Another local will join Sims and Kerlikowske back East, now that Philip Reitinger--a senior infrastructure security guy at Microsoft--has been appointed to a leadership role with the Department of Homeland Security. He will take over next week as the deputy undersecretary of the National Protections Program Directorate. Wired points out that as Microsoft isn't exactly an industry leader in computer security, Reitinger's appointment "might be considered what some would call ironic." Hmm. Hackers, start your engines. more ›

Bill Gates doesn't have to wait for much of anything these days, even when it comes to Homeland Security altering laws based on his recommendations. Gates testified before Congress on March 12th of this year requesting the government to reconsider its stance on the length of time foreign non-immigrant students could remain and work in the US. Less than a month later, on April 4th, the Department of Homeland Security granted his request verbatim. more ›

We can't decide if this story is more straight out of a Dr. Strangelove-esque world or National Lampoon's road-trip vacation post 9/11, so we'll let you be the judge. more ›

Chris Walla is best known for being the guitarist in Death Cab for Cutie. Or he's known as a producer for Tegan & Sara and the Decemberists. Or maybe you heard about the little incident he had with Homeland Security confiscating his computer last fall. Now Walla's got another reason for notability: his first solo album, Field Manual, out today on Barsuk Records. Singer-songwriter stuff ain't exactly our bag, but Walla's smooth delivery ensures that even the more overtly political songs go down easy. Above is the video for first single "Sing Again," which was filmed in Portland and features about 9,000 cameos from Walla's friends/other Northwest artists. Betcha can't name 'em all! more ›

There are a lot of things we can see being seized at the border between Canada and the United States: handguns with the serial number filed off, bricks of heroin, briefcases with the radioactivity sign on the side. Hard drives we'd expect to make it through, but unfortunately we'd be wrong. The guy bringing the masters of the songs Chris Walla recorded in Vancouver back down to Seattle had the drive containing them yanked by Homeland Security. more ›

It seems like, all across the network, folks were up to no good. Maybe it was all the green beer from last weekend... more ›

Sunday. Usually, a quiet, contemplative day in the Blogosphere. But not here in the Ist-a-Verse. Nonono! Just look below and see all of the wild and crazy stuff our staffs are up to. more ›

MUSIC: Featuring a global cavalcade of musical talent—The Strauss Symphony of America, The Vancouver Opera Orchestra, Viennese conductor Johannes Wildner, Budapestian soprano Lívia Galambos and Viennese tenor Neal von Osten—Salute to Vienna is the only official recreation of Vienna’s famous annual New Year’s Concert. Get ready for 2007 with songs, waltzes, polkas, and marches from great Viennese composers, including Strauss, Franz Lehár and Emerich Kálmán. more ›

We sent our passport off to Philadelphia last week for routine renewal, then got unexpected assignment to cover a travel symposium in Italy...next week! No chance of getting new passport in time. Called State Department, expecting endless bureaucracy, got helpful advice on first ring. Used automated system to schedule interview right here in Seattle, got appointment within the hour. Impressive staff at Passport Office. At least one federal agency doing things right, makes leaving home a breeze. more ›

The Port of Seattle just knocked on Seattlest's inbox with news that six computer disks that contain information on over six thousand airport workers are missing. First of all, who the hell still stores information on "computer disks?" Hopefully, that means "DVDs," but still. When are we going to hear the first report of a thumb drive containing critical homeland security data being stolen? more ›

After seven years, drumcentric rabble-rousers the Infernal Noise Brigade have called it quits. This weekend offers you two last chances to see the politicomusic group in action. more ›

From time to time we residents of this unique/Northwestern/American city develop blindspots into which it's difficult to see. Jonathan Raban has made a good go of assisting us in these situations --sometimes just by nudging the mirror a little-- so we contacted him hoping he could help with a little perspective on our viaduct dilemma. He doesn't disappoint. Discussed are the Viaduct, the waterfront, South Lake Union, Aurora Ave North, the Tube, traffic, money, legacies, neuroses, wagers against the future, Seattle's misconceptions, Seattlest's misconceptions and, finally, Jonathan's upcoming books. more ›

Seattle-based Amazon.com has unveiled the ultimate online yellow pages as part of their A9 search engine. Into A9's search box, type your favorite Seattle restaurant, like for instance the Noodle Ranch in Belltown. You get all the basic yellow pages info you'd expect plus Amazon reviews, maps and - get this - a set of drive-by pictures of the establishment! more ›

Art and technology are the twin engines that keep the Emerald City afloat, but it's not that often that they mix. For the most part art stays on its side of the street and technology toes the opposite curb, but right now there's a rare opportunity to witness them both meeting in the middle of the road. You missed the opening (although a great many people didn't; it was packed on Saturday) but you can still catch the People Doing Strange Things with Electricity exhibition at COCA. more ›