Rescue efforts in Haiti

Sistertech’s heart goes out to all those in Haiti who are suffering from the earthquake. I especially am keeping in my prayers all those in the tech field who are in Haiti or who are on the way. The death and destruction is horrible. The situation on the ground pre-earthquake was close to untenable. The earthquake has just made matters far worse.

[Before I go on, Sistertech must distance herself from the comments of the Reverend Pat Robertson. I have more to say here.]

Through technology millions of dollars have been raised for the Red Cross and other agencies. It probably is too soon for the group Technology Without Borders to ramp up in Haiti, but something like that would surely be helpful in elevating the quality of life in Haiti as time goes by.

On my wishlist is some way to keep cell phones and social networks up and running without relying on local power. A human-powered  smart phones that double as self-replicating relay towers. I admit it sounds farfetched, but then nothing is impossible for them who believe in The One In Charge. Just think about all the Star Trek technology in use today.

Supplying Iran with technology

Sistertech has plenty to do right here in the Bay Area, but let’s face it, The One In Charge is monitoring everything, everywhere, 24/7. The Guardian UK reports that Iran received some sensitive technology, once again breaking the U.N. sanctions against Iran.

A Taiwanese company agreed to a request from a firm in China to procure sensitive components with nuclear uses, then shipped them to Iran, the firm’s head said Friday. Such transactions violate U.N. sanctions imposed on the Middle Eastern nation.The admission by Steven Lin of Hsinchu-based Heli-Ocean Technology Co. Ltd. comes amid an international effort led by the United States to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. While Lin said he didn’t know whether the parts — a vital component in the production of weapons-grade uranium — were eventually used by Iran militarily, he did acknowledge that they have nuclear applications.

I’m not happy about it simply because I don’t trust the current regime in Iran to be responsible users of nuclear technology. (Do I need to spell out the reasons why? Didn’t think so.)