Religion comes into play

I usually resist talking about politics or religion, even though both are front and center these days. With the 2012 elections underway since, well, 2008, I've learned to keep my finger on the mute button of the remote.

I wish I could do the same with religion, which I view as a personal matter not well suited for public displays. But public displays and declarations abound.

• Controversy continues over the "Keep Christ in Christmas" sign in Pitman, N.J. I guess the locals forget that those who don't celebrate Christmas might not want to live under the banner of someone else's religion.
• This season of Survivor: South Pacific was the most prayerful ever -- as if who would win immunity was a matter of divine intervention.
• Then there's the Denver Bronco's Tim Tebow, whose kneeling in prayer on the playing field has become a phenomenon. The best response to "tebowing" is this skit from Saturday Night Live (after brief ad).

So when it comes to politics or religion, I really don't have to say anything at all. There are enough voices in the mix as it is. 

Hello Dear...Upgrade Needed

I've become quite cynical about emails from strangers, deleting them upon receipt. I've adopted a "Just Say No" mantra. But this one almost got me.

Subject: Adobe Acrobat: Upgrade Needed

I thought it odd for Adobe to email me, much less attach a zip file, so my suspicions were raised. But I probably did need an upgrade, so I continued reading.

The details seemed legit: 

Adobe is pleased to announce new version upgrades for Adobe Acrobat Reader. Advanced features include:

- Collaborate across borders
- Create rich, polished PDF files from any application that prints
- Ensure visual fidelity
- Encrypt and share PDF files more securely
- Use the standard for document archival and exchange

To upgrade and enhance your work productivity today please open attached file.

Copyright 2011 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.
TrackNum: RBN098-2772687
Adobe Systems Incorporated,
Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:56:18 +0200

Then I re-read the greeting: "Hello Dear." And hit delete.

"Hello Kitty" would have been more believable. 

Score one more for the suspicious consumer, another zero for spammers.