Ed Cone And Joe Guarino Are Subversives

Living in Memphis, in a corporate apartment, I became happily accustomed to instant/fast Internet access. Now that I'm back in Eastern N.C. I've got to get creative again.

Right now, my house does not even have a working phone. I'm answering after-hours parent calls on my own cell (if you're in Eastern NC, go with Verizon). God bless *67.

The tiny/very charming coastal NC hamlet where I'm working (a private practice assignment) offers free Wireless Internet access in its downtown area (this is a refreshing change from most Eastern NC locations) to accommodate tourists, but that access gets iffy real quick as you leave the immediate area.

I discovered on my first night that if I sit on my back porch and hold my mouth just right, I can access Wi-Fi. I don't know if it's from downtown, or via one of the nearby houses.

Of course, I can connect my laptop at work. I freely admit that, in the less-stressful private practice environment (where I have a desk, swivel chair and everything), I do surf the net (and frequently check e-mails) between patients and on breaks. I only go to the MSM news outlets (CNN, DRUDGE, BBC, N&O, N&R etc.) . . . and the local blogs that I frequent. Nothing remotely racy.

I really do try to limit any commentary during office hours . . . the only exception being if someone posts a comment on my blog (as I moderate comments, I'm notified by e-mail). I do try to get those comments up in a timely fashion . . . and respond if I feel the need. But otherwise, I wait until lunch to do any serious blogging . . . or after the office closes/I go home.

If I'm on a "company" computer, I delete cookies, history and temporary files every time I log off.

Here's the thing. Like most of corporate America (and as has been the case in several situations where I've worked), the system I access at the office (part of a major hospital system) BLOCKS websites that it considers to be "inappropriate" or "subversive". You can't check lottery numbers. Games (I like Solitaire) are often out . . . but not always . . . depends on the website. Often, political blogs are blocked. Checking your horoscope can be difficult.

Kevin MD does not yet frighten corporate America (of course, I have my theories as to why - I suspect they don't think he's going to pull so hard on that "veil" that he torques off his sponsors). Neither, apparently, do I. Ditto for Sam, Sue, Bubba, Cara Michelle, Dale, MeB, The Poet and most of the local crew. Greensboro 101 will pull up.

But Ed Cone and Guarino are blocked. So is Fec. Too hot to handle, they are.

Not really surprised about Fec;)

When I talk to people/fellow peons about this sort of thing, they're all annoyed. But they brush it off as just another fact-of-corporate-life one has to put up what with the big brothers and sisters always looking over your shoulder.

Now I suppose someone somewhere could get mad enough and challenge this kind of thing legally as a barrier to free speech.

But, as far as I am concerned, an annoyance/inconvenience does not a battle make.