Given the circumstances, I feel like there’s no better time than the present to share my feelings on Valentine’s Day. Let me make it clear from the very beginning that I have a valentine this year, but it does not change the fact that I think the holiday is both pointless and a waste of money.
Saint Valentine of Rome was chilling in 3rd-century Rome, preaching the gospel of Christianity, when a Hallmark representative threatened him with a cease-and-desist unless he relinquishes all ownership to his name in exchange for chocolates and a bouquet of flowers.
That’s not exactly how it happened, but the point I am making is that there is little to no historical evidence that supports why we celebrate Valentine’s day. For the floral and candy industries, it’s an incredible business opportunity but otherwise, it makes no sense.
Well, I hope you still love someone, and here’s what you missed in the news yesterday.
Apple, That’s Nasty!
In the weeks following Facebook’s punishment for misuse, TechCrunch discovered that other companies have been openly abusing Apple’s Enterprise Certificate program. After further investigation, it was discovered that a dozen or so hardcore pornography apps and multiple real-money gamboling apps were available for download on the iOS app store. TechCrunch blames Apple’s laid-back standards for allowing businesses to work within the confines of their enterprise program.
The only parameters developers have to satisfy when applying include paying a $299 fee, as well as completing a pledge that states developers will build an Enterprise Certificate app solely for internal employee-only use, and that they have legal authority to do so, all of which are easily fabricated.
Per the TechCrunch investigation, Apple refused to say whether it performs any sort of audit on developers who are granted certificates for the program, or if they plan on making the admission process more difficult.
“Developers that use our enterprise certificates are in violation of the Apple Developer Enterprise Program Agreement and will have their certificates terminated, and if appropriate, they will be removed from our Developer Program completely. We are continuously evaluating the cases of misuse and are prepared to take immediate action.”
–Apple Spokesperson statement regarding TechCrunch report
Trump Can See Clearly Now The Rain Gone
In a move that even I am still dumbfounded by, President Trump informed several media junkets that he intends to sign the most recent border security deal proposed by Congress to avoid another partial government shutdown. Though Trump publicly stated his disapproval with the tentative agreement conceptualized by Congress earlier this week, on Wednesday, he told CNN reporters that he would “take a very serious look” at the legislation.
This fresh perspective from President Trump is shocking given that several weeks ago he had finished out a near month long shutdown because the Democratic leadership refused to grant him billions of dollars to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border.
“I don’t want to see a shutdown, a shutdown would be a terrible thing. I don’t want to see another one, there’s no reason for it.”
–President Donald Trump
