
IN THE LOOP
That viral spam loop I’m trapped in -- more about it here -- has turned bitterly political.
Department of Homeland Security employee Kimberley Palmese sent several angry emails to all on the loop’s list ("stop NOW!") a few hours ago, apparently unaware that computer viruses can’t read. "Some Homeland Security," replied sarcastic James Pace, of anti-free trade group Rescue American Jobs. How widespread is this creepy virus? It’s just hooked into a whole slab of CNN senior staffers, including Aaron Brown and Paula Zahn. We’re virally connected! House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s auto-reply, by the way, is programmed to deceive:
Thank you very much for contacting my office about an issue that I know concerns you greatly. Please know that I have acknowledged and registered your opinion, and greatly appreciate hearing your views.
A sequence of code thanks you for your swift response, Mr Speaker. Nancy Pelosi’s robot is just as bogus:
Thank you for contacting my office. Your comments and views are important to me.
More spam worm news shortly. Soon it will be contacting the dead.
UPDATE. Latest to join The Loop of the Gods is James Taranto, who writes: "This list changed my life. I used to be so lonely, but no more!"
The Loop has powers. Powers that bind. Deborah Harris, of Idaho’s Albertson College, hails her new Loopmates: "Gosh, I somehow feel like we're all friends ..."
Posted by Tim Blair at June 17, 2004 04:06 AMhey, lbj was always able to get the dead to vote democratic, why can't pelosi?
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 17, 2004 at 04:11 AMNo Crusader, she's the Undead. Please pay attention.
Posted by: David Crawford at June 17, 2004 at 04:48 AMIf the Department of Homeland Security is now involved with "Spamgate", I'm sure it'll be resolved quite soon.
Posted by: The Real JeffS at June 17, 2004 at 05:11 AMwhat are the right afforded computer virii under the geneva convention?
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 17, 2004 at 05:12 AMI think you've transposed some words there, Tim. Clearly it should be "Robot Nancy Pelosi", not the other way around.
Posted by: PW at June 17, 2004 at 05:34 AMWe’re virally connected!
Sounds like someone I met in Tijuana on spring break. I hope your, um, viral connection isn't resistant to antibiotics.
Posted by: R C Dean at June 17, 2004 at 05:35 AMTimT, just remember that the plastic bags some computer disks are packed in are not for virus protection. You have to take them off before inserting them into the computer. ;-)
Posted by: The Real JeffS at June 17, 2004 at 05:39 AMWhoops! Sorry, wrong window, I meant "R C Dean", not TimT.
Posted by: The Real JeffS at June 17, 2004 at 05:40 AMBesides, antibiotics are useless against viruses....
Posted by: Katherine at June 17, 2004 at 05:55 AMNo Crusader, she's the Undead. Please pay attention.
Thatnks for the correction, it's hard to tell sometimes......
Posted by: Crusader at June 17, 2004 at 06:10 AMSpeaking of errors ... it's Paula Zahn, not Laura. Damn viruses.
Posted by: tim at June 17, 2004 at 06:48 AMWho needs a virus for that? I've run into situations where someone sent a message to a large mailing list and suddenly got flooded by people replying to all. :/
Posted by: Patrick Chester at June 17, 2004 at 08:55 AMThe Real Jeffs --
You insert the plastic bags into the computer?
What do you do with the computer disks?