Why applying for passports is so not fun

To: U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano Dear Rep. Capuano, The subject of this message is unacceptable performance from the agency responsible for issuing U.S. passports. My wife submitted three passport applications, for three of our minor children, on the same day — June 12. Two of the three passports for which we applied arrived over… Read More: Why applying for passports is so not fun »

Initial thoughts on Olympic bid documents

The Boston 2024 committee has released most of the documents which it used for its bid to become the U.S. representative in the competition for hosting the 2024 Olympics. I’ve reviewed most of the documents, and here are my initial thoughts. There are four things that stand out for me: 1) The polls they did… Read More: Initial thoughts on Olympic bid documents »

My own small encounter with the evil that is Zynga

Much has been written about the fact that Zynga is evil. From my own experience, I’d like to add massively incompetent and law-breaking to the list of adjectives that accurately describe them. A number of days ago, I decided to give Words With Friends, a Scrabble™-like game, on my smart-phone. I was bored, and I wasn’t… Read More: My own small encounter with the evil that is Zynga »

On Ben Edelman and Sichuan Garden

As someone who shares Ben Edelman’s passion for standing up to businesses that rip off consumers (and someone who’s been doing it for longer than he has!), I feel compelled to weigh in on the recent hubbub. There are four different aspects to this incident that need to be untangled: the facts; the law; Edelman’s conduct;… Read More: On Ben Edelman and Sichuan Garden »

Fandango discriminates against imaginary Germans

November 26, 2014 Regal Entertainment Group 7132 Regal Lane Knoxville, Tennessee 37918 Fax: 1-865-922-3188 To whom it may concern: I’m writing to you to complain about Fandango, the vendor you’ve selected to exclusively handle on-line sales of Regal tickets. I have been forced to escalate my complaint to you because of Fandango’s completely inept handling… Read More: Fandango discriminates against imaginary Germans »