All of us have to push back whenever we can

OK, add me to your spam list, but I posted this in response to a story about 
the Secret Service's most recent transgressions (featuring a green screen):

Rachel, I've been watching you on MSNBC since before you had your own show. 
When it comes to politics, you have no equal. But when it comes to IT, you have 
no idea. In your story about the Secret Service you characterized a TN3270 
logon screen as "1980s", "ridiculously antiquated", "the classic age of 
computing", "the problem is this is today". Yes, it is today. That screen is 
leads to an IBM mainframe computer. It's purpose is to issue a warning (sorry 
you have to read, but it's shorter than most of the T&C everyone blows though) 
and to solicit a user ID and password. When you invoke it, it appears 
instantaneously. It's efficient. You may notice that there are no banner ads or 
videos. For which those of us who are lucky enough to work in these 
environments are eternally grateful. And a mainframe computer is exactly where 
you want your "sensitive information." It's vulnerable to insiders, as in this 
case, but not to Russian hackers. That's why your ATM transactions are 
processed by mainframe computers, which are in no way "1980s" or "ridiculously 
antiquated". Please stick to what you and your staff know, and skip the 
pejorative comments about what you don't.

cross-posted to IBM-Main

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