In the '80s, I built and flew amateur "experimental" airplane. Even then, non-certified aircraft hardware was in the certified hardware stream, mostly from China, with alluring prices. If you've ever flown in an aircraft, if an assembly fails at 3,000 feet in the air, saving money for hardware wasn't top-of-mind while your plunging to earth. More recently (2004) my company bought 10 computers from a well-known brand (*cough*Dell*cough*) that failed when the capacitors failed after a few years. I live East (37 miles) of the Limerick Pa nucular power plant, and we have to trust that their procedures, procedures and safety protocols keep us safe, even after the construction phase has finished and left the site.

"A spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury Department also told Bloomberg News "that any taxpayer who does not want to use ID.me can opt against filing his or her taxes online.". Because of my concerns about federal security, including losing my social security number and personal information, I file my federal taxes by mail, *every* year, and wait for the USPS return tracking service. So, here's the attentive to on-line tax filing: Last week (1/26/2022) I received a letter (Form CP80) from the IRS. They deposited my check in March 2021 (for my 2020 tax year) but they lost my tax return paperwork. So, after 10 months, the IRS asked me for another copy to be sent, so they (the IRS) could complete my federal tax return. What a bunch of screw-ups.

After spending thousands of dollars buying & maintaining Win XP & Win 7 software and hardware for 15 years, WTF would I want to switch to Win 10 and be tracked? Most of the sheep that use Win 10 deserve it. I'm fine with what I have in my small office.

"'Weird' Nintendo Switch Issue Makes it Easier to Guess Passwords" ( Friday May 22,) followed a day later with " Bumblebees' 'Clever Trick' Fools Plants Into Flowering" These editors are reading too many popular news article headlines, and now they are infected too.

I still use WinXP, which allows my to delete most of my temp files at the end of every session. My Windows HOST files are riddled with Google entries that are blocked. And I use Duckduckgo.com Yes, I have a Gmail.com account, but I purge it as it's only good as a dumping ground. No Facebook, no Twitter, etc. I can't protect everything on my internet connection, but by limiting the obvious crap, I don't get much junk. Now, get off my lawn!

"...concerned advocates should conserve their outrage for when it's really needed." Really needed = In Pennsylvania USA, I have my calendar marked for November 6, 2018 and November 3, 2020.

You can pick out the European comments - they all think Americans drive SUVs or Minis with nothing in between. Seriously, $12,K is way too expensive - $13,K buys a Toyota Tacoma with a four-cylinder, five-speed manual. SMART cars need to start at $9,999 or somwhere in that range. SMART has a leg up in Germany (at least), where teens too young to license can still drive a SMART car. There won't be any such special treatment here in the states.