Author Archives: jik

Idealism vs. pragmatism in genocide prevention

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has set off a firestorm by refusing to endorse House Resolution 106, which calls upon the Federal government to recognize the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. The ADL’s position is consistent with their longstanding policy not to get involved in the debate. They don’t… Read More »

British Airways baggage handling roasted by the WSJ

Concerning my prevously described bad experience with British Airways’ terrible baggage handling, I’m sure not the only one!  Today’s Wall Street Journal ran a story about it on page D1, with a teaser on the front page.  “Welcome to London: Your Luggage Is Missing — Why British Airways Is Worse Than Even U.S. Airlines At Losing… Read More »

It pays to shop around

HP is currently offering a promotion which includes rebates on several of their All-in-One printers as well as a $15 rebate on an HP Photo Value Pack when you purchase one printer in particular, the C5280.  See here for more information about this promotion.  Then read on for the experience I had trying to take… Read More »

American Airlines still bites

A little over a month ago, I posted a letter I sent to American Airlines about a bad experience my family had on an international flight.  I’ve received the following woefully inadequate response:

Would you buy from these people?

Seen this morning on a truck which claimed to be from a company called “Assorted Stone & Cabinet”:  “COVER CONNETICUT & MASSECHUSETTE” There was also a lot of Chinese writing on the truck, so one might reasonably assume that the company is owned by people who are not native English speakers.  Nevertheless, maybe they could… Read More »

Computers that feel pleasure

Apparently, the United States Postal Service has made a remarkable breakthrough in artificial intelligence. This evening, I bought stamps from an USPS Automated Postal Center (APC) kiosk. As I was leaving after completing my purchase, the kiosk bid me farewell with the following message: “It was my pleasure to serve you.” Remarkable!